Lee County School District addresses parent’s concerns at town hall meetingLee County Sheriff’s Office intercepts drugs shipped via dark web
Lee County School District addresses parent’s concerns at town hall meeting Creating open dialog between parents and those in charge of our kid’s education. Thursday night was the first of many town hall meetings being held by the Lee County school district.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office intercepts drugs shipped via dark web The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has launched “Operation Dark Knight” to address the growing issue of drug trafficking through the dark web.
NAPLES CCSO seeks help identifying suspected school burglars in Collier County The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying four people who broke into Golden Gate Middle School.
Beloved owner of iconic Lani Kai Island Resort passes away The community is saying goodbye to a Fort Myers Beach legend.
FORT MYERS Experts give safety tips regarding reigniting heaters With record cold fronts this week, some are now turning on their heaters for the first time in a while.
NAPLES Naples Winter Wine Festival: 25 years of helping Collier County children This year marks the silver anniversary of The Naples Winter Wine Festival. It was an idea sparked by a group of like-minded friends.
NAPLES Girl’s weightlifting popularity growing in Collier County Since the sport was introduced in Collier County schools three years ago teams have seen a sharp increase in participation.
CAPE CORAL Trend of phasing out shingled roofs for metal In Florida, the trend of replacing shingle roofs with metal roofs is gaining attention.
CAPTIVA Red tide warning near Turner Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Turner Beach.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Beach Town Council facing threats over development projects Tensions have risen in Fort Myers Beach, with local council member Karen Woodson facing verbal threats and abuse.
NAPLES Attendees arrive ahead of 2025 Naples Winter Wine Festival The Naples Winter Wine Festival is set to begin on Friday night, marking its silver anniversary.
COVID-19’s hidden dangers Researchers have discovered that the neurological effects of long COVID extend beyond common symptoms like coughing and sneezing.
Locals react to Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship A federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump’s attempt to end the nation’s birthright citizenship policy.
Watering schedule to begin for unincorporated Lee County residents A once-a-week watering schedule is being issued for unincorporated Lee County, which is intended to conserve water and protect the aquifer.
ESTERO Upcoming election for Village of Estero canceled According to Tommy Doyle, the Lee County Supervisor of Elections, the scheduled election for the Village of Estero has been canceled.
Lee County School District addresses parent’s concerns at town hall meeting Creating open dialog between parents and those in charge of our kid’s education. Thursday night was the first of many town hall meetings being held by the Lee County school district.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office intercepts drugs shipped via dark web The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has launched “Operation Dark Knight” to address the growing issue of drug trafficking through the dark web.
NAPLES CCSO seeks help identifying suspected school burglars in Collier County The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying four people who broke into Golden Gate Middle School.
Beloved owner of iconic Lani Kai Island Resort passes away The community is saying goodbye to a Fort Myers Beach legend.
FORT MYERS Experts give safety tips regarding reigniting heaters With record cold fronts this week, some are now turning on their heaters for the first time in a while.
NAPLES Naples Winter Wine Festival: 25 years of helping Collier County children This year marks the silver anniversary of The Naples Winter Wine Festival. It was an idea sparked by a group of like-minded friends.
NAPLES Girl’s weightlifting popularity growing in Collier County Since the sport was introduced in Collier County schools three years ago teams have seen a sharp increase in participation.
CAPE CORAL Trend of phasing out shingled roofs for metal In Florida, the trend of replacing shingle roofs with metal roofs is gaining attention.
CAPTIVA Red tide warning near Turner Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Turner Beach.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Beach Town Council facing threats over development projects Tensions have risen in Fort Myers Beach, with local council member Karen Woodson facing verbal threats and abuse.
NAPLES Attendees arrive ahead of 2025 Naples Winter Wine Festival The Naples Winter Wine Festival is set to begin on Friday night, marking its silver anniversary.
COVID-19’s hidden dangers Researchers have discovered that the neurological effects of long COVID extend beyond common symptoms like coughing and sneezing.
Locals react to Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship A federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump’s attempt to end the nation’s birthright citizenship policy.
Watering schedule to begin for unincorporated Lee County residents A once-a-week watering schedule is being issued for unincorporated Lee County, which is intended to conserve water and protect the aquifer.
