Red tide warning near Turner BeachFort Myers Beach Town Council facing threats over development projects
CAPTIVA Red tide warning near Turner Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Turner Beach.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Beach Town Council facing threats over development projects Tensions have risen in Fort Myers Beach, with local council member Karen Woodson facing verbal threats and abuse.
NAPLES Attendees arrive ahead of 2025 Naples Winter Wine Festival The Naples Winter Wine Festival is set to begin on Friday night, marking its silver anniversary.
COVID-19’s hidden dangers Researchers have discovered that the neurological effects of long COVID extend beyond common symptoms like coughing and sneezing.
Locals react to Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship A federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump’s attempt to end the nation’s birthright citizenship policy.
Watering schedule to begin for unincorporated Lee County residents A once-a-week watering schedule is being issued for unincorporated Lee County, which is intended to conserve water and protect the aquifer.
ESTERO Upcoming election for Village of Estero canceled According to Tommy Doyle, the Lee County Supervisor of Elections, the scheduled election for the Village of Estero has been canceled.
LEHIGH ACRES Quan Martin representing SWFL on NFL Championship Sunday Washington Commanders safety Quan Martin, who went to Lehigh Senior High, is representing Southwest Florida on NFL Championship Sunday.
8-story Naples hotel passes first hurdle in approval process An eight-story, dual-brand luxury hotel received unanimous preliminary approval from the Naples Design Review Board, the first hurdle in a yearlong planning process.
Jacksonville Gov. Ron DeSantis to reinforce immigration policies Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is looking to enhance law enforcement’s role in helping the federal government with immigration policies.
Man accused of stealing ATV from DeSoto County campground A man has been arrested after allegedly driving an ATV that was reported stolen last year in DeSoto County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers hospital offers free autism screening for young children Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida is offering free monthly autism spectrum disorder screenings for toddlers aged 18 months to 5 years.
FWC rescues 30 sea turtles from cold waters amid freezing temperatures Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers recently braved icy waters to rescue around 30 sea turtles.
Clarifying our style referencing the president’s name in stories WINK News has received multiple emails from viewers concerned about our approach to referring to President Donald Trump, both on-air and online, only by his last name on second reference.
Southwest Florida International Airport JetBlue begins nonstop travel from RSW to Manchester, NH The Southwest Florida International Airport has announced JetBlue will begin nonstop service to Manchester, New Hampshire.
CAPTIVA Red tide warning near Turner Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Turner Beach.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Beach Town Council facing threats over development projects Tensions have risen in Fort Myers Beach, with local council member Karen Woodson facing verbal threats and abuse.
NAPLES Attendees arrive ahead of 2025 Naples Winter Wine Festival The Naples Winter Wine Festival is set to begin on Friday night, marking its silver anniversary.
COVID-19’s hidden dangers Researchers have discovered that the neurological effects of long COVID extend beyond common symptoms like coughing and sneezing.
Locals react to Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship A federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump’s attempt to end the nation’s birthright citizenship policy.
Watering schedule to begin for unincorporated Lee County residents A once-a-week watering schedule is being issued for unincorporated Lee County, which is intended to conserve water and protect the aquifer.
ESTERO Upcoming election for Village of Estero canceled According to Tommy Doyle, the Lee County Supervisor of Elections, the scheduled election for the Village of Estero has been canceled.
LEHIGH ACRES Quan Martin representing SWFL on NFL Championship Sunday Washington Commanders safety Quan Martin, who went to Lehigh Senior High, is representing Southwest Florida on NFL Championship Sunday.
8-story Naples hotel passes first hurdle in approval process An eight-story, dual-brand luxury hotel received unanimous preliminary approval from the Naples Design Review Board, the first hurdle in a yearlong planning process.
Jacksonville Gov. Ron DeSantis to reinforce immigration policies Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is looking to enhance law enforcement’s role in helping the federal government with immigration policies.
Man accused of stealing ATV from DeSoto County campground A man has been arrested after allegedly driving an ATV that was reported stolen last year in DeSoto County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers hospital offers free autism screening for young children Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida is offering free monthly autism spectrum disorder screenings for toddlers aged 18 months to 5 years.
FWC rescues 30 sea turtles from cold waters amid freezing temperatures Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers recently braved icy waters to rescue around 30 sea turtles.
Clarifying our style referencing the president’s name in stories WINK News has received multiple emails from viewers concerned about our approach to referring to President Donald Trump, both on-air and online, only by his last name on second reference.
Southwest Florida International Airport JetBlue begins nonstop travel from RSW to Manchester, NH The Southwest Florida International Airport has announced JetBlue will begin nonstop service to Manchester, New Hampshire.
Man teaches classroom full of children. (Credit: Neonbrand Unsplash) Dozens of teachers were accidentally overpaid. Now, Charlotte County Public Schools is making them give the money back. Most Charlotte County teachers return to their classrooms in two weeks. But for 91 instructors, opening their paychecks will not be as sweet as the last school year. Some parents, including Dusty King, believe they deserve every penny. “All teachers should be paid at their maximum potential at whatever county it is,” King said. Charlotte Florida Education Association, which is the union representing nearly 1,000 teachers in the county, told WINK News some educators hired from outside the district since 2016 were overpaid. They were compensated more than employees who have worked in the district longer. It’s policy in Charlotte County Public Schools for no teacher newly hired outside the district to make more than a teacher who has worked the same number or more years as an employee in Charlotte County. So Charlotte County teacher’s contracts requires overpaid instructors to pay back the money or enroll in payroll deductions. One woman, who was hired in 2017 with more than five years of experience, received a letter that she was overpaid $2,300 and needed to pay back the district. The union understands teacher salaries will be restored to appropriate contract policy moving forward. But it filed a grievance request, asking the school district not to require the impacted teachers to have to pay back previous salary earnings, since the error in overpayment was not their fault. But the union said the district denied its request for a formal meeting to discuss the issue and is filing an appeal. Parents we spoke with question if the district’s demands are fair or unethical. “If they were aware that there was a mistake and they never addressed it and brought it up,” Stephanie Yingling said, “Then, they should have to pay that money back.” “I don’t think they should have to pay back because of someone else’s error,” Jim Courtney said.