Punta Gorda Historic District home set for demolition, rebuildRays begin Spring Training ahead of season away from home
Punta Gorda Historic District home set for demolition, rebuild When builder T.J. Thornberry was hired by clients to demolish and build two new homes on their Chasteen Street properties within the Punta Gorda Historic District, little did he realize he would be embarking on an odyssey laden with roadblocks lasting nearly three months.
PORT CHARLOTTE Rays begin Spring Training ahead of season away from home The Charlotte Sports Park is home to the Tampa Bay Rays for the next six weeks for, but after that they don’t actually get to go home.
Eligible taxpayers in Florida file for free with IRS Direct File The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers in Florida they can file their taxes for free with the agency using IRS Direct File.
Tallahassee Gov. DeSantis to hold news conference at Florida Capitol Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference at the state capitol building.
Registration for Lee County Parks and Recreation Summer Camp to open Lee County Parks and Recreation Summer Camp has announced that registration will open to the public in two weeks.
Collier Sheriff speaks on high-tech tools stopping criminals before they act According to Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk, Southwest Florida is seen as an easy target for criminals; however, law enforcement has begun to incorporate cutting-edge technology to prevent future crimes from happening.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral to host two German Culture Biergarten The German American Social Club of Cape Coral will host the first of two Biergarten in the Bavarian Garden to celebrate its German heritage.
Execution of Charlotte County killer James Ford set for tonight A convicted killer on death row since 1999 is scheduled to be executed tonight for the murder of a couple in Charlotte County.
NORTH PORT Citywide burn ban in effect for North Port The North Port Fire Rescue has enacted a citywide outdoor burn ban due to extreme drought conditions and an increased wildfire threat.
cape coral Minor hospitalized with gunshot wound; 2 people in custody The Cape Coral Police Department is actively investigating a scene located on Skyline Boulevard.
the weather authority Near-record heat with isolated rain this Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking near-record heat this Thursday, along with isolated rain throughout the afternoon.
Lee County School District sets town hall meeting Spring schedule The Lee County School District has released its Spring town hall schedule, during which parents and community members can voice their opinions regarding their children’s education.
SANIBEL Sanibel teen gearing up to reopen popular food truck The Sanibel Sprout, a beloved local spot, is gearing up for a hopeful reopening in mid-March after two years of rebuilding.
FORT MYERS Man arrested for prowling and enticing a child in Fort Myers A concerned citizen flagged down Florida Highway Patrol state troopers in Fort Myers to report an adult man was harassing his daughter, according to authorities.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte Girl Scout earns Gold Award for pet care project A Port Charlotte teenager has earned the prestigious Gold Girl Scout Award.
Punta Gorda Historic District home set for demolition, rebuild When builder T.J. Thornberry was hired by clients to demolish and build two new homes on their Chasteen Street properties within the Punta Gorda Historic District, little did he realize he would be embarking on an odyssey laden with roadblocks lasting nearly three months.
PORT CHARLOTTE Rays begin Spring Training ahead of season away from home The Charlotte Sports Park is home to the Tampa Bay Rays for the next six weeks for, but after that they don’t actually get to go home.
Eligible taxpayers in Florida file for free with IRS Direct File The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers in Florida they can file their taxes for free with the agency using IRS Direct File.
Tallahassee Gov. DeSantis to hold news conference at Florida Capitol Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference at the state capitol building.
Registration for Lee County Parks and Recreation Summer Camp to open Lee County Parks and Recreation Summer Camp has announced that registration will open to the public in two weeks.
Collier Sheriff speaks on high-tech tools stopping criminals before they act According to Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk, Southwest Florida is seen as an easy target for criminals; however, law enforcement has begun to incorporate cutting-edge technology to prevent future crimes from happening.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral to host two German Culture Biergarten The German American Social Club of Cape Coral will host the first of two Biergarten in the Bavarian Garden to celebrate its German heritage.
Execution of Charlotte County killer James Ford set for tonight A convicted killer on death row since 1999 is scheduled to be executed tonight for the murder of a couple in Charlotte County.
