Congress steps in as Port Charlotte widow searches for husband’s ashesFort Myers mom recounts dramatic chase to find kidnapped daughter
Congress steps in as Port Charlotte widow searches for husband’s ashes A Port Charlotte woman continues to fight to find her husband’s ashes, lost in the mail. Members of Congress are now backing her efforts.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers mom recounts dramatic chase to find kidnapped daughter A mother’s worst nightmare unfolded when her 2-year-old daughter was taken from her in Fort Myers on Monday.
ESTERO Copperleaf Community fights hunger through fundraising The Copperleaf Country Club community in Estero is making a significant impact in the fight against hunger.
NAPLES Collier County students explore trade careers at job fair Hundreds of Collier County students explored potential future careers at the Build My Future Job Fair.
NORTH NAPLES New orthopedic hospital nears completion in Collier County A new orthopedic hospital is nearing completion in Collier County, Florida, with an estimated cost of $140 million.
Real estate deals that shaped the SWFL landscape in 2024 The rise of online retail and continued regional population growth played a large role in a series of yin/yang real estate transactions that defined Southwest Florida’s top deals of 2024.
New Florida law governs oversight, brings financial bite A new law has transformed the condominium market in Florida, forcing owners to change their financial plans. The laws have been prompting many owners to sell their condos now, because the bills have come due and they cannot afford to pay them.
Punta Gorda imposes moratorium on car washes, storage facilities Approvals for new car washes and storage facilities in Punta Gorda will be put on pause for a period of 180 days during a moratorium begininng after the next City Council meeting Feb. 19.
Stephen Deutsch, Charlotte County commissioner, accused of using racial slur A Charlotte County commissioner is involved in an investigation after being accused of using a racial slur.
SANIBEL Sanibel Recreation Center to host pickleball tournament In celebration of Healthy Heart Month, Sanibel Recreation Center invites the public to the Cupid’s Court Indoor Pickleball Tournament.
cape coral Nurse accused of intentionally starving child with severe medical conditions The Cape Coral Police Department has arrested a woman accused of child neglect while working as a licensed practical nurse.
City Council again rejects outdoor dining for Olde Naples Building Naples City Council rejected an outdoor dining proposal for the historic Olde Naples Building on Third Street South.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers advocate against youth gun violence Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is campaigning against youth gun violence with a new Public Service Announcement.
78-acre prescribed burn planned in Collier County The South Florida Water Management District plans to conduct a 78-acre prescribed burn on Thursday in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers man accused of stabbing 3 men at Gentleman’s club The Fort Myers Police Department has arrested a man accused of stabbing three men at the Allure Gentleman’s Club.
Congress steps in as Port Charlotte widow searches for husband’s ashes A Port Charlotte woman continues to fight to find her husband’s ashes, lost in the mail. Members of Congress are now backing her efforts.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers mom recounts dramatic chase to find kidnapped daughter A mother’s worst nightmare unfolded when her 2-year-old daughter was taken from her in Fort Myers on Monday.
ESTERO Copperleaf Community fights hunger through fundraising The Copperleaf Country Club community in Estero is making a significant impact in the fight against hunger.
NAPLES Collier County students explore trade careers at job fair Hundreds of Collier County students explored potential future careers at the Build My Future Job Fair.
NORTH NAPLES New orthopedic hospital nears completion in Collier County A new orthopedic hospital is nearing completion in Collier County, Florida, with an estimated cost of $140 million.
Real estate deals that shaped the SWFL landscape in 2024 The rise of online retail and continued regional population growth played a large role in a series of yin/yang real estate transactions that defined Southwest Florida’s top deals of 2024.
New Florida law governs oversight, brings financial bite A new law has transformed the condominium market in Florida, forcing owners to change their financial plans. The laws have been prompting many owners to sell their condos now, because the bills have come due and they cannot afford to pay them.
Punta Gorda imposes moratorium on car washes, storage facilities Approvals for new car washes and storage facilities in Punta Gorda will be put on pause for a period of 180 days during a moratorium begininng after the next City Council meeting Feb. 19.
Stephen Deutsch, Charlotte County commissioner, accused of using racial slur A Charlotte County commissioner is involved in an investigation after being accused of using a racial slur.
SANIBEL Sanibel Recreation Center to host pickleball tournament In celebration of Healthy Heart Month, Sanibel Recreation Center invites the public to the Cupid’s Court Indoor Pickleball Tournament.
cape coral Nurse accused of intentionally starving child with severe medical conditions The Cape Coral Police Department has arrested a woman accused of child neglect while working as a licensed practical nurse.
City Council again rejects outdoor dining for Olde Naples Building Naples City Council rejected an outdoor dining proposal for the historic Olde Naples Building on Third Street South.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers advocate against youth gun violence Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is campaigning against youth gun violence with a new Public Service Announcement.
78-acre prescribed burn planned in Collier County The South Florida Water Management District plans to conduct a 78-acre prescribed burn on Thursday in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers man accused of stabbing 3 men at Gentleman’s club The Fort Myers Police Department has arrested a man accused of stabbing three men at the Allure Gentleman’s Club.
Couple has close encounter with shark while kayaking on San Carlos Bay. (credit; Sandrine Fontaine) Sandrine Fontaine and Arnaud Fontaine come to Southwest Florida twice a year from France, and they try to spend every day kayaking out on the water. They recently spent two weeks in the area and Sandrine said they saw all kinds of aquatic life. “We were kayaking in Carlos Bay because we have an Airbnb there, and so every day, we were kayaking to see dolphins and manatees,” Sandrine Fontaine said. They typically see dolphins and manatees, but on May 10, they encountered something a bit different: a shark. They called it a close encounter. Unlike the reaction many might have to coming inches away from a shark, the couple called the experience incredible. “It was not aggressive. It was going always around, but closer and closer. So I said ‘stop’ to try to see him,” Sandrine said. “We were very curious. We love nature. We were not scared because we recognized that this was not a white shark or bull shark. We didn’t know at this time exactly what kind of shark It is, but we knew that it was not a very aggressive shark. So no, we were not afraid.” Couple has close encounter with a shark while kayaking on San Carlos Bay. (credit; Sandrine Fontaine) WINK News showed Harry Maisch, an instructor in the Department of Marine and Earth Sciences at FGCU’s Water School, a video of the shark, and he said it appeared to be a Lemon Shark. “Based on the coloration of shark seen in the video, it seems to be on the lighter side. Bronzish, yellow color. It has sort of a rounded snout. It was a fairly narrow-bodied shark. It had two primary dorsal fins. The second dorsal fin was quite large compared to the first, which is leading me to believe it’s a lemon shark,” Maisch said. Sandrine described the shark as being very curious. Another characteristic Maisch said Lemon Sharks possess. “From personal experience, I’ve had lemon sharks swim pretty close to me while snorkeling and spearfishing. They’re really inquisitive.” Maisch said. “They want to know what’s going on and, you know, if you don’t have any fish in the water or anything, they’re probably just coming to check you out, and will leave you right alone. So they’re smart animals.” Sandrine said the shark was very calm, and they’re excited to add a shark to the list of aquatic animals they’ve seen up close and personal. “We saw lots of dolphins with babies and a lot of manatees. That is so incredible for us, because in France we don’t have that. So it’s incredible,” Sandrine said. RELATED:Gulf Coast Humane Society plans to build new veterinary clinic