NAPLES Celebrating Christmas Eve with the Magic of Lights Across southwest Florida, people have been feeling the Christmas spirit. In Collier County, families at the Magic of Lights experience counted down the minutes to Santa’s arrival in awe of the spectacular display.
FORT MYERS BEACH Beachgoers enjoy Fort Myers Beach on Christmas Eve Whether you’re a full-time Floridian, a snowbird or just vacationing here for Christmas, it was a great day to go to the beach.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ‘Chrismukkah’; Two major holidays fall on the same day This year Christmas and Hanukkah fall on the same day. Many people of both faiths across our area will participate in the rare opportunity to celebrate both holidays.
FORT MYERS BEACH Smokin’ Oyster Brewery reopens after damage from hurricanes It’s an iconic bar and restaurant on Fort Myers Beach that has been missing since Hurricane Ian destroyed it.
Family of 10 caught in American Airlines tech issue at RSW A family of ten thought they had a good plan to beat the Christmas travel rush at Southwest Florida International Airport.
NAPLES Taking an inside look at the Naples Police Department’s Technical Analysis Center WINK News got an inside look at the new license plate reading technology being used by the Naples Police Department.
CAPE CORAL Facebook post sparks Christmas miracle for Cape Coral family The joy of Christmas for many, especially kids, is seeing gifts under the tree, but for one family, they couldn’t afford not only presents but the bare necessities.
MATLACHA Matlacha businesses bounce back in time for the holidays Matlacha has had its share of damage this year from hurricanes Helene and Milton. While people continue to heal and recover, they’re also looking toward the new year and beyond.
CAPE CORAL Families in Cape Coral forced out of their homes right after the new year As many of us have already made our Christmas lists and checked them twice, dozens of neighbors are just wishing for a warm and safe place to live.
Final rush for holiday food If you are still baking and basting your holiday dish, time is running out.
FORT MYERS Jewelry of the future with AI One Fort Myers jewelry store is taking the art of jewelry making into the future, all with the help of AI.
LEHIGH ACRES 1 person dead after scene at Lehigh Acres home Deputies are in a tense back and forth with a man barricaded inside a home.
ESTERO From rookie to captain, Oliver Chau leads the Florida Everblades From shy newcomer to team leader, one man’s journey with the Florida Everblades has been remarkable.
FORT MYERS Reward increase of $5K for more information on Edison Mall shooter from 2011 Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking more information on a suspect wanted for shooting someone at the Edison Mall.
NAPLES Celebrating Christmas Eve with the Magic of Lights Across southwest Florida, people have been feeling the Christmas spirit. In Collier County, families at the Magic of Lights experience counted down the minutes to Santa’s arrival in awe of the spectacular display.
FORT MYERS BEACH Beachgoers enjoy Fort Myers Beach on Christmas Eve Whether you’re a full-time Floridian, a snowbird or just vacationing here for Christmas, it was a great day to go to the beach.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ‘Chrismukkah’; Two major holidays fall on the same day This year Christmas and Hanukkah fall on the same day. Many people of both faiths across our area will participate in the rare opportunity to celebrate both holidays.
FORT MYERS BEACH Smokin’ Oyster Brewery reopens after damage from hurricanes It’s an iconic bar and restaurant on Fort Myers Beach that has been missing since Hurricane Ian destroyed it.
Family of 10 caught in American Airlines tech issue at RSW A family of ten thought they had a good plan to beat the Christmas travel rush at Southwest Florida International Airport.
NAPLES Taking an inside look at the Naples Police Department’s Technical Analysis Center WINK News got an inside look at the new license plate reading technology being used by the Naples Police Department.
CAPE CORAL Facebook post sparks Christmas miracle for Cape Coral family The joy of Christmas for many, especially kids, is seeing gifts under the tree, but for one family, they couldn’t afford not only presents but the bare necessities.
MATLACHA Matlacha businesses bounce back in time for the holidays Matlacha has had its share of damage this year from hurricanes Helene and Milton. While people continue to heal and recover, they’re also looking toward the new year and beyond.
CAPE CORAL Families in Cape Coral forced out of their homes right after the new year As many of us have already made our Christmas lists and checked them twice, dozens of neighbors are just wishing for a warm and safe place to live.
Final rush for holiday food If you are still baking and basting your holiday dish, time is running out.
FORT MYERS Jewelry of the future with AI One Fort Myers jewelry store is taking the art of jewelry making into the future, all with the help of AI.
LEHIGH ACRES 1 person dead after scene at Lehigh Acres home Deputies are in a tense back and forth with a man barricaded inside a home.
ESTERO From rookie to captain, Oliver Chau leads the Florida Everblades From shy newcomer to team leader, one man’s journey with the Florida Everblades has been remarkable.
FORT MYERS Reward increase of $5K for more information on Edison Mall shooter from 2011 Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking more information on a suspect wanted for shooting someone at the Edison Mall.
If you’re looking to do some early holiday shopping in Charlotte County on Friday, Fishermen’s Village is reopening its doors just in time. It’s been closed since Oct. 8 due to Hurricane Milton. Several employees are preparing for the reopening on Friday. From what they say,it feels like a grand opening after being closed for almost a month. Kathy Burnam is the Marketing and Events Manager at Fishermen’s Village. She said that now is a great time for Fishermen’s Village to reopen. “What a perfect day to have the opening with all of our Christmas decorations that are pretty much nearly in place,” said Burnam. “It gives people a lot of encouragement. It will start the season for them very well, and it’s a big deal.” It’s a big deal for several employees who have had to temporarily close their businesses due to Milton and felt its impacts. A few of them are Captain’s Landing and King Fisher Fleet. Ralph Allen owns King Fisher’s Fleet. He said Milton was hard for his staff, but the boats fared well. “It’s a traumatic experience for all of our staff,” said Allen. “I believe all of our staff stayed with us through that month. It was a miraculous event for our boats. We have not a scratch on a boat, and in Punta Gorda in the boating department, that’s saying something. We got very lucky.” Troy Young is the owner of Captain’s Landing at Fishermen’s Village. He said that he’s glad to be back in business. “We had the storm surge here, so we got a lot of damage with that up there,” said Young. “Just more wind and power, so it took a long time to get us going here, but we’re happy to be opening tomorrow in time for season.” From the Village’s closure from Oct. 8 until Oct. 31, employees used it as an opportunity to revamp once the storm settled. Allen worked with his employees at King Fisher Fleet during the downtime. “While we were down for a month, we took that opportunity to do some upgrades and put fresh coats of paint on things here and there that we probably wouldn’t have had a chance to get to that quickly,” said Allen, “so we try to take some advantage to our downtime.” With the clock ticking and more preparations underway, reopening day was almost in question. Burnam said despite the difficulties, they made it work. “We were not sure that we would make it, but we’re so delighted that we have. It just made sense, and we’ve been able to do it,” said Burnam. The reopening is just in time for the snowbird season and the holiday season. Allen said that customers are ready for both. “There are a lot of people anxious to be able to join us back here again, starting tomorrow, November the 1st,” said Allen. Fishermen’s Village will officially be back open this Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., which is also the return of their regular business hours, Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, they’ll be open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.