Bonita Springs Council to vote on duplex project near downtownMinnesota Twins, Lee Health host free open house and health fair
Bonita Springs Council to vote on duplex project near downtown Sagamore Management Co. seeks to build 24 duplexes on 4.6 acres at the northeast corner of Dean Street and Matheson Avenue in Bonita Springs.
Minnesota Twins, Lee Health host free open house and health fair The spring training season has kicked into full gear in Southwest Florida.
Ritz-Carlton Residences on Estero Bay construction reaches top floor London Bay celebrated the construction milestone of reaching the top floor of The Ritz-Carlton Residences at Saltleaf on Estero Bay, a 22-story, 112-unit, $225 million condo tower that has seen swift sales.
WINK News Photos of the Week Feb. 9 – Feb. 16 Welcome to WINK News Photos of the Week, where we highlight memorable moments from Southwest Florida throughout the week.
TALLAHASSEE Gov. DeSantis swears in next Florida Attorney General Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has sworn in the next Attorney General, James Uthmeier.
the weather authority Cold front brings cooler, less humid weather this Monday The Weather Authority is tracking a cold front dropping temperatures and reducing humidity on this Monday.
Hendry County FDOT starting construction on State Road 82 at Hendry County Line The Florida Department of Transportation is working to improve nearly 4 miles of State Road 82.
WINK NEWS Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda church celebrates Pastor’s 45 years of service The First Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Punta Gorda is alive with celebration as they honor a legacy of leadership.
FORT MYERS Shift Coffee Bar in Fort Myers hosts annual Valentine’s Day Party Shift Coffee Bar in Fort Myers held their annual Valentine’s Day pop-up/anniversary event on Sunday morning.
PUNTA GORDA Road rage leads to gunfire near US 41 bridge in Punta Gorda A road rage incident near the Gilchrist Bridge in Punta Gorda led to shots being fired, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.
the weather authority Warm, breezy day with evening rain ahead of a slight cold front The Weather Authority says Sunday is starting off warm across Southwest Florida with overnight lows in the upper 60s and 70s, staying warm throughout the day before a cold front sweeps south later this evening.
FORT MYERS Edison Festival parade lights up Fort Myers with floats and bands The Edison Festival parade was a spectacle of lights and sounds, drawing crowds to celebrate the legacy of Thomas Edison.
CAPE CORAL Goth Gala for the Forlorn; How the alt scene honored Valentine’s Day Love Your Rebellion hosted the Goth Gala for the Forlorn at Nice Guys Pizza in Cape Coral on Friday night.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers gears up for Edison Festival parade; road closures in place Downtown Fort Myers is buzzing with excitement as the Edison Festival of Light Parade is set to begin.
Bonita Springs Council to vote on duplex project near downtown Sagamore Management Co. seeks to build 24 duplexes on 4.6 acres at the northeast corner of Dean Street and Matheson Avenue in Bonita Springs.
Minnesota Twins, Lee Health host free open house and health fair The spring training season has kicked into full gear in Southwest Florida.
Ritz-Carlton Residences on Estero Bay construction reaches top floor London Bay celebrated the construction milestone of reaching the top floor of The Ritz-Carlton Residences at Saltleaf on Estero Bay, a 22-story, 112-unit, $225 million condo tower that has seen swift sales.
WINK News Photos of the Week Feb. 9 – Feb. 16 Welcome to WINK News Photos of the Week, where we highlight memorable moments from Southwest Florida throughout the week.
TALLAHASSEE Gov. DeSantis swears in next Florida Attorney General Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has sworn in the next Attorney General, James Uthmeier.
the weather authority Cold front brings cooler, less humid weather this Monday The Weather Authority is tracking a cold front dropping temperatures and reducing humidity on this Monday.
Hendry County FDOT starting construction on State Road 82 at Hendry County Line The Florida Department of Transportation is working to improve nearly 4 miles of State Road 82.
WINK NEWS Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda church celebrates Pastor’s 45 years of service The First Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Punta Gorda is alive with celebration as they honor a legacy of leadership.
FORT MYERS Shift Coffee Bar in Fort Myers hosts annual Valentine’s Day Party Shift Coffee Bar in Fort Myers held their annual Valentine’s Day pop-up/anniversary event on Sunday morning.
PUNTA GORDA Road rage leads to gunfire near US 41 bridge in Punta Gorda A road rage incident near the Gilchrist Bridge in Punta Gorda led to shots being fired, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.
the weather authority Warm, breezy day with evening rain ahead of a slight cold front The Weather Authority says Sunday is starting off warm across Southwest Florida with overnight lows in the upper 60s and 70s, staying warm throughout the day before a cold front sweeps south later this evening.
FORT MYERS Edison Festival parade lights up Fort Myers with floats and bands The Edison Festival parade was a spectacle of lights and sounds, drawing crowds to celebrate the legacy of Thomas Edison.
CAPE CORAL Goth Gala for the Forlorn; How the alt scene honored Valentine’s Day Love Your Rebellion hosted the Goth Gala for the Forlorn at Nice Guys Pizza in Cape Coral on Friday night.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers gears up for Edison Festival parade; road closures in place Downtown Fort Myers is buzzing with excitement as the Edison Festival of Light Parade is set to begin.
Credit: WINK News. We previously reported plans for officials to slash funding for youth organizations that depend on it in Fort Myers, and now that trend is going to impact programs for women, who are victims of domestic violence. MORE: Fort Myers youth program gains funding, others set to lose it The City of Fort Myers is cutting money to several community agencies and redirecting it to the city-run S.T.A.R.S. Complex. This means less money for victims of domestic abuse and sex trafficking, so organizations in Fort Myers are teaming up to demand a rethinking on these actions. “This is technically the only certified domestic and sexual violence crisis center,” said Megan Dalabes with Abuse Counseling & Treatment (ACT) in Fort Myers. The city plans to cut ACT’s budget by $10,000, and the annual costs to operate three shelters, a rape crisis center and a 24/7 hotline are about $2 million. “It was a grant that we were getting every year, used to be a couple thousand more,” Dalabes said. “And now it’s been $10,600, which is income that we anticipated for that we had in the budget.” Less money in the budget will lead to fewer services offered through ACT. Everything the abuse treatment service offers is free to its patients and paid for with grants and donations. Dalabes said basic needs ACT meets will not be affected, however. “Crafts, or sports exercises, or youth activities,” Dalabes said. “All those things that are supplemental.” These are all designed to help children of victims remain in ACT shelters. “It’s often times a mom victim who comes and the kids outnumber mom,” Dalabes said. “So at any given time, we have 50 children here at ACT.” Currently, a thrift store partners with ACT and helps generate $100,000 a year for ACT service costs. Dalabes said it will require more fundraising to make up for expected losses. “Making up for the $10,000 will really just require community support,” Dalabes said. Locally, people support the work done at the S.T.A.R.S. Complex, but they can’t understand why the decision to cut for funding in other important areas is being made. Meanwhile, Fort Myers City Council is being given the budget of $500,000 to donate to community agencies of its choosing. We reached out to the city for comment on how or when those decisions will be made, but we have not received a response currently.