2 airboats crash between mile markers 74 and 75 in Collier CountyCape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal
2 airboats crash between mile markers 74 and 75 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.
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.
Punta Gorda Man accused of indecent exposure at school bus stop in Punta Gorda The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of indecent exposure at a school bus stop in Punta Gorda.
estero Firefighters to perform 76-acre prescribed burn at Koreshan State Park San Carlos Park Fire Protection & Rescue Service District will perform a 76-acre prescribed burn at Koreshan State Park.
Tim Aten Knows: 2 new eateries coming to East Naples After operating La Rosa Pizzeria for more than 15 years, owners Bill and Alda Rosa decided to sell their local business and restaurant space.
the weather authority Warmer with sun and clouds for your Friday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a warmer day ahead, with a mixture of sun and clouds expected this Friday afternoon.
FDOT opens all lanes of Caloosahatchee Bridge year ahead of construction schedule The Florida Department of Transportation announced all lanes of the Caloosahatchee Bridge are open, a year ahead of its original pedestrian sidewalk project estimate.
NAPLES 12-year-old collecting donations for the needy during the holidays A 12-year-old Naples boy isn’t worried about what he’s getting for Christmas. Instead, he’s working on his 6th annual “Holiday Sock Drive.”
Fort Myers man facing homelessness before the holidays A 75-year-old man is on the brink of homelessness despite working over 80 hours a week.
NAPLES Adoptee uses non-profit to provide suitcases for foster children This holiday season, a Naples woman is on a mission to bring foster children something many take for granted: a suitcase filled with dignity.
MARCO ISLAND City of Marco Island discusses lead awareness during city council meeting The city of Marco Island sent out 4900 letters to residents warning them that their pipes could contain plastic or lead.
NAPLES The future of electric planes in Southwest Florida Features of living near an airport include persistent headache-inducing engine rumbles and foul-smelling jet fuel, but electric planes could play a part in the solution.
2 airboats crash between mile markers 74 and 75 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.
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.
Punta Gorda Man accused of indecent exposure at school bus stop in Punta Gorda The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of indecent exposure at a school bus stop in Punta Gorda.
estero Firefighters to perform 76-acre prescribed burn at Koreshan State Park San Carlos Park Fire Protection & Rescue Service District will perform a 76-acre prescribed burn at Koreshan State Park.
Tim Aten Knows: 2 new eateries coming to East Naples After operating La Rosa Pizzeria for more than 15 years, owners Bill and Alda Rosa decided to sell their local business and restaurant space.
the weather authority Warmer with sun and clouds for your Friday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a warmer day ahead, with a mixture of sun and clouds expected this Friday afternoon.
FDOT opens all lanes of Caloosahatchee Bridge year ahead of construction schedule The Florida Department of Transportation announced all lanes of the Caloosahatchee Bridge are open, a year ahead of its original pedestrian sidewalk project estimate.
NAPLES 12-year-old collecting donations for the needy during the holidays A 12-year-old Naples boy isn’t worried about what he’s getting for Christmas. Instead, he’s working on his 6th annual “Holiday Sock Drive.”
Fort Myers man facing homelessness before the holidays A 75-year-old man is on the brink of homelessness despite working over 80 hours a week.
NAPLES Adoptee uses non-profit to provide suitcases for foster children This holiday season, a Naples woman is on a mission to bring foster children something many take for granted: a suitcase filled with dignity.
MARCO ISLAND City of Marco Island discusses lead awareness during city council meeting The city of Marco Island sent out 4900 letters to residents warning them that their pipes could contain plastic or lead.
NAPLES The future of electric planes in Southwest Florida Features of living near an airport include persistent headache-inducing engine rumbles and foul-smelling jet fuel, but electric planes could play a part in the solution.
