Commercial Truck Insurance in Fort Myers, FL

FORT MYERS, Fla. —

Many Southwest Florida residents are familiar with the ongoing construction along Colonial Boulevard and I-75. In the past 24 hours, there has been a notable shift in traffic patterns, giving the area a new look.

Construction has been underway in this area for the past three years, and the recent traffic shift signifies another step forward in the project. According to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), all westbound lanes of traffic were shifted to the newly constructed roadway on Sunday night.

"As we were driving through, it kind of felt a little easier, I thought. Less like being on the Indy speedway," Lee County resident David Goodman said.

The construction aims to implement a diverging diamond interchange, which will facilitate a continuous flow of traffic and reduce congestion from traffic stops.

Juan Carrillo, FDOT Senior Construction Project Manager, elaborated on the project's goal, explaining, "If you're heading from Colonial to I-75, you'll have a continuous left, eliminating the need to stop at a median crossing."

Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) advises caution and heightened awareness in construction zones, acknowledging the busy roadways in Florida. FHP says to drive with caution and heightened awareness as FDOT and construction companies continue to work on enhancing our infrastructure.

Looking ahead, Carrillo mentioned that another significant shift involving the implementation of the diverging diamond interchange is tentatively scheduled for mid- to end-of-July.

Residents like James Hutchinson, who have experienced similar interchanges in Sarasota, are optimistic about the project's potential to improve traffic flow.

“My in-laws live in Sarasota, so they have the same thing up there on University. Yes, it was painful going through it, but once it was fixed, traffic just continued to move,” Hutchinson said.

"An influx of people coming in here now, especially the building that they’re doing with the apartments on Colonial. I think they do need to do something, so hopefully that’s going to help with that,“ Ronna Goodman added.

FDOT noted a signal malfunction at Colonial Blvd and Six Mile Cypress on Monday morning, with the signal flashing yellow. FMPD assisted with the situation, and no crashes were reported in that area.

As for the timeline, FDOT aims to complete construction by the end of October.

A frequent visitor to Southwest Florida waters is back!

Penny, a 10-foot OCEARCH-tracked great white shark, surfaced off the Fort Myers Beach coast at 11:01 a.m. Sunday.

The satellite tag attached to the shark's dorsal fin sends a ping with location information when it surfaces out of the water. The pings are tracked and mapped by OCEARCH.

Penny previously pinged south of Marco Island on January 20. The shark was also tracked off Marco Island Jan. 6, Sarasota on Jan. 11 and Cape Coral on Jan. 15.

OCEARCH scientists tagged Penny off North Carolina in April of 2023. She then traveled north to Nova Scotia and stayed there until October before heading south in late October in search of food sources and warmer waters.

This is the shark's first known winter in Florida waters.

Here's what to know about Penny, nonprofit group OCEARCH and great white sharks in Florida:

What to know about OCEARCH white shark Penny

Penny, a female juvenile great white shark, measured 10 feet 3 inches and weighed 522 pounds when she was tagged on April 23, 2023, off Ocracoke, North Carolina.

The shark has traveled 5,393 miles since then – from North Carolina north to Nova Scotia, then south for the winter in the Gulf of Mexico.

Penny was the 92nd white shark tagged by OCEARCH in the Western North Atlantic and named after the group's friends at Salty Penny Canvas in Morehead City, North Carolina.

Facts about great white sharks

Here are some things to know about white sharks, according to NOAA Fisheries:

Why are great white sharks in Florida?

White sharks migrate south when the water gets cold and food sources become scarce up north, according to OCEARCH chief scientist Dr. Bob Hueter.

Think of them as the snowbirds of sharks.

Most of them tend to stay away from the beaches in continental shelf waters, Hueter said.

What does OCEARCH do?

OCEARCH is a nonprofit research organization studying the ocean's giants.

The group studies great white sharks and other keystone species essential for the health of the oceans.

OCEARCH recently finished up its 46th expedition, dubbed Expedition Southeast. It departed from Jacksonville on Nov. 17 and made its final docking in Morehead City, North Carolina on Dec. 15.

During the expeditions, researchers collected previously unattainable data on the animals' migrations, reproductive cycle, genetic status, diet, abundance, and more.

"If we lose the apex predator (sharks) then we lose all our fish and then there are no fish sandwiches for our grandchildren," OCEARCH founder Chris Fischer told the Courier Journal. "That's oversimplified, of course, but the idea is important because many shark species are threatened by overfishing and a demand for shark fins in Asia. Their dwindling numbers jeopardize ocean habitats."

Most shark attacks happen in Florida

There were 69 documented unprovoked shark attacks around the globe in 2023. The U.S. led the world with 36 attacks and Florida again was the state with the most bites at 16.

Florida shark attacks by county:

While the U.S. has the most attacks, South Africa has the most shark-related fatalities.

