the weather authority Mild, breezy day on tap with more clouds than sun The Weather Authority says a brief line of showers, associated with a cold front, is moving through Southwest Florida Saturday morning.
ESTERO 1 injured after shooting at Coconut Point Mall According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, one person has been injured after a shooting at the Coconut Point Mall on Friday.
CAPE CORAL CCPD cruiser damaged after officer involved crash An officer-involved crash leaves a Cape Coral police cruiser smashed.
PORT CHARLOTTE Sweet’s Diner in Port Charlotte reopens After months of fundraising and rebuilding, this diner, which had a car fly-through it, is back open.
FWC pushing to protect Florida’s endangered manatees Florida Fish and Wildlife is pushing to protect endangered manatees. One danger that animals face is when boats bash into them, leaving deep scars across their backs.
FORT MYERS The Fort Myers Fire Department looks towards new year Fighting fires is always top of mind for the Fort Myers Fire Department. The Fort Myers Fire Department leads the way when it comes to protecting your property when a fire breaks out.
WINK NEWS Palisades Wildfire devastates SWFL family Just hours after evacuating their Malibu home, the Wohl family learned they would never go back.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral expands with development The Cove at 47th The Cove sits in south Cape Coral between Cape Coral Parkway and Southeast 47th Terrace right next to Cork Soakers.
FORT MYERS ‘Operation Ghost Buster’: 16 arrested in Fort Myers drug operation The Fort Myers Police Department Narcotics Unit conducted an operation targeting drug traffickers and individuals unlawfully selling and possessing firearms in Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS ‘A Distinctive Honor’: Bank of America award benefits FSW Nursing Program Bank of America has been awarded Florida Southwestern State College the 2024 Neighborhood Champion Award.
CAPTIVA One step closer to decision on South Seas building density After hearing arguments from both sides, the judge said he stood by his earlier decision in favor of the Captiva Civic Association.
Governor signs death warrant for man accused of 1997 killing of 2 in Charlotte County Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed the death warrant for a man accused of killing two people in Charlotte County in 1997.
Community input needed for renaming Challenger Boulevard While Lee Health continues construction on the area’s newest hospital, there are decisions to be made.
ESTERO SWFL Lady Hammerheads find community through rugby The southwest Florida Lady Hammerheads are the Florida Women’s Rugby Union’s newest team.
Heavy law enforcement presence near Arcadia Popeyes According to the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office, there is a heavy law enforcement presence near a Popeyes restaurant.
the weather authority Mild, breezy day on tap with more clouds than sun The Weather Authority says a brief line of showers, associated with a cold front, is moving through Southwest Florida Saturday morning.
ESTERO 1 injured after shooting at Coconut Point Mall According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, one person has been injured after a shooting at the Coconut Point Mall on Friday.
CAPE CORAL CCPD cruiser damaged after officer involved crash An officer-involved crash leaves a Cape Coral police cruiser smashed.
PORT CHARLOTTE Sweet’s Diner in Port Charlotte reopens After months of fundraising and rebuilding, this diner, which had a car fly-through it, is back open.
FWC pushing to protect Florida’s endangered manatees Florida Fish and Wildlife is pushing to protect endangered manatees. One danger that animals face is when boats bash into them, leaving deep scars across their backs.
FORT MYERS The Fort Myers Fire Department looks towards new year Fighting fires is always top of mind for the Fort Myers Fire Department. The Fort Myers Fire Department leads the way when it comes to protecting your property when a fire breaks out.
WINK NEWS Palisades Wildfire devastates SWFL family Just hours after evacuating their Malibu home, the Wohl family learned they would never go back.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral expands with development The Cove at 47th The Cove sits in south Cape Coral between Cape Coral Parkway and Southeast 47th Terrace right next to Cork Soakers.
FORT MYERS ‘Operation Ghost Buster’: 16 arrested in Fort Myers drug operation The Fort Myers Police Department Narcotics Unit conducted an operation targeting drug traffickers and individuals unlawfully selling and possessing firearms in Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS ‘A Distinctive Honor’: Bank of America award benefits FSW Nursing Program Bank of America has been awarded Florida Southwestern State College the 2024 Neighborhood Champion Award.
CAPTIVA One step closer to decision on South Seas building density After hearing arguments from both sides, the judge said he stood by his earlier decision in favor of the Captiva Civic Association.
