Tropical Depression #14 forms in the southwest Gulf of MexicoFree sandbag locations available ahead of this weekend’s heavy rainfall
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Tropical Depression #14 forms in the southwest Gulf of Mexico The Weather Authority is tracking Invest 92-L in the Western Gulf of Mexico which could develop into a named storm, leading to a week of heavy rain for Southwest Florida beginning Sunday.
Free sandbag locations available ahead of this weekend’s heavy rainfall The Weather Authority has been tracking a potential rainmaker that will impact our area from Sunday through Wednesday.
WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Week 7 Week seven was action packed for high school football teams all over southwest Florida. WINK News has the highlights and scores.
Baby girl born during Hurricane Helene A stork managed to fly through Hurricane Helen’s strong winds. Baby Addison Grace Hayes was born during the storm’s peak at Health Park Medical Center in Lee County.
SOUTHWEST FLOIRDA Southwest Florida prepares for approaching storms The southwest Florida community took on a lot of water during Hurricane Helene, and the approaching rainmaker this weekend is concerning for many living in flood-prone areas.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Exclusive: Eric Trump speaks to WINK News on father’s attempted assassination Former president Donald Trump is set to return to the site where he nearly lost his life in July and concerns over security are top of mind.
Potential increasing for tropical system to head towards Florida next week According to the Weather Authority, the potential is increasing for a tropical system to head towards Florida next week. The next name is Milton.
NORTH PORT North Port man accuses insurance carrier of fraud A North Port man went on 60 Minutes to accuse his home insurance carrier, Hertigate Insurance of fraud and worse.
PORT CHARLOTTE Concerns over drainage issues in Port Charlotte One community’s concern is about high water and flooding because of a poor drainage system in Port Charlotte.
IMMOKALEE Def Leppard, Brad Paisley and Train to headline Immokalee’s Harvest Nights Music Festival Def Leppard, Brad Paisley, Train and many more bands will be performing at Harvest Nights Music Festival in Immokalee this November.
Cape Coral makes flood preparations ahead of possible tropical system For the past week, many people have been focused on storm recovery, and now, as we go into this weekend, we could see more rain and flooded roadways.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral firefighter’s union works to strike deal First responders put their lives on the line for all of us every day. Now, Cape Coral firefighters are fighting back for better healthcare and pay.
Charlotte County volunteers lend a hand to those affected by Helene As communities clean up after Hurricane Helene and brace for more rain in the forecast, volunteers give much-appreciated help to those in need, showing off the camaraderie of southwest Florida.
Jewish Community in SWFL emotional ahead of Oct. 7 anniversary The one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas is approaching. The Jewish community continues to feel the lasting impact of that tragic day.
FORT MYERS Hurricane Helene causes rental car shortages Hurricane Helene has left a lasting impact on Southwest Florida, including the rental car situation at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Tropical Depression #14 forms in the southwest Gulf of Mexico The Weather Authority is tracking Invest 92-L in the Western Gulf of Mexico which could develop into a named storm, leading to a week of heavy rain for Southwest Florida beginning Sunday.
Free sandbag locations available ahead of this weekend’s heavy rainfall The Weather Authority has been tracking a potential rainmaker that will impact our area from Sunday through Wednesday.
WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Week 7 Week seven was action packed for high school football teams all over southwest Florida. WINK News has the highlights and scores.
Baby girl born during Hurricane Helene A stork managed to fly through Hurricane Helen’s strong winds. Baby Addison Grace Hayes was born during the storm’s peak at Health Park Medical Center in Lee County.
SOUTHWEST FLOIRDA Southwest Florida prepares for approaching storms The southwest Florida community took on a lot of water during Hurricane Helene, and the approaching rainmaker this weekend is concerning for many living in flood-prone areas.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Exclusive: Eric Trump speaks to WINK News on father’s attempted assassination Former president Donald Trump is set to return to the site where he nearly lost his life in July and concerns over security are top of mind.
Potential increasing for tropical system to head towards Florida next week According to the Weather Authority, the potential is increasing for a tropical system to head towards Florida next week. The next name is Milton.
NORTH PORT North Port man accuses insurance carrier of fraud A North Port man went on 60 Minutes to accuse his home insurance carrier, Hertigate Insurance of fraud and worse.
