Lewis Boulevard in Clewiston closed after semi-trailer carrying palm trees loses loadJuvenile and 18-year-old arrested for stealing, burglarizing multiple cars in DeSoto County
CLEWISTON Lewis Boulevard in Clewiston closed after semi-trailer carrying palm trees loses load Lewis Boulevard in Clewiston from U.S. 27 to 13th Street is closed this morning while crews remove trees from the roadway.
ARCADIA Juvenile and 18-year-old arrested for stealing, burglarizing multiple cars in DeSoto County A juvenile and an 18-year-old have been arrested after allegedly stealing several cars and burglarizing them in DeSoto County.
IMMOKALEE Immokalee man arrested for child porn possession An Immokalee man has been arrested and charged on ten felony counts after allegedly being in possession of child pornography.
ESTERO Caught on Camera: Teen catches alligator while fishing for Peacock Bass A 15-year-old teenager from Estero bit off more than he could chew while fishing for Peacock Bass as a hungry alligator chased after the fish and him.
Gainsville Streaming Now: Gov. DeSantis holds news conference in Gainsville Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Gainsville.
The Weather Authority Hotter and drier Wednesday with a few inland storms this afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a mild and drier Wednesday morning with rain expected inland this afternoon.
Cape Coral City Council to discuss repairs for yacht club pier The Cape Coral City Council will discuss and possibly decide upon three options to repair the damaged yacht club pier.
LEHIGH ACRES Kitchen fire causes substantial damage to a home in Lehigh Acres The Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue responded to a kitchen fire at a Sunset Boulevard home on Tuesday night.
FORT MYERS Lee County making changes to fix bus issues In the past, the Lee County School District struggled to find enough bus drivers.
NAPLES Naples man gets original Bob Ross paintings appraised Bob Ross took this blank canvas in a small studio in Muncie, Indiana, and transformed it into a beautiful masterpiece.
Lee Schools board considers full-day phone bans The biggest talking point in a Lee County School District safety presentation wasn’t about violence or drugs, it was about phones
PORT CHARLOTTE Fallen officer ceremony in Charlotte County commemorates those who lost lives in line of duty The emotional ceremony was held at the William R. Gains Veterans Memorial Park in Port Charlotte.
SAN CARLOS PARK Lee County couple suspected of drugging and sexually abusing child Neighbors say a home in San Carlos Park was just another house before Tuesday.
PINE ISLAND FDOT asking you if bike and pedestrian lanes should be added to busy road The Florida Department of Transportation is asking you if bike and pedestrian lanes should be added to the busy road.
Food drive for mental health awareness While someone may look healthy, they may be fighting a real inner battle.
CLEWISTON Lewis Boulevard in Clewiston closed after semi-trailer carrying palm trees loses load Lewis Boulevard in Clewiston from U.S. 27 to 13th Street is closed this morning while crews remove trees from the roadway.
ARCADIA Juvenile and 18-year-old arrested for stealing, burglarizing multiple cars in DeSoto County A juvenile and an 18-year-old have been arrested after allegedly stealing several cars and burglarizing them in DeSoto County.
IMMOKALEE Immokalee man arrested for child porn possession An Immokalee man has been arrested and charged on ten felony counts after allegedly being in possession of child pornography.
ESTERO Caught on Camera: Teen catches alligator while fishing for Peacock Bass A 15-year-old teenager from Estero bit off more than he could chew while fishing for Peacock Bass as a hungry alligator chased after the fish and him.
Gainsville Streaming Now: Gov. DeSantis holds news conference in Gainsville Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Gainsville.
The Weather Authority Hotter and drier Wednesday with a few inland storms this afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a mild and drier Wednesday morning with rain expected inland this afternoon.
Cape Coral City Council to discuss repairs for yacht club pier The Cape Coral City Council will discuss and possibly decide upon three options to repair the damaged yacht club pier.
LEHIGH ACRES Kitchen fire causes substantial damage to a home in Lehigh Acres The Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue responded to a kitchen fire at a Sunset Boulevard home on Tuesday night.
FORT MYERS Lee County making changes to fix bus issues In the past, the Lee County School District struggled to find enough bus drivers.
NAPLES Naples man gets original Bob Ross paintings appraised Bob Ross took this blank canvas in a small studio in Muncie, Indiana, and transformed it into a beautiful masterpiece.
Lee Schools board considers full-day phone bans The biggest talking point in a Lee County School District safety presentation wasn’t about violence or drugs, it was about phones
PORT CHARLOTTE Fallen officer ceremony in Charlotte County commemorates those who lost lives in line of duty The emotional ceremony was held at the William R. Gains Veterans Memorial Park in Port Charlotte.