Since 1992, there have been 1,232 shark bites worldwide, according to data from floridapanhandle.com, with white sharks credited as the top biters.

Jet Port Loop Postal Facility a vital hub for mail delivery in our area

I am writing to express my deep concern about the potential transfer of some mail processing operations from the Fort Myers Jet Port Loop Postal Facility to the Tampa P&DC and Ybor City P&DC. This proposal raises serious concerns about the future of mail service in Southwest Florida.The Fort Myers P&DC Jet Port Loop Postal Facility is a vital hub for mail delivery in our region. It serves the cities of Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, and surrounding communities throughout Southwest Florida. Any disruption to its operations could have a significant impact on businesses and residents alike.

I am particularly concerned about the potential for this move to slow down mail delivery. The increased transportation distances between Fort Myers and Tampa could delay getting mail to its destination. This would be unacceptable, especially for businesses that rely on the Postal Service for timely delivery of important documents and packages.I am also concerned about this move’s impact on our local postal workers. Many of these workers have lived and worked in Southwest Florida for years and are integral to our community. A transfer of operations could lead to job losses or require employees to commute long distances outside of Southwest Florida. This would be a hardship for many families and could also decrease morale among postal workers.The USPS should reconsider this proposal and work with the community to find a solution that does not jeopardize mail service in Southwest Florida.I believe that there are other ways to improve efficiency without sacrificing the quality of service that we have come to expect from the Postal Service. Our nation’s postal service once prided itself on its 98 percent on-time performance metric for all U.S. mail. Service cannot deteriorate due to USPS’s new Delivering for America plan, in Fort Myers, Southwest Florida, or elsewhere in the country.

Historically, a proposal to move or consolidate USPS operations in Fort Myers, Florida, has led to unfavorable potential consequences for the Southwest Florida community. In 2012, we fought vigorously alongside the Southwest Florida community against a proposed closure of the Fort Myers P&DC and called on the USPS to provide greater transparency to the public and the impacted workers. In that instance, we campaigned for the USPS to drop the proposed closing of the facility and succeeded. If this proposal moves forward, and the impacts to service are similar to what had previously been planned, which would have caused both mail delays and put undue stress on our dedicated Southwest Florida postal workers, this proposal should likewise be dropped.

Also, we need to discuss the potential impact on mail-in ballots this year, given that 2024 is an election year. Any delays or disruptions in mail service could disenfranchise voters who rely on mail-in ballots to participate in the upcoming elections in Southwest Florida. The timely delivery of ballots is crucial for ensuring fair and accessible elections, and I hope the USPS will prioritize this vital service during this critical period. Transferring mail processing operations to Tampa could lead to delays in ballot delivery, potentially disenfranchising the tens of thousands of voters in Southwest Florida who rely on mail-in voting.

The people of Southwest Florida deserve full transparency from the USPS, and I am concerned that the present lack of full transparency is leaving our communities in the dark about the potential impacts of USPS’s proposed plan. It is the responsibility of USPS to ensure that the public is sufficiently informed of any public meetings, that the public has ample time to prepare for attending such a meeting, and that the public has satisfactory time to review any proposals from the agency. Any public meeting must be held at a suitable venue, time of day, and with proper notice after making their findings and proposed plan available to the public.I am, therefore, powerfully conveying that the USPS must provide complete transparency and inform the public regarding the substance and potential impacts of the Mail Processing Facility Review (MFPR) as it pertains to the Fort Myers Jet Port Loop Postal Facility and related Southwest Florida postal operations. I request that USPS respond to the following questions:• What is the justification for USPS’s intent to conduct an MPFR at the Fort Myers P&DC? What was the process and reasoning behind selecting Fort Myers P&DC as one of the review facilities?

• Please provide and make public details and data regarding the “Business Case” for making changes to the Fort Myers P&DC, as referenced in their January 16, 2023 Notice of Public Input Meeting. What factors did USPS examine in determining the “initial results of the facility review,” and how did USPS conclude that “the business case supports transferring some mail processing operations to Tampa and Ybor City?• What specific data has been used to determine that this move would improve efficiency?• What steps will be taken to ensure this move does not affect mail delivery times?• What impact will this move have on postal workers in Southwest Florida?• How will the community be able to provide input on this proposal when the public meeting is held on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at 2 p.m. when most people are working?I believe that it is important for the Postal Service to be transparent about its plans and to work with the community to find solutions that meet the needs of everyone involved. I urge the USPS to take my concerns seriously and to reconsider this proposal.Sam Wood is president of the Southwest Florida Area Local, American Postal Workers Union.

FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. — As Fort Myers Beach continues to recover and rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, neighbors and visitors may have noticed a sign at the base of Matanza's Pass Bridge. A sign announcing a new, two-story adult entertainment club to join the beach’s landscape.

