Community raises funds for family of elementary school choking victimNB lanes of US 41 at Olympia Ave closed due to traffic investigation
NAPLES Community raises funds for family of elementary school choking victim Staff and students from Laurel Oak Elementary School gathered at a Naples Culver’s to raise money for the family of Benjamin Cronin, an 11-year-old boy who died after choking at school.
NB lanes of US 41 at Olympia Ave closed due to traffic investigation According to the Punta Gorda Police Department, the northbound lane of US 41 at Olympia Avenue and Marion Avenue is closed due to a traffic crash investigation.
NAPLES Swine in the 239: Collier’s pig showdown Over 250 pigs took over the Collier County fairgrounds Saturday morning for Swine in the 239.
immokalee Fatal crash in Immokalee leaves 2 dead, both cars engulfed in flames The Florida Highway Patrol responded to a crash that left one person dead in Immokalee near the intersection of State Road 82 and Gators Slough Road.
NAPLES Motorcyclist dies in crash with pickup truck in Collier County The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly crash on Wilson Boulevard, near 10th Avenue Northeast in Collier County.
southwest florida Plenty of sunshine and less humid air for your Saturday plans The Weather Authority says this weekend is kicking off with some beautiful, less humid weather, perfect for any outdoor plans you may have!
WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Playoffs Round 1 21 Southwest Florida high school football teams were in action in round one of the playoffs trying to keep their state title hopes alive.
CLEWISTON Suspect identified in shooting investigation at Clewiston Walmart According to the Clewiston Police Department, a suspect has been identified in the shooting investigation at a Walmart in Clewiston on Friday night.
WINK Investigates: Everything we know so far about Beattie Development A southwest Florida developer has now surrendered his six different contracting licenses, which include general contracting, plumbing and roofing. Paul Beattie, owner of Beattie Development cannot build homes anymore. It’s not a permanent situation, but part of a settlement agreement with the state says he’d need to pay $300,000 before he could get a new […]
Florida Attorney General speaks out following lawsuit against FEMA Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has spoken out following the filing of a lawsuit alleging that a FEMA supervisor directed aid workers to avoid going to homes in Lake Placid that had yard signs supporting Trump.
FORT MYERS BEACH How to increase odds of getting your hurricane insurance claim paid When Hurricane Helene hit Southwest Florida in September followed by Milton, many people’s lives were affected.
lehigh acres 25 students treated for heat exhaustion on Lehigh Sr. High School football field The Tice Fire Department treated around 25 students for heat exhaustion on the Lehigh Senior High School football field.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda pilots speak out on Allegiant Air strike Allegiant Air pilots said they want a new contract, one that’s amendable, fair and, in their words, what they should be paid.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach couple sues insurance over Hurricane Ian claim In the last two months, southwest Florida experienced a hurricane double punch with Helene and Milton, but for many people out there, it’s still all about Hurricane Ian from 2022.
CAPE CORAL Couple struggling after hurricanes receives $10K from Cape Coral High students A couple who lost everything to Hurricane Milton has received a blessing in more ways than one.
NAPLES Community raises funds for family of elementary school choking victim Staff and students from Laurel Oak Elementary School gathered at a Naples Culver’s to raise money for the family of Benjamin Cronin, an 11-year-old boy who died after choking at school.
NB lanes of US 41 at Olympia Ave closed due to traffic investigation According to the Punta Gorda Police Department, the northbound lane of US 41 at Olympia Avenue and Marion Avenue is closed due to a traffic crash investigation.
NAPLES Swine in the 239: Collier’s pig showdown Over 250 pigs took over the Collier County fairgrounds Saturday morning for Swine in the 239.
immokalee Fatal crash in Immokalee leaves 2 dead, both cars engulfed in flames The Florida Highway Patrol responded to a crash that left one person dead in Immokalee near the intersection of State Road 82 and Gators Slough Road.
NAPLES Motorcyclist dies in crash with pickup truck in Collier County The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly crash on Wilson Boulevard, near 10th Avenue Northeast in Collier County.
southwest florida Plenty of sunshine and less humid air for your Saturday plans The Weather Authority says this weekend is kicking off with some beautiful, less humid weather, perfect for any outdoor plans you may have!
WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Playoffs Round 1 21 Southwest Florida high school football teams were in action in round one of the playoffs trying to keep their state title hopes alive.
CLEWISTON Suspect identified in shooting investigation at Clewiston Walmart According to the Clewiston Police Department, a suspect has been identified in the shooting investigation at a Walmart in Clewiston on Friday night.
WINK Investigates: Everything we know so far about Beattie Development A southwest Florida developer has now surrendered his six different contracting licenses, which include general contracting, plumbing and roofing. Paul Beattie, owner of Beattie Development cannot build homes anymore. It’s not a permanent situation, but part of a settlement agreement with the state says he’d need to pay $300,000 before he could get a new […]
Florida Attorney General speaks out following lawsuit against FEMA Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has spoken out following the filing of a lawsuit alleging that a FEMA supervisor directed aid workers to avoid going to homes in Lake Placid that had yard signs supporting Trump.
FORT MYERS BEACH How to increase odds of getting your hurricane insurance claim paid When Hurricane Helene hit Southwest Florida in September followed by Milton, many people’s lives were affected.
lehigh acres 25 students treated for heat exhaustion on Lehigh Sr. High School football field The Tice Fire Department treated around 25 students for heat exhaustion on the Lehigh Senior High School football field.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda pilots speak out on Allegiant Air strike Allegiant Air pilots said they want a new contract, one that’s amendable, fair and, in their words, what they should be paid.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach couple sues insurance over Hurricane Ian claim In the last two months, southwest Florida experienced a hurricane double punch with Helene and Milton, but for many people out there, it’s still all about Hurricane Ian from 2022.
CAPE CORAL Couple struggling after hurricanes receives $10K from Cape Coral High students A couple who lost everything to Hurricane Milton has received a blessing in more ways than one.
As of 2 p.m. Tuesday, there have been 1,392,123 positive cases of the coronavirus recorded in the state. The case count includes 1,367,778 Florida residents and 24,345 non-Florida residents. There are 22,188 Florida resident deaths reported, 327 non-resident deaths, and 63,882 hospitalizations at some point during illness, according to the Florida Department of Health. *Numbers are released by the DOH every afternoon. STATEWIDE NUMBERS Total number of recorded cases: 1,392,123 (up from 1,376,692) Florida resident deaths: 22,188 (up from 22,090) Non-resident deaths: 327 (up from 325) Total deaths in state (Fla./non-Fla. residents combined): 22,515 (up from 22,415) 15,431 total new cases reported Tuesday 98 new resident deaths reported Tuesday 2 new non-resident deaths reported Tuesday Percent positive for new cases in Fla. residents: 12.74% This percent is the number of people who test PCR- or antigen-positive for the first time divided by all the people tested that day, excluding people who have previously tested positive. SOUTHWEST FLORIDA NUMBERS Total recorded cases in SWFL: 81,279 (up from 80,541) Deaths: 1,388 (up from 1,380) 738 total new cases reported Tuesday 8 new deaths reported Tuesday Lee County: 42,845 cases (up from 42,368) – 682 deaths (2 new) Collier County: 23,323 (up from 23,197) – 346 deaths (5 new) Charlotte County: 7,880 (up from 7,807) – 241 deaths DeSoto County: 2,984 (up from 2,949) – 58 deaths Glades County: 790 (up from 786) – 11 deaths Hendry County: 3,457 (up from 3,434) – 50 deaths (1 new) Click HERE* for a case-by-case breakdown – updated daily. *If not linked, the final report has not yet been made available. TESTING DATA Effective Oct. 27, the Florida Department of Health ceased releasing data showing overall testing numbers. Their statement: “The Florida Department of Health is making adjustments to the COVID-19 dashboard and daily report to provide clear, accurate information for Florida families. Moving forward, the daily report will focus on the number of tests reported to the state by day and the corresponding positivity rate by day. The previously reported cumulative number did not reflect the current status of the pandemic in Florida. This change is in line with the CDC recommendation that calculation of percent positivity [is] applied consistently and with clear communication, will allow public health officials to follow magnitude and trends effectively, and the trends will be useful for local public health decision making.” RESOURCES VACCINE IN SWFL: COVID-19 vaccine schedules and information for SWFL VACCINE IN FLORIDA: State of Florida’s COVID-19 vaccine reports NOW HIRING: SWFL companies adding jobs FOOD PANTRIES: Harry Chapin mobile food pantry schedule, week of Jan. 4 REPORT COVID-19 DIAGNOSIS/TEST: International self-reporting system IF YOU FEEL SICK: The Florida Department of Health has a 24-hour COVID-19 Call Center at 1-866-779-6121. Questions may also be emailed to covid-19@flhealth.gov. Email responses will be sent during call center hours. LINK: Florida Department of Health COVID-19 updates *The map is best viewed on a desktop computer. If you don’t see the map above tap HERE for a fullscreen version.
