2 dogs dead in structure fire on Husky Lane; 2 vehicles destroyedFort Myers’ boxer wins WBC featherweight world title
2 dogs dead in structure fire on Husky Lane; 2 vehicles destroyed The South Trail Fire Department is responding to a structure fire on Husky Lane in Lee County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers’ boxer wins WBC featherweight world title Former FMPD officer and Police Athletic League coach Tiara Brown beat Skye Nicolson in the WBC featherweight world championship.
cape coral New charges added in Cape Coral theft, shooting; 2 more teens arrested The Cape Coral Police Department has announced more charges against two teenagers allegedly involved in a string of thefts that led to a shooting.
Sea Love Candle Bar & Boutique opens at Coconut Point in Estero Tina Smagala had spent about three decades working in corporate human resources and communications in various industries, and she was looking to try something else for a change.
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery to close in Estero The only Perkins Restaurant & Bakery in south Lee County is closing April13, and the question now is what’s going to take its place.
Changes coming to Social Security identity verification The Social Security Administration is changing how people can verify their identity for retirement, survivors, or family benefits.
the weather authority Warm and breezy this Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a warm and breezy Thursday with conditions that may increase the risk of brush fires this afternoon.
NAPLES NCH Naples uses actors to prepare medical staff for emergencies NCH is taking medical training to an innovative level by providing real-life simulations for doctors and nurses.
ESTERO FGCU police wrangle 6-foot gator on busy campus boardwalk A 6-foot alligator made an unexpected appearance at Florida Gulf Coast University, causing a commotion on a busy boardwalk.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers City council faces backlash over ICE partnership The Fort Myers City Council’s partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been a point of contention
NAPLES Collier County teen hospitalized after protecting friend from dating violence incident A 17-year-old hero is fighting for his life in the hospital after a violent incident in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers fire officials urge honesty to aid investigations, ensure safety The Fort Myers Fire Department is urging the community to be open and honest during fire investigations.
WWII veteran recalls life as a woman in war While many are familiar with the stories of men who served in World War II, the women who served also played a crucial role in shaping history.
Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for March 26, 2025 WINK News is back with Most Wanted Wednesday, spotlighting some of Southwest Florida’s most sought-after criminals. This initiative, in collaboration with Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers, aims to aid law enforcement by sharing crucial information about individuals they are trying to locate. This week, authorities are searching for Arquesha Brown in Fort Myers. The 47-year-old was […]
Florida Panther caught on camera mimicking house cat behavior A new video of a Florida Panther shows that these wild animals have more in common with house cats than you might think.
2 dogs dead in structure fire on Husky Lane; 2 vehicles destroyed The South Trail Fire Department is responding to a structure fire on Husky Lane in Lee County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers’ boxer wins WBC featherweight world title Former FMPD officer and Police Athletic League coach Tiara Brown beat Skye Nicolson in the WBC featherweight world championship.
cape coral New charges added in Cape Coral theft, shooting; 2 more teens arrested The Cape Coral Police Department has announced more charges against two teenagers allegedly involved in a string of thefts that led to a shooting.
Sea Love Candle Bar & Boutique opens at Coconut Point in Estero Tina Smagala had spent about three decades working in corporate human resources and communications in various industries, and she was looking to try something else for a change.
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery to close in Estero The only Perkins Restaurant & Bakery in south Lee County is closing April13, and the question now is what’s going to take its place.
Changes coming to Social Security identity verification The Social Security Administration is changing how people can verify their identity for retirement, survivors, or family benefits.
the weather authority Warm and breezy this Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a warm and breezy Thursday with conditions that may increase the risk of brush fires this afternoon.
NAPLES NCH Naples uses actors to prepare medical staff for emergencies NCH is taking medical training to an innovative level by providing real-life simulations for doctors and nurses.
ESTERO FGCU police wrangle 6-foot gator on busy campus boardwalk A 6-foot alligator made an unexpected appearance at Florida Gulf Coast University, causing a commotion on a busy boardwalk.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers City council faces backlash over ICE partnership The Fort Myers City Council’s partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been a point of contention
NAPLES Collier County teen hospitalized after protecting friend from dating violence incident A 17-year-old hero is fighting for his life in the hospital after a violent incident in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers fire officials urge honesty to aid investigations, ensure safety The Fort Myers Fire Department is urging the community to be open and honest during fire investigations.
WWII veteran recalls life as a woman in war While many are familiar with the stories of men who served in World War II, the women who served also played a crucial role in shaping history.
Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for March 26, 2025 WINK News is back with Most Wanted Wednesday, spotlighting some of Southwest Florida’s most sought-after criminals. This initiative, in collaboration with Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers, aims to aid law enforcement by sharing crucial information about individuals they are trying to locate. This week, authorities are searching for Arquesha Brown in Fort Myers. The 47-year-old was […]
Florida Panther caught on camera mimicking house cat behavior A new video of a Florida Panther shows that these wild animals have more in common with house cats than you might think.
Rafael Carrion FORT MYERS, Fla. — An investigation into the Thursday morning death of an 8-month-old boy at a Fort Myers home led to the arrest of the boy’s caregiver/babysitter, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said. Rafael Carrion Jr., 27, is facing charges of second-degree murder and aggravated manslaughter of a child, according to the sheriff’s office. The boy, Julian Valdez, was pronounced dead at Gulf Coast Hospital, where he was taken after emergency personnel responded to a 3 a.m. call that he wasn’t breathing at Carrion’s home on 4944 N. Galaxy Drive. Autopsy results showed massive head injuries to Julian that were consistent with a violent beating, and Carrion could not explain how they happened, the sheriff’s office said. A Lee County Sheriff’s Office van sits outside the North Galaxy Drive home Thursday where an 8-month-old boy was found with massive head injuries, the sheriff’s office said. The boy was later pronounced dead at Gulf Coast Hospital. MORGAN FRANCES/WINK News “This innocent life, lost at the hands of a monster, has affected me and my team today in a profound way,” Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott said in a statement. “I can’t find the words to adequately describe my anger and heartache.” Carrion was being booked into the Lee County Jail on Thursday afternoon, according to the sheriff’s office. It’s the 14th time he’s been arrested in Lee County. His previous bookings involve numerous alleged thefts, while others are related to drugs and a hit-and-run. Carrion’s father, Rafael Carrion Sr., said that despite his past, his son would never harm a child. “He didn’t hit that kid,” Carrion Sr. said. “I know my son. He got in a little trouble but he’s not that type. I can tell you that.” Carrion Jr. was the one who called 911 when Julian wasn’t breathing, Carrion Sr. said. The mother of the child is a friend of Carrion Jr., who had been babysitting her three children free of charge, according to Carrion Sr., who said his son told him he hadn’t seen the mother for eight days and wasn’t able to get a hold of her. Carrion Sr. said his son was crying as he called him from jail, where he’s being held on $600,000 bond. The name of Julian’s mother is unclear. The identity and whereabouts of the baby’s father also remain a mystery.