GATEWAY LCSO deputies investigating armed robbery in Gateway The Lee County Sheriffs office is currently investigating an armed robbery held at 7-eleven on Gateway Boulevard.
ALVA LCSO investigating stabbing in Alva The Lee County sheriffs office is investigating a stabbing that occurred Saturday afternoon.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: Grand Theft Auto, Murder, and Fast Food This weeks segment of WINK neighborhood watch features a stolen ambulance, a suspected murderer, and a drive-through disaster.
LABELLE Criminal investigation advances at what was once a hazmat scene in Hendry County The Hendry County hazmat situation has been contained, but questions linger in the community after scene remains active for several days.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA The Weather Authority: Scattered storms on the radar for the afternoon and evening There is a good chance of seeing scattered storms this weekend and into next week.
ESTERO Families battling cancer get much-needed break Ten local families battling cancer are getting a much-needed break this weekend.
SOUTH FORT MYERS Permanent memorial honors 12-year-old crash victim The death of a 12-year-old boy is bringing the community together, and his father could not be more thankful.
PUNTA GORDA FEMA trailers on airport property called “junk” by Charlotte County code officers “I certainly would not want to enter into a storm with those (trailers) potentially being debris,” said Patrick Fuller, Charlotte County Emergency Management Director, during a May 28 board meeting.
PORT CHARLOTTE Front wall of Promenades in Port Charlotte demolished by wrecking ball Destruction is usually a bad thing, but for Port Charlotte, it’s a new future as the front wall of the Promenades was demolished.
The pros and cons of using AI to predict weather The conversation around Artificial Intelligence has increased over the last few years, and for good reason; when it comes to weather, AI shows a lot of promise.
LABELLE Experts weigh in on Hendry hazmat hazard The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office said the problem area where the mysterious substance scene is all clear. WINK News spoke with experts.
CLEWISTON Airglades Airport expansion aiming to spark economy The Airglades Airport in Hendry County is getting a $300-million renovation.
HENDRY COUNTY All-clear for hazmat situation in Hendry County; still no answers Some are feeling anxious in a small Hendry County community after several people, including first responders, got sick.
FORT MYERS Expect roadblocks for Music Walk in downtown Fort Myers tonight Music Walk will be going on for several hours, so expect some roadblocks if you’re coming downtown.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Bridge to close for annual Red, White & Boom Fourth of July celebration Believe it or not, the Fourth of July is approaching, which means another bridge closure in Southwest Florida.
GATEWAY LCSO deputies investigating armed robbery in Gateway The Lee County Sheriffs office is currently investigating an armed robbery held at 7-eleven on Gateway Boulevard.
ALVA LCSO investigating stabbing in Alva The Lee County sheriffs office is investigating a stabbing that occurred Saturday afternoon.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: Grand Theft Auto, Murder, and Fast Food This weeks segment of WINK neighborhood watch features a stolen ambulance, a suspected murderer, and a drive-through disaster.
LABELLE Criminal investigation advances at what was once a hazmat scene in Hendry County The Hendry County hazmat situation has been contained, but questions linger in the community after scene remains active for several days.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA The Weather Authority: Scattered storms on the radar for the afternoon and evening There is a good chance of seeing scattered storms this weekend and into next week.
ESTERO Families battling cancer get much-needed break Ten local families battling cancer are getting a much-needed break this weekend.
SOUTH FORT MYERS Permanent memorial honors 12-year-old crash victim The death of a 12-year-old boy is bringing the community together, and his father could not be more thankful.
PUNTA GORDA FEMA trailers on airport property called “junk” by Charlotte County code officers “I certainly would not want to enter into a storm with those (trailers) potentially being debris,” said Patrick Fuller, Charlotte County Emergency Management Director, during a May 28 board meeting.
PORT CHARLOTTE Front wall of Promenades in Port Charlotte demolished by wrecking ball Destruction is usually a bad thing, but for Port Charlotte, it’s a new future as the front wall of the Promenades was demolished.
The pros and cons of using AI to predict weather The conversation around Artificial Intelligence has increased over the last few years, and for good reason; when it comes to weather, AI shows a lot of promise.
LABELLE Experts weigh in on Hendry hazmat hazard The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office said the problem area where the mysterious substance scene is all clear. WINK News spoke with experts.
CLEWISTON Airglades Airport expansion aiming to spark economy The Airglades Airport in Hendry County is getting a $300-million renovation.
HENDRY COUNTY All-clear for hazmat situation in Hendry County; still no answers Some are feeling anxious in a small Hendry County community after several people, including first responders, got sick.
FORT MYERS Expect roadblocks for Music Walk in downtown Fort Myers tonight Music Walk will be going on for several hours, so expect some roadblocks if you’re coming downtown.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Bridge to close for annual Red, White & Boom Fourth of July celebration Believe it or not, the Fourth of July is approaching, which means another bridge closure in Southwest Florida.
