Worker transported in Cape Coral after suffering ‘medical episode’ in bucket truckFEMA’s Operation Blue Roof deadline approaching soon in Charlotte County
CAPE CORAL Worker transported in Cape Coral after suffering ‘medical episode’ in bucket truck A worker on the lift of a bucket truck had to be transported to the hospital after suffering some sort of “medical episode” while in the lift said police.
FEMA’s Operation Blue Roof deadline approaching soon in Charlotte County The deadline for FEMA’s Operation Blue Roof is rapidly approaching for Charlotte County residents affected by Hurricane Milton.
FDA proposes to remove ingredient in medications The Food & Drug Administration proposes removing one ingredient after new data shows it is less effective than listed. 
Riviera Bar and Grill reopens within days of hurricanes Helene, Milton A gargantuan effort from owners and staff allowed the Riviera Bar and Grill to reopen less than a week after two hurricanes flooded the Punta Gorda waterfront restaurant that has been around since the 1950s.
2 men charged in unrelated crimes for deaths related to fentanyl Two men in Charlotte County have been arrested for separate fentanyl-related charges that led to two deaths.
CAPE CORAL Pickup truck crashes into Cape Coral apartment building A pickup truck crashed into a Cape Coral apartment building after what police believe was a head-on collision with another vehicle.
Tim Aten Knows: More new tenants coming to local retail centers Something big is in the works for the long-vacant former Sweetbay Supermarket in Green Tree Center in North Naples.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs house catches on fire 3 times in less than 24 hours A house in Bonita Springs has caught on fire three times in less than 24 hours.
SWFL High School Football Scoreboard Week 12 The regular season finale of high school football in SWFL brings district champions crowned and playoff spots fortified. .
Trash pile on San Carlos Island continues to grow Residents of San Carlos Island have grown tired as garbage and debris from hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton piles up.
Law enforcement presence at Alfie Oakes’ North Naples home and Immokalee packing house Several federal and state law enforcement agencies were at Alfie Oakes’ home and packing house for an investigation that remains undisclosed.
MATLACHA Matlacha restaurant Miceli’s reopens after six weeks Popular Matlacha restaurant Miceli’s has reopened just six weeks after enduring damage from back-to-back storms.
NORTH FORT MYERS Caught on Camera: Accused Dollar General thief arrested A man accused of robbing a Dollar General store is behind bars.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Ward 4 candidate seeks vote recount In the race for Fort Myers city council, Cindy Banyai lost the Ward 4 race to incumbent Liston Bochette by just 77 votes or 1.58% of the vote.
CAPE CORAL Worker transported in Cape Coral after suffering ‘medical episode’ in bucket truck A worker on the lift of a bucket truck had to be transported to the hospital after suffering some sort of “medical episode” while in the lift said police.
FEMA’s Operation Blue Roof deadline approaching soon in Charlotte County The deadline for FEMA’s Operation Blue Roof is rapidly approaching for Charlotte County residents affected by Hurricane Milton.
FDA proposes to remove ingredient in medications The Food & Drug Administration proposes removing one ingredient after new data shows it is less effective than listed. 
Riviera Bar and Grill reopens within days of hurricanes Helene, Milton A gargantuan effort from owners and staff allowed the Riviera Bar and Grill to reopen less than a week after two hurricanes flooded the Punta Gorda waterfront restaurant that has been around since the 1950s.
2 men charged in unrelated crimes for deaths related to fentanyl Two men in Charlotte County have been arrested for separate fentanyl-related charges that led to two deaths.
CAPE CORAL Pickup truck crashes into Cape Coral apartment building A pickup truck crashed into a Cape Coral apartment building after what police believe was a head-on collision with another vehicle.
Tim Aten Knows: More new tenants coming to local retail centers Something big is in the works for the long-vacant former Sweetbay Supermarket in Green Tree Center in North Naples.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs house catches on fire 3 times in less than 24 hours A house in Bonita Springs has caught on fire three times in less than 24 hours.
SWFL High School Football Scoreboard Week 12 The regular season finale of high school football in SWFL brings district champions crowned and playoff spots fortified. .
Trash pile on San Carlos Island continues to grow Residents of San Carlos Island have grown tired as garbage and debris from hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton piles up.
Law enforcement presence at Alfie Oakes’ North Naples home and Immokalee packing house Several federal and state law enforcement agencies were at Alfie Oakes’ home and packing house for an investigation that remains undisclosed.
MATLACHA Matlacha restaurant Miceli’s reopens after six weeks Popular Matlacha restaurant Miceli’s has reopened just six weeks after enduring damage from back-to-back storms.
NORTH FORT MYERS Caught on Camera: Accused Dollar General thief arrested A man accused of robbing a Dollar General store is behind bars.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Ward 4 candidate seeks vote recount In the race for Fort Myers city council, Cindy Banyai lost the Ward 4 race to incumbent Liston Bochette by just 77 votes or 1.58% of the vote.
Florida Congresswoman Jenna Persons of Florida House District 78. Credit: WINK News. A state lawmaker says children are being exposed to predators in the very places we trust kids will be safe. A member of Florida congress is working to close this loophole. Her inspiration came from a survivor in Southwest Florida. Florida House Rep. Jenna Persons (R-Fla) of District 78 said the solution to separate child predators and potential victims is quite simple. She believes Florida must standardize the way each county reports cases of abuse and the abusers. That way, if a business, club or any organization doing a background check on a person and they have a history of sexual abuse against a child, it will pop up. Childhood is a time of love, laughter and innocence. At least, it’s supposed to be. “We have a young woman who, when she was a minor, was a victim of child sexual abuse,” Persons said. Her name is Serena. Her family did everything right after what happened to her was so wrong, only to discover her attacker was still in contact with children. “He’s working, volunteering at a local youth organization,” Persons said. Serena’s abuser continued to surround himself with children. “In this case, the youth organization was performing background checks,” Persons said. “So how did this protective order, this injunction to protect a minor, not show up on a background check?” It was because of a gap in the system. It’s a gap Persons wants to slam shut with new legislation she calls “Serena’s law.” MORE: HB 1229 Public Records “Now, every clerk of court has different policies and different standards,” Persons said. Persons’ bill would establish one uniform way to report abusers. Meg Dalabes with the Abuse Counseling & Treatment told us abusers look for any loophole they can find. “They think it’s OK,” Dalabes. “They’re looking for ways to get more access, and they are looking for ways that they can get away with it.” Dalabes works with adults who were sexually abused as children. She believes its critical lawmakers do anything and everything they can to prevent the turmoil and trauma she sees on a daily basis. “It’s especially disheartening to hear about it happening if someone could have prevented that,” Dalabes said. “If that could have not taken place.” Persons is a Republican who joined forces with a Democrat, Florida Congresswoman Robin Bartleman, to get this bill going. She hopes the legislature will hear the measure during the 60-day session that starts Tuesday.