16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier CountyNew bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal The city of Cape Coral is seeing two projects that will change the city. One is called one of the most lucrative deals in county history.
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association breaks ground on new Fort Myers headquarters As Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association’s president pointed out, about 1,000 people are still moving to Florida every day, and many of them are finding their way to Southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County drug trafficker sentenced to 10 years A Charlotte County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
lehigh acres ‘How to sign away parental rights?’; Lehigh Acres woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal The city of Cape Coral is seeing two projects that will change the city. One is called one of the most lucrative deals in county history.
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association breaks ground on new Fort Myers headquarters As Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association’s president pointed out, about 1,000 people are still moving to Florida every day, and many of them are finding their way to Southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County drug trafficker sentenced to 10 years A Charlotte County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
lehigh acres ‘How to sign away parental rights?’; Lehigh Acres woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby.
On Thursday, FEMA was in Fort Myers to announce special consideration for temporary housing units in flood hazard areas. Since the recovery started, one of the biggest delays has been getting trailers to those who need them. FEMA leadership was giving tours of two of FEMA’s “Direct temporary housing program units” in North Fort Myers. Hurricane Ian rocked the lives of so many. For some, recovery was swift, but for so many others, recovery has been slow. Some of those people left Southwest Florida with no hope. Thousands are left with no home. FEMA promised to help by locating or providing the homeless with temporary housing but said they could not put trailers in a flood zone where people needed them most. On Thursday, FEMA changed that. “Our plan in those most vulnerable areas will differ from those farther inland. For the barrier islands and nearby coastal areas, we will install only travel trailers,” said FEMA’s Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer Keith Denning. The policy, according to FEMA’s news release, says, “FEMA never places manufactured housing units or travel trailers in a special flood hazard area as a first option. Instead — this is only done after all practicable options have been exhausted within a community approved for direct housing and with the approval of state and local officials.” With one announcement coming on the last day people can apply for FEMA assistance, WINK News asked Denning why they waited until now to expand the program. “[It] has no relation to the deadline at all. Please make sure that you let people know that they need to register by the end of the night [Thursday],” Denning said. Temporary housing for those who lost everything was a promise FEMA made in the hours and days following the hurricane. It was a promise that many say FEMA did not keep. So, FEMA changed its policy to help people faster. “It demands we create temporary housing solutions that weren’t here before. That’s why FEMA is doing things that it normally doesn’t do. With so many homes destroyed and 1,000s of lives uprooted,” Denning said. The old policy said FEMA could not place manufactured housing units in flood zones. Now, FEMA will temporarily park trailers or deliver trailer trailers to people who need housing most. “We are providing housing solutions that may not have been here before this housing unit behind you,” Denning said. People on Estero Island, San Carlos Island, Sanibel Island, Pine Island, and some close coastal areas are now eligible for temporary travel trailers under the policy. Fort Myers Beach FEMA travel trailer. (Credit: WINK News) “Why are we conducting this revised approach to our direct housing strategy? We have done so in order to provide housing for those in need while also complying with all federal regulations, local codes, and ordinances. We all need to consider the impact of temporary units in these areas. If another storm strikes, protecting life and remaining property are paramount for other areas of Southwest Florida,” said Denning. WINK News asked Denning if FEMA would reconsider those who have been denied temporary housing based on the changes. Denning said it was possible. If you have not registered for FEMA aid, you have until the end of the day Thursday, January 12. There are several ways to register: Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. The Helpline is available daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET. Help is available in most languages. Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov (also in Spanish). Download the FEMA mobile app for smartphones. Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). Several DRCs are operating throughout Florida’s disaster-damaged counties. To find one close to you, go online to: DRC Locator or floridadisaster.org, or text DRC along with your zip code to 43362. Applicants who wish to apply for disaster assistance should have the following information ready for their registration: Social Security number; pre-disaster address of the primary residence; the name of all occupants of the pre-disaster household, types of insurance coverage; current telephone number and mailing address; and bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of financial assistance, if eligible. Applicants should also keep their contact information updated with FEMA as the agency may need to call to schedule a home inspection or get additional information.