33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee CountyCool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther was killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Milton.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther was killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Milton.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
The City of Fort Myers unanimously approve a local state of emergency to address the toxic blue-green algae that continues to plague Southwest Florida waterways. The City will discussed the proposal in a meeting at 4:30 p.m. Monday. City leaders hope the funds would help pay for contractors and cleanup equipment. City hall acknowledges algae isn’t clogging their canals like in North Fort Myers, and you can see the Caloosahatchee appears clear, but this state of emergency is to support and acknowledge all impacted. The decision comes in anticipation of the Army Corps’ announcement that they will likely increase daily water releases from Lake Okeechobee. In the City’s proposal, they blame the Army Corps water releases for the toxic blue-green algae and red tide blooms. Patricia Sharp of North Port says its too little too late, “It does not solve anything it’s just clean up that’s it.” Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency six weeks ago for several counties including Lee County. MORE: Lee County leaders vote to expand local state of emergency Emergency Bridge Loan Program After months of dead fish and no customers, Captain John Black is ready for some relief, “Business is really bad right now for most people and it’s going to continue to get worse.” Last week, Governor Rick Scott announced an emergency bridge loan program, giving up to $50,000 dollars to small businesses affected by red tide or blue-green algae. But the interest rate that goes along with it is huge. “The interest rate on these things is 18 percent which is the highest rate you can charge in the state of Florida by law. Anything higher would be illegal in the state of Florida,” Black said. Captain black says he’ll pass on this deal, “It just doesn’t make sense to get into a situation like that because we don’t know how long this is going to last.” Michael Westra, owner of Lehr’s Bait Shop says he’s not cashing in on the program either. You have six months to pay off the loan, “To get a $50,000 loan or $30,000 loan and have 180 days to pay and get nailed with 18 percent .. It doesn’t seem like that’s help.” Experts say government funding for natural disasters like the small business administration offers up to $2 million at three-percent interest for up to 30 years. “Government trying to help me out in this case,” but Westra says he’s not taking the bait “I’m not going to say seems predatory, but it seems right on the edge of that.” WINK News got the Department of Economic Opportunity on the phone who tells these businesses, don’t worry. The Small Business Development Center will work with you to pay off the loan, even after the deadline. Tiffany Vause, spokeswoman for Florida Department of Economic Opportunity said, “We’re going to help them pay that loan back. We’re gonna work with them if we have to do installments or however we need to work with them to get that loan back, nobody’s going to be left out to dry. The high interest rate is meant to deter businesses from taking advantage of public funds. “We want to make sure we’re spending these dollars in the best interest of the taxpayer dollars while helping businesses get back on their feet,” Vause added. Governor Scott is also asking the SBA to help with lower-interest rates.