Critically injured man transported by Med-Flight following 2 vehicle crash on Palm Beach Blvd.D-SNAP available to those affected by hurricanes in Charlotte and Sarasota counties
Critically injured man transported by Med-Flight following 2 vehicle crash on Palm Beach Blvd. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle crash on Palm Beach Boulevard, which led to a Med-Flight being called.
D-SNAP available to those affected by hurricanes in Charlotte and Sarasota counties The Department of Children and Families has launched its Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Charlotte and Sarasota counties.
naples Rehabilitated manatee to be released into Port of the Islands Marina in Naples The Manatee Sightseeing and Wildlife Adventures is set to release a rehabilitated manatee back into the waters at the Port of the Island’s Marina.
the weather authority Wednesday morning showers slowly move out through the day The Weather Authority is tracking rain and showers expected throughout the day before an approaching cold front drops temperatures.
CAPE CORAL New Cape Coral City Council members to be sworn in The City of Cape Coral is experiencing a change in leadership, as two new councilmembers are set to be sworn in.
lehigh acres Florida Highway Patrol investigating fatal hit-and-run involving motorcyclist The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a hit-and-run that left a motorcyclist dead in Lee County.
FEMA agrees to outside investigation into avoiding homes with Trump signs FEMA’s administrator has agreed to an outside investigation to find out why her employee gave orders to deny trump supporters aid after Hurricane Milton.
Denise Carlin sworn in as Lee County Schools superintendent It’s a big night for families with kids attending Lee County Schools! Dr. Denise Carlin was just sworn in as superintendent.
PORT CHARLOTTE 8 illegal immigrants arrested in Charlotte County Eight people have been arrested in Port Charlotte for being in the country illegally.
SANIBEL Memorial statue unveiled for exotic birds at Jerry’s Foods on Sanibel Island For over 40 years, Dick Muench displayed many of his exotic birds from Central and South America at Jerry’s Foods on Sanibel.
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.
Critically injured man transported by Med-Flight following 2 vehicle crash on Palm Beach Blvd. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle crash on Palm Beach Boulevard, which led to a Med-Flight being called.
D-SNAP available to those affected by hurricanes in Charlotte and Sarasota counties The Department of Children and Families has launched its Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Charlotte and Sarasota counties.
naples Rehabilitated manatee to be released into Port of the Islands Marina in Naples The Manatee Sightseeing and Wildlife Adventures is set to release a rehabilitated manatee back into the waters at the Port of the Island’s Marina.
the weather authority Wednesday morning showers slowly move out through the day The Weather Authority is tracking rain and showers expected throughout the day before an approaching cold front drops temperatures.
CAPE CORAL New Cape Coral City Council members to be sworn in The City of Cape Coral is experiencing a change in leadership, as two new councilmembers are set to be sworn in.
lehigh acres Florida Highway Patrol investigating fatal hit-and-run involving motorcyclist The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a hit-and-run that left a motorcyclist dead in Lee County.
FEMA agrees to outside investigation into avoiding homes with Trump signs FEMA’s administrator has agreed to an outside investigation to find out why her employee gave orders to deny trump supporters aid after Hurricane Milton.
Denise Carlin sworn in as Lee County Schools superintendent It’s a big night for families with kids attending Lee County Schools! Dr. Denise Carlin was just sworn in as superintendent.
PORT CHARLOTTE 8 illegal immigrants arrested in Charlotte County Eight people have been arrested in Port Charlotte for being in the country illegally.
SANIBEL Memorial statue unveiled for exotic birds at Jerry’s Foods on Sanibel Island For over 40 years, Dick Muench displayed many of his exotic birds from Central and South America at Jerry’s Foods on Sanibel.
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.
Rick protesting FEMA from his Fort Myers Beach roof. CREDIT: WINK News It has been six days since beginning his protest, and Rick Loughery, now known as “Rick on the Roof,” ended his arduous campaign of sitting on his garage roof. Loughery’s mission was to save his garage from the new FEMA regulations implemented, as the building is not up to current codes. Aug. 7 was an important day for Rick, as the town held a council meeting where members spoke about Rick. Amy Lughery, Rick’s wife, spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting and apologized to the mayor and council for all the additional work they have endured because of their garage. The council and mayor said they fully support Rick and Amy but are powerless to help. FEMA makes the rules. Those rules, the mayor said, are constantly changing. But FEMA didn’t contact Rick by the end of the day. “FEMA never called today, never texted us, never let us know anything,” Rick said. “So we didn’t hear anything from them. The town council meeting went by where they really didn’t make any actions or moves on it.” FEMA has said the garage must either be torn down or changed to fit current hurricane standards. READ MORE: FEMA’s regulations against Rick on the Roof Amy said she and Rick are overwhelmed by all the support from both locals and visitors to the point that Rick feels so supported he could stay on the roof for a lifetime if he has to. “Our sincere apology for taking away from your valuable time, could be towards other islanders’ issues and permits,” she said, “never anticipated challenges, answers seven months ago. Furthermore, in a million years, I would have never thought my husband would be on top of the roof 24/7 for six days. I just hope we get an answer either way. Now, in my heart, I feel 95% sure they will say no. I have the 5% hope we like to have someone else besides one person within the town telling us that’s definitely their answer,” said Amy. “If they say no, will Rick stay out there? No, Rick will come down, and we will start process with demoing the garage and a house plan.” This is more than a building to him. He said the garage saved his life during Hurricane Ian. FEMA has plans to meet Rick about the unusual situation. READ MORE: ‘Rick on the roof’ holds strong going into day 2 of protest A Fort Myers Beach spokesperson mentioned that Rick could convert the surviving garage into a standalone structure for storage and parking only. A new single-family home can be built with the garage connected to the home. The building must meet floodplain regulations and building codes. However, that was not good enough for Rick. He decided to continue his protest. Rick told WINK about the overwhelming amount of support he’s getting from the community. “Oh, my gosh, I cannot tell you how much we thank everyone for their support in the last five days. I have never seen a community step up like this and deliver things and stop by to tell me their story,” Loughery said. A representative from Governor DeSantis’ office plans to meet with Rick and Amy Tuesday morning. Rick is adamant that this fight is far from over.