Cape Coral mourns loss of dedicated police volunteerRare right whales spotted near Cape Coral, experts urge caution
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral mourns loss of dedicated police volunteer Stanley Maliszewski, a dedicated volunteer for the Cape Coral Police Department for over 20 years, has passed away.
CAPE CORAL Rare right whales spotted near Cape Coral, experts urge caution Two critically endangered right whales made a rare appearance near Cape Coral, swimming into Southwest Florida waters.
FORT MYERS Storm surge VR from NOAA shows hurricane danger to teach safety NOAA has introduced a groundbreaking virtual reality simulation called “Weather the Storm,” designed to immerse people in the experience of a hurricane’s storm surge safely.
LEHIGH ACRES FWC officers arrest Lee County woman for illegal deer possession The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has arrested a woman after she allegedly mutilated a deer and kept it as a pet.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers City Council unanimously approves ICE, FMPD partnership The Fort Myers City Council reconvened for a special meeting to vote on the Fort Myers Police Department’s partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Port Charlotte Bowland sells, new owner plans upgrade Bowland on Harbor Boulevard in Port Charlotte has been sold to New York-based Bowl 360, which will continue to operate it as a bowling center with plans to upgrade the facility with modern, state-of-the-art technology and entertainment.
Market Trends shift to buyer’s market for Southwest Florida homes The Southwest Florida housing market has shifted, and if you’re thinking about selling, you had better hurry or put it off altogether if you bought after 2020, said Denny Grimes.
NAPLES Naples enhances Vedado Way Beach with ADA upgrades for accessibility Naples is making efforts to enhance accessibility at Vedado Way Beach by adding ADA-compliant amenities set to begin in April.
Animal safety bill passes Florida senate, on pace to governor’s desk Florida lawmakers just passed a major hurdle in the Senate as the push for Trooper’s Law to become ratified continues.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers City Council to reconsider ICE, FMPD partnership The Fort Myers City Council faces a critical decision as they are set to reconvene and vote on whether the Fort Myers Police Department should partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Road closures in Collier County for Sgt. Flanagan’s funeral procession There will be a funeral procession Friday morning for Collier County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Alan Flanagan.
Tim Aten Knows: Prime Social Reserve rooftop restaurant plans October launch in Naples Prime Social Reserve rooftop restaurant and lounge plans an October launch on Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples.
WINK News Photos of the Week (3/14 – 3/20) Welcome to WINK News Photos of the Week, where we highlight memorable moments from Southwest Florida throughout the week.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Cool and sunny for your Friday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a pleasant Friday afternoon with cool and breezy conditions expected.
Edison and Ford Winter Estate to hold historical baseball presentation Baseball enthusiasts in Fort Myers are in for a treat. The Edison and Ford Winter Estates will host a special presentation on Friday.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral mourns loss of dedicated police volunteer Stanley Maliszewski, a dedicated volunteer for the Cape Coral Police Department for over 20 years, has passed away.
CAPE CORAL Rare right whales spotted near Cape Coral, experts urge caution Two critically endangered right whales made a rare appearance near Cape Coral, swimming into Southwest Florida waters.
FORT MYERS Storm surge VR from NOAA shows hurricane danger to teach safety NOAA has introduced a groundbreaking virtual reality simulation called “Weather the Storm,” designed to immerse people in the experience of a hurricane’s storm surge safely.
LEHIGH ACRES FWC officers arrest Lee County woman for illegal deer possession The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has arrested a woman after she allegedly mutilated a deer and kept it as a pet.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers City Council unanimously approves ICE, FMPD partnership The Fort Myers City Council reconvened for a special meeting to vote on the Fort Myers Police Department’s partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Port Charlotte Bowland sells, new owner plans upgrade Bowland on Harbor Boulevard in Port Charlotte has been sold to New York-based Bowl 360, which will continue to operate it as a bowling center with plans to upgrade the facility with modern, state-of-the-art technology and entertainment.
Market Trends shift to buyer’s market for Southwest Florida homes The Southwest Florida housing market has shifted, and if you’re thinking about selling, you had better hurry or put it off altogether if you bought after 2020, said Denny Grimes.
NAPLES Naples enhances Vedado Way Beach with ADA upgrades for accessibility Naples is making efforts to enhance accessibility at Vedado Way Beach by adding ADA-compliant amenities set to begin in April.