NORTH PORT Citywide burn ban in effect for North Port The North Port Fire Rescue has enacted a citywide outdoor burn ban due to extreme drought conditions and an increased wildfire threat.
cape coral Minor hospitalized with gunshot wound; 2 people in custody The Cape Coral Police Department is actively investigating a scene located on Skyline Boulevard.
the weather authority Near-record heat with isolated rain this Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking near-record heat this Thursday, along with isolated rain throughout the afternoon.
Lee County School District sets town hall meeting Spring schedule The Lee County School District has released its Spring town hall schedule, during which parents and community members can voice their opinions regarding their children’s education.
SANIBEL Sanibel teen gearing up to reopen popular food truck The Sanibel Sprout, a beloved local spot, is gearing up for a hopeful reopening in mid-March after two years of rebuilding.
FORT MYERS Man arrested for prowling and enticing a child in Fort Myers A concerned citizen flagged down Florida Highway Patrol state troopers in Fort Myers to report an adult man was harassing his daughter, according to authorities.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte Girl Scout earns Gold Award for pet care project A Port Charlotte teenager has earned the prestigious Gold Girl Scout Award.
What makes the 4-year-old puppy Gus so special? He was lost for nearly a week, away from his family through New Year’s weekend, until a man who was living in a temporary FEMA location found him. Their journey together and the reunion with Gus’ original owners changed all of their lives. 4-year-old puppy Gus and family. (Credit: Shared with WINK News) If there is one thing we have learned in the last three or four months, it’s how to hold our loved ones a little tighter and deal with voids in our hearts and lives. Many have also found that blessings come in different forms. “I really missed him. It was very quiet in our home. I could not fall asleep until I knew where my little ‘Gus Gus’ was,” said 9-year-old Penelope Horvath. Sometimes they’re big, sometimes they’re small, sometimes they cry, and sometimes they have tails to wag. Four-year-old Gus ran off from his family in Fort Myers and was missing for nearly a week. “It was the Friday before New Year’s, and Gus ran off,” said Sarah Horvath, Gus’ owner. Little Gus and his family aren’t from Southwest Florida, they are from Minnesota. They’re staying in Harlem Heights at Adventures in Missions, serving the community in the wake of the hurricane. A man who had just missed his bus spotted Gus roaming through the streets. “I saw this poor dog running up and down Summerlin. He almost got hit by at least five or six cars,” said Michael Spoor. Spoor only had his bike and his two hands, but he saved the dog from the oncoming traffic. “I was upset. I was worried.” Spoor looked around but did not see anyone around, it was getting late, and he wasn’t about to leave the dog on the side of the road. He decided to bring Gus back to the Pink Shell, where he has stayed since he lost his house during Ian. 4-year-old puppy Gus in the Pink Shell Beach Resort. (Credit: Shares with WINK News) “We just knew that he was with somebody. Snuggling up on their bed. Loving on them. Being the joy and the light because that’s just who he is,” said Sarah Horvath. “I had a feeling that this dog was very well-behaved. Very nice. That must have been a family dog,” said Spoor. The family documented their entire journey trying to find their beloved Gus, from posting the missing dog poster with Gus on it to each of their four children going on nearby nature trails trying to find him. It’s hard not to shed tears when you see the kids, as a team, trying to find their best friend. Little did they know that his journey took him all the way across the bridge to Fort Myers Beach. “We were out here with the dog watching the sunset, and some folks passed by,” Spoor said. Those folks had seen Gus’ picture all over social media and recognized Gus on the beach, “And they called the family,” said Spoor. The next day, Sarah’s husband, Chris, went to the Pink Shell to see if it was really Gus, and it was. Chris and 4-year-old puppy Gus. (Credit: WINK News) “I had my Gus Gus back,” said Penelope Horvath. “It was meant to be because I actually spent the holidays alone because my niece and nephew went out of state. They left. So I was here by myself,” said Spoor. “First thing he said to me was, ‘ma’am… Your dog saved my life.’ I said, ‘what do you mean, Michael?’ And he said, ‘it’s been really hard. And I was going to make some really bad decisions if I had to go back to my hotel room one more time alone. And Gus found me. And I didn’t have to be alone,'” said Sarah. The family continued documenting Gus’ journey up to the moment the puppy was reunited with their kids. 4-year-old puppy Gus and family. (Credit: WINK News) Spoor said Gus helped him get a new perspective on life. Gus’ family says they are working on getting Gus and Spoor the chance to see one another again.