Naples police rescue injured owl outside station2 arrested for $1,500 vape theft at Port Charlotte gas station
NAPLES Naples police rescue injured owl outside station Naples police officers took on an unusual task when they rescued an injured owl outside the police department.
PORT CHARLOTTE 2 arrested for $1,500 vape theft at Port Charlotte gas station Two suspects were arrested early Sunday morning after allegedly stealing approximately $1,500 worth of vape products from a gas station in Port Charlotte.
WINK Neighborhood Watch: knife attack, robbery at gunpoint and hit-and-run This weekās segment ofĀ WINK Neighborhood WatchĀ features a knife attack, a robbery at gunpoint and a hit-and-run on a bicyclist.
FORT MYERS Former Uber driver convicted of rape to be sentenced Monday Felix Torres, a former Uber driver, was found guilty in December of raping one of his passengers and will be sentenced Monday.
the weather authority Sunnier, less humid day in store with highs in the low 70sĀ The Weather Authority says a pleasant day is in store for Southwest Florida, with much more sunshine than we saw on Saturday.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosenās Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Police department hosts annual Cops and Joggers 5K FMPD hosted the Cops and Joggers 5K event on Saturday. This unique experience takes attendees through the heart of Downtown Fort Myers.
Purple Heart Army veteran receives new home thanks to charity A Purple Heart Army veteran and his family entered their new accessible home on Saturday, thanks to the charity “Homes for Our Troops.”
CAPE CORAL Rain doesn’t stop crowds at 40th Annual Cape Coral Arts Festival For 40 years, the Cape Coral Arts Festival has drawn crowds from across Southwest Florida, showcasing a blend of small businesses from the region.
CAPE CORAL Sports trading card collecting going through “a generational reboot” The hobby of sports trading card collecting has been on the rise since 2020, especially in Southwest Florida with more card shows.
PUNTA GORDA 11th annual short film festival coming to Punta Gorda The Punta Gorda Englewood Beach Visitor Convention Bureau will host its 11th annual short film festival.
the weather authority Mild, breezy day on tap with more clouds than sun The Weather Authority says a brief line of showers, associated with a cold front, is moving through Southwest Florida Saturday morning.
ESTERO 1 injured after shooting at Coconut Point Mall According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, one person has been injured after a shooting at the Coconut Point Mall on Friday.
CAPE CORAL CCPD cruiser damaged after officer involved crash An officer-involved crash leaves a Cape Coral police cruiser smashed.
PORT CHARLOTTE Sweet’s Diner in Port Charlotte reopens After months of fundraising and rebuilding, this diner, which had a car fly-through it, is back open.
NAPLES Naples police rescue injured owl outside station Naples police officers took on an unusual task when they rescued an injured owl outside the police department.
PORT CHARLOTTE 2 arrested for $1,500 vape theft at Port Charlotte gas station Two suspects were arrested early Sunday morning after allegedly stealing approximately $1,500 worth of vape products from a gas station in Port Charlotte.
WINK Neighborhood Watch: knife attack, robbery at gunpoint and hit-and-run This weekās segment ofĀ WINK Neighborhood WatchĀ features a knife attack, a robbery at gunpoint and a hit-and-run on a bicyclist.
FORT MYERS Former Uber driver convicted of rape to be sentenced Monday Felix Torres, a former Uber driver, was found guilty in December of raping one of his passengers and will be sentenced Monday.
the weather authority Sunnier, less humid day in store with highs in the low 70sĀ The Weather Authority says a pleasant day is in store for Southwest Florida, with much more sunshine than we saw on Saturday.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosenās Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Police department hosts annual Cops and Joggers 5K FMPD hosted the Cops and Joggers 5K event on Saturday. This unique experience takes attendees through the heart of Downtown Fort Myers.
Purple Heart Army veteran receives new home thanks to charity A Purple Heart Army veteran and his family entered their new accessible home on Saturday, thanks to the charity “Homes for Our Troops.”
CAPE CORAL Rain doesn’t stop crowds at 40th Annual Cape Coral Arts Festival For 40 years, the Cape Coral Arts Festival has drawn crowds from across Southwest Florida, showcasing a blend of small businesses from the region.
CAPE CORAL Sports trading card collecting going through “a generational reboot” The hobby of sports trading card collecting has been on the rise since 2020, especially in Southwest Florida with more card shows.
