Governor DeSantis to hold press conference at Florida CapitolCity of Fort Myers to keep fluoride in drinking water
TALLAHASSEE Governor DeSantis to hold press conference at Florida Capitol Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will hold a news conference at the state capitol, 400 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee.
City of Fort Myers to keep fluoride in drinking water City of Fort Myers won’t be joining other local governments in removing fluoride from its drinking water, council members decided.
ALVA Alva neighbors brace for another development battle Alva neighbors have made an urgent call to action to “Defend Alva and North River Road from overdevelopment.”
WINK NEWS President Trump signs Executive Order aimed at expanding access to IVF President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order Tuesday to try to reduce the costs of in vitro fertilization (IVF) for Americans.
Warm and breezy afternoon with scattered rain this evening The Weather Authority is tracking a warm and breezy Wednesday, and scattered rain is expected this evening.
WINK NEWS Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
SANIBEL Sanibel Church rebuilds after Hurricane Ian The Sanibel Community Church has completed its remarkable rebuild after Hurricane Ian devastated their place of worship over two years ago.
NAPLES Costco construction causes commotion in Collier County community Costco is eyeing a plot of land in Collier County for a new store, but residents are voicing strong opposition.
NAPLES Dr. Cornelius “Pat” Cacho’s impact on education and Southwest Florida Dr. Cornelius “Pat” Cacho, a beloved philanthropist and advocate for education, dedicated his life to empowering others through opportunity and knowledge.
SANIBEL Sanibel cracks down on school zone speeders with new camera system Sanibel is tightening its grip on school zone speeders with newly installed cameras.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers food pantry expands efforts with Harry Chapin support The Harry Chapin Food Bank in Fort Myers plays a crucial role in supporting smaller food banks in the area.
Fort Myers Beach Pier scheduled to be finished a year ahead of schedule The Fort Myers Beach Pier remains a symbol of the destruction caused by Hurricane Ian two years ago. Efforts to rebuild it has taken a lot of time.
FORT MYERS Iconic Fort Myers statue to undergo repairs The iconic “Rachel at the Well” statue on McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers has been a landmark for 94 years. However, it became a casualty of Hurricane Ian in 2022, and discussions for its repair are ongoing.
Salvation Army Thrift Store closing its doors in Collier County The Salvation Army has announced the permanent closure of the Naples Family Store on Davis Boulevard.
SANIBEL Rebuilding the Sanibel Causeway with a cause Construction crews are hard at work making the Sanibel Causeway more resilient. The bridge is being fortified to withstand future storms.
TALLAHASSEE Governor DeSantis to hold press conference at Florida Capitol Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will hold a news conference at the state capitol, 400 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee.
City of Fort Myers to keep fluoride in drinking water City of Fort Myers won’t be joining other local governments in removing fluoride from its drinking water, council members decided.
ALVA Alva neighbors brace for another development battle Alva neighbors have made an urgent call to action to “Defend Alva and North River Road from overdevelopment.”
WINK NEWS President Trump signs Executive Order aimed at expanding access to IVF President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order Tuesday to try to reduce the costs of in vitro fertilization (IVF) for Americans.
Warm and breezy afternoon with scattered rain this evening The Weather Authority is tracking a warm and breezy Wednesday, and scattered rain is expected this evening.
WINK NEWS Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
SANIBEL Sanibel Church rebuilds after Hurricane Ian The Sanibel Community Church has completed its remarkable rebuild after Hurricane Ian devastated their place of worship over two years ago.
NAPLES Costco construction causes commotion in Collier County community Costco is eyeing a plot of land in Collier County for a new store, but residents are voicing strong opposition.
NAPLES Dr. Cornelius “Pat” Cacho’s impact on education and Southwest Florida Dr. Cornelius “Pat” Cacho, a beloved philanthropist and advocate for education, dedicated his life to empowering others through opportunity and knowledge.
SANIBEL Sanibel cracks down on school zone speeders with new camera system Sanibel is tightening its grip on school zone speeders with newly installed cameras.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers food pantry expands efforts with Harry Chapin support The Harry Chapin Food Bank in Fort Myers plays a crucial role in supporting smaller food banks in the area.
Fort Myers Beach Pier scheduled to be finished a year ahead of schedule The Fort Myers Beach Pier remains a symbol of the destruction caused by Hurricane Ian two years ago. Efforts to rebuild it has taken a lot of time.
FORT MYERS Iconic Fort Myers statue to undergo repairs The iconic “Rachel at the Well” statue on McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers has been a landmark for 94 years. However, it became a casualty of Hurricane Ian in 2022, and discussions for its repair are ongoing.
Salvation Army Thrift Store closing its doors in Collier County The Salvation Army has announced the permanent closure of the Naples Family Store on Davis Boulevard.
SANIBEL Rebuilding the Sanibel Causeway with a cause Construction crews are hard at work making the Sanibel Causeway more resilient. The bridge is being fortified to withstand future storms.
Credit: WINK News. After the state’s directive for schools to have campuses open at five days a week for the coming school year, school districts in the region are reassessing their reopening plans for the fall, especially when it comes to safety guidelines they planned to have in place. Masks were a hot topic at the Lee County school district’s reopening task force meeting Tuesday, as the District works to come up with the plan that now satisfies the Florida Department of Education’s emergency order for schools. That order says all students must have the option to go to in-person classes five days a week, which is a game changer for school districts that already had tentative plans in place. During the three-hour meeting, task force members discussed an additional online learning option. But the longest and most passionate discussion was about whether or not to recommend requiring or expecting masks on school buses, in between classes and in the cafeteria. “I wouldn’t think the kids would leave [masks] on,” said Gracie Fernandez, who is the parent of an elementary student in Lee County. “I don’t think I would even consider them going back without wearing [masks]” said Nekita Athime, who is the parent of a middle school student and a high school student in Lee County. The reopening task force wants to require masks on school buses and during class transitions. They say they expect masks for large gatherings, such as in the cafeteria. The task force says the emergency order by the state means the proposed hybrid model no longer works. So the task force discussed another model. The “Lee Home Connect” model would allow students to pair with a teacher from their school for full-time, home learning. Students can do this option for as little as a quarter and then return to school with the same teacher in the same class. “That sounds like a great idea, actually,” Athime said. Some parents already have their minds made up on which route they plan to take this year. “Just leaving them at home is the best for this school year,” Fernandez said. “I just really think that they need to attend school face-to-face,” said Charlene Ruocco, who is the parent of a Lee County high school student. Others say they are exploring any and every option for their children in the fall. “I am actually not set on my decision yet,” Athime said. “I’m trying to weigh out the pros and the cons.” The models on the table for parents to choose from are “Lee Home Connect,” Lee Virtual School, face-to-face learning and homeschooling. The task force will present the recommendations they came up with to the Lee County School Board for approval at the meeting 1 p.m. Wednesday. “It just seems like there’s not a great answer, and I’m hoping someone comes up with a better answer,” said Megan Kotanch, who is the parent of two elementary students in Lee County.