Apple AirPods lead LCSO to an arrest ; over $100,000 worth of stolen items recoveredHendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones
FORT MYERS Apple AirPods lead LCSO to an arrest ; over $100,000 worth of stolen items recovered Through the use of Apple Airpods, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office was able to locate nearly $100,000 worth of stolen items, leading to an arrest.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral officials approve replacement funding for hurricane-damaged stop signs The Cape Coral City Council has approved funding to replace stop signs damaged during Hurricane Milton, resulting in an emergency purchase.
Holiday events happening in Southwest Florida Southwest Florida is embracing the holiday spirit with a variety of festive events this Christmas season.
Collier man accused of supplying fentanyl-laced pills, enough to kill 531,500 people The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of supplying more than 10,000 fentanyl-laced pills disguised as prescription painkillers.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral council supports construction of I-75 interchange into city The Cape Coral City Council has approved a resolution requesting support from Lee and Charlotte counties to prioritize state and federal funding for the Interstate 75 Interchange at Slater Road.
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther has been 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 After waking up to a cold morning, the Weather Authority is tracking warming conditions to the low 70s this Thursday.
Police release 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.
FORT MYERS Apple AirPods lead LCSO to an arrest ; over $100,000 worth of stolen items recovered Through the use of Apple Airpods, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office was able to locate nearly $100,000 worth of stolen items, leading to an arrest.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral officials approve replacement funding for hurricane-damaged stop signs The Cape Coral City Council has approved funding to replace stop signs damaged during Hurricane Milton, resulting in an emergency purchase.
Holiday events happening in Southwest Florida Southwest Florida is embracing the holiday spirit with a variety of festive events this Christmas season.
Collier man accused of supplying fentanyl-laced pills, enough to kill 531,500 people The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of supplying more than 10,000 fentanyl-laced pills disguised as prescription painkillers.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral council supports construction of I-75 interchange into city The Cape Coral City Council has approved a resolution requesting support from Lee and Charlotte counties to prioritize state and federal funding for the Interstate 75 Interchange at Slater Road.
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther has been 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 After waking up to a cold morning, the Weather Authority is tracking warming conditions to the low 70s this Thursday.
Police release 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.
Hundreds of thousands of people drive across bridges in Southwest Florida every day but how many of those bridges meet modern safety standards? And how often is it due for repair? WINK News investigates how the state of Florida inspects each bridge for safety and reveals how Florida bridges compare to the rest of the country. David Kus has been fishing on a pier right next to the El Jobean Bridge in Charlotte County for about 20 years, which means thousands of trips across the bridge itself. “Oh wow, it’s almost a daily thing,” he said, “Probably at least five days a week.” According to state records, the bridge was constructed back in 1959, the same year Alaska was admitted as the 49th state. Making it one of the oldest bridges in the area. The state rates bridges in three categories; good, functionally obsolete, and structurally deficient. While Kus said, “it’s good looking from here!” The El Jobean Bridge is rated “functionally obsolete” since it’s not up to modern standards. This could be due to not meeting various requirements such as lanes are narrow, the shoulder is small or the vertical clearance is a bit low. But the documents don’t show the specifics. Jim Jacobsen with the Florida Department of Transportation says, “It’s still rated in good condition. It’s still doing its job,” and that those bridges are still safe to use. “All it means is, the bridge was built at a time when the current design standards were different than now. It’s still safe, it’s still useable.” Most of the bridges in Southwest Florida are rated good, like the one over the Hermosa Canal in Cape Coral, for example, which was originally built in 1972. It was widened just last year for improved safety. FDOT says 97% of Florida bridges achieve the ‘good’ rating. “The inspectors look from top to bottom, end to end,” Jacobsen explained. “If there’s any changes or deterioration, that’s documented and repairs are planned.” The lowest of the three ratings a bridge can get in Florida is “structurally deficient.” One Cape Coral bridge over the Lido Canal is just one of 11 structurally deficient bridges in Lee County, and one of 19 across all of Southwest Florida. That means it needs to be repaired or replaced in the next six years. There are four structurally deficient bridges in Collier County, two in DeSoto County and two in Hendry County. “We have a repair project planned. If it’s at the end of its service life, it may be determined it’s better to replace instead of putting more money into it,” Jacobsen added. According to federal data, Florida bridges have the 9th highest percentage of structurally deficient bridges compared to the rest of the country. FDOT says rugged weather and the number of bridges over saltwater create challenges, which can affect its lifespan. And officials want drivers to know if the bridge is open, no matter what the rating, it’s safe to drive on. “The bridge is safe,” Jacobsen reiterated. “If it ever changes where we feel the ratings are dropping, it would be closed.” Every bridge and overpass in Southwest Florida has been inspected within the last two years. If a bridge is found unsafe, it’s immediately shut down for repair.