Lee County

Big companies are snapping up land along the I-75 corridor, bringing a type of boomtown to Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties. Local leaders believe higher-paying jobs are coming to the area, easing the past dependence on tourism to drive the economy.

Sheriff Chad Chronister received $50,000 from a political committee tied to his counterpart in Lee County, Carmine Marceno, the subject of a investigation into alleged money laundering.

The FEMA decision will impact a majority of federal flood insurance policy holders in Lee County.

The health system has been contemplating the move for months to remain competitive in Southwest Florida. The next step is finalizing a mission agreement with the Lee County Commission.

As agriculture gives way to planned developments, many worry the Florida panther is on a path to doom. Environmentalists say planned communities — Kingston in eastern Lee and Bellmar in eastern Collier and both the size of small cities — could hurtle the Florida panther from the Endangered Species List to extinction.

Lee County originally received a 30-day extension to provide documents to FEMA by May 9. A new extension the county received Friday puts June 10 as the new deadline for document submittal.

Lee County school board members learned their current superintendent, Christopher S. Bernier, wanted to end his reign over the past weekend. They turned again to Ken Savage. He had been interim superintendent prior to Bernier's appointment in 2022.

At stake is 10s of millions of dollars in flood insurance discounts that policy holders have enjoyed for years.

Christopher S. Bernier's request to leave the ninth largest school district in the state is effective immediately. Until Lee County elects its next superintendent this fall, Pasco is the largest school district to have partisan superintendent races.

A decision to downgrade unincorporated Lee, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs and Estero's flood rating will prove costly to policy holders.

Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno and Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Sheriff Chad Chronister signed a memorandum of understanding Wednesday that would provide aid to each agency during Hurricane Season, should the need arise.

The Naples United Church of Christ hosted a youth mental health community forum for local health care players and mental health experts to show their progress toward a more well community.