DOH-Collier cautions of blue-green algae at Lake AvalonCity, Naples Beach Club to preserve green space in perpetuity
COLLIER COUNTY DOH-Collier cautions of blue-green algae at Lake Avalon The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) wants to caution the public of the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Avalon.
City, Naples Beach Club to preserve green space in perpetuity More than 104 acres of recreation and open space at the former Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club’s golf course will be forever preserved.
FORT MYERS The 52nd annual Fort Myers Boat Show begins An annual Fort Myers tradition has returned as the region’s premier display of boats and boating products, which will be on full display for enthusiasts to enjoy.
the weather authority Tracking Tropical Depression 19, expected to become Tropical Storm Sara The Weather Authority is tracking Tropical Depression 19, which is forecast to strengthen into Tropical Storm Sara in the Caribbean later this Thursday afternoon.
the weather authority Gorgeous Thursday afternoon with highs in the mid 80s The Weather Authority is tracking pleasant afternoon conditions with temperatures in the mid-80s this Thursday.
SANIBEL Failed air quality tests push back reopening date for The Sanibel School The tentative reopening of The Sanibel School has been pushed back once again after being closed since Hurricane Milton.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Police respond to rollover crash; driver flees scene The Fort Myers Police Department responded to a rollover, single-vehicle on Colonial Gardens Circle and Colonial Boulevard.
FORT MYERS West End residents frustrated by security failures, lack of response A nearly $64 million luxury apartment complex that close to 500 people call home, but somehow, security seems to fall through the cracks.
NAPLES Collier County nearly doubles tourism budget On Tuesday, Collier County Commissioners approved a nearly $12 million budget for a tourism marketing campaign.
Florida policyholders urged to contact OIR if policies are canceled or nonrenewed If your insurance has been canceled or is not being renewed due to this year’s storms, the state of Florida wants you to reach out to the Office of Insurance Regulation.
BAREFOOT BEACH Woman thinks QR code got hacked A Fort Myers woman says a fraudulent QR code at Barefoot Beach caused her credit card to be hacked. She’s on a mission to warn others.
CAPE CORAL Sticker shock: Cape Coral residents hit with unexpected property tax hikes This is the time of year when people start paying their property taxes, but what happens when you get your bill and it’s more than you expected?
SANIBEL Sanibel workshop teaches residents benefits of elevating homes and businesses With each hurricane that brings damage to our area, many people rush to be more resilient. On Sanibel, more than 300 people have RSVP’d to learn about raising their homes and businesses.
SANIBEL Sanibel Causeway construction causing confusion and costing local business Repairing the Sanibel Causeway after recent storms has caused more than just traffic back-ups.
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS Speakeasy in downtown Fort Myers honors local historic figures Everything inside the Escondido Lounge whispers an authentic speakeasy, from the dim red lights to the fancy vintage glasses.
COLLIER COUNTY DOH-Collier cautions of blue-green algae at Lake Avalon The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) wants to caution the public of the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Avalon.
City, Naples Beach Club to preserve green space in perpetuity More than 104 acres of recreation and open space at the former Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club’s golf course will be forever preserved.
FORT MYERS The 52nd annual Fort Myers Boat Show begins An annual Fort Myers tradition has returned as the region’s premier display of boats and boating products, which will be on full display for enthusiasts to enjoy.
the weather authority Tracking Tropical Depression 19, expected to become Tropical Storm Sara The Weather Authority is tracking Tropical Depression 19, which is forecast to strengthen into Tropical Storm Sara in the Caribbean later this Thursday afternoon.
the weather authority Gorgeous Thursday afternoon with highs in the mid 80s The Weather Authority is tracking pleasant afternoon conditions with temperatures in the mid-80s this Thursday.
SANIBEL Failed air quality tests push back reopening date for The Sanibel School The tentative reopening of The Sanibel School has been pushed back once again after being closed since Hurricane Milton.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Police respond to rollover crash; driver flees scene The Fort Myers Police Department responded to a rollover, single-vehicle on Colonial Gardens Circle and Colonial Boulevard.
FORT MYERS West End residents frustrated by security failures, lack of response A nearly $64 million luxury apartment complex that close to 500 people call home, but somehow, security seems to fall through the cracks.
NAPLES Collier County nearly doubles tourism budget On Tuesday, Collier County Commissioners approved a nearly $12 million budget for a tourism marketing campaign.
