Community raises funds for family of elementary school choking victimNB lanes of US 41 at Olympia Ave closed due to traffic investigation
NAPLES Community raises funds for family of elementary school choking victim Staff and students from Laurel Oak Elementary School gathered at a Naples Culver’s to raise money for the family of Benjamin Cronin, an 11-year-old boy who died after choking at school.
NB lanes of US 41 at Olympia Ave closed due to traffic investigation According to the Punta Gorda Police Department, the northbound lane of US 41 at Olympia Avenue and Marion Avenue is closed due to a traffic crash investigation.
NAPLES Swine in the 239: Collier’s pig showdown Over 250 pigs took over the Collier County fairgrounds Saturday morning for Swine in the 239.
immokalee Fatal crash in Immokalee leaves 2 dead, both cars engulfed in flames The Florida Highway Patrol responded to a crash that left one person dead in Immokalee near the intersection of State Road 82 and Gators Slough Road.
NAPLES Motorcyclist dies in crash with pickup truck in Collier County The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly crash on Wilson Boulevard, near 10th Avenue Northeast in Collier County.
southwest florida Plenty of sunshine and less humid air for your Saturday plans The Weather Authority says this weekend is kicking off with some beautiful, less humid weather, perfect for any outdoor plans you may have!
WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Playoffs Round 1 21 Southwest Florida high school football teams were in action in round one of the playoffs trying to keep their state title hopes alive.
CLEWISTON Suspect identified in shooting investigation at Clewiston Walmart According to the Clewiston Police Department, a suspect has been identified in the shooting investigation at a Walmart in Clewiston on Friday night.
WINK Investigates: Everything we know so far about Beattie Development A southwest Florida developer has now surrendered his six different contracting licenses, which include general contracting, plumbing and roofing. Paul Beattie, owner of Beattie Development cannot build homes anymore. It’s not a permanent situation, but part of a settlement agreement with the state says he’d need to pay $300,000 before he could get a new […]
Florida Attorney General speaks out following lawsuit against FEMA Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has spoken out following the filing of a lawsuit alleging that a FEMA supervisor directed aid workers to avoid going to homes in Lake Placid that had yard signs supporting Trump.
FORT MYERS BEACH How to increase odds of getting your hurricane insurance claim paid When Hurricane Helene hit Southwest Florida in September followed by Milton, many people’s lives were affected.
lehigh acres 25 students treated for heat exhaustion on Lehigh Sr. High School football field The Tice Fire Department treated around 25 students for heat exhaustion on the Lehigh Senior High School football field.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda pilots speak out on Allegiant Air strike Allegiant Air pilots said they want a new contract, one that’s amendable, fair and, in their words, what they should be paid.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach couple sues insurance over Hurricane Ian claim In the last two months, southwest Florida experienced a hurricane double punch with Helene and Milton, but for many people out there, it’s still all about Hurricane Ian from 2022.
CAPE CORAL Couple struggling after hurricanes receives $10K from Cape Coral High students A couple who lost everything to Hurricane Milton has received a blessing in more ways than one.
NAPLES Community raises funds for family of elementary school choking victim Staff and students from Laurel Oak Elementary School gathered at a Naples Culver’s to raise money for the family of Benjamin Cronin, an 11-year-old boy who died after choking at school.
NB lanes of US 41 at Olympia Ave closed due to traffic investigation According to the Punta Gorda Police Department, the northbound lane of US 41 at Olympia Avenue and Marion Avenue is closed due to a traffic crash investigation.
NAPLES Swine in the 239: Collier’s pig showdown Over 250 pigs took over the Collier County fairgrounds Saturday morning for Swine in the 239.
immokalee Fatal crash in Immokalee leaves 2 dead, both cars engulfed in flames The Florida Highway Patrol responded to a crash that left one person dead in Immokalee near the intersection of State Road 82 and Gators Slough Road.
NAPLES Motorcyclist dies in crash with pickup truck in Collier County The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly crash on Wilson Boulevard, near 10th Avenue Northeast in Collier County.
southwest florida Plenty of sunshine and less humid air for your Saturday plans The Weather Authority says this weekend is kicking off with some beautiful, less humid weather, perfect for any outdoor plans you may have!
WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Playoffs Round 1 21 Southwest Florida high school football teams were in action in round one of the playoffs trying to keep their state title hopes alive.
