Dead manatee found on Big Hickory Island; FWC conducts autopsyJunior Achievement of SWFL inducts 4 into Hall of Fame
BONITA SPRINGS Dead manatee found on Big Hickory Island; FWC conducts autopsy The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is conducting an autopsy on a manatee that washed ashore on Big Hickory Island.
Junior Achievement of SWFL inducts 4 into Hall of Fame A who’s who of the local business community celebrated four regional leaders March 25 at Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida’s annual banquet honoring this year’s Business Hall of Fame inductees.
fort myers beach Fort Myers Beach to implement temporary emergency traffic measure to assist EMS response The Town of Fort Myers Beach and the FMB Fire District have implemented a temporary emergency measure due to response time concerns with first responders and traffic.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County woman out on bond arrested again for drug trafficking, possession The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman who allegedly violated her bond as she was caught trafficking and possessing several forms of drugs.
FORT MYERS Florida Southwestern State College to hold free Spring Concert series Florida Southwestern State College is set to hold a series of free concerts throughout April.
the weather authority Mostly sunny, warmer for your Wednesday afternoon plans The Weather Authority is tracking mostly sunny conditions, bringing warmer temperatures throughout this Wednesday.
Collier County teen injured in violent parking lot incident A teenager is fighting for his life after a violent confrontation in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers recycling facilty catches fire; smoke visible for miles Thick smoke erupted from a Fort Myers recycling facility on Tuesday evening as flames tore through the building.
ROTONDA Rotonda residents worry as legal battle over bridge closure heats up Charlotte County is gearing up for a legal battle over the Rotonda Bridge, which has been closed since Hurricane Ian.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers’ Howard Sapp seeks to break GOP hold in district 19 race Howard Sapp has announced his candidacy to represent Southwest Florida in Washington, D.C. Sapp, a Democrat, aims to succeed Republican Congressman Byron Donalds, who is running for governor of Florida.
FORT MYERS Laser lockup: Teen arrested for pointing laser at LCSO aviation unit A Lee County teenager has been arrested for pointing a laser at an aircraft, a dangerous act that poses significant risks to aviation safety.
Southwest Florida Collier clinic lease fight leaves families fearing healthcare loss A legal battle is unfolding in Collier County as Lee Health Systems takes on Nicklaus Children’s Hospital over a lease dispute
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach FEMA probation could end sooner than expected Fort Myers Beach may soon see relief from high flood insurance bills. The town lost its FEMA flood insurance discount last fall and was placed on probation, putting homeowners at risk of higher costs.
ESTERO FGCU and UMASS working on environmental projects A new partnership between Florida Gulf Coast University and the University of Massachusetts Lowell is set to drive long-term improvements in Southwest Florida.
SANIBEL Sanibel Island’s Lighthouse Beach shines after restoration, visitors thrilled Lighthouse Beach Park on Sanibel Island has completed the final phase of its beach renourishment project.
BONITA SPRINGS Dead manatee found on Big Hickory Island; FWC conducts autopsy The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is conducting an autopsy on a manatee that washed ashore on Big Hickory Island.
Junior Achievement of SWFL inducts 4 into Hall of Fame A who’s who of the local business community celebrated four regional leaders March 25 at Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida’s annual banquet honoring this year’s Business Hall of Fame inductees.
fort myers beach Fort Myers Beach to implement temporary emergency traffic measure to assist EMS response The Town of Fort Myers Beach and the FMB Fire District have implemented a temporary emergency measure due to response time concerns with first responders and traffic.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County woman out on bond arrested again for drug trafficking, possession The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman who allegedly violated her bond as she was caught trafficking and possessing several forms of drugs.
FORT MYERS Florida Southwestern State College to hold free Spring Concert series Florida Southwestern State College is set to hold a series of free concerts throughout April.
the weather authority Mostly sunny, warmer for your Wednesday afternoon plans The Weather Authority is tracking mostly sunny conditions, bringing warmer temperatures throughout this Wednesday.
Collier County teen injured in violent parking lot incident A teenager is fighting for his life after a violent confrontation in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers recycling facilty catches fire; smoke visible for miles Thick smoke erupted from a Fort Myers recycling facility on Tuesday evening as flames tore through the building.
