Water woes: Cape Coral to address water issues with townhall meetingFlorida insurer fined $1M over Hurricane Ian claims
CAPE CORAL Water woes: Cape Coral to address water issues with townhall meeting In a city with more canals than Venice, water in Cape Coral doesn’t seem that hard to find. Interestingly enough, some people say their water is running dry. That’s why the city wants to hear from you. On Monday, the city will host a water conservation town hall. Since last November, Northeast Cape Coral has […]
Florida insurer fined $1M over Hurricane Ian claims The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation issued the seven figure fine to Heritage Property and Casualty Insurance Company for violating a number of Florida laws when handling some of its Hurricane Ian- related claims.
NORTH NAPLES One Step at a Time: NAMI of Collier County Mental Health Walk Hundreds of people walked one mile with the goal of raising awareness of mental health challenges.
Southwest Florida The Weather Authority: A warm Sunday with lower humidity for Mother’s Day The Weather Authority has your Mother’s Day forecast. For Sunday, things heat up with highs in the 90s, but it is less humid out.
FORT MYERS BEACH Little League is back on Fort Myers Beach The crack of the bat is something these little league players never thought they’d get to see again here on Fort Myers Beach.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Aunt and father of Christopher Horne Jr. released from jail The aunt and father of Christopher Horne Jr. have been released Saturday afternoon.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: Salad Knife, Fish, and Shooting Update This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a knife-wielding customer, a fish named ‘Bean,’ and an update on a double shooting.
The Weather Authority National Hurricane Preparedness Week: Take action today For Hurricane Preparedness Week, we are recapping the importance of taking action to be better prepared for when a storm develops.
Southwest Florida The Weather Authority: Warm weekend but lower humidity briefly in the forecast The Weather Authority Meteorologist Lauren Kreidler said to expect a warm weekend, but there is a present for Mom on Sunday – lower humidity.
CAPE CORAL 3 family members of teen accused in murder of Kayla Rincon-Miller arrested New details have emerged surrounding the arrest of a woman whose 16-year-old son is accused of being involved in the murder of Kayla Rincon-Miller, and now her husband and sister are also in jail.
FORT MYERS Death investigation in Fort Myers after body is found in truck bed Fort Myers Police confirm that there is a death investigation at the corner of Market Street and brown street.
NAPLES Naples ‘celebrity bartender’ stirring up new cocktails at LoLa 41 Michael Slabach often researches ideas, finding a new balance of layers, color, texture and selective glassware to turn his drinks into art.
FORT MYERS New affordable housing program in Fort Myers begins Affordable housing is a rare sighting these days, but one city is making it a priority.
NAPLES ‘Live simply and never give up’ – Motto for Naples couple needing a helping hand A husband wants nothing more than to share the world with his wife while she is suffering from an illness determined to keep them separated.
NAPLES Music teacher dilemma at Gulf Coast High School leaves students anxious Parents are outraged, and students are unsure what the future holds after one of their two beloved music teachers was told they will have to transfer.
CAPE CORAL Water woes: Cape Coral to address water issues with townhall meeting In a city with more canals than Venice, water in Cape Coral doesn’t seem that hard to find. Interestingly enough, some people say their water is running dry. That’s why the city wants to hear from you. On Monday, the city will host a water conservation town hall. Since last November, Northeast Cape Coral has […]
Florida insurer fined $1M over Hurricane Ian claims The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation issued the seven figure fine to Heritage Property and Casualty Insurance Company for violating a number of Florida laws when handling some of its Hurricane Ian- related claims.
NORTH NAPLES One Step at a Time: NAMI of Collier County Mental Health Walk Hundreds of people walked one mile with the goal of raising awareness of mental health challenges.
Southwest Florida The Weather Authority: A warm Sunday with lower humidity for Mother’s Day The Weather Authority has your Mother’s Day forecast. For Sunday, things heat up with highs in the 90s, but it is less humid out.
FORT MYERS BEACH Little League is back on Fort Myers Beach The crack of the bat is something these little league players never thought they’d get to see again here on Fort Myers Beach.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Aunt and father of Christopher Horne Jr. released from jail The aunt and father of Christopher Horne Jr. have been released Saturday afternoon.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: Salad Knife, Fish, and Shooting Update This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a knife-wielding customer, a fish named ‘Bean,’ and an update on a double shooting.
The Weather Authority National Hurricane Preparedness Week: Take action today For Hurricane Preparedness Week, we are recapping the importance of taking action to be better prepared for when a storm develops.
Southwest Florida The Weather Authority: Warm weekend but lower humidity briefly in the forecast The Weather Authority Meteorologist Lauren Kreidler said to expect a warm weekend, but there is a present for Mom on Sunday – lower humidity.
