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.
This weekend, there’s a ton of things to do to celebrate all around Southwest Florida. WINK FM’s Jason Drew is keeping track of it all. Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade A little over 40 years ago a group of fun-loving Neapolitans got together and decided to have a parade to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The Naples Patrick’s Day Parade will take place at: 11:00 am March 16. The route starts at the corner of 3rd Street South and 10th Ave. It turns East onto 5th Ave S and then East on 8th Street South to finish in front of the Naples City Hall. The Parade is now the largest privately-funded Parade in the state. It draws over 40,000 people to downtown Naples each year to celebrate Irish heritage and Irish culture in America. The Foundation has donated over $200,000 to local high school bands and scholarships in the last five years. For more information visit naplesparade.com Downtown Fort Myers Music Walk The River District comes alive on the third Friday of the month as local and regional musicians line the streets. From jazz and blues to rock & roll, many genres can be heard and vary each month. Free to the public with many venues featuring additional attractions and specials. 6-10 pm. More 43rd Annual Collier Fair This year’s event will feature entertainment, activities for all ages and all of your favorite fair foods. Organizers say, with over 50 of the most exciting rides in the world and dozens of breathtaking shows, you won’t want to miss this yearly event. Visit CollierFair.com for more information. Shell Factory & Nature Park to Hold St. Patrick’s Day Bash The Shell Factory & Nature Park will hold its annual St. Patrick’s Day Bash Sunday, March 17 from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Located in North Fort Myers, the venue’s other attractions will also be open including the Nature Park, Close Encounters, bumper boats, video arcade, mini golf and zip line just to name a few. The free event includes entertainment by Chuck Peterson and features bagpipe players and Irish dancers, as well as green beer, Irish music, Irish dancing and a face painter for the kids. Capt’n Fishbone’s Grill will offer a variety of Irish fare such as corned beef and cabbage. Fort Myers Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade The parade, on Saturday, March 16, will take place from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. will begin at the Santini Marina Plaza Shops and travel north on Estero Blvd. to the Church of The Ascension. This part of Estero Blvd. will be closed for approximately 1 hour starting at 9:45am. It’s free to attend. Cape Coral Cape Coral annual Trolley Tour Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with an Irish inspired pub crawl in Cape Coral’s Entertainment District. Sunday, March 17, from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. You’ll board the exclusive trolleys to travel to various locations where you can enjoy a specialty drink for just $2.50 at each place. Get your passport stamped at every participating stop (no purchase required) and you can win an Irish themed basket filled with Guinness, Jameson Irish whiskey, Baileys and more.