6+ day, 22+ hour ago (187+ words) I'm your Community Correspondent for Cape Coral, Pine Island and Matlacha. I also live in the Cape, so if you see me walking my dog Winnie at Rotary Park, say hello! FORT MYERS, Fla. " Families lined Evans Avenue on Sunday, waiting up to two hours for free turkeys at the Pendas Law Firm's 17th annual turkey giveaway in Fort Myers. Fox 4's Bella Line spoke with the CEO about the annual turkey drop: The annual event, which brings lines around the block every year, was started by Lou Pendas, CEO of the Pendas Law Firm, 17 years ago during the 2008 recession. Pendas said he believes the need is greater this year because of the 43-day government shutdown. "A lot of these folks didn't receive their SNAP benefits, so they've kind of run into some problems," Pendas said. "We're glad that we're in…...

2+ week, 1+ day ago (241+ words) FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. " The new Big Carlos Pass Bridge is officially open to drivers, marking a major milestone in a years-long project connecting Fort Myers Beach to Lovers Key. Senior Reporter Emily Young tests out the new Big Carlos Pass Bridge: The bridge links Estrellita Drive on Fort Myers Beach to the Bayside entrance of Lovers Key State Park. As of Friday morning, LeeTran riders can also use the trolley stop on the east side of the bridge. Even with both lanes now open, the area remains an active construction zone. Large cranes are still operating on-site as crews continue work on pedestrian and bicycle features. The sidewalk is not yet finished, and construction is still underway on the 10-foot shared-use path. On the Fort Myers Beach side of the project, lane shifts are continuing as crews finalize that…...

3+ week, 5+ day ago (410+ words) FORT MYERS, Fla. " Fort Myers police officers are leaving for other departments in Southwest Florida as their union fights for better compensation, union leaders told city council Monday. Watch Fox 4's Eric Lovelace report on the Fort Myers Police Union negotiations: Jari Sanders, president of the Fort Myers Police Union, said officers don't feel valued under the current pay structure. More than a dozen officers attended the city council meeting to support the union's push for higher wages. "The officers are feeling like they're not appreciated, like they're undervalued," Sanders said. The city offered a pay increase that would raise officer starting salaries by $10,000, but Sanders said starting pay isn't the main issue. "Our year 5 and year 10 officers are feeling this the most," Sanders said. According to a wage survey conducted by the International Union of Police Associations Research Department,…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago (605+ words) FORT MYERS, Fla. " Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson is ramping up pressure on federal agencies to approve permits for the city's yacht basin redevelopment. He said the delays are costing the community millions and blocking public waterway access. Watch Fort Myers Community Correspondent Miyoshi Price's report: The yacht basin has remained closed and fenced off since Hurricane Ian destroyed it three years ago. The mayor said $50 million development project is in limbo while federal agencies review environmental permits. "Every day that Yacht Basin remains closed and fenced off, it's a constant reminder of the devastation and destruction that we went through with Hurricane Ian, and we want to get past that," Anderson said. The mayor outlined three main reasons why the permits are critical for the community. Beyond moving past the hurricane's visual reminders, Anderson said the closure restricts public…...

5+ day, 5+ hour ago (165+ words) Update 1:05 pmFWC says the coyote was not caught after it jumped to safety and was last seen walking in the direction of McGregor Blvd. Investigators will release new information soon. Update 12:45 pmThe coyote jumped over a barrier and back into the parking garage, ending an anxious early afternoon in downtown Fort Myers. Fox 4 is working to figure out what happened to the animal after it jumped into the parking garage. Original StoryA coyote is trapped on the ledge of the Luminary Hotel in downtown Fort Myers. Click to see the video that shows the dramatic moments as people in downtown Fort Myers watched the trapped coyote: It's standing on a small section of concrete outside of the parking garage. FWC tells Fox 4 it has officers in the area and a biologist headed to the hotel. They hope to release more…...

3+ week, 4+ day ago (121+ words) The results are in for the Town of Fort Myers Beach recall election. Both council members up for recall were voted out. John R. King received 1,037 votes to be recalled. Karen Woodson received 1,048 votes to be recalled. Both received 63% of the vote to be removed from office. FOX 4 spoke to Karen Woodson after the results came in and she said she fears for the future of Fort Myers Beach and the island. "I'm very disappointed. I fear for the island and I fear for it's recovery. Good luck to them," said Woodson. FOX 4 also reached out to John King but has yet to hear back. Rebecca Link received enough votes to potentially replace Woodson....

2+ week, 2+ day ago (196+ words) The Fort Myers High School Athletic Director called football coach Sammy Sirianni "a mentor, a role model, and a cornerstone of our athletic community." ... Fort Myers High School Football Coach Sammy Sirianni has decided to retire The legendary coach had a 175-81 record in 24 years at Fort Myers High In a letter to staff announcing Sirianni's retirement on Friday, Fort Myers High School Athletic Director Steve Cato said Sirianni's "impact on generations of student-athletes, colleagues, and the broader community is immeasurable Coach Sammy's career has been defined by passion, integrity, and a deep love for the game."Sirianni's father, Sam, coached at Fort Myers High School for 33 years They're the only father-son coaching duo with more than 100 wins each at one high school "Under his leadership, the Greenies have accomplished numerous milestones including awards, championships, and post season victories, but his…...

3+ week, 15+ hour ago (113+ words) Officers said at around 3:43 a.m., they were sent to Palm Avenue in reference to reports of gunfire. One victim was transported as a trauma alert to Gulf Coast Hospital, according to FMPD. Fort Myers Police say one injured in shooting on Palm Avenue FORT MYERS, Fla. " The Fort Myers Police Department said one person was injured in a shooting, Sunday morning. Officers said at around 3:43 a.m., they were sent to Palm Avenue in reference to reports of gunfire. One victim was transported as a trauma alert to Gulf Coast Hospital, according to FMPD. There is no threat to the public, FMPD said, and the investigation remains active....

2+ week, 4+ day ago (709+ words) FORT MYERS, Fla. " As the government shutdown continues to impact air travel nationwide, passengers at Southwest Florida International Airport are experiencing a range of effects. Some shared their experiences from smooth journeys to concerning delays and staffing shortages at various Watch Fort Myers Community Correspondent Miyoshi Price's report: At RSW, passenger experiences have varied dramatically. Marianne Twehues traveling from Kentucky after a Marco Island vacation, reported no issues with her journey. "So far, I have absolutely had no trouble traveling. I have no delays or flights canceled. So it's been wonderful. Been great. Security has been walked right through, so no issues," Twehues said. "I definitely did notice something recently with just the bottle-necking of the lack of, I guess, people to run through the TSA agencies and things like that," Sullivan said. "We just noticed more lanes were closed…...

1+ day, 10+ hour ago (125+ words) FORT MYERS, Fla. " One person was sent to the hospital with minor injuries after an electrical fire. Fort Myers Fire Battalion Chief Scott Davis said shortly before 5 a.m. on Saturday, they responded to a fire at an apartment complex near Washington and Luray avenues. The complex has three units and Davis said the middle one was where the fire started. He said it burned through the roof, causing people in two units to be displaced. The third unit might be reopened soon, Davis said. One person had to go to the hospital due to minor injuries. The fire was traced back to a power strip and a charger cord, Davis said. It was deemed an accident. Red Cross is helping the fire victims....