Phase 2 in the Corkscrew Rd. Widening project beginsMiracle Moment: Reaching a milestone at Golisano Children’s Hospital
ESTERO Phase 2 in the Corkscrew Rd. Widening project begins Phase 1 of Corkscrew Road’s widening has been completed, and phase 2 is now commencing.
Miracle Moment: Reaching a milestone at Golisano Children’s Hospital Kindergarten is an exciting time for children as they make their first big steps into becoming big kids.
2 years since Charlotte County deputy was killed on I-75 A somber day for the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office as one of their own was killed during a traffic stop on Interstate 75 exactly two years ago.
the weather authority Mostly sunny and cool afternoon ahead for your Friday The Weather Authority is tracking a mostly sunny and cool Friday afternoon with breezy conditions throughout the day.
ENGLEWOOD Englewood nonprofit gives hope to residents amid hurricane recovery Many people in Charlotte County were hit hard by storms this hurricane season, but that won’t stop them from giving back to their community.
NAPLES CSN’s Jayvian Tanelus and offensive line erupt in round one Community School of Naples’ offensive line and Jayvian Tanelus put on a show in round one of the playoffs earning them player of the week.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral family opens home up for the holidays A Cape Coral family has gotten over 1,000 interactions on a Facebook post after opening up their home for the holidays.
SANIBEL Sanibel police trained and certified to catch alligators by FWC Pinning an apex predator down with little more than bare hands and tape: That’s what the Sanibel Police Department went through during alligator-catching certification training.
Southwest Florida welcomes first proton beam therapy center This is a big week in cancer care for patients in Southwest Florida and beyond.
PUNTA GORDA Whats next after Punta Gorda city manager’s resignation? Punta Gorda city manager Greg Murray said he resigned Monday but told the council on Wednesday. Now, Melissa Reichert is the interim city manager.
FORT MYERS BEACH 34th annual American Sand Sculpting Championship begins on Fort Myers Beach After a years long wait, the American Sand Sculpting Competition on Fort Myers Beach returned on Thursday.
CAPE CORAL City council members talk about decision to repeal stipend ordinance A vote of 5 to 3 ends the saga over the Cape Coral City Council stipend and new members of the city council are sending a message they’re doing things differently.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers food pantry provides Thanksgiving meals to neighbors Dozens of people stopped by Sunshine Health’s food pantry one week before Thanksgiving. Sunshine Health is delivering hope.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach loses FEMA insurance discount The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has placed Fort Myers Beach (FMB) on probation.
FORT MYERS WINK News Game of the Week: Riverdale at Fort Myers Our WINK News Game of the Week is the regional semifinal matchup between Fort Myers and Riverdale, a rematch from the regular season finale two weeks ago.
ESTERO Phase 2 in the Corkscrew Rd. Widening project begins Phase 1 of Corkscrew Road’s widening has been completed, and phase 2 is now commencing.
Miracle Moment: Reaching a milestone at Golisano Children’s Hospital Kindergarten is an exciting time for children as they make their first big steps into becoming big kids.
2 years since Charlotte County deputy was killed on I-75 A somber day for the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office as one of their own was killed during a traffic stop on Interstate 75 exactly two years ago.
the weather authority Mostly sunny and cool afternoon ahead for your Friday The Weather Authority is tracking a mostly sunny and cool Friday afternoon with breezy conditions throughout the day.
ENGLEWOOD Englewood nonprofit gives hope to residents amid hurricane recovery Many people in Charlotte County were hit hard by storms this hurricane season, but that won’t stop them from giving back to their community.
NAPLES CSN’s Jayvian Tanelus and offensive line erupt in round one Community School of Naples’ offensive line and Jayvian Tanelus put on a show in round one of the playoffs earning them player of the week.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral family opens home up for the holidays A Cape Coral family has gotten over 1,000 interactions on a Facebook post after opening up their home for the holidays.
SANIBEL Sanibel police trained and certified to catch alligators by FWC Pinning an apex predator down with little more than bare hands and tape: That’s what the Sanibel Police Department went through during alligator-catching certification training.
Southwest Florida welcomes first proton beam therapy center This is a big week in cancer care for patients in Southwest Florida and beyond.
PUNTA GORDA Whats next after Punta Gorda city manager’s resignation? Punta Gorda city manager Greg Murray said he resigned Monday but told the council on Wednesday. Now, Melissa Reichert is the interim city manager.
