Struggles continue for thousands in Florida 8 months after Hurricane Ian as new storm season looms
Eight months ago, chef Michael Cellura had a restaurant job and had just moved into a fancy new camper home on Fort Myers Beach. Now, after Hurricane Ian swept all that away, he lives in his older Infiniti sedan with a 15-year-old long-haired chihuahua named Ginger.
Cape Coral woman found safe in Ohio after almost a year missing
After almost a year of being missing, a Cape Coral woman who disappeared in July of last year has been found safe in Ohio.
4 people injured in I-75 crash, 1 airlifted to hospital
Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue reported that four people were hospitalized following a rollover car accident on I-75 near the east toll plaza after 9 a.m. on Saturday.
Cape Coral man arrested after driving boat under the influence, officials say
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) a man was arrested after he was driving a boat under the influence.
Yucatan Bar and Grill, Pink Shell Resort’s pool are back in Fort Myers Beach
Eight months after Ian blew through Southwest Florida, the Pink Shell Resort is welcoming guests back to its Octopool on Fort Myers Beach.
A holiday that saves you money: disaster preparedness week
This year there will be two disaster preparedness sales tax holidays instead of one to help save you cash.
8 months after Hurricane Ian, who picks up the insurance bill?
With hurricane season days away, the president of Day Adjusting and Consulting shares insights on insurance claims.
Cape Coral clock to be replaced after original sold on Facebook Marketplace
Cape Coral is looking to replace the city’s iconic clock after the old one was put up for sale on Facebook Marketplace by the wife of someone who offered to repair it.
2 dead in small plane crash at South Florida airport
Two people died Friday when a small plane crashed at a small South Florida airport, Palm Beach County sheriff’s officials said.
Man accused of killing 2 people in Collier County crash; drove on wrong side
Two died in a wrong-way crash in Collier County.
New procedure helps patients dealing with pathologic fractures
a breakthrough procedure is helping to stabilize one of the largest bones in the body and give relief to thousands of people dealing with pathologic fractures.
Drug offers millions hope for endometriosis treatment
Nearly 28 million women suffer from painful uterine fibroids, and a related condition called endometriosis. But a drug is offering new hope for those who’ve endured this excruciating pain.
$20 million donation to benefit people in Naples and Southwest Florida
Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation donated $20 Million to benefit medical care in Naples.
Gulfshore Business
Waffle Monkey opens in Bonita Springs, off Old 41 Road
When it comes to running a restaurant, Abraham Bedell almost had done it all. The Dallas native had been a busboy, a host, a bartender, a server, a manager and a general manager at restaurants ranging from fine dining to casual, at concepts from Asian to Mexican and American, among others. “I tried to work […]
Tim Aten Knows: New homes, hotels, dining planned for Bayshore Drive
Q: Any info on The 239 project going up off Bayshore Drive in Naples? Thanks! — Don Roberts, Naples A: The 239, a mixed-use development on the southeast corner of Bayshore Drive and Areca Avenue in East Naples, will have eight hotel rooms, a sit-down restaurant, a rooftop bar, a couple of retail units and […]
D.R. Horton, Lennar Homes subdivisions to bring more rooftops to Charlotte County
Charlotte County Commissioners unanimously approved preliminary plats Tuesday for two proposed subdivisions in the county. Texas-based homebuilder D.R. Horton requested approval of a preliminary plat for a subdivision to be named Shell Oaks consisting of 110 single‐family lots and 11 tracts. The 40-acre site is north of Vermont Road, south of Arrowhead Circle and west […]
New Stones Throw restaurant opens at Cape Coral Parkway
When Franco Russo and Wayne Entsminger bought the property next door to their existing Two Meatballs in a Kitchen restaurant in Cape Coral, they wanted to call it Next Door. They even got as far as creating a social media page and ordering some embroidered shirts to help promote it. Then they realized another Cape […]
Planned North Naples apartment complex approved by county commissioners
Collier County Commissioners approved site plans Tuesday for a 336-unit, four-story apartment complex called The Haven at North Naples. The 28-acre property at the southwest quadrant of Airport-Pulling Road and Orange Blossom Drive is shared with The Carlisle Naples senior living community and is across the street from the Collier County Public Library Headquarters branch […]
Charlotte Co. Commissioners approve final site plan for Harpoon Harry’s, Shops at Bayshore in Port Charlotte
Charlotte County Commissioners unanimously approved a planned development final detail site plan Tuesday for Harpoon Harry’s Restaurant & Sports Bar and Shops at Bayshore in Port Charlotte. The 16-acre site, 22801 Bayshore Road, will consist of a 33,354-square-foot Harpoon Harry’s and 24,569 square feet of retail space. Harpoon Harry’s will be relocating to the new […]
NCH receives third $20M donation for new heart and stroke institute
Naples Community Hospital received a $20 million donation from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation for the health care system’s five-story cardiovascular institute. The $200 million facility, planned to replace the existing three-story Telford building, just south of the Downtown Baker Hospital building, will house all of NCH’s vascular-related specialties, such as heart care, stroke […]
New coffeehouse planned for former Bennett’s Fresh Roast location
The building that once housed Bennett’s Fresh Roast, a popular Fort Myers coffee and doughnut shop, will be serving coffee once again. Scott and Juliana Zedeker bought the building, 2011 Bayside Parkway near downtown Fort Myers, for $360,000 last month and plan to renovate and transform it into Bare Roots Coffee House. They hope to […]
Boutique Sweet Couple bakery cafe launches in North Naples
With two lighted cases full of delicious-looking cakes, cookies and pastries, patrons may have the pleasant problem of deciding what to sample first at the new Boutique Sweet Couple in North Naples. Chef Sergiy Horyslavskyy makes all of the baked goods, as well as everything else on the menu at the bakery-cafe that opened May […]
Campaign Central
Ron DeSantis raises $8.2 million in first 24 hours after launching presidential campaign
Gov. Ron DeSantis has raised a record $8.2 million in the first 24 hours after the launch of his 2024 presidential campaign, as he barrels toward an expensive and combative primary led by former President Donald Trump.
