Collier County teen hospitalized after protecting friend from dating violence incidentFort Myers fire officials urge honesty to aid investigations, ensure safety
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.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers councilman proposes cameras for McGregor Blvd school zones Fort Myers may soon see new traffic cameras installed in school zones along McGregor Boulevard.
AI in Florida insurance: New bill demands human review Lawmakers have proposed a bill to ensure that artificial intelligence (AI) cannot be the sole factor in denying insurance claims. This includes claims for home, auto, or health insurance.
ESTERO Estero teen to play in third Augusta National Women’s Amateur Estero 17-year-old Gianna Clemente is making her third appearance in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach timeshare owners await answers on delayed repairs Two and a half years after Hurricane Ian, timeshare owners at Mariners Boathouse and Windward Passage Resort on Fort Myers Beach are still unable to access their properties.
Lake Okeechobee water ruling favors clean water advocates in Florida Water quality advocates celebrated a victory after a lawsuit from three Florida sugar companies was rejected in court.
NAPLES Naples actors help Collier deputies train for high-stakes crisis scenarios The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is taking innovative steps to prepare its deputies for unpredictable situations.
FORT MYERS BEACH New traffic plan seeks to improve Fort Myers Beach fire response A new traffic plan on the Matanzas Pass Bridge seeks to get first responders to Fort Myers Beach faster.
SANIBEL SCCF weather stations destroyed by Hurricane Ian, operational again The powerful storm had swept away all three weather stations of the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation. After nearly two and a half years, the RECON Weather System is back online, bringing vital information to the community.
CAPE CORAL Mariner’s Maximus Brady achieves historic fourth state wrestling title Mariner High School wrestler Maximus Brady won his fourth straight state championship, becoming just the second in Lee County to do so.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs teacher’s wedding centerpiece goes viral on TikTok Julia Merz, a beloved kindergarten teacher in Bonita Springs, added a unique touch to her wedding, making her students the stars of the day.
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.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers councilman proposes cameras for McGregor Blvd school zones Fort Myers may soon see new traffic cameras installed in school zones along McGregor Boulevard.
AI in Florida insurance: New bill demands human review Lawmakers have proposed a bill to ensure that artificial intelligence (AI) cannot be the sole factor in denying insurance claims. This includes claims for home, auto, or health insurance.
ESTERO Estero teen to play in third Augusta National Women’s Amateur Estero 17-year-old Gianna Clemente is making her third appearance in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach timeshare owners await answers on delayed repairs Two and a half years after Hurricane Ian, timeshare owners at Mariners Boathouse and Windward Passage Resort on Fort Myers Beach are still unable to access their properties.
Lake Okeechobee water ruling favors clean water advocates in Florida Water quality advocates celebrated a victory after a lawsuit from three Florida sugar companies was rejected in court.
NAPLES Naples actors help Collier deputies train for high-stakes crisis scenarios The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is taking innovative steps to prepare its deputies for unpredictable situations.
FORT MYERS BEACH New traffic plan seeks to improve Fort Myers Beach fire response A new traffic plan on the Matanzas Pass Bridge seeks to get first responders to Fort Myers Beach faster.
SANIBEL SCCF weather stations destroyed by Hurricane Ian, operational again The powerful storm had swept away all three weather stations of the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation. After nearly two and a half years, the RECON Weather System is back online, bringing vital information to the community.
CAPE CORAL Mariner’s Maximus Brady achieves historic fourth state wrestling title Mariner High School wrestler Maximus Brady won his fourth straight state championship, becoming just the second in Lee County to do so.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs teacher’s wedding centerpiece goes viral on TikTok Julia Merz, a beloved kindergarten teacher in Bonita Springs, added a unique touch to her wedding, making her students the stars of the day.
A blimp used by TV appears to crash during the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament Thursday, June 15, 2017, at Erin Hills in Erin, Wis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) ERIN, Wis. (AP) The pilot of a small blimp that crashed Thursday near the U.S. Open in Wisconsin during the opening round of the golf tournament suffered serious injuries, including burns, investigators said. A statement from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said its initial investigation shows the blimp may have experienced mechanical problems before the crash. A deputy at a security post reported seeing the aircraft on fire or smoking and rapidly descending about 11:15 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office said. First responders used utility vehicles to reach the crash site, which was an open field about a half mile from the Erin Hills golf course. Aerial video from a television news helicopter shows pieces of the flattened blimp on the field along with charred metal and grass. WINK News livestreamed that video on Facebook. The first responders transported the injured pilot to a waiting medical helicopter that had landed in the field. Sheriff’s officials said the pilot was the only one on board. Golfer Brandt Snededker said he spotted something while on the course. “Yeah. My caddie made a comment on the 9th hole. He said the blimp is not looking good. I guess it was nose down. I saw a puff of black smoke. I didn’t know it was the blimp. It’s not good. Glad everybody is OK,” Snededker said after finishing his round. Citizen video on social media showed the blimp going down. WINK News anchor Lois Thome shared that video on Facebook. The blimp, operated by Florida-based AirSign, was used for advertising as it floated above the golf tournament and had been airborne for several hours before it went down, authorities said. Justin Maynard, a sales manager for AirSign, said the company’s operations team on the ground in Erin had no more definitive information on pilot’s condition, other than the pilot was expected to be OK. Maynard could not confirm witness accounts that the pilot skydived from the blimp and said the aircraft’s pilots do not regularly carry parachutes. The Federal Aviation and Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have been called to investigate the crash. The Sheriff’s Office said the FAA determined the aircraft was operating at the proper altitude. The Open is one of golf’s four majors.