Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast UniversityMissing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: Parent brings weapon to Lehigh Acres school According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, there is probable cause to believe a woman unintentionally brought a firearm to school.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: Parent brings weapon to Lehigh Acres school According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, there is probable cause to believe a woman unintentionally brought a firearm to school.
The banyan tree now destroyed Michigan Avenue. CREDIT: WINK News A tree probably decades old has been left in bits, as crews working on an empty lot in Fort Myers were forced to stop because they were apparently working without a permit. The remains of a once majestic banyan tree that provided shade to drivers and even pedestrians on the other side of Michigan Avenue lay strewn pell-mell on the lot before Seaboard Street Wednesday afternoon. Bits of the old banyan on Michigan Avenue. CREDIT: WNK News Girthy tree limbs and trunks lay scattered on the earth of the lot, which crews have left gauged. In the craters left by the crews, fine wisps of root systems twitch in the wind. A small paper sign with a red banner that said “STOP WORK” can now be seen planted in front of what was left of the tree. The sign from the City of Fort Myers noted that the work was begun without a construction permit. The Stop Work warning from the city. CREDIT: WINK News A landscaping crew was witnessed there over a period of several days the week prior, using chainsaws and a cherrypicker to take apart the tree. What the banyan on Michigan Street looked like before crews began tearing it down. CREDIT: Google Earth. At one point, workers redirected traffic off Michigan, a block over, as tree limbs spilled into the street. Crew members have not been seen at the site since Thursday or maybe Friday. Only a few blocks to the east stands a similar-sized banyan, next to the Fort Myers Cemetery, where the sidewalk was constructed around that tree. Fort Myers is also home to what is said to be the second-largest banyan tree in the world at the winter home and laboratory of Thomas Edison. RELATED: Hurricane Ian’s impact on Edison and Ford Winter Estates Harvey Firestone, the famous rubber magnate, brought it to the famous inventor as a gift from India. The banyan, whose scientific name is ficus benghalensis is not native to Florida and is believed to originate in Bengal, India. According to the University of Florida, these trees grow quickly and wide, killing a host tree and can cause damage to infrastructure. They also provide an array of habitats for animals. Downtown Fort Myers is well known for its banyan trees, and there is a massive one by the Old Lee County Courthouse. This is a city that may be popularly known for its palm trees, but at its heart, the banyan makes a mighty statement. Who may have been responsible for the massacre of this tree remains unclear for now, but it stands as a tragic testament to the voracious appetite for growth in Southwest Florida. We asked viewers what they think about the pace of development in Southwest Florida. Here are some of the responses we received. “Our sweet town has terrible growing pains. I left Miami 50 years ago because of this, and I hope I don’t have to do that here. The infrastructure is not keeping up with the growth. It is all very disturbing,” said Cindy. A banyan tree by Fort Myers Cemetary. CREDIT: WINK News “I think it is disgusting and sad how little respect there is for our environment. When will humans learn that we do NOT own the planet? We are the guests? Whoever cut this tree should be in jail,” said Johanne Madsen. “They are over-developing it without keeping up with the infrastructure to support the influx of residents. It is losing all the greenery and open spaces needed to keep temperatures down and give shelter to wildlife,” said Deb. “They need to slow down and stop destroying the natural habitat areas that are still left. It’s all about greed and making fast money without any consideration for the future while overloading the infrastructure,” said D. “Time to go up, not out and destroy what made it wonderful. I lived there in ’70s to mid ’90s. I don’t like what I saw last October. Sadly not the beautiful place I grew up in,” said Tammy. The city staff is reviewing clearing the permit for the address where this tree stands on Michigan Avenue. The permit was submitted on Wednesday and is currently being reviewed. Christ LLC New Hope Faith Temple of Jesus is the property owner of this area. Until then, this is how the tree is going to stay.