2 years since Charlotte County deputy was killed on I-75Mostly sunny and cool afternoon ahead for your Friday
2 years since Charlotte County deputy was killed on I-75 A somber day for the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office as one of their own was killed during a traffic stop on Interstate 75 exactly two years ago.
the weather authority Mostly sunny and cool afternoon ahead for your Friday The Weather Authority is tracking a mostly sunny and cool Friday afternoon with breezy conditions throughout the day.
ENGLEWOOD Englewood nonprofit gives hope to residents amid hurricane recovery Many people in Charlotte County were hit hard by storms this hurricane season, but that won’t stop them from giving back to their community.
NAPLES CSN’s Jayvian Tanelus and offensive line erupt in round one Community School of Naples’ offensive line and Jayvian Tanelus put on a show in round one of the playoffs earning them player of the week.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral family opens home up for the holidays A Cape Coral family has gotten over 1,000 interactions on a Facebook post after opening up their home for the holidays.
SANIBEL Sanibel police trained and certified to catch alligators by FWC Pinning an apex predator down with little more than bare hands and tape: That’s what the Sanibel Police Department went through during alligator-catching certification training.
Southwest Florida welcomes first proton beam therapy center This is a big week in cancer care for patients in Southwest Florida and beyond.
PUNTA GORDA Whats next after Punta Gorda city manager’s resignation? Punta Gorda city manager Greg Murray said he resigned Monday but told the council on Wednesday. Now, Melissa Reichert is the interim city manager.
FORT MYERS BEACH 34th annual American Sand Sculpting Championship begins on Fort Myers Beach After a years long wait, the American Sand Sculpting Competition on Fort Myers Beach returned on Thursday.
CAPE CORAL City council members talk about decision to repeal stipend ordinance A vote of 5 to 3 ends the saga over the Cape Coral City Council stipend and new members of the city council are sending a message they’re doing things differently.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers food pantry provides Thanksgiving meals to neighbors Dozens of people stopped by Sunshine Health’s food pantry one week before Thanksgiving. Sunshine Health is delivering hope.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach loses FEMA insurance discount The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has placed Fort Myers Beach (FMB) on probation.
FORT MYERS WINK News Game of the Week: Riverdale at Fort Myers Our WINK News Game of the Week is the regional semifinal matchup between Fort Myers and Riverdale, a rematch from the regular season finale two weeks ago.
NAPLES Hope for the Holidays turkey distribution event in Collier County A Naples nonprofit is expected to feed nearly 2,000 families.
Parts of Lee County to keep FEMA discount According to the Lee County Government, residents in parts of Lee County will keep their FEMA discount.
2 years since Charlotte County deputy was killed on I-75 A somber day for the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office as one of their own was killed during a traffic stop on Interstate 75 exactly two years ago.
the weather authority Mostly sunny and cool afternoon ahead for your Friday The Weather Authority is tracking a mostly sunny and cool Friday afternoon with breezy conditions throughout the day.
ENGLEWOOD Englewood nonprofit gives hope to residents amid hurricane recovery Many people in Charlotte County were hit hard by storms this hurricane season, but that won’t stop them from giving back to their community.
NAPLES CSN’s Jayvian Tanelus and offensive line erupt in round one Community School of Naples’ offensive line and Jayvian Tanelus put on a show in round one of the playoffs earning them player of the week.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral family opens home up for the holidays A Cape Coral family has gotten over 1,000 interactions on a Facebook post after opening up their home for the holidays.
SANIBEL Sanibel police trained and certified to catch alligators by FWC Pinning an apex predator down with little more than bare hands and tape: That’s what the Sanibel Police Department went through during alligator-catching certification training.
Southwest Florida welcomes first proton beam therapy center This is a big week in cancer care for patients in Southwest Florida and beyond.
PUNTA GORDA Whats next after Punta Gorda city manager’s resignation? Punta Gorda city manager Greg Murray said he resigned Monday but told the council on Wednesday. Now, Melissa Reichert is the interim city manager.
FORT MYERS BEACH 34th annual American Sand Sculpting Championship begins on Fort Myers Beach After a years long wait, the American Sand Sculpting Competition on Fort Myers Beach returned on Thursday.
CAPE CORAL City council members talk about decision to repeal stipend ordinance A vote of 5 to 3 ends the saga over the Cape Coral City Council stipend and new members of the city council are sending a message they’re doing things differently.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers food pantry provides Thanksgiving meals to neighbors Dozens of people stopped by Sunshine Health’s food pantry one week before Thanksgiving. Sunshine Health is delivering hope.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach loses FEMA insurance discount The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has placed Fort Myers Beach (FMB) on probation.
FORT MYERS WINK News Game of the Week: Riverdale at Fort Myers Our WINK News Game of the Week is the regional semifinal matchup between Fort Myers and Riverdale, a rematch from the regular season finale two weeks ago.
NAPLES Hope for the Holidays turkey distribution event in Collier County A Naples nonprofit is expected to feed nearly 2,000 families.
Parts of Lee County to keep FEMA discount According to the Lee County Government, residents in parts of Lee County will keep their FEMA discount.
A popular spot for seniors and families is closing its doors. The Cultural Center of Charlotte County is preparing for its final show. Jackie McDaniel, who lives in Port Charlotte, says she spent most of her childhood at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County. “I remember taking ballet classes there. I took tennis classes. I mean, I did so much there over the summer as a kid,” McDaniel said. “It’s really been a cornerstone for seniors too.” The center will have its final curtain call on November 8th after 61 years of shows, classes and services for the community. The entire cultural center closed last spring when the pandemic began. “We were in the middle of one of our busiest seasons. We had things booked all the way through July. Subsequently, we had to cancel all those things,” said K. Stephen Carter, the executive director for the Cultural Center of Charlotte County. The center re-opened to an 80% drop in business. They say PPP loans helped temporarily, “We have done our best and we’re hoping it’s not the end, but it’s, we’re still trying,” said Carter. County commissioners denied the center’s recent request for emergency funding. The Communications Manager for the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners said in a statement: Last month, the Cultural Center of Charlotte County requested $300,000 from Charlotte County to fund operations. The county requested financial information about the center’s operations and finances to justify the request and the center’s plans to improve its operations and finances. While the county did receive some information, including that the center was reportedly losing more than $30,000 per month, the information did not include any business plans for improving the Center’s financial position other than raising fees for the seniors who use the center.  Ultimately, the County Commission on Oct. 26 determined it could not grant the center’s request. The statement went on to say: The Cultural Center rents the county-owned facility for $1 per year under a 40-year lease signed in 2000. Prior to the extension of the center’s contract in 2000, the county invested $6,436,000 in a renovation and expansion of the facility with voter-approved 1% local option sales tax revenue. The county maintains the facility, including the exterior, roof and HVAC systems. The Cultural Center funds its operations through user fees, rentals and donations. Carter said of the emergency funding requirements, “it’s an impossible question to answer. There’s still a pandemic, that is what created this situation.” The center says it can’t operate on a $1.8 million dollar budget with fewer sales and fewer donations. A big loss for families and seniors who have enjoyed it for the last several decades. “I think there are multiple generations that are disappointed in the closing,” said McDaniel. The final show at the theater is scheduled for Monday, November 8. The cultural center plans to close its doors to the public next Monday.