Governor signs death warrant for man accused of 1997 killing of 2 in Charlotte County Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed the death warrant for a man accused of killing two people in Charlotte County in 1997.
Community input needed for renaming Challenger Boulevard While Lee Health continues construction on the area’s newest hospital, there are decisions to be made.
ESTERO SWFL Lady Hammerheads find community through rugby The southwest Florida Lady Hammerheads are the Florida Women’s Rugby Union’s newest team.
Heavy law enforcement presence near Arcadia Popeyes According to the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office, there is a heavy law enforcement presence near a Popeyes restaurant.
Beachgoers leave South Beach on Sunday, March 15, 2020. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images via CNN) With four deaths, Florida was already on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis, but with a significant spike in cases over the weekend, the state is ramping up its response to protect citizens. Yes, that goes for the masses who flocked to beaches amid Spring Break. While it was business as usual Saturday on South Beach — spurring federal health officials to greet sunbathers with a floating sign warning them to keep their distance from sick people, CNN affiliate WPLG reported — local and state leaders announced added precautions later in the day. By early Saturday evening, Miami Beach police began deterring large groups from Lummus Park and clearing one of the most popular stretches of South Beach, which because of school closing and extended spring breaks had seen more visitors soaking up rays and splashing about in the Atlantic, the city said. Miami Beach also ordered all nonessential business to close at 11 p.m. and issued an 11 p.m. curfew for its mixed-use entertainment district, it said in a rundown of emergency declarations. Miami-Dade County is limiting events to 250 people, but Mayor Carlos Gimenez said he would consider lowering the number to 50. “Continuing to allow these large group gatherings on the beach is a public health hazard,” Miami Beach Commissioner Mark Samuelian said in a statement. “These measures are vital.” ‘This is not an overreaction’ Fort Lauderdale, another popular Spring Break destination, implemented additional measures it will keep in place until April 12, including banning gatherings of 250 people or more, shutting down bars and restaurants from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily, limiting bars and restaurants to 50% occupancy, closing miles of beaches and shuttering recreational facilities. “I want to be clear that this is not an overreaction, but a way for us to help stop further cases of Covid-19 in our community,” Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis said. Added Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber, “Our measures are intended to send a clear message that Spring Break is canceled and that everyone, even young people home from school, need to embrace these health and safety concerns.” Ahead of Tuesday’s primary election, the state was already encouraging residents to participate in early voting as it moved at least 79 polling sites away from vulnerable populations such as facilities for assisted living. Meanwhile, Hillsborough, Manatee, Palm Beach, Pinellas and Sarasota counties reported hundreds of poll workers were quitting over coronavirus concerns. A startling spike On Sunday evening alone, Florida saw its number of cases jump to 149, an uptick of almost 30%. The state’s tally includes two officers with the Transportation Security Administration, one who worked at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and another who worked at the Orlando International Airport. Employees who came in contact with the two officers are isolating at home, the TSA said. In a Sunday briefing, Gov. Ron DeSantis said he is enacting several statewide measures — among them, issuing social distancing guidelines and enacting the Small Business Administration loan program — along with enlisting the National Guard to assist with a mobile testing program in Broward County, of which Fort Lauderdale is the county seat. The county has at least 36 cases of coronavirus, according to the state Department of Health. The state’s cases run the gamut from a handful of 19-year-olds in Broward County to 83-year-olds in Broward and Duval counties. Hundreds of residents are undergoing monitoring or awaiting test results. Like many local governments across the nation, Miami and Dade County had already postponed or canceled numerous events, including its youth fair, the Miami Open tennis tournament, a 5K run and next week’s NASCAR race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. DeSantis previously barred visitors from nursing homes and assisted living facilities for 30 days, suspended various state licensing requirements and ordered additional testing kits, and the Department of Corrections suspended visitation until at least next month. The state Department of Education extended Spring Break for an additional week for all districts, and all colleges and universities were instructed to prepare to deliver remote instruction. IF YOU FEEL SICK: The Florida Department of Health has opened a 24-hour COVID-19 Call Center at 1-866-779-6121. Questions may also be emailed to covid-19@flhealth.gov. Email responses will be sent during call center hours. LINK: Florida Department of Health COVID-19 updates *The map is best viewed on a desktop computer. If you don’t see the map above tap HERE for a fullscreen version.