FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herselfSurrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Memorial celebrates the life of John Passidomo Hundreds of friends and family gathered for a memorial at Baker Park in Naples.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Memorial celebrates the life of John Passidomo Hundreds of friends and family gathered for a memorial at Baker Park in Naples.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
MGN Want to know which parks and campgrounds are open during the current government shutdown? See below for details on each site. Big Cypress National Preserve From their website: “During the government shutdown, the preserve will remain open with restrictions. The Swamp Welcome Center, Oasis Visitor Center, Preserve Headquarters, Pinecrest and Mitchell’s Campgrounds, are closed.” DeSoto National Memorial From their website: “Due to a lapse in government appropriations, the park’s visitor center and parking lot are closed until further notice. Park trails remain open to the public.” Everglades National Park All Superintendent’s Compendium* Closures Remain in Effect Marine Waters – Publicly Accessible – Extreme Caution Advised Key Largo – Closed Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center & Public Restrooms – Closed Main Park Road – Accessible Park Entrance Station – Unstaffed Homestead Trolley – Closed Royal Palm – Accessible Anhinga Trail – Accessible Royal Palm Gift Shop -Will operate as usual Restrooms – Open (Maintained by partner association) Nike Missile Base – Closed Dan Beard & Bill Robertson Center – Closed Long Pine Key Day Use Area – Accessible (Restrooms Closed) Campground – Closed West Lake – Accessible (Restrooms Closed) Flamingo General Area – Accessible Campground – Closed Visitor Center – Closed Restrooms – Closed Fish Cleaning Station- Closed Boat Launches – Accessible Back-country Camping – Open first come first serve permits will not be issued. Coopertown Airboats – Will operate as usual Gator Park – Will operate as usual Everglades Safari Park – Will operate as usual Shark Valley Tram Tours & Bicycle Rentals – Will operate as usual NPS Visitor Center and Book Store – Closed Parking lot – accessible per Superintendent’s Compendium Gulf Coast NPS Visitor Station and Book Store – Closed Everglades National Park Boat Tours – Will operate as usual Back-country Camping – Open first come first serve permits will not be issued. Commercial Use Authorizations Fishing Guides- Will operate as usual Birding Guides – Will operate as usual Other Guide Services- Will operate as usual Special Use Permits – No permits issued and uses requiring oversight and monitoring ceased Environmental Education Centers – Closed Hidden Lake – Closed Loop Road – Closed Biscayne National Park All Superintendent’s Compendium* Closures Remain in Effect Marine Waters – Publicly Accessible – Extreme Caution Advised Dante Fascell Visitor Center – Closed Biscayne National Park Institute – Open Commercial Use Authorizations – Will operate as usual Boca Chita, Elliott Key and Adams Key – Accessible but no visitor services or restrooms Dry Tortugas National Park All Superintendent’s Compendium* Closures Remain in Effect Marine Waters – Publicly Accessible – Extreme Caution Advised Garden Key & Fort Jefferson – Publicly Accessible per Superintendent Compendium Fort Jefferson Bookstore – Will operate as usual Yankee Freedom Boat Tours – Will operate as usual Key West Seaplane Adventures – Will operate as usual Garden Key Campground – Closed (Campers will not be asked to leave) Mooring balls available on a first come first serve basis Special Use Permits – No permits issued and uses requiring oversight and monitoring ceased W.P. FRANKLIN CAMPGROUND From their website: “The Recreation.gov website is not available due to a lapse in funding for the federal government. We will keep all reservations in the system intact until the departure date has passed in the event you would like to use any part of your reservation. If your reservation falls completely within the time frame of the lapse in funding, full refunds will be made. No additional cancellation fees will be charged to the customer for reservation cancellations as a result of facility closures.” Park visitors are advised to use extreme caution if choosing to enter NPS property, as NPS personnel will not be available to provide guidance, assistance, maintenance, or emergency response. Any entry onto NPS property during this period of federal government shutdown is at the visitor’s sole risk. The NPS will not operate parks during the shutdown period, and no visitor services will be provided. The NPS will not issue permits, conduct educational programs, collect trash, operate or provide restrooms, maintain roads or walkways (including plowing and ice melting), or provide visitor information. The NPS will cease providing services for NPS-operated campgrounds, including maintenance, janitorial, bathrooms, showers, check-in/check-out, and reservations. Visitors in campgrounds will not be asked to leave, but no services will be available, including check-in/check-out services. Visitors holding campground reservations should be aware that there is no guarantee their reserved campsite will be ready and available should they arrive during a government shutdown.