Clewiston Animal Shelter improves but faces overcrowding challengesCollier County beachgoers react to Gulf of America name change
CLEWISTON Clewiston Animal Shelter improves but faces overcrowding challenges The Clewiston Animal Shelter has made significant improvements, but there is still work to be done to bring conditions to a more humane level.
Collier County beachgoers react to Gulf of America name change The Gulf of Mexico has been officially renamed the “Gulf of America” following an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump.
ENGLEWOOD Englewood Beach’s closure impacts local economy; businesses seek answers Business owners on Englewood Beach are growing increasingly anxious as they await the reopening of the beach, which has been closed since hurricanes Helene and Milton.
FORT MYERS BEACH Food truck park proposal on Estero Blvd divides Fort Myers Beach locals The Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency recently voted on whether to transform a vacant lot on Estero Boulevard into a food truck park.
CCSO works with ICE to catch suspects in Southwest Florida State lawmakers are working on a new immigration bill. Here in Southwest Florida, one county has been following strict guidelines on illegal immigration for quite some time.
Burn ban in effect for Collier County The Board of County Commissioners has authorized a burn ban in Collier County.
FGCU FGCU’s Zavian McLean shares student athlete experience with podcast FGCU men’s basketball guard Zavian McLean shares what its like to be a Division I student athlete in his podcast “Truey Talks.”
Locals react to egg price increase Egg prices continue to soar. In fact, prices have gone up about 37% from where they were just one year ago, and the pricing and supply issues have started to impact Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS BEACH Trump’s executive order on straws stirs debate in Fort Myers Beach President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order to bring back plastic straws, reversing a previous plan to reduce plastic reliance in the federal government.
Charlotte County official’s usage of racial slur prompts calls for resignation Charlotte County Commissioner Stephen Deutsch is under scrutiny after a complaint surfaced last week alleging he used the N-word during a work meeting.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral woman finds hope with new ALS drug A breakthrough discovery of a drug offers new hope for patients with a genetic form of the disease.
Elevate Florida program to help homeowners strengthen properties against storms The Florida Dept. of Emergency Management announced the launch of its new “Elevate Florida” residential mitigation program.
Planning and Zoning Board approves proposed West County area development Homebuilder Maronda Homes received approval Feb. 10 from the Charlotte County Planning and Zoning Board to amend a previously approved development on 1,174 acres in the area of South Gulf Cove.
LEHIGH ACRES 3 charged for major theft organization targeting luxury vehicles Three men, one from Lehigh Acres, has been charged for their role in a major theft organization targeting luxury vehicles.
port charlotte Man arrested for DUI after slamming into Port Charlotte home’s garage The North Port Police Department has arrested a man accused of DUI and crashing into a Port Charlotte home’s garage.
CLEWISTON Clewiston Animal Shelter improves but faces overcrowding challenges The Clewiston Animal Shelter has made significant improvements, but there is still work to be done to bring conditions to a more humane level.
Collier County beachgoers react to Gulf of America name change The Gulf of Mexico has been officially renamed the “Gulf of America” following an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump.
ENGLEWOOD Englewood Beach’s closure impacts local economy; businesses seek answers Business owners on Englewood Beach are growing increasingly anxious as they await the reopening of the beach, which has been closed since hurricanes Helene and Milton.
FORT MYERS BEACH Food truck park proposal on Estero Blvd divides Fort Myers Beach locals The Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency recently voted on whether to transform a vacant lot on Estero Boulevard into a food truck park.
CCSO works with ICE to catch suspects in Southwest Florida State lawmakers are working on a new immigration bill. Here in Southwest Florida, one county has been following strict guidelines on illegal immigration for quite some time.
Burn ban in effect for Collier County The Board of County Commissioners has authorized a burn ban in Collier County.
FGCU FGCU’s Zavian McLean shares student athlete experience with podcast FGCU men’s basketball guard Zavian McLean shares what its like to be a Division I student athlete in his podcast “Truey Talks.”
Locals react to egg price increase Egg prices continue to soar. In fact, prices have gone up about 37% from where they were just one year ago, and the pricing and supply issues have started to impact Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS BEACH Trump’s executive order on straws stirs debate in Fort Myers Beach President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order to bring back plastic straws, reversing a previous plan to reduce plastic reliance in the federal government.
