Trumparilla Boat Parade kicks off in Fort MyersThe Weather Authority: Hot temperatures, rain, and we’re watching the tropics
FORT MYERS Trumparilla Boat Parade kicks off in Fort Myers The Lee County GOP is hosting the Trumparilla Boat Parade in support of the Republican nominee.
Southwest Florida The Weather Authority: Hot temperatures, rain, and we’re watching the tropics Get ready for a typical Southwest Florida weekend. It’s going to feel like the triple digits before rain rolls in and we’re watching the tropics.
ALVA Woodpeckers build home in Alva woman’s house You may have heard of squatters, but this woman is dealing with squawkers. Who needs a rooster to wake up when you have woodpeckers?
FORT MYERS Man claims he was trapped in a high-rise for 5 days A 77-year-old man wants justice after he claims he spent days trapped on the 24th floor of a high-rise apartment building.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte Correctional prisoner arrested for death of another inmate State Attorney Amira Fox convened a grand jury, which decided to move forward with a case against a Charlotte Correctional inmate.
SANIBEL Construction near Dairy Queen eagle nest on Sanibel raises concerns While many eagle nests may be a bit difficult to see, one nest has always been a favorite for Sanibel residents and tourists.
The environmental effects of artificial sweeteners Experts are studying how the foods we eat affect the environment, especially after we flush our waste down the toilet.
Victim reacts to man exposing himself to her Ring camera You get a notification on your phone from your ring camera app that someone is at the door, only to find out it is someone exposing themselves. It’s the last thing victim Maria Kivi wanted or expected to see last week.
LEE COUNTY The art of capturing your eye and drawing you in How do you capture young, hip, trendy, fun, movers and shakers, all in a pose? We take you behind the scenes of a Gulfshore Life cover shoot.
FORT MYERS The lives of two SJC Boxers changed in the ring Two SJC Boxers, Mario Nunez and Arbon Kurtishi, help each other in the ring as each of them had their lives changed because of boxing.
FORT MYERS Chlamydia cases rising sharply in Lee County If you think about a crowded space- something with more than 250 people- if it’s in Lee county, statistically one person has chlamydia.
SANIBEL Sanibel resort day passes hope to get more business on the island A pass will allow vacationers to hang out at a Sanibel beach club for a day in hopes of drumming up some business.
Voting equipment tested ahead of Lee County elections Voting equipment is being tested in Lee County. This is to ensure all ballots are printed and counted correctly for the upcoming election.
Collier County teen assaulted after leaving party The teen has been charged and the sheriff’s office said they’re aware that many believe felony charges are in order, but under Florida law, there are very specific criteria that must be met for felony charges to be filed.
WINK weather team watching tropical wave over Atlantic Ocean The Weather Authority is watching a tropical disturbance over the Central Atlantic Ocean.
FORT MYERS Trumparilla Boat Parade kicks off in Fort Myers The Lee County GOP is hosting the Trumparilla Boat Parade in support of the Republican nominee.
Southwest Florida The Weather Authority: Hot temperatures, rain, and we’re watching the tropics Get ready for a typical Southwest Florida weekend. It’s going to feel like the triple digits before rain rolls in and we’re watching the tropics.
ALVA Woodpeckers build home in Alva woman’s house You may have heard of squatters, but this woman is dealing with squawkers. Who needs a rooster to wake up when you have woodpeckers?
FORT MYERS Man claims he was trapped in a high-rise for 5 days A 77-year-old man wants justice after he claims he spent days trapped on the 24th floor of a high-rise apartment building.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte Correctional prisoner arrested for death of another inmate State Attorney Amira Fox convened a grand jury, which decided to move forward with a case against a Charlotte Correctional inmate.
SANIBEL Construction near Dairy Queen eagle nest on Sanibel raises concerns While many eagle nests may be a bit difficult to see, one nest has always been a favorite for Sanibel residents and tourists.
The environmental effects of artificial sweeteners Experts are studying how the foods we eat affect the environment, especially after we flush our waste down the toilet.
