Adoptee uses non-profit to provide suitcases for foster childrenCity of Marco Island discusses lead awareness during city council meeting
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.
MARCO ISLAND City of Marco Island discusses lead awareness during city council meeting The city of Marco Island sent out 4900 letters to residents warning them that their pipes could contain plastic or lead.
NAPLES The future of electric planes in Southwest Florida Features of living near an airport include persistent headache-inducing engine rumbles and foul-smelling jet fuel, but electric planes could play a part in the solution.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors awaiting answers on Port Charlotte Beach Park repairs Neighbors said a contractor hired by the Florida Division of Emergency Management mishandled the boats at Port Charlotte Beach Park.
FGCU introduces new technology for cognitive health screenings Ten minutes. That’s all it takes for doctors to assess how well you remember, how quickly you learn things, and how your brain is working overall.
WINK Investigates: Disgraced contractor faces new lawsuits and allegations Paul Beattie, a disgraced home builder is back doing business but legal challenges continue as another one of his businesses gets sued. Former employees of Beattie speak out, only to WINK.
SWFL reacts to UNC hiring Bill Belichick Southwest Florida reacts to North Carolina hiring Bill Belichick as its new head football coach and how that could impact the decisions of local recruits.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Some Floridians want more alone time during the holidays The holidays are all about spending time with family and friends, but nearly half of Americans say they really want more alone time during the holiday.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
Aggressive driving concerns on the rise in Southwest Florida The arrest of a man who, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said, killed a motorcyclist after crashing into him on purpose is raising concerns over aggressive driving in Southwest Florida.
SANIBEL Sanibel School students prepare for community Christmas performance The school that has had to claw and fight its way back more than once to reopen is getting the chance to celebrate.
FORT MYERS Rock For Equality: SWFL music scene to hold benefit concert for Palestine A two-venue, eight-band benefit concert is coming to Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Naples man sentenced in deadly bar shooting A man has been sentenced for a deadly shooting that took place at a Naples bar in March 2021.
New ovarian cancer treatments Ovarian cancer is a problematic disease because of symptoms such as nausea, bloating and diarrhea.
Largest Lee County land deal closes, $100M for 1,745 acres in northwest Cape Coral The most lucrative land deal in Lee County history just closed at a price of $100 million for 1,745 acres in northwest Cape Coral, where building up to 3,500 homes and commercial property to support it has been in the planning stages for almost two years.
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.
MARCO ISLAND City of Marco Island discusses lead awareness during city council meeting The city of Marco Island sent out 4900 letters to residents warning them that their pipes could contain plastic or lead.
NAPLES The future of electric planes in Southwest Florida Features of living near an airport include persistent headache-inducing engine rumbles and foul-smelling jet fuel, but electric planes could play a part in the solution.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors awaiting answers on Port Charlotte Beach Park repairs Neighbors said a contractor hired by the Florida Division of Emergency Management mishandled the boats at Port Charlotte Beach Park.
FGCU introduces new technology for cognitive health screenings Ten minutes. That’s all it takes for doctors to assess how well you remember, how quickly you learn things, and how your brain is working overall.
WINK Investigates: Disgraced contractor faces new lawsuits and allegations Paul Beattie, a disgraced home builder is back doing business but legal challenges continue as another one of his businesses gets sued. Former employees of Beattie speak out, only to WINK.
SWFL reacts to UNC hiring Bill Belichick Southwest Florida reacts to North Carolina hiring Bill Belichick as its new head football coach and how that could impact the decisions of local recruits.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Some Floridians want more alone time during the holidays The holidays are all about spending time with family and friends, but nearly half of Americans say they really want more alone time during the holiday.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
Aggressive driving concerns on the rise in Southwest Florida The arrest of a man who, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said, killed a motorcyclist after crashing into him on purpose is raising concerns over aggressive driving in Southwest Florida.
SANIBEL Sanibel School students prepare for community Christmas performance The school that has had to claw and fight its way back more than once to reopen is getting the chance to celebrate.
FORT MYERS Rock For Equality: SWFL music scene to hold benefit concert for Palestine A two-venue, eight-band benefit concert is coming to Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Naples man sentenced in deadly bar shooting A man has been sentenced for a deadly shooting that took place at a Naples bar in March 2021.
New ovarian cancer treatments Ovarian cancer is a problematic disease because of symptoms such as nausea, bloating and diarrhea.
Largest Lee County land deal closes, $100M for 1,745 acres in northwest Cape Coral The most lucrative land deal in Lee County history just closed at a price of $100 million for 1,745 acres in northwest Cape Coral, where building up to 3,500 homes and commercial property to support it has been in the planning stages for almost two years.
