Dead manatee found on Big Hickory Island; FWC conducts autopsyJunior Achievement of SWFL inducts 4 into Hall of Fame
BONITA SPRINGS Dead manatee found on Big Hickory Island; FWC conducts autopsy The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is conducting an autopsy on a manatee that washed ashore on Big Hickory Island.
Junior Achievement of SWFL inducts 4 into Hall of Fame A who’s who of the local business community celebrated four regional leaders March 25 at Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida’s annual banquet honoring this year’s Business Hall of Fame inductees.
fort myers beach Fort Myers Beach to implement temporary emergency traffic measure to assist EMS response The Town of Fort Myers Beach and the FMB Fire District have implemented a temporary emergency measure due to response time concerns with first responders and traffic.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County woman out on bond arrested again for drug trafficking, possession The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman who allegedly violated her bond as she was caught trafficking and possessing several forms of drugs.
FORT MYERS Florida Southwestern State College to hold free Spring Concert series Florida Southwestern State College is set to hold a series of free concerts throughout April.
the weather authority Mostly sunny, warmer for your Wednesday afternoon plans The Weather Authority is tracking mostly sunny conditions, bringing warmer temperatures throughout this Wednesday.
Collier County teen injured in violent parking lot incident A teenager is fighting for his life after a violent confrontation in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers recycling facilty catches fire; smoke visible for miles Thick smoke erupted from a Fort Myers recycling facility on Tuesday evening as flames tore through the building.
ROTONDA Rotonda residents worry as legal battle over bridge closure heats up Charlotte County is gearing up for a legal battle over the Rotonda Bridge, which has been closed since Hurricane Ian.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers’ Howard Sapp seeks to break GOP hold in district 19 race Howard Sapp has announced his candidacy to represent Southwest Florida in Washington, D.C. Sapp, a Democrat, aims to succeed Republican Congressman Byron Donalds, who is running for governor of Florida.
FORT MYERS Laser lockup: Teen arrested for pointing laser at LCSO aviation unit A Lee County teenager has been arrested for pointing a laser at an aircraft, a dangerous act that poses significant risks to aviation safety.
Southwest Florida Collier clinic lease fight leaves families fearing healthcare loss A legal battle is unfolding in Collier County as Lee Health Systems takes on Nicklaus Children’s Hospital over a lease dispute
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach FEMA probation could end sooner than expected Fort Myers Beach may soon see relief from high flood insurance bills. The town lost its FEMA flood insurance discount last fall and was placed on probation, putting homeowners at risk of higher costs.
ESTERO FGCU and UMASS working on environmental projects A new partnership between Florida Gulf Coast University and the University of Massachusetts Lowell is set to drive long-term improvements in Southwest Florida.
SANIBEL Sanibel Island’s Lighthouse Beach shines after restoration, visitors thrilled Lighthouse Beach Park on Sanibel Island has completed the final phase of its beach renourishment project.
BONITA SPRINGS Dead manatee found on Big Hickory Island; FWC conducts autopsy The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is conducting an autopsy on a manatee that washed ashore on Big Hickory Island.
Junior Achievement of SWFL inducts 4 into Hall of Fame A who’s who of the local business community celebrated four regional leaders March 25 at Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida’s annual banquet honoring this year’s Business Hall of Fame inductees.
fort myers beach Fort Myers Beach to implement temporary emergency traffic measure to assist EMS response The Town of Fort Myers Beach and the FMB Fire District have implemented a temporary emergency measure due to response time concerns with first responders and traffic.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County woman out on bond arrested again for drug trafficking, possession The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman who allegedly violated her bond as she was caught trafficking and possessing several forms of drugs.
FORT MYERS Florida Southwestern State College to hold free Spring Concert series Florida Southwestern State College is set to hold a series of free concerts throughout April.
the weather authority Mostly sunny, warmer for your Wednesday afternoon plans The Weather Authority is tracking mostly sunny conditions, bringing warmer temperatures throughout this Wednesday.
Collier County teen injured in violent parking lot incident A teenager is fighting for his life after a violent confrontation in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers recycling facilty catches fire; smoke visible for miles Thick smoke erupted from a Fort Myers recycling facility on Tuesday evening as flames tore through the building.
