The Weather Authority: Sunny Saturday with a nice breeze; fire danger increasesSenior Airman surprises cousin on Aubrey Rogers softball senior night
The Weather Authority: Sunny Saturday with a nice breeze; fire danger increases Warm temperatures for your Saturday with a nice breeze into the afternoon.
NORTH NAPLES Senior Airman surprises cousin on Aubrey Rogers softball senior night Aubrey Rogers senior pitcher and infielder McKenzie Vargas was surprised by her Air Force cousin for Senior Night.
BONITA SPRINGS Police: 15-year-old injured after accidentally shot in the leg Lee County deputies say the teen was accidentally shot in the leg.
PUNTA GORDA Exclusive: Brother and best friend of accused pedophile priest speak out Riley’s brother reached out to WINK on Friday, saying people aren’t getting the full story.
IMMOKALEE Caught on video: Huge gator crosses Immokalee neighborhood Fridays in Florida are for gators
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society raises concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Memorial celebrates the life of John Passidomo Hundreds of friends and family gathered for a memorial at Baker Park in Naples.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
The Weather Authority: Sunny Saturday with a nice breeze; fire danger increases Warm temperatures for your Saturday with a nice breeze into the afternoon.
NORTH NAPLES Senior Airman surprises cousin on Aubrey Rogers softball senior night Aubrey Rogers senior pitcher and infielder McKenzie Vargas was surprised by her Air Force cousin for Senior Night.
BONITA SPRINGS Police: 15-year-old injured after accidentally shot in the leg Lee County deputies say the teen was accidentally shot in the leg.
PUNTA GORDA Exclusive: Brother and best friend of accused pedophile priest speak out Riley’s brother reached out to WINK on Friday, saying people aren’t getting the full story.
IMMOKALEE Caught on video: Huge gator crosses Immokalee neighborhood Fridays in Florida are for gators
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society raises concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Memorial celebrates the life of John Passidomo Hundreds of friends and family gathered for a memorial at Baker Park in Naples.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Kathleen Boyle with her tow dogs, Bear and Robin, at their Fiddler’s Creek home in Collier County. Boyle says all three of them survived an encounter with a black bear during a morning walk the day of Christmas Eve Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020. Credit: WINK News. We told you about the encounter a woman says she and her two small dogs had with a mother black bear and her cubs on Christmas Eve morning. It’s an encounter wildlife agencies take seriously. Kathleen Boyle told WINK News a mother bear came after her when she ran into two bear cubs on her morning walk with her two West Highland White Terriers, Bear and Robin. Boyle said she was able to escape with the help of her two dogs and a bicyclist who rode by in the Fiddler’s Creek community, where she lives with her husband and their two pets. “And as I was trying to punch her, she came at me,” Boyle recalled. Wildlife experts say everyone needs to be prepared for this sort of situation. “We live in a place, especially if you live right against wild areas or natural areas, that there will be wildlife encounters, bears included,” said Katie Johnson, the community engagement coordinator for Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Luckily, the encounter ended well for both Boyle and her dogs. “I know I’m one of the lucky ones,” Boyle said. She says what ultimately allowed her to escape the mother bear was the nearby biker and her dogs. “[Bear], really, by charging her let me know that she was there, and he’s showing the injuries for it, but he is, he really saved us from the attack,” Boyle said. “And then the biker really was able to help scare her off and get her back.” Boyle also says she knew what to do during the attack. “I’m jumping up and screaming and doing what you’re supposed to do, make yourself big, deep voice,” Boyle said. On Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website, it says, when attacked by a black bear, you need to fight back aggressively, even with your bare hands as Boyle did. “I tried to, you know, get my arms drawn out and throat punch but pull back quickly so that she couldn’t get me,” Boyle said. As for what not to do, according to FWC, do not play dead or try to climb a tree, and, of course, don’t approach a bear in the first place. “They really want to mind their own business,” Johnson said. “They don’t want anything to do with us, and, really, a lot of times with animals, their last resort is going to be to approach a human.” Boyle’s situation is a reminder that, even when you’re careful, these encounters can happen. “I truly owe it to those dogs,” Boyle said. “I mean, she she’s 2 years old, and she went out for the momma bear. He’s 17 months, and he went up to the momma bear to protect me.” Go to MyFWC.com/Bear to learn more about living in bear country. MORE: Human/Bear Encounters Protect Pets Scare That Bear