Boaters with rifles seen in Cape Coral canal Car flips, one sent to hospital after two car crash in Fort Myers
CAPE CORAL Boaters with rifles seen in Cape Coral canal On an average day, it’s pretty common to see people fishing or swimming in a canal. One neighbor in Cape Coral saw something unusual in his backyard Friday afternoon.
FORT MYERS Car flips, one sent to hospital after two car crash in Fort Myers A crash involving at least two vehicles sent one person to the hospital.
The Weather Authority: Clouds, sunshine, wind, and the possibility of a brief shower for your Sunday Clouds and occasional sunshine this Sunday. A few brief showers are possible late in the afternoon and this evening.
TALLAHASSEE (CBS) Governor DeSantis signs AI and vape bills Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed 28 bills, including a measure requiring disclaimers on certain political ads created using artificial intelligence and a bill about regulation of vape products.
ESTERO Gold Star Golf Tournament honors fallen veteran Behind each putt and swing of a golf club at the Gold Star Golf Tournament is someone who knew John Wirka Junior.
NEW YORK (AP) How TikTok grew from a fun app for teens into a potential national security threat If it feels like TikTok has been around forever, that’s probably because it has, at least if you’re measuring via internet time. What’s now in question is whether it will be around much longer and, if so, in what form?
FORT MYERS Man wanted for armed robbery at Fort Myers convenience store Crime Stoppers is asking the public for help identifying an armed robber who held up a convenience store Saturday morning.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: Rifles, inappropriate texts and Donut shop debacle This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a scary mall trip, an inappropriate coach, and a Dunkin Donuts assault.
The Weather Authority: Sunny Saturday with a nice breeze; fire danger increases Warm temperatures for your Saturday with a nice breeze into the afternoon.
NORTH NAPLES Senior Airman surprises cousin on Aubrey Rogers softball senior night Aubrey Rogers senior pitcher and infielder McKenzie Vargas was surprised by her Air Force cousin for Senior Night.
BONITA SPRINGS Police: 15-year-old injured after accidentally shot in the leg Lee County deputies say the teen was accidentally shot in the leg.
PUNTA GORDA Exclusive: Brother and best friend of accused pedophile priest speak out Riley’s brother reached out to WINK on Friday, saying people aren’t getting the full story.
IMMOKALEE Caught on video: Huge gator crosses Immokalee neighborhood Fridays in Florida are for gators
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society raises concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
CAPE CORAL Boaters with rifles seen in Cape Coral canal On an average day, it’s pretty common to see people fishing or swimming in a canal. One neighbor in Cape Coral saw something unusual in his backyard Friday afternoon.
FORT MYERS Car flips, one sent to hospital after two car crash in Fort Myers A crash involving at least two vehicles sent one person to the hospital.
The Weather Authority: Clouds, sunshine, wind, and the possibility of a brief shower for your Sunday Clouds and occasional sunshine this Sunday. A few brief showers are possible late in the afternoon and this evening.
TALLAHASSEE (CBS) Governor DeSantis signs AI and vape bills Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed 28 bills, including a measure requiring disclaimers on certain political ads created using artificial intelligence and a bill about regulation of vape products.
ESTERO Gold Star Golf Tournament honors fallen veteran Behind each putt and swing of a golf club at the Gold Star Golf Tournament is someone who knew John Wirka Junior.
NEW YORK (AP) How TikTok grew from a fun app for teens into a potential national security threat If it feels like TikTok has been around forever, that’s probably because it has, at least if you’re measuring via internet time. What’s now in question is whether it will be around much longer and, if so, in what form?
FORT MYERS Man wanted for armed robbery at Fort Myers convenience store Crime Stoppers is asking the public for help identifying an armed robber who held up a convenience store Saturday morning.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: Rifles, inappropriate texts and Donut shop debacle This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a scary mall trip, an inappropriate coach, and a Dunkin Donuts assault.
