BONITA SPRINGS Massive fire severely damages Bonita Springs home Multiple fire crews responded to a massive fire that damaged a home located near Thornbury Lane in Bonita Springs.
WINK NEWS 9/11 remembrance events across Southwest Florida Commemorating 9/11 honors those who died, celebrates the unity that followed, and reminds us of the lasting effects on global security.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump face off at the presidential debate Former president Trump and vice president Harris just wrapped up their first and likely only debate before Americans go to the polls.
CAPE CORAL Voters react to presidential debate The voters WINK News spoke to said they had their minds made up before the first question could drop, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t still excited to watch.
NORTH FORT MYERS Caught on Video: man ignites North Fort Myers house on fire We spoke with the mother of the family that lives in the home. She said both her husband and her 6-year-old son were in bed when she saw an orange glow coming from the front window; then, she saw flames.
Siblings left homeless after fire in Collier County A family is recovering from the flames after a lawnmower fire in Collier County left three siblings homeless.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral says they’ll help neighbors forced to vacate but community still has questions We’ve reported on the plans by Cape Coral to acquire 19 acres east of Bimini Basin, and how it will force the families currently living in those properties out.
Collier County commissioners oppose Amendment 3 This comes less than 24 hours after former President Donald Trump told the world he would vote for Amendment 3.
PHILADELPHIA Florida political analyst weighs in ahead of presidential debate Tonight may be the only chance viewers will get to see Kamala Harris and Donald Trump together on the debate stage.
LEHIGH ACRES Renewed call for guardrails following fatal Lehigh Acres canal crash A car flying into a canal, killing a 47-year-old man, has many raising the question of how it can be stopped from happening again.
Charlotte County Schools reflects on Guardian program 1 year later Charlotte County is getting a better idea of how armed people in its schools are doing. Last school year was the first entire year Charlotte County Schools had the guardian program in place.
PUNTA GORDA Public notice of pollution submitted for the Peace River There are reports of chemicals, oils and contaminants polluting the Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Garden.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers neighbors work to stop parking lot A city sees a warehouse just south of Palm Beach Boulevard as a spot they can use for a brand new parking lot, but the people who live in the neighborhood are telling the city to think twice.
NAPLES Collier middle school student arrested for carrying knife A Manatee Middle School student has been arrested after a knife was found in his backpack at school.
FORT MYERS Suspect arrested in Papa Johns armed robbery A man has been arrested in connection with a robbery of a Fort Myers pizza shop.
BONITA SPRINGS Massive fire severely damages Bonita Springs home Multiple fire crews responded to a massive fire that damaged a home located near Thornbury Lane in Bonita Springs.
WINK NEWS 9/11 remembrance events across Southwest Florida Commemorating 9/11 honors those who died, celebrates the unity that followed, and reminds us of the lasting effects on global security.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump face off at the presidential debate Former president Trump and vice president Harris just wrapped up their first and likely only debate before Americans go to the polls.
CAPE CORAL Voters react to presidential debate The voters WINK News spoke to said they had their minds made up before the first question could drop, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t still excited to watch.
NORTH FORT MYERS Caught on Video: man ignites North Fort Myers house on fire We spoke with the mother of the family that lives in the home. She said both her husband and her 6-year-old son were in bed when she saw an orange glow coming from the front window; then, she saw flames.
Siblings left homeless after fire in Collier County A family is recovering from the flames after a lawnmower fire in Collier County left three siblings homeless.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral says they’ll help neighbors forced to vacate but community still has questions We’ve reported on the plans by Cape Coral to acquire 19 acres east of Bimini Basin, and how it will force the families currently living in those properties out.
Collier County commissioners oppose Amendment 3 This comes less than 24 hours after former President Donald Trump told the world he would vote for Amendment 3.
PHILADELPHIA Florida political analyst weighs in ahead of presidential debate Tonight may be the only chance viewers will get to see Kamala Harris and Donald Trump together on the debate stage.
LEHIGH ACRES Renewed call for guardrails following fatal Lehigh Acres canal crash A car flying into a canal, killing a 47-year-old man, has many raising the question of how it can be stopped from happening again.
Charlotte County Schools reflects on Guardian program 1 year later Charlotte County is getting a better idea of how armed people in its schools are doing. Last school year was the first entire year Charlotte County Schools had the guardian program in place.
PUNTA GORDA Public notice of pollution submitted for the Peace River There are reports of chemicals, oils and contaminants polluting the Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Garden.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers neighbors work to stop parking lot A city sees a warehouse just south of Palm Beach Boulevard as a spot they can use for a brand new parking lot, but the people who live in the neighborhood are telling the city to think twice.
NAPLES Collier middle school student arrested for carrying knife A Manatee Middle School student has been arrested after a knife was found in his backpack at school.
FORT MYERS Suspect arrested in Papa Johns armed robbery A man has been arrested in connection with a robbery of a Fort Myers pizza shop.
The media, SWFL business owners and FGCU leadership gather for the RESTART SWFL announcement on Tuesday, May 19, 2020. Photo: Kyle McCurry/FGCU Leaders at two of Florida Gulf Coast University’s colleges will unite to help companies restart operations to get businesses going again amid pandemic recovery. At Jason’s Deli, sanitation is key for Diana Willis, co-owner of Jason’s Deli of Southwest Florida franchise. “We follow very high safety standards as a general rule. We started immediately cleaning and sanitizing everything to the nth degree,” Willis explained. Not only do employees wear masks and gloves, but everything gets wiped down regularly. Like many businesses, Willis said her restaurants have taken a huge hit during the pandemic. “It just really took down sales from, you know, normal sales to about 90% down … We had empty dining rooms so what do you do — you clean.” As more businesses begin to reopen, FGCU’s Lutgert College of Business Dean Chris Westley said one of the biggest challenges will be winning back consumer confidence. That’s why the university launched a new initiative called RESTART SWFL, a collaboration between the college of business and Marieb College of Health & Human Services. Westley said they “will launch a series of free web-based discussions led by experts at Lutgert and Marieb. Along with community leaders, these will assist businesses in complying with new standards in hygiene and best practices for business.” Those who take two free classes from FGCU and take a pledge will receive a seal to let customers know they’re practicing safe hygiene. It’s a big benefit for Ivane Severe, who just re-opened Severe Beauty Salon. “I’ve got to rebuild clients,” Severe said. “I’ve got to rebuild money, I’ve got to rebuild the business again.” Additionally, RESTART SWFL features an expanded FGCU Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Studies show that two-fifths of businesses forced to close because of a disaster never reopen. To help businesses regain their footing and thrive, the SBDC offers a range of services that include recovery plan assistance, cybersecurity training, risk assessment and other invaluable tools at little to no cost. The SBDC recently added staff members in anticipation of greater need. For additional information about RESTART SWFL, panel discussion schedules, RESTART SWFL Seal of Confidence registration and other COVID-19 resources, visit FGCU.edu/restart.