Caught on camera: Explosion in hotel parking lot in ClewistonPunta Gorda leaders outline plans for Gilchrist Park repairs
CLEWISTON Caught on camera: Explosion in hotel parking lot in Clewiston There was an explosion in the parking lot of a Holiday Inn in Clewiston on Wednesday.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda leaders outline plans for Gilchrist Park repairs Gilchrist Park is closed, and Punta Gorda city leaders have been discussing possibly restoring the park.
NORTH NAPLES Airman surprises 6-year-old daughter at school for the holidays after ten months of service in Kuwait After almost a year of service in Kuwait, one airman came home for the holidays and surprised his daughter.
FORT MYERS Breaking down the Lee County Sheriff’s Office budget The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Carmine Marceno have been under scrutiny since a federal investigation on potential money laundering began. Many have questioned LCSO’s spending, so we broke down the budget.
How to protect yourself from thieves this holiday season On Cyber Monday, Americans spent $13 billion, which will translate into many packages on doorsteps this holiday season.
FORT MYERS Bishop Verot QB Carter Smith signs with Wisconsin Bishop Verot quarterback Carter Smith signs to play college football for the Wisconsin Badgers on early Signing Day.
WINK NEWS SWFL stars ink with Power 4 programs during Early Signing Period Several Southwest Florida football standouts are taking their talents to the Power 4 gridirons after signing during the Early Signing Period.
Beloved Charlotte County man killed outside home, investigation ongoing A man loved by his peers and his community was taken away from them in the middle of the night at his own home.
FORT MYERS BEACH The Lani Kai Resort reopens on Fort Myers Beach An iconic spot on Fort Myers Beach is back open and taking reservations for the first time since Hurricane Ian.
Gov. DeSantis being considered for defense secretary Will Ron DeSantis be your governor in 2025, or is he headed to Washington?
NAPLES Naples votes to remove fluoride from tap water The Naples City Council has voted to remove fluoride from its tap water.
Red meat linked to health complications Doctors with the Cleveland Clinic are researching a link between eating red meat and increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh Acres man arrested on 10 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has arrested a 71-year-old Lehigh Acres man on 10 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.
WASHINGTON (AP) Trump considers DeSantis for the Pentagon with Hegseth under pressure over allegations: AP sources Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s Pentagon pick, was fighting to hold on to his Cabinet nomination amid growing questions Wednesday about his personal conduct as the president-elect’s team considers alternatives, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
COLLIER COUNTY 2 indicted in unrelated Collier County cases for fentanyl distribution death The State Attorney’s Office announced two unrelated indictment cases involving the distribution of fentanyl that led to death.
CLEWISTON Caught on camera: Explosion in hotel parking lot in Clewiston There was an explosion in the parking lot of a Holiday Inn in Clewiston on Wednesday.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda leaders outline plans for Gilchrist Park repairs Gilchrist Park is closed, and Punta Gorda city leaders have been discussing possibly restoring the park.
NORTH NAPLES Airman surprises 6-year-old daughter at school for the holidays after ten months of service in Kuwait After almost a year of service in Kuwait, one airman came home for the holidays and surprised his daughter.
FORT MYERS Breaking down the Lee County Sheriff’s Office budget The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Carmine Marceno have been under scrutiny since a federal investigation on potential money laundering began. Many have questioned LCSO’s spending, so we broke down the budget.
How to protect yourself from thieves this holiday season On Cyber Monday, Americans spent $13 billion, which will translate into many packages on doorsteps this holiday season.
FORT MYERS Bishop Verot QB Carter Smith signs with Wisconsin Bishop Verot quarterback Carter Smith signs to play college football for the Wisconsin Badgers on early Signing Day.
WINK NEWS SWFL stars ink with Power 4 programs during Early Signing Period Several Southwest Florida football standouts are taking their talents to the Power 4 gridirons after signing during the Early Signing Period.
Beloved Charlotte County man killed outside home, investigation ongoing A man loved by his peers and his community was taken away from them in the middle of the night at his own home.
FORT MYERS BEACH The Lani Kai Resort reopens on Fort Myers Beach An iconic spot on Fort Myers Beach is back open and taking reservations for the first time since Hurricane Ian.
Gov. DeSantis being considered for defense secretary Will Ron DeSantis be your governor in 2025, or is he headed to Washington?
NAPLES Naples votes to remove fluoride from tap water The Naples City Council has voted to remove fluoride from its tap water.
