Port Charlotte to host electronic recycling eventLocal non-profit, Family Initiative, has big plans after receiving $5 million from Golisano
port charlotte Port Charlotte to host electronic recycling event Residents of Port Charlotte can free up space in their homes as the city has announced an electronic recycling event.
CAPE CORAL Local non-profit, Family Initiative, has big plans after receiving $5 million from Golisano A multi-million dollar donation is helping people with autism have priceless experiences.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County deputies bust park drug deal after community tip One man’s drug deal in Charlotte County wasn’t exactly a walk in the park.
Dog alerts Lee County woman to home intruder The Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 22-year-old man for burglary and loitering after he broke into a woman’s home and stood inches away from her bed as she slept.
NAPLES Naples business owner accused of rape In 2023, 14,021 domestic violence 911 calls came into Collier County.
manasota key Charlotte County Commissioners vote ‘Yes’ to changes and redevelopment on Manasota Key The Charlotte County Commissioners voted to pass charges that residents on Manasota Key have been dreading.
The debate over fluoride in Florida’s water The water you drink and use to brush your teeth is fueling a community, state and national conversation.
SANIBEL Phase 2 of Sanibel Beach renourishment project set to begin Eric Jackson, Sanibel’s Public Information Officer, is encouraging residents and visitors to still come to the beach.
NAPLES Riding toward a brighter future for kids: The story of Bikes for Tykes For nearly four decades, Bikes for Tykes has been on a mission to give children and adults in need in Southwest Florida a chance to ride refurbished bicycles.
ENGLEWOOD SWFL agencies bring chaplains on staff to offer support to first responders First responders across the country face the devastating impact of suicide nationwide those numbers are rising.
NORTH FORT MYERS Lee County deputies arrest man for ATV and UTV thefts, fence destruction A North Fort Myers man has been arrested after allegedly stealing a four-wheeler, crashing it into a property fence, and later trying to flee on a second stolen vehicle.
‘I saw God twice:’ Boating accident survivor thanks Lee Health After surviving an unthinkable accident in Matlacha, one woman wants to thank the medical team that saved her.
MATLACHA Blue Dog restaurant in Matlacha thankful for decade of support The Blue Dog Bar & Grill in Matlacha has survived multiple hurricanes over the past decade. Now, they’re thanking the community for supporting them every step of the way.
NAPLES Nominee of Gulfshore Life Men and Women of the year volunteers for STARability Gulfshore Life has nominated Anne Fleming as one of its Men and Women of the Year for volunteering her time to raise money for a new home store for Starability.
WINK NEWS Holiday gift exchange scams targeting social media users During the holiday season, tidings of joy and goodwill can be shrouded by scammers seeking to take advantage of holiday shoppers.
port charlotte Port Charlotte to host electronic recycling event Residents of Port Charlotte can free up space in their homes as the city has announced an electronic recycling event.
CAPE CORAL Local non-profit, Family Initiative, has big plans after receiving $5 million from Golisano A multi-million dollar donation is helping people with autism have priceless experiences.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County deputies bust park drug deal after community tip One man’s drug deal in Charlotte County wasn’t exactly a walk in the park.
Dog alerts Lee County woman to home intruder The Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 22-year-old man for burglary and loitering after he broke into a woman’s home and stood inches away from her bed as she slept.
NAPLES Naples business owner accused of rape In 2023, 14,021 domestic violence 911 calls came into Collier County.
manasota key Charlotte County Commissioners vote ‘Yes’ to changes and redevelopment on Manasota Key The Charlotte County Commissioners voted to pass charges that residents on Manasota Key have been dreading.
The debate over fluoride in Florida’s water The water you drink and use to brush your teeth is fueling a community, state and national conversation.
SANIBEL Phase 2 of Sanibel Beach renourishment project set to begin Eric Jackson, Sanibel’s Public Information Officer, is encouraging residents and visitors to still come to the beach.
NAPLES Riding toward a brighter future for kids: The story of Bikes for Tykes For nearly four decades, Bikes for Tykes has been on a mission to give children and adults in need in Southwest Florida a chance to ride refurbished bicycles.
ENGLEWOOD SWFL agencies bring chaplains on staff to offer support to first responders First responders across the country face the devastating impact of suicide nationwide those numbers are rising.
NORTH FORT MYERS Lee County deputies arrest man for ATV and UTV thefts, fence destruction A North Fort Myers man has been arrested after allegedly stealing a four-wheeler, crashing it into a property fence, and later trying to flee on a second stolen vehicle.
‘I saw God twice:’ Boating accident survivor thanks Lee Health After surviving an unthinkable accident in Matlacha, one woman wants to thank the medical team that saved her.
MATLACHA Blue Dog restaurant in Matlacha thankful for decade of support The Blue Dog Bar & Grill in Matlacha has survived multiple hurricanes over the past decade. Now, they’re thanking the community for supporting them every step of the way.
NAPLES Nominee of Gulfshore Life Men and Women of the year volunteers for STARability Gulfshore Life has nominated Anne Fleming as one of its Men and Women of the Year for volunteering her time to raise money for a new home store for Starability.
WINK NEWS Holiday gift exchange scams targeting social media users During the holiday season, tidings of joy and goodwill can be shrouded by scammers seeking to take advantage of holiday shoppers.
A porcupine sits in a cage with feces at Bad Attitude Everglades Exotics in North Fort Myers. (CREDIT: FWC) Wildlife investigators cited a North Fort Myers wildlife facility and seized animals after they found feces festering in animal enclosures and standing water with apparent mosquito infestations. In one case, an investigator with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said four dead rats were decomposing over a bird enclosure at the Bad Attitude Everglades Exotics, leaving the birds exposed to their rotting carcasses, according to the report from the FWC. “We have so many rats,” a woman at the animal facility told the investigator. “We’re being infested with rats lately and the problem is that they are getting into the bird food.” The inspection, which took place in February, led to 160 violations and the seizure of more than 200 exotic animals from the Nalle Road facility. The FWC said it also intends to revoke Carl Laquidara’s wildlife permits. Laquidara owns Bad Attitude Everglades Exotics. Authorities seized venomous reptiles, crocodiles, alligators, porcupine, kinkajous, ring-tailed lemurs, various species of birds, numerous species of tortoise and others. Other issues include leaving cage doors unlocked, the mislabeling of animals, improper documentation and issues with snakebite protocol. A photo shows where alligator nestlings were kept at an animal facility in North Fort Myers. (CREDIT: FWC) Issues were found with the enclosures for alligators and crocodiles as well. Three Nile crocodiles and seven American Crocodiles did not have basking/or dry land in their enclosures. However, Rene Diaz, who built all of the cages and was there when FWC seized the animals, said this was all a big misunderstanding. Others who know the place also wonder how this could have happened. “There’s so many different animals out there that people can have. So, FWC has so many things that they have to follow, and it’s important, you know? Every animal should clean water and they should have water in the water dish. It should be clean. But, if FWC comes in and you don’t have a water dish or if the water dish is dry, that’ll be a citation,” said Adam Pottruck, with Adam’s Animal Encounters. The animal facility is not open to the public. Diaz said it’s a breeding facility. Diaz also said the FWC has become stricter with its code and how it enforces it. Those who work in this kind of facility say they have never seen so many violations in one place. “I’ve never heard of anything of this sort. People try to avoid one or two violations, how somebody could get that many is beyond me,” Pottruck said. “It really is. I mean, I’m not … it’s just baffling.” The people who run Bad Attitude Everglades Exotics said they will take this to court and that the violations are false. They said they want their animals back.