Car engulfed in flames on West Villages Parkway in SarasotaCaloosahatchee Bridge faces traffic delays due to FDOT project
Car engulfed in flames on West Villages Parkway in Sarasota A head-on collision that ended in a fire occurred on River Road, south of West Villages Parkway, in Sarasota County.
Caloosahatchee Bridge faces traffic delays due to FDOT project Motorists on the Caloosahatchee Bridge in Fort Myers faced severe traffic delays due to the Florida Department of Transportation pedestrian walkway project.
31 endangered Florida panthers killed in 2024; breaks record for most deaths in a year A grim record has been broken, as another endangered Florida panther has been slain by a vehicle on Interstate 75 in Collier County.
CAPE CORAL “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign underway in Cape Coral The Cape Coral Fire Department has launched its 12th annual “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign.
the weather authority Cool weather with abundant sunshine this Tuesday The Weather Authority is tracking cooler temperatures, with abundant sunshine expected this Tuesday afternoon.
Better Business Bureau alerts public to rise in fake pet ads The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about the rise of fraudulent pet adoption schemes during the holiday season.
FORT MYERS Boy with autism drowns in Fort Myers pond A Fort Myers family is heartbroken they will never get see their little boy running around smiling again after he drowned in Lee County.
NAPLES Man arrested for sex crimes with underage girl on Naples Pier A Naples man has been arrested for allegedly having sex with a minor on the Naples Pier.
Page Field Opportunities await in Lee County’s Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program Lee County will soon have a new civil air patrol squadron, but they need people interested in joining to make this happen.
Southwest Florida leaders react to President Biden’s pardon of Hunter Biden Southwest Florida leaders are weighing in Monday evening on President Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter.
Who is responsible for the Black Friday traffic nightmare at Miromar Outlets? Thousands of people were trapped in their cars for hours at Miromar Outlets in Estero on Black Friday. On Monday, WINK News obtained the contract between the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Miromar Outlets, which sheds light on how traffic got as bad as it did.
FGCU FGCU volleyball heads to Salt Lake City for NCAA Tournament FGCU volleyball is off to Salt Lake City to compete in its fourth straight NCAA Tournament, starting with fifth-seed Marquette in the first round.
New cameras crackdown on speeding in school zones Hendry County Schools has launched a program to crack down on speeding in school zones.
Online vs. in-store: How shoppers are tackling Cyber Monday Just when you thought it was safe to put your credit card away, Cyber Monday takes another bite out of your budget.
NAPLES Shy Wolf Sanctuary receives $150,000 donation The Shy Wolf Sanctuary, one of Naples’s hidden gems, is now benefiting from a healthy donation from Thomas Golisano.
Car engulfed in flames on West Villages Parkway in Sarasota A head-on collision that ended in a fire occurred on River Road, south of West Villages Parkway, in Sarasota County.
Caloosahatchee Bridge faces traffic delays due to FDOT project Motorists on the Caloosahatchee Bridge in Fort Myers faced severe traffic delays due to the Florida Department of Transportation pedestrian walkway project.
31 endangered Florida panthers killed in 2024; breaks record for most deaths in a year A grim record has been broken, as another endangered Florida panther has been slain by a vehicle on Interstate 75 in Collier County.
CAPE CORAL “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign underway in Cape Coral The Cape Coral Fire Department has launched its 12th annual “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign.
the weather authority Cool weather with abundant sunshine this Tuesday The Weather Authority is tracking cooler temperatures, with abundant sunshine expected this Tuesday afternoon.
Better Business Bureau alerts public to rise in fake pet ads The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about the rise of fraudulent pet adoption schemes during the holiday season.
FORT MYERS Boy with autism drowns in Fort Myers pond A Fort Myers family is heartbroken they will never get see their little boy running around smiling again after he drowned in Lee County.
NAPLES Man arrested for sex crimes with underage girl on Naples Pier A Naples man has been arrested for allegedly having sex with a minor on the Naples Pier.
Page Field Opportunities await in Lee County’s Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program Lee County will soon have a new civil air patrol squadron, but they need people interested in joining to make this happen.
