Mike Walcher

People wait for food at a mobile food pantry in Fort Myers. The line stretched about a city block. Local non-profit groups said they are seeing more needy people than ever.

Southwest Floridians struggle with what some call outrageous cost of living

Mike Walcher

People who've never struggled before now are having to pick between buying food, or medicine, or paying rent and utilities. Is there enough private and government aid to help Southwest Floridians in need?

Construction booms throughout much of Southwest Florida. It's a testament to the visions of pioneer developers who say great potential for this year decades ago. But some people worry about the impacts of explosive growth on the fragile environment of this area.

Building & Construction

A tale of Southwest Florida's land: From pioneer developers to now

Mike Walcher

The pioneer developers who made this area what it's becoming leave a memorable legacy. But some people worry about our fragile environment, and the explosive population growth that continues.

Housing

Coastal Village property in Estero sells for more than $72 million

Mike Walcher

The Coastal Village apartment complex near the FGCU campus in Estero has sold for more than $72 million. A trio of companies are joining up to purchase Coastal Village, long a favorite for FGCU and other students looking to live off-campus.

This vacant land along Evans Avenue in Fort Myers is slated to become a low-cost apartment complex. The builder is getting help from Lee County for the project, but the company warns it will take at least 20 months after ground-breaking to build the 144-unit complex.

Housing

Lee County approves deal to help builder of lower-cost housing

Mike Walcher

A Miami company has gotten the OK to access money to build affordable housing in Lee County.Lee Commissioners Tuesday approved a deal that uses post-Ian recovery money for mortgage revenue bonds.

Government & Politics

Naples Pride can have 2025 festival, but no outdoor drag show

Mike Walcher

The Naples City Council voted 5-2 to allow Naples Pride to hold its annual festival in Cambier Park in June. But the group cannot have a drag show on the stage outdoors in the park.

Deaf Southwest Floridians attend a life skills class at Sally Pimentel Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Fort Myers. The center said it can pay only five employees, and is asking for help to serve more people in five counties.

Health

Deaf community members face isolation and stereotypes

Mike Walcher

Some deaf people in Southwest Florida say they face isolation, stereotypes and misunderstanding from hearing people. At the same time, the Sally Pimentel Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is asking for help to serve more people.

A homeowner on Myakka Drive in Venice pulls out furniture from their flooding home. Sarasota and Charlotte county residents found storm surge from Hurricane Helene in their homes and on their roads Friday morning, September 27, 2024.

Hurricane Recovery

Small Business Administration deadline approaches to get loans to pay for fall's hurricane losses

Mike Walcher

A deadline is fast approaching to get money to pay for damages from hurricanes Helene and Milton. The Small Business Administration — SBA — is offering loans to businesses and people who had losses in the storms.

Design for remodel of Bonita Springs Elementary School released.

Education

Latest design for Bonita Springs Elementary remodel unveiled

Mike Walcher

The School District of Lee County released the first look at the preliminary designs for a renovated and remodeled Bonita Springs Elementary School on Friday. The project is scheduled to start in summer 2025 and finish before the start of school in August 2027.

One of two most favored alternatives for a proposed trail to run through Bonita Springs and Estero, according to a study, would replace the existing Seminole Gulf Railway (above, crossing Estero Parkway) with a path that would start at Bonita Beach Road and end at Alico Road. SOme residents of The Vines, which the tracks run through, oppose the plan and suggest it stop at Estero Parkway.

Government & Politics

Bonita Springs council supports plans to change rail to bike trail

Mike Walcher

Bonita Springs is supporting the Rails to Trails project, but not asking for millions of dollars from the state. At least not for now.The Bonita Springs City Council voted Wednesday night to let state law-makers know: The Bonita-Estero Rail Trail, or "BERT", is a priority.

The Innocent Lives Foundation, or ILF, recently held a fundraiser at Celtic Ray in Punta Gorda. The non-profit group hires experts to scour the internet in search of child predators. Some cases are turned over to law enforcement.

Crime

A group of citizens fights back against online child predators

Mike Walcher

Innocent Lives Foundation, ILF, recently held a fundraiser in Punta Gorda. The non-profit group hires experts to scour the internet, looking for child predators.