News

Thousands graduate in Lee County

Watch videos and photos from graduation ceremonies for Fort Myers High, Oasis, Evangelical Christian and North Fort Myers.

• 5:03 PM

Chase Bank robbed, suspects in custody after pursuit

A female suspect and a male suspect are in custody after allegedly robbing Chase Bank at Corkscrew Road and U.S. 41 in Estero.

• 4:27 PM

Powerball ticket a hot commodity

The largest jackpot in Powerball history is causing a frenzy across Southwest Florida. As of Friday night, the jackpot stood at $600 million, but it was expected to rise before tonight’s drawing given how fast tickets are selling across the country. The last time there was a Florida Powerball jackpot winner was Dec. 26, 2012, when a St. Petersburg man won $50 million. There have been five jackpot winners since the game was introduced in Florida in 2009.

• 3:09 PM

Video: Fort Myers High graduation

• 2:49 PM

Lee County homeless numbers stay nearly static

Lee County's homeless population remained almost unchanged from last year according to a January survey of people living on the street.

• 12:40 AM

Florida mandate will cost school districts

School officials are facing a tough decision. Pick up the tuition tab for high school students to take dual enrollment courses or cut their college prep options.

• May 17, 2013

This week's top stories on news-press.com

Here are the top stories on news-press.com this week.

• 4:56 PM

Photos: North Fort Myers High Graduation

• 3:09 PM

Photos: SW Fla. Christian Academy

• 3:03 PM

Photos: Evangelical Christian School

• 3:02 PM

Video: Lee Virtual School

• 3:00 PM

Video: Oasis High School

• 2:54 PM

Lee County deputy arrested in marijuana case

Lee County deputies arrested one of their own Friday for the third time in just over a month.

• May 17, 2013

Fort Myers owes officers OT for Edison Festival duty

An arbitrator has ruled the city of Fort Myers owes its police officers overtime pay for working the Edison Festival of Light.

• May 17, 2013

Lee County high school graduation weekend kicks off

Gateway Charter, Evangelical Christian and Southwest Florida Christian Academy held graduation ceremonies Friday night. Return to news-press.com throughout the weekend for more coverage on Lee County high school commencements.

• 12:39 AM

Fishing Best Bets: Red grouper run hot and cold for Southwest Florida anglers

Those fishing have been catching: offshore, inshore and inland. Red grouper have been running hot and cold for offshore anglers, but snappers, porgies and the occasional king mackerel have been taking up the slack. Tarpon fishing has been good for guided anglers fishing the nearshore Gulf and in the big bays.

• May 15, 2013

Today's top headlines on news-press.com

Here are the top headlines on news-press.com today.

• May 17, 2013

Fun and Games on news-press.com

• May 17, 2013

$600 million Powerball jackpot sets new record

The numbers sum up the frenzy that has taken over the Golden State of California since it joined the madness over Powerball, which has seen its jackpot soar to $600 million for Saturday's drawing. California has sold $83 million worth of Powerball tickets since April, when it joined 42 other states that offer the game.

• May 17, 2013

TaxWatch issues list of what it calls wasteful Florida spending

Southwest Florida had four of the 107 projects the nonprofit group Florida TaxWatch called 'turkeys' in the state budget and should be vetoed by the governor.

• May 17, 2013

Golfview pool closed for repairs for two weeks

The Fort Myers Recreation Division will be closing Golfview Pool for emergency repairs on Monday through June 2, 2013.

• May 17, 2013

Lee County Public Safety workers receive recognition

Thirty Lee County Public Safety employees were recognized today at an awards ceremony that featured EMTs and paramedics that brought 14 individuals back to life.

• May 17, 2013

Homelessness up slightly in Lee County

Lee County’s homeless population was up by six people as of a “point-in-time” count conducted in January.

• May 17, 2013

FedEx truck engulfed in flames after striking power lines in Fort Myers

Earlier this morning a FedEx vehicle struck power lines at 3450 Fowler Street. The downed power lines created sparks and engulfing the FedEx truck. Hunter Terrace off Fowler was shut down for emergency vehicles and the flames have since been extinguished.

• May 17, 2013

Centenarian celebrates 100th birthday with family members from all over US

A tent is set-up in the back and Beryl Gordon’s kids are preparing traditional Jamaican food for the onslaught of family expected to arrive today. From Canada to New York to Michigan and Georgia, everyone is flying in to celebrate this matriarch’s 100th birthday celebration.

• May 17, 2013

Cape Coral Fire Department stops boat fire

Cape Coral Fire Department personnel responded to a boat fire today at 4900 Nassau Court, Cape Coral.

• May 17, 2013

Fort Myers yacht club not giving up the ship

The landmark Royal Palm Yacht Club in Fort Myers will remain open, though in stripped-down form, at the Caloosahatchee riverfront site it has occupied for the last five decades. About 28 food and beverage staffers lost their jobs today, though building maintenance and marina workers will have work at least through mid-August, Market said.

