ARCADIA Boil water notice in effect for areas of SW Arcadia A water main break has caused an immediate boil water notice for areas of Southwest Arcadia.
FORT MYERS Local greyhound among fastest dogs in the country Magic, a three-year-old greyhound, has showcased his speed in FastCAT events enough to rise up the rankings as one of the fastest dogs.
WINK NEWS Wade Wilson found guilty on all 6 counts, including first-degree murder The jury has returned from deliberations to deliver their verdict on the murder of two Cape Coral women.
SAN CARLOS ISLAND Bonita Bill’s, a little slice of Southwest Florida life, for sale Bonita Bill’s is for sale. The family that owns the restaurant made the announcement on Facebook.
Escargot 41 restaurant proposes adjacent piano bar in Naples Escargot 41, a longtime French restaurant in Park Shore Plaza in Naples, has plans to expand its local business with an adjacent piano bar and cocktail lounge.
LEHIGH ACRES Firefighter saves kitten in Lehigh Acres Lehigh Acres firefighters rescued a kitten from a storm drain during the storms that have been ravaging the area these past few days.
Authentic Italian cafe celebrates Punta Gorda grand opening Americans’ love affair with Italian food, wine, culture and art isn’t lost on Marzia and Nico Candelora. The husband-and-wife team of Italian restaurateurs opened their second Punta Gorda establishment—Fresco.
WINK NEWS Day 3 of testimony in penalty phase of man convicted of murdering 5 women in Sebring On Wednesday, jurors will hear more evidence to determine whether to recommend the death penalty or life in prison for a man accused of killing five women inside a bank in Sebring.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Man rescued from SUV as flooding affects Lee County roadways The flooded roads of Lee County saw fire rescuers jump into action to save a man from his slowly sinking SUV.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Invest 90L continues to move through Florida as a 2nd disturbance emerges in Gulf The Weather Authority and the National Hurricane Center have been tracking an area of low pressure moving through Florida.
the weather authority Flood advisories issued for Lee, Collier, Hendry and Glades counties The Weather Authority has continuing coverage of the widespread rain that has been drenching Southwest Florida since Monday morning.
WINK NEWS Jury deliberating in Wade Wilson’s double murder trial The fate of Wade Wilson, who is accused of killing two Cape Coral women, now lies in the hands of the jury.
FORT MYERS WINK Exclusive: Property owner where dismemberment and murder happened talks Inside a bedroom, you would see children’s toys piled high in boxes and a high chair. It’s the same bedroom where a window is smashed out.
MARCO ISLAND Heavy rain impacting Marco Island Tuesday’s rain has been rough on Marco Island, making parking lots resemble lakes.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers holds final Police Citizen Review Board meeting The Fort Myers Police Citizen Review Board is no more. This comes after Governor DeSantis signed a bill, which changes how boards operate.
ARCADIA Boil water notice in effect for areas of SW Arcadia A water main break has caused an immediate boil water notice for areas of Southwest Arcadia.
FORT MYERS Local greyhound among fastest dogs in the country Magic, a three-year-old greyhound, has showcased his speed in FastCAT events enough to rise up the rankings as one of the fastest dogs.
WINK NEWS Wade Wilson found guilty on all 6 counts, including first-degree murder The jury has returned from deliberations to deliver their verdict on the murder of two Cape Coral women.
SAN CARLOS ISLAND Bonita Bill’s, a little slice of Southwest Florida life, for sale Bonita Bill’s is for sale. The family that owns the restaurant made the announcement on Facebook.
Escargot 41 restaurant proposes adjacent piano bar in Naples Escargot 41, a longtime French restaurant in Park Shore Plaza in Naples, has plans to expand its local business with an adjacent piano bar and cocktail lounge.
LEHIGH ACRES Firefighter saves kitten in Lehigh Acres Lehigh Acres firefighters rescued a kitten from a storm drain during the storms that have been ravaging the area these past few days.