Victim reacts to man exposing himself to her Ring camera You get a notification on your phone from your ring camera app that someone is at the door, only to find out it is someone exposing themselves. It’s the last thing victim Maria Kivi wanted or expected to see last week.
LEE COUNTY The art of capturing your eye and drawing you in How do you capture young, hip, trendy, fun, movers and shakers, all in a pose? We take you behind the scenes of a Gulfshore Life cover shoot.
FORT MYERS The lives of two SJC Boxers changed in the ring Two SJC Boxers, Mario Nunez and Arbon Kurtishi, help each other in the ring as each of them had their lives changed because of boxing.
FORT MYERS Chlamydia cases rising sharply in Lee County If you think about a crowded space- something with more than 250 people- if it’s in Lee county, statistically one person has chlamydia.
SANIBEL Sanibel resort day passes hope to get more business on the island A pass will allow vacationers to hang out at a Sanibel beach club for a day in hopes of drumming up some business.
Voting equipment tested ahead of Lee County elections Voting equipment is being tested in Lee County. This is to ensure all ballots are printed and counted correctly for the upcoming election.
Collier County teen assaulted after leaving party The teen has been charged and the sheriff’s office said they’re aware that many believe felony charges are in order, but under Florida law, there are very specific criteria that must be met for felony charges to be filed.
WINK weather team watching tropical wave over Atlantic Ocean The Weather Authority is watching a tropical disturbance over the Central Atlantic Ocean.
Insurance policy. CREDIT: WINK News It’s sticker shock for Florida homeowners as some carriers are hiking insurance more than 15%. MORE: Homeowner’s insurance rates on the rise in Florida But changing carriers could leave you worse off. Premiums this year versus last year More time at home means more time spent budgeting for Paulina Venegas. “That’s all we’re doing is watching and budgeting.” Venegas stopped working as a certified nursing assistant to keep her husband safe. She says if he contracts COVID-19, he would have a low very chance for survival. But living off of one income proves tough to handle, especially after their homeowner’s insurance bill came in. “This year it just hit $600 more which we both flipped,” Venegas said. The proposed price, almost $1,900. Last year’s rate was nearly $1,300, and she said they have never had a claim. Carrier criteria tightening While shopping around is important, be wary of switching just to save says Debbie Dellinger-Crep, owner Brightway Insurance, The Dellinger-Crep Agency. She explained, “Some companies are now doing interior and exterior inspections.” During these inspections, Dellinger-Crep says inspectors will pick your home apart, “They want a premier home where they are pretty sure they’re not going to have any issues or claims.” If you have a shingle roof older than ten years or an older home, carriers might not want you. “Older homes, believe it or not, we have a couple of carriers, where [homes built in] 2010 or older they don’t want,” Dellinger-Crep added, “A lot of times you’re better off just biting the bullet, staying where you’re at, and being grateful until you’re ready to make those changes on the roof.” Mark Friedlander with the Insurance Information Institute says under Florida law, insurers have 90 days after you sign to make sure what you put down is accurate. If they come out and see something, they don’t like they can cancel you, refund your payment, and leave you uninsured. Friedlander adds that if an insurance company inspects a home more than 90 days after issuing a new policy, state law prevents them from canceling the policy if they find an unacceptable risk. After 90 days, an insurer in Florida can cancel a property policy for only one of three reasons: Homeowner misrepresented facts in their application Homeowner failed to adhere to guidelines established in the first 90 days – such as failing to make a repair ordered after an initial inspection Substantial change to the risk Checking your roof age Venegas said they found a company that will cover their home for a little less than her current company’s proposed price. And so far, no inspection requirement. Still, she waits, knowing her roof is in the red zone at 15 years old. If you don’t know how old your roof or home is, you can look it up on the county or city’s permitting website. If your home is a couple of decades old, even historic, it could require a record request with your local permitting office. RESOURCES Lee County Property Appraisers Collier County Property Appraisers Charlotte County property Appraisers