"Relief Wednesday:" Colectivo to raise money for Harvey and Irma victims

MILWAUKEE -- Colectivo Coffee announced that on Wednesday, September 20, it will donate 50 percent of all coffee sales to aid those affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, according to a recent release.Throughout "Relief Wednesday" cafe sales of all brewed coffee, espresso drinks, and coffees by the bag will benefit this one-day drive to support those in need.

Hurricane Irma set records for The Weather Channel, too

NEW YORK — Hurricane Irma was a record-setter for The Weather Channel, too.The Nielsen company said an average of 3.29 million people watched the network on Sunday as the deadly storm blew over Florida.

Dogs and cats displaced by Hurricane Irma in Florida set to arrive in Waukesha Friday 🐶 🐱

WAUKESHA -- A second group of animals displaced by Hurricane Irma in Florida will arrive at Crites Field in Waukesha Friday, September 15th.From there, they'll head to the Humane Animal Welfare Society -- HAWS in Waukesha, where they'll be cared for until they're ready for their forever homes.HAWS officials said in a news release both dogs and cats will be part of this transport.HAWS is being assisted with the care and housing of the cats by veterinary partners Cream City Kitty Clinic, Mukwonago Animal Hospital and Waukesha Animal Hospital.

President Trump dispenses hoagies, handshakes in hurricane zone

NAPLES, Fla. — President Donald Trump doled out hoagies and handshakes in the sweltering Florida heat on Thursday as he took a firsthand tour of Irma's devastation and liberally dispensed congratulatory words about the federal and state recovery effort.President Trump, who was in and out of the state in about three hours, got an aerial view of the water-deluged homes along Florida's southwestern coast from his helicopter, then drove in his motorcade along streets lined with felled trees, darkened traffic lights and shuttered stores on his way to a mobile home community hit hard by the storm.Walking along a street in Naples Estates with his wife, Melania, the president encountered piles of broken siding and soggy furniture sitting on a front porch, and residents and volunteers who were happy to get a presidential visit."We are there for you 100 percent," President Trump said before donning gloves and helping to hand out sandwiches to local residents from a lunch line under a canopy. "I'll be back here numerous times.

Millionaire opens Florida mansion to foster kids affected by Hurricane Irma

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Talk about the ultimate sleepover!Dozens of foster kids who were spending the past few nights in a hurricane shelter are now kicking back in a 27,000 square foot mansion in Boca Raton.Millionaire Mark Bell welcomed the children to his $30 million home after receiving a call for help from SOS Children's Village Florida.

Seniors fight post-hurricane heat with Popsicles, compresses

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — Florida seniors shuffled out of stifling assisted-living centers Thursday while caregivers fought a lack of air conditioning with Popsicles and cool compresses after eight people died at a nursing home in the post-hurricane heat.Dozens of the state's senior centers still lacked electricity days after Hurricane Irma hit the state, and several facilities were forced to evacuate.

"We're a family:" Milwaukee TSA agents help out at Miami International Airport after Irma

MIAMI -- The Transportation Security Administration at General Mitchell International Airport and other Wisconsin airports has deployed nearly two dozen Transportation Security Officers to assist at Miami International Airport in the wake of Hurricane Irma.According to a news release from TSA officials, 17 officers -- seven from Milwaukee -- were deployed to MIA on Monday, September 11th and were joined by three additional officers Wednesday.

"Unfathomable; inexcusable:" Florida nursing home deaths spur efforts to protect elderly

HOLLYWOOD, Florida — Emergency crews around hurricane-scarred Florida worked Thursday to make sure elderly residents were safe after eight people died in a sweltering nursing home that lost air conditioning in the storm and multiple other facilities were evacuated.In one of the latest actions to protect older people, residents of a 100-bed suburban Fort Lauderdale assisted-living facility without power were moved to two nearby homes.

Charities raise more than $350M in less than 3 weeks for Harvey victims: "It's all going to the people"

HOUSTON — More than 50 local and national charities have raised more than $350 million in the nearly three weeks since Hurricane Harvey struck the Texas Gulf Coast, and the disparate groups are trying to decide on priorities while some storm victims still await help.Distrust of large charities such as the American Red Cross has driven many donors to smaller, local organizations.

President Trump praises rapid response to Irma in Florida: "We have been very, very fast"

FORT MYERS, Florida — President Donald Trump met with federal and state leaders in Florida on Thursday as he surveyed damage from Hurricane Irma and praised the rapid response of the recovery effort."We have been very, very fast and we had to be," President Trump said at an airport hangar where he was joined by Vice President Mike Pence, Gov.

Sheriff: Toddler left outside overnight during Irma looked 'purple'; father arrested

JASPER, Fla. – A Florida father is accused of leaving his toddler outside as Tropical Storm Irma slammed into the Jasper neighborhood where he lives, according to WCTV.Police arrested 36-year-old Angelo Mitchell on Monday; he has been charged with felony child abuse.The 19-month-old's mother called police around 11:30 p.m. Sunday night to report the girl missing.

1st video, pictures of Operation Helping Houston's Heroes in action

HOUSTON -- A team of people deployed to Texas as part of Operation Helping Houston's Heroes is sharing the first pictures of their work down south.Former police supervisor Brian Dorow planned the trip to Texas to help first responders who have been helping others since Hurricane Harvey hit Houston.

"All blood types are currently needed:" Red Cross, BloodCenter of WI encourage blood, platelet donations

MILWAUKEE -- As the American Red Cross responds to wildfires and historic hurricanes, eligible donors are reminded that giving blood or platelets during National Preparedness Month in September is one way to help ensure the Red Cross is prepared to respond to patient emergencies across the country every day.According to a press release from the Red Cross, Hurricane Irma has forced the cancellation of dozens of Red Cross blood drives in the Southeast, resulting in more than 2,100 uncollected blood and platelet donations.Natural disasters like hurricanes can disrupt blood drives and prevent donors from giving, but hospital patients still depend on lifesaving transfusions.

Gov. "demanding answers" after 8 die at nursing home as Irma's aftermath brings new hazards

HOLLYWOOD, Florida — Eight patients at a sweltering nursing home died after Hurricane Irma knocked out the air conditioning, raising fears Wednesday about the safety of Florida's 4 million senior citizens amid widespread power outages that could go on for days.Hollywood Police Chief Tom Sanchez said investigators believe the deaths at the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills were heat-related, and added: "The building has been sealed off and we are conducting a criminal investigation." He did not elaborate."It's a sad state of affairs," Sanchez said. "We all have elderly people in facilities, and we all know we depend on those people in those facilities to care for a vulnerable elderly population."

FEMA insurance chief: Harvey losses could top $11 billion

WASHINGTON — The head of the National Flood Insurance Program said Wednesday early estimates show Hurricane Harvey will result in about $11 billion in payouts to insured homeowners, mostly in southeast Texas.That would likely put Harvey as the second costliest storm in the history of the federal insurance program, said Roy E.