NAPLES Veterans hit the water in Naples Every September, a local group of captains and anglers hosts an event to take soldiers on the water. More than 130 troops and 65 captains were at the Naples Take a Soldier Fishing event.
Collier County teachers reach contract agreement Collier County teachers have come to an agreement with the school district in their contract negotiations.
NORTH PORT North Port Police searching for man who struck officer with car The North Port Police Department is on the search for a man who committed battery on an officer, among other charges.
FORT MYERS Victim of childhood sexual abuse speaks out after abuser receives 3 life sentences A survivor of childhood sexual abuse finally feels free after her abuser receives three life sentences.
No bond for Tice man accused of kidnaping and sexual assault A man accused of kidnapping and sexual assault will be held without bond.
CAPE CORAL 13th annual 239 Fest to showcase 16 local punk, ska and reggae bands The 13th edition of 239 Fest is coming next month and will feature 16 local punk, ska and reggae bands.
FORT MYERS BEACH Witnesses react to boat getting stuck under Matanzas Pass Bridge While the boat has since gotten out from underneath the bridge, it’s raised some questions about safety for onlookers.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Splash the otter, the unlikely hero bringing families closure Mike Hadsell has trained many animals in his lifetime, but the newest member of Peace River K9 Search and Rescue dive team, Splash the Asian small-clawed otter, is a first, even for him.
FORT MYERS Scrolling on your cell phone may be bad for your health; FGCU professor weighs in Scrolling through your phone might seem like a fun way to pass the time, but new research shows it can actually make you feel even more bored and unhappy.
WEST PALM BEACH DeSantis launches investigation into 2nd assassination attempt on Trump Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will personally oversee the investigation into the second assassination attempt on former President Trump.
FHP reveals details behind crash that killed 4 young people A mangled car is all that remains from a crash that took the lives of four young people.
FORT MYERS 2 fires in 24 hours displace families in Fort Myers Two vicious fires left families’ homes and lives in ruins. Now, we are learning what help they are getting until their lives can be put back together.
Trump assassination attempt suspect removed serial number from gun Law enforcement is holding a press conference on the attempt of former President Donald Trump’s life at his West Palm Beach golf course.
FORT MYERS BEACH Matanzas Pass Bridge reopens after boat crashes into it, closing it for hours The Matanzas Pass Bridge has reopened to traffic after it was shut down for hours when a boat crashed into it.
MATLACHA Little Pine Island Bridge in Matlacha to temporarily close The Florida Department of Transportation has announced the temporary closure of the Little Pine Island Bridge.
NAPLES Veterans hit the water in Naples Every September, a local group of captains and anglers hosts an event to take soldiers on the water. More than 130 troops and 65 captains were at the Naples Take a Soldier Fishing event.
Collier County teachers reach contract agreement Collier County teachers have come to an agreement with the school district in their contract negotiations.
NORTH PORT North Port Police searching for man who struck officer with car The North Port Police Department is on the search for a man who committed battery on an officer, among other charges.
FORT MYERS Victim of childhood sexual abuse speaks out after abuser receives 3 life sentences A survivor of childhood sexual abuse finally feels free after her abuser receives three life sentences.
No bond for Tice man accused of kidnaping and sexual assault A man accused of kidnapping and sexual assault will be held without bond.
CAPE CORAL 13th annual 239 Fest to showcase 16 local punk, ska and reggae bands The 13th edition of 239 Fest is coming next month and will feature 16 local punk, ska and reggae bands.
FORT MYERS BEACH Witnesses react to boat getting stuck under Matanzas Pass Bridge While the boat has since gotten out from underneath the bridge, it’s raised some questions about safety for onlookers.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Splash the otter, the unlikely hero bringing families closure Mike Hadsell has trained many animals in his lifetime, but the newest member of Peace River K9 Search and Rescue dive team, Splash the Asian small-clawed otter, is a first, even for him.
FORT MYERS Scrolling on your cell phone may be bad for your health; FGCU professor weighs in Scrolling through your phone might seem like a fun way to pass the time, but new research shows it can actually make you feel even more bored and unhappy.
