SWFL NowVERIFIED NEWS. LOCAL IMPACT.83°F in Cape Coral,Sunny · Cape Coral
The Southwest Florida stories that are too local, too early or too ongoing for the evening news.
Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson sent a written statement to The News-Press on Nov. 4, the day after losing his re-election bid to Amber Ware. He called serving the city an honor, thanked supporters and said Fort Myers' next chapter looks promising. Ware won about 54% of the vote in unofficial results.
Source: News-Press and 2 more
Challenger Amber Ware defeated incumbent Mayor Kevin Anderson in the Nov. 3 Fort Myers election, about 54% to 46% in unofficial results. Ware, a longtime city employee who directs the city's STARZ youth program, campaigned on ordering a full audit of city finances. The results become final once the county certifies them.
Source: WINK News and 2 more
Rick Erickson defeated Lisa Cohen-Adkinson for Cape Coral mayor, 39,218 votes (51.9%) to 36,378 (48.1%), in unofficial Nov. 3 results. Dave Newton won District 1 over Tom Shadrach, incumbent Jennifer Nelson-Lastra kept District 4 over James Vargas, and Annette Warren won District 6 over Liza King by 487 votes. Results become final once certified.
Source: Cape Coral Breeze and 1 more
Unofficial Nov. 3 results show Cecil Pendergrass and Brian Hamman winning Lee County Commission Districts 2 and 4, Jenna Persons-Mulicka winning Lee supervisor of elections, Debbie Jordan and Crystal Johnson winning Lee School Board seats and Chris Hall winning Collier County Commission District 2. In city races, Terolyn Watson won Fort Myers Ward 3, Ruth Condit and James Anderst won Bonita Springs council seats, Anita Cereceda won on Fort Myers Beach, Jeannine Polk and Gary Butler won in Punta Gorda, and Dennis Bartolucci, Teri Sommerfeld and Rick Woodworth won Marco Island council seats. Results become final once certified.
Source: WINK News and 1 more
Lee County / Collier County / Charlotte County
Voters across Lee, Collier, Charlotte and other SWFL counties continued casting ballots Tuesday, with Lee County reporting roughly 57% turnout by late afternoon.
Source: Fresh Take Florida and 2 more
Tuesday, November 3
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, for the general election, with federal, state and county offices and state constitutional amendments on the ballot. In Lee County, voters also decide city council races in Bonita Springs, Cape Coral and Fort Myers and the Fort Myers Beach Town Council. Mail ballots must arrive by 7 p.m.; Lee County voters can still drop theirs off at an elections office branch until then.
Source: Lee County Supervisor of Elections and 1 more
Protesters led by the Lee County NAACP gathered outside Fort Myers City Hall before the Nov. 2 council meeting, again calling on Mayor Kevin Anderson to resign over sexual misconduct allegations made by two men. Anderson has denied the allegations, and a state law enforcement review of one complaint closed without charges; council member Fred Burson said he supports the mayor. Anderson faces challenger Amber Ware on Tuesday's ballot.
Source: WINK News and 1 more
Fire and law enforcement leaders wrapped up a statewide 'Vote No on Amendment 3' tour in Cape Coral, warning the property tax measure could lead to budget cuts or new fees for services. Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell said more than 90% of his agency's budget comes from property taxes and projected losses of about $26 million in fiscal 2028 and $47 million in 2029, while Bonita Springs Fire Chief Greg DeWitt said low-cost services such as CPR classes could cost more or be cut. Voters decide on Nov. 3, and the amendment needs 60% approval to pass.
Source: WINK News
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
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
President Donald Trump spoke for close to two hours Friday afternoon at Florida Gulf Coast University's Alico Arena, urging supporters to back gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds and the rest of the Republican ticket. Gov. Ron DeSantis met him at Southwest Florida International Airport, and his remarks covered the economy, energy prices, foreign policy and his Democratic opponents. He finished around 4:20 p.m. and Air Force One left RSW shortly before 5 p.m.
Source: WINK News and 3 more
Friday, October 23
President Donald Trump is scheduled to appear at a campaign rally today at Florida Gulf Coast University’s Alico Arena in support of Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds.
Source: WINK News and 2 more
Mayor Kevin Anderson, in office since 2020, is seeking another term on a platform of public safety, infrastructure, economic development and affordable housing. Challenger Amber Ware, a city employee since 2002, says her first act would be a complete audit of city finances, and she wants to restart neighborhood utility projects. The race is on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Source: WGCU News and 1 more
Demonstrators gathered Saturday, Oct. 17, at sites including U.S. 41 and Daniels Parkway in Fort Myers, the Collier County Courthouse in Naples, Port Charlotte, Englewood, Immokalee and the Matlacha Pass Bridge. Organizers described the events as nonpartisan and aimed at getting residents to make a plan and vote early ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
Source: News-Press and 2 more
Friday, October 23
President Donald Trump is scheduled to headline a midterm rally on October 23 at Alico Arena at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers with doors at 10:30 a.m. and remarks at 2 p.m.
Source: Lee County GOP and 1 more
Friday, October 23
The midterm rally featuring President Trump on Oct. 23 is confirmed for Alico Arena at FGCU; the university is modifying campus operations due to expected traffic and parking impacts.
Source: Gulf Coast News and 2 more
Saturday, October 17
Nonpartisan No Kings: Vote Early events are scheduled today in locations including Fort Myers Naples and Matlacha to encourage early voting ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
Source: Naples Daily News and 1 more