SAN CARLOS PARK Lee County couple suspected of drugging and sexually abusing child Neighbors say a home in San Carlos Park was just another house before Tuesday.
PINE ISLAND FDOT asking you if bike and pedestrian lanes should be added to busy road The Florida Department of Transportation is asking you if bike and pedestrian lanes should be added to the busy road.
Food drive for mental health awareness While someone may look healthy, they may be fighting a real inner battle.
MIAMI – More than 8,000 National Guardsmen and emergency responders have been mobilized in case Tropical Storm Erika strengthens into a hurricane or causes significant damage, Gov. Rick Scott said Friday. “The biggest concern now is how much land it’s going to go over,” he said. “We have concerns all across the state now because it’s going to come clear across the state.” Scott mobilized the emergency responders statewide after placing Florida under a state of emergency Friday morning. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has activated the state price gouging hotline for reports of sudden price hikes for gasoline, water, propane, radios, lumber and other supplies. Schools in Hendry County are closed Monday due to flooding concerns, Superintendent Paul Puletti said. Other Southwest Florida school districts are expected to announce their plans over the weekend. Hendry County is under a precautionary state of emergency. County offices will be closed on Monday, along with government offices in LaBelle and Clewiston. “We do not expect this to be a high wind event but the potential for heavy rains and localized flooding are driving these precautionary measures,” county officials said in a statement. Collier County has partially activated its emergency operations center, where staff is checking on equipment and various processes, said Dan Summers, county emergency services director. “This is really a very unique situation and we really wont know a lot until we see this storm come off of the Cuban coast and see how it will affect Southwest Florida,” he said. Collier County commissioners will meet on Saturday to determine whether to place the county under a state of emergency. TS Erika is expected to move over Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Haiti on Friday, WINK News meteorologist Mary Mays said. The storm will encounter wind shear and could potentially weaken while over land. “If Erika holds together it will potentially affect our area as a tropical storm by Monday, bringing mostly gusty wind and heavy rain,” she said. “There is still a lot of uncertainty in both the track and intensity of Erika.” Mays will answer questions about the storm during a live Q&A on WINK News’ Facebook page at 5:10 p.m. today. If the storm continues moving west, the state could receive more rain, Scott said. Even if the storm doesn’t develop into a hurricane, Scott advised residents to be prepared. “Think about your entire family,” he said. “Make sure every member of yoru family is ready. Do you have a plan? Do you have any special needs? If you potentially need shelter, know where your shelters are.” Residents should have three days of food and water, as well as ensuring their medicines are accounted for, Scott said. No evacuations have been declared as of Friday afternoon, but Scott advised residents to look out for updates. “We’re just in a state of readiness and watching the storm,” he said. Local preparations The Bonita Springs Fire Department offered free sandbags outside Station #4 Friday afternoon. The station is located at 22701 Bonita Grande Dr. in Bonita Springs. Residents had to fill the sandbags themselves with a limit of 25 sandbags per household. The Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District also offered free sand and sandbags on Friday. The items were available next to Station One, located at 5700 Pine Island Rd. in Bokeelia. Residents were responsible for filling their own bags with a 25 sandbag limit. Five self-serve sandbagging stations have been established around Hendry County (residents must bring their own shovels): North LaBelle – Bob Mason Park on County Road 78. LaBelle – LaBelle Rodeo Grounds, the parking lot on State Road 29 South. Felda – Felda Volunteer Fire Department, the corner of County Road 830 and Willis Ranch Rd North. Montura-Flaghole – Montura-Flaghole VFD, the parking lot on Avenida Del Club. Clewiston – City of Clewiston Public Works Yard on South Olympia Street. The South Florida Water Management District lowered canal levels across the region to help alleviate any flooding and will close the Clewiston Lock on Sunday, which serves Lake Okeechobee. The Edison & Ford Winter Estates ill be closed on Monday. Lee County transportation and natural resources officials are lowering DOT-maintained weirs in key canals and clearing debris from stormwater drains. Be prepared Have a disaster plan (alternate travel routes, household evacuation strategy, etc.) Stock up on supplies (non-perishable food items, water, medications, charging electronics, filling vehicle gas tanks and gas containers for generators, etc.) Build an emergency kit (flashlights, batteries, first aid supplies, portable radio, etc.) Stay informed (watch WINK News for storm updates) Questions about price gouging? State Attorney General Pam Bondi has a list of frequently asked questions Tips for driving on wet roads Make sure tires are properly inflated Slow down and leave room in between vehicles Avoid cruise control Avoid standing water and flooded roads If your vehicle stalls in a flooded area, do not stay in the vehicle