CCSO ‘Shop with a Cop’ event spreads holiday cheerCaught on camera: Explosion in hotel parking lot in Clewiston
PORT CHARLOTTE CCSO ‘Shop with a Cop’ event spreads holiday cheer Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office deputies spent time helping kids pick out gifts for their families during the annual Shop with a Cop event.
CLEWISTON Caught on camera: Explosion in hotel parking lot in Clewiston There was an explosion in the parking lot of a Holiday Inn in Clewiston on Wednesday.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda leaders outline plans for Gilchrist Park repairs Gilchrist Park is closed, and Punta Gorda city leaders have been discussing possibly restoring the park.
NORTH NAPLES Airman surprises 6-year-old daughter at school for the holidays after ten months of service in Kuwait After almost a year of service in Kuwait, one airman came home for the holidays and surprised his daughter.
FORT MYERS Breaking down the Lee County Sheriff’s Office budget The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Carmine Marceno have been under scrutiny since a federal investigation on potential money laundering began. Many have questioned LCSO’s spending, so we broke down the budget.
How to protect yourself from thieves this holiday season On Cyber Monday, Americans spent $13 billion, which will translate into many packages on doorsteps this holiday season.
FORT MYERS Bishop Verot QB Carter Smith signs with Wisconsin Bishop Verot quarterback Carter Smith signs to play college football for the Wisconsin Badgers on early Signing Day.
WINK NEWS SWFL stars ink with Power 4 programs during Early Signing Period Several Southwest Florida football standouts are taking their talents to the Power 4 gridirons after signing during the Early Signing Period.
Beloved Charlotte County man killed outside home, investigation ongoing A man loved by his peers and his community was taken away from them in the middle of the night at his own home.
FORT MYERS BEACH The Lani Kai Resort reopens on Fort Myers Beach An iconic spot on Fort Myers Beach is back open and taking reservations for the first time since Hurricane Ian.
Gov. DeSantis being considered for defense secretary Will Ron DeSantis be your governor in 2025, or is he headed to Washington?
NAPLES Naples votes to remove fluoride from tap water The Naples City Council has voted to remove fluoride from its tap water.
Red meat linked to health complications Doctors with the Cleveland Clinic are researching a link between eating red meat and increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh Acres man arrested on 10 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has arrested a 71-year-old Lehigh Acres man on 10 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.
WASHINGTON (AP) Trump considers DeSantis for the Pentagon with Hegseth under pressure over allegations: AP sources Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s Pentagon pick, was fighting to hold on to his Cabinet nomination amid growing questions Wednesday about his personal conduct as the president-elect’s team considers alternatives, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
PORT CHARLOTTE CCSO ‘Shop with a Cop’ event spreads holiday cheer Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office deputies spent time helping kids pick out gifts for their families during the annual Shop with a Cop event.
CLEWISTON Caught on camera: Explosion in hotel parking lot in Clewiston There was an explosion in the parking lot of a Holiday Inn in Clewiston on Wednesday.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda leaders outline plans for Gilchrist Park repairs Gilchrist Park is closed, and Punta Gorda city leaders have been discussing possibly restoring the park.
NORTH NAPLES Airman surprises 6-year-old daughter at school for the holidays after ten months of service in Kuwait After almost a year of service in Kuwait, one airman came home for the holidays and surprised his daughter.
FORT MYERS Breaking down the Lee County Sheriff’s Office budget The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Carmine Marceno have been under scrutiny since a federal investigation on potential money laundering began. Many have questioned LCSO’s spending, so we broke down the budget.
How to protect yourself from thieves this holiday season On Cyber Monday, Americans spent $13 billion, which will translate into many packages on doorsteps this holiday season.
FORT MYERS Bishop Verot QB Carter Smith signs with Wisconsin Bishop Verot quarterback Carter Smith signs to play college football for the Wisconsin Badgers on early Signing Day.
WINK NEWS SWFL stars ink with Power 4 programs during Early Signing Period Several Southwest Florida football standouts are taking their talents to the Power 4 gridirons after signing during the Early Signing Period.
