🌱 Why gunfire in a quiet Cape Coral neighborhood led to an arrest

Hey there, Cape Coral! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why gunfire in a quiet Cape Coral neighborhood led to an arrest
• How will Cape Coral Parkway’s six-lane expansion affect your daily drive?
• Why new signs aren’t slowing drivers on this Cape Coral curve

Also on today's calendar: Wellness on the Water at Slipaway.

Today's riddle: What did the inventor of the knock-knock joke win? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Friday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 89 and low of 69 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Saturday: Warm with sunshine, temps: high: 89, low: 70.
• Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high of 88 and low of 68 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

1. 18-year-old on probation arrested after firing gun during Cape Coral dispute, police say (gulfcoastnewsnow.com) — An 18-year-old on probation was arrested after allegedly firing multiple shots during a late-night dispute in a northeast Cape Coral neighborhood, though no injuries were reported. Cape Coral police say they recovered a handgun, found shell casings near NE 15th Lane and NE 8th Place, and charged him with firearm offenses and probation violation. Neighbors described being frightened by the gunfire and past incidents.
   

2. 33 trees marked to be removed ahead of Cape Coral Parkway expansion (winknews.com) — Cape Coral is moving ahead with widening a busy stretch of Cape Coral Parkway from four to six lanes, which means 33 roadside trees and on-street parking spots will be removed and lane closures are likely. City officials say the changes are needed for safety and traffic flow, while local business owners and seasonal residents are weighing the tradeoffs between shade, parking, and smoother commutes.
   

3. Cape Coral curve sees speeding continue despite new safety signs (winknews.com) — Neighbors along Gator Circle East in Cape Coral say speeding drivers are still flying through a dangerous curve, even after the city added new speed limit and warning signs this month. Residents describe multiple recent crashes, damaged yards and mailboxes, and kids feeling unsafe at the bus stop, and they’re calling for stronger measures like speed bumps and more enforcement.
   

4. Cape Coral's first shopping center up for sale (capecoralbreeze.com) — Cape Coral’s first shopping center, the historic Big John’s Plaza, is officially on the market, with longtime owner and local pioneer Elmer Tabor asking $12.5 million. The well‑known plaza, home to about 20 tenants and key community events, was heavily renovated after Hurricane Ian and in 2019. Tabor hopes a new buyer preserves its legacy while the iconic Big John statue finds a new public home.
   

5. Florida Supreme Court upholds death sentence in 1990 Cape Coral double murder of girl, babysitter (abc-7.com) — Florida’s Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence for Joseph Zieler, convicted of killing 11‑year‑old Robin Cornell and her babysitter Lisa Story in a Cape Coral condo in 1990. DNA advances linked him to the long‑cold case decades later, and a 2023 jury recommended death under Florida’s updated capital sentencing law. The ruling closes a major legal chapter in one of the city’s most notorious crimes.
   

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📸 Around Cape Coral

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Cape Coral

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Saturday April 25

• Wellness on the Water at Slipaway
  Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina , 1811 Cape Coral Pkwy E , Cape Coral
  8:30 am

Wednesday April 29

• FORT MYERS / S.W.F.L. JobLink 2026 Job Fair Happening 4/29
  Drury Inn & Suites Fort Myers Airport FGCU , 9950 University Plaza Dr , Fort Myers
  10:00 am

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📣 Cape Coral Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Friday April 17

• Blood Drive
  Ida S. Baker High School , 3500 Agualinda Blvd. , Cape Coral
  7:00 am
• Free Wading Adventure
  Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center , 10941 Burnt Store Rd , Punta Gorda
  10:00 am
• Vertical Oyster Gardening
  Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center , 10941 Burnt Store Rd , Punta Gorda
  10:30 am
• Steve Flagg
  Cass Cay Restaurant & Bar , 3200 Matecumbe Key Rd , Punta Gorda
  6:00 pm
• Heights Choir - Art Walk
  Downtown Ft. Myers
  6:00 pm

Saturday April 18

• Free Guided Nature Walk
  Bayshore Live Oak Park , 23157 Bayshore Rd , Port Charlotte
  9:00 am
• Personalized Apron Art
  Pine Island Public Library , 10701 Russell Rd , Bokeelia
  12:00 pm

Monday April 20

• Softball VR vs Gulf Coast (Naples)
  Estero High School , 21900 River Ranch Road , Estero
  7:00 pm

Tuesday April 21

• Book Discussion: Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston
  Pine Island Public Library , 10701 Russell Rd , Bokeelia
  1:30 pm
• Boys Track and Field Championship at Dunbar High School 6:30 p.m.
  Dunbar High School Fort Myers, FL 33908
  6:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Just found a female Yorkie, she is spayed, I can see the tattoo on her belly.
  She was walking in the middle of the road on SE 11th Pl. My neighbor (neighborhood behind goodwill on del prado) said he sees her walking around… (Nextdoor SE 32nd - 36th)
• Here’s a portrait that I painted of an eagle.
  Painted on a 11x14 Canvas using watercolor paint. Hope you like it! (Nextdoor NE9 to NE15/Andalusia/StB)

• MHC Equity Lifestyle Properties posted a job opening for Activities Coordinator in Cape Coral. Apply here.
• Burlington posted a job opening for Retail Stocking Associate - Part Time in Cape Coral. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Cape Coral here.

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Ok Cape Coral! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: The NO-BELL prize (Thank you Gina M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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