‘It’s devastating’: Neighbor reflects on fatal fire in Port Charlotte‘The sound of death’ Neighbors concerned by amount of crashes on Joel Blvd
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘It’s devastating’: Neighbor reflects on fatal fire in Port Charlotte A devastating house fire Monday night in Port Charlotte has left one person dead and another hospitalized while neighbors mourn the possible loss of a beloved member of their community.
‘The sound of death’ Neighbors concerned by amount of crashes on Joel Blvd A woman is heartbroken from witnessing crash after crash outside her Lehigh Acres home.
Fort Myers get 15% increase on flood insurance discount WINK News is finding out what led to the city of Fort Myers going from just a 5% FEMA flood insurance discount to a 20% discount.
FORT MYERS Locals house California wildfire victims The effects of the California fires are being felt worldwide as people evacuate some are in southwest Florida.
LOVERS KEY Couple returns to Lovers Key condo post Ian While Hurricane Ian is long gone from Southwest Florida, many are still feeling its impacts.
EVERGLADES Biden signs Water Resources Development Act, its effect on SWFL President Biden recently signed into law the Water Resources Development Act with an aim to improve rivers and harbors across the country and provide for the conservation of water. Southwest Florida was included in that act. Putting the 240-page plan together took a lot of work, not just from state and federal lawmakers, but also […]
Turning business travel into a vacation Would work travel seem a little easier if you could turn it into a vacation? Two professors say they have proof that would help business travel.
The future of biometrics: Safer security or new AI risks? In 2021, the Transportation Service Agency (TSA) launched its new touchless identity solution in the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airport.
CAPE CORAL Pelican Elementary resource officer saves infant A school resource officer at Pelican Elementary saved an infants’ life at a traffic stop in Cape Coral.
FORT MYERS Progress being made on City View Park in Dunbar More promises made by a city that has not kept its promises for the last six years have some neighbors concerned about the future of their community.
COLLIER COUNTY Seacrest hoops player hits a full court buzzer beater Seacrest Country Day School boys basketball player Hayden Fuller hits full court buzzer beater against Aubrey Rogers.
NAPLES Cutting-edge ACL surgery reducing reinjury risk by 80% Known for its game-changing orthopedic repair options, Naples-based Arthrex has done it again.
NAPLES MacStrength FL offers sport and lifestyle training for young athletes In 2025, MacStrength FL is swinging for success with their current players and for a wider reach in its community.
You can appeal FEMA’s decision on your claim – Here’s how Now a week after the deadline for FEMA hurricane assistance has closed, the federal agency says you can appeal their decision on your claim if you don’t agree.
Naples selects city CFO as next city manager, averts national search Naples Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Gary Young will become the next city manager, averting a lengthy, expensive national search for a replacement.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘It’s devastating’: Neighbor reflects on fatal fire in Port Charlotte A devastating house fire Monday night in Port Charlotte has left one person dead and another hospitalized while neighbors mourn the possible loss of a beloved member of their community.
‘The sound of death’ Neighbors concerned by amount of crashes on Joel Blvd A woman is heartbroken from witnessing crash after crash outside her Lehigh Acres home.
Fort Myers get 15% increase on flood insurance discount WINK News is finding out what led to the city of Fort Myers going from just a 5% FEMA flood insurance discount to a 20% discount.
FORT MYERS Locals house California wildfire victims The effects of the California fires are being felt worldwide as people evacuate some are in southwest Florida.
LOVERS KEY Couple returns to Lovers Key condo post Ian While Hurricane Ian is long gone from Southwest Florida, many are still feeling its impacts.
EVERGLADES Biden signs Water Resources Development Act, its effect on SWFL President Biden recently signed into law the Water Resources Development Act with an aim to improve rivers and harbors across the country and provide for the conservation of water. Southwest Florida was included in that act. Putting the 240-page plan together took a lot of work, not just from state and federal lawmakers, but also […]
Turning business travel into a vacation Would work travel seem a little easier if you could turn it into a vacation? Two professors say they have proof that would help business travel.
The future of biometrics: Safer security or new AI risks? In 2021, the Transportation Service Agency (TSA) launched its new touchless identity solution in the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airport.
CAPE CORAL Pelican Elementary resource officer saves infant A school resource officer at Pelican Elementary saved an infants’ life at a traffic stop in Cape Coral.
