20th annual Hibiscus Festival begins in Punta GordaLehigh Acres senior caretaker accused of stealing over $70K of patients’ jewelry
PUNTA GORDA 20th annual Hibiscus Festival begins in Punta Gorda The 20th annual Hibiscus Festival at Gilchrist Park in Punta Gorda begins Friday morning and runs all weekend.
WINK NEWS Lehigh Acres senior caretaker accused of stealing over $70K of patients’ jewelry A senior caretaker has been arrested for allegedly stealing over $70,000 of her patients’ jewelry and pawning it.
Tim Aten Knows: Next phase of Restaurant Row Naples under way Construction of the final phase of Restaurant Row Naples was stalled for months because of financial issues but the three-building project was recently revived.
NAPLES Alamo Drafthouse Cinema’s first Florida theater opens in Naples The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has now opened at the company’s first-ever Florida location at Mercato in Naples.
FORT MYERS Friday’s Furry Friends: Rhett, Tag For this week’s Friday’s Furry Friends, WINK visits the Gulf Coast Humane Society to showcase two adorable animals ready to be adopted.
WINK NEWS Recall issued for ground beef sold with possible E. coli at Walmart The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a recall for several ground beef products distributed from Pennsylvania to Walmart’s nationwide.
The Weather Authority Hotter and more humid this Friday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a mild Friday morning with dry afternoon conditions and isolated storms appearing in the evening.
PUNTA GORDA ‘Party’s Over’: Dirt biking ends at Barefoot Lake The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has made it clear, the party at Barefoot Lake is over.
ESTERO Crews battle brushfire near Alico Road and Eagle Village Drive San Carlos Park Fire District is on the scene fighting a 2.5-acre brushfire near Alico and Eagle Village Drive.
FORT MYERS Jake’s story: A mother’s mission to share her son’s story and help other young people One Fort Myers mom is turning her pain into purpose after her son, who she refers to as her “heavenly Angel,” took his own life.
CAPE CORAL New renderings for the Cape Coral Yacht Club promise a bright future The Cape Coral Yacht Club, which has been part of this community since the 1960s, will now have a new look after Hurricane Ian’s devastating effects.
LEHIGH ACRES Owner bars public from Barefoot Lake, LCSO installs Watch Tower Every weekend, roughly 200 people go to Barefoot Lake in Lehigh Acres to relax, fish, swim and have a good time.
CAPE CORAL Concern over water shortage in Cape Coral Concern is flowing through Cape Coral as neighbors are seeing their canal levels low and their wells run dry.
FORT MYERS FSW softball swinging for success in the postseason Now their focus shifts to states which means the newbies are looking to the experienced sophomores for advice.
BONITA SPRINGS Young SWFL tennis player competing with professionals You may not know her name now, but you might want remember it because 16-year-old Cookie Jarvis-Tredgett is already competing with professionals.
PUNTA GORDA 20th annual Hibiscus Festival begins in Punta Gorda The 20th annual Hibiscus Festival at Gilchrist Park in Punta Gorda begins Friday morning and runs all weekend.
WINK NEWS Lehigh Acres senior caretaker accused of stealing over $70K of patients’ jewelry A senior caretaker has been arrested for allegedly stealing over $70,000 of her patients’ jewelry and pawning it.
Tim Aten Knows: Next phase of Restaurant Row Naples under way Construction of the final phase of Restaurant Row Naples was stalled for months because of financial issues but the three-building project was recently revived.
NAPLES Alamo Drafthouse Cinema’s first Florida theater opens in Naples The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has now opened at the company’s first-ever Florida location at Mercato in Naples.
FORT MYERS Friday’s Furry Friends: Rhett, Tag For this week’s Friday’s Furry Friends, WINK visits the Gulf Coast Humane Society to showcase two adorable animals ready to be adopted.
WINK NEWS Recall issued for ground beef sold with possible E. coli at Walmart The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a recall for several ground beef products distributed from Pennsylvania to Walmart’s nationwide.
The Weather Authority Hotter and more humid this Friday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a mild Friday morning with dry afternoon conditions and isolated storms appearing in the evening.
PUNTA GORDA ‘Party’s Over’: Dirt biking ends at Barefoot Lake The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has made it clear, the party at Barefoot Lake is over.
ESTERO Crews battle brushfire near Alico Road and Eagle Village Drive San Carlos Park Fire District is on the scene fighting a 2.5-acre brushfire near Alico and Eagle Village Drive.
