DOH-Collier cautions of blue-green algae at Lake AvalonCity, Naples Beach Club to preserve green space in perpetuity
COLLIER COUNTY DOH-Collier cautions of blue-green algae at Lake Avalon The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) wants to caution the public of the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Avalon.
City, Naples Beach Club to preserve green space in perpetuity More than 104 acres of recreation and open space at the former Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club’s golf course will be forever preserved.
FORT MYERS The 52nd annual Fort Myers Boat Show begins An annual Fort Myers tradition has returned as the region’s premier display of boats and boating products, which will be on full display for enthusiasts to enjoy.
the weather authority Tracking Tropical Depression 19, expected to become Tropical Storm Sara The Weather Authority is tracking Tropical Depression 19, which is forecast to strengthen into Tropical Storm Sara in the Caribbean later this Thursday afternoon.
the weather authority Gorgeous Thursday afternoon with highs in the mid 80s The Weather Authority is tracking pleasant afternoon conditions with temperatures in the mid-80s this Thursday.
SANIBEL Failed air quality tests push back reopening date for The Sanibel School The tentative reopening of The Sanibel School has been pushed back once again after being closed since Hurricane Milton.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Police respond to rollover crash; driver flees scene The Fort Myers Police Department responded to a rollover, single-vehicle on Colonial Gardens Circle and Colonial Boulevard.
FORT MYERS West End residents frustrated by security failures, lack of response A nearly $64 million luxury apartment complex that close to 500 people call home, but somehow, security seems to fall through the cracks.
NAPLES Collier County nearly doubles tourism budget On Tuesday, Collier County Commissioners approved a nearly $12 million budget for a tourism marketing campaign.
Florida policyholders urged to contact OIR if policies are canceled or nonrenewed If your insurance has been canceled or is not being renewed due to this year’s storms, the state of Florida wants you to reach out to the Office of Insurance Regulation.
BAREFOOT BEACH Woman thinks QR code got hacked A Fort Myers woman says a fraudulent QR code at Barefoot Beach caused her credit card to be hacked. She’s on a mission to warn others.
CAPE CORAL Sticker shock: Cape Coral residents hit with unexpected property tax hikes This is the time of year when people start paying their property taxes, but what happens when you get your bill and it’s more than you expected?
SANIBEL Sanibel workshop teaches residents benefits of elevating homes and businesses With each hurricane that brings damage to our area, many people rush to be more resilient. On Sanibel, more than 300 people have RSVP’d to learn about raising their homes and businesses.
SANIBEL Sanibel Causeway construction causing confusion and costing local business Repairing the Sanibel Causeway after recent storms has caused more than just traffic back-ups.
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS Speakeasy in downtown Fort Myers honors local historic figures Everything inside the Escondido Lounge whispers an authentic speakeasy, from the dim red lights to the fancy vintage glasses.
COLLIER COUNTY DOH-Collier cautions of blue-green algae at Lake Avalon The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) wants to caution the public of the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Avalon.
City, Naples Beach Club to preserve green space in perpetuity More than 104 acres of recreation and open space at the former Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club’s golf course will be forever preserved.
FORT MYERS The 52nd annual Fort Myers Boat Show begins An annual Fort Myers tradition has returned as the region’s premier display of boats and boating products, which will be on full display for enthusiasts to enjoy.
the weather authority Tracking Tropical Depression 19, expected to become Tropical Storm Sara The Weather Authority is tracking Tropical Depression 19, which is forecast to strengthen into Tropical Storm Sara in the Caribbean later this Thursday afternoon.
the weather authority Gorgeous Thursday afternoon with highs in the mid 80s The Weather Authority is tracking pleasant afternoon conditions with temperatures in the mid-80s this Thursday.
SANIBEL Failed air quality tests push back reopening date for The Sanibel School The tentative reopening of The Sanibel School has been pushed back once again after being closed since Hurricane Milton.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Police respond to rollover crash; driver flees scene The Fort Myers Police Department responded to a rollover, single-vehicle on Colonial Gardens Circle and Colonial Boulevard.
FORT MYERS West End residents frustrated by security failures, lack of response A nearly $64 million luxury apartment complex that close to 500 people call home, but somehow, security seems to fall through the cracks.
NAPLES Collier County nearly doubles tourism budget On Tuesday, Collier County Commissioners approved a nearly $12 million budget for a tourism marketing campaign.
Florida policyholders urged to contact OIR if policies are canceled or nonrenewed If your insurance has been canceled or is not being renewed due to this year’s storms, the state of Florida wants you to reach out to the Office of Insurance Regulation.