CLEWISTON Suspect identified in shooting investigation at Clewiston Walmart According to the Clewiston Police Department, a suspect has been identified in the shooting investigation at a Walmart in Clewiston on Friday night.
WINK Investigates: Everything we know so far about Beattie Development A southwest Florida developer has now surrendered his six different contracting licenses, which include general contracting, plumbing and roofing. Paul Beattie, owner of Beattie Development cannot build homes anymore. It’s not a permanent situation, but part of a settlement agreement with the state says he’d need to pay $300,000 before he could get a new […]
Florida Attorney General speaks out following lawsuit against FEMA Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has spoken out following the filing of a lawsuit alleging that a FEMA supervisor directed aid workers to avoid going to homes in Lake Placid that had yard signs supporting Trump.
FORT MYERS BEACH How to increase odds of getting your hurricane insurance claim paid When Hurricane Helene hit Southwest Florida in September followed by Milton, many people’s lives were affected.
lehigh acres 25 students treated for heat exhaustion on Lehigh Sr. High School football field The Tice Fire Department treated around 25 students for heat exhaustion on the Lehigh Senior High School football field.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda pilots speak out on Allegiant Air strike Allegiant Air pilots said they want a new contract, one that’s amendable, fair and, in their words, what they should be paid.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach couple sues insurance over Hurricane Ian claim In the last two months, southwest Florida experienced a hurricane double punch with Helene and Milton, but for many people out there, it’s still all about Hurricane Ian from 2022.
CAPE CORAL Couple struggling after hurricanes receives $10K from Cape Coral High students A couple who lost everything to Hurricane Milton has received a blessing in more ways than one.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says an endangered Florida panther died after a vehicle strike along State Road 29 on Wednesday. According to FWC’s Panther Pulse, the 1-year-old male panther was the 17th reported Florida panther death of 2024. Of the 17 Florida panther deaths in 2024, 13 are the result of vehicle collisions. FWC says that vehicle strikes are the most common cause of death for the State Animal of Florida. The feline was hit on State Road 29 just north of New Market Road in Immokalee. “State Road 29 has always been an area for panther vehicle mortalities since it bisects some of the best panther habitat in South Florida,” FWC said. State Road 29 is a recurring road on which panthers are struck by vehicles. Male panther at the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge. Photo by FWS, 2018. Since 2018, 17 panthers have been struck on State Road 29. In that same span of time Panther Pulse has reported 144 total panther deaths. That means that nearly 12% of all reported panther deaths have happened on State Road 29. RELATED: Endangered Florida panther deaths surpass 2023 total in 5 months RELATED: April: 2024’s deadliest month for Florida panthers with 5 roadkill victims However, of the 144 total panther deaths since 2018, 121 were due to a vehicle strike. This means more than 14% of all panther vehicle strikes happen on one road, State Road 29. “Since 2018, we have documented 13 panther road mortalities on SR29 between US41 and SR82. Ten of those have been on SR29 north of the Panther Refuge,” said FWC. One way wildlife officials try to reduce cars crashing into wildlife is by adding wildlife crossings, underpasses or fencing to an area. “There are 60 wildlife crossings or bridges that have been modified for use by panthers on Florida’s roads,” FWC’s website says. CREDIT: CBS News FWC says these tools have helped on State Road 29 too. “Fencing with wildlife underpasses on SR29 within the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge and south along Big Cypress National Preserve have assisted with preventing enumerable panther vehicle collisions since those features were installed. Areas north of FPNWR are not currently fenced and do not have wildlife underpasses,” said FWC. Panther Crossing is an organization pushing for roads to be safer to keep the endangered species safe. “Panther activity is greatest between dusk and dawn when visibility is lowest. 45 mph nighttime speed zones exist where panthers are known to frequently cross roads,” says the Panther Crossing website. While State Road 29 is a hot spot for Florida panther vehicle strikes, it isn’t the only hot spot. “We’ve documented eight panther vehicle mortalities since 2018 on SR82 at the intersection of Corkscrew Rd. I believe that section of road is slated to have some wildlife underpasses installed along with fencing in the near future,” said FWC. The endangered species faces several threats that may jeopardize its future, including development, feline leukomyelopathy (FLM), and vehicle strikes. There are between 120 and 230 adult Florida panthers left in the wild.