‘It’s devastating’: Neighbor reflects on fatal fire in Port Charlotte‘The sound of death’ Neighbors concerned by amount of crashes on Joel Blvd
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘It’s devastating’: Neighbor reflects on fatal fire in Port Charlotte A devastating house fire Monday night in Port Charlotte has left one person dead and another hospitalized while neighbors mourn the possible loss of a beloved member of their community.
‘The sound of death’ Neighbors concerned by amount of crashes on Joel Blvd A woman is heartbroken from witnessing crash after crash outside her Lehigh Acres home.
Fort Myers get 15% increase on flood insurance discount WINK News is finding out what led to the city of Fort Myers going from just a 5% FEMA flood insurance discount to a 20% discount.
FORT MYERS Locals house California wildfire victims The effects of the California fires are being felt worldwide as people evacuate some are in southwest Florida.
LOVERS KEY Couple returns to Lovers Key condo post Ian While Hurricane Ian is long gone from Southwest Florida, many are still feeling its impacts.
EVERGLADES Biden signs Water Resources Development Act, its effect on SWFL President Biden recently signed into law the Water Resources Development Act with an aim to improve rivers and harbors across the country and provide for the conservation of water. Southwest Florida was included in that act. Putting the 240-page plan together took a lot of work, not just from state and federal lawmakers, but also […]
Turning business travel into a vacation Would work travel seem a little easier if you could turn it into a vacation? Two professors say they have proof that would help business travel.
The future of biometrics: Safer security or new AI risks? In 2021, the Transportation Service Agency (TSA) launched its new touchless identity solution in the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airport.
CAPE CORAL Pelican Elementary resource officer saves infant A school resource officer at Pelican Elementary saved an infants’ life at a traffic stop in Cape Coral.
FORT MYERS Progress being made on City View Park in Dunbar More promises made by a city that has not kept its promises for the last six years have some neighbors concerned about the future of their community.
COLLIER COUNTY Seacrest hoops player hits a full court buzzer beater Seacrest Country Day School boys basketball player Hayden Fuller hits full court buzzer beater against Aubrey Rogers.
NAPLES Cutting-edge ACL surgery reducing reinjury risk by 80% Known for its game-changing orthopedic repair options, Naples-based Arthrex has done it again.
NAPLES MacStrength FL offers sport and lifestyle training for young athletes In 2025, MacStrength FL is swinging for success with their current players and for a wider reach in its community.
You can appeal FEMA’s decision on your claim – Here’s how Now a week after the deadline for FEMA hurricane assistance has closed, the federal agency says you can appeal their decision on your claim if you don’t agree.
Naples selects city CFO as next city manager, averts national search Naples Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Gary Young will become the next city manager, averting a lengthy, expensive national search for a replacement.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘It’s devastating’: Neighbor reflects on fatal fire in Port Charlotte A devastating house fire Monday night in Port Charlotte has left one person dead and another hospitalized while neighbors mourn the possible loss of a beloved member of their community.
‘The sound of death’ Neighbors concerned by amount of crashes on Joel Blvd A woman is heartbroken from witnessing crash after crash outside her Lehigh Acres home.
Fort Myers get 15% increase on flood insurance discount WINK News is finding out what led to the city of Fort Myers going from just a 5% FEMA flood insurance discount to a 20% discount.
FORT MYERS Locals house California wildfire victims The effects of the California fires are being felt worldwide as people evacuate some are in southwest Florida.
LOVERS KEY Couple returns to Lovers Key condo post Ian While Hurricane Ian is long gone from Southwest Florida, many are still feeling its impacts.
EVERGLADES Biden signs Water Resources Development Act, its effect on SWFL President Biden recently signed into law the Water Resources Development Act with an aim to improve rivers and harbors across the country and provide for the conservation of water. Southwest Florida was included in that act. Putting the 240-page plan together took a lot of work, not just from state and federal lawmakers, but also […]
Turning business travel into a vacation Would work travel seem a little easier if you could turn it into a vacation? Two professors say they have proof that would help business travel.
The future of biometrics: Safer security or new AI risks? In 2021, the Transportation Service Agency (TSA) launched its new touchless identity solution in the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airport.
CAPE CORAL Pelican Elementary resource officer saves infant A school resource officer at Pelican Elementary saved an infants’ life at a traffic stop in Cape Coral.
