Fort Myers roads close early for Edison Festival of Light paradeNear-record heat with sun and clouds for your Saturday
FORT MYERS Fort Myers roads close early for Edison Festival of Light parade Downtown Fort Myers is preparing for a big evening with the Edison Festival of Light Parade and 5K set to draw thousands of spectators.
the weather authority Near-record heat with sun and clouds for your Saturday The Weather Authority says the above-normal temperatures that Southwest Florida has been experiencing will stick around yet again for Saturday.
LEE COUNTY Savannah Bananas bring fun on the diamond at JetBlue Park The Savannah Bananas amazed and entertained a sold out JetBlue Park Friday night for the first time in Southwest Florida.
CAPE CORAL Caught on Camera: Cape Coral mailbox hit by drifting car A Cape Coral homeowner was left in shock after a car sent her mailbox flying through the air and left tire tracks next to her home.
ARCADIA DeSoto County man sentenced for deadly DUI crash Justice for a mother and son killed by a man driving under the influence.
NAPLES Oldest Black-owned business in SWFL continues to serve community Cleveland Bass Movers, founded in 1969, stands as the oldest Black-owned business in Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS BEACH Broken gate on Lovers Key Beach Resort frustrating residents Residents of Lover’s Key Beach Club in Fort Myers Beach are frustrated with a gate that remains wide open, despite “No Trespassing” signs, since Hurricane Ian struck two years ago.
St. James City Church plans $700k flood-proofing project for future safety Hurricanes have caused flood after flood, and one island church, The First Baptist Church of Saint James City, wants to build higher.
Romance scams rise in the US, AARP warns residents to beware Romance scams are on the rise, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting over 64,000 cases in the U.S. in 2023.
Fort Myers Savannah Bananas make their way to Fort Myers for first time The Savannah Bananas have made their way to JetBlue Park for Friday’s sold-out game in Fort Myers to watch “the greatest show in sports.”
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Yacht Club receives key permit Cape Coral received a key permit for a Yacht Club Community Park. This permit opens up the necessary steps for the park to be built.
PORT CHARLOTTE Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church holds 31st annual Greek Fest The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Port Charlotte kicked off its 31st annual Greek Fest on Friday.
Donations helping young kids get fed Food insecurity is a pressing issue in the community, and organizations like the Harry Chapin Food Bank, Meals of Hope and the Guadalupe Center are stepping up to help.
New risk factors contribute to heart disease February is American Heart Month, a perfect time to assess your heart health.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte High School student arrested for possession of BB gun According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, a student has been arrested after a BB gun was found in his backpack on Friday.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers roads close early for Edison Festival of Light parade Downtown Fort Myers is preparing for a big evening with the Edison Festival of Light Parade and 5K set to draw thousands of spectators.
the weather authority Near-record heat with sun and clouds for your Saturday The Weather Authority says the above-normal temperatures that Southwest Florida has been experiencing will stick around yet again for Saturday.
LEE COUNTY Savannah Bananas bring fun on the diamond at JetBlue Park The Savannah Bananas amazed and entertained a sold out JetBlue Park Friday night for the first time in Southwest Florida.
CAPE CORAL Caught on Camera: Cape Coral mailbox hit by drifting car A Cape Coral homeowner was left in shock after a car sent her mailbox flying through the air and left tire tracks next to her home.
ARCADIA DeSoto County man sentenced for deadly DUI crash Justice for a mother and son killed by a man driving under the influence.
NAPLES Oldest Black-owned business in SWFL continues to serve community Cleveland Bass Movers, founded in 1969, stands as the oldest Black-owned business in Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS BEACH Broken gate on Lovers Key Beach Resort frustrating residents Residents of Lover’s Key Beach Club in Fort Myers Beach are frustrated with a gate that remains wide open, despite “No Trespassing” signs, since Hurricane Ian struck two years ago.
St. James City Church plans $700k flood-proofing project for future safety Hurricanes have caused flood after flood, and one island church, The First Baptist Church of Saint James City, wants to build higher.
Romance scams rise in the US, AARP warns residents to beware Romance scams are on the rise, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting over 64,000 cases in the U.S. in 2023.
Fort Myers Savannah Bananas make their way to Fort Myers for first time The Savannah Bananas have made their way to JetBlue Park for Friday’s sold-out game in Fort Myers to watch “the greatest show in sports.”
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Yacht Club receives key permit Cape Coral received a key permit for a Yacht Club Community Park. This permit opens up the necessary steps for the park to be built.
PORT CHARLOTTE Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church holds 31st annual Greek Fest The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Port Charlotte kicked off its 31st annual Greek Fest on Friday.
Donations helping young kids get fed Food insecurity is a pressing issue in the community, and organizations like the Harry Chapin Food Bank, Meals of Hope and the Guadalupe Center are stepping up to help.
New risk factors contribute to heart disease February is American Heart Month, a perfect time to assess your heart health.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte High School student arrested for possession of BB gun According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, a student has been arrested after a BB gun was found in his backpack on Friday.
Phillip Byrd, 14, in court. Credit: WINK News A teen in a home with two risk protection orders is facing charges for violating the order after a deadly accidental shooting in his home. Philip Byrd, 15, is accused of plotting a school shooting. That is how he got a risk protection order against him. Philip’s RPO was put in his parents’ names as he is too young to purchase a firearm, and an RPO’s goal is to keep guns out of the home. Philip is now facing charges for violating that order 10 months after it was implemented. Andrew Byrd, 18. (Credit: Lee County Sheriff’s Office) Philip’s 18-year-old brother Andrew Byrd is accused of building a ghost gun that killed 17-year-old Destiny Padilla in their home in July. A judge granted an RPO against Andrew Byrd as a result. The mother of the two Byrd teens is also a convicted felon. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office says they found evidence on Philip’s phone of him holding a gun during a death investigation on July 22 that led them to search his person. They say deputies found a vape pen that tested positive for THC. Deputies also say the photo was taken in May, after the RPO was signed, preventing him from possessing guns. The RPO in place is to stop him from buying any guns or ammo, but he also can’t be around them. According to an LCSO court filing, his older brother Andrew was building guns under the same roof as Phillip. “If you’re going to own a firearm, you need to be responsible enough to keep it up away from children,” said Samantha Hush, Destiny Padilla’s stepmother. Deputies say Destiny accidentally shot herself in the face with a ghost gun built by Andrew Byrd, Phillip’s older brother who lives with him and their mother. “Him being 18, he shouldn’t have a handgun in his possession,” said Josh Padilla, Destiny’s father. There shouldn’t have been any gun in the house. Carrie Tuller, the boys’ mom, is a convicted felon. It is illegal for her to live in a home with guns. Destiny Padilla (Credit: Mullin’s Memorial) Destiny’s family is speaking out after her death, shocked that even the laws keeping guns away from this family didn’t save their daughter’s life. “No parent should have to deal with this. I mean, I gotta ride. I gotta ride around with her picture on the back of my vehicle for the rest of my life now,” said Josh Padilla. Even Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno admitted an RPO isn’t an all-encompassing force to stop someone from getting their hands on a gun. “RPO’s, obviously, our legal team petitions the court, we work with them, it’s approved, but now we have to physically make contact and make sure we’re taking those firearms. Now. That’s not to say that that person doesn’t access another firearm somewhere else,” Marceno said. The key to making sure the RPOs work is check-ins with law enforcement. Sheriff Marceno said that’s what his teams do. They stay proactive to continuously watch people and ensure they don’t slip through the cracks.