ALVA Woodpeckers build home in Alva woman’s house You may have heard of squatters, but this woman is dealing with squawkers. Who needs a rooster to wake up when you have woodpeckers?
FORT MYERS Man claims he was trapped in a high-rise for 5 days A 77-year-old man wants justice after he claims he spent days trapped on the 24th floor of a high-rise apartment building.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte Correctional prisoner arrested for death of another inmate State Attorney Amira Fox convened a grand jury, which decided to move forward with a case against a Charlotte Correctional inmate.
SANIBEL Construction near Dairy Queen eagle nest on Sanibel raises concerns While many eagle nests may be a bit difficult to see, one nest has always been a favorite for Sanibel residents and tourists.
The environmental effects of artificial sweeteners Experts are studying how the foods we eat affect the environment, especially after we flush our waste down the toilet.
Victim reacts to man exposing himself to her Ring camera You get a notification on your phone from your ring camera app that someone is at the door, only to find out it is someone exposing themselves. It’s the last thing victim Maria Kivi wanted or expected to see last week.
LEE COUNTY The art of capturing your eye and drawing you in How do you capture young, hip, trendy, fun, movers and shakers, all in a pose? We take you behind the scenes of a Gulfshore Life cover shoot.
FORT MYERS The lives of two SJC Boxers changed in the ring Two SJC Boxers, Mario Nunez and Arbon Kurtishi, help each other in the ring as each of them had their lives changed because of boxing.
FORT MYERS Chlamydia cases rising sharply in Lee County If you think about a crowded space- something with more than 250 people- if it’s in Lee county, statistically one person has chlamydia.
SANIBEL Sanibel resort day passes hope to get more business on the island A pass will allow vacationers to hang out at a Sanibel beach club for a day in hopes of drumming up some business.
Voting equipment tested ahead of Lee County elections Voting equipment is being tested in Lee County. This is to ensure all ballots are printed and counted correctly for the upcoming election.
Collier County teen assaulted after leaving party The teen has been charged and the sheriff’s office said they’re aware that many believe felony charges are in order, but under Florida law, there are very specific criteria that must be met for felony charges to be filed.
WINK weather team watching tropical wave over Atlantic Ocean The Weather Authority is watching a tropical disturbance over the Central Atlantic Ocean.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral drug bust leads investigators to fake fentanyl, cash and guns Cape Coral man arrest on drug charges. Investigators said they found, guns, drugs, and more than $32,000 in Richard Riley’s home.
NAPLES Naples youth flag football team to compete in Ohio tournament This weekend, the Naples Lunatics Green will compete in the Superhero Sports tournament in Canton, Ohio.
ALVA Woodpeckers build home in Alva woman’s house You may have heard of squatters, but this woman is dealing with squawkers. Who needs a rooster to wake up when you have woodpeckers?
FORT MYERS Man claims he was trapped in a high-rise for 5 days A 77-year-old man wants justice after he claims he spent days trapped on the 24th floor of a high-rise apartment building.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte Correctional prisoner arrested for death of another inmate State Attorney Amira Fox convened a grand jury, which decided to move forward with a case against a Charlotte Correctional inmate.
SANIBEL Construction near Dairy Queen eagle nest on Sanibel raises concerns While many eagle nests may be a bit difficult to see, one nest has always been a favorite for Sanibel residents and tourists.
The environmental effects of artificial sweeteners Experts are studying how the foods we eat affect the environment, especially after we flush our waste down the toilet.
Victim reacts to man exposing himself to her Ring camera You get a notification on your phone from your ring camera app that someone is at the door, only to find out it is someone exposing themselves. It’s the last thing victim Maria Kivi wanted or expected to see last week.
LEE COUNTY The art of capturing your eye and drawing you in How do you capture young, hip, trendy, fun, movers and shakers, all in a pose? We take you behind the scenes of a Gulfshore Life cover shoot.
FORT MYERS The lives of two SJC Boxers changed in the ring Two SJC Boxers, Mario Nunez and Arbon Kurtishi, help each other in the ring as each of them had their lives changed because of boxing.
