Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast UniversityMissing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: Parent brings weapon to Lehigh Acres school According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, there is probable cause to believe a woman unintentionally brought a firearm to school.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: Parent brings weapon to Lehigh Acres school According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, there is probable cause to believe a woman unintentionally brought a firearm to school.
Lifting a catamaran back into the water after Hurricane Ian. CREDIT: RJ Gorman/ AVB Logistics Cautiously and precisely, contractors lifted 9,000 pounds resting on a couple’s home for seven months after Hurricane Ian and put the catamaran back into the water. But the real work begins now that it’s back in the water. The catamaran, named Rosebud, after the Orson Wells film Citizen Kane, is hard at work. The boat became quite the tourist attraction in Saint James City. For six months and three weeks, she rested against a home. Until a willing group of contractors with a crane decided to do something about it. Bird-eye view of the catamaran. CREDIT: RJ Gorman/ AVB Logistics The job took about 45 minutes for the crane to life Rosebud and place her back in the water without a splash. At 9,000 pounds, the catamaran is as heavy as an elephant and hard to miss. The catamaran even became eye candy for the locals of Saint James City since Hurricane Ian gave her a resting spot on top of Pat Olkowski and Becky Cole’s colorful home. Thursday, just about everyone in the city came to watch contractors lift the elephant-sized object. The catamaran. CREDIT: WINK News Some neighbors even took advantage of the opportunity, trying to earn a quick dollar by selling coffee and beer to passersby. “How much should we drink, and when should we start,” Cole said. Inch by inch, as the crane carefully placed her back where she belongs. All the while, Cole nervously covered her eyes. “You’re okay.. You’re okay… it’s gonna be fabulous. It’s gonna be great,” Cole’s friend Donna said. And that’s precisely what it was, great. “Every single one of you I praise god for. Rosebud is back in the water,” Cole yelled from atop the boat. Becky Cole and Pat Olkowski atop the catamaran after removal. CREDIT: WINK News “We’ve sailed this boat all over. We’ve had the Bahamas three times, we’ve been the keys Canada one year, six years, six months sail, that the whole thing,” Olkowski said. Going all the way to Alaska. “We’re in Alaska, she’s like I got on the back of a motorcycle,” Olkowski said. “James Patterson is the best books to read on the back of the motorcycle,” Cole said. But operating vehicles isn’t the couple’s only talent. “We’ve played every place on the island one time or another,” Olkowski said. They’ve made a name for themselves all over the world through music and their band, The Fiddler and I. “We played on that boat we’d pull into a cove in the Bahamas,” Olkowski said. If you ask Cole, she’ll tell you that she wasn’t born with talent. “He said Becky you’re gonna have to learn how to play something,” Becky said. “I would be keeping the beat. If I mess up. He’d hit me on the head with his bow.” “As soon as a stud muffin walks in with no shirt on she can’t hit a chord right,” Olkowski said. “Last night Becky was screwing up everywhere. This ripped guy walked in.” The way Olkowski handles the competition is simple. “Whisky,” Olkowski said. Olkowski and Cole are hoping to get Rosebud fixed up so they can go on more adventures and play more music. The people who moved Rosebud did the job for free.