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.
(Daniel Brosam / U.S. Air Force/MGN) The time of year to get your taxes done is quickly approaching, and we have a way you can get them done for free. The IRS is offering to prepare and file your federal individual income tax return for free using tax-preparation-and-filing software. You can let Free File do the hard work for you with brand-name software or Free File Fillable Forms. For more information and to prepare and file your federal income tax return for free, click here. The IRS also offers tax filing assistance with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE), which is a program that offers free tax help for taxpayers who qualify. To see if you qualify, click here. Many tax preparation companies also offer a free online version. Nerd Wallet breaks down the top software for 2020. What should I bring to my tax appointment? Information via United Way VITA: A copy of last year’s federal return if available Valid Photo ID for all adults Social Security Cards or ITINs for you, your spouse and dependents or a Social Security Number verification letter (Must be originals, photocopies not accepted) Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents If you are married and filing jointly, your spouse must be present with you. Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc from all employers Form 1095-A Health insurance marketplace information Form 1095-B Health coverage information from another source (optional, if provided) Form 1095-C Health coverage information from another source (optional, if provided) Health Insurance Exempt Certificate (if provided) Interest and dividend statements from banks—Form 1099, 1098-T or forms received form the IRS that indicate on the form that it is for tax purposes. Savings or Checking account routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit, such as a blank check ** Consider splitting your refund into two (2) accounts to save for an emergency Total paid to daycare provider, their business name, Employer Identification Number or Social Security Number, and address If self-employed: Completed proof of all income and expenses. (see notes above) United Way free tax prep proposed site locations 2020 (Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee counties) All locations are proposed by United way and subject to change. Visit the Volunteer Income Tax Taxes Free Assistance page for current locations. Remember: Appointments are required unless locations say otherwise. United Way notes they cannot prepare returns with: Rental income Small business Schedule C with business losses, expenses over $25,000, depreciation, or employees Complicated Schedule D (capital gains and losses) Schedule K-1s (investment income only) Bonita United Way House Goodwill Job-Link 26820 Old 41 Rd Bonita Springs, FL 34135 239.357.4024 Monday/Tuesday: 5-7:30pm Café of Life-Bonita Springs 10540 Childers Street Bonita Springs, FL 34135 Saturday: 9am-3pm Cape Coral- Crosspoint Church 204 SW 11th Place Cape Coral, FL 33991 Wednesday: 3pm-6pm Cape Coral –Water’s Edge Church 2213 Country Club Blvd. Cape Coral, FL 33990 Monday: 5-8pm Saturday: 9am-3pm Estero/San Carlos United Way House Interfaith Charities Year Round Site 17592 Rockefeller Circle Fort Myers, FL 33967 239.267.0895 Tuesday 1-4 Wed and Sat 9-2 Thursday 9-2 and 5-8 Englewood – Lemon Bay H.S. 2201 Placida Rd Englewood, FL 34224 941.627.3539 Thursday: 4:30pm-7:30pm Fort Myers Downtown City of Palms Park 2201 Edison Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33901 (Entrance on 2305 Broadway, 3rd Floor) Monday & Thursday: 12-5pm Tuesday (only in nFebruary) 12-5pm Fort Myers- Palm Beach Goodwill 4162 Palm Beach Boulevard Fort Myers FL 33905 (239) 694.4915 Friday 9am – 1pm Fort Myers United Way – Year-Round Site 7273 Concourse Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33908 239.433.3900 Saturday 11am-4pm Mon. 12-4 North Ft Myers- Health Department 83 Pondella Road North Fort Myers, FL 33903 Tuesday, 1pm-4pm Saturday 9am – 12pm LaBelle United Way House- Year Round Site 133 North Bridge Street LaBelle, FL 33935 239.433.7559 Tuesday, Thursday: 5-8pm LaBelle Goodwill Community Resource Center 91 S Lee St, LaBelle, FL 33935 (863) 675-8585 Tuesday 9am – 3pm Lehigh Acres Goodwill 2825 Lee Blvd. Lehigh, FL 33971 (239) 369.8500 Wednesday 9-4pm Lehigh United Way House- Year Round Site Lehigh Community Services 201 Plaza Drive, Suite 103 Lehigh Acres, FL 33936 239.369.5818 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 5-8pm Saturday: 9am-5pm Tuesday: (WALK-IN) VALET Drop off Service ONLY 9am-5pm (drop off Tues, Pick up next Tues) Okeechobee-Indian River State College 2229 NW 9th Avenue Okeechobee, FL 34972 Monday, 2pm-6pm Port Charlotte- United Way Office 17831 Murdock Circle, Suite A Port Charlotte, FL 33948 941.627.3539 Tuesday: 4:30-7:30 Punta Gorda – Baker Center 311 E Charlotte Ave, Punta Gorda, FL 33950 941.627.3539 Wednesday: 4:30-7:30 Sanibel-Captiva United Way House F.I.S.H 2430-B Periwinkle Way Sanibel, FL 33957 239.472.4775 Select Fridays: 9am-3pm Sanibel Library 770 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957 Feb. 20, March 12 & 19 – 3pm to 7pm