12-year-old collecting donations for the needy during the holidaysFort Myers man facing homelessness before the holidays
NAPLES 12-year-old collecting donations for the needy during the holidays A 12-year-old Naples boy isn’t worried about what he’s getting for Christmas. Instead, he’s working on his 6th annual “Holiday Sock Drive.”
Fort Myers man facing homelessness before the holidays A 75-year-old man is on the brink of homelessness despite working over 80 hours a week.
NAPLES Adoptee uses non-profit to provide suitcases for foster children This holiday season, a Naples woman is on a mission to bring foster children something many take for granted: a suitcase filled with dignity.
MARCO ISLAND City of Marco Island discusses lead awareness during city council meeting The city of Marco Island sent out 4900 letters to residents warning them that their pipes could contain plastic or lead.
NAPLES The future of electric planes in Southwest Florida Features of living near an airport include persistent headache-inducing engine rumbles and foul-smelling jet fuel, but electric planes could play a part in the solution.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors awaiting answers on Port Charlotte Beach Park repairs Neighbors said a contractor hired by the Florida Division of Emergency Management mishandled the boats at Port Charlotte Beach Park.
FGCU introduces new technology for cognitive health screenings Ten minutes. That’s all it takes for doctors to assess how well you remember, how quickly you learn things, and how your brain is working overall.
WINK Investigates: Disgraced contractor faces new lawsuits and allegations Paul Beattie, a disgraced home builder is back doing business but legal challenges continue as another one of his businesses gets sued. Former employees of Beattie speak out, only to WINK.
SWFL reacts to UNC hiring Bill Belichick Southwest Florida reacts to North Carolina hiring Bill Belichick as its new head football coach and how that could impact the decisions of local recruits.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Some Floridians want more alone time during the holidays The holidays are all about spending time with family and friends, but nearly half of Americans say they really want more alone time during the holiday.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
Aggressive driving concerns on the rise in Southwest Florida The arrest of a man who, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said, killed a motorcyclist after crashing into him on purpose is raising concerns over aggressive driving in Southwest Florida.
SANIBEL Sanibel School students prepare for community Christmas performance The school that has had to claw and fight its way back more than once to reopen is getting the chance to celebrate.
FORT MYERS Rock For Equality: SWFL music scene to hold benefit concert for Palestine A two-venue, eight-band benefit concert is coming to Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Naples man sentenced in deadly bar shooting A man has been sentenced for a deadly shooting that took place at a Naples bar in March 2021.
NAPLES 12-year-old collecting donations for the needy during the holidays A 12-year-old Naples boy isn’t worried about what he’s getting for Christmas. Instead, he’s working on his 6th annual “Holiday Sock Drive.”
Fort Myers man facing homelessness before the holidays A 75-year-old man is on the brink of homelessness despite working over 80 hours a week.
NAPLES Adoptee uses non-profit to provide suitcases for foster children This holiday season, a Naples woman is on a mission to bring foster children something many take for granted: a suitcase filled with dignity.
MARCO ISLAND City of Marco Island discusses lead awareness during city council meeting The city of Marco Island sent out 4900 letters to residents warning them that their pipes could contain plastic or lead.
NAPLES The future of electric planes in Southwest Florida Features of living near an airport include persistent headache-inducing engine rumbles and foul-smelling jet fuel, but electric planes could play a part in the solution.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors awaiting answers on Port Charlotte Beach Park repairs Neighbors said a contractor hired by the Florida Division of Emergency Management mishandled the boats at Port Charlotte Beach Park.
FGCU introduces new technology for cognitive health screenings Ten minutes. That’s all it takes for doctors to assess how well you remember, how quickly you learn things, and how your brain is working overall.
WINK Investigates: Disgraced contractor faces new lawsuits and allegations Paul Beattie, a disgraced home builder is back doing business but legal challenges continue as another one of his businesses gets sued. Former employees of Beattie speak out, only to WINK.
SWFL reacts to UNC hiring Bill Belichick Southwest Florida reacts to North Carolina hiring Bill Belichick as its new head football coach and how that could impact the decisions of local recruits.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Some Floridians want more alone time during the holidays The holidays are all about spending time with family and friends, but nearly half of Americans say they really want more alone time during the holiday.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
Aggressive driving concerns on the rise in Southwest Florida The arrest of a man who, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said, killed a motorcyclist after crashing into him on purpose is raising concerns over aggressive driving in Southwest Florida.
