The Florida Department of Transportation is charging ahead with plans to expand the highway from just north of Golden Gate Parkway to south of Alico Road. The project, part of the state’s Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, comes with a $600 million price tag.

FDOT aims to tame the region’s exploding traffic by adding more lanes in both directions, including new express and auxiliary lanes, plus fresh pavement, a diverging diamond interchange at Immokalee Road, and ramp modifications at major interchanges. There’s also a plan for about 16 miles of noise walls, a detail that’s catching the attention, some of it not so positive for people living near the interstate.

Alex Ruiz, who manages FDOT’s construction in the area, laid out the basics. “Two express lanes from Golden Gate to Corkscrew, auxiliary lanes between exits, noise walls along 16 miles, and a full repaving,” he said. The diverging diamond at Immokalee Road is a bit of an experiment in this area, but it’s meant to help traffic move more smoothly.

The timing of this project wasn’t always this aggressive. Originally, this expansion wasn’t supposed to happen until 2030 or later. But population growth in Southwest Florida since the COVID pandemic pushed those plans to the front burner. “We’re growing exponentially,” Ruiz explained. “We’re working to meet current and future needs.” FDOT hopes the extra lanes and improved interchanges will unclog the region’s notorious traffic jams.

But not everybody’s on board, or at least not without some reservations. At FDOT’s public information session, opinions split. Plenty of people liked the idea, anything to ease their commute. But worries bubbled up, especially from those whose backyards run close to I-75. Noise is at the top of their list.

Ruiz admitted that most questions he faced during the public meeting were about the noise walls. Where will they go? Will they actually help? The current plan includes about 16 miles of them at “qualifying” spots, often tying into walls already in place. FDOT decides those spots through a formal noise study, following federal rules, but officials haven’t finished that process yet. 

Residents want to know why some neighborhoods make the cut for walls and others don’t, and FDOT says it’s listening. The agency is taking criticism and suggestions into account as it completes the study.

Noise isn’t the only worry people presented. Some asked about the diverging diamond design at Immokalee Road, and whether the new lanes can really handle future congestion. Ruiz states that the team concentrates on facilitating smooth construction.

Construction will begin in late fall 2026. The work will take approximately four years, which means years of lane closures and detours before anyone enjoys a smoother, quieter drive.

Missed out on the in-person meetings? There’s still time to weigh in. FDOT scheduled a virtual meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 6 to 7 p.m., where the project team will go over the same details and answer questions. They will offer more detailed designs and plans at a larger public meeting scheduled for early October. If attending isn’t possible, FDOT’s project webpage has a form for questions and comments. The agency says it’s paying attention, and for folks along those 21 miles, the next few years are going to be a whole lot of hurry-up-and-wait.

To learn more about FDOT’s Moving Forward Florida Infrastructure Initiative click here.

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Saturday, September 5, 9 a.m.
Cardboard Boat Races
Join the Englewood Sailing Association and Lasbury Tracy Realty for the Englewood Pioneer Days Cardboard Boat Races at Indian Mound Park, 210 Winson Avenue. Enjoy music, festivities, pirates, prizes, food and drinks available for purchase, and fun! Attendees are encouraged to bring a folding chair. Overflow parking is located four blocks away at Orange Avenue and Green Street, with Stumpy’s Free Ride Shuttle providing transportation from the Green Street lot starting at 8:30 a.m. Registration available at englewoodchamber.com. 

Sunday, September 6, 1 p.m.
Englewood Pioneer Days Diaper Derby
Join the Lemon Bay Woman’s Club for the Englewood Pioneer Days ’70s Disco Diaper Derby at the Lemon Bay Woman’s Club, 51 N. Maple Street. 

Monday, September 7, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

9 a.m.
Pioneer Days Parade
West Dearborn Street
This year’s theme is “70’s Disco”. 

