Supplies arrive by plane and mule to North Carolina as Helene death toll tops 100$1 billion RSW expansion project to begin Tuesday
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) Supplies arrive by plane and mule to North Carolina as Helene death toll tops 100 Desperate residents isolated by washed-out roads and the lack of power and cellular service in western North Carolina lined up Monday for fresh water and a chance to message loved ones that they were alive, days after Hurricane Helene tore through the Southeastern U.S. and killed more than 100 people.
FORT MYERS $1 billion RSW expansion project to begin Tuesday The Lee County Port Authority will begin Southwest Florida International Airport’s Terminal Expansion Phase 2, a more than $1 billion project.
CAPE CORAL Memorial benches being removed from Jaycee Park in Cape Coral After years of discussions, the City of Cape Coral will start to remove items from Jaycee Park as part of ongoing improvements.
NAPLES ‘That was the last flight out of Fort Myers’; Local man airlifted to NCH for emergency surgery Hurricane or not, medical emergencies do not wait. A Lee County man learned that after being airlifted before Hurricane Helene to get life-or-death treatment at NCH in Naples
NAPLES Deputies searching for missing Collier County teen The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office are searching for a teenager who was last seen in South Naples and reported missing a week ago.
NORTH FORT MYERS Shell Factory in North Fort Myers closes A landmark in the Southwest Florida community for decades has officially closed its doors over the weekend.
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 provided additional updates regarding the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene while 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.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) Supplies arrive by plane and mule to North Carolina as Helene death toll tops 100 Desperate residents isolated by washed-out roads and the lack of power and cellular service in western North Carolina lined up Monday for fresh water and a chance to message loved ones that they were alive, days after Hurricane Helene tore through the Southeastern U.S. and killed more than 100 people.
FORT MYERS $1 billion RSW expansion project to begin Tuesday The Lee County Port Authority will begin Southwest Florida International Airport’s Terminal Expansion Phase 2, a more than $1 billion project.
CAPE CORAL Memorial benches being removed from Jaycee Park in Cape Coral After years of discussions, the City of Cape Coral will start to remove items from Jaycee Park as part of ongoing improvements.
NAPLES ‘That was the last flight out of Fort Myers’; Local man airlifted to NCH for emergency surgery Hurricane or not, medical emergencies do not wait. A Lee County man learned that after being airlifted before Hurricane Helene to get life-or-death treatment at NCH in Naples
NAPLES Deputies searching for missing Collier County teen The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office are searching for a teenager who was last seen in South Naples and reported missing a week ago.
NORTH FORT MYERS Shell Factory in North Fort Myers closes A landmark in the Southwest Florida community for decades has officially closed its doors over the weekend.
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 provided additional updates regarding the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene while 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.
Credit: via WINK News. Even as the COVID-19 pandemic surges across the United States, the number of people getting sick with the flu is reaching record lows. Experts say that’s partly thanks to higher vaccination rates during the pandemic. A record number of influenza vaccine doses are being produced and distributed in 2020, in an attempt to avoid a “twindemic.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 190.4 million flu vaccines have been distributed across the U.S. this season — the highest number of flu doses distributed in the U.S. during a single influenza season. Flu vaccination among adults rose 46% — from 31.1 million in 2019 to 45.3 million as of November 28. High vaccine rates, in combination with face masks, social distancing, school closures, stay-at-home orders and a lack of international travel, have led to a record low number of flu cases. Seasonal influenza activity in the U.S. remains lower than usual for this time of year, the CDC said, with .3% of specimens testing positive at clinical laboratories last week. Data from Walgreens, one of the largest providers of flu shots, confirmed that overall flu activity was low nationwide in the month of November, compared to normal flu seasons. “The unprecedented demand we’ve seen for flu shots this season, along with safety precautions everyone is taking to limit the spread of COVID-19, such as social distancing, wearing facemasks and frequently washing their hands, may be contributing to lower flu activity this season,” said Dr. Kevin Ban, Chief Medical Officer at Walgreens. Hospitals across the U.S. are nearing, or are at, capacity, but the lower rates of flu infection are helping to avoid further devastating pressures on the health care system. Resources typically used to handle an influx of flu cases in December can now be used to handle COVID patients instead. “Flu vaccination is especially important this season, as vaccination may help preserve medical resources and reduce the overall burden of respiratory illnesses on our health care system,” the CDC said. A similar phenomenon occurred in the Southern Hemisphere — now past its winter — which barely experienced a flu season this year. Experts are still advising that it is not too late to get the flu shot this year — and it could be more important than ever, with cases of both influenza and COVID-19 expected to surge following the holiday season.