PUNTA GORDA FEMA to hold news conference in Punta Gorda The Federal Emergency Government Agency (FEMA) administrative director is set to hold a news conference regarding an update on the response to Hurricane Milton.
Several stores reopen on Pine Island The Matlacha/Pine Island Fire District announced several stores have reopened Friday on the island.
FORT MYERS Edison and Ford Estates: Cleaning up debris, re-opening soon The Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers will remain closed Friday, Oct. 11 due to the impacts of Hurricane Milton, including area power outages.
County by County: How to separate hurricane-related debris before pick up in SWFL Counties around Southwest Florida are reminding residents of the proper way to separate debris after Hurricane Milton.
FORT MYERS City of Fort Myers opens post-storm response hubs City employees and volunteers will be available at these locations to offer information and resources to residents, such as FEMA Individual Assistance.
City of Fort Myers distributing ice at the Skatium The City of Fort Myers staff is distributing ice at the Fort Myers Skatium until 4:00 p.m. Friday for anybody who needs it.
CHARLOTTE COUNTY No casualties found after door-to-door check by Charlotte County deputies following Milton No casualties were discovered following a door-to-door search throughout the barrier islands and other low-lying areas by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.
Sanibel opens to contractors; how to get your reentry pass The Sanibel Causeway is now open for contractors to return to Sanibel following Hurricane Milton.
PUNTA GORDA Peace River Wildlife Center closes indefinitely after back-to-back hurricanes Forces from major Hurricane Milton overwhelmed the Peace River Wildlife Center, leaving the organization uncertain if they will return to Ponce Park.
Tim Aten Knows: Updates on projects planned along Immokalee Road Local developers are still dealing with generalities rather than specifics when it comes to development plans on property recently cleared on the south side of Immokalee Road between Wilson and Randall boulevards in Golden Gate Estates.
Blind Pass Bridge opens to residents amid cleanup The Lee County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday morning the Blind Pass Bridge is now open but must be crossed using caution due to clean-up crews. The Florida Department of Transportation is currently active in the area, using heavy equipment to move large amounts of sand, so there will be deputies helping direct traffic. Any residents […]
The Naples Zoo: “We are happy to report all animals are safe and secure.” Some good news after Hurricane Milton: the Naples Zoo animals are safe and sound. “Our ride-out team is safe, and we are happy to report that all the animals are safe and secure,” the Naples Zoo said in a Facebook post. “We thank you all for your support and are grateful to our staff who […]
SANIBEL Milton leaves the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation HQ surrounded by water Staff from the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation are evaluating their facilities and areas where they operate in the wake of Hurricane Milton.
Harry Chapin Food Bank to hold emergency food distributions Harry Chapin Food Bank is holding emergency food distributions on Friday and Saturday following Hurricane Milton. When Milton made landfall Wednesday, communities across Southwest Florida were affected by wind, storm surge, tornadoes and flooding. Now Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties are all seeing the devastation. Luckily, the Harry Chapin Food Bank sustained no […]
NORTH PORT North Port police comb the streets after Milton’s mess The North Port Police Department took to the streets on Thursday to clean up around the city after Hurricane Milton.
PUNTA GORDA FEMA to hold news conference in Punta Gorda The Federal Emergency Government Agency (FEMA) administrative director is set to hold a news conference regarding an update on the response to Hurricane Milton.
Several stores reopen on Pine Island The Matlacha/Pine Island Fire District announced several stores have reopened Friday on the island.
FORT MYERS Edison and Ford Estates: Cleaning up debris, re-opening soon The Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers will remain closed Friday, Oct. 11 due to the impacts of Hurricane Milton, including area power outages.
County by County: How to separate hurricane-related debris before pick up in SWFL Counties around Southwest Florida are reminding residents of the proper way to separate debris after Hurricane Milton.
FORT MYERS City of Fort Myers opens post-storm response hubs City employees and volunteers will be available at these locations to offer information and resources to residents, such as FEMA Individual Assistance.
City of Fort Myers distributing ice at the Skatium The City of Fort Myers staff is distributing ice at the Fort Myers Skatium until 4:00 p.m. Friday for anybody who needs it.
