16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier CountyNew bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes
16 transported after 2 airboats crash 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, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
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.
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.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash 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, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
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.
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.
Credit: WINK News. The School District of Lee County will be distributing Chromebooks to elementary school students who need a computer for distance learning. Students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade will be assigned a Chromebook if they don’t have access to a computer at home. “Nothing replaces face-to-face; nothing replaces hands-on learning,” said Dr. Jeff Spiro, the District’s chief academic officer. “We know this is the best of making out a great scenario that we’re trying to think of every possible resource we can provide our families.” The district said students who have a sibling in grades six through 12 will not be given a Chromebook, as middle and high school students already have one. Students in kindergarten through 2nd grade will be able to pick up Chromebooks during the week of March 23. All schools in Florida will be closed until April 15, and Lee County is among those districts making plans for students to learn from home. The district said families that choose not to use computer-based learning can pick up 10-day instructional packets at their school during the Chromebook pick-up times. Spiro did say the District ordered 2,000 more Chromebooks to meet the new demand. He said when families go to pickup a device, they’ll be asked if they have internet. If they don’t, the District said it will help to connect them to extended Wi-Fi areas being provided by companies such as Comcast. Between the laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots, the bill comes to around $500,000. The money budgeted to pay for it comes form the half cent sales tax fund. While students are asked to check in daily, school assignments will be due on a weekly basis. Information on free internet access for low-income families is below. Qualifying students can sign out a Chromebook from the school they attend on the following dates and times: Chromebook Distribution Date Times Grade Level Parents of Students with Last Names Beginning with: March 19 8am–10am Grade 5 A – M March 19 10am–12pm Grade 5 N – Z March 19 1pm–3pm Grade 4 A – M March 19 3pm-5pm Grade 4 N – Z March 20 8am–10am Grade 3 A – M March 20 10am–12pm Grade 3 N – Z *March 20 1pm–5pm Grades 3 – 5 **March 21 9am–11am Grades 3 – 5 *For families unable to pick up Chromebooks on Thursday **For families unable to pick up Chromebooks on Thursday or Friday FREE INTERNET ACCESS Low-income families in Comcast service areas can receive 60 days of free internet, which includes access to hot spots. This applies to new Comcast customers only. To get Internet Essentials, go to internetessentials.com or call toll-free 1-855-846-8376. The offer is not available in Comcast stores. Comcast will send new customers a self-installation kit, which includes a cable modem and Wi-Fi router. There will be no term contract or credit check and no shipping fee. After 60 days, customers will need to call Comcast to cancel the service or keep it for $9.95 a month. Qualifications: Families enrolled in HUD Housing. Families currently receiving support from these federal programs must provide proof of participation: MEDICAID: copy of card or most recent eligibility letter for an adult in your household (copy of front and back of card required.) Public housing assistance: documentation such as lease, housing assistance payment (HAP) contract, or eligibility documentation from HUD. SNAP: letter indicating you are approved for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. TANF: eligibility letter for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. SSI: eligibility letter for Supplemental Security Income. NSLP/Head Start: copy of a letter indicating participation in the National School Lunch Program or Head Start, with child’s name, school name, and address of where you are requesting service. LIHEAP: letter confirming eligibility for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. WIC: eligibility letter for the Women, Infants, and Children program. VA Pension: pension eligibility determination letter from the Veterans Administration. Tribal assistance: eligibility letter, including TTANF, FDPIR, etc.