A 24-year-old runner died after collapsing during the New York City Marathon, prompting local runners and medical experts in Southwest Florida to call for greater safety as cooler weather draws more people outdoors. Experts described rhabdomyolysis, or rhabdo, a condition in which muscle tissue breaks down and can damage the kidneys. Warning signs they listed include extreme muscle pain, weakness, swelling and dark-colored urine. Experts advised staying hydrated, watching for recent injuries and building up training gradually before endurance activity.
The City of Sanibel has published guidance for property owners and contractors planning work near bald eagle nests during nesting season. Owners proposing exterior work within 660 feet of an active nest are advised to consult the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service first and must sign a city bald eagle nesting season affidavit with their permit application.
A Charlotte County man was sent to prison for his part in a deadly 2023 robbery in Punta Gorda, receiving 15 years followed by 10 years of probation, according to the State Attorney's Office for the 20th Judicial Circuit. The sentence includes a 10-year minimum mandatory term. The killing happened in May 2023 at an apartment complex on Taylor Road, where police found a man shot to death in his car. His co-defendant, who was a juvenile at the time, was later arrested in Arcadia in 2024 and received a life sentence in May of this year.
Police in Cape Coral arrested a man at a polling site after he was accused of marking a swastika on the reserved parking sign meant for Governor-elect Byron Donalds. A woman who works with Donalds reported the symbol, and surveillance video helped officers identify the suspect as William Medvecky, 82, who had been volunteering at the voting location. Medvecky was found with a blue marker and faces a criminal mischief charge, which is a second-degree misdemeanor, according to the arrest report. The incident took place at the Lee County Tax Collector's Office on Southeast 9th Avenue.
Stevens Construction has finished building Dogwood Animal Clinic at 19145 Peachland Blvd. in Port Charlotte, according to Dan Adams, executive vice president and partner at the firm. The company completed the 3,500-square-foot veterinary facility in 11 months, and the clinic is now accepting patients. Dr. Nathanael Hilzinger, D.V.M., owns and runs the practice, which offers full veterinary care for pets in the area. The project is the 10th veterinary facility Stevens Construction has completed.
Turtle nesting season has officially ended, and Mote reported that disorientations fell steeply compared with 2025. Mote documented 253 disorientations in 2026, down from 716 the previous year, and counted 4,928 nests along Sarasota County's 35 miles of shoreline.
The Englewood Florida Chamber of Commerce has announced the awards for its 12th Let's Eat Englewood, a two-week restaurant promotion. Chophouse 285 took first place in the burger category, with Lock 'N Key second and Landy's third. Nicola's Italian Kitchen, The Waverly Restaurant & Bar and other restaurants were also honored in additional categories.
Grumpy Goat Coffee Roastery in downtown Bonita Springs is putting on a no-cost Sips & Bites event on November 18. Visitors can stop by the Old 41 Road shop between 3 and 7 p.m. to sample dishes and drinks from local vendors. Alligator Bay Distillers' Hide-A-Wai Mojito Bar is among the participating businesses. The gathering lines up with the store's weekly organic produce market and a mixer for Grow Business Network members.
Volunteers behind the Florida International Airshow in Punta Gorda, which runs Nov. 7-8, spent a year preparing the event, according to a recent preview where organizers explained how the show is produced. The source says the volunteers include hundreds of helpers, a board of directors and the first female Air Show president, and none of them receive pay.
Beef 'O' Brady's on East Oak Street in Arcadia is celebrating 20 years, with current owner Deval Patel saying the restaurant has become a hub for youth sports teams and community events. Pecoraro's Italian Kitchen at 520 King St. in Punta Gorda is permanently closed after lasting only about two months, according to Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce President Isaac James.
The Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club will hold a free public meeting on Nov. 8 at the Sanibel Recreation Center, with the main session starting at 2 p.m. in the Pelican Room. Nationally recognized beachcomber Dr. Ashley Oliphant plans to explain how wind and currents can help people locate beach finds, along with tips on shark teeth, shells and sea beans. She is a retired English professor who leads shark tooth and seashell workshops across the country and has written seven books. A silent auction is scheduled earlier that afternoon, from 1:30 to 1:55 p.m. in the Osprey Room.
The Town Commission agreed to give the Longboat Key Historical Society a new lease on its 1930s cottage on the Town Center Green, but chose a two-year term with reporting requirements instead of the five years the society requested. The lease is on the consent agenda for the Monday, Nov. 2 regular meeting.
