Florida drivers are paying an average price of $3.01 per gallon. The state average is fractions of a cent less than a week ago, yet remains 3 cents more than last month and 90 cents more than this time last year.
“Florida drivers are still finding some of the most expensive prices at the pump in nearly seven years,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group.
“Crude oil prices fluctuated last week, but ultimately evened out. So it’s likely these elevated gas prices will hang around for the near future.”
The least expensive metro markets for gas in Florida include Punta Gorda at $2.94 per gallon, Fort Myers-Cape Coral at $2.96 per gallon.
A six-month investigation conducted by the Cape Coral Police Department Financial Crimes Unit related to the fraudulent sale of vacant land in Cape Coral culminated with the arrest of Edwin Eugune Swanson, of Houston, Texas.
The investigation by the Financial Crimes Unit found that between January 2020 and December 2020, Edwin Swanson was part of a scheme to defraud multiple victims of their property.
Detectives found that Swanson used the personal information of each landowner to impersonate them and attempt to, or successfully sell their vacant lots.
During this scheme, Swanson sold or attempted to sell multiple vacant lots that could have resulted in a loss of well over $100,000 to the victims. Due to his actions throughout this scheme, Swanson was able to sell a victim’s property and received the proceeds of the sale.
Detectives worked with local realtors and title companies to gather evidence.
After combing through voluminous amounts of records, Swanson was identified as a suspect. Cape Coral Police Department Detectives requested assistance from the Houston Police Department to gather additional evidence, which ultimately resulted in a warrant being issued for Swanson’s arrest by the State Attorney’s Office – 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida.
On July 14, 2021, Swanson was located by the United States Marshals Service in Houston, Texas and arrested on the outstanding warrant. He is currently incarcerated at the Montgomery County (Texas) Jail.
ARRESTED: Edwin Eugune Swanson, B/M, DOB: 07-18-64, of Houston, Texas CHARGES: Grand Theft ($100,000 or more), F.S.S. 812.014(2)a(1) – 1st Degree Felony; Criminal Use of Personal Identification Information, F.S.S. 817.568(2)(b), 2nd Degree Felony; Criminal Use of Personal Identification Information, F.S.S. 817.568(2)(a), 3rd Degree Felony; Unlawful Filing of False Documents or Records against Real or Personal Property, F.S.S. 817.535(2)(a), 3rd Degree Felony
Florida Realtors are launching a petition to put a proposed constitutional amendment on the 2022 ballot that would provide money for affordable housing programs.
The group of Realtors funneled $5 million to the political committee Floridians for Housingwhile the National Association of Realtors chipped in another $3 million.
If approved by 60% of voters, the proposed measurewould establish state and local housing trust funds, which would receive a percentage of revenue from the documentary stamp taxes collected on real estate transactions.
The committee needs to submit more than 220,000 signaturesfor the Florida Supreme Court to review the proposed amendment, and nearly a million signatures to get it on the 2022 ballot.
To add your name to the ballot initiative, click HERE
The Cape Coral Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit arrested a man for aggravated child abuse after the investigation showed him responsible for serious injuries to his 2-month old son.
On July 10th, 2021, the Cape Coral Police Department was called to the home of Austin Meyers (W/M, DOB: 3-28-94) after family members reported concerns for the well-being of his 2-month old son.
The CCPD’s Major Crimes Unit responded, and the investigation revealed serious injuries to the baby as a result of abuse at the hands of Meyers. It was also discovered Meyers had battered the mother during her pregnancy.
Meyers was placed under arrest and charged with cruelty toward a child (aggravated child abuse) a first degree felony, as well as aggravated battery (offender knew victim to be pregnant), a second degree felony. He was transported to the Lee County Jail.
ARRESTED: Austin James Meyers, W/M, DOB: 3-28-94, of Cape Coral FL. CHARGES: Cruelty Toward a Child (Aggravated Child Abuse), Aggravated Battery (Offender Knew Victim To Be Pregnant)
Michael Angelo Campos, 41, of Lehigh Acres, was found guilty as charged for Battery on a Person 65 or Older. The jury returned the guilty verdict following a two-day trial in Lee County.
The crime occurred on July 3, 2020 at an intersection in Cape Coral. A woman called 911 to say she had just witnessed the driver of a pick-up truck get out of his truck and strike at an elderly man, as he sat in his vehicle. The caller followed the suspect and got his license plate number.
The Cape Coral Police Officer who arrived on scene, met with the victim, who had bruising and a laceration under his eye.
The victim told the officer after nearly getting into a traffic crash, the defendant stopped his truck, ran at his vehicle, and punched him in the face through an open window. The victim said the defendant then threatened to kill him if he called police and tried to grab his phone, but the man was able to move it away.
He then heard a woman yelling for the man to stop and he thought that made the defendant stop the attack and leave. That woman was the witness who called 911.
Cape Coral Police Officers located the defendant through his vehicle information who was then identified as Campos.
As anticipated, Lee County Government departmental operations have resumed this morning. County facilities and sites are open with normal hours. Regularly scheduled trash collection and LeeTran services are running on normal schedules.
Lee County Public Safety-Emergency Management staff, county departmental staff and Emergency Operations Center partners continue to monitor and assess any impacts from Hurricane Elsa.
The county encourages residents and visitors to monitor the National Weather Service’s notices about rip currents. Dangerous riptides are present all along the Gulf Coast and will continue to be throughout the day. To better understand riptide conditions, go to www.weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent .
Motorists are urged to drive cautiously until the weather improves and localized flooding subsides both inland and in coastal areas. Turn around rather than drive through standing water.
Residents who want to report road flooding should first check to see if their street is county-maintained and then call 239-533-9400 or visit www.leegov.com/dot/requestforaction.
