Rock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for PalestineWarm, breezy Saturday with a few showers possible
Rock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for Palestine A Southwest Florida non-profit hosted a benefit concert on Friday night to help with humanitarian aid in Palestine.
Warm, breezy Saturday with a few showers possible The Weather Authority is forecasting a breezy, warm weekend in store across Southwest Florida, with the chance of a few showers, particularly on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Active investigation underway in South Cape Coral Police are investigating at a home on Southwest 49th Terrace in South Cape Coral.
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.
Rock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for Palestine A Southwest Florida non-profit hosted a benefit concert on Friday night to help with humanitarian aid in Palestine.
Warm, breezy Saturday with a few showers possible The Weather Authority is forecasting a breezy, warm weekend in store across Southwest Florida, with the chance of a few showers, particularly on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Active investigation underway in South Cape Coral Police are investigating at a home on Southwest 49th Terrace in South Cape Coral.
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.
As of 11 a.m. Friday, there have been 34,728 positive cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida. The case count includes 33,829 Florida residents and 899 non-Florida residents. There are 1,314 deaths reported and 5,767 hospitalizations, according to the Florida Department of Health. There have been 404,467 tests administered in Florida. A total of 34,728 tests have come back positive, and 367,971 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. STATEWIDE NUMBERS Total number of cases: 34,728 (up from 33,690) Deaths: 1,314 (up from 1,268) 1,038 total new cases reported Friday 46 total new deaths reported Friday SOUTHWEST FLORIDA NUMBERS Total in SWFL: 2,050 (up from 1,971) Deaths: 93 (up from 89) 79 total new cases reported Friday 5 total new deaths reported Friday Lee County: 1,067 (up from 1,021) – 42 deaths (-1 death) Collier County: 610 (up from 596) – 21 deaths (2 new deaths) Charlotte County: 245 (up from 236) – 22 deaths (3 news death) DeSoto County: 30 (up from 29) – 4 deaths Glades County: 6 (unchanged) – 1 death Hendry County: 92 (up from 83) – 3 deaths 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. FRIDAY COVID-19 HEADLINES Collier County Boys and Girls Club providing meals to kids on weekends FMB city leaders hold meeting to discuss allowing non-residents beach access UPCOMING BRIEFINGS: 11 p.m. —Governor Ron DeSantis briefing regarding COVID-19 2 p.m. — Governor Ron DeSantis briefing regarding COVID-19 2 p.m. —Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany Holds a Briefing 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 Health begins elective surgeries in limited capacity Monday Lee Health CEO Dr. Larry Antonucci said the health system’s hospitals will begin to perform elective surgeries again on a limited basis beginning Monday. “We are taking a very cautious approach, as we slowly return to normal operations,” Antonucci said during a scheduled media call Friday. “And, for the first few weeks, we will limit surgeries to 20-25 percent of normal volume, as we monitor their impact on the health system. This is necessary to ensure that we continue to have the appropriate amount of personal protective equipment to keep patients and employees safe and to maintain adequate bed capacity to care for our entire community.” Two new testing sites to open in Lee County Lee County says testing is crucial in moving forward and monitoring the county as they continue to open up. They announced Friday they will be opening two new testing sites. The new testing site will be a drive-through site at CenturyLink Stadium and you don’t need to be exhibiting any symptoms or even have a doctor’s note. That testing site opens up this Monday, May 4, and will run from 9 to 5 p.m. Commissioner Hamman says so far, 91% of tests done in Lee County have come back negative, which is a positive sign moving forward. The site can handle up to 400 tests a day and there will be no charge for it. Florida representative for Southwest Florida, Dane Eagle, says this testing site will remain open for the indefinite future. In addition, another site will open at the Walmart on Lee Blvd. in Lehigh Acres. However, this site will require you to have symptoms and a doctor’s note in order to be tested. 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.