Van catches fire after crash with trailer in North Fort Myers2nd teen accused in Kayla Rincon-Miller murder case to appear in court
NORTH FORT MYERS Van catches fire after crash with trailer in North Fort Myers Several crews are responding to a crash that involved a work van and a truck pulling a trailer in North Fort Myers this morning.
CAPE CORAL 2nd teen accused in Kayla Rincon-Miller murder case to appear in court A 16-year-old is facing adult charges for his alleged role in the murder of 15-year-old Kayla Rincon-Miller.
the weather authority Hotter and drier day ahead with isolated storms staying inland The Weather Authority is tracking a hot and dry Tuesday morning with inland isolated storms expected in the afternoon.
Cape Canaveral Streaming Now: Gov. DeSantis holds news conference in Cape Canaveral Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Cape Canaveral.
WINK News Lee County School Board to hold a transportation workshop With one month left for the academic year, parents’ concerns have turned to frustration as buses struggle to get kids to and from school.
Readying for hurricane season with Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Hurricane season is rapidly approaching as Floridians prep for potential storms with the upcoming Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday.
NAPLES Increasing amount of homeless seniors in SWFL Saint Matthew House told Wink News that 20% of the people they shelter are over 60 years old.
NAPLES Man suspected of threatening pickelballers with machete A man has been arrested after authorities said he chased a group of pickleball players off a Naples court.
NAPLES Turtle Club in Naples reopens Following a 19-month closure because of Hurricane Ian, the Turtle Club has reopened.
FORT MYERS BEACH Hurricane season preparations at Lee County construction sites Many already know the drill when hurricane season is around the corner.
SANIBEL Bones found on Sanibel concern beachgoers A husband and wife found what appeared to be bones. What type and where they came from is being investigated.
FGCU FGCU president reflects on first year with graduating class Alico Arena was packed this weekend as Florida Gulf Coast University graduated 1,900 students in four ceremonies.
Reverse shoulder replacement offers new approach to pain management Shoulder replacement is the third most common replacement in the US, following hip and knee replacement.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Lee County teachers bargain for new raises Kevin Daly is the voice of the Lee County Teachers Union, and he says he knows firsthand the struggle teachers experience across the state.
FORT MYERS New Starbucks off Colonial expected to add to traffic headaches It’s a venti-sized traffic nightmare. That’s how Gina O’Donnell envisions the future of this plaza.
NORTH FORT MYERS Van catches fire after crash with trailer in North Fort Myers Several crews are responding to a crash that involved a work van and a truck pulling a trailer in North Fort Myers this morning.
CAPE CORAL 2nd teen accused in Kayla Rincon-Miller murder case to appear in court A 16-year-old is facing adult charges for his alleged role in the murder of 15-year-old Kayla Rincon-Miller.
the weather authority Hotter and drier day ahead with isolated storms staying inland The Weather Authority is tracking a hot and dry Tuesday morning with inland isolated storms expected in the afternoon.
Cape Canaveral Streaming Now: Gov. DeSantis holds news conference in Cape Canaveral Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Cape Canaveral.
WINK News Lee County School Board to hold a transportation workshop With one month left for the academic year, parents’ concerns have turned to frustration as buses struggle to get kids to and from school.
Readying for hurricane season with Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Hurricane season is rapidly approaching as Floridians prep for potential storms with the upcoming Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday.
NAPLES Increasing amount of homeless seniors in SWFL Saint Matthew House told Wink News that 20% of the people they shelter are over 60 years old.
NAPLES Man suspected of threatening pickelballers with machete A man has been arrested after authorities said he chased a group of pickleball players off a Naples court.
NAPLES Turtle Club in Naples reopens Following a 19-month closure because of Hurricane Ian, the Turtle Club has reopened.
FORT MYERS BEACH Hurricane season preparations at Lee County construction sites Many already know the drill when hurricane season is around the corner.
SANIBEL Bones found on Sanibel concern beachgoers A husband and wife found what appeared to be bones. What type and where they came from is being investigated.
FGCU FGCU president reflects on first year with graduating class Alico Arena was packed this weekend as Florida Gulf Coast University graduated 1,900 students in four ceremonies.
Reverse shoulder replacement offers new approach to pain management Shoulder replacement is the third most common replacement in the US, following hip and knee replacement.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Lee County teachers bargain for new raises Kevin Daly is the voice of the Lee County Teachers Union, and he says he knows firsthand the struggle teachers experience across the state.
FORT MYERS New Starbucks off Colonial expected to add to traffic headaches It’s a venti-sized traffic nightmare. That’s how Gina O’Donnell envisions the future of this plaza.
Credit: WINK News. The City of Cape Coral wants the Chiquita Lock gone, but environmentalists say it will cause problems and want it to stay. A state judge agrees the lock should remain. The decision on the Chiquita Lock has been the topic of controversy for months. Boaters have complained about the wait times at the lock. Getting in and out of this spot can get busy, especially during season. But a state judge’s 50-page recommendation says the wait is worth it. Cape Coral city leaders have tried for years to get rid of the Chiquita Lock, and the Florida Department of Environment Protection recently approved the removal of it. Yolanda Olsen lives in Cape Coral and is one of the petitioners fighting to keep the Chiquita Lock in place. She is happy the state judge supports those who want to keep it in place. “The lock was designed years ago to protect the mangroves and to separate Cape Coral’s nasty stormwater from the estuary,” Olsen said. “And that hasn’t changed.” After months of review, Judge Francine Ffolkes says she agrees the lock should not be removed. In her recommendation Thursday, she said, “The project will adversely affect the public interest factors associated with the wetlands, fish and wildlife and their habitat.” MORE: Judge Francine Ffolkes recommendation order for Chiquita Lock In an email response, a Cape Coral city spokesperson confirmed the city received Ffolkes’ recommendation to keep Chiquita Lock. “The city received the order, which contains a ruling against the city and Department of Environmental Protection,” the spokesperson shared in a statement. “The city attorney will be discussing the ruling and next steps with the mayor and council members.” The city spokesperson went on to say they could not provide additional information while the Chiquita Lock decision remains a legal matter. We also emailed Cape Coral Mayor Joe Coviello who shared a similar response to the city. “We need stop signs. We need school bus safety,” Olsen said. “I would rather my tax dollars not be spent on it” Ffolkes’ recommendation is not a final decision on the matter. Next, the issue heads to environmental protection officials. The department will make the ultimate decision and decide whether to accept the judge’s recommendation. The review by DEP is expected in March 2020. Matlacha Civic Association is among the petitioners fighting to keep Chiquita Lock, stressing environmental hazards that could manifest if it’s removed. Attorney J. Michael Hannon shared a statement with us that expressed his appreciation toward those who have stood against the removal of the lock. “I am so appreciative of [petitioners] Kevin [Erwin] and John [Cassani], as well as the five citizens who took personal responsibility to stand up for Clean Water,” Hannon said in his statement. “The judge’s recommended order is an indictment of DEP, whom we expect to protect the environment, not conspire with Cape Coral. As for Cape Coral, do its taxpayers know the hundreds of thousands of dollars that were paid to Tallahassee lawyers and bogus experts? Let’s get an accounting.”