The parade starts at 9 a.m. sharp! It leaves Englewood Shopping Center, 240 S. Indiana Ave., travels west and turns right (north) on S. McCall, all the way to W. Dearborn St. Here, it turns left (west) and travels all the way to the Veterans Memorial at Old Englewood Rd.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Pioneer Days Festival at Pioneer Plaza
325 W. Dearborn Street
Children’s games, crafts, food vendors and community information will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pioneer Plaza. Activities will feature games and crafts hosted by the Englewood Community Coalition, Englewood History Museum, GFWC Rotonda Woman’s Club and Lemon Bay Woman’s Club. Snacks and refreshments will be provided by Florida Bible Church and Hippie Squeeze Lemonade, while the Englewood Chamber of Commerce, Englewood Amateur Radio Society and others will offer community exhibits.

10:10 a.m.
Parade entry winners announced.
Hosted by Englewood Chamber of Commerce

10:30 a.m.
Pie Eating Contest
Hosted by Amy Gonzales, Realtor-Michael Saunders & Co. and The Dearborn Coffeehouse.

10:45 a.m.
Watermelon Eating Contest
Hosted by Amy Gonzales and The Dearborn Coffeehouse.

11 a.m.
Live Music
Hosted by Dale Shumate

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Linda’s name is practically synonymous with Englewood itself and has been a familiar and beloved part of Englewood for generations. In 1985, she opened Stevens the Florist, located at 3455 S. Access Road, building the business into a longtime local staple while becoming deeply involved in the community she called home.

Pioneer Days especially holds a special place in Linda’s heart. In 2002, she became Englewood’s “Mayor for a Day,” inspired by her vibrant “Flower Power” campaign that rallied the town and raised money for the Boys & Girls Club and the Englewood Animal Rescue Sanctuary. She didn’t stop there. Linda continued to support both the tradition and the causes behind it, helping to drive fundraising in 2003 and 2019 and channeling thousands of dollars to local charities and youth programs. 

You can’t talk about the parade without mentioning Linda’s creative flair. In 2006, for the 50th Anniversary Jaycees Pioneer Days Parade, she and her team built a massive, themed float, one more way she poured her energy and spirit into one of Englewood’s most cherished days of the year.

Her impact goes way beyond one event or one weekend a year. As an active Rotarian, Linda has played a major role in groups like Kids’ Needs, Suncoast Humane Society, and continues unflagging support for the Englewood Animal Rescue Sanctuary. She’s always there when the community needs her, helping with festivals, drives, and pretty much every annual celebration Englewood puts on. And, of course, she’s back year after year, helping craft the mayoral sashes worn during the festivities and cheering on other Mayor 4 a Day candidates.

“Linda Stevens represents everything that makes Pioneer Days so special,” says Kim Parks. “She’s given her time, her creativity, her energy, and her heart to this community—over and over again. From her Flower Power campaign to her joyful parade floats and all the countless charitable projects, she’s made Englewood more vibrant and more connected. We are absolutely thrilled to honor her as the 2026 Grand Marshal.”

As Grand Marshal, you’ll spot Linda right up front, leading the 2026 Pioneer Days Parade, celebrating the history, spirit, and sense of togetherness that keep Pioneer Days central to Englewood year after year.

Linda felt clearly moved when we spoke with her about the honor. “I am so happy, but honestly, I’m overwhelmed. Really, it’s just an honor.”

How did she find out? Linda laughs, “Well, this morning I got a message from Kim Parks at the Chamber. She just said, ‘Hey, if you get a minute, can you give me a call?’ I called, and she said, ‘Well, I wanted you to know, you’re going to be our Grand Marshal.’ I was just blown away. The thing is, I make all the sashes for the mayors and Grand Marshals, and I’d literally just finished making the Grand Marshal sash and dropped it off to Kim. I said, ‘Here’s the Grand Marshal sash,’ and she said, ‘Oh, thank you.’ I had no idea it was for me! I’ve been in tears, just completely overwhelmed and emotional all morning.”

Thinking about what makes it all worthwhile, Linda says, “I just feel so lucky to be part of this community. It’s filled with the most giving, caring people. It really is an honor.”

There’s more to Linda’s story than even the parade covers. “One thing I’m really proud of is that I’m the treasurer for FAME—Friends for the Advancement of Musical Education. A few friends and I started it, and so far, we’ve given nearly half a million dollars’ worth of musical instruments to local schools.”

