Charlotte County sheriff: deputy-involved shooting suspect was on 68 medicationsPlans for Aquarius Hotel receive final design approval in Naples
Charlotte County sheriff: deputy-involved shooting suspect was on 68 medications Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell has revealed new details regarding a deputy-involved shooting on Eager Road last week.
Plans for Aquarius Hotel receive final design approval in Naples A proposed 18-unit boutique hotel with a restaurant received unanimous final design approval Jan. 22 by the Naples Design Review Board.
What you need to know for FEMA transitional sheltering assistance Many in Southwest Florida are dealing with unlivable conditions after a series of hurricanes hit the area last fall.
FORT MYERS BEACH Suspect wanted for stealing electric bike in Fort Myers Beach Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect who stole an electric bike in Fort Myers Beach.
Kelly’s Roast Beef, Oar & Iron continue SWFL expansion A Massachusetts-based restaurant company is bringing a taste of its home state to Southwest Florida, plus a new surf and turf concept aimed at people who call the region home.
GOLDEN GATE Investigation at Golden Gate Middle School after overnight burglary An overnight burglary at a middle school had deputies rushing to the scene, causing parents to have to wait to drop their children off.
Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann court date rescheduled Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann is set to appear in court after pleading not guilty to her drunk driving charge.
Bonita springs “Cold stunned” evening bat rescued by CROW amid frigid Florida weather The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife rescued an evening bat in Bonita Springs suspected of being “cold-stunned.”
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Morning showers move out for your Wednesday afternoon plans The Weather Authority is tracking Wednesday morning showers, then chillier conditions remain throughout the afternoon.
CAPE CORAL Demolition begins on Bimini East properties Demolition has begun on the Bimini East properties that are part of the city of Cape Coral’s revitalization development.
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.
LEHIGH ACRES Lee County cousins arrested for street racing at 90 mph in Lehigh Acres Lee County deputies arrested two men after witnessing them racing down Lee Boulevard at nearly 90 mph.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers activist reacts to shutdown of government reproductive rights website The website ReproductiveRights.gov, which offered resources on abortion and reproductive rights, is no longer accessible.
2 Southwest Floridians involved in Jan. 6 attack pardoned and commuted by President Trump Two men involved in the January 6th attack are now back in southwest Florida, thanks to a series of pardons from President Trump.
ESTERO Local teen golfer to play at Augusta National One drive at a time, 14-year-old Jesus Bethencourt is doing something most only dream of: playing at Augusta National.
Charlotte County sheriff: deputy-involved shooting suspect was on 68 medications Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell has revealed new details regarding a deputy-involved shooting on Eager Road last week.
Plans for Aquarius Hotel receive final design approval in Naples A proposed 18-unit boutique hotel with a restaurant received unanimous final design approval Jan. 22 by the Naples Design Review Board.
What you need to know for FEMA transitional sheltering assistance Many in Southwest Florida are dealing with unlivable conditions after a series of hurricanes hit the area last fall.
FORT MYERS BEACH Suspect wanted for stealing electric bike in Fort Myers Beach Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect who stole an electric bike in Fort Myers Beach.
Kelly’s Roast Beef, Oar & Iron continue SWFL expansion A Massachusetts-based restaurant company is bringing a taste of its home state to Southwest Florida, plus a new surf and turf concept aimed at people who call the region home.
GOLDEN GATE Investigation at Golden Gate Middle School after overnight burglary An overnight burglary at a middle school had deputies rushing to the scene, causing parents to have to wait to drop their children off.
Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann court date rescheduled Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann is set to appear in court after pleading not guilty to her drunk driving charge.
Bonita springs “Cold stunned” evening bat rescued by CROW amid frigid Florida weather The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife rescued an evening bat in Bonita Springs suspected of being “cold-stunned.”
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Morning showers move out for your Wednesday afternoon plans The Weather Authority is tracking Wednesday morning showers, then chillier conditions remain throughout the afternoon.
CAPE CORAL Demolition begins on Bimini East properties Demolition has begun on the Bimini East properties that are part of the city of Cape Coral’s revitalization development.
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.
LEHIGH ACRES Lee County cousins arrested for street racing at 90 mph in Lehigh Acres Lee County deputies arrested two men after witnessing them racing down Lee Boulevard at nearly 90 mph.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers activist reacts to shutdown of government reproductive rights website The website ReproductiveRights.gov, which offered resources on abortion and reproductive rights, is no longer accessible.
2 Southwest Floridians involved in Jan. 6 attack pardoned and commuted by President Trump Two men involved in the January 6th attack are now back in southwest Florida, thanks to a series of pardons from President Trump.
ESTERO Local teen golfer to play at Augusta National One drive at a time, 14-year-old Jesus Bethencourt is doing something most only dream of: playing at Augusta National.
The shattered windshield of a car in the Florida Highway Patrol’s evidence lot. Credit: WINK News Many in Southwest Florida know the pain of losing loved ones to hit-and-run crashes. These crimes are very common in our area, which is part of why the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles designated February as Hit and Run Awareness Month. The purpose of the month is to get the word out and make people understand the consequences of their actions. The Florida Highway Patrol says it often hears the question: “Who could do that? Who could leave someone on the side of the road and just drive off?” The FHP says you’d be surprised at how many people can. The patrol has an evidence lot where a lot of the cars involved in these crashes are held. They can’t be released until court proceedings are finished. Some of them were driven by victims, others by the people who committed the crimes, all are reminders to anyone of how quickly life can be taken from you. “The prior three years, we had 100,000 traffic crashes each year,” said Lt. Greg Bueno with the Florida Highway Patrol. “This year, we had 91,000. The decrease is probably mostly due to COVID[-19], because our overall crash volume decreased as well.” He is not satisfied with the new numbers. “91,000 is still 91,000 too many,” Bueno said. And while the number of hit and runs has dropped, the number of deaths has increased: FHP says it went up by around 18%. Bueno says recreating the circumstances of a hit and run for forensic purposes remains a challenge. “Especially as time has progressed with technology, we see more and more businesses and homes that have some sort of camera, and they are crucial to these type of cases,” Bueno said. “Because we basically have to re-create the case and put that person back at the scene, put the car back at the scene, and that takes evidence to do it.” The FHP says in many of these cases, someone saw something and someone knows something, but they won’t come forward. Bueno stresses that any tip can be sent anonymously to them or Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers, and it could help solve the case.