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.
During Wednesday night’s zoning regulation discussion, the City of Cape Coral decided that food trucks will not be allowed to park at job sites overnight, and seating areas will not be allowed. This decision could potentially put people out of business. People may enjoy visiting favorite food trucks to eat and enjoy the weather, but with no places to sit and the trucks unable to park permanently, what’s next is anybody’s guess. Food trucks are the norm in Cape Coral and a popular business option for people in the restaurant industry. Some owners have spent years parked in popular spots, operating without much oversight. Those days are over. “I’m set up permanent here, you know; this is kind of set up like my kitchen at home,” said Matt Harrison, owner of Crazy Q BBQ. “So, think of it as, ‘I got to pack my kitchen up twice a day and then reset it back up.'” Crazy Q BBQ food truck in Cape Coral. (Credit: WINK News) Harrison has kept Crazy Q BBQ parked along Vincennes Street for two years. He says the new ordinance will hurt many food truck owners in Cape Coral. “I can’t take this home and park it in my driveway,” Harrison said. “You know, nobody can, you can’t… Where’s everybody going to park?” Where to park overnight isn’t the only issue. Removing any seating areas and tents will pose an obstacle for several food truck owners. Colleen Brady only has one table at her hot dog truck, The Flying Dog, and she doesn’t believe getting rid of it will be good for business. “One of the things I enjoy about going to restaurants is being able to sit outside,” Brady said. “We can’t have our tables anymore. I think that’s a hindrance for us.” And with the added expense of having to move her truck every night, Brady says she’s worried about the future of her enterprise. “It could affect my hours that I stay open because now I’ll have to actually rely on somebody when they can come and move me,” Brady said. The new ordinance does, however, include a provision to allow food truck parks. Each site would have to provide utility connections for each vendor and have onsite bathrooms and sufficient parking. There are currently no such food park sites in Cape Coral. “We’ve got to pack up and move every day. They’re not going to grandfather, anybody. And so, it affects all the food trucks,” said Harrison. The goal is to establish basic health and safety regulations. Previously, food trucks in the Cape haven’t had to abide by any standards to operate. Brady doesn’t believe implementing them now will benefit existing owners. “Cape Coral doesn’t want you to have these parked in your own driveway. So if we can’t leave ’em where we lease a spot? Where are we supposed to take them?” The ordinance does provide a provision to create food truck parks for overnight stays. Harrison said it doesn’t help much because none currently exist in the Cape. He believes the city should have created one before voting on the issue. “We just went through a major hurricane. A lot of people lost their house, they lost their business, they’ve lost their livelihood. And now the city has taken this away. You know, the timing is impeccable,” Harrison said. That timing may be the turning point for small owners like Brady to close down for good. “It’s difficult. It’s, you know, doesn’t seem fair to us.” The only exemption to this new ordinance are trucks participating in special events and operating in a declared state of emergency.