Collier commissioners push plan to allow rental of guesthouses in Urban EstatesGulf Citrus Growers Association shuts down
Collier commissioners push plan to allow rental of guesthouses in Urban Estates The 4-1 vote, which includes a review after one year and a Code Enforcement report, involves homesteaded properties in an area of North Naples west of Collier Boulevard.
Gulf Citrus Growers Association shuts down The association’s closure means farmers across the region no longer have a group that can provide them support with local governments in lobbying for citrus-friendly public policies.
FORT MYERS Maintenance work to temporarily shut down section of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve boardwalk The section of the boardwalk trail along Gator Lake at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers will temporarily close on Monday for maintenance.
NEAR DUNNELLON 8 dead, at least 40 hurt after bus transporting farm workers overturns At least eight people have been killed in a bus crash near Dunnellon. The owner of the bus told WINK News that the bus was recently used to transport workers from Immokalee.
HENDRY COUNTY Burn ban in effect in Hendry County after 9 fires break out from lightning storm A burn ban is now in effect for unregulated fires for all of Hendry County as dry weather conditions impact the area.
Punta Gorda could extend deadline for Fishermen’s Village improvements If Council doesn’t provide additional time for receivers to complete improvements agreed to in 2018, Punta Gorda could take steps to have the property transferred back to the city, Punta Gorda Assistant City Manager Melissa Reichert said.
Tim Aten Knows: Old Naples Pub closing after 35 years The owners of the popular local hangout at 255 13th Ave. S., off Third Street South near the Naples Pier, have announced their retirement.
NAPLES Man arrested following Naples Manor shooting that injured 3 The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man suspected of shooting three people Sunday in Naples Manor.
Developers of Arches Bayfront push for rezoning Ben Freeland said he will return to Town Council and the Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency with his request to change the land-use designation and with his detailed plans for the project.
FORT MYERS Lee County Sheriff’s Office holds memorial service for deputies The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is set to hold a memorial service to honor the deputies who had died in the line of duty.
FORT MYERS Traffic signals down at Edison Avenue and Veronica Shoemaker Traffic signals are currently down at Edison Avenue and Veronica Shoemaker in Fort Myers on Tuesday morning.
NAPLES Naples Winter Wine Festival to mark 25 years in 2025 There is a special milestone for the next Naples Winter Wine Festival. It will mark 25 years of helping at-risk and underprivileged children in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers man accused of fatally shooting neighbor and dog begins trial after years of delay The trial for a Fort Myers man accused of fatally shooting his neighbor and his neighbor’s dog in Lee County has begun after years of delay.
WINK NEWS I-75N vehicle crash on Alligator Alley causes major congestion A vehicle crash on I-75 North near a toll booth on Alligator Alley has created a major backup for motorists entering Collier County.
WINK NEWS Scheduled maintenance on SR 90 northbound in Collier County will close lanes The Florida Department of Transportation announced a temporary lane closure on SR 90 northbound in Collier County.
Collier commissioners push plan to allow rental of guesthouses in Urban Estates The 4-1 vote, which includes a review after one year and a Code Enforcement report, involves homesteaded properties in an area of North Naples west of Collier Boulevard.
Gulf Citrus Growers Association shuts down The association’s closure means farmers across the region no longer have a group that can provide them support with local governments in lobbying for citrus-friendly public policies.
FORT MYERS Maintenance work to temporarily shut down section of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve boardwalk The section of the boardwalk trail along Gator Lake at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers will temporarily close on Monday for maintenance.
NEAR DUNNELLON 8 dead, at least 40 hurt after bus transporting farm workers overturns At least eight people have been killed in a bus crash near Dunnellon. The owner of the bus told WINK News that the bus was recently used to transport workers from Immokalee.
HENDRY COUNTY Burn ban in effect in Hendry County after 9 fires break out from lightning storm A burn ban is now in effect for unregulated fires for all of Hendry County as dry weather conditions impact the area.
Punta Gorda could extend deadline for Fishermen’s Village improvements If Council doesn’t provide additional time for receivers to complete improvements agreed to in 2018, Punta Gorda could take steps to have the property transferred back to the city, Punta Gorda Assistant City Manager Melissa Reichert said.
Tim Aten Knows: Old Naples Pub closing after 35 years The owners of the popular local hangout at 255 13th Ave. S., off Third Street South near the Naples Pier, have announced their retirement.
NAPLES Man arrested following Naples Manor shooting that injured 3 The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man suspected of shooting three people Sunday in Naples Manor.
Developers of Arches Bayfront push for rezoning Ben Freeland said he will return to Town Council and the Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency with his request to change the land-use designation and with his detailed plans for the project.
FORT MYERS Lee County Sheriff’s Office holds memorial service for deputies The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is set to hold a memorial service to honor the deputies who had died in the line of duty.
FORT MYERS Traffic signals down at Edison Avenue and Veronica Shoemaker Traffic signals are currently down at Edison Avenue and Veronica Shoemaker in Fort Myers on Tuesday morning.
NAPLES Naples Winter Wine Festival to mark 25 years in 2025 There is a special milestone for the next Naples Winter Wine Festival. It will mark 25 years of helping at-risk and underprivileged children in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers man accused of fatally shooting neighbor and dog begins trial after years of delay The trial for a Fort Myers man accused of fatally shooting his neighbor and his neighbor’s dog in Lee County has begun after years of delay.
WINK NEWS I-75N vehicle crash on Alligator Alley causes major congestion A vehicle crash on I-75 North near a toll booth on Alligator Alley has created a major backup for motorists entering Collier County.
WINK NEWS Scheduled maintenance on SR 90 northbound in Collier County will close lanes The Florida Department of Transportation announced a temporary lane closure on SR 90 northbound in Collier County.
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.