Downtown Fort Myers Post Office temporarily closed againTim Aten Knows: Naples welcomes colorful new brewpub
FORT MYERS Downtown Fort Myers Post Office temporarily closed again The downtown Fort Myers Post Office is closed once again after reopening at the end of May due to Hurricane Ian.
Tim Aten Knows: Naples welcomes colorful new brewpub The Naples taproom for Riptide Brewing Co. changed hands in early September and is now the family owned and operated Kaleidoscope Beer at 987 Third Ave. N.
The Weather Authority Scattered rain and storms Friday afternoon and evening The Weather Authority is tracking more scattered rain and storms that may impact your Friday afternoon and evening plans.
Charlotte County in need of volunteers for hurricane clean-up The Community Organizations Active in a Disaster in Charlotte County need volunteers to help clear debris following Hurricane Helene.
El Jobean autoshop reopens after Helene A man is determined to keep his business open after facing Helene’s wrath.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda man accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of marijuana products When they reviewed the security footage they saw 23-year-old Tyrese Jackson wearing a mask, gloves, and carrying tools with tags still on them to pry open that door.
CHARLOTTE HARBOR 1.6 Million gallons of raw sewage released in Charlotte County The Department of Environmental Protection is investigating how southwest Florida will be impacted after 1.6 million gallons of raw sewage seeped into the Charlotte Harbor over the weekend.
NORTH PORT North Port man accuses insurance carrier of fraud A North Port man went on 60 Minutes to accuse his home insurance carrier, Hertigate Insurance of fraud and worse.
Adopt a Mangrove event helps protect Sanibel’s shoreline Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation invited you to adopt your very own mangrove tree. The program allows volunteers to adopt and grow mangrove seedlings to help the island’s storm surge defense.
BOKEELIA Community comes together to help Bokeelia fish house The owner of Capt’n Con’s Fish House recently said she didn’t think they would be able to keep their doors open.
Fort Myers Beach couple remains positive ahead of heavy rain Fort Myers Beach is projected to receive inches of rain on Saturday, a little over a week after Helene. A Fort Myers Beach couple remains positive despite losing so much during Helene.
Lee County School District announces Helene makeup days Hurricane Helene canceled school days across Southwest Florida, and now schools are making up for the lost days.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors worried about future rain in Port Charlotte Flooded streets and road closure signs. These aren’t from a hurricane. Just an afternoon rain shower.
Charlotte Sheriff opposes Amendment 3 A highly debated topic that is going to be on the ballot in the state of Florida this November is Amendment 3, which would legalize recreational marijuana.
CAPTIVA Sanibel and Captiva picking back up after Helene It’s a race against the clock for all of Southwest Florida as communities pick up from Hurricane Helene. Rain is in the forecast again.
FORT MYERS Downtown Fort Myers Post Office temporarily closed again The downtown Fort Myers Post Office is closed once again after reopening at the end of May due to Hurricane Ian.
Tim Aten Knows: Naples welcomes colorful new brewpub The Naples taproom for Riptide Brewing Co. changed hands in early September and is now the family owned and operated Kaleidoscope Beer at 987 Third Ave. N.
The Weather Authority Scattered rain and storms Friday afternoon and evening The Weather Authority is tracking more scattered rain and storms that may impact your Friday afternoon and evening plans.
Charlotte County in need of volunteers for hurricane clean-up The Community Organizations Active in a Disaster in Charlotte County need volunteers to help clear debris following Hurricane Helene.
El Jobean autoshop reopens after Helene A man is determined to keep his business open after facing Helene’s wrath.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda man accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of marijuana products When they reviewed the security footage they saw 23-year-old Tyrese Jackson wearing a mask, gloves, and carrying tools with tags still on them to pry open that door.
CHARLOTTE HARBOR 1.6 Million gallons of raw sewage released in Charlotte County The Department of Environmental Protection is investigating how southwest Florida will be impacted after 1.6 million gallons of raw sewage seeped into the Charlotte Harbor over the weekend.
NORTH PORT North Port man accuses insurance carrier of fraud A North Port man went on 60 Minutes to accuse his home insurance carrier, Hertigate Insurance of fraud and worse.
Adopt a Mangrove event helps protect Sanibel’s shoreline Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation invited you to adopt your very own mangrove tree. The program allows volunteers to adopt and grow mangrove seedlings to help the island’s storm surge defense.
BOKEELIA Community comes together to help Bokeelia fish house The owner of Capt’n Con’s Fish House recently said she didn’t think they would be able to keep their doors open.
Fort Myers Beach couple remains positive ahead of heavy rain Fort Myers Beach is projected to receive inches of rain on Saturday, a little over a week after Helene. A Fort Myers Beach couple remains positive despite losing so much during Helene.
Lee County School District announces Helene makeup days Hurricane Helene canceled school days across Southwest Florida, and now schools are making up for the lost days.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors worried about future rain in Port Charlotte Flooded streets and road closure signs. These aren’t from a hurricane. Just an afternoon rain shower.
Charlotte Sheriff opposes Amendment 3 A highly debated topic that is going to be on the ballot in the state of Florida this November is Amendment 3, which would legalize recreational marijuana.
CAPTIVA Sanibel and Captiva picking back up after Helene It’s a race against the clock for all of Southwest Florida as communities pick up from Hurricane Helene. Rain is in the forecast again.
Husband and wife Michael and Stacie Rathel. Credit: WINK News. The first man in the Southeastern United States to receive plasma therapy for the coronavirus is a Florida resident. And he’s recovering at home now. Michael Kevin Rathel was on his deathbed when his wife, Stacie, found someone who beat COVID-19 and was a plasma donor match. The treatment he received likely saved his life. “Moving heaven and earth to try and get our hands on a test in Orlando, it was a wild goose chase,” Stacie said. Stacie never stopped believing her husband would beat COVID-19 even when doctors put him in a medically-induced coma. Two weeks later, Michael left Orlando Regional Medical Center with doctors and nurses cheering him on. “It’s been a serious roller coaster ride of emotions,” Michael said. “I remember him saying I can’t believe they’re doing that for me,” Stacie said. “I should be doing that for them.” The doctors and nurses are heroes in Michael’s survival story and so is his wife. Stacie didn’t pray alone when doctors delivered the grim news. She got busy and found a plasma donor from a recovered coronavirus patient. “Once that plasma kicked in, he was improving by leaps and bounds,” Stacie said. “Before they gave me the plasma, they gave me a 20% chance of survival,” Michael said. “So at that stage, there was nothing to lose.” Michael was the first patient in the Southeast to receive plasma therapy. Now, he’s home with his wife and kids, a retired lawyer with a second chance at life. “Puts things in perspective that weren’t quite in the same perspective before,” MIchael said. Michael told us he can’t stop thinking about the people who sacrificed to save him and the prayers people said for him. “He thought he heard us praying for him, and that means everything to us for him,” Stacie said. “I don’t think I heard,” Michael said. “I know I heard.” Together, the Rathel family beat the odds. Now Michael and Stacie can’t wait face whatever’s next. Once he’s fully recovered, Michael wants to donate his plasma and hopes he can help someone else beat coronavirus. The family hopes everyone will get behind website PlasmaForLives. The man who donated his plasma that likely saved Michael’s life is now working to save many more. “Dream really is to create a movement, just to an overwhelming wave of donors that can provide this therapy for those in desperate need,” said James Crocker who donated his plasma to Michael. Locally, both Lee Health Health and NCH Healthcare System are participating in a plasma donor clinical trial. MORE: Recovered COVID-19 patient saves man’s life with plasma donation