Coast Guard cautions boaters about July 4 safety

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FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. – The upcoming Independence Day weekend means many people will take to Southwest Florida waters. It also means more work for groups like the U.S. Coast Guard, which will respond to as many as 28 search and rescue operations.

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Lee County

Lee county officer of the year award given to deputy for heroic action

During the Law and Order Ball Saturday night, deputy Michelle Wilson of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office won officer of the year.

Oviedo

Florida woman charged with child neglect after her car catches fire as she was allegedly shoplifting

A Florida woman faces charges of aggravated child neglect and arson after her car became engulfed in flames while she was allegedly shoplifting at a mall, according to an arrest report.

Alva

Shed fire spreads to pool house in Alva

A house fire is now out after sending smoke pouring into the sky for hours in Alva Sunday morning.

Charlotte County

Cape Coral man dies after losing control of truck

According to Florida Highway Patrol, a 45-year-old man from Cape Coral was killed after losing control of his car and colliding with a light pole.

Another round of wet weather for Southwest Florida

The rain chances for Southwest Florida will drop off briefly as drier air filters into the area early this week.

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NORFOLK, Va. (AP)

Coast Guard searching for man who fell from cruise ship off Florida coast

The U.S. Coast Guard said Tuesday that it’s searching for a man who fell from a cruise ship off the coast of Florida.

FORT MYERS

Sourcing Sheriff Marceno’s claims about Lee County’s safety

Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno is running for reelection. When WINK News spoke to him at a campaign event, Marceno cited statistics on how much safer Lee County has been since he became sheriff. Where do those statistics come from?

FORT MYERS

On board with the U.S. Coast Guard: Repairing coastal channel markers

“Semper Paratus, Always Ready!” That’s the motto of the U.S. Coast Guard. While search and rescue is the Coast Guard’s number one mission, another big part of their job is maintaining our nation’s waterways. “We are responsible for maintaining all of the federal aids to navigation in the area,” said Chief Petty Officer Timothy Owen, […]

NAPLES

U.S. Coast Guard rescues 7 people from disabled vessel off Naples coast

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued seven people Monday afternoon after their 180-foot motor vessel, Abshire Tide, became disabled 150 miles southwest of Naples. Watchstanders received an emergency position indicating a radio beacon distress signal on Sunday at around 1:40 p.m. A Coast Guard aircrew located the vessel and dropped a radio to the people on […]