Truck fire on I-75 in Fort Myers closes 2 lanesGov. DeSantis provides updates on Hurricane Helene recovery
FORT MYERS Truck fire on I-75 in Fort Myers closes 2 lanes The Florida Highway Patrol has reported a truck fire on the shoulder lane of Interstate 75 in Fort Myers.
Steinhatchee Gov. DeSantis provides updates on Hurricane Helene recovery Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Steinhatchee.
The Weather Authority The Weather Authority: Isolated rain and storms for your Monday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking isolated rain and storms following a dry and sunny start to your Monday.
Charlotte County allowing temporary RVs and mobile homes after Hurricane Helene Charlotte County is now allowing people to live in an RV or mobile home on their property for the next three years.
Fatal crash involving wrong way driver on I-75 in Lee County The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal wrong-way crash that occurred on the northbound lanes of Interstate 75.
FORT MYERS BEACH Final day of Island Hopper Fest held despite effects from Helene The last day of the 10th annual Island Hopper Songwriter Festival was held on Fort Myers Beach Sunday afternoon.
FORT MYERS BEACH Sen. Rick Scott visits Fort Myers Beach in the wake of Helene Sen. Rick Scott traveled to Fort Myers Beach to survey the damage following Helene.
Distribution center provides aid for those affected by Helene Charlotte County received a bit of relief Sunday after being hit by Helene.
Death toll rises from Helene while supplies are rushed to North Carolina and Florida digs out The U.S. Southeast grappled Sunday with rising death tolls, a lack of vital supplies in isolated, flood-stricken areas and the widespread loss of homes and property while the devastating toll of Hurricane Helene became more clear and officials warned of a lengthy and difficult rebuild.
FEMA assistance available for some affected by Hurricane Helene Florida homeowners and renters in counties with uninsured damage or losses caused by Hurricane Helene may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance.
SANIBEL Sanibel Fire & Rescue District traveling to assist with Helene relief The Sanibel Fire & Rescue District sent a crew to Perry, FL, early Sunday morning to assist with disaster relief following Hurricane Helene.
FORT MYERS Man accused of filming woman in Target dressing room A man is being accused of videotaping a woman while she was trying on clothes at a Fort Myers Target on Friday.
BONITA SPRINGS Man arrested in Bonita Springs for stabbing A man has been arrested in Bonita Springs after allegedly stabbing someone.
southwest florida WINK Neighborhood Watch: Animal abuse, grand theft auto and spousal murder This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features animal abuse, grand theft auto and a man murdering his wife.
President Biden approves Florida disaster declaration President Biden approved a Florida disaster declaration after Hurricane Helene left a wake of destruction.
FORT MYERS Truck fire on I-75 in Fort Myers closes 2 lanes The Florida Highway Patrol has reported a truck fire on the shoulder lane of Interstate 75 in Fort Myers.
Steinhatchee Gov. DeSantis provides updates on Hurricane Helene recovery Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Steinhatchee.
The Weather Authority The Weather Authority: Isolated rain and storms for your Monday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking isolated rain and storms following a dry and sunny start to your Monday.
Charlotte County allowing temporary RVs and mobile homes after Hurricane Helene Charlotte County is now allowing people to live in an RV or mobile home on their property for the next three years.
Fatal crash involving wrong way driver on I-75 in Lee County The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal wrong-way crash that occurred on the northbound lanes of Interstate 75.
FORT MYERS BEACH Final day of Island Hopper Fest held despite effects from Helene The last day of the 10th annual Island Hopper Songwriter Festival was held on Fort Myers Beach Sunday afternoon.
FORT MYERS BEACH Sen. Rick Scott visits Fort Myers Beach in the wake of Helene Sen. Rick Scott traveled to Fort Myers Beach to survey the damage following Helene.
Distribution center provides aid for those affected by Helene Charlotte County received a bit of relief Sunday after being hit by Helene.
Death toll rises from Helene while supplies are rushed to North Carolina and Florida digs out The U.S. Southeast grappled Sunday with rising death tolls, a lack of vital supplies in isolated, flood-stricken areas and the widespread loss of homes and property while the devastating toll of Hurricane Helene became more clear and officials warned of a lengthy and difficult rebuild.