Florida policyholders urged to contact OIR if policies are canceled or nonrenewed If your insurance has been canceled or is not being renewed due to this year’s storms, the state of Florida wants you to reach out to the Office of Insurance Regulation.
BAREFOOT BEACH Woman thinks QR code got hacked A Fort Myers woman says a fraudulent QR code at Barefoot Beach caused her credit card to be hacked. She’s on a mission to warn others.
CAPE CORAL Sticker shock: Cape Coral residents hit with unexpected property tax hikes This is the time of year when people start paying their property taxes, but what happens when you get your bill and it’s more than you expected?
SANIBEL Sanibel workshop teaches residents benefits of elevating homes and businesses With each hurricane that brings damage to our area, many people rush to be more resilient. On Sanibel, more than 300 people have RSVP’d to learn about raising their homes and businesses.
SANIBEL Sanibel Causeway construction causing confusion and costing local business Repairing the Sanibel Causeway after recent storms has caused more than just traffic back-ups.
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS Speakeasy in downtown Fort Myers honors local historic figures Everything inside the Escondido Lounge whispers an authentic speakeasy, from the dim red lights to the fancy vintage glasses.
FILE – In this July 31, 2018, file photo, President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with Florida then-Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis during a rally in Tampa. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara, File) Former President Donald Trump’s campaign called Gov. Ron DeSantis’ track record in Florida “one of misery and despair” in a lengthy statement released before Trump’s speech in Fort Myers. The statement went on to bash Trump’s potential presidential rival and his ability to lead. “The real DeSantis record is one of misery and despair. He has left a wake of destruction all across Florida and people are hurting because he has spent more time playing public relations games instead of actually doing the hard-work needed to improve the lives of the people he represents,” said Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung. The campaign email titled “The Real Ron DeSantis Playbook,” contains a list of almost 30 claims on issues related to taxes, education, housing, and healthcare in Florida. “While Ron DeSantis engages in a weeks-long shadow campaign for president boasting his playbook, Florida continues to tumble into complete and total delinquency and destruction,” the Trump campaign said. The release references various news reports and studies claiming that Florida is one of the least affordable states to live in the country, one of the worst states in the nation to raise a family, the third-worst state for fair taxes in the nation, and more. “One of the things that Trump is trying to do, he’s trying to define Governor DeSantis, before he defines himself,” said Dr. Peter Bergerson, a political science expert and professor at Florida Gulf Coast University. According to the Federation of Tax Administrators, Florida has a low tax burden compared with other U.S. states. However, WINK’s partner PolitiFact found that Florida is also a highly unequal tax state, meaning low-income people pay a much higher share of their income in taxes than their wealthier peers. Bergerson believes Trump is smart for taking aim at complex issues like fair taxes in Florida. “Governor DeSantis is running on a campaign of his accomplishments here in Florida as governor for six years, and the fact that he had won an overwhelming victory two years ago,” Bergerson said. “And so what Trump wants to point out is the deficits or the things that have been neglected, or the problems that Florida has.” Trump then brings up recent gas shortages in South Florida, claiming that nearly half of the gas stations in Miami and Fort Lauderdale are without fuel. He cites an article from The Hill. “While nearly half of the gas stations in Miami and Fort Lauderdale are without fuel, those Floridians lucky enough to find a gas station with fuel will be paying a stiff premium,” the Trump campaign said. While that might have been the case in the days immediately following April’s widespread flooding, it’s not the case anymore. According to the Florida Petroleum Marketers Association, about 1% of gas stations are out at this point, and panic-buying has settled. A spokesperson also told WINK News that their team is unaware of any premiums. Taxes and gas availability are just two of the 27 topics that Trump hit on in his recent campaign statement. Ultimately, Bergerson believes this is just the start of what’s going to unfold between the former president and DeSantis in the next six months. “You are going to see a lot more direct personal attacks by both,” he said. “I think that the advertisement or the political promotion that you’ve pointed out, is going to go verbal and we will see these now as part of campaign commercials. You’ll see it as part of Trump’s campaign stock speech…I also think that Governor DeSantis has to make a decision. Is he going to respond in kind?” DeSantis has still not publicly announced a run for president. However, he did hint that he will make a decision after the state’s legislative session ends in May. ‘WINK Investigates’ reporter Kellie Miller reached out to DeSantis’ campaign team for a response to Trump’s statements but has not heard back.