Goth Gala for the Forlorn; How the alt scene honored Valentine’s DayFort Myers roads close early for Edison Festival of Light parade
CAPE CORAL Goth Gala for the Forlorn; How the alt scene honored Valentine’s Day Love Your Rebellion hosted the Goth Gala for the Forlorn at Nice Guys Pizza in Cape Coral on Friday night.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers roads close early for Edison Festival of Light parade Downtown Fort Myers is preparing for a big evening with the Edison Festival of Light Parade and 5K set to draw thousands of spectators.
the weather authority Near-record heat with sun and clouds for your Saturday The Weather Authority says the above-normal temperatures that Southwest Florida has been experiencing will stick around yet again for Saturday.
LEE COUNTY Savannah Bananas bring fun on the diamond at JetBlue Park The Savannah Bananas amazed and entertained a sold out JetBlue Park Friday night for the first time in Southwest Florida.
CAPE CORAL Caught on Camera: Cape Coral mailbox hit by drifting car A Cape Coral homeowner was left in shock after a car sent her mailbox flying through the air and left tire tracks next to her home.
ARCADIA DeSoto County man sentenced for deadly DUI crash Justice for a mother and son killed by a man driving under the influence.
NAPLES Oldest Black-owned business in SWFL continues to serve community Cleveland Bass Movers, founded in 1969, stands as the oldest Black-owned business in Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS BEACH Broken gate on Lovers Key Beach Resort frustrating residents Residents of Lover’s Key Beach Club in Fort Myers Beach are frustrated with a gate that remains wide open, despite “No Trespassing” signs, since Hurricane Ian struck two years ago.
St. James City Church plans $700k flood-proofing project for future safety Hurricanes have caused flood after flood, and one island church, The First Baptist Church of Saint James City, wants to build higher.
Romance scams rise in the US, AARP warns residents to beware Romance scams are on the rise, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting over 64,000 cases in the U.S. in 2023.
Fort Myers Savannah Bananas make their way to Fort Myers for first time The Savannah Bananas have made their way to JetBlue Park for Friday’s sold-out game in Fort Myers to watch “the greatest show in sports.”
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Yacht Club receives key permit Cape Coral received a key permit for a Yacht Club Community Park. This permit opens up the necessary steps for the park to be built.
PORT CHARLOTTE Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church holds 31st annual Greek Fest The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Port Charlotte kicked off its 31st annual Greek Fest on Friday.
Donations helping young kids get fed Food insecurity is a pressing issue in the community, and organizations like the Harry Chapin Food Bank, Meals of Hope and the Guadalupe Center are stepping up to help.
New risk factors contribute to heart disease February is American Heart Month, a perfect time to assess your heart health.
CAPE CORAL Goth Gala for the Forlorn; How the alt scene honored Valentine’s Day Love Your Rebellion hosted the Goth Gala for the Forlorn at Nice Guys Pizza in Cape Coral on Friday night.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers roads close early for Edison Festival of Light parade Downtown Fort Myers is preparing for a big evening with the Edison Festival of Light Parade and 5K set to draw thousands of spectators.
the weather authority Near-record heat with sun and clouds for your Saturday The Weather Authority says the above-normal temperatures that Southwest Florida has been experiencing will stick around yet again for Saturday.
LEE COUNTY Savannah Bananas bring fun on the diamond at JetBlue Park The Savannah Bananas amazed and entertained a sold out JetBlue Park Friday night for the first time in Southwest Florida.
CAPE CORAL Caught on Camera: Cape Coral mailbox hit by drifting car A Cape Coral homeowner was left in shock after a car sent her mailbox flying through the air and left tire tracks next to her home.
ARCADIA DeSoto County man sentenced for deadly DUI crash Justice for a mother and son killed by a man driving under the influence.
NAPLES Oldest Black-owned business in SWFL continues to serve community Cleveland Bass Movers, founded in 1969, stands as the oldest Black-owned business in Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS BEACH Broken gate on Lovers Key Beach Resort frustrating residents Residents of Lover’s Key Beach Club in Fort Myers Beach are frustrated with a gate that remains wide open, despite “No Trespassing” signs, since Hurricane Ian struck two years ago.
St. James City Church plans $700k flood-proofing project for future safety Hurricanes have caused flood after flood, and one island church, The First Baptist Church of Saint James City, wants to build higher.
Romance scams rise in the US, AARP warns residents to beware Romance scams are on the rise, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting over 64,000 cases in the U.S. in 2023.
Fort Myers Savannah Bananas make their way to Fort Myers for first time The Savannah Bananas have made their way to JetBlue Park for Friday’s sold-out game in Fort Myers to watch “the greatest show in sports.”
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Yacht Club receives key permit Cape Coral received a key permit for a Yacht Club Community Park. This permit opens up the necessary steps for the park to be built.
PORT CHARLOTTE Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church holds 31st annual Greek Fest The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Port Charlotte kicked off its 31st annual Greek Fest on Friday.
Donations helping young kids get fed Food insecurity is a pressing issue in the community, and organizations like the Harry Chapin Food Bank, Meals of Hope and the Guadalupe Center are stepping up to help.
New risk factors contribute to heart disease February is American Heart Month, a perfect time to assess your heart health.
Granmother Mary McKinley holds a picture that shows her and grandson Sammy Watkins together. Watkins is a Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs. He is the grand marshal of the 2020 Edison Festival of Lights celebration in Fort Myers Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. Credit: WINK News. Fort Myers is honoring one of its own this weekend — Super Bowl champion Sammy Watkins of the Kansas City Chiefs, a former South Fort Myers football star. Watkins returns to Southwest Florida Saturday where he will have the distinction of being the honorary grand marshal of the Edison Festival of Light parade and celebration. No one is prouder of Watkins than his own grandmother, Mary McKinley. She says many fans might not know how deep Watkins’ love goes for his family. Grandmother McKinley beams with pride every chance she gets to talk about her grandson, Sammy, and she will again this weekend as she watches him come down the parade route Saturday night. McKinley said this is her favorite time of year because football season is over and Sammy is home again. A throw from quarterback Patrick Mahomes was caught by Watkins and put Kansas City in position to win the Super Bowl. “I think it was one of the best moments of my life,” Watkins said. Watkins told Miller and Moutlton on Fox Sports Radio that helping the Chiefs win is a dream come true. “Man, it was such a blur,” Watkins said. Parade organizers enlisted Watkins’ former coach at South Fort Myers High School to extend the honor of grand marshal to him. Coach Joe Hampton will be the one driving Watkins, his star wide receiver, in the parade. While Sammy may be a star to football fans, to his grandma, he’s just her “Bud.” “When I see him run, ‘Oh, that’s good. Run, Bud, run,'” McKinley said. We sat down with McKinley inside the home where Watkins grew up ahead of his arrival this weekend. McKinley had some of her own ideas about what the man her grandson would grow up to be. “Mostly, I thought a comedian because he’s real funny sometimes,” McKinley said. “But I knew he was going to be good at whatever he did, and it looked like football was going to be it.” McKinley loves telling stories of Sammy as a little boy, and also about how proud she is of the man he is today, especially stepping up to help take care of his grandfather. “When my husband was sick, when his granddaddy was sick, his mom let him come stay with me; him and his brother,” McKinley said. “And, so, he would get up all through the night picking him up.” While his home team has changed over the years, his hometown will forever be Southwest Florida “I’m just so proud of him,” McKinley said. “I’m proud of all my grandchildren.”