Critically injured man transported by Med-Flight following 2 vehicle crash on Palm Beach Blvd.D-SNAP available to those affected by hurricanes in Charlotte and Sarasota counties
Critically injured man transported by Med-Flight following 2 vehicle crash on Palm Beach Blvd. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle crash on Palm Beach Boulevard, which led to a Med-Flight being called.
D-SNAP available to those affected by hurricanes in Charlotte and Sarasota counties The Department of Children and Families has launched its Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Charlotte and Sarasota counties.
naples Rehabilitated manatee to be released into Port of the Islands Marina in Naples The Manatee Sightseeing and Wildlife Adventures is set to release a rehabilitated manatee back into the waters at the Port of the Island’s Marina.
the weather authority Wednesday morning showers slowly move out through the day The Weather Authority is tracking rain and showers expected throughout the day before an approaching cold front drops temperatures.
CAPE CORAL New Cape Coral City Council members to be sworn in The City of Cape Coral is experiencing a change in leadership, as two new councilmembers are set to be sworn in.
lehigh acres Florida Highway Patrol investigating fatal hit-and-run involving motorcyclist The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a hit-and-run that left a motorcyclist dead in Lee County.
FEMA agrees to outside investigation into avoiding homes with Trump signs FEMA’s administrator has agreed to an outside investigation to find out why her employee gave orders to deny trump supporters aid after Hurricane Milton.
Denise Carlin sworn in as Lee County Schools superintendent It’s a big night for families with kids attending Lee County Schools! Dr. Denise Carlin was just sworn in as superintendent.
PORT CHARLOTTE 8 illegal immigrants arrested in Charlotte County Eight people have been arrested in Port Charlotte for being in the country illegally.
SANIBEL Memorial statue unveiled for exotic birds at Jerry’s Foods on Sanibel Island For over 40 years, Dick Muench displayed many of his exotic birds from Central and South America at Jerry’s Foods on Sanibel.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers veteran worried about FEMA code compliance letter One marine veteran is worried sick over having to raise his home.
Residents oppose U-Haul storage unit development in Collier County A lush line of trees in Collier County may turn into storage units, and neighbors are unhappy.
LEHIGH ACRES Parents want changes made to Lee County Schools JROTC The Lee County School District is making changes after 25 students were treated by emergency services for heat exhaustion at a local high school on Friday.
FORT MYERS BEACH La Ola speaks out a day after FEMA deadline A day after the FEMA deadline for temporary structures on Fort Myers Beach to be removed, the scenery remains largely unchanged.
FORT MYERS Neighbors react to plans for new Amazon warehouse in Fort Myers Amazon will soon have the largest building in Southwest Florida.
Critically injured man transported by Med-Flight following 2 vehicle crash on Palm Beach Blvd. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle crash on Palm Beach Boulevard, which led to a Med-Flight being called.
D-SNAP available to those affected by hurricanes in Charlotte and Sarasota counties The Department of Children and Families has launched its Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Charlotte and Sarasota counties.
naples Rehabilitated manatee to be released into Port of the Islands Marina in Naples The Manatee Sightseeing and Wildlife Adventures is set to release a rehabilitated manatee back into the waters at the Port of the Island’s Marina.
the weather authority Wednesday morning showers slowly move out through the day The Weather Authority is tracking rain and showers expected throughout the day before an approaching cold front drops temperatures.
CAPE CORAL New Cape Coral City Council members to be sworn in The City of Cape Coral is experiencing a change in leadership, as two new councilmembers are set to be sworn in.
lehigh acres Florida Highway Patrol investigating fatal hit-and-run involving motorcyclist The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a hit-and-run that left a motorcyclist dead in Lee County.
FEMA agrees to outside investigation into avoiding homes with Trump signs FEMA’s administrator has agreed to an outside investigation to find out why her employee gave orders to deny trump supporters aid after Hurricane Milton.
Denise Carlin sworn in as Lee County Schools superintendent It’s a big night for families with kids attending Lee County Schools! Dr. Denise Carlin was just sworn in as superintendent.
PORT CHARLOTTE 8 illegal immigrants arrested in Charlotte County Eight people have been arrested in Port Charlotte for being in the country illegally.
SANIBEL Memorial statue unveiled for exotic birds at Jerry’s Foods on Sanibel Island For over 40 years, Dick Muench displayed many of his exotic birds from Central and South America at Jerry’s Foods on Sanibel.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers veteran worried about FEMA code compliance letter One marine veteran is worried sick over having to raise his home.
Residents oppose U-Haul storage unit development in Collier County A lush line of trees in Collier County may turn into storage units, and neighbors are unhappy.
LEHIGH ACRES Parents want changes made to Lee County Schools JROTC The Lee County School District is making changes after 25 students were treated by emergency services for heat exhaustion at a local high school on Friday.
FORT MYERS BEACH La Ola speaks out a day after FEMA deadline A day after the FEMA deadline for temporary structures on Fort Myers Beach to be removed, the scenery remains largely unchanged.
FORT MYERS Neighbors react to plans for new Amazon warehouse in Fort Myers Amazon will soon have the largest building in Southwest Florida.
Florida panthers have been known for looking for prey deep into the luscious woods. For now, there’s a new 600-pound “rebar” Florida Panther sitting in the green sculpture garden at Big Arts Sanibel. Shortly after Hurricane Ian tore the Sanibel Causeway bridge in half, many were left devasted on the island, including Big Arts Sanibel gallery director Wilson McCray, who decided to pitch in and help clean up the left-over scraps. While loading dozens of 1-inch thick heavy rebar metal, McCray saw an opportunity to create something symbolic from the tragedy. McCray called Wendy Klemperer, an artist who started traveling to Sanibel with her family as a child, to help with the large project. “I knew that Wendy worked with rebar, and so I sent her some pictures,” said Wilson. “She sent me a text right back and said, ‘That’s my stuff, get that rebar.'” With many places swept away by Hurricane Ian, Klemperer spent two weeks on the island with staff from Big Arts Sanibel to complete the project. The 600-pound rebar Florida Panther is named the “Causeway Panther” to tie in the experience. “The curves themselves were made by the power of the storm. I mean, and that’s striking to me,” said Wilson. “There’s energy in the piece. It’s sort of straight from that, that devastation.” Klemperer said she knew right away she wanted to create the Florida Panther to recognize environmental issues in Florida. “Sort of re-reinventing it, bringing it back to life was sort of a metaphor both for the area, Sanibel and Captiva,” said Klemperer. “Regenerating, recovering and then also hopefully, kind of environmental recovery.” The local arts organization, BIG ARTS, formally known as the Barrier Island Group for the Arts, was created by the Sanibel community more than 40 years ago. Wilson said the mission of BIG ARTS is to experience and celebrate the artist in everyone and to remind us of our shared humanity. Luckily for the brand-new arts building completed in 2020, Hurricane Ian barely touched the new building, causing no harm to the art inside. Along the outside of the BIG ARTS building, is the Sculpture Garden. Within the garden is Klemperer’s other two works of metal: a shark and a stingray. Wilson said BIG ARTS is working to keep the “Causeway Panther” at their organization. Several donors have come forward with the potential donation to keep at the art center. Klemperer mentions how she would be delighted to have another one of her metal art pieces on the island. “It would mean a lot to me to have a sculpture of mine there,” said Klemperer. “Because I love the area, and I had such a wonderful time at BIG ARTS.” BIG ARTS Sanibel is located at 900 Dunlop Road in Sanibel. The organization is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.