DeSantis launches 2024 presidential campaign to challenge Trump
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis entered the 2024 presidential race on Wednesday.
Poll: Donald Trump or Gov. Ron DeSantis for president?
As Gov. Ron DeSantis prepares to launch his 2024 presidential campaign, setting up a confrontation with former President Donald Trump in the Republican primary, WINK News wants to know which candidate you would support.
DeSantis plans to announce 2024 bid Wednesday on Twitter Spaces with Elon Musk, sources tell AP
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will announce his 2024 presidential campaign in a Twitter Spaces event with Elon Musk on Wednesday, according to two people with knowledge of his plans.
Investigations
BREAKING: Fort Myers selects finalists in police chief search
Who made the cut to become the next Fort Myers Police Chief?
Thousands of Hurricane Ian insurance claims remain open: ‘I just want my life back’
Deborah Croquart’s bedroom in her Cape Coral home used to be the place she relaxed at the end of the day. The place that brought peace now brings the opposite. It’s stripped to nothing but concrete, wooden posts and wires hanging from the walls.
Adderall shortage: ADHD medication remains in short supply with no clear resolution
For some, Adderall is a life-changing drug. But prescriptions spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic, creating increased demand and restricted supply that’s gone on for months now.
Hurricane Ian victims still waiting for insurance checks in Florida
Three different homeowners are having the same problem with the same insurance company. They can’t get their homes back to normal after Hurricane Ian because their insurance company hasn’t sent over their checks. It’s a problem many Southwest Floridians are still dealing with almost eight months after the storm.
Florida educators wait for change after bill defunds diversity programs
The future of public education in Florida is in flux after the signing of SB266. No one knows exactly how it will impact the Florida higher education system.
Health and Medical
Cannabis curiosity: answering marijuana questions
The proposed recreational-marijuana legalization legislature is under review by the Florida Supreme Court. How will it effect Floridians?
Cape Coral woman with genetic ALS to test newly approved drug
In April, a new drug to help treat a rare form of ALS was given fast-track approval by the FDA, and it’s expected to change the lives of a small group of patients. One of those patients lives in Cape Coral, and she shared her story exclusively with WINK News.
Parents of transgender kids seek to block DeSantis ban on gender-affirming care for minors
The parents of three transgender children in Florida are trying to get a federal judge to block a new law that bans gender-affirming care for minors, a signature policy of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis as he nears his presidential campaign.
Chronic pain cases overtake other medical complications, including diabetes and depression
New cases of chronic pain are squeezing out some of this country’s most common medical conditions, including depression, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Estero veterinarian on which food will keep your dog healthy
WINK News looks at the rise in dog food designed to keep our fur babies happy and healthy.
The Environment
Lake Okeechobee blue-green algae levels rising
Summer means high air and water temperature, rainy afternoons, and blue-green algae.
Algae swirling on the Gulf Coast brings a stink near Matlacha
Algae swirling in the Gulf Coast is bringing a smelly odor to the air.
Gov. Ron DeSantis could sign bill allowing study on use of radioactive waste in road construction
Gov. Ron DeSantis could sign a bill into law that could pave the way for using a radioactive waste product to pave Florida roads.
Sea turtle nesting season begins in Southwest Florida
Sea turtle nesting season has begun in Southwest Florida.
How prescribed burns help maintain, protect SWFL’s environment
Intentionally setting a fire may not seem like a great idea, but there are times when it’s necessary for our environment. Prescribed burns can actually fuel new growth, protect wildlife and prevent other fires.
State
Busy Memorial Day Weekend travel
Travelers in Southwest Florida and across the country are getting out of town for the Memorial Day Weekend.
WINK News viewers help Vietnam veteran keep his home amid homeowners insurance crisis
Homeowners insurance has proven to be an expensive nightmare for many throughout Southwest Florida. Now, with renewal notices coming in, so is the sticker shock. Thanks to many WINK News viewers, one Marine veteran can now keep his home.
What to know about Florida’s tax free holiday 2023
Gov. Ron DeSantis extends Disaster Preparedness Tax Holiday for a second two-week period in 2023 from Saturday, Aug. 26 to Friday, Sept. 8.
Disney opposes DeSantis request to disqualify judge in free speech lawsuit
Disney is opposing a request by Gov. Ron DeSantis to disqualify a judge overseeing the company’s First Amendment lawsuit against the Florida governor.
Florida police fatally shot armed woman who ‘ambushed’ them in park, officials said
Police in a Florida park fatally shot an armed woman who “ambushed” them as they were searching for a drug investigation suspect, officials said.