WINK NEWS Citizens Property Insurance depopulation program This is a sign our insurance crisis in Florida is recovering. Citizens, designed to be Floridian’s last resort insurer, is shrinking.
WINK NEWS Warmer temperatures build in for your Thursday plans The Weather Authority is tracking increased temperatures. Thursday is in the 50s, and the warming trend is continuing into the weekend.
WINK NEWS Smoke from prescribed burns this Thursday The Weather Authority is tracking smoke in the air Thursday morning. If you notice smoke, it’s likely from recent prescribed burns.
LEHIGH ACRES Firefighters break open submerged car in Lehigh Acres Firefighters break open a submerged car and appear to rescue someone stuck inside in Lehigh Acres overnight.
FORT MYERS Stem donor meets recipient at Florida Gulf Coast University An FGCU student is giving the gift of life this holiday season. FGCU senior Zoe Horowitz met the person who received her stem cell donation.
PORT CHARLOTTE CCSO ‘Shop with a Cop’ event spreads holiday cheer Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office deputies spent time helping kids pick out gifts for their families during the annual Shop with a Cop event.
CLEWISTON Caught on camera: Explosion in hotel parking lot in Clewiston There was an explosion in the parking lot of a Holiday Inn in Clewiston on Wednesday.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda leaders outline plans for Gilchrist Park repairs Gilchrist Park is closed, and Punta Gorda city leaders have been discussing possibly restoring the park.
NORTH NAPLES Airman surprises 6-year-old daughter at school for the holidays after ten months of service in Kuwait After almost a year of service in Kuwait, one airman came home for the holidays and surprised his daughter.
FORT MYERS Breaking down the Lee County Sheriff’s Office budget The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Carmine Marceno have been under scrutiny since a federal investigation on potential money laundering began. Many have questioned LCSO’s spending, so we broke down the budget.
How to protect yourself from thieves this holiday season On Cyber Monday, Americans spent $13 billion, which will translate into many packages on doorsteps this holiday season.
FORT MYERS Bishop Verot QB Carter Smith signs with Wisconsin Bishop Verot quarterback Carter Smith signs to play college football for the Wisconsin Badgers on early Signing Day.
WINK NEWS SWFL stars ink with Power 4 programs during Early Signing Period Several Southwest Florida football standouts are taking their talents to the Power 4 gridirons after signing during the Early Signing Period.
Beloved Charlotte County man killed outside home, investigation ongoing A man loved by his peers and his community was taken away from them in the middle of the night at his own home.
FORT MYERS BEACH The Lani Kai Resort reopens on Fort Myers Beach An iconic spot on Fort Myers Beach is back open and taking reservations for the first time since Hurricane Ian.
WINK NEWS Citizens Property Insurance depopulation program This is a sign our insurance crisis in Florida is recovering. Citizens, designed to be Floridian’s last resort insurer, is shrinking.
WINK NEWS Warmer temperatures build in for your Thursday plans The Weather Authority is tracking increased temperatures. Thursday is in the 50s, and the warming trend is continuing into the weekend.
WINK NEWS Smoke from prescribed burns this Thursday The Weather Authority is tracking smoke in the air Thursday morning. If you notice smoke, it’s likely from recent prescribed burns.
LEHIGH ACRES Firefighters break open submerged car in Lehigh Acres Firefighters break open a submerged car and appear to rescue someone stuck inside in Lehigh Acres overnight.
FORT MYERS Stem donor meets recipient at Florida Gulf Coast University An FGCU student is giving the gift of life this holiday season. FGCU senior Zoe Horowitz met the person who received her stem cell donation.
PORT CHARLOTTE CCSO ‘Shop with a Cop’ event spreads holiday cheer Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office deputies spent time helping kids pick out gifts for their families during the annual Shop with a Cop event.
CLEWISTON Caught on camera: Explosion in hotel parking lot in Clewiston There was an explosion in the parking lot of a Holiday Inn in Clewiston on Wednesday.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda leaders outline plans for Gilchrist Park repairs Gilchrist Park is closed, and Punta Gorda city leaders have been discussing possibly restoring the park.
NORTH NAPLES Airman surprises 6-year-old daughter at school for the holidays after ten months of service in Kuwait After almost a year of service in Kuwait, one airman came home for the holidays and surprised his daughter.
FORT MYERS Breaking down the Lee County Sheriff’s Office budget The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Carmine Marceno have been under scrutiny since a federal investigation on potential money laundering began. Many have questioned LCSO’s spending, so we broke down the budget.
How to protect yourself from thieves this holiday season On Cyber Monday, Americans spent $13 billion, which will translate into many packages on doorsteps this holiday season.
FORT MYERS Bishop Verot QB Carter Smith signs with Wisconsin Bishop Verot quarterback Carter Smith signs to play college football for the Wisconsin Badgers on early Signing Day.
WINK NEWS SWFL stars ink with Power 4 programs during Early Signing Period Several Southwest Florida football standouts are taking their talents to the Power 4 gridirons after signing during the Early Signing Period.
Beloved Charlotte County man killed outside home, investigation ongoing A man loved by his peers and his community was taken away from them in the middle of the night at his own home.
