CDC says bird flu viruses “pose pandemic potential,” cites major knowledge gapsBay Street Yard set to open in late May
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA (CBS) CDC says bird flu viruses “pose pandemic potential,” cites major knowledge gaps Bird flu continues to appear to pose a “low risk to the general public” for now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. But the agency’s scientists ran into roadblocks investigating a human case of this “pandemic potential” virus this year, they said in a new report.
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS Bay Street Yard set to open in late May A new place to hang out in Downtown Fort Myers is opening this spring.
Aetna agrees to settle lawsuit over fertility coverage for LGBTQ+ customers Aetna has agreed to settle a lawsuit that accused the health insurer of discriminating against LGBTQ+ customers in need of fertility treatment.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: Robbery, Pawn Shops, and Child Porn This week’s segment of Wink Neighborhood Watch features an armed robber, fraud at a pawn shop, and possession of child pornography.
Southwest Florida The Weather Authority: Sun, clouds, humidity, rain – it’s all in your weekend forecast Saturday afternoon will be hot and humid, with a mix of sun and clouds.
LEHIGH ACRES Chaotic lake getting fence and security Now, with all the negative attention it has gotten, some think putting up a fence is a great way to keep that bad activity out.
CAPE CORAL What we learned about Cape Coral’s water crisis after a ride along On Friday, WINK News got to ride along to see just what people are doing that could be wasting water.
FORT MYERS Students affected by COVID-19 able to graduate for the first time For many young people, COVID stripped away one of their greatest rites of passage: graduation.
Deadly crash on State Road 29 in Hendry County Authorities are at the scene of a deadly crash on State Road 29 in Hendry County on Friday afternoon.
Celebrating Free Comic Book Day in SWFL JP Sports store manager Jonathan Powell said this is a generational event that brings families together to reminisce on comics and other hobby-related knickknacks.
FORT MYERS Group rescues dogs before getting put down in Lee County Our animal shelters are packed with amazing puppies who have the sole desire to be loved.
FORT MYERS FGCU student beats all odds and is able to graduate Nearly four years ago, Marisa Manning had her heart set on going to Florida Gulf Coast University but never thought she’d find her passion for studying parasites.
FORT MYERS Victim in MLK Blvd. shooting identified as social media influencer The victim of the Martin Luther King Boulevard shooting has been identified as a local social media influencer.
FORT MYERS Could a Ferris wheel in downtown Fort Myers work? Right now, there are talks to bring a Ferris wheel to downtown Fort Myers, but several things are still up in the air.
LITTLE HICKORY BAY Improving ‘Hell’s Gate’ safety, a notoriously dangerous waterway for boaters A push to make an area known as “Hell’s Gate” safer since it’s a dangerous stretch of water with several blind corners within Little Hickory Bay.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA (CBS) CDC says bird flu viruses “pose pandemic potential,” cites major knowledge gaps Bird flu continues to appear to pose a “low risk to the general public” for now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. But the agency’s scientists ran into roadblocks investigating a human case of this “pandemic potential” virus this year, they said in a new report.
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS Bay Street Yard set to open in late May A new place to hang out in Downtown Fort Myers is opening this spring.
Aetna agrees to settle lawsuit over fertility coverage for LGBTQ+ customers Aetna has agreed to settle a lawsuit that accused the health insurer of discriminating against LGBTQ+ customers in need of fertility treatment.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: Robbery, Pawn Shops, and Child Porn This week’s segment of Wink Neighborhood Watch features an armed robber, fraud at a pawn shop, and possession of child pornography.
Southwest Florida The Weather Authority: Sun, clouds, humidity, rain – it’s all in your weekend forecast Saturday afternoon will be hot and humid, with a mix of sun and clouds.
LEHIGH ACRES Chaotic lake getting fence and security Now, with all the negative attention it has gotten, some think putting up a fence is a great way to keep that bad activity out.
CAPE CORAL What we learned about Cape Coral’s water crisis after a ride along On Friday, WINK News got to ride along to see just what people are doing that could be wasting water.
FORT MYERS Students affected by COVID-19 able to graduate for the first time For many young people, COVID stripped away one of their greatest rites of passage: graduation.
Deadly crash on State Road 29 in Hendry County Authorities are at the scene of a deadly crash on State Road 29 in Hendry County on Friday afternoon.
