FORT MYERS BEACH House catches fire on Fort Myers Beach According to authorities, a house caught fire at Fort Myers Beach on Thursday evening.
WINK Exclusive: Surveying the skies with LCSO after Milton The day after Hurricane Milton threatened Southwest Florida, the Lee County sheriff’s office took to the skies to survey the damage left behind. WINK news reporter Liz Biro got an exclusive look at the damage from above on Thursday as she rode along in the LCSO chopper with Sheriff Carmine Marceno.
FORT MYERS BEACH Storm prep eased post-Milton recovery efforts, LCSO says According to Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, residents heeded storm warnings and prepared accordingly, whether that meant stocking up on supplies or evacuating their zone.
NORTH FORT MYERS 7-year-old dead after crash on Gazelle Drive A 7-year-old girl has died after a collision on Gazelle Drive in North Fort Myers.
Charlotte County couple struggling after damage from Milton A Charlotte County couple’s home was damaged by Helene and Hurricane Milton, leaving them struggling to find a comfortable place to sleep.
Tracking Milton: Power outages across SWFL The Lee County Electric Cooperative has reported power outages throughout the area due to the effects of Hurricane Milton.
CAPE CORAL CCFD gives generator safety tips following two house fires Following Hurricane Milton on Wednesday, two house fires in Cape Coral occurred due to improper generator usage.
Sheriff: 39 homes damaged from Milton in Glades County area Hurricane Milton damaged approximately 39 homes in the Twin Palms area in Glades County, according to the Glades County Sheriff’s Office.
ENGLEWOOD Manasota Key closed following Hurricane Milton Due to safety concerns following Hurricane Milton, residents of Manasota Key do not have access to their homes.
SWFL schools affected due to Milton Southwest Florida schools are responding ahead of Hurricane Milton’s arrival.
Hurricane Milton destroys Mucky Duck restaurant People across Southwest Florida were picking up the pieces and putting as many as they could back together Oct. 10, the day after Hurricane Milton brushed the region along the coastline before making landfall near Siesta Key and Sarasota at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 9.
CAPE CORAL Cape home bursts into flames; fire department unable to respond Hurricane Milton caused significant damage to a Cape Coral home.
Post-Milton recovery efforts, damage assessments begin in Collier County Collier County management began assessing damage Oct. 10 after Hurricane Milton and warned residents to exercise caution and to check for a license when hiring a contractor to perform work.
What’s open and closed after Hurricane Milton In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, services and businesses in Southwest Florida are beginning to reopen.
Collier County residents urged to minimize water use Collier County Public Utilities crews are working to restore services after Hurricane Milton and are urging residents to minimize water use.
FORT MYERS BEACH House catches fire on Fort Myers Beach According to authorities, a house caught fire at Fort Myers Beach on Thursday evening.
WINK Exclusive: Surveying the skies with LCSO after Milton The day after Hurricane Milton threatened Southwest Florida, the Lee County sheriff’s office took to the skies to survey the damage left behind. WINK news reporter Liz Biro got an exclusive look at the damage from above on Thursday as she rode along in the LCSO chopper with Sheriff Carmine Marceno.
FORT MYERS BEACH Storm prep eased post-Milton recovery efforts, LCSO says According to Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, residents heeded storm warnings and prepared accordingly, whether that meant stocking up on supplies or evacuating their zone.
NORTH FORT MYERS 7-year-old dead after crash on Gazelle Drive A 7-year-old girl has died after a collision on Gazelle Drive in North Fort Myers.
Charlotte County couple struggling after damage from Milton A Charlotte County couple’s home was damaged by Helene and Hurricane Milton, leaving them struggling to find a comfortable place to sleep.
Tracking Milton: Power outages across SWFL The Lee County Electric Cooperative has reported power outages throughout the area due to the effects of Hurricane Milton.
