Caught on camera: Massive gator seen in front of Ave Maria homeNCAA approves plan to pay women’s basketball tournament teams
AVE MARIA Caught on camera: Massive gator seen in front of Ave Maria home A massive alligator was seen using a walking path in front of an Ave Maria home, and it was all caught on camera.
NCAA approves plan to pay women’s basketball tournament teams In a historic unanimous vote, the NCAA approves of a plan to pay women’s basketball teams that compete in March Madness.
FORT MYERS City of Fort Myers announces Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival The City of Fort Myers invites the public to the 21st anniversary of the Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival in downtown Fort Myers.
MATLACHA Neighbors to protest delay in repairs to Matlacha Pass Bridge People are set to take the streets and protest the delay in repairs to the Matlacha Pass Bridge.
Port Authority postpones talk of RSW’s $346M, four-year delayed terminal expansion Lee County and Port Authority Commissioner Brian Hamman finally had a public forum to get some answers on why a construction project went more than $346 million over budget and will be more than four years behind schedule to complete.
DeSantis responds to question on possible Sheriff Marceno suspension Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed calls for the suspension of Lee County’s sheriff amid an FBI investigation into his office.
Annette’s Beach Book Nook celebrates grand reopening on Fort Myers Beach From 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 18, Annette Stillson finally will be celebrating the grand reopening of the new-look Annette’s Beach Book Nook.
Punta Gorda renowned media artist finds safe haven for work Former businessman and artist David Sussman, known for his photography on canvas and coffee-table photography books, has found a safe, flood-proof homestead after he lost several homes and studios to hurricanes.
Mugshot released of man accused of injuring deputy then leading multi-county chase The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has released the mugshot of Fritzson Paul, the man accused of leading deputies on a multi-county chase stemming from a carjacking.
FORT MYERS FDOT hosts ribbon-cutting ceremony for Caloosahatchee River Bridge sidewalk project The Florida Department of Transportation held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Caloosahatchee River Bridge and the New Sidewalk Project.
Fort Myers Council explores possible locations for new City Hall When the city of Fort Myers builds a new City Hall, it’s most likely to remain downtown at then current site.
Tim Aten Knows: Plans advance for second Costco store Costco Wholesale Corp. is moving ahead with plans for a second store in Collier County on the southeast corner of Rattlesnake Hammock Road and Collier Boulevard, immediately north of Physician Regional Medical Center-Collier Boulevard.
naples Naples Winter Wine Festival holds online auction for charity The Naples Winter Wine Festival is set to hold its 10th annual online auction, raising funds for the Naples Children & Education Foundation and donating all proceeds.
the weather authority Clouds and isolated rain for your Friday plans The Weather Authority is tracking isolated rain showers and increased cloud coverage that may impact your Friday afternoon plans.
AVE MARIA Caught on camera: Massive gator seen in front of Ave Maria home A massive alligator was seen using a walking path in front of an Ave Maria home, and it was all caught on camera.
NCAA approves plan to pay women’s basketball tournament teams In a historic unanimous vote, the NCAA approves of a plan to pay women’s basketball teams that compete in March Madness.
FORT MYERS City of Fort Myers announces Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival The City of Fort Myers invites the public to the 21st anniversary of the Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival in downtown Fort Myers.
MATLACHA Neighbors to protest delay in repairs to Matlacha Pass Bridge People are set to take the streets and protest the delay in repairs to the Matlacha Pass Bridge.
Port Authority postpones talk of RSW’s $346M, four-year delayed terminal expansion Lee County and Port Authority Commissioner Brian Hamman finally had a public forum to get some answers on why a construction project went more than $346 million over budget and will be more than four years behind schedule to complete.
DeSantis responds to question on possible Sheriff Marceno suspension Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed calls for the suspension of Lee County’s sheriff amid an FBI investigation into his office.
Annette’s Beach Book Nook celebrates grand reopening on Fort Myers Beach From 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 18, Annette Stillson finally will be celebrating the grand reopening of the new-look Annette’s Beach Book Nook.
