Sanibel eyes new hurricane protections amid recoveryFacebook post helps find good Samaritan in Cape Coral
SANIBEL Sanibel eyes new hurricane protections amid recovery It should come as no surprise that parts of Southwest Florida, especially Sanibel Island, have a long way to go in their recovery from this year’s hurricanes.
CAPE CORAL Facebook post helps find good Samaritan in Cape Coral A Cape Coral man is relieved to discover good people still exist.
FORT MYERS BEACH Pink Shell Beach Resort seeks expansion on Fort Myers Beach The face of Fort Myers Beach could look different as the Pink Shell Beach Resort wants to expand.
NAPLES Owner of Johnsonville named one of Gulfshore Life’s Men of the Year From king of sausage to best-selling author, Johnsonville owner Ralph Stayer has been named one of Gulfshore Life’s Men of the Year.
Fired FEMA worker speaks out The FEMA team leader who was fired for telling her crew to skip properties with signs supporting Donald Trump in a Highlands County mobile home park is pushing back.
FORT MYERS Water quality testing continues in Fort Myers waterways Water quality has been an ongoing issue for parts of southwest Florida, and two notoriously bad spots fall within the city of Fort Myers.
ESTERO New mixed-use development proposed in Estero A new entertainment and living experience may be going right in the middle of a place you’ve never seen before.
NORTH FORT MYERS Man wanted for using stolen credit card to buy gift cards in North Fort Myers Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking the public for information on a male suspect seen making purchases with a stolen credit card in North Fort Myers.
How gut health affects mental and physical wellness You’ve heard it before: “You are what you eat.” Well, science is increasingly confirming that this adage holds true, especially when it comes to the impact of our gut microbiome on our overall health.
Couple’s wedding gift led to lifelong passion, business ownership The owners of a popular barbecue food truck fulfilled their dream of owning a brick-and-mortar restaurant, as Jay’s Smokin BBQ preps for its soft opening Nov. 13 at 10175 Tamiami Trail in Punta Gorda.
Goddard School breaks ground in Estero as franchise expands to SWFL Matt Speranza and Dave Horrell each changed the trajectory of their lives, shifting to figuratively painting the potential of children from literally selling paint.
2 teens accused of Hendry homicide will be charged as adults The family of a 16-year-old girl is one step closer to getting justice as the two suspects in her murder will be charged as adults.
FEMA faces scrutiny after message sent to skip homes with Trump signs FEMA is facing accusations of bias as a message sent by an employee emerged telling them to skip Trump supporter homes following a hurricane.
NAPLES Naples man sentenced to 5 years for possessing child sexual abuse images A Naples man has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for possessing child sexual abuse material.
Charlotte County Transit launches Charlotte Rides Mobile app Charlotte County Transit’s Charlotte Rides Mobile App is now available for download from the Apple iTunes app store and the Android Google Play store.
SANIBEL Sanibel eyes new hurricane protections amid recovery It should come as no surprise that parts of Southwest Florida, especially Sanibel Island, have a long way to go in their recovery from this year’s hurricanes.
CAPE CORAL Facebook post helps find good Samaritan in Cape Coral A Cape Coral man is relieved to discover good people still exist.
FORT MYERS BEACH Pink Shell Beach Resort seeks expansion on Fort Myers Beach The face of Fort Myers Beach could look different as the Pink Shell Beach Resort wants to expand.
NAPLES Owner of Johnsonville named one of Gulfshore Life’s Men of the Year From king of sausage to best-selling author, Johnsonville owner Ralph Stayer has been named one of Gulfshore Life’s Men of the Year.
Fired FEMA worker speaks out The FEMA team leader who was fired for telling her crew to skip properties with signs supporting Donald Trump in a Highlands County mobile home park is pushing back.
FORT MYERS Water quality testing continues in Fort Myers waterways Water quality has been an ongoing issue for parts of southwest Florida, and two notoriously bad spots fall within the city of Fort Myers.
ESTERO New mixed-use development proposed in Estero A new entertainment and living experience may be going right in the middle of a place you’ve never seen before.
NORTH FORT MYERS Man wanted for using stolen credit card to buy gift cards in North Fort Myers Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking the public for information on a male suspect seen making purchases with a stolen credit card in North Fort Myers.
How gut health affects mental and physical wellness You’ve heard it before: “You are what you eat.” Well, science is increasingly confirming that this adage holds true, especially when it comes to the impact of our gut microbiome on our overall health.
Couple’s wedding gift led to lifelong passion, business ownership The owners of a popular barbecue food truck fulfilled their dream of owning a brick-and-mortar restaurant, as Jay’s Smokin BBQ preps for its soft opening Nov. 13 at 10175 Tamiami Trail in Punta Gorda.
Goddard School breaks ground in Estero as franchise expands to SWFL Matt Speranza and Dave Horrell each changed the trajectory of their lives, shifting to figuratively painting the potential of children from literally selling paint.
2 teens accused of Hendry homicide will be charged as adults The family of a 16-year-old girl is one step closer to getting justice as the two suspects in her murder will be charged as adults.
FEMA faces scrutiny after message sent to skip homes with Trump signs FEMA is facing accusations of bias as a message sent by an employee emerged telling them to skip Trump supporter homes following a hurricane.
NAPLES Naples man sentenced to 5 years for possessing child sexual abuse images A Naples man has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for possessing child sexual abuse material.
Charlotte County Transit launches Charlotte Rides Mobile app Charlotte County Transit’s Charlotte Rides Mobile App is now available for download from the Apple iTunes app store and the Android Google Play store.
WINK News It’s been nearly one year since Laurence Le Buff and his family lost their home in the Picayune Strand fire. Flames burned thousands of acres, destroyed four homes and prompted evacuations for hundreds of Collier County residents near Lee Williams Road. Laurence and his father built the home together —containing their memories and keepsakes— nearly 50 years ago. “The house, it just disintegrated, melted,” Le Buff said. “It didn’t matter whether it was metal, glass, what it was, it just melted and everything just crumbled down.” The community stepped in to help the Le Buff’s find a new place to call home. “It’s really been fantastic and the outpouring from the community and friends and people that we never knew before that’s helping us out,” Le Buff said. “It’s just amazing.” The Le Buff’s were the first to live on the road that was later named after their family. “(It) still gets rough knowing you don’t have your home to go home to at night, but that’s getting better,” Le Buff said. The fire started in the Picayune Strand State Forest, which contains multiple palm fronds and cabbage palms. MORE: ‘Only home we ever had’ destroyed by Collier brush fire “Cabbage palms are perfect type of fuel for spot fires,” said Edward Vuolo, Forest Area Supervisor. The cause of the fire was not determined, according to investigators, fire officials said they’re better equipped to fast moving fires across various terrain. Vuolo reflected on his experience with the Picayune Strand fire. Laurence Le Buff’s home was destroyed by a brush fire that by Thursday, burned nearly 7,500 acres of land in Collier County. (Taylor Bisacky/WINK News) “We learn from each fire … we need to make our lines bigger, get bigger equipment out there early,” Vuolo said. Vuolo added this type of fire was different than what crews were used to fighting. “We’re used to fighting in the fires in a lot of the flatwoods where our lines will hold,” Vuolo said. Despite watching his home burn to ashes, Le Buff said he was able to gain strength and persevere. “I learned how strong my family actually is … and the love that we all have for each other,” Le Buff said. “It’s just immeasurable.” It’s important for residents to make a 30-foot defensible space around a home to maintain a lean, clean and green landscape, according to the Florida Forest Service.