Nervous Nellie’s to reopen on Saturday after Hurricane Ian destruction. CREDIT: WINK News Restaurants on Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel, open for years and intertwined with everyday people, disappeared under a catastrophic storm surge as Hurricane Ian tore through the area exactly 18 months ago today. After the debris cleared and lives drifted back to routine, a demand from the locals began to emerge. Restaurants on Fort Myers Beach and the Island of Sanibel have opened to answer that demand with a feast. Restaurants on Fort Myers Beach, such as Junkanoo Below Deck, The Rude Shrimp, Hooters, Doc Fords and Salty Crab Bar and Grill, are places where families have made memories for years. When the storm clouds passed and the flood waters receded, some were gone, and others were heavily damaged. In defiance of the uncertain future ahead, businesses began to rebuild. Junkanoo Below Deck on Fort Myers Beach appeared nearly unrecognizable after Hurricane Ian. Evenings normally set on a beautiful beach with a packed house right at sunset with a cold beer in hand were gone. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Junkanoo Below Deck (@junkanoofmb) After Ian, Junkanoo’s had nearly crumbled to the ground. Focus, grit and patience would bring the restaurant back from the brink in February. Now, there are days without an empty seat at the restaurant, like in the post below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Junkanoo Below Deck (@junkanoofmb) This is the theme with many of the other restaurants. The Rude Shrimp went from a booming business to a destroyed building before cleverly and quickly coming back as a trailer. View this post on Instagram A post shared by THE RUDE SHRIMP CO. (@therudeshrimpco) Ian didn’t keep The Rude Shrimp down forever, as the restaurant would eventually fully reopen in January 2023. Doc Ford’s on Fort Myers Beach, Captiva and Sanibel were a regular spot for many visitors and locals on the island. Unfortunately, the Captiva location would end up closing permanently. However, despite still standing after Hurricane Ian, the restaurant on Fort Myers Beach knew it wouldn’t be easy to reopen. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille (@docfords) It took 10 months and overcoming many challenges, but on July 31, 2023, the Doc Ford’s on Fort Myers Beach reopened. Nervous Nellies is a restaurant known to locals and snowbirds on Fort Myers Beach for the food and the iconic big yellow chair out front. Like the abovementioned, the local favorite received devastating blows following the intense storm. If the well-known waterfront eatery were to reopen after Hurricane Ian, it would need much work done. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nervous Nellie's (@nervousnelliesfmb) It took over a year to reopen, but the day eventually came. Nervous Nellies reopened on Jan. 20, 2024. Aware of the arduous effort to reopen the restaurant 477 days after the hurricane, the restaurant posted a picture of the refurbished building. Nervous Nellies reopening after the hurricane. CREDIT: NERVOUS NELLIES FACEBOOK The area has also seen brand new spots open in the 18 months since Hurricane Ian. One of the most notable places is Margaritaville Resort in Fort Myers Beach. RELATED: Grand opening of the Margaritaville Resort in Fort Myers Beach Before opening, Margaritaville caused some controversy on the island. Since then, it seems locals and visitors have warmed up to the resort and are now enjoying the new addition to the area. The resort opened in December 2023 and is one of the latest examples of how far Fort Myers Beach has come since the hurricane. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach (@margaritavillefortmyers) Not all of the restaurants impacted by the storm had the chance to recover after Hurricane Ian. Whether washed away or leveled to the ground, some well-known businesses never opened their doors to the public again. One of those was the Hooters on Fort Myers Beach. It was a common spot for beachgoers to grab a quick bite between tanning and swimming. During the storm, pictures of the orange-roofed restaurant began circulating when it appeared to be crushed by the devastating storm surge. Where Hooters stood on Fort Myers Beach after Ian. CREDIT: WINK News It’s possible the company tried salvaging the remains of what remained of the wing joint. However, Hooters on Fort Myers Beach never served another customer after Ian. One quality people in Southwest Florida put on full display after Hurricane Ian: resolve. In the face of adversity, countless obstacles and helplessly watching as the storm surge washed away neighborhoods, SWFL has returned stronger than before. The new places offer locals and visitors the ability to make new memories. Places that have been restored give people a sense of familiarity. By crossing off one goal after another, people and businesses in Southwest Florida are moving forward 18 months after Hurricane Ian. We won’t stop now.