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.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral drug bust leads investigators to fake fentanyl, cash and guns Cape Coral man arrest on drug charges. Investigators said they found, guns, drugs, and more than $32,000 in Richard Riley’s home.
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.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral drug bust leads investigators to fake fentanyl, cash and guns Cape Coral man arrest on drug charges. Investigators said they found, guns, drugs, and more than $32,000 in Richard Riley’s home.
Rev. Ken Burns of Friendship Baptist Church about to be vaccinated. Credit: Lee County There’s a new effort to get vaccines to underserved communities in Southwest Florida. A partnership between churches and a county government could give more community members an opportunity to get vaccinated for the coronavirus. Lee County is working with the pastors of churches, including Mount Hermon Ministries and Friendship Baptist Church in Fort Myers, to help get more people in underserved, minority communities vaccinated. DOH-Lee is considering setting up vaccination sites on church grounds to target some of the most vulnerable communities For Pastor James Bing of Friendship Baptist Church, making sure more people in the community he serves get the vaccine is a mission that’s close to his heart. Pastor James Bing being prepped for his COVID-19 vaccination. Credit: Lee County “I got involved because I am one of the high-risk people. I will be 83 years old my next birthday,” Pastor Bing explained. “I’ve had triple bypass surgery. I’ve had two strokes. I take 11 pills a day.” Bing says, like many people he knows, he tried to get the vaccine at the S.T.A.R.S. Complex site in late December but could not wait in line. “There were not 20 people of our community in line to get the vaccine,” Bing said. “We have people who come from more affluent communities into this community and displace the people who live here.” Since the County switched to appointments, he says it’s still hard to get scheduled for the vaccine, and many people in Bing’s community struggle with transportation. That’s why he is happy he was able to get vaccinated at Renaissance Preserve, where the County set up a vaccine event to target underserved communities. The County is working with local churches to provide more vaccines in minority communities and help dispel myths about the shot. Rev. Ken Burns of Friendship Baptist Church about to be vaccinated. Credit: Lee County “The last conversation, only about 7 percent of all vaccinations that have happened in the county have been African American or Hispanic,” explained Pastor William Glover of Mount Hermon Ministries. “The church is a community center, so it’s a safe place, a safe space with partners the community knows.” Glover says more vaccinations are crucial in minority communities hit especially hard by COVID-19. “Many people of color suffer from underlying conditions and chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol,” Glover said. “Population-wise, we have been disproportionally infected by the virus.” Lee County says it’s working with LeeTran to provide transportation to the RSW Airport vaccine site for those in need if they have an appointment. Pastors Bing and Glover told us they are willing and ready to open up their church doors to help get more people in their community vaccinated. Glover hopes his church and others like his can be a part of the effort to provide that lifesaving shot. “One of the leading factors in behavioral health decisions that people make, one of the leading influences is their belief systems and their clergy,” Glover said. “So anytime you can use those allies to help advance a positive public health message, I think that’s always a good partnership.”