ROTONDA Rotonda residents worry as legal battle over bridge closure heats up Charlotte County is gearing up for a legal battle over the Rotonda Bridge, which has been closed since Hurricane Ian.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers’ Howard Sapp seeks to break GOP hold in district 19 race Howard Sapp has announced his candidacy to represent Southwest Florida in Washington, D.C. Sapp, a Democrat, aims to succeed Republican Congressman Byron Donalds, who is running for governor of Florida.
FORT MYERS Laser lockup: Teen arrested for pointing laser at LCSO aviation unit A Lee County teenager has been arrested for pointing a laser at an aircraft, a dangerous act that poses significant risks to aviation safety.
Southwest Florida Collier clinic lease fight leaves families fearing healthcare loss A legal battle is unfolding in Collier County as Lee Health Systems takes on Nicklaus Children’s Hospital over a lease dispute
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach FEMA probation could end sooner than expected Fort Myers Beach may soon see relief from high flood insurance bills. The town lost its FEMA flood insurance discount last fall and was placed on probation, putting homeowners at risk of higher costs.
ESTERO FGCU and UMASS working on environmental projects A new partnership between Florida Gulf Coast University and the University of Massachusetts Lowell is set to drive long-term improvements in Southwest Florida.
SANIBEL Sanibel Island’s Lighthouse Beach shines after restoration, visitors thrilled Lighthouse Beach Park on Sanibel Island has completed the final phase of its beach renourishment project.
Credit: via WINK News. The fire-rescue community in Southwest Florida is mourning the loss of a man known for helping anyone. Tuesday, Firefighter Tony Christensen died of COVID-19 at the hospital in Orlando where he was being treated. Firefighter Tony Christensen. Credit. Naples Fire-Rescue Department. Tony was known for his service as well as being an animal lover, who took time do to the simple things like stopping to fix a broken door at a restaurant. Firefighters paid their respects to Tony Wednesday, visiting the Gendron Funeral Home in Fort Myers where his body is resting currently. Many people referred to Christensen as a “teddy bear,” a perfect nickname for a man who stood 6-foot-5. A friend of Tony said he was as gentle as they come. His kindness was his trademark. Local bar Liki Tiki BBQ Naples was Tony’s favorite place to visit after a shift. In his honor, the bar saved Tony a seat. Gone and already missed, Tony had a way about him that touched people. ”He did the third shift at the fire station, so he’d come here around 7 a.m., and I was always here cleaning, getting the place ready,” said Gordon Stojoski with Liki Tiki. “We’d have a few drinks before he’d go home and go to sleep.” And it was those special moments Stojoski holds onto in his grief. “He liked his Tito’s and soda,” Stojoski said. “We’ve been leaving one for him every day, waiting for him from the hospital.” The folks at Liki Tiki still have a seat reserved for Christensen, now decorated with American flags as a small tribute to the Naples firefighter who seemed to be everyone’s friend. ”Our grand opening day, some of our doors weren’t working properly so he went home and brought a bunch of tools and got down on his knees to try and help us get the place open,” Stojoski said. Tony seemed to always be there, whether it was helping the community or being there for neighbors on his street. ”I had a severe fall,” said Dan Guan, Tony’s neighbor and friend. “And [Tony] just came in and sat down and just wanted to do whatever he could to help.” ”When he went into the hospital here in Naples, obviously, we weren’t allowed to go in and see him,” Stojoski said. “Nobody sat there for 30 days. We were waiting for him to come home.” Unfortunately, Tony did not recover from COVID-19, but he is now home with his family, friends and community — forever in their hearts. ”This is one of the saddest days of my life,” Guan said. “Naples has lost one of the best people that ever been in this town,” Stojoski said. Those we spoke to say Tony’s wife is heartbroken right now. The Naples Fire-Rescue shared Tony’s funeral arrangements Wednesday. According to the the fire department Facebook post, a private viewing for Firefighter Tony Christensen will be Thursday evening for family and close friends only. They ask everyone respect their wishes for privacy then. The public Memorial Service will be a traditional fire service ceremony scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8. See the post for more details.