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.
CREDIT: WINK News EIghteen months later, with little rebuilding, people in Matlacha say it’s still a mess and a constant reminder of Hurricane Ian. WINK News visited the tiny town and saw the damage Ian did. Almost every building was destroyed. Houses and trash continue to litter the water along with cars stacked on top of debris. CREDIT: WINK News WINK News reporter Olivia Jean talked with several Pine Island residents about the damage. “Healing is going to be when we can drive through there, and it’s just cleaned up,” Elsie Stearns said. It brings back sad memories not only for people who live here but for tourists. Many tourists are day trippers, and the trash greets them as they cross the bridge onto the island. “Driving through Matlacha takes you back literally to the day of the storm, or the day after the storm when many of us that were on the island went back up and, and saw the devastation there. So when you drive through there, now, you know, this many months, and year and a half, almost two years later, and you’re still looking at some of the same devastation. It just takes you right back to that day. It’s heart-wrenching,” Stearns said. I rode along with a man who lives in Pine Island who wished to remain anonymous. He showed WINK News just how bad things still are 18 months later. Another Pine Island resident said something needs to be done. “I’d like them to clean up the major buildings that have fallen in the water, areas like this behind us that need to be cleaned up. And I’d like him to let us know out here how long it’s going to be before this section of roadway is totally open again,” he said. Right after Ian, he told WINK the county was there, and they were an extreme help. “They cleared all the vegetative debris; they cleared our roads. They sent in trucks to call off all the debris. They did a wonderful job. Finish it,” he said. The progress in Matlacha has slowed. The job is not close to being done, and people who live here are wondering when it will be finished. Residents love Matlacha and hope to see it thrive someday like it did before the storm. “Matlacha has always been very special,” Stearns said. WINK News reached out to Lee County and they provided WINK News with this statement: Many county departments continue work and outreach in Matlacha-Pine Island post-Ian. Lee County understands residents and business owners continue to face a very long process in the repair and restoration of their properties. County staff continues to make itself available to private property owner with questions. Additionally, outreach efforts continue for those in need of help post-Ian via LeeCares. Our DOT department has an active resurfacing project going on mid-island. In addition, Lee County said this particular project belongs to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Here is the project website: 451937-2 Pine Island Causeway and Bridge Reconstruction Project WINK News reached out to FDOT and they sent us these answers to our questions: What is the status of recovery? Matlacha Causeway -All utility services for communications, power, water, and sewer service are currently being accommodated in the restoration process. What has been done? Matlacha Causeway- Installed permanent sheet pile wall, with concrete cap, on north and south side of causeway. What still needs to be done? Matlacha Causeway Crews continue installing utilities throughout the causeway. Installation of drainage structures and pipe as well as roadway reconstruction will follow. What is the timeline? Our public meeting on April 11, 2024, will share the design of the new Little Pine Island Bridge. Construction is anticipated to begin Spring 2024. How are you getting funding? Funding is provided by the Federal Highway Administration, the Florida Department of Transportation and Lee County. The roadway segments within this area are owned, operated, and maintained by Lee County. FDOT appreciates the continued patience of the community as we complete the restoration of Hurricane Ian related damage to the roadways with the resilience for years to come. WINK News will keep you updated with any other updates.