WEST PALM BEACH DeSantis launches investigation into 2nd assassination attempt on Trump Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will personally oversee the investigation into the second assassination attempt on former President Trump.
FHP reveals details behind crash that killed 4 young people A mangled car is all that remains from a crash that took the lives of four young people.
FORT MYERS 2 fires in 24 hours displace families in Fort Myers Two vicious fires left families’ homes and lives in ruins. Now, we are learning what help they are getting until their lives can be put back together.
Trump assassination attempt suspect removed serial number from gun Law enforcement is holding a press conference on the attempt of former President Donald Trump’s life at his West Palm Beach golf course.
FORT MYERS BEACH Matanzas Pass Bridge reopens after boat crashes into it, closing it for hours The Matanzas Pass Bridge has reopened to traffic after it was shut down for hours when a boat crashed into it.
MATLACHA Little Pine Island Bridge in Matlacha to temporarily close The Florida Department of Transportation has announced the temporary closure of the Little Pine Island Bridge.
The cost of a home in Florida has been growing for a while, and since Hurricane Ian, prices seem even higher. Collier County is feeling some of the worst of it. The worry is if workers can’t afford to live in the county, how can they work there? Joe Trachtenberg, the chair of the Collier County Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, is familiar with the problem and is open to ideas to help. Hurricane Ian left many homes in Collier County in shamble, Trachtenberg knows first hand. WINK News had to speak with him on zoom because his home was severely damaged, forcing him to head to New York temporarily. Trachtenberg is one of the lucky ones. A lot of people have nowhere to go. “In the last couple of years, the rental costs of apartments have gone beyond what average people can afford to spend. The hurricane has obviously exacerbated the problem, so many of our people in Collier County were living in Lee County, in Fort Myers, and they were so badly slammed by the hurricane that their homes were destroyed.” It makes the situation in Collier County more urgent than ever. Florida State Senator Kathleen Passidomo plans to tackle it this upcoming legislative session. “My number one initiative is to tackle the problem of lack of workforce housing, and we have some creative ideas to address that,” said Passidomo. She hasn’t said what those ideas will be yet, but Trachtenberg is encouraged. “I am just so anxious to hear what those ideas are. And so many people need for some changes to be made,” Trachtenberg said. Steve Brooder is also excited to see action taken. He’s the CEO of Saint Matthew’s House. Their shelter has seen a surge of first-time homeless people since the hurricane. “We’re at crisis. We’ve been at [a] crisis for a while, and we see some solutions down the road, but they just aren’t coming fast enough, and of course, the hurricane just exasperated the problem,” said Brooder. Senator Passidomo’s mission is to help bring back affordable workforce housing, but it won’t be easy. For the next 30 days, a hotel is home for Yovany Regueire Sosa and his family. A gift from a good Samaritan. They’re grateful to have anywhere to live after escaping the hurricane. “Around 2 o’clock, we fell asleep because there wasn’t any electricity. By the time we wake up, the water was at our knees inside the mobile home,” said Sosa. The family of five walked a mile and a half in floodwater. Now, Sosa is working 12-hour days delivering packages for amazon. He is saving money and hoping to find somewhere to live, but it might not be enough. “Pretty much the rent in Naples goes from $2,000 to $3,000 right now, and it’s kind of hard to afford with the places right now. We’ve only got one month to find something, and hopefully, we find something,” Sosa said. Passidomo wants to help families like the Sosas. “Well, you know, it’s unfortunate that my number one issue before the hurricane was workforce housing and the lack of affordable, safe workforce housing, in our state,” said Passidomo. After Ian, the housing crisis is even more dire. Passidomo is promising to redouble those efforts in the upcoming legislative session. “This summer we’ve been working on it throughout the summer with the incoming speaker and the governor and the governor’s office,” Passidomo said. It’s good news for Brooder. The St. Matthew’s House Campbell Lodge shelter has seen a surge since the hurricane. “I’m hoping that there’s some major initiatives that come from the state with funding that can be applied in some of these programs that we are working on with developers and partners in the area to push these projects forward,” said Brooder. The legislative session begins January 11, and housing advocates in Collier County will be watching closely.