CAPE CORAL 3 family members of teen accused in murder of Kayla Rincon-Miller arrested New details have emerged surrounding the arrest of a woman whose 16-year-old son is accused of being involved in the murder of Kayla Rincon-Miller, and now her husband and sister are also in jail.
FORT MYERS Death investigation in Fort Myers after body is found in truck bed Fort Myers Police confirm that there is a death investigation at the corner of Market Street and brown street.
NAPLES Naples ‘celebrity bartender’ stirring up new cocktails at LoLa 41 Michael Slabach often researches ideas, finding a new balance of layers, color, texture and selective glassware to turn his drinks into art.
FORT MYERS New affordable housing program in Fort Myers begins Affordable housing is a rare sighting these days, but one city is making it a priority.
NAPLES ‘Live simply and never give up’ – Motto for Naples couple needing a helping hand A husband wants nothing more than to share the world with his wife while she is suffering from an illness determined to keep them separated.
NAPLES Music teacher dilemma at Gulf Coast High School leaves students anxious Parents are outraged, and students are unsure what the future holds after one of their two beloved music teachers was told they will have to transfer.
Credit: WINK News Florida manatees have spent the last few years struggling to survive, but just days ago, one state park saw a more uplifting update from the species. Blue Springs State Park, just a few dozen miles north of Orlando, saw its largest-ever manatee count. “Record-breaking morning at Blue Spring State Park,” the park wrote on Facebook on Jan. 21, revealing that park officials counted 932 manatees in the area, nearly 200 more than their previous record of 736 that was counted on New Year’s Day this year. Park officials posted a photo of one area in the park, where dozens of manatees can be seen huddled together in the water. Blue Spring State Park sees as many as 400 manatees a day! Check out this park in Central Florida #ManateeMonday — Florida State Parks (@FLStateParks) February 6, 2017 The record number was counted on what the Save the Manatee Club says was the “coldest morning of the season yet.” According to the group, the river temperature was 58.8 degrees Fahrenheit. Manatees are sensitive to the cold, which is why during the winter they are often seen huddling together in areas where the water is warmer. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Blue Spring State Park is “one of the largest winter gathering sites” for manatees in the state, as the water stays at a “constant” 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Featured manatee adoptee: Flash!Flash is a large male manatee first identified in 1977 at Blue Spring State Park. He is shy of human contact and will take off in a “flash” when disturbed. Learn more about Flash and adopt him at https://t.co/PD2ekBKylL pic.twitter.com/OQYHDdnIqC — Save the Manatee (@savethemanatee) January 22, 2024 If exposed to colder water for too long, the mammals can develop a disorder that the site is comparable to “hypothermia, pneumonia or frostbite in humans and can make them very sick.” “Manatees depend on the warm water for survival, as they cannot tolerate water temperatures colder than 68 degrees for long periods of time,” Florida State Parks says on its website. ” Although manatees look “fat” or “blubbery,” they only have about an inch of fat and a very slow metabolism, meaning they cannot easily stay warm. This biology makes sanctuaries such as Blue Spring vital for their survival.” Florida manatees have been experiencing an unusual mortality event – a period of time in which a population of marine mammals is suddenly and unexpectedly dying off – since 2020. Last year, more than 550 manatees died, according to state data, with watercraft and disease being the leading causes of death for the animals. Latest #Manatee Update from Blue Spring State Park!The river was down to 60.1F (15.6C). We counted 501 manatees today. The adoptees in were Lily, Howie, Phillip, Una, Aqua, Floyd, Merlin, Deep Dent & Moo Shoo & calf. pic.twitter.com/8jGzGCNsQa — Save the Manatee (@savethemanatee) January 19, 2024 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission found that roughly 20% of those deaths were attributed to a “significant red tide bloom” that hit the state’s southwest. Red tide is a bloom of algae known as Karenia brevis that produces natural toxins, and when those toxins reach large amounts, it can be deadly for dolphins, turtles, birds and manatees, as well as cause humans to experience skin irritation and respiratory issues. Exposed manatees can get hit with a neurotoxin that weakens or paralyzes them and, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife, even causes seizures. The agency says that manatees will often struggle to surface and breathe and can experience facial tremors, weakness and beaching. Manatees have also been struggling to find enough adequate food, with the state saying seagrass and macroalgae sources have “declined significantly.” In recent years, the state has been providing supplemental food to the mammals, which they said “significantly reduced” the number of starving manatees. Although the unusual mortality event is not over, the state ended the supplemental feeding program at the end of 2023.