• May 17, 2013

Florida panther takes up residence in Fort Myers area

Endangered animal spotted roaming around at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. The big cat has been photographed on at least three occasions, at times within rock’s throw of the preserve parking lot and interpretive center. The sightings started on Easter Sunday, when Six Mile Cypress volunteer Janet Bunch was working the front desk.

• May 16, 2013

Video: Panther documented at Six Mile Cypress Slough in Lee County

A Florida panther first photographed on Easter Sunday is living in a Lee County preserve near the Fort Myers city limits. Pick up a copy of The News-Press on Friday or return to news-press.com to learn more about the discovery.

• May 16, 2013

House group reaches deal on immigration bill

After years of negotiating and a week that saw one of its members nearly bolt from the group, a bipartisan group of House members announced Thursday that they had reached a deal "in principle" on a bill to overhaul the nation's immigration laws.

• May 16, 2013

Today's top headlines on news-press.com

Here are the top stories on news-press.com today.

• May 16, 2013

Caloosa Middle School: Mastering Microsoft

At Caloosa Middle School, they still teach reading, writing and arithmetic. But thanks to a tech-savvy squad of sixth through eighth graders, they've added Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access to the curriculum.

• May 16, 2013

Lehigh man seriously injured in Glades County crash

A 26-year-old Lehigh Acres man was seriously injured in a crash this morning in Glades County.

• May 16, 2013

Water main break on Evans Avenue in Fort Myers repaired

A water main break has forced the closure of a portion of Evans Avenue in Fort Myers this evening.

• May 16, 2013

Cape Coral Councilman McClain won't seek re-election

Cape Coral City Councilman Marty McClain said today he will not seek a second term and will use the weekend to decide whether or not to resign his seat over residency issues.

• May 16, 2013

National high school gymnastic event runs Friday, Saturday in Estero

Nearly 200 of the country's best gymnasts will be competing for team and individual honors at the National High School Gymnastics Association’s Senior Showcase Gymnastics Invitational this weekend at the Estero Recreation Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero.

• May 16, 2013

Click It or Ticket campaign begins Monday

Southwest Florida law enforcement agencies will be participating in the nationwide Click It or Ticket campaign beginning Monday.

• May 16, 2013

Saturday's Charlotte County civilian gun safety course cancelled

The civilian gun safety class scheduled for Saturday has been cancelled, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.

• May 16, 2013

Obama promises action on a trio of controversies

President Barack Obama tried to defuse a trio of controversies Thursday, pledging to work with Congress to ensure the IRS doesn't abuse its power, urging legislators to provide more money to strengthen security at U.S. diplomatic outposts and promising to seek "a balance" between national security and a need to protect freedom of the press.

• May 16, 2013

Obama calls on Congress to fund embassy security

President Barack Obama on Thursday tried to turn the tables on Republicans who have criticized his administration's response to last year's deadly attack in Benghazi, Libya, calling on lawmakers to approve his request to increase funding for diplomatic security.

• May 16, 2013

Fishing Best Bets: Red grouper run hot and cold for Southwest Florida anglers

Those fishing have been catching: offshore, inshore and inland.

• May 16, 2013

Dog owners: Consider the letter carrier

Sunday begins National Dog Bite Prevention Week, sponsored by the U.S. Postal Service.

• May 16, 2013

Cape Coral to host hurricane seminar

The Cape Coral Fire Department will host its second annual Hurricane Seminar on next month to help residents prepare for the hurricane season that begins June 1.

• May 16, 2013

Lee Clerk of Courts to accept marriage licenses, passport applications on Saturday, May 25

The Lee County Clerk of Courts Recording Office will be accepting marriage licenses and passport applications on a Saturday.

• May 16, 2013

Chalkboard blog in Hong Kong: Tapping into both halves of the brain

One long-standing criticism of Asian education is the overreliance on memorization of facts and formulas, essentials in earning top scores on standardized exams.

• May 16, 2013

Ave Maria students in India on mission trip

Ave Maria University President Jim Towey and a dozen Ave Maria students are in Calcutta, India, for a weeklong mission helping the religious order that was the focus for much of Mother Teresa’s work.

• May 16, 2013

Gov. Rick Scott rejects Amazon deal to bring up to 2,500 jobs to Florida

Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who has made job creation his top priority since coming into office, has rejected a proposed deal to bring major Internet retailer Amazon to the state.

• May 16, 2013

Words on Wellness: Spend time with ones you love, add positive energy

As I look out the window of my second-story office, I see a grandfather walking and talking with his 2-year-old granddaughter. He appears to be teaching her about the environment as he points to a nearby pond and she looks toward the water.

• May 16, 2013

Well with Michelle: If you want to lose weight or maintain weight, do the math

Every single calorie that you put into your body either gets burned or stored (if everything is working properly). Think of your body as a car. When you put 20 gallons of fuel into your car, if you don't burn those 20 gallons right away, they are

• May 16, 2013