ALVA Woodpeckers build home in Alva woman’s house You may have heard of squatters, but this woman is dealing with squawkers. Who needs a rooster to wake up when you have woodpeckers?
FORT MYERS Man claims he was trapped in a high-rise for 5 days A 77-year-old man wants justice after he claims he spent days trapped on the 24th floor of a high-rise apartment building.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte Correctional prisoner arrested for death of another inmate State Attorney Amira Fox convened a grand jury, which decided to move forward with a case against a Charlotte Correctional inmate.
SANIBEL Construction near Dairy Queen eagle nest on Sanibel raises concerns While many eagle nests may be a bit difficult to see, one nest has always been a favorite for Sanibel residents and tourists.
The environmental effects of artificial sweeteners Experts are studying how the foods we eat affect the environment, especially after we flush our waste down the toilet.
Victim reacts to man exposing himself to her Ring camera You get a notification on your phone from your ring camera app that someone is at the door, only to find out it is someone exposing themselves. It’s the last thing victim Maria Kivi wanted or expected to see last week.
LEE COUNTY The art of capturing your eye and drawing you in How do you capture young, hip, trendy, fun, movers and shakers, all in a pose? We take you behind the scenes of a Gulfshore Life cover shoot.
FORT MYERS The lives of two SJC Boxers changed in the ring Two SJC Boxers, Mario Nunez and Arbon Kurtishi, help each other in the ring as each of them had their lives changed because of boxing.
FORT MYERS Chlamydia cases rising sharply in Lee County If you think about a crowded space- something with more than 250 people- if it’s in Lee county, statistically one person has chlamydia.
SANIBEL Sanibel resort day passes hope to get more business on the island A pass will allow vacationers to hang out at a Sanibel beach club for a day in hopes of drumming up some business.
Voting equipment tested ahead of Lee County elections Voting equipment is being tested in Lee County. This is to ensure all ballots are printed and counted correctly for the upcoming election.
Collier County teen assaulted after leaving party The teen has been charged and the sheriff’s office said they’re aware that many believe felony charges are in order, but under Florida law, there are very specific criteria that must be met for felony charges to be filed.
WINK weather team watching tropical wave over Atlantic Ocean The Weather Authority is watching a tropical disturbance over the Central Atlantic Ocean.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral drug bust leads investigators to fake fentanyl, cash and guns Cape Coral man arrest on drug charges. Investigators said they found, guns, drugs, and more than $32,000 in Richard Riley’s home.
NAPLES Naples youth flag football team to compete in Ohio tournament This weekend, the Naples Lunatics Green will compete in the Superhero Sports tournament in Canton, Ohio.
ALVA Woodpeckers build home in Alva woman’s house You may have heard of squatters, but this woman is dealing with squawkers. Who needs a rooster to wake up when you have woodpeckers?
FORT MYERS Man claims he was trapped in a high-rise for 5 days A 77-year-old man wants justice after he claims he spent days trapped on the 24th floor of a high-rise apartment building.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte Correctional prisoner arrested for death of another inmate State Attorney Amira Fox convened a grand jury, which decided to move forward with a case against a Charlotte Correctional inmate.
SANIBEL Construction near Dairy Queen eagle nest on Sanibel raises concerns While many eagle nests may be a bit difficult to see, one nest has always been a favorite for Sanibel residents and tourists.
The environmental effects of artificial sweeteners Experts are studying how the foods we eat affect the environment, especially after we flush our waste down the toilet.
Victim reacts to man exposing himself to her Ring camera You get a notification on your phone from your ring camera app that someone is at the door, only to find out it is someone exposing themselves. It’s the last thing victim Maria Kivi wanted or expected to see last week.
LEE COUNTY The art of capturing your eye and drawing you in How do you capture young, hip, trendy, fun, movers and shakers, all in a pose? We take you behind the scenes of a Gulfshore Life cover shoot.
FORT MYERS The lives of two SJC Boxers changed in the ring Two SJC Boxers, Mario Nunez and Arbon Kurtishi, help each other in the ring as each of them had their lives changed because of boxing.
FORT MYERS Chlamydia cases rising sharply in Lee County If you think about a crowded space- something with more than 250 people- if it’s in Lee county, statistically one person has chlamydia.
SANIBEL Sanibel resort day passes hope to get more business on the island A pass will allow vacationers to hang out at a Sanibel beach club for a day in hopes of drumming up some business.
Voting equipment tested ahead of Lee County elections Voting equipment is being tested in Lee County. This is to ensure all ballots are printed and counted correctly for the upcoming election.
Collier County teen assaulted after leaving party The teen has been charged and the sheriff’s office said they’re aware that many believe felony charges are in order, but under Florida law, there are very specific criteria that must be met for felony charges to be filed.
WINK weather team watching tropical wave over Atlantic Ocean The Weather Authority is watching a tropical disturbance over the Central Atlantic Ocean.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral drug bust leads investigators to fake fentanyl, cash and guns Cape Coral man arrest on drug charges. Investigators said they found, guns, drugs, and more than $32,000 in Richard Riley’s home.
NAPLES Naples youth flag football team to compete in Ohio tournament This weekend, the Naples Lunatics Green will compete in the Superhero Sports tournament in Canton, Ohio.
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