Charlotte County hosts first-ever Magnet FairDaughter believes mother was killed in Port Charlotte house fire
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County hosts first-ever Magnet Fair A first-of-its-kind chance to allow parents and students to choose the school they go to.
PORT CHARLOTTE Daughter believes mother was killed in Port Charlotte house fire A family is holding each other close as they fear for the worst. Loved ones of 70-year-old Roseanne Cantasano told wink new they believe she was killed in this house fire in Port Charlotte on Monday.
Man arrested after multi-county chase stemming from carjacking A man has been arrested after a carjacking turned into a chase that crossed county lines.
PORT CHARLOTTE Nurses protest use of AI in the workplace Nurses are fighting back against artificial intelligence in their place of work. On Thursday, nurses took to the streets to protest.
NAPLES New gym offers safe place to play for kids on the autism spectrum We Rock the Spectrum welcomes kids both on and off the autism spectrum with activities that cater to all kids.
Charlotte County Vulture Infestation in Placida Neighborhood Big birds are taking over a local golf course in Charlotte County, feeding off the fish kill.
PUNTA GORDA CCSO on scene of officer-involved shooting in Punta Gorda According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, they are on the scene of an officer-involved shooting on Eager Road in Punta Gorda.
FORT MYERS Tempers flare over RSW expansion budget Tensions rose during Thursday’s meeting with the Lee County Port Authority and county commissioners over RSW’s budget.
ENGLEWOOD Promoting good mental health for veterans The tragedy of veteran suicide impacts far too many families.
72-year-old former law enforcement still displaced after Glades County tornado Devastating damage was brought to the Lakeport Community in Glades County on October 2024, after the strongest tornado to ever hit southwest Florida ripped the neighborhood to shreds.
NORTH FORT MYERS Drivers react to FDOT project on US 41 in North Fort Myers Drivers are reacting to the traffic being caused by a Florida Department of Transportation project at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Pine Island Road.
FORT MYERS Bishop Verot boys basketball coach celebrates 500 career wins Bishop Verot High School boys basketball head coach Matt Herting celebrates 500 career wins and reflects on 29 years coaching the sport.
NAPLES Shy Wolf Sanctuary to host Wolfstock Music festival Shy Wolf Sanctuary will soon host its 6th annual Wolfstock Music and Brewfest.
More women and younger adults getting cancer Mortality rates for cancer continue to decline. The American Cancer Society’s annual report says there was a 34% decrease in deaths between 1991 and 2022, but the report isn’t all good news.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County hosts first-ever Magnet Fair A first-of-its-kind chance to allow parents and students to choose the school they go to.
PORT CHARLOTTE Daughter believes mother was killed in Port Charlotte house fire A family is holding each other close as they fear for the worst. Loved ones of 70-year-old Roseanne Cantasano told wink new they believe she was killed in this house fire in Port Charlotte on Monday.
Man arrested after multi-county chase stemming from carjacking A man has been arrested after a carjacking turned into a chase that crossed county lines.
PORT CHARLOTTE Nurses protest use of AI in the workplace Nurses are fighting back against artificial intelligence in their place of work. On Thursday, nurses took to the streets to protest.
NAPLES New gym offers safe place to play for kids on the autism spectrum We Rock the Spectrum welcomes kids both on and off the autism spectrum with activities that cater to all kids.
Charlotte County Vulture Infestation in Placida Neighborhood Big birds are taking over a local golf course in Charlotte County, feeding off the fish kill.
PUNTA GORDA CCSO on scene of officer-involved shooting in Punta Gorda According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, they are on the scene of an officer-involved shooting on Eager Road in Punta Gorda.
FORT MYERS Tempers flare over RSW expansion budget Tensions rose during Thursday’s meeting with the Lee County Port Authority and county commissioners over RSW’s budget.
ENGLEWOOD Promoting good mental health for veterans The tragedy of veteran suicide impacts far too many families.
72-year-old former law enforcement still displaced after Glades County tornado Devastating damage was brought to the Lakeport Community in Glades County on October 2024, after the strongest tornado to ever hit southwest Florida ripped the neighborhood to shreds.
NORTH FORT MYERS Drivers react to FDOT project on US 41 in North Fort Myers Drivers are reacting to the traffic being caused by a Florida Department of Transportation project at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Pine Island Road.
FORT MYERS Bishop Verot boys basketball coach celebrates 500 career wins Bishop Verot High School boys basketball head coach Matt Herting celebrates 500 career wins and reflects on 29 years coaching the sport.
NAPLES Shy Wolf Sanctuary to host Wolfstock Music festival Shy Wolf Sanctuary will soon host its 6th annual Wolfstock Music and Brewfest.
More women and younger adults getting cancer Mortality rates for cancer continue to decline. The American Cancer Society’s annual report says there was a 34% decrease in deaths between 1991 and 2022, but the report isn’t all good news.
The first Unite Florida RV was delivered to Saint James City over the weekend giving people what they need after Hurricane Ian. It was given by the state to Courtney Slavens and her family in Bokeelia. Slavens and her family were denied a trailer by FEMA. For Slavens and her family, it’s an astonishing and grateful moment because of how Ian changed their lives. The Unite Florida RV given to Courtney Slavens. CREDIT: WINK News Their home for the past 18 years was left in unlivable conditions, filled with mold and water by the storm. Leaving her home was never what she wanted to do. And at this point, with the Unite Florida RV, she can stay put while waiting for everything to get fixed. “That’s a lot of memories in our home. But you know, this community is strong,” Slavens said. While Slaven acknowledged the community’s strength, Slavens’s will, grit, and resolution are evidently hurricane-proof. “Don’t plan to go anywhere. After this either. We plan to rebuild and settle right here again,” Slavens said. Slavens applied for FEMA assistance two months ago and is yet to hear back. Part of Slavens home damaged by Hurricane Ian. CREDIT: WINK News In a last-ditch effort, she took a chance on the first-of-its-kind, a state-led program called, Unite Florida. “Housing initiative to provide travel trailers and recreational vehicles to impacted Floridians who may not be eligible for FEMA us direct housing program,” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said. Or whose insurance won’t cover temporary housing. Those are the guidelines DeSantis laid out when he launched Unite Florida in Nov. “After a while, you start to get down a little bit you think things are now… We’re gonna move and then all of a sudden … they do and that’s huge,” Slavens said. Two weeks after applying, Slavens has a beautiful RV sitting on her front lawn. One of the beds inside of the Unite Florida RV. CREDIT: WINK News The stove inside of the Unite Florida RV. CREDIT: WINK News The inside of the Unite Florida RV. CREDIT: WINK News Three beds, wood floors, a kitchen with a full-size fridge, and plenty of space for Slavens’s whole family. And Slavens did have a piece of advice for people waiting on FEMA for help and considering trying Unite Florida. “Do it. Yeah, the process is not hard. If you need help give them a call. Somebody could walk you through it. It was not hard,” Slavens said. The state said as a shorter-term sheltering solution they’re prioritizing the program for those who have not yet qualified for FEMA’s Direct Housing Program. But did say, there is no restriction on which people can apply to Unite Florida.