Fort Myers Beach
CRIME & SAFETY
Florida killer Wade Wilson accused of masterminding escape attempt from jail
Wade Wilson, the Fort Myers man facing the death penalty in the murders of two Cape Coral women, still faces unrelated charges, including an escape attempt from jail. On June 12, 2024, Wilson, 30, was convicted of murdering Kristine Melton, 35 and Diane Ruiz, 43, in 2019. Wilson's jury voted...
SWAT, ATF Arrest Two in Florida Shooting Investigations, Seize Cash and Cocaine
FORT MYERS, Florida — Two individuals have been arrested in connection with recent shootings in Fort Myers, leading to the seizure of cash and cocaine, authorities said. On June 16, Fort Myers Police responded to a shooting near Fowler Street and Moreno Avenue, discovering that 3215 Royal Palm Avenue had been struck by gunfire. The following day, another shooting occurred at 4223 Romeo Lane, with a structure being hit, according to a press release from the Fort Myers Police Department.
A tire explosion in Cape Coral left one man dead. Here’s what we know a week later.
Investigators continue to probe a tragic workplace accident more than a week after a Cape Coral automotive worker died. Cape Coral Police say a Complete Auto Care shop employee was trying to inflate a tire on Sunday. Once it was no longer inflating, the employee continued to add air, pressing down with their body weight. The tire, with the rim inside, blew.
1 injured in Lehigh Acres shooting
A person is fighting to recover after being shot in Lehigh Acres. We asked the Lee County Sheriff’s Office if anyone was arrested. They did not tell us if an arrest has been made yet, just that they’re conducting interviews right now. As for the victim, LCSO told...
Cape Coral police help missing 93-year-old man reunite with family
CAPE CORAL, Fla. — A fortunate find in Cape Coral means a 93-year-old man is reunited with his family. Cape Coral police report an older man with health issues left his southwest Cape Coral home around 4 a.m. Sunday. He was seen on surveillance video in only his tank top and pajama shorts.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno links Three Oaks Park murder to drugs
A Cape Coral man faces several charges linked to last week's Three Oaks Parkway shooting death, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno announced Monday. Khylil Draine, 25, remained in custody Monday afternoon without bond set. He was taken into custody Sunday morning. ...
SEARCH UNDERWAY: Local teen disappeared while swimming at a beach on Sanibel
Fox 4's Austin Schargorodski reports on the urgent search for a missing teenager on Sanibel Island. As the sun set Tuesday, the U.S. Coast Guard was expected to continue searching into the evening.
Cape man charged with using computer to seduce/solicit/lure child
A Cape Coral man has been arrested for using a computer to seduce, solicit or lure a child by misrepresenting his age, as well as transmitting information harmful to minors. Stephen Murphy, 56, of 3890 S.E. 7th Place, was arrested after an investigation conducted by the Cape Coral Police Department and Homeland Security.
New documents detail what may have led to disappearance of Cape Coral man Barry Schmalbach
CAPE CORAL, Fla. — 72 pages of court documents reveal shocking details that may explain the disappearance of 56-year-old Cape Coral man Barry Schmalbach. His boyfriend Christopher Davis, 36, has been named the prime suspect in Schmalbach's murder. Documents share that the couple met a month and a half...
Ride along State Road 82 with FMPD
Monday morning, the Fort Myers Police Department pulled a woman over on SR 82 for going 100 mph in a 50 mph zone. Fort Myers patrol officer Ryan Beiner caught the woman. She claimed she was late to work. Her actions landed her to get an $1,100 fine. Hours after...
Man wanted for stealing, using credit card in Estero
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man wanted for stealing and using a victim’s credit card. According to Crime Stoppers, the victim lost his wallet Monday and a short time later, recieved a notification on his phone that two $500 transactions were completed at BestBuy on Mediterranean Drive in Estero and another transaction at Office Depot in Estero for $207.95.
Cape Coral police operation targets impaired driving, results in multiple arrests
CAPE CORAL, Florida — The Cape Coral Police Department conducted a citywide impaired driving enforcement operation on June 28-29, 2024, resulting in 50 citations and three arrests. The operation, dubbed "You Booze & Cruise, You Lose," took place from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. and included 54 traffic stops,...
Lee County Commissioner candidate Matthew Thornton says he was election fraud victim
Matthew Thornton signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, on the lower-right corner of the nation’s founding document. Now, almost 250 years later, the signature of Thornton’s great-great-great-great-great grandson of the same name has come under scrutiny as he runs for Lee County commissioner. Thornton, 62...
Car crashes into Fort Myers tile and cabinet store days before grand opening
FORT MYERS, Fla. — A week before opening their tile and cabinet store, the owners of Vista Services are dealing with a huge cleanup. A car plowed through the business on US-41 and Colonial Boulevard on Monday. Glass windows and doors were broken. "I was sitting right here, and...
The balancing act that gives Ricky Rescue’s owners flexibility
Firefighting is a risky profession, but it can be a great risk-mitigation strategy for entrepreneurs. “That’s the beauty of fire service,” says Chad Ketron, firefighter and co-owner of Fort Myers-based Ricky Rescue Fire Training Academy. “As long as you’re living within your means, being a firefighter should pay all your bills. If you want to make more money and take a risk with starting your own business, you can do that.” As an added bonus, the firefighter’s work schedule—24 hours on, 48 hours off—creates time and space to work on side projects. That helped Ketron and fellow firefighter Jeromy VanderMeulen launch Ricky Rescue in 2009.
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