FORT MYERS Locals house California wildfire victims The effects of the California fires are being felt worldwide as people evacuate some are in southwest Florida.
LOVERS KEY Couple returns to Lovers Key condo post Ian While Hurricane Ian is long gone from Southwest Florida, many are still feeling its impacts.
EVERGLADES Biden signs Water Resources Development Act, its effect on SWFL President Biden recently signed into law the Water Resources Development Act with an aim to improve rivers and harbors across the country and provide for the conservation of water. Southwest Florida was included in that act. Putting the 240-page plan together took a lot of work, not just from state and federal lawmakers, but also […]
Turning business travel into a vacation Would work travel seem a little easier if you could turn it into a vacation? Two professors say they have proof that would help business travel.
The future of biometrics: Safer security or new AI risks? In 2021, the Transportation Service Agency (TSA) launched its new touchless identity solution in the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airport.
CAPE CORAL Pelican Elementary resource officer saves infant A school resource officer at Pelican Elementary saved an infants’ life at a traffic stop in Cape Coral.
FORT MYERS Progress being made on City View Park in Dunbar More promises made by a city that has not kept its promises for the last six years have some neighbors concerned about the future of their community.
COLLIER COUNTY Seacrest hoops player hits a full court buzzer beater Seacrest Country Day School boys basketball player Hayden Fuller hits full court buzzer beater against Aubrey Rogers.
NAPLES Cutting-edge ACL surgery reducing reinjury risk by 80% Known for its game-changing orthopedic repair options, Naples-based Arthrex has done it again.
NAPLES MacStrength FL offers sport and lifestyle training for young athletes In 2025, MacStrength FL is swinging for success with their current players and for a wider reach in its community.
You can appeal FEMA’s decision on your claim – Here’s how Now a week after the deadline for FEMA hurricane assistance has closed, the federal agency says you can appeal their decision on your claim if you don’t agree.
Naples selects city CFO as next city manager, averts national search Naples Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Gary Young will become the next city manager, averting a lengthy, expensive national search for a replacement.
Charlotte County’s Mid-County Regional Library to reopen in 2026 After about $6.9 million in repairs and renovations to Mid-County Regional Library in Port Charlotte, the library is expected to reopen in 2026.
MATLACHA Man accused of deadly Matlacha DUI crash takes plea deal A man accused of driving drunk and crashing into the patio of a Matlacha restaurant, killing a woman and injuring others, has taken a plea deal with the state.
Opera Naples set to make land offer with seven-figure gift A seven-figure gift has provided the base for Opera Naples, Theater in the Garden and the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation to build an international center for the arts.
FORT MYERS Locals house California wildfire victims The effects of the California fires are being felt worldwide as people evacuate some are in southwest Florida.
LOVERS KEY Couple returns to Lovers Key condo post Ian While Hurricane Ian is long gone from Southwest Florida, many are still feeling its impacts.
EVERGLADES Biden signs Water Resources Development Act, its effect on SWFL President Biden recently signed into law the Water Resources Development Act with an aim to improve rivers and harbors across the country and provide for the conservation of water. Southwest Florida was included in that act. Putting the 240-page plan together took a lot of work, not just from state and federal lawmakers, but also […]
Turning business travel into a vacation Would work travel seem a little easier if you could turn it into a vacation? Two professors say they have proof that would help business travel.
The future of biometrics: Safer security or new AI risks? In 2021, the Transportation Service Agency (TSA) launched its new touchless identity solution in the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airport.
CAPE CORAL Pelican Elementary resource officer saves infant A school resource officer at Pelican Elementary saved an infants’ life at a traffic stop in Cape Coral.
FORT MYERS Progress being made on City View Park in Dunbar More promises made by a city that has not kept its promises for the last six years have some neighbors concerned about the future of their community.
COLLIER COUNTY Seacrest hoops player hits a full court buzzer beater Seacrest Country Day School boys basketball player Hayden Fuller hits full court buzzer beater against Aubrey Rogers.
NAPLES Cutting-edge ACL surgery reducing reinjury risk by 80% Known for its game-changing orthopedic repair options, Naples-based Arthrex has done it again.
NAPLES MacStrength FL offers sport and lifestyle training for young athletes In 2025, MacStrength FL is swinging for success with their current players and for a wider reach in its community.
You can appeal FEMA’s decision on your claim – Here’s how Now a week after the deadline for FEMA hurricane assistance has closed, the federal agency says you can appeal their decision on your claim if you don’t agree.
Naples selects city CFO as next city manager, averts national search Naples Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Gary Young will become the next city manager, averting a lengthy, expensive national search for a replacement.
Charlotte County’s Mid-County Regional Library to reopen in 2026 After about $6.9 million in repairs and renovations to Mid-County Regional Library in Port Charlotte, the library is expected to reopen in 2026.
MATLACHA Man accused of deadly Matlacha DUI crash takes plea deal A man accused of driving drunk and crashing into the patio of a Matlacha restaurant, killing a woman and injuring others, has taken a plea deal with the state.
Opera Naples set to make land offer with seven-figure gift A seven-figure gift has provided the base for Opera Naples, Theater in the Garden and the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation to build an international center for the arts.
Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday runs through August 11, 2024. Shopping now means you won’t pay sales tax on certain school-related items. How much you will save depends on where you live. In Charlotte County, the sales tax rate is 7%. Collier County – 6% DeSoto – 7.5% Glades – 7% Hendry – 7.5% Lee – 6.5% So, if you live in Charlotte County and choose $100 worth of items that qualify, it would cost you $93. You would save $7. Back-to-school shopping can be expensive for parents and teachers. (CREDIT: WINK News) What qualifies? Clothing, footwear, and accessories with a sales price of $100 or less per item All footwear, excluding skis, swim fins, roller blades, and skates Any article of clothing intended to be worn on or about the human body, excluding watches, watchbands, jewelry, umbrellas, and handkerchiefs Wallets or bags, including: Backpacks Diaper bags Fanny packs Handbags Briefcases, suitcases, and other garment bags are excluded. Certain school supplies with a sales price of $50 or less per item Binders Cellophane tape Compasses Composition books Computer disks Construction paper Crayons Erasers Folders Glue or paste Legal pads Lunch boxes Markers Notebooks Notebook filler paper Pencils Pens Posterboard Poster paper Protractors Rulers Scissors Staplers and staples used to secure paper products RELATED: School supply lists for Southwest Florida by school and district RELATED: Who has the best prices on school supplies? Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles with a sales price of $30 or less Electronic books Flashcards Interactive books Jigsaw puzzles Learning cards Matching games Memory games Puzzle books Search-and-find books Stacking or nesting blocks or sets Toys that teach reading or math skills Personal computers and computer-related accessories with a sales price of $1,500 or less Calculators Desktops Electronic book readers Handhelds Laptops Tablets Tower computers It does not include cell phones, video game consoles, digital media receivers, or devices that are not primarily designed to process data. What doesn’t make the grade for a discount? Any item of clothing with a sales price of more than $100 Any school supply item with a sales price of more than $50 Books that are not otherwise exempt Computers and computer-related accessories with a sales price of more than $1,500 Computers and computer-related accessories purchased for commercial purposes Rentals of any eligible items Repairs or alterations of any eligible items Sales of any eligible items within a theme park or entertainment complex, public lodging establishment, or airport The Florida Department of Revenue provided the above information. Click here to visit the DOR website.