Donald Trump wins election in historic comeback after 2020 loss, indictments and bruising campaignDebris dumped on North Fort Myers yard stalls family’s urgent move
CBS News Donald Trump wins election in historic comeback after 2020 loss, indictments and bruising campaign Donald J. Trump’s projected victory over Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election marks a historic and improbable comeback for the former president
NORTH FORT MYERS Debris dumped on North Fort Myers yard stalls family’s urgent move One woman in North Fort Myers has no idea why her yard has become a dumpster in her neighborhood.
Caught on Camera: Two men break into Lehigh mother’s car A Lehigh mother said she’s afraid after two men tried to break into her car. The entire thing was caught on her security camera, but nothing was taken.
SANIBEL Students could return to The Sanibel School soon The Lee County School District just announced students on Sanibel could return to the school as soon as Monday.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs to hold Veteran’s Day event with 3-star general The City of Bonita Springs will honor those who served in a special ceremony on Veteran’s Day. A three-star Army general will attend the event.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers approves referendum to improve parks and rec areas Fort Myers residents approved a 75 million dollar “Go bond” referendum to improve parks and recreation areas during Tuesday’s general election.
Why does Florida have a super majority vote for constitutional changes? Amendments three and four, marijuana and abortion, failed, despite the majority of voters wanting both amendments to pass. They both didn’t get 60% yes.
Immokalee Traffic fixes proposed for Collier County’s Randall Blvd and Immokalee Rd More lanes, sidewalks and upgrades to street signals could be coming to a road in Collier County.
WEST PALM BEACH What Republicans learned from the Harris and Trump campaigns President Donald Trump has won the election and will be the 47th president of the United States. Now he is doing what he does, making promises.
FORT MYERS SWFL tourism outlook after back-to-back storms How is Southwest Florida tourism doing after we endured two major storms almost back to back?
New Apple AirPod Pros can serve as hearing aids Experts say that addressing hearing deficits is beneficial for our health, and it has become easier in recent years.
NAPLES Player of the Week: Running back Ty Collins A Collier County running back put on a historic show in week 11, enough to earn him our WINK News Player of the Week honor.
FORT MYERS Parents react to first elected Lee County Schools superintendent For the first time in more than 40 years, Lee County voters elected their superintendent of schools: Dr. Denise Carlin.
BOCA GRANDE Red tide alert for Boca Grande Pass and Cayo Pelau, 2 miles south of Charlotte Harbor the Florida Department of Health just issued a red tide health alert for Boca Grande Pass and Cayo Pelau, two miles south of Charlotte Harbor.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to new-look City Council All incumbents up for reelection lost their seats in the Cape Coral City Council on Tuesday.
CBS News Donald Trump wins election in historic comeback after 2020 loss, indictments and bruising campaign Donald J. Trump’s projected victory over Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election marks a historic and improbable comeback for the former president
NORTH FORT MYERS Debris dumped on North Fort Myers yard stalls family’s urgent move One woman in North Fort Myers has no idea why her yard has become a dumpster in her neighborhood.
Caught on Camera: Two men break into Lehigh mother’s car A Lehigh mother said she’s afraid after two men tried to break into her car. The entire thing was caught on her security camera, but nothing was taken.
SANIBEL Students could return to The Sanibel School soon The Lee County School District just announced students on Sanibel could return to the school as soon as Monday.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs to hold Veteran’s Day event with 3-star general The City of Bonita Springs will honor those who served in a special ceremony on Veteran’s Day. A three-star Army general will attend the event.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers approves referendum to improve parks and rec areas Fort Myers residents approved a 75 million dollar “Go bond” referendum to improve parks and recreation areas during Tuesday’s general election.
Why does Florida have a super majority vote for constitutional changes? Amendments three and four, marijuana and abortion, failed, despite the majority of voters wanting both amendments to pass. They both didn’t get 60% yes.
Immokalee Traffic fixes proposed for Collier County’s Randall Blvd and Immokalee Rd More lanes, sidewalks and upgrades to street signals could be coming to a road in Collier County.
WEST PALM BEACH What Republicans learned from the Harris and Trump campaigns President Donald Trump has won the election and will be the 47th president of the United States. Now he is doing what he does, making promises.
FORT MYERS SWFL tourism outlook after back-to-back storms How is Southwest Florida tourism doing after we endured two major storms almost back to back?
