CAPE CORAL Cape Coral hosts annual Holiday Boat-a-Long Families, residents, and businesses came out to enjoy Cape Coral’s annual Holiday Boat-a-Long and Christmas movie on Saturday.
FORT MYERS FGCU head volleyball coach steps down to coach UCF FGCU coach Matt Botsford announced that he is stepping down as head volleyball coach to join the University of Central Florida Knights.
FORT MYERS Top rated prospects shine in City of Palms Classic Year-after-year some of the top high school teams featuring many of the top players in the country compete in the Fort Myers Tournament.
Meals for Hope brings Southwest Florida together to fight hunger On Saturday morning, Meals for Hope held its annual Holidays Without Hunger event, aiming to ensure no one in Southwest Florida goes hungry during the holidays.
1 dead, 2 injured in four-vehicle crash on I-75 in Collier County A collision involving four vehicles on northbound Interstate 75 near mile marker 108 resulted in one fatality, minor injuries to two others, and a large paint spill.
Lee County woman’s home transforms into Santa’s Workshop for families in need One Lee County woman’s home has looked like Santa’s workshop since June.
Chilly first day of winter with plenty of sunshine overhead The Weather Authority says Saturday is the first day of the winter solstice, and it feels like it across Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Kitten recovering after surviving horrific abuse At 12 pounds and 12 weeks old, this little kitty was snatched from her home and literally dragged through the unthinkable.
Losing loved ones in the line of duty; Community offers support to Diaz family Heartbreak over Sergeant Elio Diaz’s death consumed the Charlotte County community, after the fallen hero was laid to rest Friday.
CAPTIVA Impacts of hurricane season on fishing in SWFL Whipping winds and torrential downpours are all too common with hurricanes.
CAPE CORAL What to know before gifting pets this holiday season Gifting someone a pet for Christmas may sound like a good idea but not always. Animal experts remind us that owning an animal takes a big commitment.
NAPLES ‘Beverly’s Angels’ prepare holiday sacks for kids in need Beverly’s Angels in Naples is providing kids the essentials they need during the holiday season, and they got some help from high school students across Southwest Florida.
‘He was a phenomenal human being’: Woman says Elio Diaz inspired her to turn life around WINK News has shared stories about people greatly impacted by Deputy Sergeant Elio Diaz’s work. Now we hear from a woman whose life he affected for the better.
PUNTA GORDA ShorePoint Health in Punta Gorda to permanently close If people in Punta Gorda consider themselves patients of ShorePoint Hospital, they will have to look for an alternate place of healthcare.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh Acres Fire and Rescue District gives holiday candle safety tips Holiday celebrations are a few days away, and nothing sets the mood better than candles. This warning is best given before the holidays.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral hosts annual Holiday Boat-a-Long Families, residents, and businesses came out to enjoy Cape Coral’s annual Holiday Boat-a-Long and Christmas movie on Saturday.
FORT MYERS FGCU head volleyball coach steps down to coach UCF FGCU coach Matt Botsford announced that he is stepping down as head volleyball coach to join the University of Central Florida Knights.
FORT MYERS Top rated prospects shine in City of Palms Classic Year-after-year some of the top high school teams featuring many of the top players in the country compete in the Fort Myers Tournament.
Meals for Hope brings Southwest Florida together to fight hunger On Saturday morning, Meals for Hope held its annual Holidays Without Hunger event, aiming to ensure no one in Southwest Florida goes hungry during the holidays.
1 dead, 2 injured in four-vehicle crash on I-75 in Collier County A collision involving four vehicles on northbound Interstate 75 near mile marker 108 resulted in one fatality, minor injuries to two others, and a large paint spill.
Lee County woman’s home transforms into Santa’s Workshop for families in need One Lee County woman’s home has looked like Santa’s workshop since June.
Chilly first day of winter with plenty of sunshine overhead The Weather Authority says Saturday is the first day of the winter solstice, and it feels like it across Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Kitten recovering after surviving horrific abuse At 12 pounds and 12 weeks old, this little kitty was snatched from her home and literally dragged through the unthinkable.
Losing loved ones in the line of duty; Community offers support to Diaz family Heartbreak over Sergeant Elio Diaz’s death consumed the Charlotte County community, after the fallen hero was laid to rest Friday.
CAPTIVA Impacts of hurricane season on fishing in SWFL Whipping winds and torrential downpours are all too common with hurricanes.
CAPE CORAL What to know before gifting pets this holiday season Gifting someone a pet for Christmas may sound like a good idea but not always. Animal experts remind us that owning an animal takes a big commitment.
NAPLES ‘Beverly’s Angels’ prepare holiday sacks for kids in need Beverly’s Angels in Naples is providing kids the essentials they need during the holiday season, and they got some help from high school students across Southwest Florida.