BAREFOOT BEACH Woman thinks QR code got hacked A Fort Myers woman says a fraudulent QR code at Barefoot Beach caused her credit card to be hacked. She’s on a mission to warn others.
CAPE CORAL Sticker shock: Cape Coral residents hit with unexpected property tax hikes This is the time of year when people start paying their property taxes, but what happens when you get your bill and it’s more than you expected?
SANIBEL Sanibel workshop teaches residents benefits of elevating homes and businesses With each hurricane that brings damage to our area, many people rush to be more resilient. On Sanibel, more than 300 people have RSVP’d to learn about raising their homes and businesses.
SANIBEL Sanibel Causeway construction causing confusion and costing local business Repairing the Sanibel Causeway after recent storms has caused more than just traffic back-ups.
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS Speakeasy in downtown Fort Myers honors local historic figures Everything inside the Escondido Lounge whispers an authentic speakeasy, from the dim red lights to the fancy vintage glasses.
Kevin Ott’s new home. CREDIT: WINK News One man has an incredible Hurricane Ian survivor story, but it’s what happened after that’s nearly brought him to tears: enduring an almost 14-month journey to get into his new home. He saved a dozen people during Hurricane Ian’s immense downpour. “He was floating in a white jacket, holding onto a boat. We were like, ‘Come on, let’s go,'” said Kevin Ott. All this time later, he needs help. In particular, why it has taken more than a year to get him and his children into their new home. “When you work your hardest trying to give something to your kids and you get nothing, you get basically slapped in the face,” said Ott. When that happened, the South Fort Myers dad turned to WINK News anchor Nicole Gabe for help. The Ott family purchased a mobile home, hoping to move in, but they wound up stuck in limbo. It’s been an ongoing journey for the Ott family. They bought a mobile home in February of 2023, but if you skip to Monday, they’re one step closer to moving into their new home. Ott has quite the Hurricane Ian story to tell. “She was floating in the canoe with the dog, her daughter, her daughter’s boyfriend, the cat. And I was like, we gotta get them,” he said. “My kids jumped out, broke the door open, they kicked the door open and out comes the canoe with all of them on it.” Using a pontoon boat, he rescued 12 people, a dog and two cats in the middle of Hurricane Ian, a storm reaching Category 5 status. “We didn’t think… we just kept on going, as fast as we could, picking up people,” said Ott. Similar to others, Ott lost his South Fort Myers home in the storm. Since then, Ott feels everything’s gone downhill. “It’s kind of discouraging more than anything. Because here I am with three kids raised. That’s hard, extremely, not have a place to put them in,” said Ott. After Ian, he applied for loans, got permits and spoke with FEMA. On Nov. 25, 2022, the SBA Loan came through. The contract shows Ott purchased a mobile home from Black Wolf Holdings LLC. in South Fort Myers in Feburary 2023. “Five bedrooms, three baths and big kitchen, big living room and plenty room for all the kids. It’s a brand new Clayton home,” said Ott. But when Ott first contacted WINK News in November 2023, he still hadn’t seen the home. “I’ve asked for pictures, no pictures. I’ve asked what’s inside – nothing,” said Ott. All he had was a lot full of dirt. So WINK News reached out to Steven Game, the manager of Black Wolf. That set off claims from both sides of miscommunication, incorrect paperwork and blame. It also ignited movement on the project. Ten months after signing the contract, it looked like progress. The pad was set. But that’s all that happened for a while. In late December 2023, WINK News went to LaBelle, where Black Wolf Homes stores mobile homes to ask about Ott’s home. That’s where WINK News met Steven Game. He invited us onto the property and showed us Ott’s home. Steven Game got the installer TEK-9 on the phone and worked out a delivery date. Jan. 2, 2024, a whopping 11 months after Ott purchased the trailer, it was delivered. “Going right positive direction, I guess you could say we’ve had a rough year, but starting now, first two days, three days into the new year, it’s gonna be nice,” said Ott. It started looking good for Ott until days turned into weeks. It would be nearly two months before the home was installed and hooked up. The final part of the installation process happened on April 1. The skirting was installed around the home. After nearly 14 months of back and forth, Ott is getting closer to the finish line. One of the last steps for Ott to officially move in was getting his certificate of occupancy. On Monday, Ott said the county approved him. That means he has the green light. Ott told WINK News his daughters have birthdays at the end of April, and he hopes to move in and settled by then to celebrate. Black Wolf and the installer have both talked with WINK News throughout the process but did not want to be interviewed for the story.