Another chance at FEMA assistance If you applied for FEMA assistance after hurricanes Helene and Milton and are not happy with the answer they gave you, they are giving you another chance.
NAPLES Naples City Council names Gary L. Young as next city manager The Naples City Council unanimously voted to appoint Deputy City Manager and CFO Gary L. Young as the new city manager.
BONITA SPRINGS Sugarshack, a haven for live music, food and community, coming to Bonita Springs Sugarshack, a haven for live music, food and community, coming soon to Downton Bonita Springs.
COLLIER COUNTY FC Naples holds first practice in club history Another first in a year of first for FC Naples as the club held its first practice in its history Wednesday morning.
FORT MYERS BEACH Rick on the Roof gets the ending he fought for The man with a plan and the courage to stand up for what he believed in is finally getting the happy ending he fought for.
Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for January 15, 2025 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for January 15, 2025
Arthrex plans 1 million-square-foot facility at RSW’s Skyplex project Arthrex, the orthopedic surgical instruments company headquartered in North Naples, has been in negotiations to build a 1 million-square-foot facility as part of Southwest Florida International Airport’s Skyplex project.
Lujacks All-American Grill kicks off in North Naples Lujacks All-American Grill celebrated its North Naples launch Jan. 9, the same day Notre Dame won the Orange Bowl to advance the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoff National Championship game Jan. 20 in Atlanta.
NORTH FORT MYERS Crime Stoppers increases cash reward for man missing since 2020 Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers has announced an increased cash reward regarding the case of a missing person from North Fort Myers.
Collier County creates food truck park policy Food trucks have become increasingly popular due to their convenience, affordability and unique offerings, especially for employees seeking a quick breakfast or lunch at businesses and commercial areas.
SWFL celebrates MLK Day with community gatherings and service In Southwest Florida, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is marked with parades, rallies, and community service events that honor the civil rights leader’s legacy.
Fatal multi-vehicle crash temporarily closes all lanes on SR-82 in Lehigh Acres The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash involving multiple vehicles on SR-82 west of 40th Street in Lehigh Acres.
port charlotte Tribute breakfast held for Charlotte County Sgt. Elio Diaz A tribute breakfast was held for Charlotte County Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz, who was killed in the line of duty in December.
winter haven Gov. DeSantis calls for stricter immigration reform Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference in Winter Haven to discuss stricter immigration laws while cracking down on illegal immigration.
FORT MYERS Shell Factory & Nature Park announces online auction liquidation of remaining inventory Fans of the now-closed Shell Factory & Nature Park will have a final chance to own a piece of nostalgia with two virtual auctions.
Another chance at FEMA assistance If you applied for FEMA assistance after hurricanes Helene and Milton and are not happy with the answer they gave you, they are giving you another chance.
NAPLES Naples City Council names Gary L. Young as next city manager The Naples City Council unanimously voted to appoint Deputy City Manager and CFO Gary L. Young as the new city manager.
BONITA SPRINGS Sugarshack, a haven for live music, food and community, coming to Bonita Springs Sugarshack, a haven for live music, food and community, coming soon to Downton Bonita Springs.
COLLIER COUNTY FC Naples holds first practice in club history Another first in a year of first for FC Naples as the club held its first practice in its history Wednesday morning.
FORT MYERS BEACH Rick on the Roof gets the ending he fought for The man with a plan and the courage to stand up for what he believed in is finally getting the happy ending he fought for.
Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for January 15, 2025 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for January 15, 2025
Arthrex plans 1 million-square-foot facility at RSW’s Skyplex project Arthrex, the orthopedic surgical instruments company headquartered in North Naples, has been in negotiations to build a 1 million-square-foot facility as part of Southwest Florida International Airport’s Skyplex project.
Lujacks All-American Grill kicks off in North Naples Lujacks All-American Grill celebrated its North Naples launch Jan. 9, the same day Notre Dame won the Orange Bowl to advance the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoff National Championship game Jan. 20 in Atlanta.
NORTH FORT MYERS Crime Stoppers increases cash reward for man missing since 2020 Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers has announced an increased cash reward regarding the case of a missing person from North Fort Myers.
Collier County creates food truck park policy Food trucks have become increasingly popular due to their convenience, affordability and unique offerings, especially for employees seeking a quick breakfast or lunch at businesses and commercial areas.
SWFL celebrates MLK Day with community gatherings and service In Southwest Florida, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is marked with parades, rallies, and community service events that honor the civil rights leader’s legacy.
Fatal multi-vehicle crash temporarily closes all lanes on SR-82 in Lehigh Acres The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash involving multiple vehicles on SR-82 west of 40th Street in Lehigh Acres.
port charlotte Tribute breakfast held for Charlotte County Sgt. Elio Diaz A tribute breakfast was held for Charlotte County Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz, who was killed in the line of duty in December.
winter haven Gov. DeSantis calls for stricter immigration reform Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference in Winter Haven to discuss stricter immigration laws while cracking down on illegal immigration.
FORT MYERS Shell Factory & Nature Park announces online auction liquidation of remaining inventory Fans of the now-closed Shell Factory & Nature Park will have a final chance to own a piece of nostalgia with two virtual auctions.
The man with a plan and the courage to stand up for what he believed in is finally getting the happy ending he fought for. Rick Loughrey, better known as “Rick on the Roof,” is back in his Fort Myers Beach home after a long battle with FEMA and a unique protest that gained him local fame. Loughrey protested FEMA’s order to dismantle his garage, which he rebuilt after Hurricane Ian devastated the area, by living on its roof for several days in August 2023. RELATED: Man refuses to get off his Fort Myers Beach roof, protesting FEMA regulations More than a year later, Loughrey and his wife, Amy and their Aussiedoodle, Tiny, are celebrating what they call the “perfect Christmas present.” WINK News reporter Jolena Esperto went to Loughrey’s home on Fort Myers Beach to speak with him and his wife and see how they are doing now that they are back in their home. “Losing everything is tough, you know, and you’ve got to get through it,” Loughrey said. “But when you do, there is sunshine at the end of it.” Hurricane Ian destroyed the Loughrey home in 2022, but their garage remained standing. FEMA initially classified the garage as an accessory structure, stating it had to be torn down because it was built after the original home. RELATED: FEMA’s regulations against Rick on the Roof For Loughrey, however, it was more than just a garage, it was the only part of his property left standing. He protested FEMA’s order by moving onto the roof of the garage. “The days were very hot and very long in that hot air,” Loughrey recalled. “It’s so hot, or the bugs are out there, but it was kind of beautiful at night. But the days were absolutely horrendous.” Despite the challenges, his efforts paid off. He eventually convinced the state floodplain manager to allow the garage to stay. It is now connected to the couple’s new home. RELATED: Rick on the Roof comes down after nearly a week of protesting “You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do in life,” Loughrey said. “And that’s what we had to do, and we did it. So, we might not have been, you know, we might have been unsuccessful, but if we hadn’t tried, we would have never found out that we could have.” Rick Loughrey, who became a local symbol of resilience, is now off the roof and settling into his new home. While he doesn’t seem eager to return to his roof anytime soon, he said he is grateful for the friends and supporters he met during his protest.