‘He was a phenomenal human being’: Woman says Elio Diaz inspired her to turn life around WINK News has shared stories about people greatly impacted by Deputy Sergeant Elio Diaz’s work. Now we hear from a woman whose life he affected for the better.
PUNTA GORDA ShorePoint Health in Punta Gorda to permanently close If people in Punta Gorda consider themselves patients of ShorePoint Hospital, they will have to look for an alternate place of healthcare.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh Acres Fire and Rescue District gives holiday candle safety tips Holiday celebrations are a few days away, and nothing sets the mood better than candles. This warning is best given before the holidays.
Follow safety protocols at Gatorland — Social Distancing Skunk Ape has his eyes on you! (Credit: Gatorland.com via CNN) Leave it to a Florida destination to come up with one of the weirdest — and most joyous ways — to help people keep their social distance. The folks at Gatorland have introduced Skunk Ape. And this mascot’s aim is to help the animal park’s visitors get a little kick out of maintaining social distancing. The park, which reopened on Saturday in Orange County, has a video on YouTube introducing Social Distancing Skunk Ape (his full, proper name). And they explain some of their coronavirus measures in one of the most imaginative safety efforts that CNN Travel has run across during the pandemic. ‘Fun and safety’ The video actually opens with a vivacious, pig-tailed, hat-wearin’ spokeswoman who says the park’s goal is “fun and safety.” She then makes enthusiastic use of a hand sanitizer station, calling it “hanitizer,” and points out a safety sign “that says a bunch of stuff.” Next, she awkwardly but endearingly introduces the “king of keeping away from each other, the Social Distancing Skunk Ape.” At this point, the camera pans to what appears to be Bigfoot-type creature lurking in dense Florida foliage. Skunk Ape then disappears in the greenery, only to emerge later breaking up two men who walking too closely together. The move is something The Three Stooges could appreciate. The spokeswoman’s comment on the melee: “He’s insistent that you stay distant!” And that’s just the beginning of her rhyming reminders. The video even features a notable toilet flush and an appearance by Skunk Ape and the spokeswoman in a men’s restroom. Like we said, very Florida! Origins story Mark McHugh, president and CEO of Gatorland, told CNN Travel in an email interview how Skunk Ape came to be. “We developed a Skunk Ape character and costume for our Halloween program last year. A local morning radio show personality, Carlos Navarro, with Real Radio 104.1, was talking about everything we were doing at Gatorland for safety, and suggested we use a Social Distancing Skunk Ape. “My social media director, Savannah Boan, and I looked at each other with wide eyes and said, ‘THAT’S IT!’ We began immediately developing a campaign around this hairy fella.” Gatorland plans to keep Skunk Ape around. “The Skunk Ape is part of our Gatorland family, and he will be with us for many years,” McHugh said. “His role as Covid-19 safety manager will extend at least through the summer. He’s always trying to advance up the corporate ladder.” How are park visitors reacting to him? They “are not sure what to think of him. For one thing, he’s pretty hairy, grunts a lot and takes his job a bit seriously,” McHugh said. “Plus, folks are not used to businesses taking a light-hearted approach to enforcing important safety measures, so it takes a minute or two for guests to realize we’re having fun.” CNN Travel wanted to know a little more about the man inside the costume: “Right now, we have one person, John Michael Carro, who is the son of my creative director, Dan Carro. “John Michael is spectacular at the role, and we give him frequent breaks, ice packs under the suit and lots of water. He’ll probably lose 10 to 15 pounds this summer.” A serious safety message, too Behind the Skunk Ape campaign lies a serious safety message. Gatorland has posted its safety efforts online, and they include: – All queues have been marked for distancing from admissions and rides to shows and food venues. – Capacities on rides and in other places have been reduced. – Employees get a temperature check before work and must wear face masks. Guests are “encouraged” to wear face coverings as well. – Rides, show seating and other surfaces are disinfected after each use. “We are very serious about safety, and we have implemented a tremendous amount of physical and operational changes to ensure the safety of our guests and employees,” McHugh said. “But people want to get away from the constant reminders of face masks, social distancing and sanitizers. So, while everything is working in the background to keep people safe, the Social Distancing Skunk Ape is fulfilling our mission of creating fun,” he said. Other attractions in the area Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs and Universal Orlando’s CityWalk — both shopping, dining and entertainment complexes — have recently reopened with stringent safety efforts. Those include limits of the number of people allowed in, social distancing signs and ground markers and lots of hand sanitizing stations. Universal Orlando announced on Friday that it plans to open to the general public on June 5. Guests will be required to wear a face-covering during their visit. The park will provide masks if the visitors don’t bring one of their own. The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.