CAPE CORAL Are black bears out of place in Cape Coral? A black bear was spotted last Friday in Cape Coral’s Westin on SW 57th Street, sparking both excitement and concern among residents. Multiple surveillance cameras captured the bear roaming the area, leading the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) to confirm that black bears are not uncommon in Florida.
Chronic pain and depression often linked Chronic pain and depression are among the most disabling conditions worldwide. Many people struggle with both.
Florida law targeting residential ‘squatters’ effective July 1st Governer Desantis signed HB 621, effective July 1st, which allows homeowners to remove squatters, and increases penalties on illegal tenants.
Lee Health board to vote June 13 on business structure conversion measure A “yes” vote from the board at the meeting scheduled for June 13 will start the clock on 120 days for the Lee County Board of County Commissioners to decide whether to accept the recommendation and enter into a binding mission agreement with Lee Health to operate under the new structure.
CAPE CORAL Man faces 11 charges after alleged confrontation with other drivers at Cape Coral crash site A man has been arrested after allegedly getting physical with other drivers at a crash site in Cape Coral.
CAPE CORAL Caught on Camera: Black bear seen roaming in Cape Coral A black bear seen roaming around in Cape Coral has become the talk of the town.
Naples public garage proceeding on schedule Despite finding petroleum tanks, shock absorbers and a toxic chemical while clearing land for its new four-story public garage, Naples city officials still expect the $16 million structure will open early next year.
WINK NEWS San Carlos Park couple accused in child molestation case scheduled to appear in court A San Carlos Park couple arrested for their involvement in the alleged drugging and molestation of a 13-year-old is scheduled to appear in court.
WINK NEWS Lee County teen competes in National History Day Contest A Lee County teen is heading back to Washington, D.C. for the National History Day Contest.
The Weather Authority Scattered storms expected most of your Monday The Weather Authority is tracking scattered rain storms throughout your Monday afternoon and evening.
WINK NEWS Several cars crash into bear on I-75; firefighter injured during response A crash involving several cars and a bear on Interstate 75 landed a Bayshore Fire Department firefighter in the hospital Sunday night.
WINK NEWS Wade Wilson’s double murder trial continues with witness testimony The trial for accused double murderer Wade Wilson has begun.
FORT MYERS Heavy police presence around Fort Myers neighborhood A heavy police presence was reported in a neighborhood in Fort Myers where neighbors said they heard shots fired and saw a body pulled out of a home.
FORT MYERS Closing the gun show loophole in Florida The Biden administration is working to put a stop to the “Gun show loophole.”
BOKEELIA Community holds fundraiser for woman injured in boating accident At Street Eatz in Pine Island, folks gathered on Saturday night for a concert and to celebrate one of their own.
CAPE CORAL Are black bears out of place in Cape Coral? A black bear was spotted last Friday in Cape Coral’s Westin on SW 57th Street, sparking both excitement and concern among residents. Multiple surveillance cameras captured the bear roaming the area, leading the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) to confirm that black bears are not uncommon in Florida.
Chronic pain and depression often linked Chronic pain and depression are among the most disabling conditions worldwide. Many people struggle with both.
Florida law targeting residential ‘squatters’ effective July 1st Governer Desantis signed HB 621, effective July 1st, which allows homeowners to remove squatters, and increases penalties on illegal tenants.
Lee Health board to vote June 13 on business structure conversion measure A “yes” vote from the board at the meeting scheduled for June 13 will start the clock on 120 days for the Lee County Board of County Commissioners to decide whether to accept the recommendation and enter into a binding mission agreement with Lee Health to operate under the new structure.
CAPE CORAL Man faces 11 charges after alleged confrontation with other drivers at Cape Coral crash site A man has been arrested after allegedly getting physical with other drivers at a crash site in Cape Coral.
CAPE CORAL Caught on Camera: Black bear seen roaming in Cape Coral A black bear seen roaming around in Cape Coral has become the talk of the town.
Naples public garage proceeding on schedule Despite finding petroleum tanks, shock absorbers and a toxic chemical while clearing land for its new four-story public garage, Naples city officials still expect the $16 million structure will open early next year.
WINK NEWS San Carlos Park couple accused in child molestation case scheduled to appear in court A San Carlos Park couple arrested for their involvement in the alleged drugging and molestation of a 13-year-old is scheduled to appear in court.
WINK NEWS Lee County teen competes in National History Day Contest A Lee County teen is heading back to Washington, D.C. for the National History Day Contest.
The Weather Authority Scattered storms expected most of your Monday The Weather Authority is tracking scattered rain storms throughout your Monday afternoon and evening.
WINK NEWS Several cars crash into bear on I-75; firefighter injured during response A crash involving several cars and a bear on Interstate 75 landed a Bayshore Fire Department firefighter in the hospital Sunday night.
WINK NEWS Wade Wilson’s double murder trial continues with witness testimony The trial for accused double murderer Wade Wilson has begun.
FORT MYERS Heavy police presence around Fort Myers neighborhood A heavy police presence was reported in a neighborhood in Fort Myers where neighbors said they heard shots fired and saw a body pulled out of a home.
FORT MYERS Closing the gun show loophole in Florida The Biden administration is working to put a stop to the “Gun show loophole.”
BOKEELIA Community holds fundraiser for woman injured in boating accident At Street Eatz in Pine Island, folks gathered on Saturday night for a concert and to celebrate one of their own.
Credit: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Love or hate them, Florida’s bat population is set to grow as the approaching maternity season nears. From April 16 to Aug. 14, bats give birth to and raise their offspring, typically in trees, caves or other natural spaces. Records have shown that bats are attracted to human-made structures, often settling inside buildings undergoing construction. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, blocking bats from their roosts during mating season is illegal. Doing so will prevent the flightless young from being trapped inside structures. If a bat is discovered in a house or building, the FWC advises using exclusion devices. These devices allow bats to safely exit a structure but block them from returning to their roosts. The caveat with this method is that exclusion devices are permitted outside of the maternity season, from Aug.15 until April 15. If you encounter a roosting mammal within a building and want to remove it safely, click here. Credit: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Nearly 13 species of the winged nocturnal mamals can be spotted throughout Florida, eight of which call the southwest region home. According to the Florida Bat Conservatory, the following species can be found in the Southwest Florida area: Brazilian free-tailed Eastern pipistrelle Big brown Seminole Evening bat Southeastern myotis Eastern red Northern yellow According to the conservatory, seven of the 13 recorded species are called “accidental species,” meaning that while records have been found in Florida, they are not typically native to the area. Credit: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Contrary to popular belief, bats are relatively harmless to people, and very few are affected by the rabies virus. The FWC records roughly only one among every few hundred bats across all of the bat populations in Florida being diagnosed with the virus. The flying mammals are insectivores, meaning that the species consumes insects, including beetles, mosquitoes, moths and other agriculture and garden pests as part of their diet. Nearly 100 insects are consumed nightly per bat, according to the FWC. Under Florida Administrative Code rule 68A-4.001, harming or killing bats is illegal, as the species is partially vulnerable to harm while roosting in buildings. Want to help the conservation of the species? The FWC suggests several methods to help out our winged friends: Preserve natural roost sites, including trees with cavities or peeling bark. Leave dead fronds on palm trees to provide roosting spots. Report unusual behavior and sick or dead animals here Credit: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission