ALVA Woodpeckers build home in Alva woman’s house You may have heard of squatters, but this woman is dealing with squawkers. Who needs a rooster to wake up when you have woodpeckers?
FORT MYERS Man claims he was trapped in a high-rise for 5 days A 77-year-old man wants justice after he claims he spent days trapped on the 24th floor of a high-rise apartment building.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte Correctional prisoner arrested for death of another inmate State Attorney Amira Fox convened a grand jury, which decided to move forward with a case against a Charlotte Correctional inmate.
SANIBEL Construction near Dairy Queen eagle nest on Sanibel raises concerns While many eagle nests may be a bit difficult to see, one nest has always been a favorite for Sanibel residents and tourists.
The environmental effects of artificial sweeteners Experts are studying how the foods we eat affect the environment, especially after we flush our waste down the toilet.
Victim reacts to man exposing himself to her Ring camera You get a notification on your phone from your ring camera app that someone is at the door, only to find out it is someone exposing themselves. It’s the last thing victim Maria Kivi wanted or expected to see last week.
LEE COUNTY The art of capturing your eye and drawing you in How do you capture young, hip, trendy, fun, movers and shakers, all in a pose? We take you behind the scenes of a Gulfshore Life cover shoot.
FORT MYERS The lives of two SJC Boxers changed in the ring Two SJC Boxers, Mario Nunez and Arbon Kurtishi, help each other in the ring as each of them had their lives changed because of boxing.
FORT MYERS Chlamydia cases rising sharply in Lee County If you think about a crowded space- something with more than 250 people- if it’s in Lee county, statistically one person has chlamydia.
SANIBEL Sanibel resort day passes hope to get more business on the island A pass will allow vacationers to hang out at a Sanibel beach club for a day in hopes of drumming up some business.
Voting equipment tested ahead of Lee County elections Voting equipment is being tested in Lee County. This is to ensure all ballots are printed and counted correctly for the upcoming election.
Collier County teen assaulted after leaving party The teen has been charged and the sheriff’s office said they’re aware that many believe felony charges are in order, but under Florida law, there are very specific criteria that must be met for felony charges to be filed.
WINK weather team watching tropical wave over Atlantic Ocean The Weather Authority is watching a tropical disturbance over the Central Atlantic Ocean.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral drug bust leads investigators to fake fentanyl, cash and guns Cape Coral man arrest on drug charges. Investigators said they found, guns, drugs, and more than $32,000 in Richard Riley’s home.
NAPLES Naples youth flag football team to compete in Ohio tournament This weekend, the Naples Lunatics Green will compete in the Superhero Sports tournament in Canton, Ohio.
ALVA Woodpeckers build home in Alva woman’s house You may have heard of squatters, but this woman is dealing with squawkers. Who needs a rooster to wake up when you have woodpeckers?
FORT MYERS Man claims he was trapped in a high-rise for 5 days A 77-year-old man wants justice after he claims he spent days trapped on the 24th floor of a high-rise apartment building.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte Correctional prisoner arrested for death of another inmate State Attorney Amira Fox convened a grand jury, which decided to move forward with a case against a Charlotte Correctional inmate.
SANIBEL Construction near Dairy Queen eagle nest on Sanibel raises concerns While many eagle nests may be a bit difficult to see, one nest has always been a favorite for Sanibel residents and tourists.
The environmental effects of artificial sweeteners Experts are studying how the foods we eat affect the environment, especially after we flush our waste down the toilet.
Victim reacts to man exposing himself to her Ring camera You get a notification on your phone from your ring camera app that someone is at the door, only to find out it is someone exposing themselves. It’s the last thing victim Maria Kivi wanted or expected to see last week.
LEE COUNTY The art of capturing your eye and drawing you in How do you capture young, hip, trendy, fun, movers and shakers, all in a pose? We take you behind the scenes of a Gulfshore Life cover shoot.
FORT MYERS The lives of two SJC Boxers changed in the ring Two SJC Boxers, Mario Nunez and Arbon Kurtishi, help each other in the ring as each of them had their lives changed because of boxing.