PUNTA GORDA 11th annual short film festival coming to Punta Gorda The Punta Gorda Englewood Beach Visitor Convention Bureau will host its 11th annual short film festival.
the weather authority Mild, breezy day on tap with more clouds than sun The Weather Authority says a brief line of showers, associated with a cold front, is moving through Southwest Florida Saturday morning.
ESTERO 1 injured after shooting at Coconut Point Mall According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, one person has been injured after a shooting at the Coconut Point Mall on Friday.
CAPE CORAL CCPD cruiser damaged after officer involved crash An officer-involved crash leaves a Cape Coral police cruiser smashed.
PORT CHARLOTTE Sweet’s Diner in Port Charlotte reopens After months of fundraising and rebuilding, this diner, which had a car fly-through it, is back open.
Credit: WINK News If you filed for unemployment through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and were deemed ineligible, there may be some hope for you – but there’s a catch. You may still qualify for federal assistance, but you’ll have to reapply for benefits if you applied through the DEO on or before April 4. Tara Di Chiaro is among many who haven’t had any income for more than a month. “I’m a single mom of three, sole provider for five. What am I gonna do with nothing?” she asked. She’s also one of many who found out this week she’s “ineligible” for state unemployment benefits, with no reason given. Were you deemed ineligible? Florida House Rep. Anna Eskamani put together this guide on What To Do If You’re Ineligible in CONNECT. Labor and employment lawyer Ryan Barack calls the process “obscene,” saying the state “hasn’t provided the appropriate level of clarity to people as to what their next step should be.” But the DEO on Tuesday released guidance on how people can claim federal benefits. If you applied on or before April 4, you have to reapply to request federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). If you applied on or after April 5 and were deemed ineligible, the DEO says to monitor your account for more information to come. “It makes no logical sense to reject people, and then make them fill out the exact same information on a different form. Why not just process that form through all the available channels of money?” Barack asked. Di Chiaro said she feels the state is giving people like her the runaround – and time is running out. She said she doesn’t know what she’ll do if money doesn’t come in. “There’s no answer for that. Pray.” The state said there are many reasons someone may be deemed ineligible for state benefits, but dozens of people who spoke with WINK News said they still haven’t received any answers as to why they were denied. For detailed information on ELIGIBILITY and HOW TO APPLY for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) through the Florida CONNECT system, click here. Local lawmakers are offering help to their constituents with questions who are having trouble getting answers from the DEO. Find your local representative here. Rep. Spencer Roach (represents unincorporated areas of north and east Lee County) Cell: 239-336-4588 Email: Spencer.Roach@myfloridahouse.gov Rep. Dane Eagle (represents Cape Coral) Email: Dane.Eagle@myfloridahouse.gov MORE FROM FLORIDA DEO: Today, we announced that Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) is now available to all eligible Floridians. Many of the individuals that were deemed ineligible this weekend may be eligible for federal benefits through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. We have streamlined the claims process for all applicants in a one-stop shop, on our website at www.floridajobs.org. Floridians can click file a claim, and answer a few short questions that will lead them to the application for federal or state benefits. They may also call 1-833-FL-Apply (1-833-352-7759) for any questions they may have. Please review our latest press release here. Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program Again, many of the individuals that were deemed ineligible this weekend may be eligible for federal benefits through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. Applicants should utilize the following criteria when applying for PUA: Individuals who applied for the stateās Reemployment Assistance benefits on or after April 5,2020, and were deemed ineligible for state reemployment assistance benefits will receive additional application information from the Department. They can also visit www.floridajobs.org/cares-act for more information regarding these programs. Please advise these Floridians to monitor their accounts and email for additional information from the Department. Those who are self-employed, contract employees, gig workers, or others who applied for the stateās Reemployment Assistance benefits on or before April 4, 2020, should apply at www.FloridaJobs.org and select āFile a Claimā to request PUA. Unemployed Floridians who have not yet applied for any benefit should apply at www.FloridaJobs.org and will be considered for all existing programs, including PUA. State Reemployment Assistance Eligibility Many of your viewers have had questions regarding state reemployment assistance eligibility, there are numerous reasons someone could be deemed ineligible for state Reemployment Assistance benefits, including wage base period issues, lack of wage history, multiple claims in one year, separation circumstances, incomplete applications, among others. Each person deemed ineligible for state Reemployment Assistance receives a notification regarding their eligibility. For ongoing updates and information on unemployment, follow WINK News Investigative Reporter Sara Girard onĀ TwitterĀ andĀ Facebook. She also updates theĀ FAQ: Unemployment ResourcesĀ page as information is received.