FORT MYERS Progress being made on City View Park in Dunbar More promises made by a city that has not kept its promises for the last six years have some neighbors concerned about the future of their community.
COLLIER COUNTY Seacrest hoops player hits a full court buzzer beater Seacrest Country Day School boys basketball player Hayden Fuller hits full court buzzer beater against Aubrey Rogers.
NAPLES Cutting-edge ACL surgery reducing reinjury risk by 80% Known for its game-changing orthopedic repair options, Naples-based Arthrex has done it again.
NAPLES MacStrength FL offers sport and lifestyle training for young athletes In 2025, MacStrength FL is swinging for success with their current players and for a wider reach in its community.
You can appeal FEMA’s decision on your claim – Here’s how Now a week after the deadline for FEMA hurricane assistance has closed, the federal agency says you can appeal their decision on your claim if you don’t agree.
Naples selects city CFO as next city manager, averts national search Naples Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Gary Young will become the next city manager, averting a lengthy, expensive national search for a replacement.
As of 11 a.m. Monday, there have been 36,897 positive cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida. The case count includes 35,969 Florida residents and 928 non-Florida residents. There are 1,399 deaths reported and 6,119 hospitalizations, according to the Florida Department of Health. There have been 444,270 tests administered in Florida. A total of 36,897 tests have come back positive, and 407,373 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: 36,897 (up from 36,078) Deaths: 1,399 (up from 1,379) 819 total new cases reported Monday 20 total new deaths reported Monday SOUTHWEST FLORIDA NUMBERS Total in SWFL: 2,204 (up from 2,146) Deaths: 102 (up from 100) 58 total new cases reported Monday 2 total new deaths reported Monday Lee County: 1,138 (up from 1,118) – 46 deaths (1 new death) Collier County: 653 (up from 640) – 22 deaths (1 new death) Charlotte County: 257 (up from 249) – 25 deaths DeSoto County: 39 (up from 32) – 4 deaths Glades County: 6 (unchanged) – 1 death Hendry County: 111 (up from 101) – 4 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. MONDAY COVID-19 HEADLINES Restaurants open their doors for service for the first time in 45 days Tuesday is stimulus check deadline for non-filers who receive VA benefits or claim dependents CenturyLink testing site opens; no appointment or doctor’s note needed to receive test UPCOMING BRIEFINGS: 6 p.m.: Gov. DeSantis briefing in Tallahassee – WATCH replay 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 May 4 Diocese of Venice allows churches to open during the day The Diocese of Venice said Monday it’s allowing its churches to open for several hours during the day to allow parishioners to enter for private prayer and visitation. No liturgical events or gatherings will yet be held in the churches and, for now, masses will continue livestreaming. All parishioners must wear a mask and practice social distancing when in the church. Also, parishioners should bring their own protection such as masks, hand sanitizer, etc. FSW announces virtual graduation ceremonies for collegiate HS Florida SouthWestern State College’s collegiate high schools in Lee and Charlotte (FSWC-Lee and FSWC-Charlotte) counties will hold virtual commencement ceremonies to honor their Class of 2020 graduates. FSWC-Lee will hold its virtual commencement ceremony at 5:15 p.m. May 9. FSWC-Charlotte will hold its virtual ceremony at 6 p.m. May 15. Both ceremonies will be livestreamed on FSW’s website at http://www.fsw.edu/livestream and video links will be available to view each ceremony following the livestream. SFWMD reopens its managed lands The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) announced it will reopen the remainder of closed district-managed lands beginning Monday at noon. Visitors must practice social distancing, including limiting group sizes to 10 or less and staying six feet apart from other visitors. District lands are only open for active recreation such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, wildlife viewing, photography, kayaking and boating, based on site rules. Passive recreational activities, such as camping, picnicking and gatherings of more than 10 people, are not allowed at this time. For more information about recreational opportunities and a full list of the status of District lands, continue to visit SFWMD.gov/recreation. Restaurants begin opening for business again For the first time in 45 days, you can go out to breakfast and be waited on at a table. Businesses told WINK News that even though they can only operate at 25 percent, it’s better than nothing. “We’re probably going to try to be ready to go by 10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. for lunch,” said Shannon Yates, owner of Nevermind Awesome Bar and Eatery in Cape Coral. Outdoor seating is a huge boost in business for restaurants like nevermind and Duval Street Grill in Cape Coral. But the big requirement for all businesses across the state: tables must be six feet apart. 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.