Punta Gorda renowned media artist finds safe haven for work Former businessman and artist David Sussman, known for his photography on canvas and coffee-table photography books, has found a safe, flood-proof homestead after he lost several homes and studios to hurricanes.
Mugshot released of man accused of injuring deputy then leading multi-county chase The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has released the mugshot of Fritzson Paul, the man accused of leading deputies on a multi-county chase stemming from a carjacking.
FORT MYERS FDOT hosts ribbon-cutting ceremony for Caloosahatchee River Bridge sidewalk project The Florida Department of Transportation held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Caloosahatchee River Bridge and the New Sidewalk Project.
Fort Myers Council explores possible locations for new City Hall When the city of Fort Myers builds a new City Hall, it’s most likely to remain downtown at then current site.
Tim Aten Knows: Plans advance for second Costco store Costco Wholesale Corp. is moving ahead with plans for a second store in Collier County on the southeast corner of Rattlesnake Hammock Road and Collier Boulevard, immediately north of Physician Regional Medical Center-Collier Boulevard.
naples Naples Winter Wine Festival holds online auction for charity The Naples Winter Wine Festival is set to hold its 10th annual online auction, raising funds for the Naples Children & Education Foundation and donating all proceeds.
the weather authority Clouds and isolated rain for your Friday plans The Weather Authority is tracking isolated rain showers and increased cloud coverage that may impact your Friday afternoon plans.
Sanibel. Credit: WINK News. Red tide health alerts were issued by Florida Department of Health in Lee County Friday at several beaches in the county heading into the weekend and during spring break. We went to Sanibel Island, where people were not a letting red tide warnings impact their down time. We did not notice signs of red tide near the beach, and many beachgoers said they did not experience any effects either. “I’ll start to get a tickle, itchiness in my throat, cough,” said Matthew Olson, visiting from Wisconsin. “I haven’t had that in this trip so far.” “I don’t smell anything or feel anything like that either,” said Mike Monge from Fort Myers. But red tide blooms are out there. Southwest Florida red tide map as of Friday, March 19, 2021. Credit: WINK News. The latest red tide map shows medium concentrations of red tide around Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Beach and Sanibel, with a high concentration area off Sanibel’s shore. Lee County beaches included in the alert were Lighthouse Beach Park, Lynn Hall Beach Park, Lover’s Key State Park and Bonita Springs Beach Park. Nadine Keegan says she experienced some during the morning. “I went for a run, and I felt a little bit of irritation in my throat, and I had to cough a couple of times, and that’s not typical,” said Keegan, who was visiting from New York. “It actually crossed my mind that there might be something going on with red tide.” Even though there is a health alert for the beach, that’s not stopping people from going out to enjoy the sun, the surf and the waves for spring break and season, and people hope it stays that way. “It’s definitely packed. Good number of people, traffic around the area,” Monge said. “Red tide is terrible for the economy.” People are hoping red tide doesn’t cause a large impact in Southwest Florida and that people keep heading to the beach without having to see or feel the signs of red tide. “If it does rise, then, it will affect local businesses and keep the crowds down,” Olson said. Dealing with red tide Per the health department, symptoms usually go away when someone leaves the area or goes indoors. The Department recommends that you: Do not swim around dead fish at this location If you have chronic respiratory problems, be careful and consider staying away from this location as red tide can affect your breathing Do not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish and distressed or dead fish from this location. If fish are healthy, rinse fillets with tap or bottled water and throw out the guts Keep pets and livestock away from water, seafoam and dead sea life Residents living in beach areas are advised to close windows and run the air conditioner (making sure that the A/C filter is maintained according to manufacturer’s specifications) If outdoors, residents may choose to wear paper filter masks, especially if onshore winds are blowing Florida Poison Control Centers have a toll-free 24/7 Hotline for reporting illnesses, including health effects from exposure to red tide at 1-888-232-8635. Visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research website for additional information on the locations where red tide has been found: myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/.