NAPLES Celebrating Christmas Eve with the Magic of Lights Across southwest Florida, people have been feeling the Christmas spirit. In Collier County, families at the Magic of Lights experience counted down the minutes to Santa’s arrival in awe of the spectacular display.
FORT MYERS BEACH Beachgoers enjoy Fort Myers Beach on Christmas Eve Whether you’re a full-time Floridian, a snowbird or just vacationing here for Christmas, it was a great day to go to the beach.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ‘Chrismukkah’; Two major holidays fall on the same day This year Christmas and Hanukkah fall on the same day. Many people of both faiths across our area will participate in the rare opportunity to celebrate both holidays.
FORT MYERS BEACH Smokin’ Oyster Brewery reopens after damage from hurricanes It’s an iconic bar and restaurant on Fort Myers Beach that has been missing since Hurricane Ian destroyed it.
Family of 10 caught in American Airlines tech issue at RSW A family of ten thought they had a good plan to beat the Christmas travel rush at Southwest Florida International Airport.
NAPLES Taking an inside look at the Naples Police Department’s Technical Analysis Center WINK News got an inside look at the new license plate reading technology being used by the Naples Police Department.
CAPE CORAL Facebook post sparks Christmas miracle for Cape Coral family The joy of Christmas for many, especially kids, is seeing gifts under the tree, but for one family, they couldn’t afford not only presents but the bare necessities.
MATLACHA Matlacha businesses bounce back in time for the holidays Matlacha has had its share of damage this year from hurricanes Helene and Milton. While people continue to heal and recover, they’re also looking toward the new year and beyond.
CAPE CORAL Families in Cape Coral forced out of their homes right after the new year As many of us have already made our Christmas lists and checked them twice, dozens of neighbors are just wishing for a warm and safe place to live.
Final rush for holiday food If you are still baking and basting your holiday dish, time is running out.
FORT MYERS Jewelry of the future with AI One Fort Myers jewelry store is taking the art of jewelry making into the future, all with the help of AI.
LEHIGH ACRES 1 person dead after scene at Lehigh Acres home Deputies are in a tense back and forth with a man barricaded inside a home.
ESTERO From rookie to captain, Oliver Chau leads the Florida Everblades From shy newcomer to team leader, one man’s journey with the Florida Everblades has been remarkable.
FORT MYERS Reward increase of $5K for more information on Edison Mall shooter from 2011 Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking more information on a suspect wanted for shooting someone at the Edison Mall.
NAPLES Celebrating Christmas Eve with the Magic of Lights Across southwest Florida, people have been feeling the Christmas spirit. In Collier County, families at the Magic of Lights experience counted down the minutes to Santa’s arrival in awe of the spectacular display.
FORT MYERS BEACH Beachgoers enjoy Fort Myers Beach on Christmas Eve Whether you’re a full-time Floridian, a snowbird or just vacationing here for Christmas, it was a great day to go to the beach.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ‘Chrismukkah’; Two major holidays fall on the same day This year Christmas and Hanukkah fall on the same day. Many people of both faiths across our area will participate in the rare opportunity to celebrate both holidays.
FORT MYERS BEACH Smokin’ Oyster Brewery reopens after damage from hurricanes It’s an iconic bar and restaurant on Fort Myers Beach that has been missing since Hurricane Ian destroyed it.
Family of 10 caught in American Airlines tech issue at RSW A family of ten thought they had a good plan to beat the Christmas travel rush at Southwest Florida International Airport.
NAPLES Taking an inside look at the Naples Police Department’s Technical Analysis Center WINK News got an inside look at the new license plate reading technology being used by the Naples Police Department.
CAPE CORAL Facebook post sparks Christmas miracle for Cape Coral family The joy of Christmas for many, especially kids, is seeing gifts under the tree, but for one family, they couldn’t afford not only presents but the bare necessities.
MATLACHA Matlacha businesses bounce back in time for the holidays Matlacha has had its share of damage this year from hurricanes Helene and Milton. While people continue to heal and recover, they’re also looking toward the new year and beyond.
CAPE CORAL Families in Cape Coral forced out of their homes right after the new year As many of us have already made our Christmas lists and checked them twice, dozens of neighbors are just wishing for a warm and safe place to live.
Final rush for holiday food If you are still baking and basting your holiday dish, time is running out.
FORT MYERS Jewelry of the future with AI One Fort Myers jewelry store is taking the art of jewelry making into the future, all with the help of AI.
LEHIGH ACRES 1 person dead after scene at Lehigh Acres home Deputies are in a tense back and forth with a man barricaded inside a home.
ESTERO From rookie to captain, Oliver Chau leads the Florida Everblades From shy newcomer to team leader, one man’s journey with the Florida Everblades has been remarkable.
FORT MYERS Reward increase of $5K for more information on Edison Mall shooter from 2011 Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking more information on a suspect wanted for shooting someone at the Edison Mall.
Port Mayaca Lock and Dam and Lake Okeechobee. The operating manual to layout how to manage Lake Okeechobee is now nearing the finish line, and it’s good news for the Caloosahatchee Estuary. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Tuesday afternoon that it narrowed thousands of scenarios related to lake-level management down to one. It’s all part of the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM). The biggest benefit to Southwest Florida is the reduced Lake Okeechobee nutrient-rich freshwater discharges into the Caloosahatchee estuary. And as we’ve all seen, those discharges can become harmful and lead to more algal blooms. The Corps said they are at a very important milestone, but they aren’t done yet, “We still must develop the operational guidance that translates the modeling into a water control plan that is adaptable to the dynamic conditions we operate under in Florida, and we still have to go through the final reviews before we can begin using the new LOSOM. We are counting on all of you to help us in these last few steps, and I am confident you are going to be there with us at the finish line when we start reaping the benefits of LOSOM.” Doug Akins lives and Lee County and says water quality is very important to him, “I’m just one person, and I know it’s important to a lot of people in Southwest Florida … It just needs to be fixed and I’m hopeful that people are trying to fix it the right way and not just put a Band-Aid on it.” “LOSOM is really the playbook that will dictate how our water is managed when we send it, where, and at what time, and how much volume,” said Captains for Clean Water Co-Founder Chris Wittman. “It results in an environmental collapse and ultimately has a major economic impact. ” The Corp believes the plan will eliminate stressful releases to the Caloosahatchee, which in turn should mean fewer algal bloom outbreaks, all while still providing necessary flows when needed and continuing to move water south. “We triple the amount of water going south to the Everglades, where it’s really needed,” Wittmann added, “What that means for us here in Fort Myers is that’s less water that’s going to get dumped on our community. ” The model chosen is expected to: Eliminate lake releases to the St. Lucie under normal conditions, sending zero lake water to the East 95% of the time. Under 2008 LORS, releases east were at zero only 37% of the time and the flows could reach 1,800 cubic feet per second even in the low sub band. Eliminate stressful releases to the Caloosahatchee River from Lake Okeechobee under normal conditions and provide lake flows that are compatible with estuarine ecology as recommended by RECOVER. Increase flows south to the Central Everglades to an average annual of 200,000 acre-feet per year and preserve the opportunity to release water all the way to the water shortage management line in coordination with the SFWMD. Provide better water supply for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the Lake Okeechobee Service Area, and the Lower East Coast Service Areas than LORS 2008 currently provides. Ensure the safety of the 9.3 million people of South Florida who rely on the Herbert Hoover Dike for flood protection. Provide compatible lake operations as the C-44 and C-43 reservoirs come online. Reduce damaging dry downs on Lake Okeechobee. For more information on the LOSOM plan click here.