CAPE CORAL CCFD gives generator safety tips following two house fires Following Hurricane Milton on Wednesday, two house fires in Cape Coral occurred due to improper generator usage.
Sheriff: 39 homes damaged from Milton in Glades County area Hurricane Milton damaged approximately 39 homes in the Twin Palms area in Glades County, according to the Glades County Sheriff’s Office.
ENGLEWOOD Manasota Key closed following Hurricane Milton Due to safety concerns following Hurricane Milton, residents of Manasota Key do not have access to their homes.
SWFL schools affected due to Milton Southwest Florida schools are responding ahead of Hurricane Milton’s arrival.
Hurricane Milton destroys Mucky Duck restaurant People across Southwest Florida were picking up the pieces and putting as many as they could back together Oct. 10, the day after Hurricane Milton brushed the region along the coastline before making landfall near Siesta Key and Sarasota at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 9.
CAPE CORAL Cape home bursts into flames; fire department unable to respond Hurricane Milton caused significant damage to a Cape Coral home.
Post-Milton recovery efforts, damage assessments begin in Collier County Collier County management began assessing damage Oct. 10 after Hurricane Milton and warned residents to exercise caution and to check for a license when hiring a contractor to perform work.
What’s open and closed after Hurricane Milton In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, services and businesses in Southwest Florida are beginning to reopen.
Collier County residents urged to minimize water use Collier County Public Utilities crews are working to restore services after Hurricane Milton and are urging residents to minimize water use.
Gracie, a 13-year-old female hound mix owned by Eric Belanger, who is accused of starving her. Credit: Cape Coral Police Department The Cape Coral Police Department has filed to take ownership of animals that belonged to a man accused of abusing them. According to court documents, CCPD filed for the ownership of 12 animals owned by Eric Belanger, 49, who was arrested on Friday and is accused of starving the animals. The filing is specifically to prevent the previous owners from maintaining ownership of the animals. The animals include seven dogs (five of which were found to be emaciated), two tortoises, two iguanas and a guinea pig. CCPD’s court filing included pictures of several of the dogs, who were inspected by Lee County Domestic Animal Services and largely found to be undernourished and slightly fearful during their examinations. Teddy Blue, a 9-year-old male German shepherd. Credit: Cape Coral Police Department Mickey, a 2-year-old female terrier. Credit: Cape Coral Police Department Kitty, an 8-year-old female Labrador retriever. Credit: Cape Coral Police Department Jackson, a 6-year-old male Chesapeake Bay terrier. Credit: Cape Coral Police Department Gracie, a 13-year-old female hound mix owned by Eric Belanger, who is accused of starving her. Credit: Cape Coral Police Department CCPD says the tortoises were found without access to fresh food or water and in housing unsuitable for their species. The iguanas and the guinea pig were found in dirty enclosures filled with feces. Someone living in the home said Belanger rescued the dogs, but then failed to care for them properly. The person in the home said they told Belanger to take care of the animals properly or they would have them taken away, but Belanger threatened to kill whoever had the animals taken, according to the arrest report. “It’s horrible, absolutely horrible,” said Pascha Donaldson, president of the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife. “Dogs won’t poop where they stay. But when they’re desperate, they’re desperate.” That’s why Cape Coral police want to strip Belanger of any right to own these animals or any more animals ever again. That’s why they filed an emergency petition to make sure that happens. While that is all sorted out all the animals are with Lee County Domestic Animal Services. Donaldson said the dogs have a long road to recovery. “You really have to be committed because it’s a 24-hour job to get that dog back,” Donaldson said. “Same with a child. I go back to children. Abused children, they don’t heal overnight just because you’ve given them a hug or a good warm meal. It’s a mental attitude that needs to change.” In addition to possibly losing his animals, Belanger faces eight counts of animal cruelty. The vet at Lee County Domestic Animal Services said the housing situation was consistent with animal cruelty. And the animals lacked nutrition, resulting in unnecessary suffering.