FORT MYERS BEACH Closer look at rescue operations during Helene All across Southwest Florida, we saw stories of bravery and selflessness during Helene.
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS Neighbors hit with flooding in Dean Park community On Friday, roads in downtown Fort Myers were fairly dry. It’s a stark contrast to Thursday night’s storm surge caused by the outer bands of Hurricane Helene.
ESTERO ISLAND Precautionary boil water notice issued for parts of Estero Island A precautionary water boil notice has been issued for Estero Island on Friday.
SANIBEL Helene aftermath in Sanibel While much of the water has receded, the Sanibel Causeway was closed for several hours Friday morning because city crews were trying to clean up the flooding and debris.
LEE COUNTY WINK News Player of the Week: Riverdale RB Cole Hayes Riverdale running back Cole Hayes rushed for 336 yards and five touchdowns against Cypress Lake to be named the WINK News Player of the Week.
Matlacha resident on difficult road to recovery after Helene Matlacha residents are recovering from Helene’s storm surge on Thursday.
FORT MYERS BEACH Neighbors begin to clean up after flooding on Fort Myers Beach Waking up Friday morning, Fort Myers Beach neighbors had deja vu. The site of debris, the sound of alarms and the unmistakable smell of mud brought back memories of Hurricane Ian.
PUNTA GORDA Fire erupts in Charlotte County home Authorities are responding to a fire in a Punta Gorda home on Friday afternoon.
FLORIDA Rescuers race to free people trapped by Hurricane Helene after storm kills at least 40 in 4 states Hurricane Helene left an enormous path of destruction across Florida and the entire southeastern U.S. on Friday, killing at least 40 people in four states, snapping trees like twigs, tearing apart homes and sending rescue crews on desperate missions to save people from floodwaters.
FORT MYERS Parts of Island Hopper Songwriter Festival to continue While Hurricane Helene has caused disruptions to the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest schedule, one show will continue as planned on Friday.
Downtown Fort Myers businesses reopen after Hurricane Helene Only the businesses and restaurants along Bay Street, Dean Street and Lee Street flooded—and that was with a few inches of water, not a few feet like two years ago.
Charlotte County officials: stay out as crews assess Helene’s impact Charlotte County officials are set to hold a news conference discussing the damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach homeowners cleaning up damage left by Helene Homeowners are cleaning up their homes on Fort Myers Beach after Hurricane Helene passed through Florida Thursday night.
PERRY Gov. DeSantis travels around Florida in the aftermath of Helene Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis traveled across Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Blackbird Asian restaurant begins construction at Naples Bay Resort Blackbird Modern Asian waterfront restaurant began its interior buildout Sept. 23 at Naples Bay Resort & Marina in the former longtime space of Bonefish Grill, which was flooded by Hurricane Ian’s storm surge two years ago.
FORT MYERS BEACH Closer look at rescue operations during Helene All across Southwest Florida, we saw stories of bravery and selflessness during Helene.
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS Neighbors hit with flooding in Dean Park community On Friday, roads in downtown Fort Myers were fairly dry. It’s a stark contrast to Thursday night’s storm surge caused by the outer bands of Hurricane Helene.
ESTERO ISLAND Precautionary boil water notice issued for parts of Estero Island A precautionary water boil notice has been issued for Estero Island on Friday.
SANIBEL Helene aftermath in Sanibel While much of the water has receded, the Sanibel Causeway was closed for several hours Friday morning because city crews were trying to clean up the flooding and debris.
LEE COUNTY WINK News Player of the Week: Riverdale RB Cole Hayes Riverdale running back Cole Hayes rushed for 336 yards and five touchdowns against Cypress Lake to be named the WINK News Player of the Week.
Matlacha resident on difficult road to recovery after Helene Matlacha residents are recovering from Helene’s storm surge on Thursday.
FORT MYERS BEACH Neighbors begin to clean up after flooding on Fort Myers Beach Waking up Friday morning, Fort Myers Beach neighbors had deja vu. The site of debris, the sound of alarms and the unmistakable smell of mud brought back memories of Hurricane Ian.
PUNTA GORDA Fire erupts in Charlotte County home Authorities are responding to a fire in a Punta Gorda home on Friday afternoon.
FLORIDA Rescuers race to free people trapped by Hurricane Helene after storm kills at least 40 in 4 states Hurricane Helene left an enormous path of destruction across Florida and the entire southeastern U.S. on Friday, killing at least 40 people in four states, snapping trees like twigs, tearing apart homes and sending rescue crews on desperate missions to save people from floodwaters.
FORT MYERS Parts of Island Hopper Songwriter Festival to continue While Hurricane Helene has caused disruptions to the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest schedule, one show will continue as planned on Friday.
Downtown Fort Myers businesses reopen after Hurricane Helene Only the businesses and restaurants along Bay Street, Dean Street and Lee Street flooded—and that was with a few inches of water, not a few feet like two years ago.
Charlotte County officials: stay out as crews assess Helene’s impact Charlotte County officials are set to hold a news conference discussing the damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach homeowners cleaning up damage left by Helene Homeowners are cleaning up their homes on Fort Myers Beach after Hurricane Helene passed through Florida Thursday night.
PERRY Gov. DeSantis travels around Florida in the aftermath of Helene Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis traveled across Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Blackbird Asian restaurant begins construction at Naples Bay Resort Blackbird Modern Asian waterfront restaurant began its interior buildout Sept. 23 at Naples Bay Resort & Marina in the former longtime space of Bonefish Grill, which was flooded by Hurricane Ian’s storm surge two years ago.
It may be Cole Hayes’ last year running the ball for the Riverdale High School football team. But it’s also his best year, especially in the win column. “The first three years here we won nine games combined,” Hayes explained. “So already getting over half that in one season has been great.” Hayes added, “being able to go around the school and just not being the laughing stock of the school is nice. We got a lot of respect now compared to last year.” Hayes hasn’t slowed down, even after breaking his collarbone in the spring game. He said about the injury, “I put a lot of work in during the offseason getting bigger, faster and I had one carry and it was 45 yards and I almost scored and I broke it.” “When it happened he had the surgery man, we had to tell him hey let it rest you know let it heal,” Riverdale head coach Kendoll Gibson said. “He was wanting to get back to the weight room.” Hayes returned to the field for the season opener against Estero. In Friday’s 43-27 win over Cypress Lake, Hayes felt he had his true comeback game. He rushed for a career high 336 yards and scored five touchdowns. “Once I hit three, I started counting,” Hayes said. Gibson recalled, “we kept asking him like are you okay? You need a breather? He said coach man I’m good. Just keep feeding me.” That performance made Hayes the WINK News Player of the Week. Hayes said, “it’s awesome. Being able to get my name back on the map after the rough summer and spring and everything. So hopefully get some recognition for this.” This is Hayes second five touchdown game in his high school career. His first was last season against Cypress Lake.