What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area?Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema prepares for opening at Mercato The newest movie theater in Southwest Florida opens April 29, and it does so with an array of entertainment offerings that go beyond the usual options across the region.
Let’s Waffle opens in Cape Coral Let’s Waffle is one of two businesses the Feix family launched locally, with the FMS Florida Boat Tours and Limousine Service owned and operated by Feix’s husband, Alexander.
Planned Punta Gorda hotel, pub, brewery faces construction delay Kevin Doyle, owner of Celtic Ray Public House Irish pub in downtown Punta Gorda, and his partner, S4 Global Investments, were found in violation of the city’s exposed soils code.
Three Sisters Spring Toast the manatee released by FWC, SeaWorld and Casey DeSantis near Crystal River A manatee named Toast was released back into the Florida waters after a final medical evaluation from wildlife officials.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Man arrested and charged with over 90 counts of fraud The Cape Coral Police Department arrested a man for allegedly stealing items from a business and then pawning them.
Man accused of pulling gun on someone ordering at Collier County Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru A man has been arrested after allegedly pulling a gun on someone ordering at a Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru in Collier County.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema prepares for opening at Mercato The newest movie theater in Southwest Florida opens April 29, and it does so with an array of entertainment offerings that go beyond the usual options across the region.
Let’s Waffle opens in Cape Coral Let’s Waffle is one of two businesses the Feix family launched locally, with the FMS Florida Boat Tours and Limousine Service owned and operated by Feix’s husband, Alexander.
Planned Punta Gorda hotel, pub, brewery faces construction delay Kevin Doyle, owner of Celtic Ray Public House Irish pub in downtown Punta Gorda, and his partner, S4 Global Investments, were found in violation of the city’s exposed soils code.
Three Sisters Spring Toast the manatee released by FWC, SeaWorld and Casey DeSantis near Crystal River A manatee named Toast was released back into the Florida waters after a final medical evaluation from wildlife officials.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Man arrested and charged with over 90 counts of fraud The Cape Coral Police Department arrested a man for allegedly stealing items from a business and then pawning them.
Man accused of pulling gun on someone ordering at Collier County Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru A man has been arrested after allegedly pulling a gun on someone ordering at a Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru in Collier County.
MGN COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Former New England tight end great Ben Coates has heard from too many friends recently all bashing the Patriots for deflating footballs. Hold off, Coates said Monday, pointing fingers because “honestly, stuff happened all the time” and the Patriots are looked at more harshly because of their success. Coates was a 1991 draft pick of the New England out of Division II Livingstone College and blossomed into their best tight end of the decade with 490 receptions and 50 touchdowns in his nine seasons. He was named to five straight Pro Bowls and was voted to New England’s all-1990s team. Coates rolls his eyes about team’s latest controversy about under-inflated footballs in last January’s AFC championship game. The 6-foot-5 Coates said friends of his are all too happy to think New England is breaking rules because of their success of four Super Bowls in the past 15 years – and the issues the team has had “The Patriots are now getting scrutinized so much, you’re like, ‘Okay (NFL), if you’re going to do something to them, go ahead and do it,” Coates said. “You’re talking about the ‘Spy-gate’ before, now you’re talking about the inflated balls, who knew, who didn’t know.” Coates spoke before the NFL levied punishment against the Patriots on Monday, including hitting the organization with a $1 million fine and suspending quarterback Tom Brady for the first four games of the next season. The former New England tight end left the Patriots after the 2000 season, catching playing one more memorable NFL season in 2000 when he helped the Baltimore Ravens win a Super Bowl. Coates has no direct knowledge of whether Brady had other staffers alter specified football air pressure before New England’s AFC title game win over Indianapolis this past season. Brady and New England followed that two weeks later with their fourth Super Bowl win under coach Bill Belichick. But Coates doesn’t believe “Deflategate” tarnishes the team’s achievements and brand them as rule-breakers. “I don’t worry about the reputation,” he said. Running back Terry Allen, like Coates a South Carolina Athletic Hall inductee, played with Coates on New England in 1999. Allen smiled when asked about the deflated-football issue. “Considering I didn’t ever play with a quarterback that didn’t have a clue what was going on with the footballs, I’ll leave it at that,” said Allen, a Clemson runner who scored 79 touchdowns in 11 seasons with five NFL clubs. Allen, following the issue while finishing his degree at Clemson, said before the NFL announced its penalties that New England would receive similarly harsh penalties from the league as New Orleans did in 2012 for its wrongful bounty program. Saints coach Sean Payton was suspended for that season as was linebacker Jonathan Vilma. Several other coaches and players were suspended and the team lost second round draft picks in 2012 and 2013. “I’d be surprised if (New England) didn’t get better or equal to what happened with New Orleans,” Allen said. Along with Coates and Allen, the other inductees were South Carolina pitcher Kip Bouknight, the Golden Spikes Award winner in 2000 as the nation’s top baseball amateur; Joe Cabri, a former Lander tennis coach who won 12 national titles in 31 seasons; former Clemson and U.S. soccer standout Bruce Murray; Furman national championship winning football coach Jimmy Satterfield; and the late Les Timms, a longtime sports writer and editor at South Carolina newspapers. Coates, 45, was born and raised in Greenwood, South Carolina. He’s proud that his Patriots of the 1990s began the run that’s resulted in stellar success. And he knows, like “Spygate” before, the furor of “Deflategate,” will subside, too. He believes the Patriots would deal with the penalties, “and hopefully, move on.”