SANIBEL Sanibel School students prepare for community Christmas performance The school that has had to claw and fight its way back more than once to reopen is getting the chance to celebrate.
FORT MYERS Rock For Equality: SWFL music scene to hold benefit concert for Palestine A two-venue, eight-band benefit concert is coming to Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Naples man sentenced in deadly bar shooting A man has been sentenced for a deadly shooting that took place at a Naples bar in March 2021.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, services and businesses in Southwest Florida are beginning to reopen. Grocery stores, essential services and schools announced closures due to impacts from Milton leading up to the storm, and now things are slowly returning to normal. On Saturday, some government offices, roads, and services were still unavailable for some areas of Southwest Florida. Read below for a detailed list of how municipalities, counties and even retailers have adjusted their schedules before, during and after Milton. Schools The School District of Lee County announced that it will reopen on Monday. Due to water intrusion, Fort Myers Beach Elementary and Sanibel School will need temporary sites. Go to this link for other schools, like private schools and universities, affected due to Hurricane Helene. Grocery Stores Publix stores in SWFL are operating on a modified schedule and will close at 7 p.m. Saturday. To track hours for your neighborhood store click here. Target stores are now open. To view the operating hours of a store near you, click here. Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs are mostly open Naples Sam’s Club was still closed. To track neighborhood closings, click here. Winn-Dixie stores have mostly reopened. To check on openings, click here. Costco stores are open. To view the operating hours of a store near you, click here. Medical Services RxOpen has been activated in Florida following Hurricane Milton, simply visit this link to view a map of open pharmacies. Lee Heath’s elective procedures will resume on Monday. Lee Health High-Risk Driver Program scheduled for Friday was canceled. TeleHealth visits are being offered to Lee Health patients in Florida free of charge through Sunday. The Lee Health Mobile Healthcare Unit is parked at Pine Island Road and Burnt Store Road in the Publix parking lot. It accepts walk-in appointments for those in need of help. The hours are 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. throughout the weekend. Lee Health outpatient facilities and offices reopen on Monday morning, with the following remaining closed: Bonita Bay Primary Care & Adult Rehab – Primary Care Seeing patients at the LH Coconut Point office Sanibel Primary Care office – Seeing patients at the LPG Bass Rd Primary Care office Peds Rehab Naples YMCA Shelters in Southwest Florida Charlotte County shelters at Kingsway Elementary School, Babcock Neighborhood Schools and Harold Avenue Regional Park Recreation Center are closed. The shelter at Babcock Ranch School Field House in Punta Gorda remains open and is accepting residents. Government Offices and Services Lee County Lee County Utilities has restored water in Fort Myers Beach. However, there is a boil water order. The Lee Clerk’s office will reopen Monday, Oct. 14, with normal business hours. Jury service has been canceled for Monday, Oct. 14. Jurors who are scheduled for this date should not report to the Justice Center. The Bonita Springs Public Library remains closed. Johann Fust Community Library remains closed. Captiva Memorial Library remains closed All Lee County Tax Collector Offices will reopen starting Monday, October 14, 2024, with extended hours for those customers whose appointments were cancelled due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. City of Sanibel Sanibel Causeway has reopened to residents. However, a curfew continues from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. A boil water advisory is currently active on the island. Charlotte County Charlotte County offices and most facilities will reopen for normal operating hours Monday, Oct. 14. The following Community Services facilities will reopen Monday, Oct. 14 with regular hours, with Monday’s day camp proceeding as scheduled: Ann & Chuck Dever Regional Park Recreation Center Ann & Chuck Dever Regional Park Pool Centennial Park Recreation Center Centennial Park Pool Harold Ave Regional Park Recreation Center South County Regional Park Recreation Center South County Regional Park Pool Punta Gorda Charlotte Library All other parks, amenities, and Community Services facilities not listed above will remain closed until further notice. Charlotte County Utilities has suspended operations until the storm passes and staff can safely address utility emergencies; however, water and sewer service is not suspended. For Hurricane Milton information, County Utilities asks you call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000. The curfew of 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily