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WINKNEWS.com

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Sanibel Fishing Pier to reopen following Hurricane Ian damage

SANIBEL, Fla. (WINK)—The City of Sanibel plans to reopen the Sanibel Fishing Pier with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 18. The city said the ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. at the Sanibel Fishing Pier in Lighthouse Beach Park. The Sanibel Fishing Pier Restoration Committee partnered with the city on the event.

Sanibel, FL · 2d
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The Financial Wire

partner publisher · 66.6K followers
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UnitedHealthcare says Lee Health intends to leave its Medicare Advantage network Jan. 1, 2027, and Sarasota Memorial says renewing its contract appears very unlikely

UnitedHealthcare sent Lee Health a proposal on Oct. 30 to keep its Medicare Advantage and commercial members in network, and the insurer’s Lee Health notice, updated Nov. 3, says the Lee County system still intends to leave both networks starting Jan. 1, 2027. Across the Gulf Coast in Sarasota, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System says... The post UnitedHealthcare says Lee Health intends to leave its Medicare Advantage network Jan. 1, 2027, and Sarasota Memorial says renewing its contract appears very unlikely appeared first on The Financial Wire .

Lee County, FL · 2d

Main Street Dollars

partner publisher · 39.2K followers
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Lee Health in Florida leaves UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage network on Jan. 1, and members who want to keep its doctors have until Dec. 7 to switch plans

Lee Health, the Fort Myers health system, plans to leave UnitedHealthcare’s commercial and Medicare Advantage networks on Jan. 1, 2027. UnitedHealthcare members who want to keep seeing Lee Health doctors have until Dec. 7, the last day of Medicare’s fall enrollment period, to move to a plan that still covers them. People on a Medicare […]

Fort Myers, FL · 3d

WINKNEWS.com

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Collier County approves new cell tower in Golden Gate Estates after years of complaints about poor service

GOLDEN GATE ESTATES, Fla. (WINK) — If you’ve ever struggled to get a phone call through in Golden Gate Estates, you’re not alone. Even getting directions can be a challenge. WINK News experienced that firsthand Tuesday while trying to visit the area where a new cell tower...

Collier County, FL · 2d
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wrif.com

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We Call An Exotic Masseuse!

Now, this isn't exactly what you might be thinking. The exotic masseuse we call is actually in the room with us. After some exotic massage road signs started popping up in Cape Coral, we imagined how the calls actually sound!. According to Gulf Coast News, "Bright purple signs featuring a...

Cape Coral, FL · 1d

WINKNEWS.com

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Waste Pro sues Cape Coral over garbage contract

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK) — Cape Coral's longtime solid waste provider is suing the city over a deal that would hand over trash collection to a different company. Waste Pro filed an 850-page lawsuit against the city that claims Cape Coral didn't follow it's own guidelines for selecting a contractor. Waste Pro has exclusively collected Cape Coral's residential and commercial waste since 2010. Cape Coral twice renewed the deal, which expires in September of 2027.

Cape Coral, FL · 15h

WINKNEWS.com

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Fort Myers Boat Show brings hundreds of boats downtown

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—The 54th annual Fort Myers Boat Show is happening through Sunday, Nov. 15, right in downtown Fort Myers. Hundreds of boats have filled the downtown area for the four-day event. Visitors can see fishing boats, center consoles, pontoons and larger vessels, along with boating accessories, from Centennial Park to the Caloosa Sound Convention Center and surrounding downtown streets.

Fort Myers, FL · 19h

The News-Press

partner publisher · 40.6K followers

Jim Schwartzel wants highway bypass, VA hospital after District 19 win

Republican Jim Schwartzel , a media executive and Southwest Florida native, won Florida’s 19th Congressional District in the general election Tuesday, Nov. 3, keeping the Southwest Florida seat in Republican hands as he prepares to succeed outgoing Byron Donalds in Washington. The district covers most of Lee County and coastal areas of Collier County and has long served as a Republican stronghold. Schwartzel, 46, president of Fort Myers-based Sun Broadcasting, defeated Democratic nominee Victor Arias , independent Seth Haskin and write-in candidate Alexandra Zakhvatayev. Fireworks erupted at his election night watch party in Fort Myers as Schwartzel celebrated the outcome with family, supporters and campaign staff. Here’s what Schwartzel told the News-Press on election night after his victory: How did Schwartzel react to his victory on election night? Question: What does tomorrow look like for you after your election win? Answer: "I don't know if I'm going to get much sleep tonight. I have so much energy in me and adrenaline. But, you know, I just want to get to work for Southwest Florida. Everything I own, all my family, everyone's here, so I only have Southwest Florida as my best interest, so I'm ready to go to work." During

Lee County, FL · 2d

gulfcoastnewsnow.com

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E-bike riders popping wheelies, weaving through Cape Coral traffic worry drivers

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Residents in Cape Coral are once again raising safety concerns about reckless e-bike riders, who have been seen swerving through traffic and performing stunts on busy roads. On Wednesday night, Gulf Coast News captured footage of four riders popping wheelies and weaving in and out...

Cape Coral, FL · 1d

WINKNEWS.com

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Growing Grounds in Bokeelia invites neighbors to Thanksgiving meal

BOKEELIA, Fla. (WINK) — A Bokeelia business owner is opening his family's Thanksgiving celebration to the community at Growing Grounds Farm and Market in Lee County. Since opening Jan. 1, Growing Grounds has grown from a produce stand and patch of farmland into a business with more for customers to see and take home.

