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.
Damage to Fort Myers Beach from Hurricane Ian. CREDIT: WINK News Lee County Commissioners pledged to fight back after FEMA announced more than 100,000 homeowners will lose their 25-percent discount on their flood insurance policies as of October 1. Who’s to blame? Well, it depends on who you ask. Lee County Commissioners feel blindsided, but were they? FEMA sent Lee County multiple letters. At least three of them say something along the lines of “failure to enforce these regulations may result in sanctions against the community, including retrograde of Community Rating System (CRS) class, probation, or suspension from the [National Flood Insurance Program].” A retrograde of CRS class would take away homeowners’ 25-percent flood insurance discounts. The county said they responded to each letter and still argue FEMA never said homeowners would lose that discount. “This isn’t good for our community,” one homeowner said in Tuesday’s Lee County Commissioners meeting. “This is a hot issue, especially in this state where insurance costs for everything are going sky high,” another homeowner said. The news sent a jolt through Lee County homeowners and its elected leaders. “The federal government is here to help. Well, are you?” Lee County Commissioner Chair Mike Greenwell said. But that frustration and blame game won’t help wallets come October. The County issued a release last Friday stating, “Without any prior notice, FEMA verbally informed Lee County and some of its municipalities late Thursday that it was altering discounts on National Flood Insurance Program premiums that allow residents to save up to 25 percent.” Lee County’s CRS class was retrograded from 5 to 10. “Based on the discussion that we had with them, they stated that this was a final decision and that there were no appeals available to us,” Lee County Manager Dave Harner said in Tuesday’s meeting. The three letters sent by FEMA to county leaders are dated February 15, 2023, June 7, 2023, and December 6, 2023. FEMA requested specific documentation from Lee County, including a list of communities with substantial damage. Homes that are considered to have substantial damage suffered repair costs worth more than 50 percent of the market value. They have to be brought up to compliance, like by lifting it. FEMA also asked for lists and copies of permits sent after Ian as well as elevation certificates for any completed work in the Special Flood Hazard Area. In documents Lee County sent WINK News after Tuesday’s meeting, the County told FEMA only 37 permits were given to properties with substantial damage about a year after Ian. Yet in a letter sent in December, FEMA said its teams saw 590 sites under construction but were not provided documentation for the work. “We did provide voluminous amounts of information and continue to beyond the dates that I stated here,” Harner added. “There are a number of emails back and forth regarding information and information requests.” County Chair Mike Greenwell said the agency never told them the County would lose its rating and your flood insurance discounts. “There were multiple letters that FEMA sent and you guys responded back. What’s the difference between FEMA saying if you guys don’t do X, Y, Z then this will happen? How are you guys blindsided by that?” WINK News Consumer Investigator Andryanna Sheppard asked. “Well you’re blindsided by this because there has to be dialogue in that,” Greenwell responded. “We thought we were complying with everything they asked us to do. If that’s not the case, then why was there not more dialogue?” As for why the discount will disappear, FEMA told WINK News a “large amount of unpermitted work, lack of documentation and failure to properly monitor activity in Special Flood Hazard Areas.” “I don’t have any evidence that the County did anything wrong” Lee County Commissioner Brian Hamman said when asked if it was possible the County made a mistake. “I think we need to look at all the data. We need to look at FEMA and all the information. They haven’t given us anything in writing. If they can give us in writing something that shows what happened here and it doesn’t match up, then absolutely we need to figure out what happened here.” Harner said FEMA is expected to send more detailed documentation on what the County did wrong sometime this month. As of now, the earliest Lee County could see its rating come back is April 2026. Homeowners wouldn’t see discounts again until October 2026. The Commissioners want FEMA to suspend its decision and walk to talk to someone from FEMA in person, even if that means going to Washington, D.C.