16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier CountyNew bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal The city of Cape Coral is seeing two projects that will change the city. One is called one of the most lucrative deals in county history.
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association breaks ground on new Fort Myers headquarters As Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association’s president pointed out, about 1,000 people are still moving to Florida every day, and many of them are finding their way to Southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County drug trafficker sentenced to 10 years A Charlotte County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
lehigh acres ‘How to sign away parental rights?’; Lehigh Acres woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal The city of Cape Coral is seeing two projects that will change the city. One is called one of the most lucrative deals in county history.
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association breaks ground on new Fort Myers headquarters As Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association’s president pointed out, about 1,000 people are still moving to Florida every day, and many of them are finding their way to Southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County drug trafficker sentenced to 10 years A Charlotte County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
lehigh acres ‘How to sign away parental rights?’; Lehigh Acres woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby.
The Sanibel baseball fields undergoing construction. 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.