SpaceX launches flight test; spacecraft visible in FloridaSovereign citizen claim complicates deputy-involved Charlotte County shooting case
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SpaceX launches flight test; spacecraft visible in Florida A mysterious sight in the sky had WINK News viewers buzzing, but there’s no need to worry. It’s not a UFO.
Sovereign citizen claim complicates deputy-involved Charlotte County shooting case A tense incident unfolded on Sandy Pine Drive in Charlotte County last October when deputies shot and killed a man in his driveway.
SANIBEL Sanibel’s water system faces climate challenges Sanibel Island is facing challenges as it balances its natural beauty with the demands of stormwater management.
FORT MYERS Travel tips ahead of spring break Spring break 2025 has arrived, and tourists are flocking to Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Pilot project tackles affordable housing gaps in Fort Myers Affordable housing is a pressing issue in Southwest Florida, driven by a growing population. The Florida Housing Coalition is working to ensure residents can afford a place to live.
ALVA Alva locals voice concerns over Lee County’s housing expansion plan Residents of Alva are grappling with changes as Lee County commissioners approved a significant development project that will transform their rural community.
Crews battling 12-acre brush fire in Charlotte County Crews are hard at work battling a 12-acre brush fire in Charlotte County.
Collier County man caught in $150K bank fraud at Fifth Third Bank Collier County deputies arrested a man accused of impersonating another individual and making fraudulent bank transactions exceeding $150,000.
SANIBEL Discover rare shells at Sanibel Shell Show The nation’s oldest and most esteemed shell show is currently taking place on Sanibel.
Lee County Fighting the bite: Soaring high to battle mosquitoes WINK News anchor Liz Biro had the chance to fly with the Lee County Mosquito Control District to see how they work to battle mosquitoes.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte wrestling ready for state tournament under strong leadership Fresh off of a regional title and a state runner-up finish in the dual team wrestling tournament, the Tarpons are fired up.
CAPE CORAL Managing allergies during peak season Springtime in Southwest Florida brings not only flowers and sunshine but also a wave of sneezes and sniffles.
COLLIER COUNTY One-on-one with FC Naples head coach Matt Poland WINK Sports Reporter Zach Oliveri sat down with FC Naples head coach Matt Poland to talk about the inaugural season.
Economist Jeremy Siegel favors Trump tax cuts, not tariffs During President Donald Trump’s first administration, longtime economic professor Jeremy Siegel received a request to join it as an economic adviser.
miami beach Gov. DeSantis announces safety efforts ahead of spring break Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced safety efforts in Florida ahead of spring break.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SpaceX launches flight test; spacecraft visible in Florida A mysterious sight in the sky had WINK News viewers buzzing, but there’s no need to worry. It’s not a UFO.
Sovereign citizen claim complicates deputy-involved Charlotte County shooting case A tense incident unfolded on Sandy Pine Drive in Charlotte County last October when deputies shot and killed a man in his driveway.
SANIBEL Sanibel’s water system faces climate challenges Sanibel Island is facing challenges as it balances its natural beauty with the demands of stormwater management.
FORT MYERS Travel tips ahead of spring break Spring break 2025 has arrived, and tourists are flocking to Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Pilot project tackles affordable housing gaps in Fort Myers Affordable housing is a pressing issue in Southwest Florida, driven by a growing population. The Florida Housing Coalition is working to ensure residents can afford a place to live.
ALVA Alva locals voice concerns over Lee County’s housing expansion plan Residents of Alva are grappling with changes as Lee County commissioners approved a significant development project that will transform their rural community.
Crews battling 12-acre brush fire in Charlotte County Crews are hard at work battling a 12-acre brush fire in Charlotte County.
Collier County man caught in $150K bank fraud at Fifth Third Bank Collier County deputies arrested a man accused of impersonating another individual and making fraudulent bank transactions exceeding $150,000.
SANIBEL Discover rare shells at Sanibel Shell Show The nation’s oldest and most esteemed shell show is currently taking place on Sanibel.
Lee County Fighting the bite: Soaring high to battle mosquitoes WINK News anchor Liz Biro had the chance to fly with the Lee County Mosquito Control District to see how they work to battle mosquitoes.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte wrestling ready for state tournament under strong leadership Fresh off of a regional title and a state runner-up finish in the dual team wrestling tournament, the Tarpons are fired up.
CAPE CORAL Managing allergies during peak season Springtime in Southwest Florida brings not only flowers and sunshine but also a wave of sneezes and sniffles.
COLLIER COUNTY One-on-one with FC Naples head coach Matt Poland WINK Sports Reporter Zach Oliveri sat down with FC Naples head coach Matt Poland to talk about the inaugural season.
Economist Jeremy Siegel favors Trump tax cuts, not tariffs During President Donald Trump’s first administration, longtime economic professor Jeremy Siegel received a request to join it as an economic adviser.
miami beach Gov. DeSantis announces safety efforts ahead of spring break Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced safety efforts in Florida ahead of spring break.
A head-on crash between a passenger van and a pickup truck early Friday on SR-82 in Collier County sent 13 people to the hospital. (Credit: WINK News) A head-on crash between a passenger van and a pickup truck early Friday on SR-82 in Collier County sent 13 people to the hospital. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a van carrying 15 passengers collided with a pickup on SR-82, east of Corkscrew Road in Collier County, at about 6:40 a.m. The force of the collision caused the van to overturn. Troopers said the pickup driver, a 20-year-old Fort Myers man, was trying to pass a slower vehicle and “used poor judgment” in passing. Thirteen people were transported to three different hospitals, with four critically or seriously injured – the van’s 33-year-old female driver and three passengers. The FHP said the van’s driver was wearing a seat belt but they aren’t yet sure if any passengers were. Rescuers had to cut apart the van to get to everyone. Lee Memorial Hospital’s Trauma Center also sent out a call for blood donations Friday morning as a result of the crash. For more information on donating, visit leehealth.org or call (239)343-2333 for the location of the Lee Health Blood Center nearest you. Crashes along SR-82, a two-lane road that stretches from Lee County into Collier County, aren’t uncommon. Signs and memorials of those who died on the road can be found along the route. “I get scared sometimes because it’s a dangerous road, I have to do it every day. My dad gets scared too … I would like to find a job closer to home so I don’t have to take this road so much,” said Sierrah Lopez of Lehigh Acres. “There’s always deadly crashes and crashes all the time here on 82,” said Nicole Saars of Lee County. The speed limit on SR-82 is 60 mph on some stretches, and it’s OK to pass, exactly what the pickup driver was trying to do Friday morning. “Right now, there’s really nowhere for us to swerve out of the way to avoid a crash,” Saars said. The crashes keep coming. “I mostly see one or two crashes like every two or three days, so it’s normal for us,” said Luis Maisonet. “A lot of people just take chances they shouldn’t,” said John Lepy of Lehigh Acres. Submit Copyright ©2025 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.