CAPE CORAL Bear spotted in Cape Coral The Cape Coral Police Department is informing the public of a bear that was spotted in Cape Coral on Sunday.
LEHIGH ACRES 1 dead in fatal Lehigh Acres crash The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that occurred in Lehigh Acres Sunday morning.
Rip currents take the lives of six individuals across Florida beaches Rip currents can be deadly. Within a week in Florida, 5 people drowned because of rip currents.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA The Weather Authority: Scattered afternoon storms as temperatures top out in the 90s If you liked Saturday’s weather, you’ll like Sunday’s forecast. Once again, we will have scattered afternoon storms.
“Trust me, without medications, I do not feel well at all” – Locals feel the pinch of diabetes drug shortage Like millions of Americans monitoring their blood sugar, Lee Quick is diabetic. For almost two decades, the Cape Coral man has relied on medications to manage his type 2 disease.
Massive Wall of Wind machine mimics real hurricanes to better protect the community To those of us living in Southwest Florida, talking about a “wall of wind” might bring up memories of Hurricane Irma or Ian– or even a bad rain storm.
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.
CAPE CORAL Bear spotted in Cape Coral The Cape Coral Police Department is informing the public of a bear that was spotted in Cape Coral on Sunday.
LEHIGH ACRES 1 dead in fatal Lehigh Acres crash The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that occurred in Lehigh Acres Sunday morning.
Rip currents take the lives of six individuals across Florida beaches Rip currents can be deadly. Within a week in Florida, 5 people drowned because of rip currents.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA The Weather Authority: Scattered afternoon storms as temperatures top out in the 90s If you liked Saturday’s weather, you’ll like Sunday’s forecast. Once again, we will have scattered afternoon storms.
“Trust me, without medications, I do not feel well at all” – Locals feel the pinch of diabetes drug shortage Like millions of Americans monitoring their blood sugar, Lee Quick is diabetic. For almost two decades, the Cape Coral man has relied on medications to manage his type 2 disease.
Massive Wall of Wind machine mimics real hurricanes to better protect the community To those of us living in Southwest Florida, talking about a “wall of wind” might bring up memories of Hurricane Irma or Ian– or even a bad rain storm.
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.
If there’s any doubt left about the power of water after Ian, you only have to take a look at a large yacht below, wedged between apartment buildings in Downtown Fort Myers. By the way, a 50-foot yacht weighs around 50,000 pounds. Yacht ended up in apartment complex parking lot after Ian, Fort Myers The devastating impact of such a storm surge underscores the need for preparation to ensure your boat weathers the storm safely. When a storm targets Southwest Florida, seasoned boat owner Neil Pignatano stands ready. His preparation paid off during Hurricane Ian. The storm brought a 10-foot storm surge to his Cape Coral canal. Despite the fierce conditions, his boat made it through. “The boat stayed in place. The boat did the best of anything,” Pignatano remarked, highlighting the effectiveness of his preparedness strategy. One key to his success was the use of a standard ratchet mechanism and the Swing Stopper system. He cranked his boat up high and latched it down securely. “That’s the biggest cause of boats getting damaged in hurricanes. When they’re on the lift, they don’t stop the swing, and the boat and the lift keep crashing into the pilings, and eventually, the pilings fail,” added Pignatano. Even if you don’t have a sophisticated system like Pignatano’s, there are essential steps you can take to prepare your boat for a storm. “You want to make sure your cockpit drains are open. If water does get into the bilge, you want it to be able to pump out; otherwise, your boat ends up sinking itself,” Carl McGrath from America’s Boating Club Cape Coral told WINK News Anchor Taylor Petras. McGrath teaches local boaters the best strategies to keep their boats secure during a storm, whether on a lift or land. He emphasizes the importance of planning for a storm surge and ensuring your boat can handle it. “Your boat’s got to be able to go to the bottom of the canal and you have to choose how much surge you think you can handle,” McGrath explained. For boats on land, he advised, “You can’t tie it down with a tent stake. You need to use four-foot tent stakes in concrete.” The time to prepare your boat is now, well before a storm is on the horizon. Waiting until the last minute can be dangerous and ineffective. Pignatano smartly added, “There could only be one storm the whole season, but if it comes your way, it could ruin everything for you.” Also, carefully check your insurance policy. Some companies dictate how you have to prepare your boat and where you must store it in the event of a storm.