Crash with injuries closes down lanes in Tamiami Trail at Estero Parkway
Both the north and southbound lanes of Tamiami Trail at Estero Parkway are closed due to a crash Friday night.
Former FBI agent weighs in on Christopher Worrell’s arrest
Retired FBI agent Robert Foley weighs in on the capture of Christopher Worrell by the FBI Thursday night
City of Cape Coral hosts rally to give back to Ian victims
On Friday night, there was quite the turnout at the Cape Coral Together: Resilience Rally at the German American Social Club off Pine Island Road.
More than $1 billion in Ian recovery funds delayed
The Lee County Recovery Task Force discussed pushing the deadline back to February to finalize the plans for how to use the grant money.
Lee County P.E. instructor teaches five reading classes due to teacher shortage
A Lee County P.E. teacher has to teach five reading classes due to the current teacher shortage.
Lee County teacher shortage affecting parents
Right now, schools have a shortage of everything, but some things kids can not go without, and parents have had enough.
Bunche Beach: nature’s classroom
At first glance, Bunche Beach is just like any other beach, but when you break down the view, it becomes ‘nature’s classroom’ first, and after that, it’s a waterfront paradise.
Resolute head coach drives Green Wave football to 700th win, hungry for more
A mere week after earning their 700th win, the Green Wave are rushing to get win number 701
LGBTQ+ books removed from Charlotte County schools
Charlotte County is taking heat for removing books with LGBTQ+ themes from public schools and libraries.
Collier County first responder getting help for medical bills
Pedro Canas has served the people of Collier County for 16 years as a first responder.
Lee Health ensures better preparedness for future storms
In the middle of Hurricane Ian, Lee Health had to close down hospitals, causing a nightmare for patients and caregivers.
‘Screen Scrutiny’: How staring at digital screens can affect children
people spend a massive amount of time staring at a digital screen, but should there be a concern about screen time overuse for children?
WINK Hurricane Guide
Are you prepared for the next hurricane? Guide to storm readiness
With peak hurricane season approaching, keep disaster supply kits at the ready and have a plan to ride the storm as smoothly as possible.
How to stream Hurricane updates
All the resources of WINK News The Weather Authority, are now available on demand on your connected tv or smart tv on the new WINK Streaming App on Roku, Amazon Fire, and Google Chromecast. “With the new WINK News app viewers can watch newscasts and latests weather forecasts, and live WINK Doppler 3x radar from anywhere,” says […]
Be storm ready; get your medications now
Florida law states you can obtain a 30-day refill of your prescription drugs. But, you must meet certain conditions.
How to flood proof your home: Do products actually work?
If you search “floodproofing products” online, you’ll see thousands of options, but telling what may work for you can be tough.
Gulfshore Business
Topgolf property in Fort Myers sells for $38M
The land on which Topgolf sits in Fort Myers sold for the second time in 18 months in a $38 million deal.
Fort Myers CRA approves extension for construction of McCollum Hall project
The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency board of commissioners unanimously approved Wednesday a nine-month extension request to commence construction on the McCollum Hall project, which will be named THIRTY8 Collective at McCollum Hall. The project will include a food and market hall and a residential community component called THIRTY8 Flats. The original construction date of […]
PGA Tour Superstore opens at Coconut Point in Estero
A second PGA Tour Superstore is opening in Southwest Florida near the epicenter of hundreds of golf courses. What used to be a Barnes & Noble bookstore at 23106 Fashion Drive at Coconut Point outdoor shopping center in Estero, will open at 9 a.m. Saturday as the nation’s 66th PGA Tour Superstore. A line of […]
Allegiant Travel CEO John Redmond resigns, former CEO takes over
Allegiant Travel Co. CEO and board member John Redmond resigned Sept. 28, company officials said. The Las Vegas-based company, which owns the Sunseeker Resort on Charlotte Harbor that is set to open in the fourth quarter of this year, said in a statement Redmond’s resignation was effective immediately and gave no reason for his departure. […]
Tim Aten Knows: NCH plans orthopedic surgery hospital in North Naples
Q: I see they tore down Bear’s Den day care on the North Collier Hospital property. Are they rebuilding or building something new? — Megan Steed, Naples A: Bear’s Den Childcare Center was razed this summer to make way for a proposed freestanding hospital expansion on the NCH North Naples campus along the north side […]
Taco Works to expand from Cape Coral to downtown Fort Myers
Taco Works, a taco joint popularized in Cape Coral, is expanding to its second turnkey location in downtown Fort Myers at 1617 Hendry St., Suite 102, in October. Coining the motto “purposely unauthentic,” Ozzie Morrobel and Max Curtis knew they had something special on their hands three years ago. First launching as a food truck […]
Campaign Central
Second Republican Presidential Primary Debate
The second Republican Presidential Primary Debate took place Wednesday night.
Republicans face growing urgency to stop Trump as they enter the second presidential debate
Republicans are meeting for their second presidential debate on Wednesday as Donald Trump’s top rivals seek to blunt the momentum of the former president, who is so confident of cruising through the party’s primary that he again won’t share a stage with them.