FORT MYERS Progress being made on City View Park in Dunbar More promises made by a city that has not kept its promises for the last six years have some neighbors concerned about the future of their community.
COLLIER COUNTY Seacrest hoops player hits a full court buzzer beater Seacrest Country Day School boys basketball player Hayden Fuller hits full court buzzer beater against Aubrey Rogers.
NAPLES Cutting-edge ACL surgery reducing reinjury risk by 80% Known for its game-changing orthopedic repair options, Naples-based Arthrex has done it again.
NAPLES MacStrength FL offers sport and lifestyle training for young athletes In 2025, MacStrength FL is swinging for success with their current players and for a wider reach in its community.
You can appeal FEMA’s decision on your claim – Here’s how Now a week after the deadline for FEMA hurricane assistance has closed, the federal agency says you can appeal their decision on your claim if you don’t agree.
Naples selects city CFO as next city manager, averts national search Naples Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Gary Young will become the next city manager, averting a lengthy, expensive national search for a replacement.
Cimarron, the Florida Panther at the Shy Wolf Sanctuary. CREDIT: Paul Dolan For the fourth time in two weeks, a dead endangered Florida panther was reported by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. According to FWC’s Panther Pulse, a 10-year-old male Florida panther, identified as FP255, was struck by a vehicle on County Road 850, about a half-mile south of State Road 82 in Lee County. This is the fourth dead Florida panther FWC has reported in 2024. In 2023, FWC reported the fourth dead panther on May 26. The previous three deaths occurred in Hendry County, FP255 is the first reported death in Lee County in 2024. This is also the first reported death in Lee County since Aug. 23, 2022, when the panther was also struck by a vehicle. RELATED: Fifth endangered Florida panther struck by vehicle in November; deadliest month of 2023 RELATED: Third endangered Florida panther death reported in 8 days “Moving forward, the greatest hurdle to recovery for the Florida panther remains the conservation of sufficient habitat to allow the population to increase in size and expand beyond south Florida,” says FWC. “Our genetic management success with panthers also should prove useful to other conservation projects worldwide that deal with small, inbred, isolated populations.” According to FWC, some of the biggest threats facing Florida panthers are the conservation of sufficient habitats, vehicles, and genetic viability. Still image of a female Florida panther captured on FWC video surveillance in Charlotte County. Experts believe she likely lives in the are; although, it is uncommon for Florida panthers to be spotted north of the Caloosahatchee River. Credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Since 2020, there have been 20 dead panthers discovered in the month of January. The most reported deaths occurred in 2020, when FWC reported six deaths. Following Monday’s reported death, 27 reported panther deaths in a row can be attributed to vehicle collisions. Vehicle strikes account for 57 of the last 60 reported panther deaths dating back to early 2021. “Young males in search of their own territories have been documented in other parts of Florida, but most of the breeding population remains restricted to south Florida, below the Caloosahatchee River,” says FWC. FP255 is the oldest panther death reported by FWC since Sept. 28, 2021, when a panther between 10 and 12 years old was the victim of another vehicle collision. Interestingly, that panther was also struck in Lee County, and neither was far from State Road 82. A lost panther kitten being reunited with her mother by FWC biologists in Naples. Credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Typically, FWC reports between 22 and 27 panther deaths annually. However, in 2023, FWC reported 13 total deaths. Nevertheless, it’s unclear if this is an ominous sign or if it is meaningful at all. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Florida panther was officially listed as endangered in 1967. “A common misconception held by some people is the 1995 genetic restoration with Texas pumas has eliminated the “pure” Florida panther,” says FWC. “However, before becoming artificially isolated through unregulated hunting and habitat loss, the Florida panther interbred with the eastern cougar to the north and Texas puma to the west. This mixing of genes is what kept all the panther populations healthy, including the original pre-Columbian Florida panther.” CREDIT: LSCO FWC reports there are between 120 and 230 adult panthers remaining in the population. The state animal of Florida has seen far grimmer circumstances in the past. The species, teetering on extinction, was estimated to be ten panthers at one point says U.S. Fish & Wildlife. FWC says, “If you see a sick, injured or dead Florida panther, or if you experience a panther depredation, you can report online or call 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922). Cell phone users can also call #FWC, or send a text to Tip@MyFWC.com.” Click here to learn more about Florida panthers from FWC. Click here to learn how you can help protect the species from Panther Crossing. Click here to learn about living with Florida panthers.