FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herselfSurrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns
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 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.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
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 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.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
Credit: WINK News The Lee County Sheriff’s Office believes a road rage crash and shooting left one man dead and another injured. This happened on the evening of June 28 in Lehigh Acres. It’s been 10 days since a family lost their son. The last time he left the house was with a friend for a ride on an ATV. Dayami Oropeza is the victim’s mother. “If my son would leave the house five times in a day, he would leave and give me five kisses and hugs every time. And now, I have nothing because of this guy who did this for nothing,” she said. His mom says that’s the type of man Yairo Oropeza, 23, was. He was never too old or too proud to tell his mother how much he loved her. Julianalee Cruz is Yairo’s girlfriend. She talked to him just before he was killed. “I called him on the phone and I told him that, ;Hey, I’m almost home,’ and he said, ‘OK, I’ll be there in about 10 minutes,'” Cruz explained. Bu those 10 minutes came and went without Yairo making it home. Deputies believe the sketch below resembles the man who shot and killed him in what they’re referring to as a road rage incident. Composite drawing of a male suspect in connection with a deadly shooting in Lehigh Acres that happened June 28, 2021. Credit: Lee County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office has since released a composite drawing of one of the suspects and the car the suspects might have been driving in connection with the shooting just this week, on July 7. Detectives with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office are looking for a 2010 to 2015 black Hyundai four door sedan that was involved in a shooting on June 28, 2021, around 6:00 p.m. in the area of Sunrise Boulevard and Genoa Avenue S in Lehigh. Credit” Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Cruz says the sketch brings a bit of comfort to her and the rest of Yairo’s loved ones. “It is the closest that we’ve gotten, and it brings a little comfort into my heart knowing that we have a face instead of just a description,” she said. That description was written at the same place that Oropeza was gunned down. His mom says he had so much to look forward to. “He had a whole life ahead of him he had dreams,” Dayami said. All that’s left of Yairo now is his legacy, the memorial made in his honor and the love his family has for him. “Anybody that passes by, they’re obviously going to see the big sign, so it will maybe catch somebody’s attention, and they might know them,” said Cruz. “‘Mi Yayi.’ I can’t … I know you’re not in this world, but you’re always here in my heart and in all those who love you,” Dayami said. Yairo’s family is aware that nothing can bring him back, but they want justice to be served. They’re determined, just as he was, to spread the word and find the people who are involved. “He was the most determined and hardworking person I’ve ever met in my life, and I was with him for almost three years, so he taught me a lot, and one thing he taught me was to be pushy. Don’t let anything go ever,” said Julianalee Cruz, Yairo’s girlfriend. Deputies say the black sedan that the man and another suspect were in, who is described as a heavyset woman, might have gunshot damage. If you have any information about the suspects or car involved, you can call Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477) or submit tips online or via the app. At 8 p.m. Friday, the Oropeza family is holding a vigil for their son at the “Vapin it Up” shop in Lehigh Acres. They’re hoping to raise money to buy a billboard and hopefully, find the man who killed Yairo.