Animal safety bill passes Florida senate, on pace to governor’s desk Florida lawmakers just passed a major hurdle in the Senate as the push for Trooper’s Law to become ratified continues.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers City Council to reconsider ICE, FMPD partnership The Fort Myers City Council faces a critical decision as they are set to reconvene and vote on whether the Fort Myers Police Department should partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Road closures in Collier County for Sgt. Flanagan’s funeral procession There will be a funeral procession Friday morning for Collier County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Alan Flanagan.
Tim Aten Knows: Prime Social Reserve rooftop restaurant plans October launch in Naples Prime Social Reserve rooftop restaurant and lounge plans an October launch on Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples.
WINK News Photos of the Week (3/14 – 3/20) Welcome to WINK News Photos of the Week, where we highlight memorable moments from Southwest Florida throughout the week.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Cool and sunny for your Friday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a pleasant Friday afternoon with cool and breezy conditions expected.
Edison and Ford Winter Estate to hold historical baseball presentation Baseball enthusiasts in Fort Myers are in for a treat. The Edison and Ford Winter Estates will host a special presentation on Friday.
United States’ Kelsey Plum celebrates victory over Russian Olympic Committee in a women’s 3-on-3 gold medal basketball game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Three-on-three basketball was featured in the Olympic Games for the first time this year, and Team USA’s women’s team had no problem showing them how it’s done. It’s a fast, rough, and exciting sport where both teams go for the same basket on a small court. There are three players on the court for each team, and our women’s team is bringing home the gold. WINK News Reporter Sydney Persing spoke “one on one” early Thursday with Team USA’s Kelsey Plum, who has a shiny gold medal to her name and a special place for Southwest Florida in her heart. If you’ve ever wondered how gold tastes, just ask an Olympic champion like Plum. She knows now that gold tastes good. “Listen, if you lose, don’t even go back to the hotel, don’t even find your flight home, that’s what all of us were talking about, we will not be the ones to do this, to mess this up.” Plum and her teammates certainly didn’t mess anything up. They choked down the pressure to beat the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) on Wednesday in dramatic fashion, 18-15, to win the first-ever Olympic gold in Women’s 3-on-3 Basketball. “I think like every interaction, it’s starting to become apparent. Like, wait a second, this is really happening. It did happen,” she said. United States’ Kelsey Plum, left, Stefanie Dolson (13), Jacquelyn Young (8) and Allisha Gray celebrate after defeating Russian Olympic Committee in a women’s 3-on-3 gold medal basketball game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) In large part, it happened because of Plum. She led all scorers in the tournament with 55 overall points. A year ago, the Olympics weren’t even a dream after she tore her Achilles tendon. With a comeback story like that, the American standout’s been on TV quite a bit, and on her gold medal high, our interview was especially special. “Yeah, so my family is a part of WINK News.” Plum and her family own Fort Myers Broadcasting Company, WINK News’ parent company. “You know, it’s just cool to be able to represent. Obviously, I represent the United States, but I represent my family as well. So, you know, just trying to make them proud. I just tried to make them proud. It’s cool to be on here with you.” What has she learned throughout the process as an athlete and as a person? “I learned I’m tough as nails,” she said. “In life, we go after things, and it’s pretty cool. Like when I was 10, I told myself I want a gold medal. So to be here and do it, it just feels like a dream come true.” United States’ Kelsey Plum (5) heads to the basket past France’s Mamignan Toure during a women’s 3-on-3 semifinal basketball game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) What is her message to young female athletes? “Go big, go big. And don’t let anyone tell you it’s too big. Just when you think it’s not big enough, go bigger,” she advised. “I remember telling people I was going to do this. And I remember some of their faces, like, are you sure? Do you know how hard that is? Yeah. And at the time, no idea, right? Just kind of…that’s what I wanted to do.” And she did. So, parents, tell your little girls the story of Kelsey Plum. Let them get a good look at the photos and turn up the volume on the below video. Let them listen closely. “I just think that’s important. It’s important to see representation of women telling you that you can do it. So I’ll look ’em right now in the face and tell ’em it’s worth it. Go after it.” And just maybe, your little girl will one day know how gold tastes. Below is Sydney’s full interview with Kelsey, where she talks about her recovery, her patriotism and her faith in God. When she isn’t fulfilling her Olympic dreams, Plum is a guard for the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, where she’s been since 2017 when she was the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft.