Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facilityMan arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
2 airboats crash between mile markers 74 and 75 in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 East between mile markers 74 and 75.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal The city of Cape Coral is seeing two projects that will change the city. One is called one of the most lucrative deals in county history.
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association breaks ground on new Fort Myers headquarters As Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association’s president pointed out, about 1,000 people are still moving to Florida every day, and many of them are finding their way to Southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County drug trafficker sentenced to 10 years A Charlotte County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
lehigh acres ‘How to sign away parental rights?’; Lehigh Acres woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby.
Punta Gorda Man accused of indecent exposure at school bus stop in Punta Gorda The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of indecent exposure at a school bus stop in Punta Gorda.
estero 76-acre prescribed burn at Koreshan State Park Park officials are performing a 76-acre prescribed burn at Koreshan State Park.
Tim Aten Knows: 2 new eateries coming to East Naples After operating La Rosa Pizzeria for more than 15 years, owners Bill and Alda Rosa decided to sell their local business and restaurant space.
the weather authority Warmer with sun and clouds for your Friday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a warmer day ahead, with a mixture of sun and clouds expected this Friday afternoon.
FDOT opens all lanes of Caloosahatchee Bridge year ahead of construction schedule The Florida Department of Transportation announced all lanes of the Caloosahatchee Bridge are open, a year ahead of its original pedestrian sidewalk project estimate.
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.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
2 airboats crash between mile markers 74 and 75 in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 East between mile markers 74 and 75.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal The city of Cape Coral is seeing two projects that will change the city. One is called one of the most lucrative deals in county history.
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association breaks ground on new Fort Myers headquarters As Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association’s president pointed out, about 1,000 people are still moving to Florida every day, and many of them are finding their way to Southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County drug trafficker sentenced to 10 years A Charlotte County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
lehigh acres ‘How to sign away parental rights?’; Lehigh Acres woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby.
Punta Gorda Man accused of indecent exposure at school bus stop in Punta Gorda The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of indecent exposure at a school bus stop in Punta Gorda.
estero 76-acre prescribed burn at Koreshan State Park Park officials are performing a 76-acre prescribed burn at Koreshan State Park.
Tim Aten Knows: 2 new eateries coming to East Naples After operating La Rosa Pizzeria for more than 15 years, owners Bill and Alda Rosa decided to sell their local business and restaurant space.
the weather authority Warmer with sun and clouds for your Friday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a warmer day ahead, with a mixture of sun and clouds expected this Friday afternoon.
FDOT opens all lanes of Caloosahatchee Bridge year ahead of construction schedule The Florida Department of Transportation announced all lanes of the Caloosahatchee Bridge are open, a year ahead of its original pedestrian sidewalk project estimate.
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.
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.