“Sanibel” film captures resilience of the island after Hurricane IanNew Year’s Eve preps in downtown Fort Myers
NAPLES “Sanibel” film captures resilience of the island after Hurricane Ian The movie “Sanibel” premiered at the Naples International Film Festival in October. What began as a lighthearted documentary exploring Sanibel’s seashell culture took a sharp turn when Hurricane Ian hit the island six weeks into filming.
FORT MYERS New Year’s Eve preps in downtown Fort Myers It’s almost time to light up the night and enter the new year. We know one of the hot spots will be downtown Fort Myers.
NAPLES Hoffmann family gives back to Southwest Florida WINK News often reports on their donations, but this year, we got to hear why giving back is so important to them.
BONITA SPRINGS ‘Halo Law’ aims to protect first responders in 2025 With the new year comes plenty of new laws. Among them is a 25-foot-no-approach zone around first responders on the job.
Veterinarian shortage affecting SWFL shelters We all know how difficult it can be to see a doctor. It turns out that our pets may be facing the same dilemma.
IMMOKALEE Affordable housing transforms lives in Immokalee Affordable housing is not a common word in Southwest Florida; it is mythical, like a unicorn or Big Foot.
FORT MYERS BEACH FMB Strong still making a difference 2 years later In the days and weeks following Hurricane Ian, donations flowed into Fort Myers Beach. The group FMB Strong took on the task of organizing and distributing to people who live on or near Fort Myers Beach.
FORT MYERS Hometown athletes keeping to their roots There’s one thing that Southwest Florida produces at high levels, and that’s talent.
1 dead after FHP and Collier deputy pursuit ends in 5 vehicle crash A pursuit involving Collier County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Florida Highway Patrol troopers ended in a five-vehicle crash that left several people injured and one dead.
Man leads Collier deputies on high-speed chase reaching over 100 mph The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man who allegedly led deputies on a seven-mile chase, reaching speeds of over 100 mph.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh Acres man accused of attacking neighbor with knife A Lehigh Acres man has been arrested after deputies say he barged into his neighbor’s home with a knife and injured a woman.
port charlotte Man accused of throwing Molotov cocktail at occupied vehicle in Charlotte County The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at an occupied vehicle in his driveway.
CAPE CORAL Longest tenured Cape Coral K-9 police officer and partner retire An officer for the Cape Coral Police Department and his K-9 partner are retiring after a distinguished career in law enforcement.
north naples WWII veteran celebrates 100th Christmas You could consider it a milestone that has been a century in the making: a World War II veteran living in North Naples recently celebrated his 100th Christmas.
sanibel Sanibel firefighters rescue turtle stuck in drain for multiple days The Sanibel Fire Rescue District took to the sewers to save a stranded turtle from a drain located near a strip mall.
NAPLES “Sanibel” film captures resilience of the island after Hurricane Ian The movie “Sanibel” premiered at the Naples International Film Festival in October. What began as a lighthearted documentary exploring Sanibel’s seashell culture took a sharp turn when Hurricane Ian hit the island six weeks into filming.
FORT MYERS New Year’s Eve preps in downtown Fort Myers It’s almost time to light up the night and enter the new year. We know one of the hot spots will be downtown Fort Myers.
NAPLES Hoffmann family gives back to Southwest Florida WINK News often reports on their donations, but this year, we got to hear why giving back is so important to them.
BONITA SPRINGS ‘Halo Law’ aims to protect first responders in 2025 With the new year comes plenty of new laws. Among them is a 25-foot-no-approach zone around first responders on the job.
Veterinarian shortage affecting SWFL shelters We all know how difficult it can be to see a doctor. It turns out that our pets may be facing the same dilemma.
IMMOKALEE Affordable housing transforms lives in Immokalee Affordable housing is not a common word in Southwest Florida; it is mythical, like a unicorn or Big Foot.
FORT MYERS BEACH FMB Strong still making a difference 2 years later In the days and weeks following Hurricane Ian, donations flowed into Fort Myers Beach. The group FMB Strong took on the task of organizing and distributing to people who live on or near Fort Myers Beach.
FORT MYERS Hometown athletes keeping to their roots There’s one thing that Southwest Florida produces at high levels, and that’s talent.
1 dead after FHP and Collier deputy pursuit ends in 5 vehicle crash A pursuit involving Collier County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Florida Highway Patrol troopers ended in a five-vehicle crash that left several people injured and one dead.
Man leads Collier deputies on high-speed chase reaching over 100 mph The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man who allegedly led deputies on a seven-mile chase, reaching speeds of over 100 mph.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh Acres man accused of attacking neighbor with knife A Lehigh Acres man has been arrested after deputies say he barged into his neighbor’s home with a knife and injured a woman.
port charlotte Man accused of throwing Molotov cocktail at occupied vehicle in Charlotte County The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at an occupied vehicle in his driveway.
CAPE CORAL Longest tenured Cape Coral K-9 police officer and partner retire An officer for the Cape Coral Police Department and his K-9 partner are retiring after a distinguished career in law enforcement.
north naples WWII veteran celebrates 100th Christmas You could consider it a milestone that has been a century in the making: a World War II veteran living in North Naples recently celebrated his 100th Christmas.
sanibel Sanibel firefighters rescue turtle stuck in drain for multiple days The Sanibel Fire Rescue District took to the sewers to save a stranded turtle from a drain located near a strip mall.
Bill’s Cafe in Naples probably wouldn’t be open right now if it weren’t for the generosity of an anonymous donor. One Naples resident, who wants to stay anonymous, gave the cafe about $40,000 throughout the coronavirus pandemic to help Bill’s keep the doors open. “We’re not the million-dollar restaurant on fifth or third but I’m one of the highest-rated restaurants,” said Bill Salley, owner of Bill’s Cafe. The generous donation was all a part of a sort of pay-it-forward from one of his breakfast regulars. “And the last day I was open before they forced us to close because of the COVID situation and he goes “Bill I’d like to talk to you”,” Salley said. “He says listen I have two envelopes for you..one for you, one for your help..and It was so nice and kind of him…. but that probably wouldn’t have saved me…it was a nice chunk of money in that but not enough to make a difference,” he said. Salley said, “‘a week later he calls me up and tells me, Bill, would you be interested in sending a hundred sandwiches a day across the street to Naples community hospital” and “before he even finished, I said I’m in!” The customer was paying full price for those sandwiches so the hospital employees got them for free. The restaurant owner said, ” I was worried about my employees..” One of whom is server Andrea Gianello. “That last day of work, we weren’t planning on coming back until everything reopened,” said Gianello. But Gianello is grateful that someone truly wanted to help. “It felt good that someone genuinely cared about the community to come out and help… and help the nurses and the doctors.” As a glass half full kind of guy, Salley figured things would work out but he’s certainly glad that they have. “This definitely could have put me under,” he said, but, “as it worked out, it literally saved my cafe.” And Gianello knows that this restaurant was one of the lucky ones. “‘We are one that did get saved but there are so many others in Naples that are going under right now just because they can’t keep up,” she said.