It’s called the Biewer terrier, and it’s been busy. The American Kennel Club announced Monday that the tiny, chipper Biewer — pronounced like “beaver” — became its 197th recognized breed. That makes the toy dogs eligible to compete for best in show at many U.S. events, including the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club show, which will be held in June this year instead of its usual February date. With its long, flowing coat, pert expression and 4-to-8-pound (1.8-3.6-kilogram) size, the Biewer might bring to mind a Yorkshire terrier, and that’s no surprise. The Biewer was originally developed by, and gets its name from, a Yorkie-breeding German couple after one of their dogs had a puppy with rare white markings in 1984. Americans began importing them in the early 2000s, said breeder Adrianne Dering, who became intrigued after seeing one at a rare-breed show. “They’re just very loving and easygoing. For a small dog, they’re not a high-strung dog,” said Dering, of Morgantown, West Virginia. Active, playful and eminently portable, the toy dogs cherish companionship, so they may not be ideal for people who need to leave their pets alone for long workdays, Dering said. Biewer breeders have been building up for several years to recognition by the AKC, the oldest U.S. purebred dog registry. The designation requires having at least 300 dogs of the breed spread around at least 20 states, among other criteria. Dog breeding in general draws criticism from animal rights and welfare advocates who say demand for purebred pups fuels puppy mills and draws pet lovers away from adoptable shelter dogs. The AKC says it encourages responsible breeding of healthy dogs, arguing it preserves traits that have honed different breeds for various jobs and can help people choose and make a lasting commitment to the right dog for them.
Florida coach Dan Mullen could be on the verge of opting out. One week after insisting he hadn’t even thought about the NFL, there are reports that Mullen might walk away from the Gators, telling NFL teams he’s interested in making the jump to the pros. It was a tumultuous season for Mullen. He landed Florida on NCAA probation, was dealt a show-cause penalty for recruiting violations, was fined and reprimanded by the Southeastern Conference for his role in a benches-clearing fight, and was widely criticized for seemingly tone-deaf comments following two losses. Mullen has acknowledged the landscape in college football is changing. The burgeoning transfer portal forces coaches to continually re-recruit their own players and there are also the undetermined challenges regarding name, image and likeness earning potential. And the coronavirus pandemic exposed college athletics for having an overspending financial model that’s capable of crumbling on short notice. “College football as we know it will be very different over the next several years,” Mullen said before last week’s Cotton Bowl. “I don’t want to say it’s going to be better, worse. It’s just going to be different than what a lot of college football is used to. The world is ever-changing. “I think that part of it, with everything changing in college football, it will be very different moving forward.” While Mullen has had success, he has not publicly commented on reports of his desire to possibly leave. The Gators are 29-9 since Mullen took over for fired coach Jim McElwain following the 2017 season. He signed a six-year, $36.6 million contract that made him the 10th-highest paid coach in college football in 2020. But Mullen hasn’t received a raise or an extension during his three years on the job, though athletic director Scott Stricklin made it clear he was working on an extension and raise for Mullen when COVID-19 essentially shut down Florida’s athletic department for months. If Mullen were to land one of the six NFL openings – Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, Jacksonville, the Los Angeles Chargers and the New York Jets – it could leave Florida in a tough spot after he led the Gators to their first SEC Eastern Division title in four years. The university would likely be hard-pressed to replace Mullen on short notice. It also seems to be in the best interest of Florida and Mullen for the coach to address the perception that he’s looking to leave Gainesville. Mullen already had one five-star recruit decommit following the Cotton Bowl and had another target commit to Clemson. It is unclear if any NFL team has asked to interview Mullen after his roller-coaster season. While Florida set all sorts of offensive records thanks to Heisman Trophy finalist Kyle Trask, All-American tight end Kyle Pitts and dynamic receiver Kadarius Toney, Mullen did nothing to help fix a porous defense and ended the year with a three-game losing streak. His bigger issues came off the field. He was chided for comments about wanting to “pack the Swamp” during a public health crisis. Then after losing to Oklahoma last week, Mullen praised the effort of his “scout team players” since the Gators were without three defensive starters and their top four receivers. Those comments were widely viewed as detracting from Oklahoma’s victory. For Mullen, it was the latest in a list of cringeworthy moments in 2020. The SEC reprimanded and fined Mullen $25,000 after league officials decided he did more to inflame than extinguish a tense situation against Missouri that led to a halftime brawl against Missouri. Just before Christmas the NCAA announced Mullen had failed to “promote an atmosphere of compliance” for having impermissible contact with recruits. Those violations landed Florida on NCAA probation for the first time in 30 years. Those missteps, and his comments about his future, give credence that Mullen is contemplating a move. “As opportunities present themselves – like everything in the world – you take things as they come and you visit them and you reflect at where you are in your life,” Mullen said last week. “… You make a decision that’s best for you and your family in everything.”
