FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herselfSurrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Memorial celebrates the life of John Passidomo Hundreds of friends and family gathered for a memorial at Baker Park in Naples.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Memorial celebrates the life of John Passidomo Hundreds of friends and family gathered for a memorial at Baker Park in Naples.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
BONITA SPRINGS, Fla.- Four days later, Lee County deputies are still working the scene of a local murder. Beloved Estero doctor, Teresa Sievers, was found dead in her home on Monday. Thursday, crime scene vans and several more investigators arrived at the house on Jarvis Road. While the sheriff’s office wouldn’t provide new answers, WINK News spoke to a good friend of Sievers, who wants to continue to share the doctor’s message. Lenka Spiska worked side by side with Sievers for the past four years. She’s hoping, for now, that the public will stop focusing on what happened, and focus instead on the person Sievers was. “She’s always been a Mother Teresa to me. I don’t see her any other way.” Spiska was the so-called Eastern medicine to Sievers’ Western medicine. “On top of that, she was a lover and a fighter. She had that spunk in her and she was driven to deliver a message of healing to the world.” Spiska is as shocked as the rest of the community about her colleague’s untimely death. Deputies found Sievers murdered in her home after she didn’t arrive to work on Monday. She had flown back to Southwest Florida alone after a family vacation in Connecticut with her husband and two daughters. “She would always give, give, give. Even her little girls are walking in that same footsteps.” Spiska is working to raise money for the family, but she’s also talking to WINK News to remind people of the kind of person Sievers was. “She knew everything about the patients. She knew their dreams, their fears, their pains, their heartaches, losses, everything.” While family, friends, and the community wait for answers about what exactly happened, Spiska hopes they change their focus to the message Sievers always preached. “I think Teresa would love if someone could turn the page and see this publicity could be something good. That’s what she was all about, bringing the goodness to people. Trying to reach people in the masses and empower every single soul who came her way.” Many residents have been wanting answers from the sheriff’s office, especially after authorities asked residents in the area Wednesday to lock their doors and remain vigilant. Thursday, a sheriff’s office spokesperson told WINK News “if there was a danger to the neighborhood, LCSO would be the first knocking on doors to tell residents.” Officials would not say if the crime was targeted or random, but say they are working several leads in the case. Family and friends have set up fundraising accounts. If you’d like to help, click here to donate to the GoFundMe page. A former patient of Sievers has also set up an account in her name at Capital Bank Brooks Grande Plaza located at 8100 Health Park Center Blvd. in Bonita Springs. Detectives are asking that any suspicious activity be reported. Anyone who was in the area who may have seen or heard anything can contact the sheriff’s office at 239-477-1000. Authorities also advocate basic safety precautions including locking doors to homes and vehicles. To remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward, contact the Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). Tips may also be made online at www.swflcrimestoppers.org via text to CRIMES (274637) Keyword: REWARD; or through the TipSubmit app on any Smart phone.