Bonita Springs residents shocked by random car vandalism spreeFire devastates Lehigh Acres church, community works to help rebuild
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs residents shocked by random car vandalism spree A man is in custody after allegedly vandalizing multiple cars, causing significant damage.
LEHIGH ACRES Fire devastates Lehigh Acres church, community works to help rebuild The investigation into what ignited the devastating fire that tore through this Lehigh Acres church continues. On Monday night, neighbors remembered the landmark that had meant so much to the community.
NORTH FORT MYERS LCSO Deputies save man from burning home A dramatic rescue unfolded in North Fort Myers as deputies from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office saved a disabled man from a burning home.
Stalking charges dropped against Bonita jeweler who had accusations against Marceno A man at the center of accusations against the Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno won’t be charged in a separate case.
SANIBEL Historic Bailey’s Store in Sanibel plans comeback after storms Bailey’s General Store, a beloved Sanibel institution since the 1800s, is making a comeback after suffering significant damage from recent hurricanes.
ENGLEWOOD Lemon Bay High’s programs drive 98% graduation rate Lemon Bay High School in Englewood boasts an impressive 98% graduation rate, surpassing the state’s nearly 90% rate.
FORT MYERS Bishop Verot grad celebrates national title with Ohio State Former Bishop Verot safety Leroy Roker wins the national championship with Ohio State.
DORAL House Republicans focus on Trump agenda at annual retreat in Doral U.S. House Republicans have gathered at Trump National Doral for their annual retreat, known as the “Issues Conference.”
GAINESVILLE UF Title IX investigation into Todd Golden closed Title IX investigation into Florida Gators men’s basketball head coach is closed after the university found “no evidence” of a Title IX violation.
New surgical robot helps patients recover faster Robot-assisted surgeries are transforming the operating room by turning major operations into smaller, less invasive procedures.
TALLAHASSEE Lawmakers cancel special session called by Gov. DeSantis There was some chaos and defiance earlier this morning as a special session got underway in Tallahassee.
Sugarshack Downtown music venue goes live in Bonita Springs Following a series of private invitation-only events, the live music venue with a full-service restaurant and bars launches to the general public Jan. 31 across Old 41 Road from the city’s Riverside Park bandshell. A grand opening celebration is planned in early February.
Foxtail Coffee Co., Eagle Specialty Coffee open in Cape Coral The two coffee shops are almost identical in size, shape and layout. Both rely on drive-thru windows for more than half their business. Both are located off Pine Island Road in Cape Coral, and both are part of relatively small companies when compared to the behemoth that’s located roughly halfway between them.
Jury selection begins for Charlotte County teen accused of murdering his mother Jury selection begins for the 17-year-old accused of killing his mother, who could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted.
PUNTA GORDA Quarter auction to benefit Sgt. Elio Diaz in Punta Gorda There will be a quarterly auction in Punta Gorda to benefit Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz, who died last year while conducting a traffic stop.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs residents shocked by random car vandalism spree A man is in custody after allegedly vandalizing multiple cars, causing significant damage.
LEHIGH ACRES Fire devastates Lehigh Acres church, community works to help rebuild The investigation into what ignited the devastating fire that tore through this Lehigh Acres church continues. On Monday night, neighbors remembered the landmark that had meant so much to the community.
NORTH FORT MYERS LCSO Deputies save man from burning home A dramatic rescue unfolded in North Fort Myers as deputies from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office saved a disabled man from a burning home.
Stalking charges dropped against Bonita jeweler who had accusations against Marceno A man at the center of accusations against the Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno won’t be charged in a separate case.
SANIBEL Historic Bailey’s Store in Sanibel plans comeback after storms Bailey’s General Store, a beloved Sanibel institution since the 1800s, is making a comeback after suffering significant damage from recent hurricanes.
ENGLEWOOD Lemon Bay High’s programs drive 98% graduation rate Lemon Bay High School in Englewood boasts an impressive 98% graduation rate, surpassing the state’s nearly 90% rate.
FORT MYERS Bishop Verot grad celebrates national title with Ohio State Former Bishop Verot safety Leroy Roker wins the national championship with Ohio State.
DORAL House Republicans focus on Trump agenda at annual retreat in Doral U.S. House Republicans have gathered at Trump National Doral for their annual retreat, known as the “Issues Conference.”
GAINESVILLE UF Title IX investigation into Todd Golden closed Title IX investigation into Florida Gators men’s basketball head coach is closed after the university found “no evidence” of a Title IX violation.
New surgical robot helps patients recover faster Robot-assisted surgeries are transforming the operating room by turning major operations into smaller, less invasive procedures.
TALLAHASSEE Lawmakers cancel special session called by Gov. DeSantis There was some chaos and defiance earlier this morning as a special session got underway in Tallahassee.
Sugarshack Downtown music venue goes live in Bonita Springs Following a series of private invitation-only events, the live music venue with a full-service restaurant and bars launches to the general public Jan. 31 across Old 41 Road from the city’s Riverside Park bandshell. A grand opening celebration is planned in early February.
Foxtail Coffee Co., Eagle Specialty Coffee open in Cape Coral The two coffee shops are almost identical in size, shape and layout. Both rely on drive-thru windows for more than half their business. Both are located off Pine Island Road in Cape Coral, and both are part of relatively small companies when compared to the behemoth that’s located roughly halfway between them.
Jury selection begins for Charlotte County teen accused of murdering his mother Jury selection begins for the 17-year-old accused of killing his mother, who could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted.
PUNTA GORDA Quarter auction to benefit Sgt. Elio Diaz in Punta Gorda There will be a quarterly auction in Punta Gorda to benefit Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz, who died last year while conducting a traffic stop.
Sanibel’s newest resident (WINK News) The island of Sanibel is known for its shells and beaches but soon, it may be known for its newest resident — an octopus. He really likes his toys. “We give him Mega Blocks, Lego sets, Mr. Potato Heads, lots of things,” said Carly Hulse, Senior Aquarist at Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. Hulse says when they got him, he was pretty tiny. “He came to us in February and he weighed about just a little under two pounds, and with this species, as long as he eats 5% of his body weight a week, he will double in size every 70 days,” she said. The Giant Pacific octopus now resides at the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum on Sanibel Island and this one is pretty cool. “These animals are very fascinating because they have nine brains, three hearts and blue blood,” Hulse said. They also have some interesting talents. “They have the amazing ability to camouflage and change the color of their skin as well as the texture of their skin, but they are color blind,” Hulse explained. Not to mention he’s an excellent escape artist; so much so that the museum had to line his exhibit with something he couldn’t grip onto and get away. “We do have his entire exhibit all blocked off with AstroTurf because, as silly as that sounds, he’s unable to grip onto that,” Hulse joked. To top it all off, he’s pretty strong. “When he’s fully-grown, he can lift 30 pounds with one suction cup, so he’s got about 2,000 of them,” she said. The staff usually keep him engaged but he definitely loves getting to know people and kids and adults alike are fascinated by him. If you’d like to meet him for yourself, the museum will begin offering visits beginning on Aug. 15.