Chilly first day of winter with plenty of sunshine overheadKitten recovering after surviving horrific abuse
Chilly first day of winter with plenty of sunshine overhead The Weather Authority says Saturday is the first day of the winter solstice, and it feels like it across Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Kitten recovering after surviving horrific abuse At 12 pounds and 12 weeks old, this little kitty was snatched from her home and literally dragged through the unthinkable.
Losing loved ones in the line of duty; Community offers support to Diaz family Heartbreak over Sergeant Elio Diaz’s death consumed the Charlotte County community, after the fallen hero was laid to rest Friday.
CAPTIVA Impacts of hurricane season on fishing in SWFL Whipping winds and torrential downpours are all too common with hurricanes.
CAPE CORAL What to know before gifting pets this holiday season Gifting someone a pet for Christmas may sound like a good idea but not always. Animal experts remind us that owning an animal takes a big commitment.
Top rated prospects shine in City of Palms Classic In the third week of December, all eyes on college basketball recruiting are on the City of Palms Classic. Year after year, some of the top high school teams, featuring many of the top players in the country, compete in the Fort Myers Tournament. This year is no different. Take Long Island Lutheran versus Owasso, […]
NAPLES ‘Beverly’s Angels’ prepare holiday sacks for kids in need Beverly’s Angels in Naples is providing kids the essentials they need during the holiday season, and they got some help from high school students across Southwest Florida.
‘He was a phenomenal human being’: Woman says Elio Diaz inspired her to turn life around WINK News has shared stories about people greatly impacted by Deputy Sergeant Elio Diaz’s work. Now we hear from a woman whose life he affected for the better.
PUNTA GORDA ShorePoint Health in Punta Gorda to permanently close If people in Punta Gorda consider themselves patients of ShorePoint Hospital, they will have to look for an alternate place of healthcare.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh Acres Fire and Rescue District gives holiday candle safety tips Holiday celebrations are a few days away, and nothing sets the mood better than candles. This warning is best given before the holidays.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers closes on first house through affordable home program Through its Affordable Home Construction Program, the city closed a contract for the first single-family home.
SANIBEL Homeowners share unique ways to fortify homes after storms Roof, walls and floors. There’s so much to think about when you’re rebuilding.
DeSoto teen found guilty for murder at fair A teenager has been convicted in a deadly shooting that occurred at the DeSoto County Fair.
Residents gather at procession to pay tribute to Sgt. Elio Diaz WINK News spent the day along the procession route for Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz talking with people who wanted to let us know what Diaz meant to them.
BABCOCK RANCH Emotional memorial for fallen Charlotte County sergeant Family, friends, brothers and sisters in blue and even complete strangers gave Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz the sendoff he deserved.
Chilly first day of winter with plenty of sunshine overhead The Weather Authority says Saturday is the first day of the winter solstice, and it feels like it across Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Kitten recovering after surviving horrific abuse At 12 pounds and 12 weeks old, this little kitty was snatched from her home and literally dragged through the unthinkable.
Losing loved ones in the line of duty; Community offers support to Diaz family Heartbreak over Sergeant Elio Diaz’s death consumed the Charlotte County community, after the fallen hero was laid to rest Friday.
CAPTIVA Impacts of hurricane season on fishing in SWFL Whipping winds and torrential downpours are all too common with hurricanes.
CAPE CORAL What to know before gifting pets this holiday season Gifting someone a pet for Christmas may sound like a good idea but not always. Animal experts remind us that owning an animal takes a big commitment.
Top rated prospects shine in City of Palms Classic In the third week of December, all eyes on college basketball recruiting are on the City of Palms Classic. Year after year, some of the top high school teams, featuring many of the top players in the country, compete in the Fort Myers Tournament. This year is no different. Take Long Island Lutheran versus Owasso, […]
NAPLES ‘Beverly’s Angels’ prepare holiday sacks for kids in need Beverly’s Angels in Naples is providing kids the essentials they need during the holiday season, and they got some help from high school students across Southwest Florida.
‘He was a phenomenal human being’: Woman says Elio Diaz inspired her to turn life around WINK News has shared stories about people greatly impacted by Deputy Sergeant Elio Diaz’s work. Now we hear from a woman whose life he affected for the better.
PUNTA GORDA ShorePoint Health in Punta Gorda to permanently close If people in Punta Gorda consider themselves patients of ShorePoint Hospital, they will have to look for an alternate place of healthcare.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh Acres Fire and Rescue District gives holiday candle safety tips Holiday celebrations are a few days away, and nothing sets the mood better than candles. This warning is best given before the holidays.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers closes on first house through affordable home program Through its Affordable Home Construction Program, the city closed a contract for the first single-family home.
SANIBEL Homeowners share unique ways to fortify homes after storms Roof, walls and floors. There’s so much to think about when you’re rebuilding.
DeSoto teen found guilty for murder at fair A teenager has been convicted in a deadly shooting that occurred at the DeSoto County Fair.
Residents gather at procession to pay tribute to Sgt. Elio Diaz WINK News spent the day along the procession route for Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz talking with people who wanted to let us know what Diaz meant to them.
BABCOCK RANCH Emotional memorial for fallen Charlotte County sergeant Family, friends, brothers and sisters in blue and even complete strangers gave Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz the sendoff he deserved.
Kid enjoying the food from the pantry. (Credit: WINK News) At the end of each school week, many kids across the nation and here in Southwest Florida are not sure their next meal is coming from. During spring break, one school resource officer stepped up to make sure no student goes home hungry. The SRO at Buckingham Exceptional Student Center allows kids with special needs to go shopping at a food pantry in the school. But it was not always like that. What once was an office for SRO Donna Aiossa-McNally now serves as a food pantry. “I found after a short amount of time the shelves started getting empty very quickly and replenishing the food was challenging,” said Aiossa-McNally, who works for Lee County Sheriff’s Office. But now, the shelves are fully stocked thanks to the Harry Chapin Food Bank. Each week, students at Buckingham Exceptional Student Center go shopping to take home food for their families. “Parents at home have taken pictures of the meals,” said Dr. Ruthie Lohmeyer, the principal of Buckingham Exceptional Student Center. The pantry is crucial at Buckingham. More than 78 percent of the students qualify for the free and reduced lunch program. “She saw a need and she filled it,” said Dori Dunham, a parent. “It’s just that simple. A lot of people see a need and then go form a committee or you know they give the idea to someone to get a grant. She just jumped on it and took care of it and before we knew it, there was a pantry in there.” But it is much more than just grocery shopping. “They’re building a vocabulary, they’re building vocational skills,” Dr. Lohmeyer said. “The goal of our kids is to get them to be independent.” The students are taking the food from the pantry and learning to cook in the kitchen. In the future, the kitchen may become handicap accessible. “Being able to put food recipes together, choosing the right things to make a recipe,” Dr. Lohmeyer said. “All things our kids are learning just from making this little food pantry. It’s been great. It’s been a great experience.”