Judge rules Donald Trump defrauded banks, insurers while building real estate empire
A judge ruled Tuesday that Donald Trump committed fraud for years while building the real estate empire that catapulted him to fame and the White House.
7 candidates have qualified for the second Republican presidential debate; see who missed the cut
The field for the second Republican presidential debate will be smaller than the first. Seven candidates have qualified.
Investigations
Questions persist following Hurricane Ian After-Action Report
After Hurricane Ian, Lee County searched for answers, paying for an after-action report. But questions persist.
Police search for unlicensed contractor who failed to show up for trial twice
A bench warrant is out for the unlicensed contractor WINK News has investigated for years. Christopher Pascale is wanted for not showing up to his own trial again. He’s charged with contracting without a license and doing that work without permits. One Naples family is at the center of this court case. They said he destroyed their home after Hurricane Irma.
Southwest Florida official under fire as local district settles lawsuit
Complaints of gender discrimination and harassing comments, all said to be happening within a public organization, have come to light.
WINK News Investigates ticket refunds for Hertz Arena concert
Joe Knopp has not answered WINK News’ calls or emails to explain what he thinks needs to happen in order to resurrect this event.
Hurricane Ian ‘benefit concert’ at Hertz Arena postponed following WINK News investigation
Many of you have asked me to keep digging into the Hurricane Ian “benefit concert” taking place at Hertz Arena. I’m following the money.
Health and Medical
Mental Health Monday: Mentally preparing for Hurricane Ian’s anniversary
The first anniversary of Hurricane Ian is approaching, and residents of Southwest Florida may struggle with the complex emotions of the storm.
New heart surgery saves tiny baby
For the first time, doctors have been able to perform a life-saving heart procedure on one of the smallest infants in the nation.
Naples-based Arthrex plays role in recovery of Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers underwent surgery to repair his Achilles tendon, making use of technology developed by Naples-based Arthrex.
New procedure created to save your liver
Today, livers that were once thought not good enough for transplantation are being revitalized and reused.
Using artificial intelligence to predict heart attacks
Using artificial intelligence, doctors at Lee Health may be able to predict the likelihood that someone will have a heart attack.
The Environment
FWC finds 5 lobster tails stuffed in diver’s pants
Authorities patrolling the waters found a diver with a spiny lobster in his hand and conducted a resource inspection.
Death investigation following possible gator attack in Pinellas County
Pinellas County Deputies and wildlife officials are on scene of what appears to have been an alligator attack.
World Rhino Day: Helping save the critically endangered species from extinction
For the last 12 years, World Rhino Day has been celebrated on Sept. 22 to raise awareness and to help save the species from extinction.
Blue-green algae concerns in the Franklin Lock portion of the Caloosahatchee River
Blue-green algae has been an annual problem for residents of SWFL, and the Caloosahatchee River is not exempt from the algae bloom.
Second blue-green algae alert in Lee County in a week
Toxic blue-green algae is spiking at the Franklin Lock and Dam in Olga.
Sports
SWFL High School Football: Week 6
Check out the week six high school football scores from all across SWFL.
Lehigh Lightning vs. Ida Baker Bulldogs
Both the Lehigh Lightning and the Ida Baker Bulldogs entered Friday night’s matchup winless, but the Lightning went home with their first win of the season taking down the Bulldogs 42-6.
East Lee County Jaguars vs. Fort Myers Green Wave
After earning milestone win number 700 in week five, Fort Myers was looking for win 701 over East Lee County. On homecoming the Green Wave got the 34-14 win over the Jaguars.
First Baptist Lions vs. Golden Gate Titans
The First Baptist Academy Lions, the defending state champions, went into 29th ranked Golden Gate territory and pulled out a close win 48-46.
Island Coast Gators vs. Mariner Tritons
Undefeated Mariner took on 1-3 Island Coast in a week six rivalry matchup. The Tritons stay perfect dominating the Gators 31-6 in the district opener.
State
FWC finds 5 lobster tails stuffed in diver’s pants
Authorities patrolling the waters found a diver with a spiny lobster in his hand and conducted a resource inspection.
Republicans face growing urgency to stop Trump as they enter the second presidential debate
Republicans are meeting for their second presidential debate on Wednesday as Donald Trump’s top rivals seek to blunt the momentum of the former president, who is so confident of cruising through the party’s primary that he again won’t share a stage with them.
Winner of $1.6 billion Mega Millions jackpot claims prize in Florida
The winner of the $1.6 billion Mega Millions jackpot in August has come forward to claim the prize, officials said Wednesday.
Illegal saw palmetto berry harvest leads to more than 15 arrests, hundreds of pounds recovered
More than 15 arrests were made after recovering hundreds of pounds of saw palmetto berries from illegal harvests.
Powerball at $835 million; Now 2nd largest lottery jackpot this year
The Powerball lottery Monday night drawing was met with no winners as the prize grows to $835 million, the second largest prize in 2023.