A Fort Myers police officer looks inside a car that was hit by gunfire during Monday morning's shooting at Club Blu in Fort Myers. (Kelli Krebs / USA Today Florida)
Gun violence in our community: How much can we take?
By Amy Bennett Williams, Kelli Krebs contributed to this report
FORT MYERS — Again? Really? As Southwest Floridians woke up to the news of the bloodbath at Club Blu Monday, stunned residents tried to fathom just how it was they were living through yet more high-profile gun violence, this time aimed at kids.
Former goalkeeper Melissa Jasczak poses for a portrait in 2014. (Photos: Kelli Krebs)
Melissa Jasczak doesn't let rare brain disease stop her
ESTERO — FGCU junior Melissa Jasczak has been many things — standout high school soccer goalie, college student-athlete, coach, mentor, budding author. But all the chapters she's lived and written in her ever-growing autobiography spell out one trait — survivor.
A rare brain disease prematurely ended Jasczak's college athletic career before it could get going...
Fort Myers' Sean Owens has his photo taken with Dave Hanson, left, Steve Carlson, and Jeff Carlson at Hammond Stadium on Saturday, June 10.
(Kelli Krebs / Naples Daily News)
'Slap Shot' Hanson brothers visit the Fort Myers Miracle
FORT MYERS — Steve Hanson was eight years old when the iconic trio of violent hockey-playing brothers baring his same name, became known for brawling with opponents on the silver screen. Forty years later he got to meet them.
Jeff Stanley races during the Watercross World Championship at Sugden Regional Park in Naples.
(Kelli Krebs / Naples Daily News).
Lake Placid native Jeff Stanley overcomes accident to win two World Championship titles
NAPLES — Jeff Stanley doesn't need all of his fingers to be a world champion.
The self-sponsored Lake Placid native won two world championship titles with only nine and a half fingers at the Pro Watercross World Championship at Sugden Regional Park in Naples on Thursday.
The Place on First undergoes construction in March 2017. The Place will be a multi-use building of retail, restaurants, offices and condos. (Photo: Kelli Krebs)
Fort Myers' housing shortage could pose problem for city's dream of millennial-rich population
FORT MYERS— Katie Kupser, 24, landed a job at Pearl Brands in Fort Myers after she graduated. She works downtown but commutes 20 minutes from her apartment. She’d like to live downtown, but it wasn’t an option.
She can’t afford it.
The Celtics' defensive line runs through blocking drills using garbage cans during a preseason practice on Monday, August 22 at St. John Neumann.
(Kelli Krebs / Naples Daily News)
Improved St. John Neumann ready for challenges of new Big 6 Conference
NAPLES — Just over a year ago, Damon Jones stepped onto the St. John Neumann Catholic High School campus to inherit a struggling football program.
Florida Gulf Coast University President Dr. Wilson Bradshaw participates in a discussion about the university's mission statement at the BOT meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 12. (EN Photo / Kelli Krebs)
FGCU removes ‘practices’ sustainability from official mission statement
ESTERO — After student criticism and a 121-signature online and paper petition, the Florida Gulf Coast University Board of Trustees might reverse a recent mission statement change.
At the Jan. 12 BOT meeting, Chairwoman Robbie Roepstorff said the word change was “brought to my attention.”
Basketball court. (Photo: Kelli Krebs)
Prep basketball: Gulf Coast eager to build off Final Four appearance
NAPLES — One more game.
The Gulf Coast High School girls basketball team starts every practice with its new mantra to remind themselves what they're playing for.
Last year's historical run reached as far as the 8A Final Four, picking up the program's first-ever regional title and first district crown in 14 years.
A gator sunbathes in one of the various ponds on FGCU's campus. (EN Photo / Kelli Krebs)
Living with wildlife on campus, relocating the squatters
ESTERO — When attending a school nestled in more than 400 acres of preserved wetlands and uplands, it is not uncommon to find wildlife roaming the main campus. Earlier this summer, students spotted a bear on FGCU Boulevard en route to their 8 a.m. classes...
Fort Myers' efforts to attract more millennials has been met with skepticism by some locals. (401kcalculator.org / Creative Commons)
Does Fort Myers want millennials for their money?
FORT MYERS — As the millennial generation grows up and moves into their prime spending years, the world around them has adapted to the fast-paced, technology-saturated lifestyles of the generation that will shape the economy. And shape the economy, they will.
The gopher tortoise is considered a keystone species due to the fact that they share their habitats with more than 350 other species. (EN Photo / Kelli Krebs)
New FGCU road most likely won't include wildlife underpass for tortoise habitat
ESTERO — It’s unlikely that the future road connecting FGCU’s South Village to Ben Hill Griffin Parkway will include a wildlife underpass in effort to limit disturbances to the campus’ main gopher tortoise habitat.
The Cohen Center student union at Florida Gulf Coast University can be seen across one of the campus' many ponds. (EN Photo / Kelli Krebs)
FGCU Board of Trustees reinstates ‘practices sustainability’ into mission statement
ESTERO — The FGCU Board of Trustees reinstated the phrase “practices sustainability” back into the mission statement after backlash from the FGCU community.
The mission statement was changed in September 2015 when the BOT removed the word “practices sustainability.”
The FGCU Dirty Birds hold their "wings up" during FGCU's conference game against Jacksonville University at Alico Arena. (EN Photo / Kelli Krebs)
Lack of funding keeps FGCU Dirty Birds from First Four, ready for UNC
DAYTON, OH — Between a small showing from Fairleigh Dickinson fans and what seems like the whole country rooting for the return of Dunk City, the Dayton University Arena felt almost like a home game for FGCU.
There was just one thing missing: the students.
Fliers for the FGCU Programming Board's annual Zombiefest. (EN Photo / Kelli Krebs)
ZombiCon shooting raises concerns for FGCU's annual ZombieFest
ESTERO — Students who attend Programming Board’s annual ZombieFest on Oct. 28 will see tighter rules and higher security following the recent mass shooting at the annual Fort Myers ZombiCon event in downtown.
Event organizers are adding extra security and allowing one entrance and exit into the event.
Joe Sparacio smiles as he puts on his Boston College hat after signing with the Eagles during National Signing Day. (Kelli Krebs / Naples Daily News)
National Signing Day: Faith, family, lead Joe Sparacio to Boston College
NAPLES — The Sparacio family has done a lot of praying in the last few years.
For First Baptist Academy linebacker Joe Sparacio, it's been a long road to his dream of playing Division I football. On Wednesday, he signed with Boston College as part of the new early signing period.