The Coast Guard has suspended its search for two missing boaters off Fort Myers after covering a vast area of approximately 6,700 square miles without success. The missing are Randall Spivey and Brandon Billmaier, who went on a fishing trip 100 miles offshore. The search involved multiple agencies and volunteers, and the vessel was found adrift but the men remain missing. The FBI is now leading the investigation.
Breeze Airways is adding four new routes from Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers, with service beginning in October. The new routes include Stewart/Newburgh, New York; Lansing, Michigan; Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pennsylvania; and Bangor, Maine, with twice-weekly service and one-way fares starting at $89. With these additions, Breeze Airways now serves Fort Myers with 19 nonstop destinations, providing visitors and residents with more nonstop travel options.
Video footage captures a Lee County sheriff's deputy negotiating with a suspect accused of holding two people at knifepoint during a bank robbery in Fort Myers, Florida. The suspect was later shot and killed by a sniper.
A bank robbery suspect in Fort Myers, Florida, was shot and killed by a SWAT sniper after taking two people hostage and claiming to have a bomb at a Bank of America branch. The suspect had put one woman in a headlock and threatened her with a knife before being shot by the sniper. The hostages are reported to be safe, and the deputy sniper is on administrative leave as per protocol.
The Boston Red Sox celebrated "Truck Day," marking the unofficial start of spring training as their equipment truck departed for Fort Myers, Florida. Despite a quiet offseason, the truck was loaded with essentials including baseballs, bats, gloves, and uniforms. The team's equipment truck, driven by Milford native Al Hartz, made a special stop at Polar Park in Worcester for a send-off celebration with WooSox mascots and fans. Pitchers and catchers are set to begin workouts on Feb. 14, with the first full-squad workout scheduled for Feb. 19.
Breeze Airways is introducing a new nonstop route from Akron-Canton Airport to Fort Myers, Florida, starting on November 16. The route will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays during the winter and spring seasons. Passengers can take advantage of a promotional fare starting at $59 for a one-way ticket, with restrictions and blackout dates applying. Breeze Airways also offers nonstop flights from Akron-Canton to other destinations such as Charleston, Las Vegas, Norfolk, Orlando, Tampa, and West Palm Beach.
Thousands of protesters have begun marching in Fort Myers, Florida, against new strict immigration laws. The protests are in response to one of the strongest anti-illegal immigration laws in the country, which goes into effect on July 1. The law requires businesses with 25 or more employees to use e-verify, suspends the license of employers who knowingly employ illegal immigrants, enhances penalties for human smuggling, bans local governments from issuing identification documents to illegal immigrants, and requires hospitals to collect and report healthcare costs for illegal immigrants. The protesters are concerned about the impact on families and children.
Five teenagers, all between the ages of 18 and 19, died after their car crashed into a lake in Fort Myers, Florida. Four of the victims worked at a Texas Roadhouse restaurant less than a mile from the crash site. The cause of the crash is unknown, and authorities are investigating.
Five teenagers from Florida were found dead inside a submerged vehicle after a crash in Fort Myers. The cause of the crash is unknown, and the police have not released the names of the victims. Four of the teenagers were reportedly employees of the Texas Roadhouse restaurant in Fort Myers. The restaurant confirmed the news in a Facebook post and said it would remain closed on Monday. The police are asking for information on what happened before and after the crash and are offering a reward of up to $3,000 for any tips.
Drag performers in Southwest Florida are relieved to be able to perform and host events at places like The Standard in downtown Fort Myers without fear of losing their license. Performer Alyssa Lemay defends their performances as entertainment and not inappropriate, while employee Katie Leonard says drag shows are good for business. Restaurant patrons see drag performances as just another form of entertainment.
After finishing his speaking event in Fort Myers, former President Donald Trump stopped by Downtown House of Pizza for a quick slice and was swarmed by supporters who sprinted and screamed towards the pizzeria. Trump's supporters thoroughly enjoyed his speech and the impromptu pizza stop.
JetBlue will offer nonstop flights from Worcester Regional Airport in Massachusetts to Orlando and Fort Myers in Florida. Daily, year-round service to Orlando International Airport will begin on June 15, and winter seasonal service to Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers will start on January 4, 2024. Worcester Regional Airport is serviced by three major airlines: JetBlue, American, and Delta. All three carriers suspended service at the airport during the COVID-19 pandemic, with JetBlue being the first to resume commercial flights in August 2021.
JetBlue will offer daily, year-round service from Worcester Regional Airport to Orlando International Airport starting June 15, and seasonal service to Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers starting Jan. 4, 2024, to coincide with Red Sox spring training season. Worcester Regional Airport currently offers five daily nonstop flights from JetBlue Airways, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. Tickets to Orlando are on sale now, starting at $34 for a limited time.
JetBlue is adding Orlando and Fort Myers to its flight offerings to and from Worcester Regional Airport, with larger planes that can carry about 160 passengers. The Orlando route begins June 15, with Fort Myers to debut Jan. 4. The flights are nonstop. The Fort Myers route will be winter seasonal service.
The Fort Myers Police Department is seeking the public's help in identifying three suspects who violently attacked a homeless person sleeping at the downtown library. The attack was unprovoked and occurred on March 11 at around 4:30 a.m. Anyone with information is urged to contact the police or Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers.