The Weather Authority: Sunny Saturday with a nice breeze; fire danger increases Warm temperatures for your Saturday with a nice breeze into the afternoon.
NORTH NAPLES Senior Airman surprises cousin on Aubrey Rogers softball senior night Aubrey Rogers senior pitcher and infielder McKenzie Vargas was surprised by her Air Force cousin for Senior Night.
BONITA SPRINGS Police: 15-year-old injured after accidentally shot in the leg Lee County deputies say the teen was accidentally shot in the leg.
PUNTA GORDA Exclusive: Brother and best friend of accused pedophile priest speak out Riley’s brother reached out to WINK on Friday, saying people aren’t getting the full story.
IMMOKALEE Caught on video: Huge gator crosses Immokalee neighborhood Fridays in Florida are for gators
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society raises concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Credit: Marta Ortigosa/Pexels As the landlord of more than 500 affordable housing units occupied by low-income families, staffers at Contemporary Housing Alternatives of Florida have seen firsthand how the pandemic has hit working families. About 20% of its tenants are behind on rent because they have lost either work or hours since March. Many of them worked in the hospitality industry, including as cooks and food servers. Concerned that rent arrears were piling up, the nonprofit has come up with a way for its residents to volunteer their way out of debt. The nonprofit introduced a “Back on Track” program that forgives $100 of overdue rent for every hour a tenant volunteers for a recognized nonprofit charity. The offer applies only to renters who have lost income because of the pandemic. “To be honest, it’s probably money we wouldn’t get anyway, but it gives them some pride and a feeling they’re doing something,” said Joseph Lettelleir, the nonprofit’s president and CEO. “Bottom line, they’re good tenants, and we’d like to keep them.” The idea for the program came from Holly Butler, the group’s director of property management, who described it as a lemonade-out-of-lemons moment. “I thought it might be a kookie idea, but I pitched it,” she said. More than two dozen residents have participated in the program, volunteering at food banks, cleaning up a trailer park and removing trash along the shorelines with Tampa Bay Watch. At another organized event, volunteers collected more than 400 pounds of trash from nearby neighborhoods. At Hope Villages of America, which was known as Religious Community Services Pinellas until October, volunteers sorted, packed and labeled food headed for a food pantry. Chief Operating Officer Melinda Perry said her group was pleased to benefit from a program that also helps those volunteering. “We’ve had almost 20 residents volunteer at our food distribution center, and they provided nearly 150 volunteer hours processing food donations and assisting with food distribution,” Perry said. “Their efforts meant that we could meet individuals’ and families’ needs for nutritious food.” Established in 1992, Contemporary Housing runs 14 properties, mostly in the Pinellas Park and Lealman area. To qualify to live there, residents must make no more than about 80 percent of the area median income. The nonprofit also has housing that is designated for families whose income falls below 60 percent of the region’s household average. Rent for a two-bedroom apartment is about $700 a month. When the pandemic’s impact on the economy first became apparent, the group stressed to tenants that it was critical to let their landlords know if they were having difficulty. In April, it gave everyone who paid their rent on time a $25 grocery store gift card as appreciation. For those who have struggled, the nonprofit has agreed to payment plans to give tenants more time and suspended late fees. It also helped them connect with rent-assistance programs, including Pinellas CARES, a financial-assistance program funded through federal stimulus money, and 211 Tampa Bay Cares. Both programs are no longer accepting applications, according to their websites. Despite many tenants qualifying for assistance, Contemporary Housing’s rent revenue is down about $300,000 this year, said Lettelleir. The economic downturn has made eviction or foreclosure a constant worry for millions. Nationwide, almost 8% of Americans reported being behind on rent or mortgage payments or have little confidence that their household can make the next payment, according to the U.S. Census Household Pulse Survey. Lettelleir hopes that other landlords of affordable housing will adopt a similar rent forgiveness program to give their tenants a chance to try and get back on their feet. “It takes a group that is really struggling and offers them an opportunity to hold up their head and do something for the community,” he said.