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.
A Rink2Reef product already acting as a home to oysters in Southwest Florida. Credit: WINK News. FGCU researchers and nationwide partners continue to look for unique solutions to Southwest Florida’s water crisis. The FGCU ice hockey team breeds ground for nature’s own water filters with broken hockey sticks. Once an environmental concern, these sticks become repurposed to help marine ecosystems in need. The Rink2Reef oyster habitats waterways restoration program has 45 artificial reefs made with broken hockey sticks throughout Southwest Florida waterways to date, and Sunday Naples Area Board of REALTORS (NABOR) helped the program build more reefs to restore oyster habitats. Credit: WINK News. “They’re carbon composite material,” FGCU prof. Dr. Mike Parson said. “So they don’t break down easily, so you’re throwing them in a landfill. And they’re just sitting there.” The partnerships of the FGCU ice hockey team, FGCU’s marine school, and NHL Green turns what was once trash into an environmental treasure. “So what we’ve done is we’ve taken these broken hockey sticks and we’ve repurposed them, built these simple Lincoln Log structures,” said Bob Wasno, resource coordinator at FGCU’s Vester Marine and Environmental Sciences Research Field Station and volunteer coach for the hockey club. “And with these Lincoln Log structures tethered on our local docks, oysters are able to grow all over this vast area.” Wasno said each oyster that grows on the artificial reefs can filter around 50 gallons of water daily. “We estimate that 400 oysters can grow on a single unit,” Wasno said. “So 400 oysters times 50 gallons, we’re talking 20,000 gallons of water per day can be filtered when one of these is fully functional.” Credit: WINK News. The NABOR Leadership Class of 2019, FGCU students and staff gathered to continue building the artificial reefs. The Naples realtor foundation funded the day’s event helping build awareness for the FGCU program’s mission. “We wanted to tackle a project that was going to be important to the community as well as our neighbors, our customers, and our businesses,” said Renee Hahn, NABOR member. “And what more is there than clean water?” The artificial reefs built by NABOR, with the supervision of Rink2Reef, will be installed Saturday, Oct. 5 at Celebration Park Naples in East Naples. The effort is also being done to help continue education on the water crisis in Southwest Florida. The Rink2Reef project is also supported by Fort Myers City Council, which will spend $10,000 to build 40 reefs to be installed at city-owned piers. Councilman Fred Burson said he will also cover half the cost for residents in his ward who want a reef at their own piers. “It’s just done to encourage all residents to do anything we can to help clean the water in the river,” Burson said. The program is just getting warmed up: NHL teams and hockey clubs nationwide want to join the effort. “The word of mouth has gotten around,” Wasno said. “It’s a great little program.”