Caloosahatchee

Caloosahatchee Bridge exit ramp to close for 4 weeks

WGCU Staff

The southbound exit loop ramp from the Caloosahatchee Bridge will close tonight (Oct 2, 2024) for four weeks (pending weather delays).

A Caloosahatchee River Bridge project update said work accomplished in the past two weeks has advanced the project by 103 days.

Transportation

Caloosahatchee River Bridge construction update: project 103 days ahead of schedule

WGCU Staff

The Caloosahatchee River Bridge is two weeks into an expected multi-week construction project with eight weeks of closure remaining. Additionally, project managers said work accomplished in the past two weeks has advanced the project by 103 days.

A Florida panther mother with her kitten are pictured in this photo taken when the duo tripped a remote camera set by famed National Geographic photographer and Tampa resident Carlton Ward, Jr., on the Babcock Ranch north of the Caloosahatchee River in 2018. The photo gave proof to the belief that the Florida panther is once again populating its historic, state-wide grounds, which lead to this re-issue of the state's speciality panther license plate to both mark the animal's return to North Florida and to raise money for continued conservation efforts on its behalf

Environment

Famed photographer adds fresh look to popular panther plate

Tom Bayles

A popular photo of a female Florida panther, with her kitten trailing behind, is set to be the third image featured on the state’s “Protect the Panther” specialty vehicle tag.The picture was taken in 2018 by famed National Geographic photographer Carlton Ward Jr. on the Babcock Ranch, which is about 15 miles north of Fort Myers and just north of the Caloosahatchee River when the panther duo tripped one of his remote cameras.

Green Cup Cafe stands along Dean Street in downtown Fort Myers. The flood line measured five-feet-tall in some areas inside.

Downtown Fort Myers businesses hoping to rebuild and reopen after Hurricane Ian

Riley Hazel

Owners of some businesses in Fort Myers that flooded during Hurricane Ian are cleaning up and hoping to re-open. But the downtown shop owners are dealing with many issues since the storm, including loss of homes, vehicles and income.

Calusa Waterkeeper welcomes Trisha Botty as its new Executive Director.

Meet Calusa Waterkeeper's new Executive Director Trisha Botty

Tara Calligan

Calusa Waterkeeper has announced a new Executive Director. Learn more about Trisha Botty and her plans to continue advocating for improved water quality in our region.

Fort Myers to Host C-43 Reservoir Water Quality Summit

Mike Kiniry

Once it’s completed, the massive Caloosahatchee River West Basin Storage, or C-43 reservoir, near Alva will hold about 55 billion gallons of water…

Gov. Scott Tours Blue-Green Algae Bloom in SWFL, Declares State of Emergency

Rachel Iacovone

As of Monday morning, the Army Corps of Engineers had halted releases of water from Lake Okeechobee to the west coast. This came after the decision to…

Environment

High Levels Of E. Coli In Southwest Florida Waterways

Quincy J Walters

David Williams and Alex Massie sat side by side at W.P. Franklin Lock along the Caloosahatchee River, waiting for something to nibble at their fishing…

ACLU Alleges State Failed Floridians in Response to 2016 Toxic Algae Blooms

Matthew F Smith

The ACLU of Florida has wrapped up a months-long investigation into how the state handled last year’s toxic algal blooms; the result of discharges from…

Panther, Manatee, Burrowing Owl: Threats to Mammals & Florida Fowl

Matthew F Smith

In the environmentally sensitive landscape of Southwest Florida, there are a few endangered or threatened species that tend to take center stage. In…