Lee County

Sports

FGCU's Adaptive Sports Day allows people with disabilities to try new activities

Amanda Whittamore

Adaptive Sports Day was a chance for people with disabilities to try out various athletic activities.

Just weeks after hurricanes Helene and Milton sent massive amounts of storm surge inland throughout Southwest Florida, the organism that causes red tide is being found in medium and high concentrations in the coastal waters off Lee and Charlotte counties and in lower but significant numbers off Sarasota, Manatee, and Pinellas counties.

Environment

Environmental conditions ripe for red tides forming off Southwest Florida shores

Tom Bayles

Hurricanes Milton and Helene contributing to red tide formation like after Hurricane Ian in 2022

Some of the 1900 acres of rock mining operation that sold for $620 million. It's the highest price ever paid for a land purchase in Lee County.

Building & Construction

Lee County records highest price ever for sale of land

Mike Walcher

Who knew rock mining could be so lucrative? The Youngquist brothers of Lee County may have had a hint. They and their family members now are recipients of the biggest dollar amount for sales of a piece of land in Lee County.

Natasha Agarwal, founder of BelieveNBooks, with a copy of her children’s book, Tales of African Women Trailblazers. The book highlights African-born women who have overcome adversity. She is 17 and a senior at Canterbury in Fort Myers, Florida.

Arts & Culture

Canterbury student publishes book; continues book distribution nonprofit

Cary Barbor

A Fort Myers high school student has published a book. And it’s not her first foray into the publishing business.

Hurricane Milton’s winds damaged some trees and flooded homes along the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers. Some businesses in downtown Fort Myers were also flooded again. On Thursday, neighbors and city crews were out helping with the cleanup effort.

Hurricane Recovery

Communities across SWFL address Hurricane Milton debris

WGCU Staff

Communities across Southwest Florida that were impacted by Hurricane Milton are now addressing the debris the storm left behind.Public drop-off sites have been set up and strict rules about how the debris is to be placed for collection are in place.

A crew removes a plam tree that fell across McGregor Boulevard near Moreno Avenue after a possible tornado spun out of the outer bands of Hurricane Milton on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Fort Myers.

Hurricane

Tornado touches down in Fort Myers neighborhood

Cary Barbor

A tornado whirled through Fort Myers Wednesday afternoon. WGCU’s Cary Barbor spoke with someone who was too close for comfort.

A staff member at Barrington Terrace helps a resident to a charter bus as they work to evacuate residents over to the east coast ahead of Hurricane Milton on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Fort Myers. The facility, which is near Healthpark Medical Center, is in an evacuation zone.

Hurricane

Assisted Living evacuation goes smoothly

Cary Barbor and Amanda Inscore Whittamore

What happens if a Senior Living Residence needs to evacuate? We found out.

People park in front of the entrance at Hertz Arena in Estero. They were checking in to the emergency shelter in advance of Hurricane Milton.

Weather

People came to emergency shelters at nearly the last minute

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.

Environment

Lee County survey to gauge residents' awareness of fertilizer’s harm to local environment

Tom Bayles

Lee County officials are surveying residents to see if they know that fertilizing residential lawns may cause potential water quality problems, this is on first day after ban ended

Florida gulf Coast University students Deshara Bagley (left) and Madison Wells (right) fill out voter registration applications at the League of Women Voters of Lee County table on the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University on September 11, 2014.

Education

League of Women Voters helps FGCU students register to vote and addresses barriers ahead of election

Tara Calligan

The League of Women Voters of Lee County visited Florida Gulf Coast University to help students navigate voting challenges ahead of the general election. FGCU students shared concerns about voter ID requirements and transportation to polling locations, while the League provided guidance and resources like Vote411.org to encourage civic engagement.