MAKE A FAMILY COMMUNICATION PLAN Even the best plans can go astray when disaster strikes. If your family members are not all in the same place when a hurricane hits, have you considered how you’ll get in touch with each other? Do you have a designated meeting spot? What if your neighborhood is evacuated? It’s vitally important to create a plan now to ensure you’ll all know what to do, how to find each other, and how to communicate in an emergency. Choose the same person for each family member to call or email, so that everyone has a single point of contact. During or after a hurricane, it might be easier to reach someone who’s out of town or outside the state. Make that contact person the “ICE” (“In Case of Emergency”) contact in your cell phone. If you’re injured, emergency personnel often will check your ICE listings to reach someone you know. Notify the person you’ve listed that he or she is your emergency contact. Be sure every member of your family knows the emergency contact’s phone number and has a cell phone or a prepaid phone card to call that person. Text, don’t talk, unless it’s an emergency. It may be easier to text and you won’t tie up phone lines for emergency workers. Text messages can often get around network disruptions when phone calls can’t. Keep your family’s contact info and meeting spot location in your backpack, wallet, or cell phone or taped inside your school notebook. Designate someone from outside the area to be the primary contact for out-of-town relatives and friends to check on your well-being. Following a hurricane, landlines and cell phone networks may be out of service for extended periods. BE PREPARED AND STAY AWARE It’s important to be prepared and stay aware when hazardous weather threatens. A communication plan is only one element of what you’ll need to have in place with your family when a hurricane is imminent. Get your family together well before hurricane season begins so that you can establish a plan for how to respond to a natural disaster. Here are some ideas: Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family. Know your home’s vulnerability to storm dangers. Determine your evacuation route and destination. Plan to go to family or friends who live in safer areas. Use county evacuation shelters only as a last resort. Establish an alternate plan if your friends should be out of town, your primary evacuation route is flooded, or other unforeseen circumstances arise. Put together a family communication plan as outlined above. Have a plan for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate (see below). Review your homeowners and flood insurance policies and keep them with you in a secure, waterproof place. The impending arrival of a storm is the wrong time to check if you have the proper insurance. Register any individuals with special needs with your county’s emergency management office. Create a list of prescription medicines that you will need to refill and take with you. Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and food. Prepare a disaster supply kit. PREPARE YOUR PETS You will need a plan for your pets, too. Consider two different pet emergency kits: In one, put everything your pets will need to stay where you are. The other should be a compact, portable version to use if you and your pets have to evacuate. For more information and a detailed list of disaster preparedness tips, go to aspca.org. GET YOUR SUPPLIES NOW: FOLLOW THESE CHECKLISTS Supplies are a critical part of every family’s health and safety. Assemble the supplies you’ll need well in advance of hurricane season each year. It pays to be prepared. When a storm is imminent, time to shop will be limited. If supplies are even available, you will have to scramble to find them. During recent hurricane seasons, many Southwest Florida residents had to contend with shortages of plywood, batteries, flashlights, water, ice, generators, and other storm necessities. Every time a storm is predicted to make landfall near Southwest Florida, shopping lines are long, shelves are bare, and stress levels are high. Supplies can be divided into several categories, but the essentials should be gathered ahead of time and kept easily accessible throughout the hurricane season. THE ESSENTIALS These are the supplies you should always have on hand. Be sure to place the items that you will most likely need for an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container. A minimum of one gallon of water per person per day. Keep at least a three-day supply per person on hand. Additional water for food preparation and sanitation. Bags of ice. Partially fill plastic soft drink bottles, one liter or larger, with water and place them in the freezer. The bottles will freeze without cracking. If the power goes out, the frozen water will help keep the freezer cool, and when the ice melts, the water will be drinkable. Fill up your car’s gas tank and portable gas canisters. Make sure those canisters are stored safely. Keep cash handy. Banks may not be open, ATMs may not be accessible and debit cards and credit cards may not be viable if power is lost. SPECIAL NEEDS If you have family members with special requirements, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons, remember to include items and supplies that may be unique to their needs. That can include setting aside anything from extra diapers and baby formula to special medications and a spare walker. GROCERIES Baby formula Bread Crackers Canned fruits Canned juice Canned meats Canned vegetables Dry cereal Instant coffee and tea Peanut butter Quick-energy snacks Ready-to-eat soups MEDICAL SUPPLIES First-aid kit for your home—for how to stock your kit, consult the American Red Cross at redcross.org. First-aid kit for your car Insulin Denture needs Prescription drugs (minimum two-week supply) A supply of aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever Contact lenses and supplies Eyeglasses, along with a spare pair, if you have one Heart and high blood pressure medicine Insect repellent Itch-relief cream DOCUMENTS Important telephone numbers Record of bank account numbers Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates) Record of credit card account numbers and companies Inventory of valuable household goods—with pictures, if possible Copy of will, insurance policies, deeds, stocks, and bonds Copy of passports, social security cards, and immunization records SANITATION Disinfectant Toilet paper, towelettes, paper towels Soap and liquid detergent Hand sanitizer Personal hygiene items Household chlorine bleach Large bucket or trash can with lid for storing water to flush toilets Tools & Supplies Battery-operated radio or TV Flashlight and lanterns Extra batteries and extra bulbs Lighter or matches for your grill Antenna for your TV Extension cords (heavy-duty and three-pronged) Manual can opener/utility knife Plastic sheeting/tarps Duct tape Generator Gas cans Old towels for cleanup Paper cups, plates, and utensils Plastic trash bags Full propane tank Charcoal and lighter fluid Camp stove Sterno Thermos for hot food Coolers with ice for cold food Tree saw for cutting fallen limbs Hand tools: knife, axe, pliers, screwdrivers, wrench Hammer and nails Fire extinguisher Fix-a-flat Mops, buckets, and cleaning supplies