FORT MYERS BEACH The Lani Kai Resort reopens on Fort Myers Beach An iconic spot on Fort Myers Beach is back open and taking reservations for the first time since Hurricane Ian.
Deputies block traffic from a section of US 41 in Collier County Monday (March 26, 2018) due to bushfires. Credit: Chris Grisby/winknews.com Crews are working to extinguish the flames of several fires burning in Collier and Hendry counties. Eastbound US 41 was closed from San Marco Road to Port of the Islands due to zero visibility and flames near the road, but is back open as of 8 p.m. Monday. MORE: Smoke closes Alligator Alley and US 41 in Collier County Governor Rick Scott visited Southwest Florida and met with officials to tour the damage from the wildfires. This morning, I met with fire officials in southwest Florida and toured the damage from the wildfires. I will continue to be in communication with the local officials to offer any state support they need. pic.twitter.com/YlfUoHPBv9 — Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) March 26, 2018 Officials are listing the official cause of the Flag Pond, Greenway and 116th Ave fires as lightning. #FlagPondFire #GreenwayFire #116thAveSEFire the official cause for these #wildfires LIGHTNING #FLFire #Flwildfire pic.twitter.com/We0Z9HwtdR — FFS Caloosahatchee (@FFS_cafc) March 25, 2018 Collier County ‘Greenway’ fires The “116th Avenue Southeast” and “Greenway” fires have merged and are now being classified as the “Greenway” fire, the Florida Forest Service said Monday via Twitter. Eight acres have jumped over a portion of U.S. 41 and is 80 percent contained, according to forest officials. #GreenwayFire has officially jumped US-41. 8 acres have burned South of 41 and crews have the #wildfire 80% contained. No structures are threatened at this time. Roadways are still closed as firefighters work to contain the spot fire. #FLFire #Flwildfire — FFS Caloosahatchee (@FFS_cafc) March 26, 2018 Officials have just confirmed #GreenwayFire has merged with #116thAveSEFire an updated map and acreage will be out soon. #GreenwayFire will now be the fire name for both #wildfires — FFS Caloosahatchee (@FFS_cafc) March 26, 2018 The exact acreage of the two fires is unclear. The “116th Avenue Southeast” fire has previously burned 8,000 acres and is 50 percent contained, according to the Florida Forest Service. #116thAveSEFire is 8,000 acres and 50% contained. Todays weather is in our favor, containment will likely increase today. Current fire lines are holding. Great job to our wildland firefighters and @GN_Fire for all the hard work! #FLFire #Flwildfire pic.twitter.com/uIolQzFP9C — FFS Caloosahatchee (@FFS_cafc) March 26, 2018 A hunting camp was destroyed and one structure is threatened, Florida Forest Service officials said. These flames of the “Greenway” fire were previously reported to have scorched 7,239 acres and is 25 percent contained, according to the Florida Forest Service. #GreenwayFire is 7,239 acres and 25% contained. Today wildland firefighter will continue building fire line to the East and reinforcing Westside fire line in anticipation of tomorrow's weather. No structures are threatened at this time. #FLFire #Flwildfire #wildfire — FFS Caloosahatchee (@FFS_cafc) March 26, 2018 An RV home was burned in Sabal Palm. Greater Naples fire officials said residents and visitors in the Sabal Park, Verona Walk and Winding Cypress areas should stay alert. Everglades Boulevard has closed, according to fire officials. 52nd Avenue to Sabal Palm remains shut down. ACREAGE UPDATES: #WestBoundaryFire is 2,200 acres & 50% contained. #FlagPondFire is 2,600 acres & 100% contained, wildland firefighters will continue to monitor for any flare ups. #GreenwayFire is 6,600 acres & 20% contained. #116thAveSEFire is 8,000 acres & 45% contained. — FFS Caloosahatchee (@FFS_cafc) March 25, 2018 ‘Flag Pond’ fire This fire has burned 2,600 acres and is 100 percent contained as of Sunday, Greater Naples Fire said on Twitter. Hendry County ‘West Boundary’ fire This fire has charred 2,200 acres and is 50 percent contained, according to the Caloosahatchee Forestry Center #WestBoundaryFire wildland fire fighters transition from night to day operations. Crews will be monitoring current containment lines while establishing new lines where needed. #FLFire #Flwildfire #wildfire — FFS Caloosahatchee (@FFS_cafc) March 26, 2018 #WestBoundaryFire is holding at 2,200 acres and 50% containment. Wildland firefighters are transitioning to night operations #wildfire #Flfires #Flwildfire — FFS Caloosahatchee (@FFS_cafc) March 25, 2018 LEE COUNTY ‘Water Plant’ fire This fire was extinguished but was rekindled Sunday afternoon. It burned 30 acres and is 100% contained as of 8:30 p.m. Sunday. #WaterPlantFire 30 acres and 100% contained, wildland firefighters are working at widening the containment lines #FLFire #Flwildfire #wildfire — FFS Caloosahatchee (@FFS_cafc) March 26, 2018 Smoky conditions in SWFL Fire crews are urging people to remain vigilant as smoke billows from fires burning across Southwest Florida.
Smoky conditions in SWFL Fire crews are urging people to remain vigilant as smoke billows from fires burning across Southwest Florida.