Endangered Florida panther killed by vehicle on SR-29 SB in Collier County; 30th death in 2024Efforts to restore Fort Myers Beach underway
Endangered Florida panther killed by vehicle on SR-29 SB in Collier County; 30th death in 2024 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has announced the 30th Florida Panther death of 2024.
FORT MYERS BEACH Efforts to restore Fort Myers Beach underway The Fort Myers Beach coastline continues to feel the impacts of the recent storms. Crews working on the sand renourishment beach project have more than six miles of “Critically eroded beach” to restore.
More water headed into Caloosahatchee: What it means for our estuary Southwest Florida cringes every time the mention of releases from Lake Okeechobee comes up. There are concerns about what’s in the water and whether it will dirty our shoreline or even fuel blue-green algae blooms.
NAPLES Transforming animal care: how a $1.5M donation is helping SNIP Collier We are seeing the first major changes from a donation from Tom Golisano.
FORT MYERS BEACH “We did what we had to do” Fort Myers Beach mayor takes blame for loss of FEMA discount FEMA sent the town of Fort Myers Beach a letter explaining why they lost their flood insurance discount. One reason was not removing temporary trailers and containers from flood zones. Now, the mayor says to blame him for it.
NORTH FORT MYERS Suncoast Estates fatal shooting leaves community on edge A fatal shooting took place on Saturday at the Suncoast Estates in North Fort Myers, on Heck Drive, that left one man dead and another seriously injured.
SANIBEL Gulfshore Life Men and Women of the Year award honoree: James Evans The environment and economy are nearly synonymous in Southwest Florida, and while many people work to protect both, one man stands out and has made the environment his life’s work.
NORTH FORT MYERS Where did the Shell Factory animals go? With the closure of The Shell Factory in September, people have been wondering where the animals went.
NAPLES Naples man arrested on multiple violent charges including kidnapping and sexual battery A Naples man has been arrested on multiple violent charges stemming from an alleged case of kidnapping involving guns, drugs and sexual battery.
MATLACHA CW Fudge Factory in Matlacha getting back to business after storms Getting back to business is giving one island the boost they need before the holidays.
southwest florida How much will a Christmas tree cost in Southwest Florida this year? With Thanksgiving this week and Christmas around the corner, we want to know how tree prices are stacking up across Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Spreading holiday cheer with Christmas tree lighting in Naples The Christmas spirit has awakened in Naples.
Early lung cancer detection According to a critical care pulmonologist with Lee Health, every day, two people in Lee County hear the news that they have lung cancer.
Bishop Verot seniors cheering in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade The Viking seniors get a once in a lifetime experience cheering with Spirit of America in the iconic holiday parade.
FORT MYERS Shell Factory & Nature Park announces online auction liquidation of remaining inventory Fans of the now-closed Shell Factory & Nature Park will have a final chance to own a piece of nostalgia with two virtual auctions.
Endangered Florida panther killed by vehicle on SR-29 SB in Collier County; 30th death in 2024 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has announced the 30th Florida Panther death of 2024.
FORT MYERS BEACH Efforts to restore Fort Myers Beach underway The Fort Myers Beach coastline continues to feel the impacts of the recent storms. Crews working on the sand renourishment beach project have more than six miles of “Critically eroded beach” to restore.
More water headed into Caloosahatchee: What it means for our estuary Southwest Florida cringes every time the mention of releases from Lake Okeechobee comes up. There are concerns about what’s in the water and whether it will dirty our shoreline or even fuel blue-green algae blooms.
NAPLES Transforming animal care: how a $1.5M donation is helping SNIP Collier We are seeing the first major changes from a donation from Tom Golisano.
FORT MYERS BEACH “We did what we had to do” Fort Myers Beach mayor takes blame for loss of FEMA discount FEMA sent the town of Fort Myers Beach a letter explaining why they lost their flood insurance discount. One reason was not removing temporary trailers and containers from flood zones. Now, the mayor says to blame him for it.
NORTH FORT MYERS Suncoast Estates fatal shooting leaves community on edge A fatal shooting took place on Saturday at the Suncoast Estates in North Fort Myers, on Heck Drive, that left one man dead and another seriously injured.
SANIBEL Gulfshore Life Men and Women of the Year award honoree: James Evans The environment and economy are nearly synonymous in Southwest Florida, and while many people work to protect both, one man stands out and has made the environment his life’s work.
NORTH FORT MYERS Where did the Shell Factory animals go? With the closure of The Shell Factory in September, people have been wondering where the animals went.
NAPLES Naples man arrested on multiple violent charges including kidnapping and sexual battery A Naples man has been arrested on multiple violent charges stemming from an alleged case of kidnapping involving guns, drugs and sexual battery.
