Boca Grande businesses clean up after MiltonAll you need to know if you are applying for FEMA disaster assistance
BOCA GRANDE Boca Grande businesses clean up after Milton No matter how much you prepare for a hurricane, you never know what awaits you in the aftermath.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA All you need to know if you are applying for FEMA disaster assistance One of the biggest hurdles southwest Florida had to deal with after Hurricane Ian was FEMA. Many didn’t know how to apply, which forms needed to be filled out and how to get money.
MANASOTA KEY North Manasota Key picks up the pieces while south waits to see their home Homes in North Manasota Key have been hollowed out from the storm surge after Hurricane Milton. Now, residents living on Manasota Key are trying to figure out their next steps moving forward while coping with the loss.
FORT MYERS Acting now helps avoid storm PTSD Even with storms Helene and Milton behind us, stress levels remain high. It’s leaving many people to manage post-hurricane anxiety.
PUNTA GORDA Preventing mold in Punta Gorda after Milton Right now, families with flooded homes from the hurricanes have to race to action. The water can cause black mold in damp areas of homes, but you can take steps to prevent the mold from forming or spreading.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda faces devastation with resilience An entire street in Punta Gorda was flooded, forcing the community out of their homes.
ESTERO FPL answers questions about power surges and outages, days after Milton Days after Hurricane Milton tore through Florida, people coast to coast are still experiencing power outages and power surges, and now we’re hearing from Florida Power and Light (FPL).
FORT MYERS Miracle Moment: Basketball player bouncing back A basketball player, Karsten Schafer, is preparing to get off the bench and back in the game after doctors told him he might never play again.
CLEWISTON Clewiston teen killed by stray bullet during dance A Clewiston teenager lost her life after multiple shots were fired into a building during a dance on Friday night.
NORTH FORT MYERS 3 arrested after 2 carjackings in Lee County leaves cars totaled A woman was carjacked at gunpoint on McGregor Blvd. early Sunday morning. The accused carjacker is in jail.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach comes together to move forward after Milton Fort Myers Beach is slowly getting back on its feet after Hurricane Milton, with some businesses just now opening.
FORT MYERS Volunteers at Harry Chapin helping out after Milton The Harry Chapin Food Bank has been extending its resources to assist in recovery efforts in response to Hurricane Milton.
SANIBEL Boil water advisory rescinded on Sanibel The precautionary boil water notice issued on Sanibel during Hurricane Milton has been rescinded.
County vote on Lee Health conversion delayed by Hurricane Milton The final vote by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners on Lee Health’s conversion from a public nonprofit to a private nonprofit was scheduled during an Oct. 8 special meeting, but Hurricane Milton’s approach of Florida’s Gulf Coast led to its cancellation.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County woman wins $1 million from scratch-off bought at Publix A Charlotte County woman has won $1 million from a scratch-off game she purchased at a Publix.
BOCA GRANDE Boca Grande businesses clean up after Milton No matter how much you prepare for a hurricane, you never know what awaits you in the aftermath.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA All you need to know if you are applying for FEMA disaster assistance One of the biggest hurdles southwest Florida had to deal with after Hurricane Ian was FEMA. Many didn’t know how to apply, which forms needed to be filled out and how to get money.
MANASOTA KEY North Manasota Key picks up the pieces while south waits to see their home Homes in North Manasota Key have been hollowed out from the storm surge after Hurricane Milton. Now, residents living on Manasota Key are trying to figure out their next steps moving forward while coping with the loss.
FORT MYERS Acting now helps avoid storm PTSD Even with storms Helene and Milton behind us, stress levels remain high. It’s leaving many people to manage post-hurricane anxiety.
PUNTA GORDA Preventing mold in Punta Gorda after Milton Right now, families with flooded homes from the hurricanes have to race to action. The water can cause black mold in damp areas of homes, but you can take steps to prevent the mold from forming or spreading.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda faces devastation with resilience An entire street in Punta Gorda was flooded, forcing the community out of their homes.