The freezer holding a Northern California county’s entire allotment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine suffered a power outage Monday, forcing officials to distribute all 830 doses on an emergency basis before the vaccine thawed. That would have made it ineffective. The Mendocino Voice was first to report on the development. Judson Howe, president of Adventist Health in Mendocino County, confirmed to CBS News that the power failure was discovered at about 11:35 a.m. in the Adventist Health Ukiah Valley Medical Center in the city of Ukiah. An alarm designed to alert staff to any outages didn’t work, so the vaccine either had started to thaw or could have thawed. The hospital got the word out about the sudden pending distribution and called in staffers to give shots at the hospital and some clinics. A line quickly formed at the hospital, consisting of patients and people who’d heard about the opportunity by word of mouth. The shots were administered there within two hours and some people couldn’t get one, Howe said. Some doses were sent to a local nursing home and the county to be administered, he added. The Moderna vaccine has been shown to have an efficacy of over 94%, similar to the one made by Pfizer. They’re the only vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration so far for use in the U.S., on an emergency basis. But unlike Pfizer’s, which must be shipped and stored at ultra-cold temperatures, Moderna’s can be kept at standard freezer temperatures. Both require two doses.
A number of taxpayers who use tax preparation services, such as H&R Block and TurboTax, say their second relief payments were sent to the incorrect bank account, forcing them to wait longer for their money. The IRS and the Treasury Department began issuing the Economic Impact Payments last week. The payment is $600 for each eligible adult and dependent for people earning up to $75,000, or $150,000 for married couples filing jointly. Those earning more than that are eligible for a reduced payment. The IRS said that direct deposit payments would take several days to post to individual accounts but funds were largely available on Monday. Some payments are also being sent via paper check or debit cards during the month of January. Taxpayers can use the Get My Payment tool on the IRS website to find out about the status of their payment. However, many people said that they checked the IRS site and found their payments were sent to an account they did not recognize. Samantha Smith of Dallas said she received her $1,200 relief payment in the spring via direct deposit without any issues. But her payment for this round of economic relief went to an account she did not recognize. She contacted TurboTax, which prepared her most recent tax filing, and was told if she paid her tax preparation fees with her refund due, rather than paying for it up front, then the second payment may have been sent to a TurboTax bank. Several other taxpayers who paid their fees the same way also reported delays. Smith, who was laid off in October, had planned to use the money to pay her rent and is frustrated as her hands tied until the money comes in. “I would love that money,” she said. “It’s imperative.” There is no exact measure at this time of how many taxpayers were impacted. The IRS did not comment Tuesday on the scope or cause of the problem. It said that “because of the speed at which the law required the IRS to issue the second round of Economic Impact Payments, some payments may have been sent to an account that may be closed or, is or no longer active, or unfamiliar.” TurboTax said that the IRS is the “sole party with the ability to determine eligibility and distribute stimulus payments” and that by law, the financial institution must return the payment to the IRS if an account is no longer active. “We know how important these funds are for so many Americans and that everyone is anxious to get their money,” said company spokeswoman Ashley McMahon. “We are partnering with the IRS to help taxpayers receive their payments as quickly as possible.” H&R Block said that it “understands stimulus checks are vitally important for millions of Americans” and said if the IRS Get My Payment website displays an account number a customer doesn’t recognize, then its customer service agents are ready to help by phone or online. The IRS has said that there is no action required by eligible individuals to receive this second payment. The payments are automatic, and people should not contact their financial institutions or the IRS with payment timing questions. The IRS advises people who are eligible for the payments but haven’t received them to file their 2020 tax return electronically and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their tax return to get their payment as quickly as possible.
