Awake kidney transplant: a medical breakthroughThe Islander gift shop reopens on Fort Myers Beach, 2 years after Hurricane Ian
Awake kidney transplant: a medical breakthrough There are more than 780,000 people living with kidney disease. On average, 25,000 people will get a transplant each year.
The Islander gift shop reopens on Fort Myers Beach, 2 years after Hurricane Ian Hurricane Helene’s storm surge spared Santini Marina Plaza on Fort Myers Beach, where The Islander Gift Gallery & Boutique reopened Oct. 4
Citizens form group to protest Charlotte County development When residents living in Charlotte County’s Peace River Shores and surrounding communities learned that nearly 140 acres in their area were being rezoned to allow for a 1,188-unit development, they joined forces to oppose it.
Gas leak shuts down power grid in Lee County neighborhood A gas leak has forced the shutdown of a neighborhood power grid in Lee County.
Free sandbag locations available ahead of this weekend’s heavy rainfall The Weather Authority has been tracking a potential rainmaker that will impact our area from Sunday through Wednesday.
PORT CHARLOTTE Man accused of fraudulently buying over $4K in paint supplies in Port Charlotte A man has been arrested after allegedly purchasing over $4,000 worth of paint supplies in Port Charlotte using a fraudulent business account.
ENGLEWOOD Suncoast Humane Society receives $50K grant to sustain life-saving operations Suncoast Humane Society announced that it received a $50,000 grant from an anonymous philanthropic supporter.
FORT MYERS Downtown Fort Myers Post Office temporarily closed again The downtown Fort Myers Post Office is closed once again after reopening at the end of May due to Hurricane Ian.
Tim Aten Knows: Naples welcomes colorful new brewpub The Naples taproom for Riptide Brewing Co. changed hands in early September and is now the family owned and operated Kaleidoscope Beer at 987 Third Ave. N.
The Weather Authority Scattered rain and storms Friday afternoon and evening The Weather Authority is tracking more scattered rain and storms that may impact your Friday afternoon and evening plans.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County in need of volunteers for hurricane clean-up The Community Organizations Active in a Disaster in Charlotte County need volunteers to help clear debris following Hurricane Helene.
El Jobean autoshop reopens after Helene A man is determined to keep his business open after facing Helene’s wrath.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda man accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of marijuana products When they reviewed the security footage they saw 23-year-old Tyrese Jackson wearing a mask, gloves, and carrying tools with tags still on them to pry open that door.
CHARLOTTE HARBOR City: 1.6M gallons of water released in Charlotte County was not ‘raw sewage’ The Department of Environmental Protection is investigating how southwest Florida will be impacted after 1.6 million gallons of raw sewage seeped into the Charlotte Harbor over the weekend.
NORTH PORT North Port man accuses insurance carrier of fraud A North Port man went on 60 Minutes to accuse his home insurance carrier, Hertigate Insurance of fraud and worse.
Awake kidney transplant: a medical breakthrough There are more than 780,000 people living with kidney disease. On average, 25,000 people will get a transplant each year.
The Islander gift shop reopens on Fort Myers Beach, 2 years after Hurricane Ian Hurricane Helene’s storm surge spared Santini Marina Plaza on Fort Myers Beach, where The Islander Gift Gallery & Boutique reopened Oct. 4
Citizens form group to protest Charlotte County development When residents living in Charlotte County’s Peace River Shores and surrounding communities learned that nearly 140 acres in their area were being rezoned to allow for a 1,188-unit development, they joined forces to oppose it.
Gas leak shuts down power grid in Lee County neighborhood A gas leak has forced the shutdown of a neighborhood power grid in Lee County.
Free sandbag locations available ahead of this weekend’s heavy rainfall The Weather Authority has been tracking a potential rainmaker that will impact our area from Sunday through Wednesday.
PORT CHARLOTTE Man accused of fraudulently buying over $4K in paint supplies in Port Charlotte A man has been arrested after allegedly purchasing over $4,000 worth of paint supplies in Port Charlotte using a fraudulent business account.
ENGLEWOOD Suncoast Humane Society receives $50K grant to sustain life-saving operations Suncoast Humane Society announced that it received a $50,000 grant from an anonymous philanthropic supporter.
FORT MYERS Downtown Fort Myers Post Office temporarily closed again The downtown Fort Myers Post Office is closed once again after reopening at the end of May due to Hurricane Ian.
Tim Aten Knows: Naples welcomes colorful new brewpub The Naples taproom for Riptide Brewing Co. changed hands in early September and is now the family owned and operated Kaleidoscope Beer at 987 Third Ave. N.
The Weather Authority Scattered rain and storms Friday afternoon and evening The Weather Authority is tracking more scattered rain and storms that may impact your Friday afternoon and evening plans.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County in need of volunteers for hurricane clean-up The Community Organizations Active in a Disaster in Charlotte County need volunteers to help clear debris following Hurricane Helene.
El Jobean autoshop reopens after Helene A man is determined to keep his business open after facing Helene’s wrath.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda man accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of marijuana products When they reviewed the security footage they saw 23-year-old Tyrese Jackson wearing a mask, gloves, and carrying tools with tags still on them to pry open that door.
CHARLOTTE HARBOR City: 1.6M gallons of water released in Charlotte County was not ‘raw sewage’ The Department of Environmental Protection is investigating how southwest Florida will be impacted after 1.6 million gallons of raw sewage seeped into the Charlotte Harbor over the weekend.
NORTH PORT North Port man accuses insurance carrier of fraud A North Port man went on 60 Minutes to accuse his home insurance carrier, Hertigate Insurance of fraud and worse.
Thomas Bigwood with his newborn baby. CREDIT: Kimberly Cobb 24-year-old Thomas Bigwood died in February from cardiac arrest, but Bigwood left behind something that will change the lives of others. Kimberly Cobb, Bigwood’s mother from Cape Coral, wanted everyone to know that you can always find something positive despite tragic circumstances. Cobb obtained the solace seldom experienced when your child dies. She remains steadfastly hopeful her story will inspire other families to take action. Bigwood was entering an exciting chapter in his life. Joining him, Bigwood had a fiance and 9-month-old son by his side. “He went into cardiac arrest in his sleep,” Cobb said. “Somewhere in the process, he didn’t get enough oxygen to his brain and that’s really what ended up killing him.” An untimely death, but despite their grief Cobb’s family quickly took action. Just two days after Bigwood died they harvested his organs. “It was an easy choice for me. I know that somewhere someone last week got a phone call that they were going to get an organ and hopefully have a life,” Cobb said. Cobb is speaking from experience. Mark, Cobb’s late husband and Bigwoods’ stepfather received four kidneys throughout his life, extending it by nearly 50 years. This inspired Cobb to investigate the idea of her son becoming an organ donor. “It definitely opened all of our eyes to it. And I think that’s one of the things that a lot of people don’t think about is how many people are really out there waiting for kidneys and hearts,” Cobb said. It was so special that the family felt they had to pay it forward. “My son was so young and just a beautiful person, but it’s it helps me to really know that he helped someone else. He helped at least four people with his organs. And he also has gifts of skin for burn victims,” Cobb said. Cobb told WINK News she does not know who will benefit from her son’s organs, but it’s enough that she’s sure his legacy will live on in those people. Click here to learn more about becoming an organ donor.