Beloved Charlotte County man killed outside home, investigation ongoing A man loved by his peers and his community was taken away from them in the middle of the night at his own home.
FORT MYERS BEACH The Lani Kai Resort reopens on Fort Myers Beach An iconic spot on Fort Myers Beach is back open and taking reservations for the first time since Hurricane Ian.
Gov. DeSantis being considered for defense secretary Will Ron DeSantis be your governor in 2025, or is he headed to Washington?
NAPLES Naples votes to remove fluoride from tap water The Naples City Council has voted to remove fluoride from its tap water.
Red meat linked to health complications Doctors with the Cleveland Clinic are researching a link between eating red meat and increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh Acres man arrested on 10 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has arrested a 71-year-old Lehigh Acres man on 10 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.
WASHINGTON (AP) Trump considers DeSantis for the Pentagon with Hegseth under pressure over allegations: AP sources Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s Pentagon pick, was fighting to hold on to his Cabinet nomination amid growing questions Wednesday about his personal conduct as the president-elect’s team considers alternatives, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
MGN Contact phone numbers, online information, and resources you’ll need most before, during, and after a hurricane. Emergency Operations Centers Lee: (239)533-0622 Collier: (239)252-3600 Charlotte: (941)833-4000 DeSoto: (863)993-4831 Glades: (863)946-6020 Hendry: (863)674-5400 Hotlines FEMA Disaster Assistance/ Registration: 800-621-3362, TTY: 800-462-7585 U.S. Small Business Administration: 800-659-2955, TTY: 800-877-8339 FEMA Fraud Hotline: 866-720-5721 Report false claims: 800-323-8603 State of Florida Emergency Info 24-hour hotline: 800-342-3557 Safe & Wellness Helpline to see if people are OK or in a shelter: 844-221-4160 Disaster Unemployment Services: 866-778-7356 Florida Dept. of Financial Services Hurricane Help line: 800-227-8676 Red Cross Food, Shelter and Financial Assistance: 866-438-4636 DCF Information: 866-762-2237 Elder Helpline: 800-963-5337 Attorney General’s Price Gouging Hotline: 866-966-7226 Report unlicensed activity: 866-532-1440 Verify contractor licenses: 850-487-1395 Agricultural and Consumer Services: 800-435-7352 Domestic Animal Services: Lee (239)533-7387 Collier (239)858-7387 Online resources The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration experts at the National Hurricane Center are leading authorities on Atlantic Basin hurricanes and tropical storms. Floridadisaster.org is the state’s Emergency Operations Center’s website for up-to-date statewide information, news alerts and contact information about storms, evacuations, storm surge and shelter information. Petswelcome.com has information on pet friendly lodging in Florida. Contractor information Division of Workers’ Compensation: 800-742-2214 Florida Association of Electrical Contractors: (407)260-1511 Florida Wall and Ceiling Contractors Association: (407)260-1313 Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida (ABC): (813)879-8064 American Red Cross offices Lee, Hendry and Glades: (239)278-3401 Collier: (239)596-6868 Charlotte: (941)629-4345 DeSoto: (863)494-2348 Charlotte, Sarasota and Manatee counties and Tampa have a combined regional website. Collier, Lee, Hendry, Glades counties also have a combined website. Power companies FPL: 800-468-8243 LCEC: 800-599-2356 Glades Electric Co-Op: 800-226-4024 After a disaster You can donate food, water and money to: The Harry Chapin Food Bank 3760 Fowler St., Fort Myers (239)334-7007 harrychapinfoodbank.org To volunteer and donate State Volunteers and Donations Hotline: 800-354-3571 Salvation Army Donation Hotline: 800-725-2769 American Red Cross: 800-435-7669 Agency help The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s website offers detailed instructions to prepare for natural disasters, including action plans, safe rooms and the National Flood Insurance Program. The American Red Cross keeps residents informed about response and recovery operations. In the event of a storm, the Florida Department of Financial Services is an organization that is mobilized to assist with banking and insurance concerns. The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes is dedicated to promoting disaster safety and property loss mitigation. The Federation of Manufactured Home Owners is a consumer advocate that promotes hurricane safety.