remains in effect for Manasota Key, Little Gasparilla Island, Don Pedro, Knight Island, Thornton Key, Sandpiper Key and Palm Island until further notice. Violations of the curfew are considered misdemeanors. Collier County The Collier County Government resumed regular business with facilities and services on Friday. Online services are available at colliercountyfl.gov. Headquarters Library, 2385 Orange Blossom Dr. is closed Vanderbilt Beach Library, 788 Vanderbilt Beach Rd. is closed Senior Meals Program remains unavailable. The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) will remain closed until further notice. City of Marco Island City facilities opened to the public for normal operations on Friday at 8 a.m. The Marco Island Library opened on Saturday. City of Naples City offices and facilities opened on Friday. All beach ends, the Naples Pier, the pier parking lot and city parks are closed. The Fourth Avenue South public parking garage is full and any electric vehicles (EVs) parked on the first floor of the parking garage, or any cars blocking elevators and exits, will be towed. All garbage, recycling and horticulture collection services have been suspended until further notice. The Headquarters Library and the Vanderbilt Beach Library resumed on Saturday. City of Cape Coral City Hall will reopen on Tuesday. State and National Services Disaster Recovery Centers in Florida have reopened. To find one near you, click here. Courthouses in the 20th Judicial Circuit, which serves Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee Counties, opened on Friday. As of Saturday, all USPS Florida processing facilities and most retail and delivery units have reopened. Trash Collection Sanibel Waste Management will resume household waste pickup on Monday, Oct. 14. Sanibel anticipates storm debris pickup to begin on Wednesday, Oct. 16. The city will put out information on how to sort debris pickup soon. Naples storm debris pickup will be available starting Monday, Oct. 14. Cape Coral Regular trash pick up starts Monday, Oct. 14, but not bulk, recycling or horticulture. Horticulture pickup will begin on Monday, Oct. 21. The Collier County Landfill, the Immokalee Transfer Station and the Recycling Drop-Off Centers have reopened. More details are available on Collier County’s Facebook page. Hendry County waste pick-up resumed regular operating hours on Friday. The Transfer Stations and landfill have resumed regular hours. Lee County Solid Waste has suspended service through Friday. Regular household garbage collection will resume on Monday, Oct. 14. Storm debris will be collected separately from your regular collections. Collier County garbage and recycling collection services resumed Friday. Place debris generated by Milton curbside, at least three feet apart, in separate piles: construction and demolition (furniture, carpet), household hazardous waste, electronic waste and appliances. Charlotte County’s debris contractor resumed operations on Oct. 11 and will be continuing with additional equipment arrival every day. Ports and Transportation Florida Southwest International Airport has reopened. Tolls are suspended on the west coast of Florida and Alligator Alley. The suspension will continue until it is safe to return to evacuated areas. Lee County Only residents and contractors with a pass are allowed on Fort Myers Beach. LeeTran will resume regular service on Saturday. Charlotte County The Charlotte County Transit service is currently free until further notice. The reservation phone number, 941-575-4000, is closed until further notice. Collier County All Collier Area Transit (CAT) fares will be waived until further notice. Hendry County Hendry County’s public transit fixed route services with STREAM are again active. Attractions The Naples Zoo will resumed operations on Saturday. Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers will remain closed through the weekend and has yet to provide a timeline for reopening. Check their website at EdisonFord.org or social media for updates. The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples reopened Friday. Discounted admission prices will be offered through Sunday. Margaritaville Beach Resort in Fort Myers Beach will reopen all guests on Monday, Oct. 14, offering a special resident stay package for residents of Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties. Restaurants Waffle House Bonita Springs has reopened, making all Southwest Florida Waffle House restaurants open. Several Skillets locations resumed regular hours of operation on Friday. To confirm the hours of a restaurant near you, click here. The Southwest Florida Hooters locations are all open. Additional Resources A Crunch Fitness location on Boy Scout Drive in Fort Myers is open for showers. To view the operating hours of a location near you, click here. Stay tuned to WINKNews.com, WINK News App, streaming, and on-air for any new developments on this story. Download the WINK Weather app, stream the latest forecast or WINK Doppler 3x anywhere you go.