ROTONDA Rotonda residents worry as legal battle over bridge closure heats up Charlotte County is gearing up for a legal battle over the Rotonda Bridge, which has been closed since Hurricane Ian.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers’ Howard Sapp seeks to break GOP hold in district 19 race Howard Sapp has announced his candidacy to represent Southwest Florida in Washington, D.C. Sapp, a Democrat, aims to succeed Republican Congressman Byron Donalds, who is running for governor of Florida.
FORT MYERS Laser lockup: Teen arrested for pointing laser at LCSO aviation unit A Lee County teenager has been arrested for pointing a laser at an aircraft, a dangerous act that poses significant risks to aviation safety.
Southwest Florida Collier clinic lease fight leaves families fearing healthcare loss A legal battle is unfolding in Collier County as Lee Health Systems takes on Nicklaus Children’s Hospital over a lease dispute
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach FEMA probation could end sooner than expected Fort Myers Beach may soon see relief from high flood insurance bills. The town lost its FEMA flood insurance discount last fall and was placed on probation, putting homeowners at risk of higher costs.
ESTERO FGCU and UMASS working on environmental projects A new partnership between Florida Gulf Coast University and the University of Massachusetts Lowell is set to drive long-term improvements in Southwest Florida.
SANIBEL Sanibel Island’s Lighthouse Beach shines after restoration, visitors thrilled Lighthouse Beach Park on Sanibel Island has completed the final phase of its beach renourishment project.
Credit: WINK News Juneteenth is now a federal holiday, thanks to a new bill signed by President Biden on Thursday. The holiday marks June 19, 1865 when some of the last slaves were freed in Galveston, Texas. That was two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Celebrations have been taking place since the law was signed. January 1, 1863 is the date that Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. It was the day slaves legally were freed. But, in those days information traveled slowly. Slaves in remote areas like Galveston, Texas were among the last to find out. Charles Barnes is the Chairman of the Lee County Black History Society. “It took 2 1/2 years for the message to get there,” Barnes said. June 19, 1865 is the day that Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston to tell slaves that they were no longer enslaved. “I can imagine the pride in the jubilation that here we are free now but we could have been free actually three years ago,” Barnes said. “Then the following year they started celebrating Juneteenth, celebrating their freedom.” It took until 2021 for the United States of America to celebrate Juneteenth as a nation. A federal holiday that is now meaningful to so many. “I think it’s another way of a showing the value of what we represent in this country, how we suffered, how we propelled through those years of slavery and Jim Crow law,” Barnes said. Sherrelle Findley is the Director of the Multicultural and Leadership Development Center at FGCU. “It actually showcases all of the progress we’ve made and all of the progress that we have yet to get through,” Findley said. The celebration at FGCU began a day early with a Juneteenth cookout. “It’s just for us, again, the black community and our allies to just celebrate our people,” Findley said. They’re celebrating freedom and hoping for a better future. The Lee County Black History Society says each state has its own Emancipation Day. In Florida, that day is May 20. Below is a list of Juneteenth celebrations across Southwest Florida: Juneteenth Celebration at Edison Mall Come celebrate Juneteenth with us. Please come visit with some local nonprofits in the area from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Family-friendly and child-centered activities of music, arts & crafts, inspirational stories and giveaways from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Please register and join us! Saturday, June 19th from 11 a.m. -4 p.m. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/juneteenth-celebration-tickets-158418817949 Juneteenth Celebration Community Day Saturday, June 19th from 11 a.m. -6 p.m. at Harlem Tree Park https://www.facebook.com/100000467215762/posts/6354476981244479/?d=n Celebrating Freedom: ACOSWFL 2021 Juneteenth Celebration Sunday, June 20th from 1 p.m. -6 p.m. at Lakes Park https://www.facebook.com/groups/2182754625356450/permalink/2652379808393927/ Botanical Brewing Taproom To honor Juneteenth we are having a celebration of the arts from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Botanical Brewing Taproom in Cape Coral, FL Enjoy musicians, singers, poets, dancers and artists in a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere. We will be featuring #blackownedbusiness and entrepreneurs. Vendor slots still available https://www.facebook.com/events/3931843586935738/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22search_results%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22search%22%7D]%7D