12-year-old collecting donations for the needy during the holidaysFort Myers man facing homelessness before the holidays
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.
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.
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.
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.
As of 6 p.m. Monday, there have been 5,704 positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida. The case count includes 5,489 Florida residents and 215 non-Florida residents. There are currently 71 deaths reported, according to the Florida Department of Health. The most recent FDOH data shows a COVID-19 patient in DeSoto County died – a 91-year-old Florida resident who hadn’t traveled or had contact with a known positive case. STATEWIDE NUMBERS Total number of cases: 5,704 (up from 5,473) Deaths: 71 (up from 63) SOUTHWEST FLORIDA NUMBERS Lee County: 171 (up from 164) – 7 new Collier County: 127 (up from 119) – 8 new Charlotte County: 20 (up from 18) – 2 new DeSoto County: 7 (no change) Glades County: 3 (no change) Hendry County: 3 (no change) Click HERE for a SWFL case-by-case breakdown – updated daily. There have been 55,516 total tests administered in the state of Florida, with 5,704 positive tests. 49,796 tests have come back negative, and the remainder is 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 MONDAY COVID-19 HEADLINES Lee County happy with public cooperation, passes emergency resolution Working from home together Tokyo Olympic opening ceremony rescheduled for July 23, 2021 WATCH MONDAY’S NEWS CONFERENCES: 9:30 a.m. Lee County Board of County Commissioners meeting — WATCH HERE 10:15 a.m. Governor DeSantis briefing — WATCH HERE 5 p.m. White House Coronavirus Task Force daily briefing Charlotte County senior living community says two members positive for COVID-19 South Port Square senior living community in Charlotte Harbor confirms Monday two of its residents have tested positive for the coronavirus while being cared for at local hospitals. South Port Square shared in a statement, the health and safety of our employees and residents is our top priority; therefore, we enhanced our internal processes and protocols at the onset of this health crisis to better protect our community. We will remain flexible as this crisis evolves to ensure we are following the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We will adapt as these issues continue to evolve, and new challenges arise. We are providing all our residents and employees, as well as appropriate local, county, and state health agencies with regular updates. All Florida public school will remain closed through May 1 The commissioner of the Florida Department of Education has directed all public schools in Florida to continue to be closed through May 1. Naples extends public beach closures through April City of Naples announced Monday its public beach closures and restrictions will continue through April 30. This is a confirmed extension that updates the original closure to all public beaches that originally went from March 18 to March 30. March 23, the city also confirmed all public parks would remain closed through April 30. For City of Naples residents, emergency management has activated a COVID-19 hotline — (239) 213-4902 — that will be available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall suspends more shows The performing arts hall said in a statement: “As we navigate the escalating and continually evolving COVID-19 situation, out of an abundance of caution, the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall has suspended presentation of the following performances through May 1.” Fort Myers Beach suspends reservations The Town of Fort Myers Beach voted Monday to suspend reservations in the town for 90 days in response to the virus outbreak. This is a different measure from the Governor DeSantis’ order last week that allowed hotels to stay open. The council is going further to prevent the COVID-19 by saying there will be no reservations for 90 days for hotels, inns, and resorts. Last week, Sanibel Island enacted a similar 28-day suspension, also for all hotels, inns, and resorts. Lee County happy with public cooperation, passes emergency resolution On Monday, the commission unanimously passed an emergency resolution that would adopt the Florida Surgeon Generals public health advisory of March, 25, aimed to protect the vulnerable populations of Lee County and provide more guidance for those who have flu-like symptoms, recommending they stay home. It also addresses reducing workplace density. The resolution is not a shelter-in-place order. MORE 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.