Hurricane Ian recovery delays impact tourism and local businessesAlliance for the Arts hosting Jazz on the Green, celebrating historic music genre
FORT MYERS BEACH Hurricane Ian recovery delays impact tourism and local businesses Fort Myers Beach is still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, which struck over two years ago.
FORT MYERS Alliance for the Arts hosting Jazz on the Green, celebrating historic music genre Catch Grammy winners and jazz virtuosos at the Jazz on the Green event hosted by the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS Twins host fans for open house and first full squad workout The Minnesota Twins held their first full squad workout of Spring Training as well as hosted fans for an open house.
Shingle roofs could phase out in the future Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky recently made comments at the Florida Chamber Insurance Summit about the potential phasing out of shingle roofs in the state.
SANIBEL Sanibel islanders rally to restore beloved fishing pier after Ian damage The Sanibel Fishing Pier, a beloved spot for many, has been in disrepair since Hurricane Ian struck more than two years ago. Now, dedicated fishers are pushing to restore it using private funding.
PUNTA GORDA Gunfire erupts on US 41 bridge in Punta Gorda; bikers arrested A road rage incident escalated into gunfire on the U.S. 41 bridge connecting Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte, causing fear among drivers.
BONITA SPRINGS Will San Carlos Estates merge with Bonita Springs? Residents of San Carlos Estates in Bonita Springs are fighting to maintain their neighborhood’s independence.
PUNTA GORDA New flight routes at Punta Gorda Airport The Punta Gorda Airport is expanding its offerings, adding new flight options for travelers.
LEE COUNTY Bregman’s arrival and Devers’ denial highlight Red Sox first full squad The addition of Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers’ refusal to change positions highlighted the first full squad workout for the Red Sox.
NORTH FORT MYERS March to a Million Meals: Teaming up to help feed families Feeding a quarter of a million people each month requires a lot of money and help.
Charlotte County residents voice concerns over Burnt Store Road upgrades An emergency meeting was held to address concerns from residents about the development along Burnt Store Road in Charlotte County.
PORT CHARLOTTE Local nonprofit gives back to veterans for their service A military wife has found a heartfelt way to honor veterans and first responders.
Miracle Moment: Ronald McDonald House offers hope to boy battling cancer It’s time for Miracle Moment.
PORT CHARLOTTE Tampa Bay Rays uplift Charlotte County fans post hurricanes Tampa Bay’s full squad reported on Monday and fans were out in full force, with more appreciation than the players might know.
Breakthrough for patients diagnosed with ALS Fewer than 500 people in the United States have a genetic mutation linked to their case of ALS.
FORT MYERS BEACH Hurricane Ian recovery delays impact tourism and local businesses Fort Myers Beach is still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, which struck over two years ago.
FORT MYERS Alliance for the Arts hosting Jazz on the Green, celebrating historic music genre Catch Grammy winners and jazz virtuosos at the Jazz on the Green event hosted by the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS Twins host fans for open house and first full squad workout The Minnesota Twins held their first full squad workout of Spring Training as well as hosted fans for an open house.
Shingle roofs could phase out in the future Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky recently made comments at the Florida Chamber Insurance Summit about the potential phasing out of shingle roofs in the state.
SANIBEL Sanibel islanders rally to restore beloved fishing pier after Ian damage The Sanibel Fishing Pier, a beloved spot for many, has been in disrepair since Hurricane Ian struck more than two years ago. Now, dedicated fishers are pushing to restore it using private funding.
PUNTA GORDA Gunfire erupts on US 41 bridge in Punta Gorda; bikers arrested A road rage incident escalated into gunfire on the U.S. 41 bridge connecting Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte, causing fear among drivers.
BONITA SPRINGS Will San Carlos Estates merge with Bonita Springs? Residents of San Carlos Estates in Bonita Springs are fighting to maintain their neighborhood’s independence.
PUNTA GORDA New flight routes at Punta Gorda Airport The Punta Gorda Airport is expanding its offerings, adding new flight options for travelers.
LEE COUNTY Bregman’s arrival and Devers’ denial highlight Red Sox first full squad The addition of Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers’ refusal to change positions highlighted the first full squad workout for the Red Sox.
NORTH FORT MYERS March to a Million Meals: Teaming up to help feed families Feeding a quarter of a million people each month requires a lot of money and help.
Charlotte County residents voice concerns over Burnt Store Road upgrades An emergency meeting was held to address concerns from residents about the development along Burnt Store Road in Charlotte County.
PORT CHARLOTTE Local nonprofit gives back to veterans for their service A military wife has found a heartfelt way to honor veterans and first responders.
Miracle Moment: Ronald McDonald House offers hope to boy battling cancer It’s time for Miracle Moment.
PORT CHARLOTTE Tampa Bay Rays uplift Charlotte County fans post hurricanes Tampa Bay’s full squad reported on Monday and fans were out in full force, with more appreciation than the players might know.
Breakthrough for patients diagnosed with ALS Fewer than 500 people in the United States have a genetic mutation linked to their case of ALS.
Credit: WINK News. Fort Myers was prepared to build a much-needed new police station, but multiple factors — a new mayor, a new city council, a pandemic and, most of all, the price — have led to talk of scrapping that plan. The Fort Myers Police Department took WINK News behind the scenes to see why it says there is an urgent need for a new location, like an evidence room so over-filled that storage pods in the parking lot are used to house evidence, even in murder cases. The parking lot is also too small to hold the department’s cars, so they end up stored around town. Fort Myers Police Chief Derrick Diggs says the parking lot is also where officers do roll call, “because the roll call room isn’t big enough.” “I’ve got command officers whose offices were in a closet,” Diggs said. He pointed to a watch commander’s office so small—6 feet by 8 feet—that you can’t even squeeze a chair in front of the desk, and it’s under a leaky roof. The old Southwest Florida News-Press building right down the street was supposed to be the answer. New plans would have completely transformed it, but the cost of renovating this building went from around $34 million to more than $80 million, which Mayor Kevin Anderson says is way too much. “I think, initially, we were just told a lower price,” Anderson said. “I don’t know if that was intentionally to get us to buy into it.” Anderson says the prior city manager initially put the deal together. The current price tag is in the $60 million range; a lot of money, but well below the $84 million Tallahassee is spending to renovate an old shopping mall. Six Fort Myers City Council members and the mayor all have different ideas about how to address a problem they agree is urgent. “It is a good time to hit the pause button,” said Councilman Liston Bochette. “It may take a little negotiation, but, as I’ve said… life is one big negotiation,” Anderson said. “And I’m confident we can work through this.” Options now include everything from selling off the News-Press Property which fronts Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Fowler Street to renovating the new site in phases. “And if somebody comes along with the right offer, I’d be all for selling it,” Anderson said. “We only have so many resources and we have to pick out, you know, ‘Chief, what do you want first?'” Liston said. But the architect in charge says phases may not be possible, so the focus is on getting it started at all, if everyone with a vote can agree on what they are starting. “You can’t be a 21st century police agency in a 1980s building,” Diggs said. “I’m optimistic on things, o I am hoping that within a year we will be turning dirt,” Anderson said. Councilwoman Teresa Watkins Brown says Fort Myers needs to move ahead with the old News-Press Site but thinks some of the money could possibly be made up in the future by moving City Hall to the same place and selling off the current City Hall, an idea Liston Bouchette also brought up. Councilman Fred Burson says he will have a hard time voting for the $60 million cost, but he might be persuaded. Any council members not quoted for this story did not respond to WINK News’ requests for comment.