American Airlines is banning emotional-support animals in a move that will force most owners to pay extra if they want their pets to travel with them. The airline said Tuesday that it will allow animals in the cabin free of charge only if they are trained service dogs. The change takes effect Monday, although passengers who already bought tickets can fly with a companion animal until Feb. 1. The move follows a similar decision by Alaska Airlines and is likely to be copied by other carriers. The U.S. Transportation Department cleared the way for the crackdown against companion animals last month. American said passengers with a service dog will need to complete a government form vouching for the dog’s health, training and temperament. Other animals, including dogs not trained as service dogs, will only be able to fly in the cargo hold or a kennel that fits under a seat in the cabin. Either way, American will collect a pet fee ranging from $125 to several hundred dollars. Jessica Tyler, American’s president of cargo, said the rules will help passengers with service animals and protect employees on planes and in airports. The number of passengers flying with companion animals grew rapidly in recent years, with some saying the animals helped them overcome anxiety and other issues. Passengers only needed a note from a health professional, and a cottage industry sprang up to provide those notes along with vests and other accouterments for their animals. Airlines and particularly flight attendants took a more critical view, saying passengers were exploiting a loophole in federal regulations to avoid pet fees. In a few cases, including some involving serious injuries, companion animals bit other passengers. Last month, the Transportation Department settled the matter, siding mostly with the airlines. It said carriers were free to ban any animal other than dogs formally trained to help people with physical or psychological disabilities. The department estimated that under the new rules airlines will scoop up $59.6 million a year in pet fees.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is doing its part to help your teen drive safely. So, if you have a teen driver with a permit or a license that has more than 60 hours of driving experience, the sheriff’s office is recommending that you sign them up for their two-day course. The two-day course includes classroom and driving instruction. The course is designed to teach your teens safe driving practices, learn vehicle dynamics, and teach them responsible decision making skills. One of Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno’s initiatives is to ensure the safety of all in Lee County but most importantly the youth. Classes are beginning January 29 and 30 and usually take place two weekends per month until November. Friday’s class is 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday’s class is 7:30 a.m. to noon. All classes will be held at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Miromar Community Outreach Center located at 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero, FL 33928. If you would like to register or you would like to register your child call 239-994-7721. If you would like more information about the program, email Staff Officer Stacy DeTar at sdetar@sheriffleefl.org.
A 70-year-old Bonita Springs man on his bicycle was seriously injured after being struck by an SUV Monday night. The SUV, driven by a 35-year-old Bonita Springs man, was northbound on Old US-41 around 9:30 p.m., north of Rail Head Boulevard, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The cyclist was also northbound, on the far right of the roadway directly in front of the SUV. Its passenger-side mirror collided with the cyclist, knocking the cyclist to the ground. He was left in serious condition. The driver was cited for violation of the 3-Foot Bicycle Law. The Florida Highway Patrol no longer releases the names of those involved in crashes, citing Marsy’s Law.
One person was shot and killed in Pine Manor on Tuesday morning. According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the agency received a call about a shooting on Tenth Avenue in the Pine Manor community in south Fort Myers. Investigators are considering the death a homicide and have not released any further information. Investigators there have spent the day questioning people and collecting evidence. One neighbor who asked to remain anonymous said they are tired of the violence in the neighborhood. “This happens every single year and this about the third time that something like this has happened on this block,” the person said. “Something just really needs to be done about it.” If you have any information about this investigation, please call SWFL Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips may also be made online at their website or by submitting a tip on the P3 Tips mobile app.