Local non-profit, Family Initiative, has big plans after receiving $5 million from GolisanoCharlotte County deputies bust park drug deal after community tip
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.
New cancer fighting machinery arrives at Southwest Florida Proton All the pieces are in place now, but it will take about a year of calibrating and fine-tuning before the proton machine is up and running.
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.
New cancer fighting machinery arrives at Southwest Florida Proton All the pieces are in place now, but it will take about a year of calibrating and fine-tuning before the proton machine is up and running.
Marco Island. Credit: WINK News Marco Island has issued a mandatory evacuation order due to Ian. There is a predicted storm surge of 6 to 9 feet which means conditions warrant an evacuation. “Now is the time for residents to leave the Island,” Marco Island said in a news release. A state of emergency is also in place for Marco Island. This activates the island’s disaster emergency plans and makes available resources for people in need. “When sustained winds reach a dangerous level, police, fire rescue and emergency medical response may be suspended. First responders may not be able to respond in the event of an emergency,” the news release states. “Marco Island is expecting tropical storm winds to begin around 8 p.m. Tuesday evening. Hurricane-force winds and storm surge are expected Wednesday morning.” Collier County Emergency Management will open the following shelters by 5 p.m.: Palmetto Ridge High School / Special Needs Shelter – Pet-friendly (special needs only) Oakridge Middle School – Pet-friendly (closest to Marco Island) Corkscrew Middle School – Pet-friendly Golden Gate Middle School – Pet-friendly Immokalee Middle School – Pet-friendly Since Friday, Marco Island city leaders have been telling people to lock everything down and they’ve been doing the same. Marco Island will close all of its city facilities as of 1 p.m. on Tuesday due to Hurricane Ian. The city says you can stay up to date on the latest information on their website. Marco Island does not operate any shelters. City Manager Mike McNees says he knows the island is in a precarious position because there are only two access points and the area is vulnerable to high water. “Now is the time for residents to consider leaving the Island and heading inland toward the East Coast of Florida. This is also the time to prepare for a potential mandatory evacuation, should an order be issued. Due to the potential for rapidly changing conditions, residents are advised to prepare for the possibility of a mandatory evacuation order. To avoid additional stress during an already tense time, develop an evacuation plan now and consider leaving early. The City will not close the Jolley Bridge or impede egress from the Island.” Road underwater in Marco Island. Credit: WINK News Collier County Commissioner Rick LoCastro provided a list of the areas to which county leaders say they’re paying close attention now. “You have Marco, Goodland, Isles of Capri, a lot of communities all the way down, as you drive towards Everglades City, that fall into District 1, Henderson Creek… these are places that, even when we have a mild rainstorm, at times can be flooded significantly,” LoCastro said. Due to the lack of shelters, Marco Island officials urge evacuating neighbors to leave as soon as possible. “We don’t want people to hunker down in an evacuation shelter locally if a serious storm is coming, we want them to leave and be in a more safe place with family and friends or somewhere inland,” LoCastro said. “Often we don’t open them because we have plenty of notice for the storm and people can evacuate. Or, when we do open them, it’s a last-minute emergent type of situation. And we hope they aren’t busting at the seams.” Schools in Collier County are out on Tuesday and Wednesday. The school district says it will make a decision about Thursday by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, at the latest. County commissioners are scheduled to hold a meeting Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. to give an update on Hurricane Ian and the county’s response. Call 311 to sign up for Collier County’s emergency alert system.