FORT MYERS Jake’s story: A mother’s mission to share her son’s story and help other young people One Fort Myers mom is turning her pain into purpose after her son, who she refers to as her “heavenly Angel,” took his own life.
CAPE CORAL New renderings for the Cape Coral Yacht Club promise a bright future The Cape Coral Yacht Club, which has been part of this community since the 1960s, will now have a new look after Hurricane Ian’s devastating effects.
LEHIGH ACRES Owner bars public from Barefoot Lake, LCSO installs Watch Tower Every weekend, roughly 200 people go to Barefoot Lake in Lehigh Acres to relax, fish, swim and have a good time.
CAPE CORAL Concern over water shortage in Cape Coral Concern is flowing through Cape Coral as neighbors are seeing their canal levels low and their wells run dry.
FORT MYERS FSW softball swinging for success in the postseason Now their focus shifts to states which means the newbies are looking to the experienced sophomores for advice.
BONITA SPRINGS Young SWFL tennis player competing with professionals You may not know her name now, but you might want remember it because 16-year-old Cookie Jarvis-Tredgett is already competing with professionals.
1st Street Avenue North, Naples. Credit: naplesgov.com The Blair Foundation was created in memory of long-time Naples residents and philanthropists, John and Dorothy Blair. The Blair family and the Blair Foundation have provided meaningful gifts to communities and organizations that serve to enhance the quality of life for residents of Southwest Florida. Concerned with the amount of damage Hurricane Irma inflicted upon the City’s stately trees, the Blair Foundation trustees donated $500,000 to help reforest the City and have their gift serve as a catalyst for additional donations dedicated to planting trees in the City. The Blair Foundation’s donation is provided in the form of a challenge or matching grant and can only be realized if other community members and organizations donate funds to plant trees in the City of Naples too! Naples needs trees and you can help by donating the cost of a tree or multiple trees to the City of Naples, your tax-deductible gift will leverage a dollar-for-dollar match from the Blair Foundation Tree Challenge. Your gift will be used to plant trees within public spaces along your neighborhood street, along main roadways or in City parks. City staff will work with residents to plant the right tree in the right place. Help Reforest Naples by Donating to the Tree Challenge! The Blair Foundation has generously granted the City three years to raise $500,000 that will be used to match their gift of $500,000. That means, $1,000,000 of trees can be planted in Naples! The cost per tree ranges between $800 and $5,000 depending upon the species and size of the tree. This cost includes one year of maintenance by the contractor and a one-year warranty. Contact the Naples Community Services Department for more information. Trees will be planted twice per year; winter and late spring. Planting locations and tree species must be approved by the City Arborist. For More Information Please Contact: The Community Services Department 239-213-7120 The Need for Trees – The City of Naples has long been known as the “Green Jewel” of southwest Florida. The City has also received the “Tree City USA” designation by the National Arbor Day Foundation – for 21 years! The lush canopy trees and tropical palms that grace Naples’ streets and parks are important to residents and the quality of life in our community. City of Naples Funding – Yes. The City of Naples provides annual funding for tree replacement. For the past two fiscal years, the Naples City Council has provided $300,000 per year for tree planting. Following Hurricane Irma, the City is focused on replanting main roadways first. Make a Donation – You, your business, your civic organization, your HOA, or your neighborhood association, are all eligible to make tax-deductible donations to help reforest Naples. Donations to the city will leverage a dollar-for-dollar match from the blair foundation tree challenge. Individuals – You may donate the cost to replace the tree in front of your home or on your street. This will fund another tree in a park or in one of Naples neighborhoods! Businesses and Civic Associations – Make a donation that leverages funds from the Blair Foundation Tree Challenge to keep Naples “Green” for generations. HOA’s and Neighborhood Associations – The Blair Foundation Tree Challenge provides your association the opportunity to solicit member donations and double the tree planting in your neighborhood. These donations, either large or small, can be combined to have a greater impact in your Naples neighborhood. Benefits – The benefits of planting trees in Naples are numerous. Here are a few! Trees increase property value Trees clean the air Trees cool the City Trees provide shade Trees support nature City staff will work with donors to identify tree planting locations that will benefit Naples. Sorry, no plaques will be installed. On September 10, 2017, Hurricane Irma made landfall just south of the City of Naples. The storm caused considerable damage to the Naples area and 1,929 City trees were either destroyed or damaged to the extent that they were removed. Before the storm, there were approximately 2,000 vacant tree locations in the City. This means there are now 4,000 trees that need to be replanted in Naples.