2024 python challenge winner caught 20 pythonsLee commission awards $39.2M contract to nourish Lovers Key and Bonita Beach shoreline
2024 python challenge winner caught 20 pythons The 2024 Florida Python Challenge has concluded, and we have a winner.
WINK NEWS Lee commission awards $39.2M contract to nourish Lovers Key and Bonita Beach shoreline The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to award a nearly $39.2 contract to nourish beaches on Lovers Key and Bonita Beach.
LEE COUNTY Lee County votes to purchase nearly 100 acres for Conservation 20/20 Lee County Commissioners voted to purchase about 100 acres in southeastern Lee County for the Conservation 20/20 land acquisition program.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh freshman to play in Dream Football Classic All-American Game Lehigh freshman defensive lineman Julian Graham was picked to play in the Dream Football Classic All-American Game.
Matanzas Pass Bridge hit again by the same shrimp boat The Florida Department of Transportation has reported that the Matanzas Pass Bridge was hit again by the same passing shrimp boat that struck it a day before.
Twin Cutz owner launches Barber Academy in south Fort Myers More than a decade after establishing his chain of Twin Cutz barbershops across Southwest Florida, Sean Casey began looking into the next step in his professional journey.
Great Wolf Lodge to launch early in Naples Launching a week earlier than originally announced, the massive Great Wolf Lodge South Florida resort and indoor water park will open Sept. 18.
CAPE CORAL Man accused of 3-vehicle DUI crash in Cape Coral A man has been arrested after allegedly being responsible for a three-vehicle crash while driving under the influence in Cape Coral.
GOLDEN GATE ESTATES Volunteers wanted for Track to Trail Thoroughbreds rehabilitation The volunteer ran horserace rehabilitation effort Track to Trail Thoroughbreds is enlisting additional help from the Southwest Florida community.
NAPLES NCH hosting open house amid Florida Blue negotiations With less than two weeks until the September 30th deadline, NCH and Florida Blue still haven’t reached an agreement on contract negotiations.
WEST PALM BEACH DeSantis signs executive order to hand attempted assassination case of Donald Trump to state attorney general Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order to allow the state attorney general to investigate the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in West Palm Beach.
The Weather Authority The Weather Authority: More rain and storms for your Tuesday The Weather Authority is tracking more rain and storms due to tropical moisture entering into the Southwest Florida area.
NAPLES Veterans hit the water in Naples Every September, a local group of captains and anglers hosts an event to take soldiers on the water. More than 130 troops and 65 captains were at the Naples Take a Soldier Fishing event.
Collier County teachers reach contract agreement Collier County teachers have come to an agreement with the school district in their contract negotiations.
NORTH PORT North Port Police searching for man who struck officer with car The North Port Police Department is on the search for a man who committed battery on an officer, among other charges.
2024 python challenge winner caught 20 pythons The 2024 Florida Python Challenge has concluded, and we have a winner.
WINK NEWS Lee commission awards $39.2M contract to nourish Lovers Key and Bonita Beach shoreline The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to award a nearly $39.2 contract to nourish beaches on Lovers Key and Bonita Beach.
LEE COUNTY Lee County votes to purchase nearly 100 acres for Conservation 20/20 Lee County Commissioners voted to purchase about 100 acres in southeastern Lee County for the Conservation 20/20 land acquisition program.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh freshman to play in Dream Football Classic All-American Game Lehigh freshman defensive lineman Julian Graham was picked to play in the Dream Football Classic All-American Game.
Matanzas Pass Bridge hit again by the same shrimp boat The Florida Department of Transportation has reported that the Matanzas Pass Bridge was hit again by the same passing shrimp boat that struck it a day before.
Twin Cutz owner launches Barber Academy in south Fort Myers More than a decade after establishing his chain of Twin Cutz barbershops across Southwest Florida, Sean Casey began looking into the next step in his professional journey.
Great Wolf Lodge to launch early in Naples Launching a week earlier than originally announced, the massive Great Wolf Lodge South Florida resort and indoor water park will open Sept. 18.
CAPE CORAL Man accused of 3-vehicle DUI crash in Cape Coral A man has been arrested after allegedly being responsible for a three-vehicle crash while driving under the influence in Cape Coral.
GOLDEN GATE ESTATES Volunteers wanted for Track to Trail Thoroughbreds rehabilitation The volunteer ran horserace rehabilitation effort Track to Trail Thoroughbreds is enlisting additional help from the Southwest Florida community.
NAPLES NCH hosting open house amid Florida Blue negotiations With less than two weeks until the September 30th deadline, NCH and Florida Blue still haven’t reached an agreement on contract negotiations.
WEST PALM BEACH DeSantis signs executive order to hand attempted assassination case of Donald Trump to state attorney general Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order to allow the state attorney general to investigate the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in West Palm Beach.
The Weather Authority The Weather Authority: More rain and storms for your Tuesday The Weather Authority is tracking more rain and storms due to tropical moisture entering into the Southwest Florida area.
NAPLES Veterans hit the water in Naples Every September, a local group of captains and anglers hosts an event to take soldiers on the water. More than 130 troops and 65 captains were at the Naples Take a Soldier Fishing event.
Collier County teachers reach contract agreement Collier County teachers have come to an agreement with the school district in their contract negotiations.
NORTH PORT North Port Police searching for man who struck officer with car The North Port Police Department is on the search for a man who committed battery on an officer, among other charges.
With the rise of the popularity of sports like Pickleball, Florida officials have decided to develop courts in various state parks, much to the chagrin of locals. While development plans for Southwest Florida parks are not on the list, the Department of Environmental Protection decided to continue with this plan as part of the Great Outdoors Initiative. If the changes were to be executed, local state parks like Lovers Key and Topsail Hill Preserve Park may be on the list to receive them. RELATED: Florida’s parks could get pickleball, golf courses under Gov. DeSantis’s proposal The protection loss has been a vocal talking point with locals and environmental specialists alike as public input is being disregarded for changes favoring tourism. WINK News spoke with Matt DePaolis, an Environmental Policy Director for the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation, about the unnecessary allocation of funds for projects that will ultimately damage the Florida environment. “Putting large 350-unit lodges right near sensitive beaches and dune habitats while placing golf courses on the banks of the Indian River Lagoon is taking a step backward,” said DePaolis. “Especially after all the millions of dollars that have been sunk into that estuary to try to rectify some of their pollution issues, not to mention the scrubland that those golf courses would impact.” A public hearing on this matter is set for Tuesday, and each of the seven board members of the Acquisition and Restoration Council will be present to vote. DEP sent us a statement regarding public input: Due to the overwhelming interest with the 2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is looking for new venues to accommodate the public. We want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate. Public input is vital to DEP decision-making. To gather feedback on your favorite state parks, we’ve launched a dedicated webpage for more suggestions: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7983173/Great-Outdoors-Initiative.New meeting dates will be announced soon, with meetings expected the week of Sept. 2, 2024.