Fort Myers veteran worried about FEMA code compliance letterResidents oppose U-Haul storage unit development in Collier County
FORT MYERS Fort Myers veteran worried about FEMA code compliance letter One marine veteran is worried sick over having to raise his home.
Residents oppose U-Haul storage unit development in Collier County A lush line of trees in Collier County may turn into storage units, and neighbors are unhappy.
LEHIGH ACRES Parents want changes made to Lee County Schools JROTC The Lee County School District is making changes after 25 students were treated by emergency services for heat exhaustion at a local high school on Friday.
FORT MYERS BEACH La Ola speaks out a day after FEMA deadline A day after the FEMA deadline for temporary structures on Fort Myers Beach to be removed, the scenery remains largely unchanged.
FORT MYERS Neighbors react to plans for new Amazon warehouse in Fort Myers Amazon will soon have the largest building in Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Councilman Johnny Streets retires after nearly 20 years of service After nearly two decades of service, Fort Myers City Councilman Johnny Streets is retiring.
Local human trafficking survivor speaks out It’s a question many of us think we know the answer to: What is human trafficking? A Collier County woman told WINK her definition changed after she survived it.
PORT CHARLOTTE 8 illegal immigrants arrested in Charlotte County Eight people have been arrested in Port Charlotte for being in the country illegally.
Sheriff’s Office: Teen victim knew suspect in deadly Collier County shooting There is new information on the deadly shooting late Saturday of a teenage girl in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Inauguration ceremony for Lee Board of County Commissioners Lee County held an inauguration ceremony for a newly appointed county commissioner and two incumbents.
FGCU FGCU volleyball prepares to defend ASUN Tournament title FGCU volleyball looks to secure its fourth straight ASUN Tournament title this week and secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers city leaders sworn in On Tuesday night, the City of Fort Myers swore in newly elected councilmember Diana Giraldo, who will take over Ward 2 for the next four years.
FORT MYERS Thomas Golisano pledges $85M to SWFL non-profits Christmas came early for non-profit foundations and agencies across Southwest Florida, thanks to Thomas Galisano.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island City Council vacancy application period extended Marco Island City Council members have voted to extend the application period for people interested in filling a vacant seat on the council.
Man tells troopers he fell asleep before fatal Alligator Alley crash at mile marker 72 A 37-year-old man has been arrested after his involvement in a deadly crash that killed one person and injured another.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers veteran worried about FEMA code compliance letter One marine veteran is worried sick over having to raise his home.
Residents oppose U-Haul storage unit development in Collier County A lush line of trees in Collier County may turn into storage units, and neighbors are unhappy.
LEHIGH ACRES Parents want changes made to Lee County Schools JROTC The Lee County School District is making changes after 25 students were treated by emergency services for heat exhaustion at a local high school on Friday.
FORT MYERS BEACH La Ola speaks out a day after FEMA deadline A day after the FEMA deadline for temporary structures on Fort Myers Beach to be removed, the scenery remains largely unchanged.
FORT MYERS Neighbors react to plans for new Amazon warehouse in Fort Myers Amazon will soon have the largest building in Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Councilman Johnny Streets retires after nearly 20 years of service After nearly two decades of service, Fort Myers City Councilman Johnny Streets is retiring.
Local human trafficking survivor speaks out It’s a question many of us think we know the answer to: What is human trafficking? A Collier County woman told WINK her definition changed after she survived it.
PORT CHARLOTTE 8 illegal immigrants arrested in Charlotte County Eight people have been arrested in Port Charlotte for being in the country illegally.
Sheriff’s Office: Teen victim knew suspect in deadly Collier County shooting There is new information on the deadly shooting late Saturday of a teenage girl in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Inauguration ceremony for Lee Board of County Commissioners Lee County held an inauguration ceremony for a newly appointed county commissioner and two incumbents.
FGCU FGCU volleyball prepares to defend ASUN Tournament title FGCU volleyball looks to secure its fourth straight ASUN Tournament title this week and secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers city leaders sworn in On Tuesday night, the City of Fort Myers swore in newly elected councilmember Diana Giraldo, who will take over Ward 2 for the next four years.
FORT MYERS Thomas Golisano pledges $85M to SWFL non-profits Christmas came early for non-profit foundations and agencies across Southwest Florida, thanks to Thomas Galisano.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island City Council vacancy application period extended Marco Island City Council members have voted to extend the application period for people interested in filling a vacant seat on the council.
Man tells troopers he fell asleep before fatal Alligator Alley crash at mile marker 72 A 37-year-old man has been arrested after his involvement in a deadly crash that killed one person and injured another.
One marine veteran is worried sick over having to raise his home. Lee County sent out substantial damage determination notices warning residents to follow the FEMA code. However, it turns out that some people are getting the letters without ever having damage to their homes. Lee County said the letters were sent based on county and FEMA data analytics, but for veteran Bill Watson, whose home saw no damage from Helene or Milton, this letter has caused him a lot of stress. The good news is that the county said that if you get this letter, don’t panic. Watson got a letter from Lee County that said, in part, “Notice of substantial damage determination.” “It scared me a lot, and I’ve had it’s been stressful ever since I’ve gotten the letter,” Watson said. The letter then asks that the structure be brought up to comply with flood damage-resistant provisions. The thing is, Watson’s home got no damage from Helene or Milton. “I don’t understand where the county is saying that I have significant damage to that’s part of the 50/50 rule, so that would mean I’d have to have well over $100,000 worth of damage, and I don’t have a 10th of that being with all of the storms together,” Watson said. Lee County said a couple hundred of the roughly 43,000 national flood insurance policyholders in unincorporated Lee County will start receiving this notice. “I’m hoping that the county will take the citizens into account that this is very stressful, that that they be more careful in mailing out these letters,” Watson said. But if you do get this letter, know it’s not a final decision. Based on the submitted information, there is room for reconsideration. Watson heard back from the county on Tuesday; he will submit paperwork to prove he didn’t get damage from recent storms, just some flooding with Ian. If you do receive this notice, make sure you communicate with the county about your situation.