Linda sums up how she feels: “I am just so humbled and honored. There are so many people in Englewood who deserve this, and I honestly was just blown away. This is an amazing community, and giving back to it is the least I can do, considering how much it’s given me.”

Congratulations to Linda Stevens, the 2026 Pioneer Days Grand Marshal, a role she’s earned in every sense.

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This production, “Theatre People, or The Angel Next Door,” brings a whirlwind of 1940s screwball energy to the stage. Playwright Paul Slade Smith delivers an adaptation of Ferenc Molnár’s 1924 Hungarian farce, “Play at the Castle” (sometimes titled “The Play’s the Thing”). It’s a fast, funny script and bursting with charm.

Set in an elegant mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1948. Oliver Adams, a painfully shy debut novelist (Leo Dominiqua nails this lovesick puppy), eagerly anticipates the impending success of his first book, “The Angel Next Door.” His muse? The dazzling Broadway star Margot Bell, played with radiant charisma by Alisha Hunter. Sparks already fly, but then add Arthur and Charlotte Sanders, a famous, constantly bickering husband-and-wife playwriting duo (Jimmie Choate and Linda Ramzell, both comedy powerhouses with impeccable timing). 

The group settles in for a weekend retreat. As you’d expect with thin walls and tangled relationships, secrets leak, identities get crossed, and hilarity ensues. Toss in the quirky maid Olga (Tricia Petrinovich, wringing every laugh out of the part, think Cloris Leachman in “Young Frankenstein”) and Broadway star Victor Pratt (Tanmert Selby’s charm along with his remarkable facial dexterity adds just the right touch), and you’ve got peak farce, pure chaos, expertly controlled.

Of course, none of this works without a director who knows how to keep the comedy sharp but never frantic. Ric Goodwin absolutely delivers. Timing is everything in this genre, and the show’s rhythm nails it: snappy, but you never lose the plot. Every actor has their shining moment but working together like a finely tuned machine.

Pam Hayes’ set design, Carolyn Robinette’s costumes, and Tom Athens’ sound and lighting make you believe you’ve landed in a Newport mansion, not on Dearborn Street. For a couple of hours, you’re somewhere else; that’s the real magic of live theater.

The original production made its world premiere at North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach, and since then, it’s found fans in regional theaters all over the country. There’s a reason for that: the script is smart and genuinely funny, and the show wins over critics and audiences with ease.

Lemon Bay Playhouse knows how to throw an opening night. Guests sipped wine, sampled hors d’oeuvres, and admired lobby art displays. Executive and Artistic Director Susana Falcon pulled together a true community event, partnering with local favorites Chophouse285 and Englewood Center for the Arts. The result is a night you won’t forget. 

Here’s to Lemon Bay Playhouse, a fantastic start to the season, and a toast to plenty more unforgettable evenings ahead.

Dates: September 2-20, 2026

Location: Lemon Bay Playhouse, 96 W. Dearborn St, Englewood, FL 34223
Genre: Comedy

Tickets: Individual tickets are $35. Flex Passes and Season Subscriptions are available; call the Box Office today at 941.475.6756. 

Tickets and additional information at LemonBayPlayhouse.com.

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The first bust happened Friday, August 21, 2026, after a mobile home caught fire on Westwood Acres Road in Fort Myers. When deputies started clearing out the property, they ran into a fighting ring, dozens of roosters, and other signs that cockfighting was going on.

Once investigators had a search warrant, they combed through the home. Inside, they found boxing gloves, B12 injections, and several roosters with fresh injuries. Animal control removed 83 birds in total. The homeowner, Raul Cartaya Ramos, faces charges of animal cruelty.

The second case unfolded Sunday after deputies came to back up an animal control officer on Nashville Avenue South in Lehigh Acres. They uncovered injured roosters in separate enclosures, clear evidence of another cockfighting setup. Investigators also found training equipment, sparring muffs, a dummy chicken, and used syringes. This time, animal control took 53 birds, and deputies arrested homeowner Yelandis Rodriguez Hernandez, charging him with animal cruelty.

“There’s no room for animal cruelty in Lee County. We don’t tolerate abuse or exploitation. Cockfighting puts animals through torture, and it has to stop,” Sheriff Carmine Marceno said.