CHARLOTTE COUNTY No casualties found after door-to-door check by Charlotte County deputies following Milton No casualties were discovered following a door-to-door search throughout the barrier islands and other low-lying areas by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.
Sanibel opens to contractors; how to get your reentry pass The Sanibel Causeway is now open for contractors to return to Sanibel following Hurricane Milton.
PUNTA GORDA Peace River Wildlife Center closes indefinitely after back-to-back hurricanes Forces from major Hurricane Milton overwhelmed the Peace River Wildlife Center, leaving the organization uncertain if they will return to Ponce Park.
Tim Aten Knows: Updates on projects planned along Immokalee Road Local developers are still dealing with generalities rather than specifics when it comes to development plans on property recently cleared on the south side of Immokalee Road between Wilson and Randall boulevards in Golden Gate Estates.
Blind Pass Bridge opens to residents amid cleanup The Lee County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday morning the Blind Pass Bridge is now open but must be crossed using caution due to clean-up crews. The Florida Department of Transportation is currently active in the area, using heavy equipment to move large amounts of sand, so there will be deputies helping direct traffic. Any residents […]
The Naples Zoo: “We are happy to report all animals are safe and secure.” Some good news after Hurricane Milton: the Naples Zoo animals are safe and sound. “Our ride-out team is safe, and we are happy to report that all the animals are safe and secure,” the Naples Zoo said in a Facebook post. “We thank you all for your support and are grateful to our staff who […]
SANIBEL Milton leaves the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation HQ surrounded by water Staff from the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation are evaluating their facilities and areas where they operate in the wake of Hurricane Milton.
Harry Chapin Food Bank to hold emergency food distributions Harry Chapin Food Bank is holding emergency food distributions on Friday and Saturday following Hurricane Milton. When Milton made landfall Wednesday, communities across Southwest Florida were affected by wind, storm surge, tornadoes and flooding. Now Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties are all seeing the devastation. Luckily, the Harry Chapin Food Bank sustained no […]
NORTH PORT North Port police comb the streets after Milton’s mess The North Port Police Department took to the streets on Thursday to clean up around the city after Hurricane Milton.
“Pink Meanie” Imagine you’re at the beach and you spot a giant jellyfish. That’s exactly what happened to one man who was running along Vanderbilt Beach in Collier County. WINK News Reporter Gina Tomlinson tells us if these giants are truly a danger. Marine experts say tentacles on a specific type of jellyfish can extend around 70 feet. They call it the “Pink Meanie’ but scientists say it’s a rare find. “Oh wow! My word!” said Gayle Spalding when she saw a picture of the “Pink Meanie.” The four-foot-wide jellyfish was discovered by a Naples man during his run on Vanderbilt Beach. “I would be getting security,” said Spalding. People who frequent the beach, like Gayle Spalding, wanted to know if they should worry about being stung. “One of my girlfriends did years ago and she was hospitalized so it can be dangerous if not handled properly,” Spalding said. Doctor James Douglass, a marine biologist with FGCU, told Gina that although this jellyfish has a “mean” nickname, being stung by a “PinkMeanie” would hurt less than other jellyfish. “It will feel like mosquito bites,” Douglass said. “This particular species is known to get very big but it’s just rare and that’s partly because it’s a predator.” Unlike other jellyfish that feed on plankton, he says the “Pink Meanie” eats its own kind. “The prey of this jellyfish, a moon jelly fish is quite abundant this time of year,” Douglass said. “So there are probably a few more of these pink meanies around because their prey is so abundant.” But, because this type of jellyfish usually resides offshore, seeing the huge creature on Vanderbilt Beach was a rare occurrence. “This is my happy place,” Spalding said. “And nothing’s going to take that away, no.” The marine biologist said beachgoers have a higher chance of getting stung by a smaller Jellyfish like a Moon jelly at this time of year. But, if you do happen to get stung, he says, the best thing to do is take some Benadryl. While jellyfish stings do hurt, they’re not life-threatening unless you’re allergic.