Colonial Boulevard continuous flow intersection opens Sunday in Fort MyersSun and clouds with a stray shower possible
FORT MYERS Colonial Boulevard continuous flow intersection opens Sunday in Fort Myers Drivers along Interstate 75 near Colonial Boulevard can expect changes soon.
the weather authority Sun and clouds with a stray shower possible The Weather Authority says sun and clouds overhead will lead to another day with above-average temperatures.
FORT MYERS LCSO offering youth boxing program The Lee County Sheriff’s Office youth boxing program is your kid’s golden ticket to mastering the art of self-defense.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral man speaks on helping apprehend armed 13-year-old The man who helped apprehend an armed 13-year-old spoke on the incident.
NAPLES Naples Cars on Fifth event fuels $2M for local charity efforts For over two decades, car enthusiasts in Southwest Florida have gathered on Fifth Avenue in Naples.
MARCO ISLAND Caxambas Park boat ramp on Marco Island set to reopen Collier County announced the reopening of the Caxambas Park boat ramp on Marco Island.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Animal Shelter to host Puppy Bowl 3 ahead of big game Ahead of the big game on Sunday, Cape Coral Animal Shelter will be featuring its very own Puppy Bowl III.
FORT MYERS From the ballpark to the beach: the Minnesota Twins are back for Spring Training 1700 miles later the Twins truck is here and the team from Minnesota is ready to spend the next six weeks here in Fort Myers.
the weather authority Warm stretch continues throughout this weekend The Weather Authority says if you are a fan of the warmer weather, you are going to love this weekend.
SANIBEL Sanibel’s red tide raises health alerts and wildlife concerns With great weather in the forecast, it’s shaping up to be a perfect beach weekend. However, visitors to the barrier islands should exercise caution.
NAPLES Naples Automotive Experience raises funds for St. Matthew’s House The Naples Automotive Experience brought excitement and philanthropy to the community, raising money for St. Matthew’s House.
MATLACHA Little Pine Island bridge work causes delays, FDOT promises progress Construction on the Little Pine Island Bridge has narrowed traffic to one lane, causing significant delays for drivers.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Support women’s heart health on National Wear Red Day The first Friday in February marks National Wear Red Day!
Ongoing repairs following Naples plane crash A deadly plane crash that occurred one year ago in Naples, Florida continues to impact lives in Southwest Florida. The tragic event involved two pilots who lost their lives on Interstate 75.
FORT MYERS Colonial Boulevard continuous flow intersection opens Sunday in Fort Myers Drivers along Interstate 75 near Colonial Boulevard can expect changes soon.
the weather authority Sun and clouds with a stray shower possible The Weather Authority says sun and clouds overhead will lead to another day with above-average temperatures.
FORT MYERS LCSO offering youth boxing program The Lee County Sheriff’s Office youth boxing program is your kid’s golden ticket to mastering the art of self-defense.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral man speaks on helping apprehend armed 13-year-old The man who helped apprehend an armed 13-year-old spoke on the incident.
NAPLES Naples Cars on Fifth event fuels $2M for local charity efforts For over two decades, car enthusiasts in Southwest Florida have gathered on Fifth Avenue in Naples.
MARCO ISLAND Caxambas Park boat ramp on Marco Island set to reopen Collier County announced the reopening of the Caxambas Park boat ramp on Marco Island.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Animal Shelter to host Puppy Bowl 3 ahead of big game Ahead of the big game on Sunday, Cape Coral Animal Shelter will be featuring its very own Puppy Bowl III.
FORT MYERS From the ballpark to the beach: the Minnesota Twins are back for Spring Training 1700 miles later the Twins truck is here and the team from Minnesota is ready to spend the next six weeks here in Fort Myers.
the weather authority Warm stretch continues throughout this weekend The Weather Authority says if you are a fan of the warmer weather, you are going to love this weekend.
SANIBEL Sanibel’s red tide raises health alerts and wildlife concerns With great weather in the forecast, it’s shaping up to be a perfect beach weekend. However, visitors to the barrier islands should exercise caution.
NAPLES Naples Automotive Experience raises funds for St. Matthew’s House The Naples Automotive Experience brought excitement and philanthropy to the community, raising money for St. Matthew’s House.
MATLACHA Little Pine Island bridge work causes delays, FDOT promises progress Construction on the Little Pine Island Bridge has narrowed traffic to one lane, causing significant delays for drivers.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Support women’s heart health on National Wear Red Day The first Friday in February marks National Wear Red Day!
Ongoing repairs following Naples plane crash A deadly plane crash that occurred one year ago in Naples, Florida continues to impact lives in Southwest Florida. The tragic event involved two pilots who lost their lives on Interstate 75.
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park has opened its gates again after months of closure, welcoming visitors back to one of the most beloved beaches in the region. The park had been closed for five long months following the devastating impacts of hurricanes Helene and Milton. But for the many who returned Tuesday, the wait was worth it. John Gabriel, a local painter visiting this beach for years, was among the first to experience the park’s revival. As he set up his easel near the water, he couldn’t help but reflect on the park’s beauty and resilience. “It’s still beautiful. The water is still here, and the trees are rough, but they’ll come back,” Brown said. For many, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park holds a special place in their hearts. Vince and Vanda Bavetta, part-time residents, had no idea the park was reopening. “We just took a ride all the way through, and we thought, OK, well, good, we’ll keep driving. And it was open today,” Vanda said. Al Pagliuco, another part-time resident, shared their sentiment. “We just drove down like we normally do, not expecting to get in. The gates were open, and we drove right in, as we normally would, and came to the beach.” Until today, the park has remained closed due to the significant damage caused by the hurricanes. The storms brought heavy destruction, leaving the once-lush landscape withered and sparse. “The park used to be really lush. You could not see the buildings in the background here,” said Regina Husar, a part-time resident who lives nearby. “Now, after all the destruction from Ian and then again, Milton and Helene, they’ve had to remove all the dead trees, and the lush vegetation is gone.” The damage extended beyond just the trees and vegetation. The mangroves that once lined the beach were swept away, and with them, much of the wildlife birds and turtles that once called the park home are no longer. Picnic tables and barbeque grills, once scattered along the beach, are also gone. The park has replaced its regular bathroom facilities with porta-potties, a temporary solution that doesn’t seem to deter visitors. “We’d like the bathrooms back,” Vanda Bavetta said. Despite the challenges, the park’s reopening is a welcome relief to those who treasure its natural beauty. “It’s about the best beach I’ve ever been at, and I’ve been to a lot of beaches around [here],” Pagliuco said. Husar was thrilled to have the park open again. “What I love is hearing these waves lapping, being able to walk a mile and a half of just beach and nature, versus if you go the other way, it’s buildings and other things,” Husar said. “It’s a gorgeous park. You see wildlife all along the way. Often, you see dolphins swimming.” Still, the park is not yet fully restored. Only Parking Lots 1 and 2 have reopened, with Lots 3, 4, and 5 still closed. If these two lots reach capacity, visitors can walk, bike, or take Collier County’s Paradise Beach Trolley from the Conner Park parking lot instead. The park’s hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year, weather permitting.