Crews battle 2.5-acre brush fire near Alico and Eagle Village DriveJake’s story: A mother’s mission to share her son’s story and help other young people
ESTERO Crews battle 2.5-acre brush fire near Alico and Eagle Village Drive San Carlos Park Fire District is on the scene fighting a 2.5-acre brushfire near Alico and Eagle Village Drive.
FORT MYERS Jake’s story: A mother’s mission to share her son’s story and help other young people One Fort Myers mom is turning her pain into purpose after her son, who she refers to as her “heavenly Angel,” took his own life.
CAPE CORAL New renderings for the Cape Coral Yacht Club promise a bright future The Cape Coral Yacht Club, which has been part of this community since the 1960s, will now have a new look after Hurricane Ian’s devastating effects.
LEHIGH ACRES Owner bars public from Barefoot Lake, LCSO installs Watch Tower Every weekend, roughly 200 people go to Barefoot Lake in Lehigh Acres to relax, fish, swim and have a good time.
CAPE CORAL Concern over water shortage in Cape Coral Concern is flowing through Cape Coral as neighbors are seeing their canal levels low and their wells run dry.
FORT MYERS FSW softball swinging for success in the postseason Now their focus shifts to states which means the newbies are looking to the experienced sophomores for advice.
BONITA SPRINGS Young SWFL tennis player competing with professionals You may not know her name now, but you might want remember it because 16-year-old Cookie Jarvis-Tredgett is already competing with professionals.
NORTH NAPLES ‘It’s all about connection,’ Statement Peace makes jewelry with sustainability in mind The brand Statement Peace, once started inside founder Jessica Lee’s home, is now in 2,700 stores across the country
Pine Manor 2 arrested for firing gun at birthday party in Pine Manor A party ended with two people behind bars.
FORT MYERS Shooting investigation on busy Fort Myers street Police are conducting a shooting investigation that involves a traffic crash near Michigan Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard.
FGCU New FGCU athletic director Colin Hargis ready to build on department’s success New FGCU athletic director Colin Hargis talks about the department’s future amid the age of NIL and the transfer portal.
FORT MYERS More middle-aged women being treated for acne You probably thought you broke up with it after high school, but acne is rearing it’s ugly blackheads in adult women.
Lee County student ran up and hit teacher in head, report shows The report says a 13-year-old student ran up and smacked a teacher in the head because multiple classmates offered him money to do so.
NAPLES Collier Planning Commission continues discussion for apartments near Fiddler’s Creek The developer of Fiddler’s Creek wants to build hundreds of luxury apartments on a slice of a 600 acre-plus property known as section 29.
CAPE CORAL Fatigue sets in for third day of FEMA hearings Flying several hours to come to a FEMA code compliance hearing in Cape Coral is the reality for John Gasparini from Maryland.
ESTERO Crews battle 2.5-acre brush fire near Alico and Eagle Village Drive San Carlos Park Fire District is on the scene fighting a 2.5-acre brushfire near Alico and Eagle Village Drive.
FORT MYERS Jake’s story: A mother’s mission to share her son’s story and help other young people One Fort Myers mom is turning her pain into purpose after her son, who she refers to as her “heavenly Angel,” took his own life.
CAPE CORAL New renderings for the Cape Coral Yacht Club promise a bright future The Cape Coral Yacht Club, which has been part of this community since the 1960s, will now have a new look after Hurricane Ian’s devastating effects.
LEHIGH ACRES Owner bars public from Barefoot Lake, LCSO installs Watch Tower Every weekend, roughly 200 people go to Barefoot Lake in Lehigh Acres to relax, fish, swim and have a good time.
CAPE CORAL Concern over water shortage in Cape Coral Concern is flowing through Cape Coral as neighbors are seeing their canal levels low and their wells run dry.
FORT MYERS FSW softball swinging for success in the postseason Now their focus shifts to states which means the newbies are looking to the experienced sophomores for advice.
BONITA SPRINGS Young SWFL tennis player competing with professionals You may not know her name now, but you might want remember it because 16-year-old Cookie Jarvis-Tredgett is already competing with professionals.
