Car fire causes traffic delays on I-75 in Collier County A car fire on Interstate 75 North is causing major traffic disruptions Sunday as crews work to extinguish the flames.
Could Florida see snow this week? The words “Florida” and “snow” rarely ever go together, but could the Sunshine State actually see some snowfall this week?
What’s open and closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day The United States will observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 20. Some businesses may be closed or have modified hours.
Southwest Floridians embrace D.C. inauguration despite changes Security is heightened in the nation’s capital as thousands gather for Monday’s inauguration. Among them are many Southwest Floridians who are eager to witness Donald Trump’s inauguration.
TikTok ban affects 170M users, including Southwest Florida residents TikTok users in the United States are facing a sudden disruption as the app is currently unavailable.
the weather authority Warm, breezy Sunday with scattered rain ahead of our next big cool down The Weather Authority says another warm, breezy day is upon us, with temperatures reaching the upper 70s in the afternoon.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s 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.
ESTERO Sheriff Showdown: Charity hockey game held for family of Elio Diaz The Lee County Sheriff’s Office faced the Suffolk County Sheriff’s hockey team in a Sheriff Showdown at Hertz Arena in Estero on Saturday.
FORT MYERS Demonstrators gather for Fort Myers Women’s March Dozens gathered at the intersection of Colonial Boulevard and US 41 in Fort Myers for the annual Women’s March on Saturday morning.
Two-vehicle crash causes rollover near Pine Ridge Road A two-vehicle crash occurred near Pine Ridge Road and Premiere Way late Saturday morning, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.
LCSO investigates early morning shooting near Wawa on Alico Road The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred early Saturday morning.
ENGLEWOOD Charlotte County deputies fatally shoot man in Englewood, investigation ongoing Deputies from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office shot and killed a man who was reportedly acting erratically.
the weather authority Warm weekend ahead with increased rain chances on the way The Weather Authority says a warm Saturday is on tap, with temperatures reaching the upper 70s into the afternoon.
Bodycam video shows warning signs from teen accused of killing mother In newly released body camera footage, a mother questions her son’s violence months before her murder.
Veteran injured in crash that killed wife WINK News has learned that a veteran’s wife was killed in a crash on Wednesday on State Road 82.
Car fire causes traffic delays on I-75 in Collier County A car fire on Interstate 75 North is causing major traffic disruptions Sunday as crews work to extinguish the flames.
Could Florida see snow this week? The words “Florida” and “snow” rarely ever go together, but could the Sunshine State actually see some snowfall this week?
What’s open and closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day The United States will observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 20. Some businesses may be closed or have modified hours.
Southwest Floridians embrace D.C. inauguration despite changes Security is heightened in the nation’s capital as thousands gather for Monday’s inauguration. Among them are many Southwest Floridians who are eager to witness Donald Trump’s inauguration.
TikTok ban affects 170M users, including Southwest Florida residents TikTok users in the United States are facing a sudden disruption as the app is currently unavailable.
the weather authority Warm, breezy Sunday with scattered rain ahead of our next big cool down The Weather Authority says another warm, breezy day is upon us, with temperatures reaching the upper 70s in the afternoon.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s 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.
ESTERO Sheriff Showdown: Charity hockey game held for family of Elio Diaz The Lee County Sheriff’s Office faced the Suffolk County Sheriff’s hockey team in a Sheriff Showdown at Hertz Arena in Estero on Saturday.
FORT MYERS Demonstrators gather for Fort Myers Women’s March Dozens gathered at the intersection of Colonial Boulevard and US 41 in Fort Myers for the annual Women’s March on Saturday morning.
Two-vehicle crash causes rollover near Pine Ridge Road A two-vehicle crash occurred near Pine Ridge Road and Premiere Way late Saturday morning, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.
LCSO investigates early morning shooting near Wawa on Alico Road The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred early Saturday morning.
ENGLEWOOD Charlotte County deputies fatally shoot man in Englewood, investigation ongoing Deputies from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office shot and killed a man who was reportedly acting erratically.
the weather authority Warm weekend ahead with increased rain chances on the way The Weather Authority says a warm Saturday is on tap, with temperatures reaching the upper 70s into the afternoon.
Bodycam video shows warning signs from teen accused of killing mother In newly released body camera footage, a mother questions her son’s violence months before her murder.
Veteran injured in crash that killed wife WINK News has learned that a veteran’s wife was killed in a crash on Wednesday on State Road 82.
Many businesses, particularly small businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic. Those in Charlotte County are no exception to the rule. Federal money received by the county has already started to assist those in need. We spoke to a couple in Charlotte County Friday whose small business has benefited from the grant money. Chris and Debbi Rompre wanted their business to add a sweet touch to Punta Gorda. But once the virus spread, they had to close down. “My wife and I put everything we had into this business, financially. We took a huge hit on that,” said Chris Rompre, the co-owner of TnD bakery. Their bakery was closed for more than a month. With that came a loss of about $10,000 for the Rompres. While that was a few months ago, they are still trying to recover from the hit they took. “We’re almost to the point where we couldn’t pay the bills, pay the rent here,” Chris added. But, Friday, their saving grace came in the mail. “Thank you so very much! Yay,” the couple exclaimed. In that envelope sits a check for $10,000 from Charlotte County Economic Development. The County received nearly $33 million in federal CARES Act funding and will send about $6.5 million to local businesses that are struggling. The Rompres wanted to make sure they gave thanks. “Thank God for you guys. We tried. We tried. I mean, we are a small business, and you kind of feel like you’re down at the bottom of the totem pole,” they said. Kay Tracy, the business recruitment manager for Charlotte County Economic Development wants small business owners like the Rompres to know the county has their back. “You guys are really important to our economic ecosystem,” Tracy said. “We hope that you guys are back and up and running And business as usual really soon.” TnD Bakery was one of 11 businesses that had their relief checks hand-delivered on Friday. More checks will be distributed this week. Chris hopes other businesses can be saved the way his and his wife’s was. “The $10,000 is just going to keep us going, keep our doors open,” he said. The Charlotte CARES Business Recovery Program will begin accepting its next round of applications on Thursday. Businesses will be granted up to $30,000 based on the number of employees they have. This includes those running vacation rentals and any business with a heavy economic impact. Per the Charlotte CARES for Business – Recovery Grant Program – Outline, Charlotte County said, “This year Charlotte County was assigned $32.9 million from the federal CARES Act approved by Congress. 20% of those funds, $6,580,000, will be given to qualified Charlotte County businesses by electronic application through the Recovery Grant Program.  The Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners have dedicated $1,645,000 to be allocated in four separate stages by business group.” Individuals and families can also still apply here. The remainder of the funds are currently unallocated.