Fort Myers veteran worried about FEMA code compliance letterResidents oppose U-Haul storage unit development in Collier County
FORT MYERS Fort Myers veteran worried about FEMA code compliance letter One marine veteran is worried sick over having to raise his home.
Residents oppose U-Haul storage unit development in Collier County A lush line of trees in Collier County may turn into storage units, and neighbors are unhappy.
LEHIGH ACRES Parents want changes made to Lee County Schools JROTC The Lee County School District is making changes after 25 students were treated by emergency services for heat exhaustion at a local high school on Friday.
FORT MYERS BEACH La Ola speaks out a day after FEMA deadline A day after the FEMA deadline for temporary structures on Fort Myers Beach to be removed, the scenery remains largely unchanged.
FORT MYERS Neighbors react to plans for new Amazon warehouse in Fort Myers Amazon will soon have the largest building in Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Councilman Johnny Streets retires after nearly 20 years of service After nearly two decades of service, Fort Myers City Councilman Johnny Streets is retiring.
Local human trafficking survivor speaks out It’s a question many of us think we know the answer to: What is human trafficking? A Collier County woman told WINK her definition changed after she survived it.
PORT CHARLOTTE 8 illegal immigrants arrested in Charlotte County Eight people have been arrested in Port Charlotte for being in the country illegally.
Sheriff’s Office: Teen victim knew suspect in deadly Collier County shooting There is new information on the deadly shooting late Saturday of a teenage girl in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Inauguration ceremony for Lee Board of County Commissioners Lee County held an inauguration ceremony for a newly appointed county commissioner and two incumbents.
FGCU FGCU volleyball prepares to defend ASUN Tournament title FGCU volleyball looks to secure its fourth straight ASUN Tournament title this week and secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers city leaders sworn in On Tuesday night, the City of Fort Myers swore in newly elected councilmember Diana Giraldo, who will take over Ward 2 for the next four years.
FORT MYERS Thomas Golisano pledges $85M to SWFL non-profits Christmas came early for non-profit foundations and agencies across Southwest Florida, thanks to Thomas Galisano.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island City Council vacancy application period extended Marco Island City Council members have voted to extend the application period for people interested in filling a vacant seat on the council.
Man tells troopers he fell asleep before fatal Alligator Alley crash at mile marker 72 A 37-year-old man has been arrested after his involvement in a deadly crash that killed one person and injured another.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers veteran worried about FEMA code compliance letter One marine veteran is worried sick over having to raise his home.
Residents oppose U-Haul storage unit development in Collier County A lush line of trees in Collier County may turn into storage units, and neighbors are unhappy.
LEHIGH ACRES Parents want changes made to Lee County Schools JROTC The Lee County School District is making changes after 25 students were treated by emergency services for heat exhaustion at a local high school on Friday.
FORT MYERS BEACH La Ola speaks out a day after FEMA deadline A day after the FEMA deadline for temporary structures on Fort Myers Beach to be removed, the scenery remains largely unchanged.
FORT MYERS Neighbors react to plans for new Amazon warehouse in Fort Myers Amazon will soon have the largest building in Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Councilman Johnny Streets retires after nearly 20 years of service After nearly two decades of service, Fort Myers City Councilman Johnny Streets is retiring.
Local human trafficking survivor speaks out It’s a question many of us think we know the answer to: What is human trafficking? A Collier County woman told WINK her definition changed after she survived it.
PORT CHARLOTTE 8 illegal immigrants arrested in Charlotte County Eight people have been arrested in Port Charlotte for being in the country illegally.
Sheriff’s Office: Teen victim knew suspect in deadly Collier County shooting There is new information on the deadly shooting late Saturday of a teenage girl in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Inauguration ceremony for Lee Board of County Commissioners Lee County held an inauguration ceremony for a newly appointed county commissioner and two incumbents.
FGCU FGCU volleyball prepares to defend ASUN Tournament title FGCU volleyball looks to secure its fourth straight ASUN Tournament title this week and secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers city leaders sworn in On Tuesday night, the City of Fort Myers swore in newly elected councilmember Diana Giraldo, who will take over Ward 2 for the next four years.
FORT MYERS Thomas Golisano pledges $85M to SWFL non-profits Christmas came early for non-profit foundations and agencies across Southwest Florida, thanks to Thomas Galisano.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island City Council vacancy application period extended Marco Island City Council members have voted to extend the application period for people interested in filling a vacant seat on the council.
Man tells troopers he fell asleep before fatal Alligator Alley crash at mile marker 72 A 37-year-old man has been arrested after his involvement in a deadly crash that killed one person and injured another.
Cane toads captured in Naples. CREDIT: LEE SMITH Dozens of cane toads started piling up on each other and were all caught by one man with a plan. In total, 68 cane toads were caught in Naples. the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said there is no current population estimate for cane toads. However, none of the cane toads should be in Southwest Florida. Cane toads are invasive, and Lee Smith is taking them on by himself, one toad at a time. Smith is a husband, father, retired high school biology teacher, snake breeder and even a cane toad catcher. “I use snake tongs, which are on Amazon, to pick them up mostly because they don’t have to bend over, but they’re really easy to catch. I also use a headlamp,” said Smith. Smith explained his toad trouble started late one night when his wife couldn’t sleep because of the insufferable toad noises. When cane toads mate, they make a lot of noise. Also, they’re toxic to other animals such as dogs and cats. “How does it make you feel? It’s really bad when you don’t see hardly any native species,” said Smith So when he has the time for toads, Smith goes to the ponds in his neighborhood at night. He catches as many toads as he can and euthanizes them according to FWC’s recommendations. FWC explains that, like other invasive species, cane toads are not protected except by anti-cruelty laws and can be removed year-round with landowner permission. For the people who say it’s inhumane, Smith has a straightforward response. “I tell him to try to think of the native species that are really suffering because Florida has a pretty delicate ecosystem, and it’s hard enough with people, you know that– and you start bringing these other invasive species gets real tough,” said Smith. Burmese Pythons do seem to get a lot of the spotlight when it comes to invasive species in Florida. Nevertheless, the Florida climate is a breeding ground for many invasive species, including cane toads. “I think Cane Toads could be worse,” said Smith. If you’re looking to catch some toads, be absolutely sure they are cane toads. Click here to watch a video promoted by FWC about identifying cane toads. Click here to see a map of “Credible cane toad sightings,” FWC promotes on their website.