NORTH NAPLES ‘It’s all about connection,’ Statement Peace makes jewelry with sustainability in mind The brand Statement Peace, once started inside founder Jessica Lee’s home, is now in 2,700 stores across the country
Pine Manor 2 arrested for firing gun at birthday party in Pine Manor A party ended with two people behind bars.
FORT MYERS Shooting investigation on busy Fort Myers street Police are conducting a shooting investigation that involves a traffic crash near Michigan Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard.
FGCU New FGCU athletic director Colin Hargis ready to build on department’s success New FGCU athletic director Colin Hargis talks about the department’s future amid the age of NIL and the transfer portal.
FORT MYERS More middle-aged women being treated for acne You probably thought you broke up with it after high school, but acne is rearing it’s ugly blackheads in adult women.
Lee County student ran up and hit teacher in head, report shows The report says a 13-year-old student ran up and smacked a teacher in the head because multiple classmates offered him money to do so.
NAPLES Collier Planning Commission continues discussion for apartments near Fiddler’s Creek The developer of Fiddler’s Creek wants to build hundreds of luxury apartments on a slice of a 600 acre-plus property known as section 29.
CAPE CORAL Fatigue sets in for third day of FEMA hearings Flying several hours to come to a FEMA code compliance hearing in Cape Coral is the reality for John Gasparini from Maryland.
Nicole Lawler, Elijia Velez, Austin Verbanac This weekly WINK News segment features fugitives from justice right here in Southwest Florida. This is your chance to help out the community and give the tip that gets these people off the street. These suspects need to be found – and you can help. If you have seen them, reach out to Crime Stoppers or your local law enforcement. Call 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). Here are three suspects wanted by Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers. Nicole Lawler Nicole Lawler (DOB 11/23/95) – wanted in Lee County for violation of probation – aggravated battery on a pregnant victim. This charge stems from a road rage incident in front of a local school. The victim made a u-turn but allowed the other driver to pass by first. Despite her courtesy, deputies say the driver and passenger (Nicole Lawler) flipped the victim off. When they were both stopped at a red light, Lawler got out of the vehicle and approached the victim’s driver-side door and was trying to get her to fight. The victim said she was pregnant and had no intention of fighting. Crime Stoppers say that response infuriated Lawler who then reached into the car and began punching the pregnant woman. Before the male driver could pull Lawler off, she managed to launch several strikes at the victim’s face. Lawler took off, but a witness and video from the school quickly helped track her down. In addition to this incident, Lawler also has two other local arrests. She is 5’4”, 130 pounds and was last known to be living in Gateway. And upon her arrest, she will be held without bond. Elijia Velez Elijia Velez (DOB 7/1/02) – he currently has four warrants for his arrest in Lee County on burglary, grand theft and weapons charges. Despite his young age, Velez has a violent criminal history and is known to associate with gang members. He is also listed as a missing person in Charlotte County, where he disappeared from in January. Detectives think he’s bouncing back and forth with “friends” in Cape Coral, Punta Gorda and North Port. He’s also got a history of armed robbery. Authorities in both Lee and Charlotte Counties are hoping someone can provide a location for him. He is 5’2”, 110 pounds. Austin Verbanac Austin Verbanac (DOB 9/27/89) – is wanted for violating probation in Fort Myers for trafficking in stolen property. Verbanac took into his possession several brand new golf carts that he knew were stolen. He then, in turn, posted them on social media for sale for a few hundred bucks, despite the fact that the golf carts were valued at $10,000. A skeptical buyer reported this to law enforcement, and Verbanac was charged accordingly. He’s been walking on the wrong side of the law most of his life, with his first felony at age 15 for burglary, then at age 16 for grand theft auto. As an adult, he’s been busted for the grand theft of a firearm x 4, evidence tampering, burglary with assault, DUI and hit and run. He’s spent a year in state prison, as well, for burglary. He has a tattoo of “239” on his left wrist, “cracker” on his left arm, “B Town” on his chest and the names Nikki and Norman on his neck. He is 5’11”, 240 pounds and is a registered convicted felon who was last known to be living in Bonita Springs. If you have a tip on the whereabouts of any of these wanted suspects contact Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers. All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers 1-800-780-TIPS (8477) or southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com