MATLACHA CW Fudge Factory in Matlacha getting back to business after storms Getting back to business is giving one island the boost they need before the holidays.
southwest florida How much will a Christmas tree cost in Southwest Florida this year? With Thanksgiving this week and Christmas around the corner, we want to know how tree prices are stacking up across Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Spreading holiday cheer with Christmas tree lighting in Naples The Christmas spirit has awakened in Naples.
Early lung cancer detection According to a critical care pulmonologist with Lee Health, every day, two people in Lee County hear the news that they have lung cancer.
Bishop Verot seniors cheering in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade The Viking seniors get a once in a lifetime experience cheering with Spirit of America in the iconic holiday parade.
FORT MYERS Shell Factory & Nature Park announces online auction liquidation of remaining inventory Fans of the now-closed Shell Factory & Nature Park will have a final chance to own a piece of nostalgia with two virtual auctions.
Photo via WINK News All mandatory evacuations have been canceled, per Collier County Sheriff’s Office. These were originally in place on both sides of Alligator Alley due to the 36th Ave SE Fire that has grown to 8,663 acres and continues to spread through Collier County. As of Friday evening, the fire is now at 40% containment. Investigators are still working to determine if arson was the cause of the fire. The Florida Forest Service Green Incident Management Team and Greater Naples Fire Rescue hosted a joint press conference with an update at 5 p.m. Friday. Forestry said the rain was a great help to dousing the flames, but they’re not out of the woods yet. “We have been able to make good use of the rain over the night and into this morning, letting our firefighters get closer to the line of the fire, keeping it contained and doing a good job for us,” said John Kern, the incident commander for the Green IMT. So far about half of the damage has been assessed with seven homes and 23 other structures destroyed. FFS has seven strike teams from outside the county stretching from Miami, Orlando and Tampa. If you live in the zones you need to be standing by to evacuate if firefighters give the order. That could change very rapidly as we saw on Thursday with the wind as fires tore apart homes leaving them almost unrecognizable. Friday morning, Collier County Sheriff’s Office gave an update on the situation, saying there are no additional evacuations expected today but the existing ones will remain in effect throughout the day. Please be advised there is a high fire danger alert in the following areas that has the potential to escalate to an… Posted by Greater Naples Fire Rescue District on Thursday, May 14, 2020 One woman who rushed to help her dad after his home burned down told WINK News she is just grateful everybody is okay. “Devastation… it’s very hard to see this place— as many fires that have come through its never been the house its always been the shop. My father is priceless…I’m so glad he’s alive,” said Golden Gate Estates resident, Jenifer Christensen. At this point, fire crews say the brush fire is 10 percent contained and is affecting over 8,500 acres. Homeland Security approved FEMA funding to help fight the spreading fires. All those crews and equipment being used, like helicopter airdrops, quickly rack up a big bill. On Thursday, two of the larger fires merged into one 8,663-acre blaze. UPDATE: According to CCSO, all evacuations are now canceled There is a reunification center and shelter open at Golden Gate Community Center, 4701 Golden Gate Pkwy. A primary citizen contact and reunification center has been established at Max Hasse Park, 3390 Golden Gate Blvd. W. Meals and water are available at that location. A citizen contact center has also been set up for affected residents at 40th Avenue SE and Everglades Blvd. Residents can access this area from I-75 at the Everglades Blvd. overpass. The Collier County Fairgrounds said it is opening up its parking lots for people who need a place for trailers and other vehicles. Anyone wishing to donate food and drinks for firefighters may drop items off at Max Hasse Park, 3390 Golden Gate Blvd. W. Items that would be helpful include bottled water, Gatorade or other drinks containing electrolytes; easy-to-eat fruit such as apples, bananas and oranges; and individual serving packets of items including nuts, protein bars and granola. Credit: WINK News. Placida Sands fire (Charlotte County Fire & EMS) “36th Ave SE” fire – taken from a FFS fixed wing aircraft. (Credit: Florida Forest Service) Golden Gate Estates fire seen from I-75. (Credit: Mark Danaher) Photo via Miami Fire Department Photo via WINK News Credit: Naples Fire-Rescue Golden Gate Estates fire seen from The Dunes of Naples. (Credit: Steve) Golden Gate Estates fire seen from a plane landing at Naples Municipal Airport. (Credit: Wayne Leinen, Jr., commercial pilot/Naples) Golden Gate Estate fire seen from NB Alligator Alley mile marker 95. (Credit: Ricardo) Credit: CCSO Wildfire in Collier County. Photo via WINK News Collier County fire air rescue