Bokeelia, FL · 20h

hoodline.com

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Fort Myers Beach Sand Sculpting Championship Returns With 29 Artists, 250th Birthday Theme

Sand sculptors from as far away as the Netherlands and England are set to converge on Fort Myers Beach later this month to compete in a contest that organizers say will carve America's 250th birthday right into the shoreline. The 36th Annual American Sand Sculpting Championship runs Thursday, Nov. 19, through Monday, Nov. 23, on the beach behind DiamondHead Beach Resort and Estero Island Beach Club at 2000 Estero Blvd.

Fort Myers Beach, FL · 2d

beachtalkradionews.com

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Margaritaville Serving Up Thanksgiving Buffet

Margaritaville Resort on Fort Myers Beach is inviting locals and visitors to celebrate Thanksgiving with a buffet in the ballroom or a festive menu at JWB Grill. Thanksgiving festivities begin on Thursday, Nov. 26, with the resort’s annual Thanksgiving Day Buffet from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Compass Rose Ballroom on the License to Chill Terrace. The island-inspired spread features traditional holiday fare alongside coastal favorites, including roasted turkey, bourbon slow-cooked prime rib, locally sourced fish, tropical-glazed ham and an assortment of seasonal sides and desserts.

Fort Myers Beach, FL · 3d

WINKNEWS.com

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Four years after Hurricane Ian, 15 affordable apartments open for Sanibel workers

SANIBEL, Fla. (WINK) — Four years after Hurricane Ian destroyed 10 affordable workforce apartments on Sanibel, a new housing development is giving local workers a chance to live in the same community where they work. Community Housing and Resources (CHR) celebrated the opening of Harkey House on Periwinkle Way...

Sanibel, FL · 21h

The News-Press

partner publisher · 40.6K followers

New Florida affordable housing projects take shape with hefty demand

Southwest Florida is seeing a growing push to create and preserve affordable housing as communities look for ways to help workers, families and longtime residents remain in the region . Last week marked the opening of a 144-unit affordable housing community in Fort Myers, while a new workforce housing development with 15 below-market-rate apartments is scheduled to debut Wednesday on Sanibel. Housing preservation organizations are also expanding locally in an effort to help existing homeowners stay in their homes. The projects come as national data continues to show housing affordability pressures making homeownership harder to achieve for many Americans. Rising home prices, elevated mortgage rates and a limited supply of attainable housing have pushed many would-be buyers to the sidelines. The local activity mirrors concerns outlined in last week's new National Association of Realtors' 2026 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, which found first-time purchasers remain historically underrepresented in the housing market and continue to enter homeownership later in life. Here's what to know. What new affordable housing opened in Southwest Florida last week? While affordability concerns persist nationwide, several Southwest Florida projects are aimed at increasing housing opportunities for workers and lower-income residents. Thursday brought the official opening of

Fort Myers, FL · 3d

gulfcoastnewsnow.com

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Lehigh Acres lot that lost food trucks to zoning rules could become food truck plaza

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. — A vacant lot on Lee Boulevard in Lehigh Acres, once home to food trucks, may soon be transformed into a food truck plaza as developers prepare to meet with county officials next week to present their plans. "Here, in Lehigh, we've had it for four...

Lehigh Acres, FL · 1d

fgcuathletics.com

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FGCU announces signing of Israel “Izzy” Tchoubfong to National Letter of Intent

FORT MYERS, Fla. – FGCU head coach Pat Chambers announced the signing of Israel "Izzy" Tchoubfong to a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday. A wing who can score anywhere on the floor, he averaged 17.0 points and 5.2 rebounds over the summer in the Capitol Hoops Summer League playing for Our Lady of Good Counsel. This season, he will suit up for The Bullis School in his native Maryland before heading to Southwest Florida next year.

Fort Myers, FL · 1d

capecoralbreeze.com

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Guest Commentary | Transparency: What a load of garbage!

Transparency. We all campaign on it. We all promise it. Apparently, it’s easier to talk on the campaign trail than to actually practice it. Let’s talk trash … Literally. Cape Coral canceled its original Solid Waste RFP (Request for Proposal) and issued another requiring bidders to include plans for a transfer station (aka a DUMP … with a roof!) Meanwhile, Waste Pro had purchased property in District 7 for a reported $13.5 million (Lee County Property Appraiser’s website), and land-use changes were moving through the city.

Cape Coral, FL · 1d

Babcock Ranch Telegraph

partner publisher · 141 followers

Halloween Nights featured frights, lights and plenty of treats

Just as the days began to grow shorter and the nights darker and more mysterious in early October, Babcock Ranch opened its Haunted Nights attraction in Curry Commerce Center. More than a haunted house, the expansive air-conditioned indoor space offered a Halloween themed amusement park under one roof for the month. Before entering, visitors found their way through an easy […] The post Halloween Nights featured frights, lights and plenty of treats first appeared on Babcock Ranch Telegraph .

Fort Myers, FL · 2d

santivachronicle.com

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Lee Health to Relocate, Expand Primary Care Clinic on Sanibel

Lee Health is expanding primary care access on Sanibel Island through a new lease agreement for a portion of the Bank of the Islands building, paving the way for the health system to relocate and expand its existing island primary care clinic. Bank of the Islands will continue its operations at the property.

Sanibel, FL · 2d

hoodline.com

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North Fort Myers Fights To Save Civic Center As Lee County Eyes $109M Budget Hole

North Fort Myers residents are speaking out against the possible permanent closure of the Lee County Civic Center, a decades-old gathering spot now caught in the middle of a budget crunch tied to Amendment 3. The venue, which has hosted everything from concerts to the county fair since 1978, could be shuttered as commissioners look for ways to close a massive property-tax revenue gap.

North Fort Myers, FL · 21h