ESTERO FPL answers questions about power surges and outages, days after Milton Days after Hurricane Milton tore through Florida, people coast to coast are still experiencing power outages and power surges, and now we’re hearing from Florida Power and Light (FPL).
FORT MYERS Miracle Moment: Basketball player bouncing back A basketball player, Karsten Schafer, is preparing to get off the bench and back in the game after doctors told him he might never play again.
CLEWISTON Clewiston teen killed by stray bullet during dance A Clewiston teenager lost her life after multiple shots were fired into a building during a dance on Friday night.
NORTH FORT MYERS 3 arrested after 2 carjackings in Lee County leaves cars totaled A woman was carjacked at gunpoint on McGregor Blvd. early Sunday morning. The accused carjacker is in jail.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach comes together to move forward after Milton Fort Myers Beach is slowly getting back on its feet after Hurricane Milton, with some businesses just now opening.
FORT MYERS Volunteers at Harry Chapin helping out after Milton The Harry Chapin Food Bank has been extending its resources to assist in recovery efforts in response to Hurricane Milton.
SANIBEL Boil water advisory rescinded on Sanibel The precautionary boil water notice issued on Sanibel during Hurricane Milton has been rescinded.
County vote on Lee Health conversion delayed by Hurricane Milton The final vote by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners on Lee Health’s conversion from a public nonprofit to a private nonprofit was scheduled during an Oct. 8 special meeting, but Hurricane Milton’s approach of Florida’s Gulf Coast led to its cancellation.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County woman wins $1 million from scratch-off bought at Publix A Charlotte County woman has won $1 million from a scratch-off game she purchased at a Publix.
The “Black Tie Express” is driving around town to collect prom clothing donations to give to kids in need. (WINK News) Once school resumes, hundreds of teens in need will be dressed to the nines thanks to two women and the Charlotte County community. Vice Mayor of Punta Gorda, Lynne Matthews, and Nannette Leonard are behind “The Black Tie Express,” a trolley traveling around town Monday to collect clothes for families who cannot afford formal attire for their child’s prom. “There are so many kids in need in the county and if we can just make 100 kids’ dreams come true, that they can go to prom and look like Cinderella and Prince Charming that night, that’s what it’s all about,” Matthews said. The “Black Tie Express” is driving around town to collect prom clothing donations to give to kids in need. (WINK News) This all started when Matthews wanted to clean out her own closet and posted on Facebook asking where she could donate gowns she no longer wears. Her friend, Nanette Leonard, had the idea to transform public transportation into their vehicle for giving back these clothes to local students. “I think that this time in a child’s life is so special and to have the memory of going to a prom and the kids that we got these clothes for…they didn’t have the financial means…so for us to be able to give them these quality dresses, some of which were never worn, it’s really gonna make them a nice memory and make them feel special,” Leonard said. It was Charlotte High School’s LEO Club that came up with the “Black Tie Express” title, and these students helped decorate the trolley and collect donations from the community at various stops. Michael Riley, Charlotte County Public Schools’ Community Liason, said the combined efforts will have a huge impact. “We have 18 of our 20 schools on what’s called a community eligibility program that’s based on socioeconomics of the families and they receive free lunch and free breakfast,” Riley said. “This way, when prom time comes, these kids will be the best-dressed kids in the community.” It’s that community that Matthews and Leonard want to give credit to for The Black Tie Express’s success and a trolley full of beautiful gowns, tuxedos, shoes and other items they look forward to giving to those in need. The “Black Tie Express” is driving around town to collect prom clothing donations to give to kids in need. (WINK News) “The trolley, when we pulled in and how much stuff is on it, just taking a look at it brought tears to my eyes,” Matthews said. Tears of joy knowing all of the donations they collected will help give Charlotte students a night to feel special and shine. If you have formal attire or other contributions you’d like to make to this cause, you can contact Lynne Matthews at 941-380-1788 or Nannette Leonard at 908-618-1776. Both women also encourage people to contact Charlotte County High School at 941-575-5450 and ask for the LEO Club regarding donations.