Cold front brings less humid air this Tuesday afternoonCollier County launches pilot program to fend off mosquitoes, diseases
the weather authority Cold front brings less humid air this Tuesday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a cold front, which will bring in less humidity and cooler temperatures this Tuesday.
golden gate city Collier County launches pilot program to fend off mosquitoes, diseases The Collier Mosquito Control District is launching a pilot program to use sterilization to target invasive insects in Golden Gate City.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
1 woman unaccounted for following Port Charlotte home fire Firefighters are on the scene of a fire at a Charlotte County home.
FORT MYERS Man accused of burglarizing several businesses in Fort Myers A crime spree came to an end Sunday night as deputies arrested a man in a bush.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers cross country runner reflects on state championship Fort Myers High School senior cross country runner Masha Dorofeev reflects on her state championship win and committing to UCF.
CAPE CORAL Coyote kills beloved family pet For 16 years, Sarge and his owner, James Stewart were inseparable.
FORT MYERS Local artist AHZUWOP to hold fashion show at tattoo shop A local artist is throwing a fashion show at a tattoo shop, an event that will also feature music performances and an art exhibition.
NAPLES Identity released of body found in Collier County retention pond According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, a body was found in a retention pond on Sunday. The body was found on Lindsey Lane.
FORT MYERS City leaders looking to improve Fort Myers infrastructure with AI When people think of artificial intelligence (AI), they typically think of online apps like Chat GPT but the City of Fort Myers wants to use it to make a real-world difference.
SAINT JAMES CITY Saint James City neighbors create art from hurricane destruction Many who pass through Saint James City see this as just leftovers from a hundred-year storm but not Floyd Cornett.
FORT MYERS Miracle Moment: Children starting the year cancer free Several youngsters are celebrating starting 2025 cancer-free.
FORT MYERS Flood insurance discount up to 20% in Fort Myers Anyone who lives in the City of Fort Myers will be getting a bigger flood insurance discount.
Message from LCEC raises red flag for customers A push from one of Southwest Florida’s power providers to not use your heater as the temperatures drop has raised a red flag for some customers.
FORT MYERS Cutting down on truck traffic on McGregor Boulevard Giant trucks are rumbling on roads meant to connect neighborhoods, and now city leaders want to eliminate trucks from the roads completely.
the weather authority Cold front brings less humid air this Tuesday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a cold front, which will bring in less humidity and cooler temperatures this Tuesday.
golden gate city Collier County launches pilot program to fend off mosquitoes, diseases The Collier Mosquito Control District is launching a pilot program to use sterilization to target invasive insects in Golden Gate City.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
1 woman unaccounted for following Port Charlotte home fire Firefighters are on the scene of a fire at a Charlotte County home.
FORT MYERS Man accused of burglarizing several businesses in Fort Myers A crime spree came to an end Sunday night as deputies arrested a man in a bush.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers cross country runner reflects on state championship Fort Myers High School senior cross country runner Masha Dorofeev reflects on her state championship win and committing to UCF.
CAPE CORAL Coyote kills beloved family pet For 16 years, Sarge and his owner, James Stewart were inseparable.
FORT MYERS Local artist AHZUWOP to hold fashion show at tattoo shop A local artist is throwing a fashion show at a tattoo shop, an event that will also feature music performances and an art exhibition.
NAPLES Identity released of body found in Collier County retention pond According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, a body was found in a retention pond on Sunday. The body was found on Lindsey Lane.
FORT MYERS City leaders looking to improve Fort Myers infrastructure with AI When people think of artificial intelligence (AI), they typically think of online apps like Chat GPT but the City of Fort Myers wants to use it to make a real-world difference.
SAINT JAMES CITY Saint James City neighbors create art from hurricane destruction Many who pass through Saint James City see this as just leftovers from a hundred-year storm but not Floyd Cornett.
FORT MYERS Miracle Moment: Children starting the year cancer free Several youngsters are celebrating starting 2025 cancer-free.
FORT MYERS Flood insurance discount up to 20% in Fort Myers Anyone who lives in the City of Fort Myers will be getting a bigger flood insurance discount.
Message from LCEC raises red flag for customers A push from one of Southwest Florida’s power providers to not use your heater as the temperatures drop has raised a red flag for some customers.
FORT MYERS Cutting down on truck traffic on McGregor Boulevard Giant trucks are rumbling on roads meant to connect neighborhoods, and now city leaders want to eliminate trucks from the roads completely.
Sanibel Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce. CREDIT: WINK News Sanibel saw more than 200 visitors a day before Hurricane Ian, but almost 13 months later, less than 50 are showing up daily. This launches a vicious domino effect for the few businesses on the island. There simply isn’t enough foot traffic on the island, and when people finally come to visit, there are not enough places to stay. The Sanibel Captiva Chamber of Commerce told WINK News that the number of short-term units is 10% of what it used to be. That means with fewer people able to stay on the island, restaurants and other businesses are feeling the impact. “Each and every business within our county on the coastal areas are in different phases of readiness. The one thing that everyone has in common is the fact that their numbers are way down. Regardless of whether they’re 20% open or 100%,” said John Lai, the CEO and president of the Sanibel Captiva Chamber of Commerce. The major problem is a lack of lodging. “Our restaurants and our attractions know that without beds to occupy, their businesses are already in at a handicap, so to speak,” said Lai, “so what we’re trying to do right now as an organization, I think as a region is push people to the inland properties.” However, it’s not just the low number of vacationers causing problems. “Pre-Ian, we had roughly 7,500 full-time residents on the island. Post-Ian, we have right around 1,000,” said Lai. “We’ve definitely felt it. Without the traffic of day trippers coming to the beach,” said Katy Forret, the general manager of Doc Fords. Doc Fords is one of 104 businesses that’s a member of the Sanibel Captiva Chamber of Commerce, which is equal to a fifth of what the number was before Hurricane Ian. Forret said business has been picking up thanks to inland locals. “People traveling from Punta Gorda, Naples, all over just to come out, see the island, have lunch at Doc Fords,” said Forret. Meanwhile, at Rachel Pierce’s Art Gallary, business has been good, but she knows everyone on the Barrier Islands needs each other. “If all the other businesses don’t thrive, I’m not going to thrive either,” said Pierce. Realizing Ian knocked out all the hotel rooms, business leaders say hitting the 10% mark is amazing, and to have a fifth of the businesses reopened is a win. The message is to remind visitors that Southwest Florida is open, and there are places to stay and businesses that need the support of locals.