PORT CHARLOTTE Concerns over drainage issues in Port Charlotte One community’s concern is about high water and flooding because of a poor drainage system in Port Charlotte.
IMMOKALEE Def Leppard, Brad Paisley and Train to headline Immokalee’s Harvest Nights Music Festival Def Leppard, Brad Paisley, Train and many more bands will be performing at Harvest Nights Music Festival in Immokalee this November.
Cape Coral makes flood preparations ahead of possible tropical system For the past week, many people have been focused on storm recovery, and now, as we go into this weekend, we could see more rain and flooded roadways.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral firefighter’s union works to strike deal First responders put their lives on the line for all of us every day. Now, Cape Coral firefighters are fighting back for better healthcare and pay.
Charlotte County volunteers lend a hand to those affected by Helene As communities clean up after Hurricane Helene and brace for more rain in the forecast, volunteers give much-appreciated help to those in need, showing off the camaraderie of southwest Florida.
Jewish Community in SWFL emotional ahead of Oct. 7 anniversary The one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas is approaching. The Jewish community continues to feel the lasting impact of that tragic day.
FORT MYERS Hurricane Helene causes rental car shortages Hurricane Helene has left a lasting impact on Southwest Florida, including the rental car situation at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).
Notre Dame organist Johann Vexo sits at the Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church organ in North Naples with Jim Cochran, the church’s director of music, next to him, as Vexo performs for church guests Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020. Vexo is touring internationally to perform benefit concerts to help restore Notre Dame Cathedral after portions of it were destroyed by a fire April, 15, 2019. Credit: WINK News. Construction is still underway after a massive fire tore through the roof of the historic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. While the “Forest” of timbers may be gone, those who remember the cathedral at its finest definitely aren’t. We spoke to one of those people, who happened to be in Southwest Florida this weekend. Notre Dame organist Johann Vexo was inside the cathedral when the fire broke out. And, Sunday, Vexo was inside Vanderbilt Presbyterian Chruch in North Naples to play for others in his effort to raise money for the historic cathedral. The church was packed with concertgoers, and everyone had to squeeze to fit into the sanctuary. Some people had to stand in the narthex area of the church while they listened to Vexo play. And they did so willingly, as they were interested in his music and in the reason why he is playing it. Vexo has been playing the organ for as long as he can remember. He’s been an organist for the Notre Dame cathedral for 15 years. But it’s April 15, 2019 that will be forever etched in his mind. “It was maybe 10 or 15 minutes after the beginning of the mass, there was this alarm,” Vexo said. “So we were all very surprised because it was the first time we all heard that.” That alarm was the first indication that something was wrong. “The priest immediately stopped the reading, and nobody moved,” Vexo said. Vexo evacuated with everyone in the church. Then, he went back inside to talk with his colleagues. It wasn’t until after he returned home that he realized what that alarm really meant. “I saw by my window at home a very big cloud of yellow smoke, so I immediately made the connection and understood what happened,” Vexo said. “There was a fire over our heads, but we didn’t know.” That day was the last time Vexo stepped foot in the cathedral, and he does not want to go back until the cathedral is restored. “I just hope to see Notre Dame exactly as it was before the fire,” Vexo said. That’s why he’s been performing benefit concerts all over the world to raise money to rebuild Notre Dame. This weekend, Vexo played in front of hundreds at Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church. “Today, when we take the offering, every cent of that will go to the restoration of Notre Dame,” said Jim Cochran, the church’s director of music. Cochran said Vexo also received a sign of significant gratitude in his visit to North Naples, as he continues hi won journey to help repair something that provides meaning for others. “A very generous couple in the congregation stepped up and have underwritten the entire cost of Johann’s visit, Cochran said. Concertgoer Carole Saccocci did not miss a beat when she heard she would get the opportunity to hear Vexo play in her community. “The organist from the Notre Dame in Paris was playing right down the street from me,” Carole Saccocci said. “I just was overjoyed.” Vexo heads to Montreal, Canada Monday for another Notre Dame benefit concert. There, Cochran said Vexo is supposed to join two other Notre Dame organists. “No matter what happens, the music will go on, the music of Notre Dame,” Cochran said. “But I hope it will go on in the restored cathedral.”