FORT MYERS Chlamydia cases rising sharply in Lee County If you think about a crowded space- something with more than 250 people- if it’s in Lee county, statistically one person has chlamydia.
SANIBEL Sanibel resort day passes hope to get more business on the island A pass will allow vacationers to hang out at a Sanibel beach club for a day in hopes of drumming up some business.
Voting equipment tested ahead of Lee County elections Voting equipment is being tested in Lee County. This is to ensure all ballots are printed and counted correctly for the upcoming election.
Collier County teen assaulted after leaving party The teen has been charged and the sheriff’s office said they’re aware that many believe felony charges are in order, but under Florida law, there are very specific criteria that must be met for felony charges to be filed.
WINK weather team watching tropical wave over Atlantic Ocean The Weather Authority is watching a tropical disturbance over the Central Atlantic Ocean.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral drug bust leads investigators to fake fentanyl, cash and guns Cape Coral man arrest on drug charges. Investigators said they found, guns, drugs, and more than $32,000 in Richard Riley’s home.
NAPLES Naples youth flag football team to compete in Ohio tournament This weekend, the Naples Lunatics Green will compete in the Superhero Sports tournament in Canton, Ohio.
CAPE CORAL, Fla.- Crowds flooded the streets of Miami late Wednesday night. Some of those people are in support and some are against a major move that will change the United States’ relationship with Cuba. In a sudden decision, President Obama is re-establishing ties with the communist country. The plan involves reopening U.S. Embassies in Cuba along with easing travel and economic restrictions. That means some Americans can soon travel there and use their credit and debit cards to buy stuff and bring it back, like world-famous Cuban cigars. The change in diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba does not lift the ban immediately but there will be some changes. Right now, Americans can only go with an educational group or by obtaining a license but that protocol is likely to change in the coming months. Travelers are also required by the U.S. government to keep a journal while there and keep that record for the next five years. President Obama’s announcement to re-establish diplomatic ties doesn’t lift the ban on tourism immediately but it does give hope to airlines, hotel chains and cruise companies; as well as give some relief to travelers. They’ll be able to use credit and debit cards and will not be able to bring home $400 worth of Cuban goods–including Cuban cigars which Brammertz told WINK News even pictures of the cigars were not allowed when she was there. “Not knowing where you are from, your roots,” said Cuban-American Javier Ramiers. Ramiers escaped to the U.S. from Cuba when he was just 3 years old. “We came over here because of the system, the corruption,” he said. Now Ramiers and many younger Cuban-Americans in Southwest Florida are cautiously optimistic for President Obama’s plan to normalize relations between the two countries. “A Cuba of tomorrow where we could do business, go back and forth,” said Ramiers. “It is hard. It is not easy,” said Yoedel Hernandez. Hernandez’ family is torn apart because he fled to America, but his siblings still live in Cuba. Now, Hernandez has hope they will soon reunite. “It is nice. it is something that hasn’t been done for years,” said Hernandez. But not everyone is pleased, Maria Valencia’s son is Cuban-American and tells WINK News, the people of Cuba are still controlled by a communist government and says this will not benefit her son until Cuba is truly free. “And I feel now we just help the government for making more money,” said Valencia. Demonstrators in Miami used the backdrop of the café Versailles in Little Havana. The restaurant is a well-known hub for Miami Cuban exiles. The crowd gathered during the release of American Alan Gross from a Cuban prison. Some in the crowd said the move was brave. Others said they felt betrayed by President Obama. The historic move is drawing criticism and praise from top Florida lawmakers. Senator Bill Nelson said he supports the move. “It’s important to bring us into the 21st century, but its going to be dependent upon this Castro regime that has been nothing but a brutal dictatorship.” Florida Senator Marco Rubio blasted President Obama Wednesday. “This president is the single worst negotiator we have had in the White House in my lifetime who has basically given the Cuban government everything it asked for and received no assurances of democracy and freedom in return,” said Rubio. The trade embargo against Cuba remains in place. Congress would have to sign off to lift it.