LCSO confirms fatal deputy-involved shooting in North Fort MyersMeteorologist’s dream of joining Thanksgiving parade comes true
NORTH FORT MYERS LCSO confirms fatal deputy-involved shooting in North Fort Myers A 21-year-old man has been killed after a deputy-involved shooting at a Sunoco gas station near Suncoast Drive in North Fort Myers.
Meteorologist’s dream of joining Thanksgiving parade comes true Wink News Weather Authority meteorologist Lauren Kriedler is usually doing her thing in front of the green screen, but behind the scenes, she has her eyes on more than just the ten-day forecast.
FORT MYERS Residents choosing to order pizza on the night before Thanksgiving The night before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest business days for pizza places like McGregor Pizza Company.
‘Everybody needs oversight’ State lawmakers backed calls for audit of Lee County Sheriff’s Office A state lawmaker is backing the high-ranking Lee County leader who went public on WINK News Tuesday with his warning about possible money trouble inside the sheriff’s office.
Celebrate the holidays on SWFL beaches The beaches are a big draw for anyone in southwest Florida and with the extended weekend due to the holiday, it could be a good time to hit the sand.
Excitement begins for Black Friday The deals for holiday shopping have been going on for days already, but there is still a large group of you who still love the thrill of getting to the store on Black Friday.
CAPE CORAL Social media influencer donates land for burrowing owls A social media influencer who used to live in southwest Florida has donated a plot of land she owned where burrowing owls live.
FORT MYERS Building a clear future for the Sanibel Outlets The question of what will happen to the Sanibel outlets has been top of mind for many years now.
CAPE CORAL 16-year-old accused of stealing car and leading troopers on chase According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a trooper attempted to stop a car on Pondella Road, but the car, being driven by a 16-year-old, then took off.
PORT CHARLOTTE Women’s workout group in Port Charlotte gives back for the holidays Women Warriors, a workout group located in Port Charlotte, is lifting heavy weights, and not just dumbbells.
Hurricane debris still sitting in Bonita Springs neighborhood Since Hurricane Milton, a pile of debris has been ticking off residents in one Bonita Springs neighborhood.
Collier and Lee counties host mass adoption hearings in time for the holidays Lee and Collier Counties celebrated National Adoption Month by bringing together over 20 Southwest Florida families.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for November 27, 2024 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for November 27, 2024.
NORTH NAPLES First Baptist goes for fourth straight regional title First Baptist goes for its fourth straight regional championship Friday night when they travel to West Palm Beach to face Cardinal Newman.
FORT MYERS Local church hands out thanksgiving meals to the community and hosting SC Gamecocks Mildred’s to-go and Catering on Michigan Ave. is having a giveaway of Thanksgiving meals.
NORTH FORT MYERS LCSO confirms fatal deputy-involved shooting in North Fort Myers A 21-year-old man has been killed after a deputy-involved shooting at a Sunoco gas station near Suncoast Drive in North Fort Myers.
Meteorologist’s dream of joining Thanksgiving parade comes true Wink News Weather Authority meteorologist Lauren Kriedler is usually doing her thing in front of the green screen, but behind the scenes, she has her eyes on more than just the ten-day forecast.
FORT MYERS Residents choosing to order pizza on the night before Thanksgiving The night before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest business days for pizza places like McGregor Pizza Company.
‘Everybody needs oversight’ State lawmakers backed calls for audit of Lee County Sheriff’s Office A state lawmaker is backing the high-ranking Lee County leader who went public on WINK News Tuesday with his warning about possible money trouble inside the sheriff’s office.
Celebrate the holidays on SWFL beaches The beaches are a big draw for anyone in southwest Florida and with the extended weekend due to the holiday, it could be a good time to hit the sand.
Excitement begins for Black Friday The deals for holiday shopping have been going on for days already, but there is still a large group of you who still love the thrill of getting to the store on Black Friday.
CAPE CORAL Social media influencer donates land for burrowing owls A social media influencer who used to live in southwest Florida has donated a plot of land she owned where burrowing owls live.
FORT MYERS Building a clear future for the Sanibel Outlets The question of what will happen to the Sanibel outlets has been top of mind for many years now.
CAPE CORAL 16-year-old accused of stealing car and leading troopers on chase According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a trooper attempted to stop a car on Pondella Road, but the car, being driven by a 16-year-old, then took off.
PORT CHARLOTTE Women’s workout group in Port Charlotte gives back for the holidays Women Warriors, a workout group located in Port Charlotte, is lifting heavy weights, and not just dumbbells.
Hurricane debris still sitting in Bonita Springs neighborhood Since Hurricane Milton, a pile of debris has been ticking off residents in one Bonita Springs neighborhood.
Collier and Lee counties host mass adoption hearings in time for the holidays Lee and Collier Counties celebrated National Adoption Month by bringing together over 20 Southwest Florida families.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for November 27, 2024 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for November 27, 2024.
NORTH NAPLES First Baptist goes for fourth straight regional title First Baptist goes for its fourth straight regional championship Friday night when they travel to West Palm Beach to face Cardinal Newman.
FORT MYERS Local church hands out thanksgiving meals to the community and hosting SC Gamecocks Mildred’s to-go and Catering on Michigan Ave. is having a giveaway of Thanksgiving meals.
Students with special needs find ‘Best Buddies’ through SWFL schools program. (Credit: WINK News/Melinda Lee) For Southwest Florida students with special needs, the ‘Best Buddies’ program lends a helping hand through the school hallway. The program builds a bridge between high school students and their peers with intellectual or developmental disabilities by pairing them together as best buddies. Celine LoBocchiaro, a senior at Ida Baker High School, said the program is changing the entire school. LoBocchiaro said she wanted to join the peer program because she has two family members on the autism spectrum. “We treat each other like family and we build one to one friendships,” LoBocchiaro said. “I was matched with Miranda.” Abigil Stokes, a student with special needs who also attends Ida Baker High School, told us the program is amazing. The Best Buddies program started making matches like these in Southwest Florida schools in 2017. Jennifer Mackler is an Exceptional Student Education staffing specialist with the School District of Lee County. “For our students, it’s opening up the world to things that they’re never been able to do before and friendships they probably wouldn’t have made before,” Mackler said. “We require two meetups with their paired buddy during the month and we want them to develop a natural friendship.” Rayne Roe, a sophomore at Ida Baker High School, has had trouble making friends her whole life. It is something she does not want others to feel. “When we met,” Roe said, “I was really excited because I just get to make an impact on another person’s life.” They are creating connections that lead to special handshakes. “We started doing it and we both really like it,” LoBocchiaro said. “So that’s our new thing now and we do it whenever we see each other.” Moreover, support that extends well beyond the classroom. LoBocchiaro said they do activities together, including going to the movies. They make friendships for the benefit of the community growing and learning together, not just for the intellectually challenged. “We are more than friends,” Stokes said. “We’re family and family means no one gets left behind.” ______ For more information about getting involved, contact the office of Best Buddies SWFL at (239) 275-2510.