New Apple AirPod Pros can serve as hearing aids Experts say that addressing hearing deficits is beneficial for our health, and it has become easier in recent years.
NAPLES Player of the Week: Running back Ty Collins A Collier County running back put on a historic show in week 11, enough to earn him our WINK News Player of the Week honor.
FORT MYERS Parents react to first elected Lee County Schools superintendent For the first time in more than 40 years, Lee County voters elected their superintendent of schools: Dr. Denise Carlin.
BOCA GRANDE Red tide alert for Boca Grande Pass and Cayo Pelau, 2 miles south of Charlotte Harbor the Florida Department of Health just issued a red tide health alert for Boca Grande Pass and Cayo Pelau, two miles south of Charlotte Harbor.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to new-look City Council All incumbents up for reelection lost their seats in the Cape Coral City Council on Tuesday.
With months left of Hurricane Season 2023, about 16 percent of Hurricane Ian homeowners insurance claims are still open according to data through June 28 from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. One Cape Coral homeowner reached a settlement with his insurance company but claims the final check still hasn’t reached his house. Alexis Hernandez has had to rig his water system so his family can live in their home. Hernandez’s rigged water system, credit: WINK News “I tried to make a small repair here and kind of bypass the system,” Hernandez said showing the system. “So, I can at least get some type of water system inside the house so we could take a shower. Obviously, this is not professional. This is something I had to make just real quick so we could get by.” He is constantly worried his home will sustain even more damage because he believes his insurance company, Universal Property and Casualty Insurance, is dragging its feet. He hasn’t received the final insurance payment to fix his home. “I got water leaks inside my house. Obviously, that creates a bigger problem with the mold and the insulation,” Hernandez added. “And then the ceiling, the sheetrock, all that needs to be replaced. Now you have stains as well and it just creates a hazard, especially for the kids. They shouldn’t be inhaling that. They shouldn’t be around any of that type of stuff.” Hernandez’s roof, credit: WINK News According to the Insurance Information Institute, Universal Property and Casualty Insurance is the second largest home insurer in Florida. The company’s website claims its fast-track crew is equipped to process and pay claims on the spot. That’s far from Hernandez’s experience. “They actually dropped the ball,” he said. Hernandez filed his claim a couple of days after Hurricane Ian. According to estimates he got on his own, it will cost $70-$80,000 to fix his home. Someone came out to inspect the damage a month after the storm. About a month later, he received a check for about $9,600. He didn’t agree that was enough. “And even the square footage on the house, he has it all wrong,” Hernandez said of the inspector’s report. “Every square footage of the rooms, the house, the roof, everything was off.” He said months passed without hearing from his insurance company. He had to call them. “They told me that the reason that no one’s gotten back to me is because we haven’t done a portal,” Hernandez recalled from a phone conversation with the insurer. Hernandez’s roof, credit: WINK News So, Hernandez created that portal and uploaded all the documentation he had. But still, silence. He kept calling until he could get some answers. “Every time it will be something different as well,” he said of his various phone calls with his insurance company. “‘Nothing’s been uploaded to your portal’ and you’ll call two hours later. ‘Yep, we got your portal right here.’ And then ever since I filed the claim to right now, there’s been four desk adjusters. And at this point, the fourth desk adjuster is not even speaking with my public adjuster. The supervisor is handling this now.” Hernandez said he filed a complaint with the Florida Department of Financial Services and it looked like there was some movement. He was supposed to have a meeting in early June but it was postponed multiple times. They eventually came to a settlement in late June. Hernandez’s tarp, credit: WINK News WINK News Consumer Reporter Andryanna Sheppard contacted Universal to get their side of the story. A spokesperson wrote in a statement that the company didn’t hear anything from Hernandez’s public adjuster until January. The spokesperson added the company didn’t get additional documentation from the public adjuster for another inspection until June. 19 days after that, all the parties involved came together to discuss their differences and arrived at an agreement. The settlement agreement was sent the same day but the check still hasn’t hit Hernandez’s mailbox. “It’s like I’m pulling teeth here,” Hernandez described his experience. “It’s like you’re a hot potato. They’re just throwing you around inside that office. That’s almost worse.” Hernandez looks at his roof, credit: WINK News So, until that check arrives, his home will stay damaged as peak hurricane season gets closer. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation’s data shows Lee County had the highest number of Hurricane Ian insurance claims. About 40,000 claims are still open in the county.