Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoonStudents react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
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.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
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.
The Multicultural Center of Southwest Florida hosted its annual Big Backpack Event in Fort Myers, marking 25 years of giving back to the community. Sunday marks the 25th anniversary of the event, and it took place at the Fort Myers Skatium starting and 10 a.m. and lasted until early Sunday afternoon. With less than a month left until school starts, it’s time to start preparing, and purchasing school supplies every year can be a burden for a lot of parents. Every year for the event there is a line of cars, signifying a need within our community. Every car represents a family with children about to start school soon, who may need that extra helping hand to afford their school supplies. Multicultural Center of Southwest Florida’s Big Backpack Event WINK News reporter Camila Pereira shows us how this event comes just in time to get families ready for the new school year, at no cost. One local nonprofit is making sure families don’t have to pay for everything on their own. “You see the turnout…Thousands and thousands of people, but it also shows the need in our community,” said Cecil Pendergrass, the Lee County Commissioner for District 2. For 25 years the Center has been providing for that need, giving away nearly 50,000 backpacks in that time. And it’s not just backpacks, notebooks, pens, and pencils, but also nonperishable foods to keep every family fed during the school year thanks to Midwest Food Bank and Community Cooperative. Mariah, a mother who attended the event said, “Things are a little tight right now. So, it’s nice to have a little bit of help…We were going to go shopping but then Walmart had a few things that he didn’t even need but they were too pricey. So now I think we’ll be okay.” During the event, the first 2,000 children, ages five to twelve and must be with their parent or guardian, will receive those backpacks. Multicultural Center of Southwest Florida’s Big Backpack Event The best part for these kids is getting to choose their backpacks for the year. Leonardo Garcia, the founder of the Big Backpack Event had this to say, “They say blue, red, yellow, green. And then the volunteers, right away…You can see the smile when you see the children. And you see, that’s what really makes my heart break.” Knowing it’s helped so many families for 25 years now all to get kids energized and ready to get back to school makes it all worthwhile for Garcia. “Very honored and happy to see 50,000 children. Students have benefited from these programs in school supplies, backpacks, and food in 25 years,” said Garcia. The event wrapped up early Sunday afternoon. RELATED: Save money with the back-to-school sales tax holiday If you missed out on this event, don’t worry! There’s another way for you to get your kids ready for back to school without breaking the bank. Monday is the start of the two-week-long back-to-school sales tax holiday, for more information, click here.