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What's happening in Southwest Florida

The Southwest Florida stories that are too local, too early or too ongoing for the evening news.

  1. Confirmed
    Politics

    Lee County

    State ethics panel finds no probable cause against Lee Sheriff Marceno

    The Florida Commission on Ethics said Wednesday it found no probable cause on the complaint against Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, going against its own advocate's recommendation on the gift allegation. The case involved furniture he allegedly received and failed to report, and whether he misused his office by hiring the complainant as a consultant. The Sheriff's Office says the complaint was dismissed in full.

    Source: WGCU and 1 more

  2. Single source
    Business

    Fort Myers

    Farmers market chicken salad vendor opens first restaurant in south Fort Myers

    Twila Mae's Chicken Salad, a fixture at Southwest Florida farmers markets since 2020, opened its first storefront Oct. 23 at 18011 S. Tamiami Trail in the San Carlos Park area. Owner Landon Stevenson named the business for his grandmother, whose recipe is the base for seven flavors plus a seasonal one. The stand will keep working its weekly markets, including Captiva and Marco Island.

    Source: News-Press and 1 more

  3. Single source
    Housing

    East Naples

    Collier commissioners approve five-story East Naples project with workforce housing

    Collier County commissioners approved a mixed-use building at U.S. 41 East and Andrew Drive in East Naples with about 30 studio and one-bedroom workforce units above a Mediterranean restaurant. The five-story project replaces a vacant former fast-food site. Some neighbors had objected over traffic and commercial creep, and county planning staff had opposed the plan before the Planning Commission recommended it in August.

    Source: Naples Daily News and 2 more

  5. Confirmed
    Traffic & Roads

    Southwest Florida

    FDOT takes comments through Nov. 10 on I-75 widening from Golden Gate Pkwy to Alico Road

    FDOT held public hearings Oct. 27 in Naples and Oct. 28 online on proposed I-75 improvements between Golden Gate Parkway in Collier County and Alico Road in Lee County. Comments can still be sent through swflroads.com/project/452544-1, by email or by mail, and must be received or postmarked by Nov. 10 to enter the formal hearing record.

    Source: FDOT District One and 2 more

  7. Confirmed
    Business

    Cape Coral

    Cape Coral announces deal to bring the city's first Costco to Chiquita Blvd.

    Cape Coral says it has partnered with Costco Wholesale on a warehouse of about 165,000 square feet with a member fuel station at 600 Chiquita Blvd. S., the chain's first store in the city. City Council will consider an incentive package of up to $10 million for site work and impact fees at its Nov. 2 meeting. No opening date has been set; it depends on Costco's construction schedule.

    Source: City of Cape Coral and 3 more

  8. Single source
    Crime & Safety

    Naples

    Wife of ex-Naples condo manager reported arrested in Colombia in fraud case

    Lina María Muñoz Posada, charged in a 2024 federal indictment along with her husband, former Naples community association manager Orlando Miserandino Ortiz, has been arrested in Rionegro, Colombia, WGCU reports, citing a Colombian news outlet. The 17-count indictment accuses the couple of wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy and failing to file tax returns in connection with their Naples condo management firm. Ortiz was jailed in Colombia in 2025 and is awaiting extradition.

    Source: WGCU

  9. Confirmed
    Local Government

    Captiva

    Judge upholds Lee County's South Seas Resort rezoning on Captiva

    Circuit Judge James Shenko of the 20th Judicial Circuit has denied a petition challenging Lee County commissioners' rezoning approval for South Seas Resort, finding the decision was backed by substantial evidence, applied the correct law and gave the public due process. The ruling lets the resort continue with its redevelopment after Hurricane Ian. Earlier court challenges by the Captiva Civic Association to county approvals for the resort also failed.

    Source: WGCU and 2 more

  14. Confirmed
    Events

    Fort Myers

    Alliance for the Arts' Stage Fright Nights haunted house runs through Halloween

    Saturday, October 31

    The Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers runs its séance-themed haunted house, Stage Fright Nights: Summoning the Damned, on select nights through Oct. 31. Remaining nights include a discount night Oct. 28, a free FreakArt After Dark fundraiser Oct. 29 and a Boos & Booze Halloween night Oct. 31. General admission is $20, or $15 for members.

    Source: Alliance for the Arts and 1 more

  24. Confirmed
    Crime & Safety

    Port Charlotte

    Port Charlotte man charged after deputies say he fired rifle at neighbors

    Charlotte County deputies arrested Dwight Washington White, 44, after witnesses said he shouted from his Orange Street backyard Sunday evening, pointed an AR-style rifle at them and fired. No one was hurt, but investigators found bullet holes in a nearby home and a parked car. He is charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon plus felon-in-possession and failure-to-register counts, and is held without bond.

    Source: Gulf Coast News and 2 more

  27. Single source
    Business

    Naples

    Naples food boat nearly sinks after a passing boat's wake floods it

    Wicked Good Eats, a Naples food boat that sells sandwiches, seafood and wraps to boaters, took on water Saturday after a passing boat's wake flooded it. Naples Fire, Naples Police and a Towboat U.S. operator kept it afloat, and no injuries were reported. The owner expects the boat to be out of service for at least a week while a mechanic checks the damage.

    Source: WINK News and 1 more

  28. Single source
    Crime & Safety

    Fort Myers

    Deputy struck by car at Tice Street school bus crash scene in Fort Myers

    A school bus crash around 6:12 a.m. Monday closed all lanes of Tice Street near Country Lakes Drive, in front of Manatee Elementary and Oak Hammock Middle schools in Fort Myers. The Lee County Sheriff's Office says no students were hurt; it confirmed other injuries in the crash but gave no details. While deputies worked the scene, one deputy was hit by a vehicle and taken to a hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening.

