Fort Myers City council faces backlash over ICE partnershipCollier County teen hospitalized after protecting friend from dating violence incident
FORT MYERS Fort Myers City council faces backlash over ICE partnership The Fort Myers City Council’s partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been a point of contention
NAPLES Collier County teen hospitalized after protecting friend from dating violence incident A 17-year-old hero is fighting for his life in the hospital after a violent incident in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers fire officials urge honesty to aid investigations, ensure safety The Fort Myers Fire Department is urging the community to be open and honest during fire investigations.
WWII veteran recalls life as a woman in war While many are familiar with the stories of men who served in World War II, the women who served also played a crucial role in shaping history.
Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for March 26, 2025 WINK News is back with Most Wanted Wednesday, spotlighting some of Southwest Florida’s most sought-after criminals. This initiative, in collaboration with Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers, aims to aid law enforcement by sharing crucial information about individuals they are trying to locate. This week, authorities are searching for Arquesha Brown in Fort Myers. The 47-year-old was […]
Florida Panther caught on camera mimicking house cat behavior A new video of a Florida Panther shows that these wild animals have more in common with house cats than you might think.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers councilman proposes cameras for McGregor Blvd school zones Fort Myers may soon see new traffic cameras installed in school zones along McGregor Boulevard.
AI in Florida insurance: New bill demands human review Lawmakers have proposed a bill to ensure that artificial intelligence (AI) cannot be the sole factor in denying insurance claims. This includes claims for home, auto, or health insurance.
ESTERO Estero teen to play in third Augusta National Women’s Amateur Estero 17-year-old Gianna Clemente is making her third appearance in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach timeshare owners await answers on delayed repairs Two and a half years after Hurricane Ian, timeshare owners at Mariners Boathouse and Windward Passage Resort on Fort Myers Beach are still unable to access their properties.
Lake Okeechobee water ruling favors clean water advocates in Florida Water quality advocates celebrated a victory after a lawsuit from three Florida sugar companies was rejected in court.
NAPLES Naples actors help Collier deputies train for high-stakes crisis scenarios The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is taking innovative steps to prepare its deputies for unpredictable situations.
FORT MYERS BEACH New traffic plan seeks to improve Fort Myers Beach fire response A new traffic plan on the Matanzas Pass Bridge seeks to get first responders to Fort Myers Beach faster.
SANIBEL SCCF weather stations destroyed by Hurricane Ian, operational again The powerful storm had swept away all three weather stations of the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation. After nearly two and a half years, the RECON Weather System is back online, bringing vital information to the community.
CAPE CORAL Mariner’s Maximus Brady achieves historic fourth state wrestling title Mariner High School wrestler Maximus Brady won his fourth straight state championship, becoming just the second in Lee County to do so.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers City council faces backlash over ICE partnership The Fort Myers City Council’s partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been a point of contention
NAPLES Collier County teen hospitalized after protecting friend from dating violence incident A 17-year-old hero is fighting for his life in the hospital after a violent incident in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers fire officials urge honesty to aid investigations, ensure safety The Fort Myers Fire Department is urging the community to be open and honest during fire investigations.
WWII veteran recalls life as a woman in war While many are familiar with the stories of men who served in World War II, the women who served also played a crucial role in shaping history.
Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for March 26, 2025 WINK News is back with Most Wanted Wednesday, spotlighting some of Southwest Florida’s most sought-after criminals. This initiative, in collaboration with Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers, aims to aid law enforcement by sharing crucial information about individuals they are trying to locate. This week, authorities are searching for Arquesha Brown in Fort Myers. The 47-year-old was […]
Florida Panther caught on camera mimicking house cat behavior A new video of a Florida Panther shows that these wild animals have more in common with house cats than you might think.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers councilman proposes cameras for McGregor Blvd school zones Fort Myers may soon see new traffic cameras installed in school zones along McGregor Boulevard.
AI in Florida insurance: New bill demands human review Lawmakers have proposed a bill to ensure that artificial intelligence (AI) cannot be the sole factor in denying insurance claims. This includes claims for home, auto, or health insurance.
ESTERO Estero teen to play in third Augusta National Women’s Amateur Estero 17-year-old Gianna Clemente is making her third appearance in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach timeshare owners await answers on delayed repairs Two and a half years after Hurricane Ian, timeshare owners at Mariners Boathouse and Windward Passage Resort on Fort Myers Beach are still unable to access their properties.
Lake Okeechobee water ruling favors clean water advocates in Florida Water quality advocates celebrated a victory after a lawsuit from three Florida sugar companies was rejected in court.
NAPLES Naples actors help Collier deputies train for high-stakes crisis scenarios The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is taking innovative steps to prepare its deputies for unpredictable situations.
FORT MYERS BEACH New traffic plan seeks to improve Fort Myers Beach fire response A new traffic plan on the Matanzas Pass Bridge seeks to get first responders to Fort Myers Beach faster.
SANIBEL SCCF weather stations destroyed by Hurricane Ian, operational again The powerful storm had swept away all three weather stations of the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation. After nearly two and a half years, the RECON Weather System is back online, bringing vital information to the community.
CAPE CORAL Mariner’s Maximus Brady achieves historic fourth state wrestling title Mariner High School wrestler Maximus Brady won his fourth straight state championship, becoming just the second in Lee County to do so.
Alexis Mora-Reyes (left) and Lilibeth Martinez (Credit: CCSO booking photos) Two Panama City residents are facing charges in Charlotte County after deputies say they found them with drugs in a stolen vehicle. The sheriff’s office says the pair were found early Wednesday in a car parked “extremely close” to a Ford F-350 tow truck at the Hampton Inn on Sandhill Boulevard in Port Charlotte. “Due to the suspicious behavior and the close proximity to a vehicle frequently targeted and used in the commission of other vehicle thefts, deputies proceeded to make contact with the driver,” CCSO said in a release. The driver was identified as Lilibeth Martinez and the passenger was identified as Alexis Mora-Reyes. Martinez gave deputies a Florida ID card and it was found that her driver’s license had been suspended. Mora-Reyes was found to be on felony probation due to felony driving charges, according to the sheriff’s office. Martinez was placed under arrest for driving with a suspended license. Deputies also found a glass pipe with methamphetamine residue inside her bra. The Honda Accord driven by Martinez was bearing a temporary tag out of Texas. When deputies went to locate the VIN on the windshield, it was covered by a hotel key card. Martinez was asked if they could view the VIN located inside the door of the vehicle and it was found to be scratched off and missing, with the paint damaged down to the frame. Deputies removed the card from the inside of the windshield and ran the VIN, discovering the vehicle has been stolen out of Miramar. Martinez and Mora-Reyes agreed to a search of their hotel room where detectives located several tractor keys and other items utilized in the theft of vehicles. Mora-Reyes, 34, faces charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle and violation of probation or community control. Martinez, 35, faces charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession or use of drug paraphernalia and introduction of contraband into a county detention facility. Mora-Reyes is being held without bond while Martinez has since bonded out. “There have been many reports of vehicle thefts throughout the state of Florida to include tractors, boats and Ford trucks. Additional investigations are active including both Mora-Reyes and Martinez,” the sheriff’s office said.