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Aplin doubled down on having solid leadership at every level, right from the governor’s office on down to local officials. For him, successful expansion depends on both the character of the state and the values held by those in charge.

Florida’s a prime example. Governor Ron DeSantis is a big fan of Buc-ee’s, even calling Aplin a friend and ally. So, it’s no surprise that several new locations are about to pop up across the state.

Let’s begin with Port Charlotte: local property records show the county approved a rezoning along Harborview Road by I-75, clearing the way for a possible Buc-ee’s there. The project could end up reshaping over 650 acres, with a gas station as part of a larger development.

In Ocala, the new Buc-ee’s has some delays and should now open in 2029. DeSantis himself has talked up the project, joking about approving an expansion along the interstate after hearing Buc-ee’s was coming.

Fort Pierce is on the list, too. Plans call for a store with up to 120 gas pumps and over 700 parking spots, set to open sometime between 2027 and 2028 near the I-95 Indrio Road interchange.

Tallahassee will also be a destination for the chain. DeSantis said a new travel center will land off I-10, bringing about 200 jobs and taking up 75,000 square feet. That would top even the Ocala site in terms of size, and it’s scheduled for a 2027 opening.

Buc-ee’s is clear about where it wants to grow next. Look for conservative, pro-business states, family values, and supportive leaders. If you’ve got those, your town just might get the next Buc-ee’s.

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This is a big moment for an organization that works hard every day to support children and families throughout our community. The whole Kids’ Needs team and their dedicated volunteers deserve real credit. They’ve poured time and effort into making this new space inviting and useful.

“I want to thank the many sponsors, businesses, and individuals that helped put this remodel together, and to make it truly happen,” says Becca DeRosa, secretary and a member of the board of directors for Kids’ Needs Greater Englewood FL. “Our organization is so truly grateful for all the help. We could’ve never done it by ourselves at all, so thank you to Englewood and the many people and businesses that did help us.”

If you get a chance, stop by their boutique store. They’re at Tiffany Square, 2828 S. McCall Rd., Suite 38-39 in Englewood. The boutique opens Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon, but only when Charlotte County schools are in session. No need for appointments; they welcome walk-ins because they want to serve families right when they need help.

Kids’ Needs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, completely run by volunteers who live right here. Their work stretches across Englewood, Rotonda, Boca Grande, and Placida, neighbors pitching in for neighbors. They collect and distribute school-approved clothes, school supplies, personal hygiene items, socks, underwear, and shoes. The goal? It’s simple but powerful: keep kids in school and out of harm’s way.

The support doesn’t stop there. They accept monetary donations, using those funds to replenish supplies, provide holiday assistance, and back youth programs both in schools and in the wider community. Each year, Kids’ Needs proudly awards three $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors at Lemon Bay High School, with the recipients chosen by the school staff.

Kids’ Needs has earned the community’s trust, not just as a nonprofit, but as a true neighbor. If you’re interested in getting involved, now’s the perfect time. There’s a place for you at Kids’ Needs, whether you want to volunteer, donate, or just spread the word. Your support helps Kids’ Needs make a real difference, one child and one family at a time.

Click here for more information about Kids’ Needs Englewood.

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Candidates for the 2026 Mayor 4 a Day had spent weeks working their hearts out: hanging disco balls, fundraising, campaigning till they dropped. All to support the Englewood community.

The atmosphere was pure celebration. Laughter floated through the tiki lights. Candidates made the rounds, shaking hands, sharing stories, soaking in the moment. 

The Englewood Chamber couldn’t have picked a better spot; the food, the service, that tiki bar flair, it all just worked. Amy Gonzales and Michael Dalke were the hosts for the evening and kept things lively, building suspense for the big moment.

So, who earned the title of honorary Mayor 4 a Day 2026 of Englewood?

Here are the three outstanding runners-up, in no particular order:

Todd Dunn, Englewood Fireman Benevolent Fund—$12,477.60 raised

Victoria Macri, Operation Healing Heroes Take a Vet Fishing—$6,590.67

Shea/Kris Hartley, Suncoast Humane Society—$10,052.06

The finalists:

Courtney DeFilippis for TLC The Learning Center for Dyslexia

Karen Harvey for Englewood Helping Hand

And the winner? Courtney DeFilippis, representing TLC The Learning Center for Dyslexia, brought in a staggering $25,741.57. That money will go directly to supporting kids who need it most, and Courtney gave it everything she had.

