DeSantis’ new Boater Freedom Initiative would end random FWC boat safety inspectionsCouple celebrates their lifelong love on 62nd Valentine’s Day together
FORT MYERS DeSantis’ new Boater Freedom Initiative would end random FWC boat safety inspections Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the new Boater Freedom Initiative will protect Sunshine State residents’ right to boat.
CAPE CORAL Couple celebrates their lifelong love on 62nd Valentine’s Day together Hollis and Linda Nash might be living proof that love doesn’t fade with age.
PUNTA GORDA CROW rescues, rehabilitates 2 orphaned baby River Otters Two orphaned baby North American River Otters were rescued by the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife.
FORT MYERS Southwest Florida Reading Festival brings bestselling authors Romance is in the air this Valentine’s Day as we look forward to the Southwest Florida Reading Festival taking place in March.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Florist offers lower prices on roses for Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day is the busiest day of the year for florists in Southwest Florida, and one florist is offering lower prices on roses.
Tim Aten Knows: Landert Bread rolling out local retail store Landert Bread’s European rolls, bread, cakes and pastries will be available to more Naples area residents starting this month. A wholesale operation for more than 12 years, Naples-based Landert is launching a retail store in Collier County.
the weather authority Isolated rain can impact your Valentine’s Day evening plans The Weather Authority is tracking isolated rain that may impact your Friday or Valentine’s Day outdoor plans.
Ponte Vedra Beach Gov. DeSantis holds news conference in Ponte Vedra Beach Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Ponte Vedra Beach.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte woman accused of running over man after vandalizing his car with condiments A Port Charlotte woman is accused of vandalizing her ex-boyfriend’s car by throwing eggs and condiments and then running him over with her car.
FORT MYERS Dog rescue in Fort Myers holds fundraiser as founder fights cancer A beloved dog rescue service in Fort Myers is facing uncertainty as its founder, Carey Kendzior, battles cancer.
Woman arrested for stealing $3,400 in goods from Target in Collier County More than 150 items worth thousands of dollars were reportedly stolen from a Target in Collier County. Deputies arrested Kimberly McDonnell, 36, on charges of grand theft.
Egg prices leading to some locals raising their own chickens High egg prices have some people considering raising their own chickens, but it’s not as simple as it sounds.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach Library to reopen following Hurricane Ian The Fort Myers Beach Library plans to reopen its doors to the public on March 16.
FORT MYERS Save This Life pet microchips closes down For many, protecting your pet is as important as keeping your kids safe.
FORT MYERS DeSantis’ new Boater Freedom Initiative would end random FWC boat safety inspections Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the new Boater Freedom Initiative will protect Sunshine State residents’ right to boat.
CAPE CORAL Couple celebrates their lifelong love on 62nd Valentine’s Day together Hollis and Linda Nash might be living proof that love doesn’t fade with age.
PUNTA GORDA CROW rescues, rehabilitates 2 orphaned baby River Otters Two orphaned baby North American River Otters were rescued by the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife.
FORT MYERS Southwest Florida Reading Festival brings bestselling authors Romance is in the air this Valentine’s Day as we look forward to the Southwest Florida Reading Festival taking place in March.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Florist offers lower prices on roses for Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day is the busiest day of the year for florists in Southwest Florida, and one florist is offering lower prices on roses.
Tim Aten Knows: Landert Bread rolling out local retail store Landert Bread’s European rolls, bread, cakes and pastries will be available to more Naples area residents starting this month. A wholesale operation for more than 12 years, Naples-based Landert is launching a retail store in Collier County.
the weather authority Isolated rain can impact your Valentine’s Day evening plans The Weather Authority is tracking isolated rain that may impact your Friday or Valentine’s Day outdoor plans.
Ponte Vedra Beach Gov. DeSantis holds news conference in Ponte Vedra Beach Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Ponte Vedra Beach.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte woman accused of running over man after vandalizing his car with condiments A Port Charlotte woman is accused of vandalizing her ex-boyfriend’s car by throwing eggs and condiments and then running him over with her car.
FORT MYERS Dog rescue in Fort Myers holds fundraiser as founder fights cancer A beloved dog rescue service in Fort Myers is facing uncertainty as its founder, Carey Kendzior, battles cancer.
Woman arrested for stealing $3,400 in goods from Target in Collier County More than 150 items worth thousands of dollars were reportedly stolen from a Target in Collier County. Deputies arrested Kimberly McDonnell, 36, on charges of grand theft.
Egg prices leading to some locals raising their own chickens High egg prices have some people considering raising their own chickens, but it’s not as simple as it sounds.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach Library to reopen following Hurricane Ian The Fort Myers Beach Library plans to reopen its doors to the public on March 16.
FORT MYERS Save This Life pet microchips closes down For many, protecting your pet is as important as keeping your kids safe.
Warning: Some viewers may find the video referenced in this story disturbing. For 16 years, Sarge and his owner, James Stewart, were inseparable. Sarge, a 17-year-old, six-and-a-half-pound Yorkie, and 89-year-old Stewart grew old together and did everything together. Saturday morning, things would never be the same. Sarge was attacked and killed by a coyote, and now, the yorkie’s owner and neighbors are demanding answers. The attack happened in the morning on Southeast 43rd Street in Cape Coral. “I know one thing, he didn’t suffer very long, and I guess that was a blessing,” Stewart said. Surveillance video captured the entire interaction. The 6 a.m. morning started out normal for Stewart and Sarge. Every morning, the two of them sit by the front door and watch the sunrise. They were doing just that until a coyote crept up. Surveillance video caught the coyote in the distance, noticing the small dog. After the coyote inched closer to the house, the animal then attacked, dragged and eventually killed Sarge. “He made a noise like a growl and a bark together, and that was all I heard,” Stewart said. The 89-year-old Stewart, who has trouble hearing and seeing, walked around the property to check things out after noticing that the bench that he tied his dog to was being tugged on. Stewart then eventually went back inside and grabbed his daughter, who discovered poor Sarge, viciously mauled. Stewart’s son-in-law, Craig Closs, who refers to Stewart as “pops” says no more sunrises. “We kind of thought that Sarge being with him was a safety thing, right? It would help, but he wasn’t able to see it coming, and so, yeah, we’re like, ‘Stay inside until the sun’s up or sit in the back, in the lanai,'” Closs said. “That animal could attack him and do some serious damage, and he wouldn’t know it’s coming.” Stewart said he is going to miss everything about his best friend. “He was really a part of my life. We lived together for 16 years, and I guess we were growing old together. He had some problems, health-wise, and so did I. Every time I went anywhere at all, he was right behind me,” Stewart said. “I keep thinking he’s going to reappear.” Stewart was in desperate need of a companion during a hard time in his life and at the perfect time 16 years ago, Sarge, a stray dog at a young age, walked right up to Stewart soon after his wife passed away. Stewart said it was fate. “I feel that if the pearly gates don’t have a pet door, I don’t want to go there,” Stewart said. Stewart, Closs and other homeowners are urging the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission to do something about the coyote. It’s not the first time the same coyote, described to be as big as a German Shepherd, has roamed the neighborhood, but it is the first time he has gotten very aggressive. FWC did visit the home Saturday for just under two hours to conduct an investigation. They say at this time, there is no trapping effort being conducted. “An FWC officer responded and searched the area but was unable to determine if a coyote or other wildlife was in the area. This was an unfortunate situation, and our condolences are with the pet owner,” an FWC representative said to WINK News.