FEMA assistance available for some affected by Hurricane Helene Florida homeowners and renters in counties with uninsured damage or losses caused by Hurricane Helene may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance.
SANIBEL Sanibel Fire & Rescue District traveling to assist with Helene relief The Sanibel Fire & Rescue District sent a crew to Perry, FL, early Sunday morning to assist with disaster relief following Hurricane Helene.
FORT MYERS Man accused of filming woman in Target dressing room A man is being accused of videotaping a woman while she was trying on clothes at a Fort Myers Target on Friday.
BONITA SPRINGS Man arrested in Bonita Springs for stabbing A man has been arrested in Bonita Springs after allegedly stabbing someone.
southwest florida WINK Neighborhood Watch: Animal abuse, grand theft auto and spousal murder This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features animal abuse, grand theft auto and a man murdering his wife.
President Biden approves Florida disaster declaration President Biden approved a Florida disaster declaration after Hurricane Helene left a wake of destruction.
A nurse prepares a shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Guy’s Hospital in London, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, as the U.K. health authorities rolled out a national mass vaccination program. U.K. regulators said Wednesday Dec. 9, 2020, that people who have a “significant history’’ of allergic reactions shouldn’t receive the new Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine while they investigate two adverse reactions that occurred on the first day of the country’s mass vaccination program. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool) As of 2:30 p.m. Friday, there have been 1,181,483 positive cases of the coronavirus recorded in the state. The case count includes 1,161,953 Florida residents and 19,530 non-Florida residents. There are 20,401 Florida resident deaths reported, 289 non-resident deaths, and 59,602 hospitalizations at some point during illness, according to the Florida Department of Health. *Numbers are released by the DOH every afternoon. STATEWIDE NUMBERS Total number of recorded cases: 1,181,483 (up from 1,168,483) Florida resident deaths: 20,401 (up from 20,305) Non-resident deaths: 289 (unchanged) Total deaths in state (Fla./non-Fla. residents combined): 20,690 (up from 20,574) 13,000 total new cases reported Friday 96 new resident deaths reported Friday 0 new non-resident deaths reported Friday Percent positive for new cases in Fla. residents: 8.75% This percent is the number of people who test PCR- or antigen-positive for the first time divided by all the people tested that day, excluding people who have previously tested positive. SOUTHWEST FLORIDA NUMBERS Total recorded cases in SWFL: 69,548 (up from 68,909) Deaths: 1,264 (up from 1,257) 639 total new cases reported Friday 7 new deaths reported Friday Lee County: 36,145 cases (up from 35,759) – 630 deaths (4 new) Collier County: 20,629 (up from 20,482) – 315 deaths (1 new) Charlotte County: 6,384 (up from 6,313) – 212 deaths DeSoto County: 2,707 (up from 2,694) – 50 deaths (2 new) Glades County: 734 (up from 732) – 11 deaths Hendry County: 2,949 (up from 2,929) – 46 deaths Click HERE* for a case-by-case breakdown – updated daily. *If not linked, the final report has not yet been made available. TESTING DATA Effective Oct. 27, the Florida Department of Health ceased releasing data showing overall testing numbers. Their statement: “The Florida Department of Health is making adjustments to the COVID-19 dashboard and daily report to provide clear, accurate information for Florida families. Moving forward, the daily report will focus on the number of tests reported to the state by day and the corresponding positivity rate by day. The previously reported cumulative number did not reflect the current status of the pandemic in Florida. This change is in line with the CDC recommendation that calculation of percent positivity [is] applied consistently and with clear communication, will allow public health officials to follow magnitude and trends effectively, and the trends will be useful for local public health decision making.” RESOURCES NOW HIRING: SWFL companies adding jobs FOOD PANTRIES: Harry Chapin mobile food pantry schedule, week of Dec. 14 REPORT COVID-19 DIAGNOSIS/TEST: International self-reporting system IF YOU FEEL SICK: The Florida Department of Health has a 24-hour COVID-19 Call Center at 1-866-779-6121. Questions may also be emailed to covid-19@flhealth.gov. Email responses will be sent during call center hours. LINK: Florida Department of Health COVID-19 updates *The map is best viewed on a desktop computer. If you don’t see the map above tap HERE for a fullscreen version.