Mike Walcher

A steady line of cars and trucks pulled up to the emergency shelter at Hertz Arena in Estero in advance of Hurricane Milton. Lee County said on Wednesday morning that shelters had plenty of spaces for people.

Southwest Floridians are getting time Tuesday to make final preparations for Hurricane Milton. But some people are frustrated by lack of gas, and by lack of knowledge over what to bring to an emergency shelter.

Fort Myers is willing to kick in $1.55 million to get rid of an auto salvage yard in the Dunbar neighborhood. The Community Redevelopment Agency has voted to pledge that money, if a private company buys out the property - the land underneath the salvage yard.

A classic political battle is shaping up in Southwest Florida to win a seat in the Florida House of Representatives. The candidates in District 76 have sharp differences on most issues.

Some counties in Southwest Florida are opening safe havens for homeless people, and those who feel their homes may not be safe during Hurricane Helene. Sixty-three people stayed at two safe havens in Lee County from Wednesday through Thursday morning.

Some Charlotte County residents are making different decisions on whether to leave their homes in advance of tropical system Helene.The county is ordering some mandatory evacuations.

Lee County is granting $89 million for affordable housing. The money comes from the federal government, part of the $1.1 billion coming to Lee to help recovery from Hurricane Ian.

The City of North Port in Sarasota County is asking voters to change the charter, and allow taking on debt up to $15 million a year for each large project. North Port has not been allowed to take on large debt since the city was founded in 1959. A referendum on debt is on the November ballot.

Drivers in Cape Coral could be on camera, and getting a speeding ticket, in the near future.The city has OK'd the installation of cameras around school speed zones, and possibly other places, to spot speeders and send them citations.

Hendry County is considering impact fees for new construction. Home builders and some residents oppose the fees, saying they will slow down growth in Hendry.But some county leaders and other residents want the fees to help pay for badly needed infrastructure improvements.