What you need to know for FEMA transitional sheltering assistanceSuspect wanted for stealing electric bike in Fort Myers Beach
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.
AI traffic cameras helping Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office solve crimes Artificial intelligence has been helping the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office solve crimes.
ESTERO SWFL siblings start official Pickleball World Cup Hercilio and Miranda Cabieses love pickleball so much they make it their mission to share it with the world.
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.
AI traffic cameras helping Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office solve crimes Artificial intelligence has been helping the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office solve crimes.
ESTERO SWFL siblings start official Pickleball World Cup Hercilio and Miranda Cabieses love pickleball so much they make it their mission to share it with the world.
Credit: NOAA / GOES-East via MGN As of the Wednesday 8 a.m. advisory, Elsa had a maximum sustained wind of 65 mph. A Flood Warning is in effect for Charlotte, Lee and DeSoto counties. Can’t find a copy of the WINK Hurricane Guide? You can download a copy here. All jury courts in Southwest Florida are closed Tuesday in response to Tropical Storm Elsa. LEE COUNTY Lee County has declared a state of emergency. Lee County Government offices are open Wednesday. Shelter: For individuals experiencing homelessness, the Salvation Army Homeless Resource Day Center is open Tuesday. LeeTran is operational. Trash collection will continue as scheduled in mandated pick-up zones on your regularly scheduled pick-up day. There are no delays for the week due to the July 4 holiday. Southwest Florida International Airport is seeing cancellations on some arrivals and departures due to Elsa’s approach. See the status of your flight here. Check your airline information: Jetblue | Delta | United | Allegiant | American | Southwest. The School District of Lee County will remain closed Wednesday. The District’s Summer BreakSpot meal service locations have been consolidated and will be limited to lunch only. Meals will be served from the lobby area. No additional schools will serve meals. However, there are community sites that will be offering both breakfast and lunch. Schedule reported as of 7 p.m. is as follows: LCEC customers can download the SmartHub app to report and track power outages. Just search “SmartHub” in your phone’s app store. LCEC Outage Map Bonita Springs Fire Department will have sandbags available at Station 24, 27701 Bonita Grande Drive. Each household can get 25 bags. Fort Myers Beach has sand for sandbags behind Town Hall at 2525 Estero Blvd. Bring your own shovel. Bags are supplied. Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) and Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) are open Wednesday. Rasmussen University is open Wednesday. The City of Sanibel said Monday that garbage, recycling and vegetation pick-up will not be impacted by Elsa. COLLIER COUNTY Collier County Public Schools are open Wednesday. Collier Area Transit (CAT) services are operational. Harry Chapin Food Bank has canceled its Wednesday drive-thru food distribution in Naples. CHARLOTTE COUNTY Charlotte County commissioners and the Punta Gorda City Council declared local states of emergency at their Monday morning meeting. Charlotte County Government offices are open Wednesday. Charlotte County Public Schools are closed Wednesday and will reopen Thursday. Charlotte County Community Services summer camps are operational Wednesday. DESOTO COUNTY DeSoto County schools are open Wednesday. HENDRY COUNTY Harry Chapin Food Bank has canceled its Wednesday drive-thru food distribution in Clewiston. The Hendry County Health Department is open. Residential waste collection have resumed. ACROSS THE STATE See shelter information from your local county here. Xfinity has opened up its Wi-Fi hotspots for anyone in Florida to use for free. To find a hotspot near you, click here. State of emergency: Gov. Ron DeSantis on Saturday issued a state of emergency for several Florida counties, including Charlotte, Collier, Lee and DeSoto. A state of emergency will make it easier for impacted areas to receive federal assistance. All campgrounds and recreation areas in the path of Elsa are closed. For questions and more information, visit FDACS.gov/FLStateForests. FPL is mobilizing and pre-positioning its restoration workforce. Crews will follow the path of the storm and restore outages as the storm moves along the state. FPL has approximately 6,000 personnel dedicated to the effort and is securing additional restoration personnel from other utilities and electrical contracting companies. LINK: FPL Power Tracker As a reminder, most counties in the storm’s path will suspend trash and debris pickup before a storm. Please do not trim trees now, as high winds can turn cut branches into dangerous, flying debris. However, if you already have trimmed trees, please help to prevent outages by tying down or securing loose branches or other debris. Price gouging: Anyone who suspects price gouging can report it to the Florida Attorney General’s Office by using the NO SCAM app, visiting MyFloridaLegal.com or calling 866-9NO-SCAM. The Attorney General’s NO SCAM app can be downloaded for free through Apple and Android stores by searching NO SCAM. COMPLETE HURRICANE COVERAGE: HURRICANE CENTRAL