Authentic Italian cafe celebrates Punta Gorda grand opening Americans’ love affair with Italian food, wine, culture and art isn’t lost on Marzia and Nico Candelora. The husband-and-wife team of Italian restaurateurs opened their second Punta Gorda establishment—Fresco.
WINK NEWS Day 3 of testimony in penalty phase of man convicted of murdering 5 women in Sebring On Wednesday, jurors will hear more evidence to determine whether to recommend the death penalty or life in prison for a man accused of killing five women inside a bank in Sebring.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Man rescued from SUV as flooding affects Lee County roadways The flooded roads of Lee County saw fire rescuers jump into action to save a man from his slowly sinking SUV.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Invest 90L continues to move through Florida as a 2nd disturbance emerges in Gulf The Weather Authority and the National Hurricane Center have been tracking an area of low pressure moving through Florida.
the weather authority Flood advisories issued for Lee, Collier, Hendry and Glades counties The Weather Authority has continuing coverage of the widespread rain that has been drenching Southwest Florida since Monday morning.
WINK NEWS Jury deliberating in Wade Wilson’s double murder trial The fate of Wade Wilson, who is accused of killing two Cape Coral women, now lies in the hands of the jury.
FORT MYERS WINK Exclusive: Property owner where dismemberment and murder happened talks Inside a bedroom, you would see children’s toys piled high in boxes and a high chair. It’s the same bedroom where a window is smashed out.
MARCO ISLAND Heavy rain impacting Marco Island Tuesday’s rain has been rough on Marco Island, making parking lots resemble lakes.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers holds final Police Citizen Review Board meeting The Fort Myers Police Citizen Review Board is no more. This comes after Governor DeSantis signed a bill, which changes how boards operate.
MGN image Economists say we haven’t seen inflation rates spike like this since the energy crisis of the 1970s. For so many families, the cost of living is now outpacing what most people earn. Whether you make $20,000 or $200,000 a year, the price of the necessities in Southwest Florida is digging into everyone’s wallets. Gas, food and housing are all rising with no end in sight. “It’s worrisome for every family when prices rise faster than money wages do,” said FGCU Economics Professor Victor Claar. Claar said across the board we are paying roughly 10% more for what we need now compared to last year. The average family in Fort Myers is paying $1,760 in rent. In Naples, that number is $2,000, and that is if you can find a place to rent. At the current rate, you will likely spend $160 more per month at the pump than this time last year as gas prices continue to rise. The pain is also felt at the grocery store, where prices are up 7%. “Whatever you used to buy with $1 now costs at least $1.10 across the board in Southwest Florida. So families need to be really careful with budgeting and watching how prices are changing, especially on the staple things that they buy every single month,” said Claar. Claar said now is the time to have an honest conversation about your finances with your family and your employer, “because it’s a time when employers are desperate for people who will come in turn up when they’ve said that they’ll turn up, and tell their friends about open positions. So this might actually be a pretty good time. There’s never a great time to ask for a raise.” Asking for a raise is easier said than done. Claar said there is no timetable as to when you could see prices going back to normal. Some of it depends on what happens with Ukraine. Not everyone can ask for a raise. Carolyn Medugno said she and her husband are retired. Going back to work is not an option for them. “No matter how much money you have. It still hurts,” said Medugno. She first noticed the price spikes at the grocery store. “I probably only shop like every six weeks. So I’m going to say maybe $300 at BJs? And maybe $150 here?” Medugno said last year, “Probably maybe, $250 BJs? And maybe $100 here.” Then she started to see it at the gas station, but thankfully she said, she doesn’t need to fill up too often. “The last time I got gas was probably two weeks ago. And it was $3.45 in the same place. It’s $3.99 today,” said Medugno. While Medungo owns her home, she knows the home values are soaring too. “And the houses there are twice the price what we paid in 2019. So it’s really it’s ridiculous.” The National Association of Realtors says in Lee County, just 53% of families can afford to buy a home. In Charlotte County, that number is 50%. In Collier County, it is even lower at just 40%. In other words, in the last year, 22,500 families have been priced out of a home in Southwest Florida. Submit Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.