Nearly back-to-back endangered Florida panther deaths reportedRed tide detected in Cape Haze water samples near Charlotte Harbor
WINK News Nearly back-to-back endangered Florida panther deaths reported The terrible trend of Florida panther deaths in 2024 continues, as two reported vehicle fatalities have occurred nearly back-to-back.
charlotte harbor Red tide detected in Cape Haze water samples near Charlotte Harbor A concentration of red tide has been detected around Charlotte County, with beaches like Cape Haze being under a health alert due to the algae bloom.
the weather authority Isolated showers for your Friday plans The Weather Authority is tracking isolated showers with mild and humid conditions throughout this Friday afternoon.
CAPE CORAL SWAT team responds to barricaded person in Cape Coral home The swat team was called to Cape Coral home on Thursday night to help get someone barricaded inside of a house.
Tax tips for those who are recovering from hurricanes The holiday season is over and tax season is upon us. Between two hurricanes and Ian, there are things you’ll want to do to get money back.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Beyond the businessman: Who is Tom Golisano? Beyond the buildings that bear his name, who is Tom Golisano?
FORT MYERS Accused drunk driver nearly hits 8 Lee County deputies An accused drunk driver almost hit eight deputies trying to stop and get him out of his car.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral nonprofit rescues five dogs from breeder Karena Loudin rescued five miniature Schnauzers – Molly, Joey, Ike, Zeus and Maggie from dog breeder Delaine Lowry’s home in Big Pine Key.
ARCADIA Arcadia residents reflect on Hurricane Ian over 2 years later People in Arcadia survived Helene and Milton with minor impacts, but their Ian story is one that doesn’t get told often or enough.
LEHIGH ACRES More businesses heading to Lehigh Acres, including Chipotle and Chick-fil-A New developments are coming to Lehigh Acres, including numerous restaurants like Panda Express and Zaxby’s.
Former Make-a-Wish recipient gives back to SWFL community From wish kid to wish giver a local college student is turning a life-changing experience into a mission to give back.
FORT MYERS BEACH People spend holiday break on Fort Myers Beach For those who decided to stay in Southwest Florida during the holidays, they had one thing in mind: the beach.
FORT MYERS Innovative thumb joint replacement surgery Similar to getting a new knee or hip to relieve severe arthritis, a growing number of people are getting a thumb joint replacement.
FORT MYERS BEACH Bonita Bills restaurant closing after 30+ years of service Bonita Bill’s will be closing its doors after 30+ years of service.
FORT MYERS BEACH 2 juveniles, 1 man accused of armed robbery, fleeing from Lee County deputies Two juveniles and one man have been arrested after allegedly robbing a victim at gunpoint and then fleeing from Lee County deputies.
WINK News Nearly back-to-back endangered Florida panther deaths reported The terrible trend of Florida panther deaths in 2024 continues, as two reported vehicle fatalities have occurred nearly back-to-back.
charlotte harbor Red tide detected in Cape Haze water samples near Charlotte Harbor A concentration of red tide has been detected around Charlotte County, with beaches like Cape Haze being under a health alert due to the algae bloom.
the weather authority Isolated showers for your Friday plans The Weather Authority is tracking isolated showers with mild and humid conditions throughout this Friday afternoon.
CAPE CORAL SWAT team responds to barricaded person in Cape Coral home The swat team was called to Cape Coral home on Thursday night to help get someone barricaded inside of a house.
Tax tips for those who are recovering from hurricanes The holiday season is over and tax season is upon us. Between two hurricanes and Ian, there are things you’ll want to do to get money back.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Beyond the businessman: Who is Tom Golisano? Beyond the buildings that bear his name, who is Tom Golisano?
FORT MYERS Accused drunk driver nearly hits 8 Lee County deputies An accused drunk driver almost hit eight deputies trying to stop and get him out of his car.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral nonprofit rescues five dogs from breeder Karena Loudin rescued five miniature Schnauzers – Molly, Joey, Ike, Zeus and Maggie from dog breeder Delaine Lowry’s home in Big Pine Key.
ARCADIA Arcadia residents reflect on Hurricane Ian over 2 years later People in Arcadia survived Helene and Milton with minor impacts, but their Ian story is one that doesn’t get told often or enough.
LEHIGH ACRES More businesses heading to Lehigh Acres, including Chipotle and Chick-fil-A New developments are coming to Lehigh Acres, including numerous restaurants like Panda Express and Zaxby’s.
Former Make-a-Wish recipient gives back to SWFL community From wish kid to wish giver a local college student is turning a life-changing experience into a mission to give back.
FORT MYERS BEACH People spend holiday break on Fort Myers Beach For those who decided to stay in Southwest Florida during the holidays, they had one thing in mind: the beach.
FORT MYERS Innovative thumb joint replacement surgery Similar to getting a new knee or hip to relieve severe arthritis, a growing number of people are getting a thumb joint replacement.
FORT MYERS BEACH Bonita Bills restaurant closing after 30+ years of service Bonita Bill’s will be closing its doors after 30+ years of service.
FORT MYERS BEACH 2 juveniles, 1 man accused of armed robbery, fleeing from Lee County deputies Two juveniles and one man have been arrested after allegedly robbing a victim at gunpoint and then fleeing from Lee County deputies.
Sign in Immokalee. Credit: WINK News In a survey from No Kid Hungry Florida, 26% of moms and dads said they are worried that everyone in their households won’t have enough to eat. Even in Southwest Florida’s rural communities like Immokalee, communities that grow and harvest a lot of the produce we eat, people say they can’t get that nutritious food for their own families. The RCMA Center in Immokalee is much more than an early education center for Erika Pacheco Franco’s little boy—it’s helping her feed her husband and four children, thanks to boxes of food dropped off monthly from the Harry Chapin Food Bank. “Every time I pick up my son, teachers are always asking if we need food,” Franco said. “The boxes have spaghetti, tomato paste, rice, beans, the basics… what we need.” Right now, Franco isn’t working, but her husband works in the fields. She says her family has never been without food, but rising prices are making it more difficult to afford to eat. “Everything is so expensive, and the hourly wage does not go up,” Franco said. “These food boxes are beneficial, especially when you can take two boxes that help you out even more.” The closest Walmart for families in Immokalee is 25 miles away in LaBelle, and many people don’t have a way to get there. All while prices for gas, groceries and rent continue to rise. Sky Beard, the director of No Kid Hungry Florida, says there are challenges to getting food to rural communities like Immokalee. “There is usually food to be found; it is better connecting families to what’s available,” Beard said. “In rural communities, that’s extra tricky, right? Because there’s logistics and space and transportation involved that makes it even harder.” That is where the Harry Chapin Food Back comes in, bringing food to Southwest Florida’s farm families. Leticia Cardenas, the RCMA Center’s coordinator, says the program is making a difference for the families they serve. “You can see the smile on the families just taking those boxes,” Cardenas said. “To them, it means a lot. You know, that means I can just come and pick up a box, and I don’t have to pay extra money just to go buy it.” This ensures children get their bellies full at lunch when they go to school and have food on the table when they go home for dinner. Throughout Monday, the Rist Family Foundation is matching donations of up to $25,000.