33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee CountyCool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther was killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Milton.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther was killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Milton.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
Shelli Tayman is and “InVest Advocate” with The Shelter for Abused Woman and Children Collier County. Credit: WINK News. Many now believe the pandemic created a perfect storm for domestic violence. Between lockdowns, job losses and financial problems, nationwide, we saw an 8% increase for cases in 2020. A woman who doesn’t wear a badge or a cape is a hero to many for helping those in difficult situations. If you visit The Shelter for Abused Women and Children in Collier County, you’ll likely meet Shelli Tayman in her corner office. “I love my job,” Tayman said. “I love that I have that opportunity to keep people safe.” Tayman is part of the shelter’s intimate violence enhanced service team, also known as an “InVest Advocate.” “It’s just part of an intense reach-out, outreach effort to get ahold of these victims, to get them in for services, to try and prevent possible homicides,” Tayman explained. Tayman checks law enforcement reports in Coller County. She reads, scans for specific words, looks for domestic violence victims, men and women. What makes the invest program unique is the shelter calls you. “I’ll ask them if they’re in a safe place to talk,” Tayman said. “And if I get clues, which I have, then, I tend to be quiet. I will try to find a better time.” One abuse survivor Tayman worked with is a father. “How I ended up here? I was involved in a really terrible relationship, and we share a child together,” the survivor said. “She did threaten to kill my kids, and this has been ongoing for years, and I have called the police on her dozens of times … and they couldn’t do anything. They were like, ‘You gotta keep on filing reports.’” One of his reports made it to Tayman’s desk. “I actually cried the first time on the phone because that was the first time I thought someone could help me,” he said. “Somebody is realizing what’s going on in my life. No matter how many times I called the police, nothing ever changed until Shelli reached out to me. “Shelli guided me to go do in the court system, the restraining orders and actually somebody being there in the courtroom to support me, show up with me,” he said. Tayman says the first call is always the hardest, but the end result is worth it. “It’s hard. It’s nerve-wracking, but it’s incredibly rewarding when I see a difference we make in participants and our survivors,” Tayman said. “I was grateful that she was reading over that police report at that time,” the survivor said. “I was like, ‘Finally. Finally, I can do something about this.” His fight continues with Tayman by his side. This is one of many programs at the shelter for men, women and children. There are several warning signs of an abusive relationship: Do you live in fear? Have to walk on egg shells around your partner? Do they belittle or try to control you? The shelter has a 24-hour confidential crisis line at 239-775-1101.