Displaced boats after hurricanes becoming a concern for SWFL residentsSwim advisories lifted for several Collier County beaches
Displaced boats after hurricanes becoming a concern for SWFL residents Florida is often called the boating capital of the world, but that brings challenges after hurricanes with boats tossed around and damaged.
NAPLES Swim advisories lifted for several Collier County beaches The Florida Department of Health has said the water on South Marco Beach is safe to swim in.
FORT MYERS BEACH Impacts of Hurricane Milton on Fort Myers Beach Residents As we move forward from Hurricane Milton, some areas are seeing increased efforts in cleanup. Contractors and city vehicles on Fort Myers Beach are helping people take the debris out of their homes. Not only are crews cleaning but those who live here from what I’ve seen are just still going through their homes.
PUNTA GORDA Christmas decorations washed ashore after Milton A plastic storage bin washes up like a message in a bottle from Hurricane Milton. Inside the box labeled “Christmas” are antique decorations.
FORT MYERS FMPD seeking aid in identifying person of interest in homicide case FMPD shared a video of the person of interest on their Facebook page.
SANIBEL Is your brown, leafless tree really dead after Hurricane Milton? Brown, leafless trees are everywhere across Southwest Florida after Hurricane Milton. While you may be tempted to chop yours down, think twice.
Local World War II veteran full of life at 100 years old A local hero and World War II veteran is marking a huge milestone.
MATLACHA Lee County’s barrier islands see clean-up progress Deputies toured some of Lee County’s barrier islands, like Matlacha and Fort Myers Beach, to better understand the damage they’re facing after Hurricane Milton.
Peace River Wildlife Center unable to reopen after Milton A home for hundreds left in ruins and closed with no idea when it will come back. Here on WINK News, we have brought you the stories of people in nearby communities whose lives have been changed by Hurricane Milton. Now, we turn to the animals in this shelter who are now homeless.
ESTERO Florida Everblades ready for another title defense The Florida Everblades made history last season with their third-straight Kelly Cup title. Now, the Everblades are pushing for four in a row.
Grove City Grove City resident attempting to regroup after Hurricane Milton Residents in Grove City were impacted by Hurricane Milton but are now trying to regroup and move on.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for October 16, 2024 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for October 16, 2024.
PORT CHARLOTTE WINK News Game of the Week: Dunbar at Port Charlotte The Tigers and the Pirates return to the high school football gridiron after a multi-week hiatus because of Hurricane Milton.
Cousin among 2 teens implicated in fatal shooting of 16-year-old Among the two teenagers arrested in the shooting death of a 16-year-old girl in Hendry County is a cousin of the victim.
Charlotte County businesses grapple with hurricane damages Throughout Charlotte County, officials are tallying the number of businesses affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton that made landfall less than two weeks apart. City of Punta Gorda is conducting its own assessment of its business community.
Displaced boats after hurricanes becoming a concern for SWFL residents Florida is often called the boating capital of the world, but that brings challenges after hurricanes with boats tossed around and damaged.
NAPLES Swim advisories lifted for several Collier County beaches The Florida Department of Health has said the water on South Marco Beach is safe to swim in.
FORT MYERS BEACH Impacts of Hurricane Milton on Fort Myers Beach Residents As we move forward from Hurricane Milton, some areas are seeing increased efforts in cleanup. Contractors and city vehicles on Fort Myers Beach are helping people take the debris out of their homes. Not only are crews cleaning but those who live here from what I’ve seen are just still going through their homes.
PUNTA GORDA Christmas decorations washed ashore after Milton A plastic storage bin washes up like a message in a bottle from Hurricane Milton. Inside the box labeled “Christmas” are antique decorations.
FORT MYERS FMPD seeking aid in identifying person of interest in homicide case FMPD shared a video of the person of interest on their Facebook page.
SANIBEL Is your brown, leafless tree really dead after Hurricane Milton? Brown, leafless trees are everywhere across Southwest Florida after Hurricane Milton. While you may be tempted to chop yours down, think twice.
Local World War II veteran full of life at 100 years old A local hero and World War II veteran is marking a huge milestone.
MATLACHA Lee County’s barrier islands see clean-up progress Deputies toured some of Lee County’s barrier islands, like Matlacha and Fort Myers Beach, to better understand the damage they’re facing after Hurricane Milton.
Peace River Wildlife Center unable to reopen after Milton A home for hundreds left in ruins and closed with no idea when it will come back. Here on WINK News, we have brought you the stories of people in nearby communities whose lives have been changed by Hurricane Milton. Now, we turn to the animals in this shelter who are now homeless.
ESTERO Florida Everblades ready for another title defense The Florida Everblades made history last season with their third-straight Kelly Cup title. Now, the Everblades are pushing for four in a row.
Grove City Grove City resident attempting to regroup after Hurricane Milton Residents in Grove City were impacted by Hurricane Milton but are now trying to regroup and move on.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for October 16, 2024 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for October 16, 2024.
PORT CHARLOTTE WINK News Game of the Week: Dunbar at Port Charlotte The Tigers and the Pirates return to the high school football gridiron after a multi-week hiatus because of Hurricane Milton.
Cousin among 2 teens implicated in fatal shooting of 16-year-old Among the two teenagers arrested in the shooting death of a 16-year-old girl in Hendry County is a cousin of the victim.
Charlotte County businesses grapple with hurricane damages Throughout Charlotte County, officials are tallying the number of businesses affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton that made landfall less than two weeks apart. City of Punta Gorda is conducting its own assessment of its business community.
A home for hundreds left in ruins and closed with no idea when it will come back. Here on WINK News, we have brought you the stories of people in nearby communities whose lives have been changed by Hurricane Milton. Now, we turn to the animals in the Peace River Wildlife Center who are now homeless. A nearly empty animal center is all that Hurricane Milton left behind. Debris is still scattered throughout the property and almost all of the animals are gone. All that remains are a few dedicated employees, fighting their growing exhaustion to offer help in any way they can. It’s unusual to find an empty parking lot with dried-up leaves rolling in the wind at the end of Ponce de Leon Parkway in Punta Gorda, but Hurricane Milton pushed the wildlife center to the brink, closing it indefinitely. “Damage is pretty much catastrophic,” said Tricia LaPointe. LaPointe is the center’s executive director. Wiping away a tear, she describes Milton’s wrath. “That mesh, that’s the water line from Milton. The gift shop shifted on its foundation,” said LaPointe. “The handicap ramp up to it actually pulled away and moved. I don’t know if there’s a spot where it’s not a lot of damage.” All of the animal enclosures were left vacant except for two owls. “Some of our animals were temporarily rehomed at, you know, Flamingo Gardens. Busch Wildlife reached out to us, so they do have some of our residents temporarily,” said LaPointe. The difficult task of cleaning up is exhausting. Despite that, they won’t quit. Even if that means bringing work home with them. “We’re not able to pay our staff what they should be able to be paid, but they’re here anyway,” said LaPointe. “You know, they’re working: our curator, our rehabber and our veterinarian have animals at their house that they’re caring for.” Sometimes it’s all worth it if you know what you have to look forward to, for the Peace River Wildlife Center, that’s a new location. The center hopes to open its new location in the next year. They are working as fast as they can but need a lot of help from the community. Click here to donate to the Peace River Wildlife Center.