Red meat linked to health complications Doctors with the Cleveland Clinic are researching a link between eating red meat and increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh Acres man arrested on 10 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has arrested a 71-year-old Lehigh Acres man on 10 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.
WASHINGTON (AP) Trump considers DeSantis for the Pentagon with Hegseth under pressure over allegations: AP sources Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s Pentagon pick, was fighting to hold on to his Cabinet nomination amid growing questions Wednesday about his personal conduct as the president-elect’s team considers alternatives, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
COLLIER COUNTY 2 indicted in unrelated Collier County cases for fentanyl distribution death The State Attorney’s Office announced two unrelated indictment cases involving the distribution of fentanyl that led to death.
Charles Allen Courteau, Julian Del Rio, Joshua Sanders. This weekly WINK News segment features fugitives from justice right here in Southwest Florida. This is your chance to help out the community and give the tip that gets these people off the street. These suspects need to be found – and you can help. If you have seen them, reach out to Crime Stoppers or your local law enforcement. Call 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). Here are three fugitives wanted by Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers. Charles Allen Courteau Charles Allen Courteau (DOB 9/16/73) – wanted in Collier County for failure to register as a sexual offender. He was convicted in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, for indecent assault on a victim under 12 years of age. After being released from prison, he decided to make Southwest Florida his home, taking up residence in East Naples. As a convicted sex offender, Courteau is mandated to check in with law enforcement on a regular basis and ensure that they have his correct address and contact information. In the last couple of months, however, Courteau has gone AWOL and is now at large and unaccounted for. He was last known to be working for the labor pool in Collier County but hasn’t been seen there in a while. He is 5’9”, 130 pounds, and also has connections to the Sarasota/Clearwater area. Julian Del Rio Julian Del Rio (DOB 3/10/95) – wanted in Lee County on two warrants for violation of probation on burglary charges. This warrant, which was issued in early February, comes on the heels of an attempted break-in of a Lehigh Acres home. As Del Rio was trying to break into the home, the victim heard noises, grabbed his gun and scared Del Rio off before he could remove any property. Deputies caught up with him a few blocks away. To date, he’s been booked 13 times as an adult, on a long list of burglaries, thefts and drugs, as well as DUI, and loitering and prowling. His first felony arrest was at age 13 for theft. Del Rio is currently on state probation until December, but with this latest violation, chances are that term will be extended. He is 5’5”, 150 pounds, and upon his arrest, he will be held without bond. Joshua Sanders Joshua Sanders (DOB 9/7/78) – wanted in Lee County on a bench warrant for two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, leaving the scene of a crash, fleeing and eluding at a high speed, resisting and driving with a revoked license. This warrant stems from an incident that started as a hit-and-run on South Cleveland Avenue. Sanders proceeded at very high speeds through the city, eventually hopping onto I-75. His erratic driving continued, as he plowed into a marked LCSO cruiser before continuing on. While trying to escape that scene, deputies saw Sanders throwing different items out of the car, including plastic bags, a car’s headrest, and even a prosthetic leg. His wild ride came to an end after he flattened one of the tires. As it turns out, Sanders was also under the influence. He’s been booked eight times before for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, resisting, battery, theft, drugs and DUI. He is a registered convicted felon who was last known to be living in Pine Manor. He is 5’11”, 140 pounds. CAPTURED Tyler Talaba, Francisco Sosa, Keyashya Trusty and Darrell Williams Tyler Talaba – was wanted in Lee County for violation of probation for burglary. He was caught red-handed breaking into boats in the Suncoast community of North Fort Myers. Francisco Sosa – was wanted in Lee County on a bench warrant for failure to appear following an arrest for grand theft. His current situation comes on the heels of him getting caught on surveillance cameras stealing tools from a big box store. Keyashya Trusty – was wanted in Lee County for violation of probation – grand theft, fraudulent use of a credit card, and criminal use of personal identification. Trusty was jailed for using credit cards stolen from a car burglary. Darrell Williams – was wanted in Lee County for violation of probation on charges of petit theft (3rd conviction). His current warrant, which was issued in late January, stems from an incident at the Edison Mall, where he had been trespassed from several times because of his thieving ways. On this particular occasion, he was spotted by store security stuffing $500 in stolen merchandise from Victorias Secret into his pockets. If you have a tip on the whereabouts of any of these wanted suspects contact Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers. All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers 1-800-780-TIPS (8477) or southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com