12-year-old collecting donations for the needy during the holidaysFort Myers man facing homelessness before the holidays
NAPLES 12-year-old collecting donations for the needy during the holidays A 12-year-old Naples boy isn’t worried about what he’s getting for Christmas. Instead, he’s working on his 6th annual “Holiday Sock Drive.”
Fort Myers man facing homelessness before the holidays A 75-year-old man is on the brink of homelessness despite working over 80 hours a week.
NAPLES Adoptee uses non-profit to provide suitcases for foster children This holiday season, a Naples woman is on a mission to bring foster children something many take for granted: a suitcase filled with dignity.
MARCO ISLAND City of Marco Island discusses lead awareness during city council meeting The city of Marco Island sent out 4900 letters to residents warning them that their pipes could contain plastic or lead.
NAPLES The future of electric planes in Southwest Florida Features of living near an airport include persistent headache-inducing engine rumbles and foul-smelling jet fuel, but electric planes could play a part in the solution.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors awaiting answers on Port Charlotte Beach Park repairs Neighbors said a contractor hired by the Florida Division of Emergency Management mishandled the boats at Port Charlotte Beach Park.
FGCU introduces new technology for cognitive health screenings Ten minutes. That’s all it takes for doctors to assess how well you remember, how quickly you learn things, and how your brain is working overall.
WINK Investigates: Disgraced contractor faces new lawsuits and allegations Paul Beattie, a disgraced home builder is back doing business but legal challenges continue as another one of his businesses gets sued. Former employees of Beattie speak out, only to WINK.
SWFL reacts to UNC hiring Bill Belichick Southwest Florida reacts to North Carolina hiring Bill Belichick as its new head football coach and how that could impact the decisions of local recruits.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Some Floridians want more alone time during the holidays The holidays are all about spending time with family and friends, but nearly half of Americans say they really want more alone time during the holiday.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
Aggressive driving concerns on the rise in Southwest Florida The arrest of a man who, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said, killed a motorcyclist after crashing into him on purpose is raising concerns over aggressive driving in Southwest Florida.
SANIBEL Sanibel School students prepare for community Christmas performance The school that has had to claw and fight its way back more than once to reopen is getting the chance to celebrate.
FORT MYERS Rock For Equality: SWFL music scene to hold benefit concert for Palestine A two-venue, eight-band benefit concert is coming to Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Naples man sentenced in deadly bar shooting A man has been sentenced for a deadly shooting that took place at a Naples bar in March 2021.
NAPLES 12-year-old collecting donations for the needy during the holidays A 12-year-old Naples boy isn’t worried about what he’s getting for Christmas. Instead, he’s working on his 6th annual “Holiday Sock Drive.”
Fort Myers man facing homelessness before the holidays A 75-year-old man is on the brink of homelessness despite working over 80 hours a week.
NAPLES Adoptee uses non-profit to provide suitcases for foster children This holiday season, a Naples woman is on a mission to bring foster children something many take for granted: a suitcase filled with dignity.
MARCO ISLAND City of Marco Island discusses lead awareness during city council meeting The city of Marco Island sent out 4900 letters to residents warning them that their pipes could contain plastic or lead.
NAPLES The future of electric planes in Southwest Florida Features of living near an airport include persistent headache-inducing engine rumbles and foul-smelling jet fuel, but electric planes could play a part in the solution.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors awaiting answers on Port Charlotte Beach Park repairs Neighbors said a contractor hired by the Florida Division of Emergency Management mishandled the boats at Port Charlotte Beach Park.
FGCU introduces new technology for cognitive health screenings Ten minutes. That’s all it takes for doctors to assess how well you remember, how quickly you learn things, and how your brain is working overall.
WINK Investigates: Disgraced contractor faces new lawsuits and allegations Paul Beattie, a disgraced home builder is back doing business but legal challenges continue as another one of his businesses gets sued. Former employees of Beattie speak out, only to WINK.
SWFL reacts to UNC hiring Bill Belichick Southwest Florida reacts to North Carolina hiring Bill Belichick as its new head football coach and how that could impact the decisions of local recruits.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Some Floridians want more alone time during the holidays The holidays are all about spending time with family and friends, but nearly half of Americans say they really want more alone time during the holiday.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
Aggressive driving concerns on the rise in Southwest Florida The arrest of a man who, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said, killed a motorcyclist after crashing into him on purpose is raising concerns over aggressive driving in Southwest Florida.
SANIBEL Sanibel School students prepare for community Christmas performance The school that has had to claw and fight its way back more than once to reopen is getting the chance to celebrate.
FORT MYERS Rock For Equality: SWFL music scene to hold benefit concert for Palestine A two-venue, eight-band benefit concert is coming to Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Naples man sentenced in deadly bar shooting A man has been sentenced for a deadly shooting that took place at a Naples bar in March 2021.
FILE- Governor Ron DeSantis speaks in Naples. (Credit: Governor Press Office) Set before a serene backdrop in Naples, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced three board members to the South Florida Water Management District. DeSantis also made the announcement of a fourth newly appointed board member in Stuart. DeSantis announced new members Charlette Roman, Charlie Martinez, Cheryl Anne Meads and Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch Thursday. “First of all, I’m going to take on a program of study and research, and I’m going to meet with folks and hear the issues,” said Roman, a Marco Island councilwoman. “I’m going to hear the background and going to work with my fellow board members to see how we’re going to chart the way ahead.” DeSantis said he plans to announce the remainder of the SFWMD board before the end of next week. In January, DeSantis asked for the immediate resignations of all SFWMD members, as he wanted “a fresh start.” The SFWMD manages and protects water resources in the region. They focus on flood control, water supply planning, water quality improvement and ecosystem restoration. The nine-member governing board sets the policy for the agency. The members are unpaid volunteers, typically serving four-year terms, appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate. Watch below: ____ Background of the newly appointed members of the SFWMD Charlette Roman Since 2002, Charlette has been a full-time resident of Marco Island. She settled there after serving 26 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a full Colonel. Colonel Roman’s experience has given her extensive leadership and management experience in supervising and training personnel. After retirement, Charlette moved to Marco Island and began serving her new community. Notably, in 2013, the Collier County Commissioners unanimously appointed Charlette to serve as the first At-Large Environmental Commissioner on the Collier County Planning Commission. Carlos “Charlie” E. Martinez Carlos “Charlie” E. Martinez is President of CEM Investments LLC where he has served since 2010. He also serves as Partner of Grove Bay Group and has vast experience in residential development. He has been a member of the Everglades Foundation for the last eight years and holds a B.S. in Building Construction from the University of Florida. Cheryl Anne Meads Cheryl Meads is CEO of Trumpet Calls LLC, Real Estate and a member of the Islamorada Village Council. In her career, Cheryl has worked as a contractor to the United States Environmental Protection Agency performing research and development creating test methods found in the Code of Federal Regulation Title 40-Protection of Environment. Her leadership experience gives her a unique perspective for the challenges facing Florida’s environment. Cheryl holds a chemistry degree from Western Carolina University and has experience in Biology and Microbiology. Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch grew up in Stuart and Sewall’s Point in Martin County and is the former Mayor of Seawall Point, Florida which is surrounded by the St. Lucie River and the Indian River Lagoon. Since 2008, Jacqui has dedicated herself to learning and writing about the Northern Everglades system. Jacqui also served on Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission where she chaired the General Provisions Committee, Article II, Section 7, known as the “environmental section” of the Constitution.