As of 6 p.m. Saturday, there are 4,038 positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida. The case count includes 3,877 Florida residents and 161 non-Florida residents. There are currently 56 deaths reported in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Health. As of 7 p.m., FDOH confirms two new state deaths due to coronavirus were patients who tested positive for COVID-19 in Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties. The eight new deaths reported at 11 a.m. were those who tested positive for COVID-19 in Broward, Dade, Lee, Pasco, Pinellas and Volusia counties. The sixth death in Lee County was a 77-year-old male Florida resident. The case was not travel-related and he had no known contact with a confirmed case, according to FDOH. At 6 p.m., Hendry County confirmed its first positive coronavirus case, a 39-year-old woman in Clewiston. Travel and contact are unknown currently. FDOH confirms 44 new cases in total Saturday, 18 after 11 a.m. and 26 after 6 p.m. STATEWIDE NUMBERS Total number of cases: 4,038 (up from 3,736) Number of Florida residents: 3,877 (up from 3,608) Number of non-Florida residents: 161 (up from 155) Deaths: 56 (up from 54) SOUTHWEST FLORIDA NUMBERS Total number of cases: 238 (up from 212)* Deaths: 6 Lee County: 119 (up from 101) Collier County: 95 (up from 92 ) Charlotte County: 16 (up from 12) DeSoto County: 7 (up from 6) Glades County: 0 Hendry County: 1 (first confirmed case) *Click HERE for a SWFL case-by-case breakdown – updated daily. As of the most recently revealed numbers, there have been 43,071 total tests administered in the state of Florida, with 3,877 positive tests. 37,327 tests have come back negative, and the remainder are pending, according to the FDOH website. NOW HIRING: SWFL companies adding jobs as business picks up amid coronavirus crisis LATEST CLOSURES: Southwest Florida business updates and store closings SATURDAY COVID-19 HEADLINES Lee County urges people to stay home this weekend, affects future decisions WATCH FRIDAY’S NEWS CONFERENCES: Today’s scheduled live streams: WATCH: Gov. Ron DeSantis gives live COVID-19 update: 1:25 p.m. President Trump gives remarks as hospital ship prepares to deploy for NY. Florida surgeon general urges Floridians to stay home Floridians with smart phones received an alert from the Florida surgeon general Saturday that urged those 65 and older as well as anyone with underlying medical conditions to stay home. The alert also encouraged all Floridians to practice social distancing. Hendry County confirms first positive COVID-19 case Hendry County officials have been notified by the Florida Department of Health that a resident of Hendry County has tested positive for COVID-19. The safety and well-being of Hendry County residents remains the highest priority, and Hendry County officials strongly urge residents to continue following the guidance provided by the CDC and health department to slow the spread of COVID-19. Stay home as much as possible Wash your hands often with soap and water Cover your coughs and sneezes Clean and disinfect surfaces often If you are sick, call your medical provider or local health department Orange County says infant tests positive for virus Orange County officials addressed the public Saturday and also tweeted confirmation of an infant in the county testing positive for the coronavirus. Orange County residents are currently under a stay-at-home order, and an 11 p.m. curfew until 5 a.m. is also in effect. The county has 206 positive COVID-19 case confirmed as of 11 a.m. Saturday. . @OrangeCoFL has 206 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including one infant. Median age: 47. 4 deaths. @HealthyFla continues to do tests and has assembled its own tests kits. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/OAgisVLuar — Orange County FL (@OrangeCoFL) March 28, 2020 Governor says more testing coming to the state During Gov. Ron DeSantis’ live stream address on COVID-19 in Florida Saturday, he said the state can expect to receive more rapid testing for the coronavirus. That includes 2,000 more 45-minute tests going to South Florida and Jacksonville. Friday, the FDA approved Abbott Labs’ devices that test patients positive for coronavirus in five minutes and negative in 15 minutes. DeSantis said he spoke with executives of Abbott and asked Florida receive their devices. “We believe this could be really game changing here in the State of Florida,” said DeSantis during the live presser. DeSantis said he also had a phone conversation with President Donald Trump and said Florida will pay for the devices but wanted to stress to the president he would like Abbott to send the devices as soon as possible. Lee Health reports sixth death Lee Health reported a sixth death in Lee County Saturday morning. They currently have 22 COVID-19 patients in their care and nine have been discharged. Of their employees, 136 are currently quarantined and three have tested positive for the virus. 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 <span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> *The map is best viewed on a desktop computer. If you don’t see the map above tap HERE for a fullscreen version.