FORT MYERS BEACH 34th annual American Sand Sculpting Championship begins on Fort Myers Beach After a years long wait, the American Sand Sculpting Competition on Fort Myers Beach returned on Thursday.
CAPE CORAL City council members talk about decision to repeal stipend ordinance A vote of 5 to 3 ends the saga over the Cape Coral City Council stipend and new members of the city council are sending a message they’re doing things differently.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers food pantry provides Thanksgiving meals to neighbors Dozens of people stopped by Sunshine Health’s food pantry one week before Thanksgiving. Sunshine Health is delivering hope.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach loses FEMA insurance discount The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has placed Fort Myers Beach (FMB) on probation.
FORT MYERS WINK News Game of the Week: Riverdale at Fort Myers Our WINK News Game of the Week is the regional semifinal matchup between Fort Myers and Riverdale, a rematch from the regular season finale two weeks ago.
The Weather Authority is continuing to track Hurricane Milton, which as of the 2 a.m. update, has downgraded to a Category 1 strength. According to the National Hurricane Center’s 2 a.m. advisory, Milton’s sustained winds are at 90 mph, making it a Category 1 storm. The hurricane is moving north-northeastward at approximately 16 mph. At 8:40 p.m., Hurricane Milton made landfall in Siesta Key. The Storm Surge forecast on the west coast of Florida indicates that parts of Charlotte County could see up to 15 feet of storm surge. The storm surge forecast also shows parts of Lee County could see up to 12 feet of storm surge. Please prepare, as we will see greater impacts than we saw with Helene. Water Levels The Weather Authority is tracking water levels in certain areas where tide sensors have been placed. Water levels are rising in these areas: Boca Grande Matlacha Fort Myers Franklin Lock Cape Coral St.James City Sanibel Fort Myers Beach Imperial River Marco Island Everglades City Water Levels are currently steady: Naples Watches and Warnings A storm surge warning has been issued from the Volusia/Brevard County Line northward to the mouth of the St. Mary’s River, including the St. Johns River. The Storm Surge Warning has been discontinued north of Anclote River. A hurricane warning has been issued for the west coast of Florida from Bonita Beach northward to the mouth of the Suwannee River, including Tampa Bay. A warning has also been issued for Florida’s east coast from the St. Lucie/Martin County Line northward to Ponte Vedra Beach. A hurricane watch has been issued for the Florida west coast from Chokoloskee to south of Bonita Beach and Lake Okeechobee. Breaking it Down Hurricane hunters found that Milton was strengthening in the Gulf Monday morning. Max wind speed has increased and pressures are dropping. Conditions in the short term, including lower shear, will allow for gradual or even rapid intensification as it heads across the Gulf of Mexico over the next few days. The official forecast calls for a Major Hurricane, with intensity models currently showing Category 3-5 at peak. Hurricane Milton 5 PM advisory. CREDIT: WINK News As Milton approaches the west coast of Florida, it will be entering an area with more wind shear, and minor weakening will be possible up through landfall. Storm Surge Threat Life-threatening storm surges will hit Southwest Florida on Wednesday, and the surges will be greater than those we saw with Helene. The storm surge forecast on the west coast of Florida indicates that parts of Charlotte County could see up to 15 feet of storm surge. The Storm Surge forecast also shows parts of Lee County could see up to 12 feet of storm surge. If you are told to evacuate, please do so! You do not have to go far, so move farther inland to a shelter or a friend’s home. Storm Size This storm will not be as big as Helene, which had a tropical storm-force wind field over 450 miles long. Current projections for Milton’s tropical storm-force wind field will be around 325 miles long or wide. However, it is still a formidable storm. Remember that the maximum wind speed is only contained in a small part of the storm and not throughout the entire storm. For those who see those maximum winds, however, it will be very damaging. Storm motion The forward motion at landfall will be close to 14-15 mph, not as slow as Hurricane Ian but not as fast as Hurricane Helene. The storm will make landfall on Wednesday. You have Monday and Tuesday to either evacuate if you are told to do so or prepare your homes for impactful weather on Wednesday. Review your hurricane plan and put that plan into action. Here’s a link to the WINK News Hurricane Guide for helpful information as Milton approaches SWFL: winknews.com/hurricane-guide-2024.