Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast UniversityMissing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: Parent brings weapon to Lehigh Acres school According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, there is probable cause to believe a woman unintentionally brought a firearm to school.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: Parent brings weapon to Lehigh Acres school According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, there is probable cause to believe a woman unintentionally brought a firearm to school.
Wall of Wind, Credit: WINK News 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. However, for researchers at Florida International University, it’s about WoW—the Wall of Wind—unveiled in 2012, 20 years after Hurricane Andrew wiped out Homestead and parts of South Florida. The Weather Authority Meteorologist Nikki Sheaks traveled to FIU in Miami to give viewers a firsthand look at how WoW works and how it benefits everyone. Wall of Wind, Credit: WINK News The massive 12-fan system of the Wall of Wind is quite a sight to see and feel. “We’re on a national stage when it comes to research on wind engineering projects,” explained Erik Salna, Associate Director and Meteorologist at FIU’s International Hurricane Research Center. The WoW delivers valuable information to better protect and build homes, schools and infrastructure from hurricanes. “Anything that gets affected by wind, we want them to be more aerodynamic and more resilient so there’s less damage,” added Salna. The massive machine has improved how we build in the Sunshine State since 2012. “[Hurricane] Andrew was the reason this whole program got started,” Salna said. Hurricane Andrew, Credit: NOAA As Southwest Floridians know, we need strong, sturdy structures to ride out a storm or to have a place to call home after one hits. “We have been able to enhance some of the building codes,” said Salna. “We have some of the strongest building codes in Florida.” So how does the powerful weathermaker work? Each fan is six feet in diameter and weighs 15,000 pounds. It’s as close to what Mother Nature can do in real life. Erik Salna, FIU International Hurricane Research Center It uses the same amount of power needed to electrify 2,000 homes to create sustained winds stronger than we felt in Hurricane Ian. It reaches Category 5 wind speeds of 157 miles per hour. “We want the wall of wind to replicate a real hurricane and two things, first of all, the speed. The fans themselves will get us to category one, so the engineers have to develop a contraction zone on the other side of the fans to speed up and accelerate the air. That’s what got us to 157,” Salna explained. Panels on the grounds replicate the friction created when hurricane-strength winds move over land, ensuring the wind strengthens with height, like a real hurricane. Water can also be added to the tests to recreate raindrops the size associated with a slow-moving storm. “If you have a lot of rain in the wind, yes, that is a more dense airflow, rain hitting a window or shutter,” said Salna, “so they are looking at studies to see how much more force that added rain can add, and that’s critical to knowing if that window will hold up and shutter.” Researchers collect the data from the tests from the control room. Then, the process of updating building codes begins. “That’s what makes the research so valuable, ’cause we have real hurricane conditions,” said Salna. Leading to stronger, safer homes to protect you and your family.