Celebrating Free Comic Book Day in SWFL JP Sports store manager Jonathan Powell said this is a generational event that brings families together to reminisce on comics and other hobby-related knickknacks.
FORT MYERS Group rescues dogs before getting put down in Lee County Our animal shelters are packed with amazing puppies who have the sole desire to be loved.
FORT MYERS FGCU student beats all odds and is able to graduate Nearly four years ago, Marisa Manning had her heart set on going to Florida Gulf Coast University but never thought she’d find her passion for studying parasites.
FORT MYERS Victim in MLK Blvd. shooting identified as social media influencer The victim of the Martin Luther King Boulevard shooting has been identified as a local social media influencer.
FORT MYERS Could a Ferris wheel in downtown Fort Myers work? Right now, there are talks to bring a Ferris wheel to downtown Fort Myers, but several things are still up in the air.
LITTLE HICKORY BAY Improving ‘Hell’s Gate’ safety, a notoriously dangerous waterway for boaters A push to make an area known as “Hell’s Gate” safer since it’s a dangerous stretch of water with several blind corners within Little Hickory Bay.
The City of Sanibel is bringing back another crucial part of the island community – while helping its Osprey population too. The city partnered up with the International Osprey Foundation to restore the Sanibel School baseball fields while giving nests to this bird species. The important partnership not only gives the community back its gathering spot, but it’s bringing the island Osprey population back to life. Natural Resources Director for the City of Sanibel, Holly Milbrandt, told Wink News how important bringing these Osprey nests back with the baseball fields is for the Island. “I think everybody who’s working on Hurricane Ian recovery recognizes that it takes a village. Really nobody can can do this by themselves. And so, the city has been fortunate to have really great partners who have helped with the conservation ethic of Sanibel, and the International Osprey Foundation is one of the most,” said Milbrandt. The Sanibel School on Sanibel Island. The baseball fields were used as a staging area for natural disaster relief groups after Hurricane Ian caused mass destruction across the island and Southwest Florida. Now as the island continues to rebuild, the city said it is excited to see the fields come back for the community and wildlife. RELATED: Could the Sanibel Causeway become ‘Ron DeSantis Sanibel Causeway’? Andrea Miller, Recreation Director for the City of Sanibel, said, “It is so important for Sanibel. We’re barrier island. We’re a sanctuary island. It is one of our top priorities to live in harmony with with nature and cohabitate. So the fact that we can, you know, not only bring this back for the human population, but also our bird and our wildlife population come back along with us is crucial. So it’s just another big step forward to keep people motivated.” Ospreys home on the ball field If you look up to the top of the ball field lights, you will see a platform that now serves as these ospreys new home. Each osprey platform is hand made by International Osprey Foundation volunteer, Jim Columbo. Each platform takes one day to make. So far, there are six up on the baseball field. One of the latest nests was put up last Friday. Crews work to put up a light pole on the Sanibel School baseball fields. On top of the light is a handmade Osprey platform. As the second largest breeding ground for Ospreys in the world, Kathryn Britinaol, the President of the International Osprey Foundation, is more than happy to see these birds return home. Britinaol said, “It’s very emotional, because the loss is very emotional. So the building back is hope. And one of the things that’s desperately needed on these islands is hope. You know, it’s always two steps forward 10 steps back with all of the recovery efforts. And that’s the same with the birds too.” Local Impact For many, the Sanibel School baseball fields are more than a place to play ball. They are a community gather spot. RELATED: Sea Shelling do’s and dont’s Joshua Stewart grew up on the island, and now raises his children with his wife. Some of his fondest memories from his childhood took place on that dirt. “We would be out there serving hot dogs and hamburgers, and like the whole community, everybody was out there. We had all the teams. You get to see everybody. So I think that’s one thing that is hard to come by around here – finding gathering places,” said Stewart. Adventures in Paradise shop on Sanibel Island. Owned by Joshua Stewart. A home for the community and the ospreys. Stewart said he can’t imagine the fields without the birds there cheering them on. “I mean, the sound, like the Osprey cry. That’s like the theme song of those baseball fields, because you would always hear them out there. That sound is synonymous with Sanibel,” added Stewart. The City of Sanibel hopes to have the Sanibel School baseball fields finished by this Spring. They plan to send updates on the fields reopening.