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.
Backlash and safety concerns for LGBTQ+ advocacy group GLSEN pride conference. (CREDIT: WINK News) A chance for LGBTQ youth to explore LGBTQ-related issues facing them is what the organizers of the annual Youth Pride Conference hope to provide. The event takes place Saturday at the Naples United Church of Christ, where a room for this pride event has been privately rented and has no affiliation with the church. This was the case last year when they were also met with pushback from the community. “I think we know from the threats and the harassment that we have gotten that they certainly would be met with some unsafe circumstances,” said Youth Pride Conference Director Daniel Shaw. For the second year, the group plans for more pushback. In March 2022, the first-ever Youth Pride Conference was held to empower and educate LGBTQ kids ages 12 to 18 on issues like mental health and religion. “To see these students and the way they’re finally able to be themselves, that’s why we do this,” said Shaw during that first event. Shaw said the event inside the Naples United Church of Christ was intended to create a supportive and safe place for LGBTQ kids, but some people didn’t see it that way. “We are protesting something because we believe people are in danger,” said Fred while protesting the event last year. One year later, the event will happen again and feature topics like transgender healthcare, queer arts, and even highly-controversial issues like book bans. “We’re taking the whole notion that LGBTQ youth are controversial and accepting that premise. I refuse to accept that. There is nothing controversial about LGBTQ youth and their identities, absolutely nothing,” said Shaw. With the possibility of more protests and safety concerns surrounding the LGBTQ community, the focus of Saturday’s event will be all on support. “These students are fearful. So yeah, there is a lot of fear surrounding this event. But it’s not my fear. It’s not the fear in the community. It’s the fear that these students face every day in their lives. And it’s not right. It’s not fair,” Shaw said. In 2022, critics hated the idea. Protesters held signs outside the doors to the church. That won’t stop organizers from holding a second Youth Pride Conference. “We had a lot of negative backlash within the community. But in reality, those were just the loudest voices. Those were not by any means majority. The overwhelming amount of support that we received last year alone, and much less this year, is overwhelming, overwhelmingly for good,” said Shaw. He said the event would take place at the same church. Senior Minister David Greenhaw said it’s no problem. “We’re an open and affirming congregation, which means that the long history of gay and lesbian misuse, dismissal has been wrong in the life of the world. And it’s time for some of us to say there’s a place at the table and to change the way we do it.” Conference Coordinator Olive Saunders said, as proven in politics and protests, not everyone is so welcoming. “To be honest, it also makes me petrified. It makes me a little bit concerned for my future as a queer youth. (edit) it’s something that I have to do for queer youth because they deserve fundamentally, you know, to feel safe, comfortable, happy so they can flourish just like any other kid,” said Saunders. To make sure everyone attending feels safe, Naples police will be on hand.