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 āFirst 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.Ā
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 Associationās 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 āFirst 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.Ā
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 Associationās 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.
As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, there have been 33,193 positive cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida. The case count includes 32,318 Florida residents and 875 non-Florida residents. There are 1,218 deaths reported and 5,419 hospitalizations, according to the Florida Department of Health. There have been 375,300 tests administered in Florida. A total of 33,193 tests have come back positive, and 340,295 tests have come back negative. The remainder are still pending, according to the FDOH website. The state has also released a list of long-term care facilities where cases have been reported. *Numbers are released by the DOH daily at approximately 11 a.m.Ā STATEWIDE NUMBERS Total number of cases: 33,193 (up from 32,846) Deaths: 1,218 (up from 1,171) 347 total new cases reported Wednesday 47 total new deaths reported Wednesday SOUTHWEST FLORIDA NUMBERS Total in SWFL: 1,921 (up from 1,880) Deaths: 84 (up from 78) 41 total new cases reported Wednesday 6 total new deaths reported Wednesday Lee County: 1,003 (up from 990) – 41 deaths (1 new death) Collier County: 581 (up from 568) – 17 deaths (1 new death) Charlotte County: 223 (up from 219) – 18 deaths (3 new deaths) DeSoto County: 28 (up from 26) – 4 deaths Glades County: 6 (up from 5) – 1 death Hendry County: 80 (up from 72) – 3 deaths (1 new death) Click HERE for a SWFL case-by-case breakdown – updated daily. *Editors note: The DOH has removed some previously reported positive cases from their report totals, causing fluctuations in case totals. The state does not track recoveries. WINK News is working to find out from DOH why these cases have been removed. WEDNESDAY COVID-19 HEADLINES Better Together: Helping struggling families during times of crisis Lee County to reopen beaches, dog parks Wednesday morning UPCOMING BRIEFINGS: RESOURCES NOW HIRING: SWFL companies adding jobs as business picks up amid coronavirus crisis LATEST CLOSURES: Southwest Florida business updates and store closings #GulfshoreStrong: Covering people making a difference in SWFL FOOD PANTRIES: Harry Chapin mobile food pantry schedule, week of April 27 Lee County votes to reopen beaches and dog parks Wednesday The Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted to reopen county beaches and dog parks starting Wednesday morning. Parking fees will be implemented and park employees will be there to guide and clean. The county beach sites include: Beach Parks Bonita Beach Park Bowditch Point Park Bowman’s Beach Park Causeway Islands Crescent Beach Family Park Little Hickory Island Beach Park Lynn Hall Memorial Beach Park San Carlos/Bunche Beach Preserve Turner Beach Park Beach Accesses Alison Hagerup Beach Park Andy Rosse Lane Park Boca Grande Beach Accesses Bonita Beach Accesses Dog Beach Park Estero Island Beach Accesses Floridaās āphase oneā reopening plan to be released Wednesday President Donald Trump met with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in the Oval Office as states begin to lay out their plans for reopening. Gov. DeSantis says his big announcement is coming Wednesday. āIāve worked with the White House on going to phase one. Iām going to make an announcement tomorrow but I think for Florida, going from where we are now to phase one is not a very big leap,ā said DeSantis. Florida, with a high population of older Americans vulnerable to the disease, has long been a source of concern but the Trump ally promoted his stateās ability to test its citizens and rebuffed criticism about his response to the coronavirus pandemic. Asked why he closed his state later than others did, DeSantis insisted Florida has fared better than states that put in place what he called ādraconian orders.ā 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">ļ»æ</span> *The map is best viewed on a desktop computer. If you don’t see the map above tap HERE for a fullscreen version.