Southwest Florida leaders react to President Biden’s pardon of Hunter Biden Southwest Florida leaders are weighing in Monday evening on President Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter.
Who is responsible for the Black Friday traffic nightmare at Miromar Outlets? Thousands of people were trapped in their cars for hours at Miromar Outlets in Estero on Black Friday. On Monday, WINK News obtained the contract between the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Miromar Outlets, which sheds light on how traffic got as bad as it did.
FGCU FGCU volleyball heads to Salt Lake City for NCAA Tournament FGCU volleyball is off to Salt Lake City to compete in its fourth straight NCAA Tournament, starting with fifth-seed Marquette in the first round.
New cameras crackdown on speeding in school zones Hendry County Schools has launched a program to crack down on speeding in school zones.
Online vs. in-store: How shoppers are tackling Cyber Monday Just when you thought it was safe to put your credit card away, Cyber Monday takes another bite out of your budget.
NAPLES Shy Wolf Sanctuary receives $150,000 donation The Shy Wolf Sanctuary, one of Naples’s hidden gems, is now benefiting from a healthy donation from Thomas Golisano.
2020 Child Artist – Ellie O’Neal (photo by Mark Schoenfelt) Ellie O’Neal, born at just 23 weeks gestation, was brought into the world at just 1 pound, 3 ounces. Dubbed a “micro-preemie,” she was born while still inside her amniotic sac, which is likely what protected her during her unexpected and early arrival. “You picture yourself holding your newborn in the hospital, but it would be 37 days until I could hold Ellie,” said her mother, Christine O’Neal. “Throughout her stay, I was at her side, and the Golisano Children’s Hospital NICU became our new normal.” Ellie experienced complications that are not uncommon for a newborn her size. She suffered a brain bleed and was diagnosed with aggressive Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP.) Her age and birthweight put her at a greater risk for the ROP to become a sight-threatening disease or cause her to become blind. That grim outlook didn’t stop Dr. Jessica Kovarick, a pediatric ophthalmologist at Golisano Children’s Hospital, from doing her best to save Ellie’s sight. Without treatment, she’d have a 50% chance of blindness. 2020 Child Artist Ellie O’Neal (right) with big brother Connor (photo by Mark Schoenfelt) “In the 80s, babies with ROP would go blind,” said Dr. Kovarik. “Now, if we catch the disease early and immediately start treatment, we can save a child’s sight.” That treatment required injections in both of her eyes to stop the “bad” blood cells from growing and causing the retina to detach. At first, Ellie responded well to the treatment, but eventually, it recurred and she required a second injection and, eventually, surgery. In this kind of situation, at least some vision impairment was expected. However, Ellie again defied her odds and today enjoys full vision. “Despite everything, her vision is normal,” said Kovarik. “And that’s a miracle, considering how early she was born.” “The fight in this little girl is so strong – she’s a warrior,” her dad said, through tears. “Look out world, between her stubbornness and tenacity, I’m confident she will do something amazing.” 2020 Child Artist Painting “Do You See What I See” Ellie was chosen as the SWFL Children’s Charities’ 2020 Child Artist. She created a one-of-a-kind piece of art: “A painting that reflects the beautiful colors that she now sees thanks to the care she received at Golisano Children’s Hospital.” The vibrant painting, called “Do You See What I See?,” will be featured during the 2020 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest where auction-goers can raise their paddles in support of Ellie and her art. Bids for Ellie’s painting will start at $5,000. The 2018 child art raised $150,000. As is tradition, the painting will be donated back to the hospital, where it will be displayed for patients, families, visitors and staff to enjoy. The child artist program has raised more than $1.2 million over 11 years to benefit pediatric care at Golisano Children’s Hospital of SWFL. It’s the only children’s hospital to serve the five-county region. The 2020 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest will celebrate its 12th year on Feb. 21-22, 2020. The two-day event is themed “Painting a Difference: Putting Kids First” and will feature Chef Vintner Dinners on Friday and the Grand Tasting and Live Auction on Saturday at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs. To learn more about the 2020 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest, please visit www.swflwinefest.org.