Mike Walcher

Members of the Matlacha Hookers service organization deliver tarps to the Greater Pine Island Alliance on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, on Pine Island.

Pine Island rebuilds from damage by several storms as another hurricane season begins

Mike Walcher

Generators and gas. Mops, buckets and tarps. Food and water. These are Just some of the items being stockpiled and placed in strategic places around Pine Island. A non-profit group that has helped hundreds of people since Hurricane Ian is preparing for this hurricane season.

Airglades International Airport in Hendry County has some flights every day, but an investment group envisions much more. It's been working for 15 years on a dream of a huge cargo hub at Airglades, with lots of good-paying jobs. But some people in the region are wondering: where do the high-flying dreams stand? And will they ever come true?

Government & Politics

A huge cargo airport in Hendry County? People still are waiting

Mike Walcher

Fifteen years of talk and promises, and no cargo airport to show for it. That's the reality in Hendry County, where people have heard great expectations for Airglades airfield, a few miles west of Clewiston. An investment group sees a place with lots of jobs, flying in produce and flowers from Central and South America. But where do these high-flying dreams stand?

A home is demolished in the part of Punta Gorda that flooded during Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The city is taking steps to prepare for the coming hurricane season, while some residents still are dealing with damage from last fall.

Hurricane Recovery

Punta Gorda prepares for hurricane season while recovering from storms last fall

Mike Walcher

Punta Gorda on the south side of Charlotte Harbor is preparing for hurricane season. Some residents still are dealing with homes that were flooded by Hurricanes Helene and Milton last fall. A few owners are elevating homes, while others are tearing them down to build back newer and higher.

Education

Replicating history at Bonita Springs Elementary School

Mike Walcher

A historic school in Southwest Florida will be remodeled and is expected to reopen in just over two years. That's according to an agreement announced Monday between the Lee County School District and the City of Bonita Springs.

A pair of least terns courting among some pebbles are pictured on the cover of Audubon Florida's 2022 Coastal Report, which shows that the results of last year's nesting season for shorebirds went rather well in large part because it was over three weeks before Hurricane Ian reworked Southwest Florida's beaches

Environment

It's shorebird nesting time on Southwest Florida beaches

Mike Walcher

Shorebirds are starting to lay eggs in nests on and near Southwest Florida beaches. The nesting birds include Wilson's and Snowy Plovers and Least Terns. This also is nesting time for Black Skimmers. Audubon of Florida and state wildlife officials remind beach-goers to stay away from nests, and keep dogs on leashes near or along the shoreline.

Agencies like Interfaith Charities of South Lee County teach English as a Second Language classes. They also help to feed people who can't afford high prices at the stores. Now some groups are worried about the impacts of tariffs.

Human Interest

Trade war impacts worry groups that provide help to the needy

Mike Walcher

The global trade war set off by President Trump is affecting just about everyone, but particularly those already struggling with everyday needs.Social service agencies that help the needy are seeing more demand than ever.

Immigration

Controversy over police-ICE training could cost long-time Fort Myers city attorney his job

Mike Walcher

The recent controversy and confusion over immigration enforcement training for Fort Myers police may cost the long-time city attorney his job.Grant Alley has been attorney for the city of Fort Myers since the summer of 1995 — nearly 30 years.

The Rachel at the Well statue has been restored, but the tall columns, the base and fence at the site still need a lot of work. Now Neubert Construction is filing suit to ask the courts to stop the process, and allow Neubert to make a presentation to the city council on the work.

Human Interest

Rachel waits at the well as a lawsuit is filed over restoration of landmark

Mike Walcher

Restoring an iconic landmark in Fort Myers is taking a lot longer than expected after Hurricane Ian. And now a lawsuit is filed against the city over the restoration of Rachel at the Well.

Work on phase one expansion at RSW has been stopped for the past year. Now the three companies involved in the original work want new contracts, totaling nearly $347 million. The port authority board of commissioners is expected to vote on the requests on Monday, March 24.

Transportation

Companies get a second chance to get it right in RSW expansion, phase one

Mike Walcher

The companies that could not complete an expansion of the existing terminal at Southwest Florida International Airport are getting a second chance.The Lee County Port Authority board voted Monday to extend the contracts of Atkins North America and Manhattan Construction.

Government & Politics

Companies seek multi-millions to finish RSW expansion, phase one

Mike Walcher

Nearly $347 million, and almost four years.That's how much it could cost, and how long it could take, to expand the existing terminal at Southwest Florida International Airport.