A cool, comfortable first weekend of 2025 with lots of sunshineLocals respond to Surgeon General advisory on alcohol
the weather authority A cool, comfortable first weekend of 2025 with lots of sunshine The Weather Authority is kicking off the first weekend of 2025 on a chilly note with morning temperatures in the 40s and 50s across Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Locals respond to Surgeon General advisory on alcohol Many think a cancer warning label won’t stop anyone who is planning on having a drink from having one. But at the same time, hearing alcohol could increase their cancer risk did get them thinking about drinking.
New provision to Florida law gives public the authority to sue over homeless camping People now have the power to sue local leaders for not stopping the homeless from camping in public if a report is made.
CAPE CORAL Understanding water restriction in Cape Coral The city of Canals has water problems again!
SANIBEL Future of the Sanibel Pier Sanibel Island is looking much better since Hurricane Ian, but while the lighthouse is standing tall, the pier isn’t doing too well.
downtown fort myers Large crowds expected for Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival Downtown Fort Myers is on higher alert as this weekend’s 4th Annual Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival is expected to draw large crowds.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral neighborhood growing frustrated over debris piles Pounds of trash and debris are blowing through a Cape Coral neighborhood, through the streets, into canals and every which way.
Inside a Lee County special corrections program More than 3,000 bags of trash, 19 interstate projects, nearly 100 citizen requests and over one hundred truckloads of trash—that’s the work done by nonviolent offenders in Lee County, who are doing their part to make our county more beautiful.
FGCU NCAA implements rules for checking pitchers for foreign substances The NCAA will soon send out an instructional video on in-game foreign substance checks for pitchers.
Surgeon General calls for cancer warnings on alcohol In the new year, there’s a new call to warn Americans about the negative effects of alcohol.
Family of Charlotte deputy killed during traffic stop releases statement The family of Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz is breaking their silence.
Southwest Florida battles the Flu Flu cases are skyrocketing in Southwest Florida, making this busy season even more challenging.
FORT MYERS SWFL 19-year-old hurt in New Orleans terrorist attack releases statement One of the young women from Fort Myers hurt during the New Orleans New Year’s Eve attack is speaking out for the first time.
Bonita Bill’s to close Jan. 5 prior to pending $5.5M sale HM Restaurant Group, owners the adjacent Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille and Dixie Fish Co. restaurants, has been named as the buyer.
naples Beloved Naples Zoo giant anteater, Dee Gee, passes away The Naples Zoo is mourning the loss of a beloved male giant anteater who had given nearly 10 years of joy to visitors.
the weather authority A cool, comfortable first weekend of 2025 with lots of sunshine The Weather Authority is kicking off the first weekend of 2025 on a chilly note with morning temperatures in the 40s and 50s across Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Locals respond to Surgeon General advisory on alcohol Many think a cancer warning label won’t stop anyone who is planning on having a drink from having one. But at the same time, hearing alcohol could increase their cancer risk did get them thinking about drinking.
New provision to Florida law gives public the authority to sue over homeless camping People now have the power to sue local leaders for not stopping the homeless from camping in public if a report is made.
CAPE CORAL Understanding water restriction in Cape Coral The city of Canals has water problems again!
SANIBEL Future of the Sanibel Pier Sanibel Island is looking much better since Hurricane Ian, but while the lighthouse is standing tall, the pier isn’t doing too well.
downtown fort myers Large crowds expected for Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival Downtown Fort Myers is on higher alert as this weekend’s 4th Annual Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival is expected to draw large crowds.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral neighborhood growing frustrated over debris piles Pounds of trash and debris are blowing through a Cape Coral neighborhood, through the streets, into canals and every which way.
Inside a Lee County special corrections program More than 3,000 bags of trash, 19 interstate projects, nearly 100 citizen requests and over one hundred truckloads of trash—that’s the work done by nonviolent offenders in Lee County, who are doing their part to make our county more beautiful.
FGCU NCAA implements rules for checking pitchers for foreign substances The NCAA will soon send out an instructional video on in-game foreign substance checks for pitchers.
Surgeon General calls for cancer warnings on alcohol In the new year, there’s a new call to warn Americans about the negative effects of alcohol.
Family of Charlotte deputy killed during traffic stop releases statement The family of Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz is breaking their silence.
Southwest Florida battles the Flu Flu cases are skyrocketing in Southwest Florida, making this busy season even more challenging.
FORT MYERS SWFL 19-year-old hurt in New Orleans terrorist attack releases statement One of the young women from Fort Myers hurt during the New Orleans New Year’s Eve attack is speaking out for the first time.
Bonita Bill’s to close Jan. 5 prior to pending $5.5M sale HM Restaurant Group, owners the adjacent Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille and Dixie Fish Co. restaurants, has been named as the buyer.
naples Beloved Naples Zoo giant anteater, Dee Gee, passes away The Naples Zoo is mourning the loss of a beloved male giant anteater who had given nearly 10 years of joy to visitors.
Credit: WINK News. Kids itching to get back on the playground are out enjoying the sunshine. Lee County reopened playgrounds, pools, splash pads and pavilions at parks Friday. The kids are happy to play, and everyone’s hoping they can do it safely. We visited Lakes Regional Park in south Fort Myers Friday, where parents we spoke to were excited to be at the park with their kids. Kids have been stuck inside for the last couple months during the coronavirus pandemic— no school, no after-school activities and no time to meet with friends. But Lee County gave families a chance to get outside to start Memorial Day weekend. “We’re just happy to be out and swinging on the playground,” parent Phil Merola said. Merola was glad to get his three daughters out of the house and grateful Lee County lifted the restrictions and opened up the playgrounds. His girls raced to the slides when they arrived at the park. “You got to get them out of the house; otherwise, they’re going to go crazy,” Merola said. Merola told us he doesn’t worry his kids are at risk of getting sick. “You have to lift these things eventually anyways, and I think it’s about time,” Merola said. At Lakes Park, we saw no signs of oversight. Parents and kids visited and had to uphold safety behaviors based on the honor system. “Obviously, we take precautions and wash your hands afterwards,” Merola said. “Even my 6-year-old knows about the 6-foot rule, you know. So it’s in everybody’s mind already.” Mike Kirsch, who is visiting from Chicago, brought his kids to the park on the last day of their vacation. “We’ve been kind of cooped up,” Kirsch said. So Kirsch and his kids took advantage of their one chance to get on the playground before heading home. “It feels good. It’s the first day the parks are open,” Kirsch said. “Figured we have one day before we go back to Chicago where the parks are closed again up there.” Kirsch is another dad who is not worried his kids will get sick at the park. “We’re willing to kind of accept it at this point and be careful and keep our distance,” Kirsch said. “Sanitizer for after we’re done and for in between different activities.” Like everything else, if we pack playgrounds and parks and fail to practice social distancing, city or county leaders could close them back up again.