FORT MYERS Chlamydia cases rising sharply in Lee County If you think about a crowded space- something with more than 250 people- if it’s in Lee county, statistically one person has chlamydia.
SANIBEL Sanibel resort day passes hope to get more business on the island A pass will allow vacationers to hang out at a Sanibel beach club for a day in hopes of drumming up some business.
Voting equipment tested ahead of Lee County elections Voting equipment is being tested in Lee County. This is to ensure all ballots are printed and counted correctly for the upcoming election.
Collier County teen assaulted after leaving party The teen has been charged and the sheriff’s office said they’re aware that many believe felony charges are in order, but under Florida law, there are very specific criteria that must be met for felony charges to be filed.
WINK weather team watching tropical wave over Atlantic Ocean The Weather Authority is watching a tropical disturbance over the Central Atlantic Ocean.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral drug bust leads investigators to fake fentanyl, cash and guns Cape Coral man arrest on drug charges. Investigators said they found, guns, drugs, and more than $32,000 in Richard Riley’s home.
NAPLES Naples youth flag football team to compete in Ohio tournament This weekend, the Naples Lunatics Green will compete in the Superhero Sports tournament in Canton, Ohio.
Credit: WINK News No more teachers, no more books. Thursday was the last day of school for thousands of students in Lee County, but they’ll have to enjoy it quickly – summer break is only seven weeks long this year! North Fort Myers High School students who spoke with WINK News on their last day said they’re just ready to move on to next year. “Thank God. Because school was, it was stressful, it was very stressful,” said junior Daywill Diaz. “I don’t know how to really describe it. I can kinda describe it as both insufferable and enjoyable at the same time,” said Demitrius Adams, a sophomore. Every year, no matter the circumstances – and yes, this year’s were unique – there are highs and lows in high school. There is no surprise when it comes to this year’s lows. “Lows? Definitely all the restrictions,” Daywill said. “Masks,” said senior Iolani Rivera. “Uh, yeah, they [masks] were annoying,” said freshman Virgil Maloy. “Yeah, just wish the water fountains were more open,” Demetrius said. “If you’re sitting next to someone with COVID, everyone around them gets sent home,” Daywill said. “That was kind of annoying,” Demitrius said. But our kids and our teachers are tough. Slowly but surely, things started to turn around so as school let out for the summer in Lee County, there were a lot of smiles and a lot of memories of lots of highs you only get in school. “We started playing chess,” Daywill said. “So I played against all my classmates; there were like eight of them, and I actually won the chess game.” “I’m in JROTC class where we had some dance-off,” Demitrius recalled. “Senior crowning is when old seniors graduate and the juniors become new seniors and we make crowns and we walk around school,” Iolani said. “It was during Halloween, it was like a little Spirit Week, so we were wearing our Halloween costumes,” Demitrius said. There was a lot of good, and God willing, there is better yet to come. So, what are these kids looking forward to? “I’m excited to not be a freshman,” Virgil said. “Not wearing masks, hopefully, that’s definitely one,” Demitrius said. “Hopefully returning back to normal, bit by bit,” Daywill said. “I don’t have to deal with final exams again until next year,” Demitrius said. “Sports, really. Hopefully, I can get some colleges to look at me,” Virgil said. There’s no denying the pandemic disrupted a lot. There was prom – outside – and not everyone went. “Parents including mine were very scared of COVID; I had a ticket – it was hard to get a ticket – but I couldn’t go,” Demitrius said. So for many, that’s a milestone they look forward to next year. There’s also that favorite subject and a favorite teacher that so many students can’t wait to return to. For Daywill, it’s history and “Mr. Rose … he’s very good at teaching, I love it.” Virgil said he likes reading and he likes his teacher, while Iolani is heading to culinary school. “Probably psychology or robotics,” Demetrius said. They’re all looking ahead as they leave behind a different – and difficult – school year. “I hope it doesn’t happen again,” Daywill said, laughing. And who can blame him? These kids won’t have to wait too long to go back to school. Lee County’s public school students will return Tuesday, Aug. 10.