    Source: WINK News and 1 more

  29. Confirmed
    Traffic & Roads

    Fort Myers Beach

    Broken pipe opens sinkhole at Bay Beach Lane and Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach

    Town of Fort Myers Beach staff fixing a water service line break at Lake Valencia Condominiums found a broken underground pipe, and erosion beneath the road opened a sinkhole near Bay Beach Lane and Estero Boulevard. Traffic leaving Bay Beach Lane is down to one lane, while Estero Boulevard itself is unaffected. The town reports no active leaks or water service interruptions; repairs were set to start Monday, Oct. 26, pending further assessment.

    Source: WINK News and 1 more

  30. Single source
    Crime & Safety

    Punta Gorda

    Punta Gorda police arrest 3 drivers under Super Speeder law, one at 102 mph

    Punta Gorda police say three drivers were arrested in separate stops on the southbound U.S. 41 (Gilchrist) Bridge after radar clocked them at 96, 98 and 102 mph in a 45 mph zone. Topping the limit by more than 50 mph counts as dangerous excessive speeding under a Florida law in effect since July 1, 2025. It requires a court appearance and carries up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine on a first conviction.

    Source: WINK News

  31. Single source
    Traffic & Roads

    Fort Myers

    Midpoint Bridge to close 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 11 for Veterans Day 5K

    Wednesday, November 11

    Lee County will close the Midpoint Bridge from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, for the Midpoint Madness Veterans Day 5K Run/Walk, which starts at 6:30 p.m. Race activities are based at Royal Palm Square, 1400 Colonial Blvd., at the foot of the bridge. Drivers can use the Cape Coral Bridge or the U.S. 41 and Business 41 bridges; county message boards go up Nov. 2, and closure questions go to 239-533-9400.

    Source: WINK News and 1 more

  32. Single source
    Politics

    Fort Myers

    Senate candidate Angie Nixon makes Monday campaign stops in Fort Myers

    Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon scheduled three Fort Myers stops Monday, Oct. 26: the Quality Life Center on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard from noon to 1:30 p.m., the Ella Piper Senior Center from 1:45 to about 2:30 p.m., and Mildred's Restaurant on Michigan Avenue. Nixon is challenging Republican U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, who spoke at President Trump's Fort Myers rally on Friday. Election Day is Nov. 3.

    Source: WINK News

  33. Single source
    Crime & Safety

    Fort Myers

    Contractor airlifted to burn center after electrical injury at Fort Myers Walmart

    A contractor working at the Walmart on Six Mile Cypress Parkway in Fort Myers was shocked around 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, and flown to a burn center in Bradenton. Power went out in about half the store and shoppers were told to leave; South Trail Fire responded and FPL crews were on site. Walmart says the worker was not one of its employees, and the contractor's condition has not been released.

    Source: WINK News and 1 more

  34. Confirmed
    Crime & Safety

    Englewood

    Man, 68, charged with second-degree murder after Englewood garage shooting

    Charlotte County deputies were called to a home on El Campo Avenue in Englewood around 9:28 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, where a 47-year-old man had been shot in the garage; he was pronounced dead at 10:03 p.m. Frank John Voight, 68, is charged with second-degree murder and is being held without bond. He told deputies he fired once in self-defense after the other man, an acquaintance, became aggressive; investigators say his account did not match the evidence.

    Source: WINK News and 2 more

  35. Single source
    Weather

    Southwest Florida

    Windy start to the week in SWFL, gusts to 40 mph; showers rise toward Halloween

    Northeast winds of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts of 30 to 40 mph, are expected across Southwest Florida on Monday, staying breezy Tuesday before easing midweek. A Small Craft Advisory covers coastal waters through 8 p.m. Wednesday. Showers become more likely Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons and again late in the week into Halloween weekend, with highs in the mid to upper 80s.

    Source: WINK News and 1 more

  36. Confirmed
    Beaches & Environment

    Naples

    Naples Beach sand renourishment starts Monday along 3.5 miles of shoreline

    Collier County crews begin placing about 208,000 tons of sand on Naples Beach on Monday, Oct. 26, covering roughly 3.5 miles from Doctors Pass to just south of 21st Avenue South. The $8 million project replaces sand lost to Hurricanes Helene and Milton; trucks will run about 9,450 trips from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with completion targeted for Christmas. The beach stays open, but short stretches will be closed while crews work there.

    Source: WINK News and 1 more

  38. Confirmed
    Events

    Bonita Springs

    Free Happy Haunts Halloween stroll lights up downtown Bonita Springs through Oct. 31

    Saturday, October 31

    The City of Bonita Springs' free Happy Haunts Immersive Halloween Experience runs nightly through Oct. 31 in downtown Bonita Springs, with decorations, lights, projections and music from 5:30 to 10 p.m. There is no candy on the stroll itself; trick-or-treating is part of the Downtown Bonita Alliance's Trick or Treat on Old 41 on Oct. 31 from 5 to 8 p.m.

    Source: City of Bonita Springs and 1 more

  39. Confirmed
    Community

    Cape Coral

    Cape Coral's Niko Price steps back from the UFC after Las Vegas win

    Cape Coral native and Mariner High alumnus Niko Price says he is stepping away from the UFC after his first-round TKO of Leon Shahbazyan on Oct. 10 in Las Vegas, WINK News reports. Price, a father of seven, said the decision came after his wife and daughters told him they no longer liked watching him take punches. He is still training locally and says he's open to other combat sports.

    Source: WINK News and 1 more

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