ESTERO Upcoming election for Village of Estero canceled According to Tommy Doyle, the Lee County Supervisor of Elections, the scheduled election for the Village of Estero has been canceled.
Fort Myers Beach was decimated by Ian. (CREDIT: WINK News) Southwest Florida is still reeling from the aftermath of Ian. The Category 4 Hurricane blasted through the region with such force that homes were ripped from their foundations, while others were submerged because of the surge. On Fort Myers Beach, residents are being bussed out to safety. Authorities are closing Fort Myers Beach as rescues continue. The Fort Myers Beach Fire District said no access will be permitted onto the barrier island to provide crews the time to complete the necessary search and rescue operations. *MEDIA RELEASE* For the safety of crews working on the Beach, effective immediately, no access will be permitted for the next week. This closure provides crews time to complete necessary search and rescue operations. Thank you for your understanding as we all adjust to this. pic.twitter.com/Ao5OZpoYKa — Fort Myers Beach Fire District (@FMBeachFire) October 2, 2022 Four days ago, Shucker’s at the Gulfsfore and the Cottage Bar posted on Facebook about a coming event. Now, the beloved waterfront destination is nothing more than a pile of debris. A lone flag was placed at the site where the Estero Boulevard restaurant used to stand. The flag planted at the site where the cottage on FMB use to be. pic.twitter.com/aAjzMkhHKm — Rich Garcia (@RichGar15858694) October 1, 2022 The Lani Kai, a Spring Break favorite, suffered extreme damage. Its first floor, including its beachside bar, were gutted by storm surge. Damage done to the Lani Kai on Fort Myers Beach. #hurricaneian #ianrecovery #ianflorida #fortmyersbeach @winknews pic.twitter.com/hYOdqP8nYo — michelle alvarez (@malvareztv) October 1, 2022 The Salty Crab, a restaurant and bar, lost its walls. What used to the Salty Crab on Fort Myers Beach. (CREDIT: WINK News) Ian tossed boats onto Matanzas Pass. From the Matanzas Bridge, an oil sheen is visible on the water’s surface. Debris litter the waterway. Misinformation is also spreading. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office had to set the record straight. “We just received information about rumors circulating in reference to the Matanzas Bridge on Fort Myers Beach collapsing,” the sheriff’s office said. “The bridge DID NOT COLLAPSE.” But, the Sanibel Causeway did. Pieces of the Sanibel Causeway drifting in the ocean. (CREDIT: WINK News) The collapse of the causeway has made it more difficult to get help to the area. Rescuers have been sailing boats to help survivors off of Sanibel. Sanibel Mayor Holly Smith said on Thursday that the Island is closed. Authorities have found four dead on Sanibel. Smith said Sanibel is uninhabitable. On Saturday, Sanibel City Manager Dana Souza said they made it further into the Island. Police will be stopping all people, day or night, on Sanibel and asked them to return to their homes. Souza said National Guard units will be on the Island soon and the fatality count remains at four. “We have had more happy endings than sad endings,” Souza said. All the main roads are now open, Souza said, thanking the Public Works Department. At the Port Sanibel Marina, boats are sitting about 8 feet from the water on top of pilings. Boats are tangled up everywhere due to the damage. Boats at the Port Sanibel Marina are tangled and sitting on top of pilings after #Hurricanelan. #IanRecovery #IanFlorida @winknews pic.twitter.com/gB9Z7VcSUg — michelle alvarez (@malvareztv) October 1, 2022 About 10 miles east of Sanibel, Vickilou Greenling and Muddy Waters are surrounded by what’s left of their Iona home. Ian is Greenling’s ninth hurricane and Waters’ second. They prepared for a Category 3 storm, but Ian surprised them. The floodwaters filled their home within minutes. The couple said it felt like a tsunami. They swam to their neighbor’s home. “Oh, if it had only been a three, but I can’t think like that, it is what it is,” Greenling said. Vickilou Greenling and Muddy Waters said they’ve been through a lot together but #hurricaneian tops it. The water was up to Muddy’s neck when they first swam over to their neighbors house. He went back because Vickilou left her medicine and dentures the first time. pic.twitter.com/IJdhhQOFn9 — Annette Montgomery (@AnnettemTV) October 1, 