Charlotte County official’s usage of racial slur prompts calls for resignation Charlotte County Commissioner Stephen Deutsch is under scrutiny after a complaint surfaced last week alleging he used the N-word during a work meeting.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral woman finds hope with new ALS drug A breakthrough discovery of a drug offers new hope for patients with a genetic form of the disease.
Elevate Florida program to help homeowners strengthen properties against storms The Florida Dept. of Emergency Management announced the launch of its new “Elevate Florida” residential mitigation program.
Planning and Zoning Board approves proposed West County area development Homebuilder Maronda Homes received approval Feb. 10 from the Charlotte County Planning and Zoning Board to amend a previously approved development on 1,174 acres in the area of South Gulf Cove.
LEHIGH ACRES 3 charged for major theft organization targeting luxury vehicles Three men, one from Lehigh Acres, has been charged for their role in a major theft organization targeting luxury vehicles.
port charlotte Man arrested for DUI after slamming into Port Charlotte home’s garage The North Port Police Department has arrested a man accused of DUI and crashing into a Port Charlotte home’s garage.
Leigh hugs one of the customers whose layaway her company paid off. (WINK News) We’re getting closer to Thanksgiving and Christmas and while we love this time of year, we know the season can be hard on your wallet. For some families, getting gifts under the tree is tough. But among the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, there’s someone really special: An “angel in the aisles” surprising people by paying off their layaways. We were only in Walmart for a few minutes when a mom came to pay her layaway, but the people at the register stopped her. “So is this for this darling girl here,” asked Leigh Clark, founder of Kindleigh. “It’s for her, a foster brother and my biological son,” said mom Stephanie. Stephanie is a new foster mom with more kids to care for this Christmas. On top of that, today is her birthday. “Bet you didn’t expect this when you walked into Walmart today,” asked WINK News’ Amanda Hall. “No. Actually I didn’t even plan on coming to Walmart. I had a little time free before picking up my son, so this was totally unexpected,” said Stephanie. Leigh Clark and Walmart employee Frank high five. (WINK News) The clerk rang up her treasures. Her bill? Cleared! Then, it was time to find another layaway to pay away. “I was just calling to inform you that your layaway balance has been paid off,” Walmart employee Frank said on the phone to another lucky customer. Leigh and Frank high fived and with that, shoppers rushed to the store to pick up their gifts. But, there was an extra surprise. “Here’s another $50 for you guys to spend at Walmart today, so happy to help,” said Leigh. “I’m glad they have organizations like this,” said Deanna. Kindleigh was started by Leigh as a way for other people to help pay off layaways. She said she learned years ago, you get joy by giving it. “In ’08 during the recession, I lost a really great job as a director of marketing and it was a really, a crossroads as a human: ‘Where is my purpose beyond my profession,’ said Leigh. “I heard about people who paid off layaways like the Tyler Perry and the Oprah and I’m not, like, NFL rich, but let me go pay one. It was like $40. It’s all I had at the time and I was like, I want to do more of this.” “Tell me why you have tears in your eyes,” Hall asked another customer, Kathy. “Becuase I was trying to figure out, just by coincidence, on the phone, when the phone rang, how I was going to pay what I needed to by the 15th, because I’m on disability and I couldn’t really afford it, but that’s what my granddaughter wanted, so I am so grateful, so grateful,” she said. Leigh hugs one of the customers whose layaway her company paid off. (WINK News) And that’s just it. What makes this mission of kindness so special is the people Leigh helps are so grateful, not because they’re getting a gift. Their gift is being able to give their kids or grandkids a Christmas morning with something special to open. “I appreciate this from all my heart, I really do,” said another customer touched by Leigh’s kindness. “We’re so happy to help you,” Leigh said. “Give me another hug.” It’s a reminder for all of us to be kind and help others, and it just might make you feel good too. Leigh says the organization pays off between 30 and 70 layaways every year, depending on the fundraising. If you’d like to help pay off someone’s layaway, you can donate by clicking here or texting “GIVE” to 917-781-1791. All donations are tax-deductible.