House fire in downtown Fort Myers causes major scene overnightVeterans Memorial Parkway in Cape Coral reopens after hit-and-run
FORT MYERS House fire in downtown Fort Myers causes major scene overnight There was a massive scene overnight close to Downtown Fort Myers from a house fire with smoke visible from the home.
CAPE CORAL Veterans Memorial Parkway in Cape Coral reopens after hit-and-run An access point to Midpoint Bridge getting into Fort Myers has reopened after a hit-and-run early Friday morning.
FORT MYERS Road closures in Downtown Fort Myers due to Festival of Trees Due to the return of the Downtown Fort Myers Festival of Trees, First Street between Jackson and Lee Street will be closed on Friday and Saturday.
FORT MYERS Micro Wrestling Federation makes its way to Fort Myers Professionals with the “Micro Wrestling Federation” put on an amazing show at the ranch in Fort Myers on Thursday.
ESTERO Estero man claims his golf equipment burned on flight An Estero man claims Delta Airlines ruined his golf equipment. His golf bag was destroyed by fire and his clubs are charred.
Volunteers come together to deliver Christmas cards to veterans In an effort to make spirits bright this holiday season, volunteers came together to deliver Christmas cards to veterans.
NAPLES Dentists argue over fluoride in water at Naples City Council meeting Several dentists at the Naples City Council meeting gave their reasons why fluoride should be in the water on Wednesday.
Digging Deeper: Lee County Sheriff’s Office budget One Lee County Commissioner wants to change how taxpayers view the Lee County Sheriff’s Office budget following a possible federal investigation and a grand jury meeting.
A new way to identify snakes There’s a new tool to identify locations of the slithering beasts overtaking the Everglades and other invasive snakes.
Car crashes into canal in Lehigh Acres Authorities are investigating a crash after a car became fully submerged in a canal Thursday night.
SB lanes on US 27 shut down due to 3 vehicle crash Hendry County Deputies, along with first responders, are currently on the scene of a traffic crash near Sky Valley at the intersection of South US 27 and Bass Road.
FORT MYERS BEACH Times Square clock reinstalled on Fort Myers Beach The famous Times Square clock on Fort Myers Beach returns just in time for the holidays! It was removed before hurricanes Helene and Milton to protect it.
Flag planting debate takes over college football Flag planting at the end of rivalry college football games sparked fighting on the field and debates away from it.
FORT MYERS Daycare burglarized in Fort Myers One business owner is recovering after a burglar broke in and stole from her daycare.
Hurricane debris still lines road in Fort Myers Shores Over 70 feet of memories formed a giant pile of debris at the end of Aruba Avenue in Fort Myers Shores.
FORT MYERS House fire in downtown Fort Myers causes major scene overnight There was a massive scene overnight close to Downtown Fort Myers from a house fire with smoke visible from the home.
CAPE CORAL Veterans Memorial Parkway in Cape Coral reopens after hit-and-run An access point to Midpoint Bridge getting into Fort Myers has reopened after a hit-and-run early Friday morning.
FORT MYERS Road closures in Downtown Fort Myers due to Festival of Trees Due to the return of the Downtown Fort Myers Festival of Trees, First Street between Jackson and Lee Street will be closed on Friday and Saturday.
FORT MYERS Micro Wrestling Federation makes its way to Fort Myers Professionals with the “Micro Wrestling Federation” put on an amazing show at the ranch in Fort Myers on Thursday.
ESTERO Estero man claims his golf equipment burned on flight An Estero man claims Delta Airlines ruined his golf equipment. His golf bag was destroyed by fire and his clubs are charred.
Volunteers come together to deliver Christmas cards to veterans In an effort to make spirits bright this holiday season, volunteers came together to deliver Christmas cards to veterans.
NAPLES Dentists argue over fluoride in water at Naples City Council meeting Several dentists at the Naples City Council meeting gave their reasons why fluoride should be in the water on Wednesday.
Digging Deeper: Lee County Sheriff’s Office budget One Lee County Commissioner wants to change how taxpayers view the Lee County Sheriff’s Office budget following a possible federal investigation and a grand jury meeting.
A new way to identify snakes There’s a new tool to identify locations of the slithering beasts overtaking the Everglades and other invasive snakes.
Car crashes into canal in Lehigh Acres Authorities are investigating a crash after a car became fully submerged in a canal Thursday night.
SB lanes on US 27 shut down due to 3 vehicle crash Hendry County Deputies, along with first responders, are currently on the scene of a traffic crash near Sky Valley at the intersection of South US 27 and Bass Road.
FORT MYERS BEACH Times Square clock reinstalled on Fort Myers Beach The famous Times Square clock on Fort Myers Beach returns just in time for the holidays! It was removed before hurricanes Helene and Milton to protect it.
Flag planting debate takes over college football Flag planting at the end of rivalry college football games sparked fighting on the field and debates away from it.
FORT MYERS Daycare burglarized in Fort Myers One business owner is recovering after a burglar broke in and stole from her daycare.
Hurricane debris still lines road in Fort Myers Shores Over 70 feet of memories formed a giant pile of debris at the end of Aruba Avenue in Fort Myers Shores.
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.