Karen Harvey, championing Englewood Helping Hand, wasn’t far behind with $20,167.

What a night. The total raised for the nonprofits through the 2026 Dash for the Cash reached $75,029, a powerful addition to previous years: $66,286 in 2025, $100,000 in 2024, $41,000 in 2023, and $57,800 in 2022. Since 2022, that’s $340,115 poured straight back into Englewood.

This year, each of these five dedicated candidates was a winner, raising funds for their nonprofits. 

Congratulations, Mayor Courtney! You’ve earned that sash, and we can’t wait to see you in the Pioneer Day Parade on Monday, September 7 at 9 a.m. And congratulations to the Englewood Chamber for running a spectacular event and making it all look easy. 

Michael Dalke summed it up best: with all this generosity, maybe we ought to start calling our town “Angelwood.” Couldn’t agree more. See you next year, Englewood.

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First up, hunters, take note. Florida is expanding its December bear hunt. This year, the state will issue up to 215 permits, compared to 172 last year. The hunt stretches from December 5 to 27 across four regions. Last year marked Florida’s first bear hunt since 2015 and ended with hunters taking 52 bears over 23 days.

If you’re looking to get in, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission opens permit applications September 11. It’s $5 per entry for 193 available permits. The remaining 22 go to landowners with at least 5,000 adjoining acres and five documented bears on their property. 

Last year, opponents of the hunt tried to limit participation by flooding the application pool, nearly 15,000 people filed over 160,000 entries, then let many permits go unused. Officials say this kind of tactic might just lead to more permits next time.

Supporters argue that hunting helps control bear numbers, especially as bears turn up more often in neighborhoods. They also point to the constitutional hunting and fishing rights voters added in 2024. Opponents say hunting won’t really cut down on run-ins with bears and argue for nonlethal management.

Young Bear Breaks into Local Zoo

Now, for a different sort of encounter, a young black bear caused quite a stir by breaking into the Naples Zoo, forcing staff to evacuate visitors Saturday afternoon.

Zoo officials quickly cleared the grounds, making sure everyone got out safely. Florida Fish and Wildlife officers arrived soon after to plan the bear’s capture.

Biologists hope the bear leaves on its own, but if it hangs around, they’ll likely set up a trap to relocate it. This time of year, bears are out and about, searching for food. Young bears leaving their mothers wander widely, which explains how one might end up somewhere unexpected, like a zoo.

Breeding season in Florida runs from June through August, so male bears are extra active during these months as they search for mates. And as fall approaches, you’ll see even more movement as bears push through urban areas on the lookout for something to eat.

Florida’s black bears don’t hibernate the way they do up north, but they still need to pack on fat ahead of winter. An adult aims for about 20,000 calories daily in the fall. This drive leads them to roam far in search of food, and sometimes into neighborhoods if they sniff out easy pickings.

To keep bears moving along, wildlife officials urge homeowners to get rid of anything that draws them in: garbage cans without secure lids, pet food left outside, bird feeders, and anything edible. Feeding bears, even accidentally, just teaches them it’s safe (and profitable) to hang around people.

As for the Naples Zoo bear, officials will keep everyone posted as the situation develops.

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According to investigators, Randy Brinson told officers that someone connected to one of the victims in the crash paid him to fell the tree. His first attempt on August 21 failed. He came back during the day on August 26 and brought the tree down, right in front of people out enjoying their lunch and others passing through the park. Witnesses described what happened, and police cross-checked their accounts with data from nearby surveillance cameras to confirm Brinson’s identity.

Brinson faces charges of criminal mischief for causing more than $1,000 in damage. And while the city works out how to replace the tree and restore Patriots Park, Venice Police Captain Eric Hill had a clear message: “We understand that grief takes many forms, but tearing down public property—especially at a memorial—just isn’t okay. We will hold anyone responsible for acts like this accountable.”

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