2022 The couple lost 72 years of memories to the 6 feet of water that swept into their home. They are now looking for where they can live. Muddy Waters and Vickilou Greenling stand in what is left of their Iona home. (CREDIT: WINK News) Nathan Lopez and Alexis Hellsley evacuated on Tuesday at the last minute with their five dogs. When they returned to Iona, the water was still above their street sign. Salvaging what they can, the couple said they are one of the “luckier ones.” Nathan & Alexis: “We decided to leave after getting all of those tornado, storm surge, and hurricane warnings.” “These homes will have to be torn down or gutted.” You can see just how high the water got with the water line on their wall.#IanHurricane #HurricaneIan #ianrescue pic.twitter.com/WPWextEV9b — Annette Montgomery (@AnnettemTV) October 1, 2022 In Bonita Springs, there are boats on the sidewalk, jetskis in trees and storefronts have been completely blown through. WINK News is unable to broadcast video, due to IAN. I figured I’d keep creating stories to show the devastation we are seeing in SWFL. Here was my morning on Bonita Beach Rd. Heading into Barefoot neighborhood around 10 to help a family friend who suffered severe storm damage. pic.twitter.com/T2ymKoK48s — Emma Heaton (@EmmaHeatonWINK) October 1, 2022 Saint James City experienced the full brunt of the storm. Debris and trash are entwined with the island’s mangroves. There are trash cans, fences and household items littering the area’s waterways. Saint James City damage Saint James City damage Saint James City damage Credit: WINK News Saint James City damage Saint James City damage Boats that were once moored were tossed into homes and thrown into the water. Businesses are opening up to allow residents a space to breathe. At Bob and Annie’s Boatyard, they have transformed it into a place where residents can get water, Gatorade and meal packs. Fire crews have done non-stop rescues/evacuations after #Ian #HurricaneIan 🌀 They tell me they have never seen the road leading into Matlacha this bad. Pine Island Rd at that point needs serious work. NOW one way on/off Pine Island, by 🚤 @winknews #swfl #weather #roads #florida pic.twitter.com/c1saNrPyWR — Belinda Post (@Belinda_Post) October 2, 2022 Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Chief Ben Mickuleit said his department is staying on the island to provide emergency services. Over the last few days, they have performed hundreds of rescues, Mickuleit said. At the moment, there is no high water on the Island, but the kind of rescues they have completed relate to health concerns, like breathing, broken bones and heart attacks. People have died, Mickuleit said. However, he did not say how many. Pine Island Road before the pass needs to be inspected because it is in very poor condition. On Sunday the Florida Department of Health announced that Lee County offices will be closed until further notice. The locations closed are at: 2295 Victoria Avenue, 2nd floor East, Fort Myers 3920 Michigan Avenue, Fort Myers 83 Pondella Road, North Fort Myers 60 Danley Drive South, Fort Myers 5220 Lee Boulevard, Bldg. 8, Lehigh Acres While FDOH continues coordinating with local emergency managers on resource requests and is on-site at the StateEmergency Operations Center in Tallahassee responding to Hurricane Ian. There will be FDOH offices in counties that are close opening on Monday, Oct. 3. However, some of the locations that will be open will only be able to provide limited services. DOH-Collier o Limited services available: WIC, Vitals, light STD/HIV case management and TB. o 3339 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 145, Naples, FL 34112 o 419 North First Street, Immokalee, FL 34142 DOH-Hendry o 1140 Pratt Blvd, Labelle, FL 33935 o 1100 South Olympia Avenue, Clewiston, FL 33440 DOH-Glades o 1021 Health Park Drive, Moore Haven, FL 33471 DOH-Charlotte o Soft opening o 1100 Loveland Blvd, Port Charlotte, FL 33980 o 6868 San Casa Drive, Englewood, FL 34224 DOH-Sarasota o Main office only, with limited services. o 2200 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34237 In the meantime, a boil water advisory is still in effect for Lee County and you can find out more information about that here. More: Coast Guard evacuation effort planned for Pine Island on Sunday WINK News anchor Belinda Post and Gulfshore Business reporter David Dorsey contributed to this report.