Two months before Hurricane Ian struck, Vixens Clubs purchased the property that once housed Fantasy's Adult Nightclub. The hurricane’s twelve-foot storm surge left the previous establishment in ruins, prompting the owners not only to rebuild but to expand, acquiring adjacent parcels to make way for their new vision.

John Gallagher, the President of Vixens Clubs, shared his perspective on the project and the community's initial response.

“We had pushback from one neighbor, but we bought 'em. So hopefully we made everybody happy,” he commented.

Aligning with new developments like Margaritaville, Vixens aims to adapt to the changing landscape of Fort Myers Beach. More than $7 million has been invested into the land and construction of the club. Gallagher, who has represented Vixens as their lawyer for more than 25 years before taking on his current role, shared the ambitious aspects of the new club.

Contrary to initial impressions, the building will not feature two stories but will have a single floor with 25-foot-high ceilings. This design choice is to improve club's offerings with light shows and performances by aerialists, providing necessary space for entertainment.

Gallagher also emphasized the sturdiness of the structure against future hurricanes. Measures such as water-sealed doors and the absence of windows are being implemented to safeguard the venue from flooding, protecting the bar and stages within.

Gallagher, views all these changes as positive, anticipating a shift towards a wealthier demographic attracted by the newly rebuilt area.

“There’s going to be a more wealthy demographic coming to this beach, as things are rebuilt, and we want to support entertaining that higher demographic,” he stated.

FOX 4 reached out to neighbors and spring breakers for their take on the new Vixens Club. Responses varied from nostalgic excitement to eager anticipation for the club’s opening. Wayne, a neighbor, reminisced about his younger days, expressing a keen interest in revisiting the spot. Meanwhile, a group of spring breakers humorously suggested they’d be more inclined to visit after a few more drinks, with plans to be front and center at the club’s grand opening, 10 months away.

Copyright 2024 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Residents of some Fort Myers neighborhoods who have had to withstand low water pressure in recent years are again making trips to the store to buy clean water until the city's latest water crisis has abated.

The city suffered the second water main break of the week on Friday, leading to the expansion of its previous Boil Water Notice for thousands of residents and businesses in the Treeline Avenue area.

Friday's break was on Colonial Boulevard between Colonial Country Club Boulevard and Treeline Avenue.

The city said its Boil Water Notice now covers Olympia Pointe subdivision, Sherwood subdivision, the Publix shopping center on Lee Boulevard and the Lee County recycling center.

Earlier in the week, a water main break was discovered Wednesday in the biggest underground pipeline in the city which led to the initial boil water alert in effect for areas impacted by the break. The alert will continue until the system produces two days of water without problems.

Fort Myers struggles with water issues

The water main breaks, and resulting inconvenience, have happened as growth has challenged the city's ability to provide potable water. For several months two years ago, the city bought water from Lee County to make sure an adequate supply was on hand.

For now, residents are taking their own steps to deal with the water emergency. Advice from the city of Fort Myers calls for boiling water before using it for drinking, cooking, ice, brushing teeth and washing dishes. Bringing the water to a steady boil for a minute is adequate. Bottled water is an alternative.

An estimated 22,000 people and many businesses were impacted by the broken water supply pipes. The water main breaks, and resulting expenses, come in the wake of a city council workshop that looked at raising water rates to make investments in pipes and pumps in areas of the city where housing construction has been booming.

The Wednesday break impacted the area of Treeline Avenue and Forum Boulevard to Daniels Parkway, including:

City considers raising water rates to support growth

So far, it is believed that 800,000 gallons of water have soaked into the ground as a result of Wednesday's pipeline break, which caused flooding on Treeline Avenue.

That is a significant hit for a city that has been working to improve its water distribution system in the neighborhoods such as Treeline Avenue and the Forum, as well as in other residential areas in the city's southside, where new construction has brought complaints of low water pressure in existing homes.

The official word from city hall: Residents in the areas from Treeline Avenue to Forum Boulevard are facing the most significant issues with water supply, much of it brought on by new residential construction.

Earlier this month, the city started to take a look at the need to raise water rates, after several years of holding the rate steady. Increases in water fees have been recommended by a consultant to the city, in part because the city has been making a significant investment in improving the water supply system and needs to improve its capacity to provide water.

Other water main breaks have hit the city in the recent past. In December, a break happened at Edison Avenue and Rockfill Road.

During a water crisis last year, the city had to rely on an agreement with Lee County to supply water for a couple of months to make sure supplies were adequate.

Some residents have complained to the city that as new residential communities are developed, existing homes are experiencing difficulty in having adequate water on hand for drinking as well as for bathing and other uses.

The city 's water consultant, Jeff Dykstra from the Fort Myers office of Stantec, a Canadian engineering design firm, said the city needs to raise water rates to recover the costs of new construction adding to the water system.

At a special city council meeting a couple of weeks ago, Dykstra told the city council that it might want to consider a plan in which new water customers pay their share of the cost of expanding the water system, while the cost to existing customers is minimized.