Sheriff Showdown: Charity hockey game held for family of Elio DiazDemonstrators gather for Fort Myers Women’s March
ESTERO Sheriff Showdown: Charity hockey game held for family of Elio Diaz The Lee County Sheriff’s Office faced the Suffolk County Sheriff’s hockey team in a Sheriff Showdown at Hertz Arena in Estero on Saturday.
FORT MYERS Demonstrators gather for Fort Myers Women’s March Dozens gathered at the intersection of Colonial Boulevard and US 41 in Fort Myers for the annual Women’s March on Saturday morning.
Two-vehicle crash causes rollover near Pine Ridge Road A two-vehicle crash occurred near Pine Ridge Road and Premiere Way late Saturday morning, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.
LCSO investigates early morning shooting near Wawa on Alico Road The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred early Saturday morning.
ENGLEWOOD Charlotte County deputies fatally shoot man in Englewood, investigation ongoing Deputies from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office shot and killed a man who was reportedly acting erratically.
the weather authority Warm weekend ahead with increased rain chances on the way The Weather Authority says a warm Saturday is on tap, with temperatures reaching the upper 70s into the afternoon.
Bodycam video shows warning signs from teen accused of killing mother In newly released body camera footage, a mother questions her son’s violence months before her murder.
Veteran injured in crash that killed wife WINK News has learned that a veteran’s wife was killed in a crash on Wednesday on State Road 82.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda to repair old city hall building The City of Punta Gorda is scrapping plans to build a new city hall.
SWFL teen injured in New Orleans terror attack released from hospital According to the mom of one of the teens injured in the New Orleans Terror attack on New Year’s Day, she has been released from the hospital.
NAPLES Jay Leno comedy show coming to Southwest Florida One of the most famous comedians in the world is coming to Southwest Florida.
SOUTH NAPLES Collier neighbors anticipating second Costco location Members of a community are waiting for one of the most popular wholesale stores, but there is something standing in the way.
AVE MARIA Caught on camera: Massive gator seen in front of Ave Maria home A massive alligator was seen using a walking path in front of an Ave Maria home, and it was all caught on camera.
NCAA approves plan to pay women’s basketball tournament teams In a historic unanimous vote, the NCAA approves of a plan to pay women’s basketball teams that compete in March Madness.
ESTERO Sheriff Showdown: Charity hockey game held for family of Elio Diaz The Lee County Sheriff’s Office faced the Suffolk County Sheriff’s hockey team in a Sheriff Showdown at Hertz Arena in Estero on Saturday.
FORT MYERS Demonstrators gather for Fort Myers Women’s March Dozens gathered at the intersection of Colonial Boulevard and US 41 in Fort Myers for the annual Women’s March on Saturday morning.
Two-vehicle crash causes rollover near Pine Ridge Road A two-vehicle crash occurred near Pine Ridge Road and Premiere Way late Saturday morning, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.
LCSO investigates early morning shooting near Wawa on Alico Road The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred early Saturday morning.
ENGLEWOOD Charlotte County deputies fatally shoot man in Englewood, investigation ongoing Deputies from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office shot and killed a man who was reportedly acting erratically.
the weather authority Warm weekend ahead with increased rain chances on the way The Weather Authority says a warm Saturday is on tap, with temperatures reaching the upper 70s into the afternoon.
Bodycam video shows warning signs from teen accused of killing mother In newly released body camera footage, a mother questions her son’s violence months before her murder.
Veteran injured in crash that killed wife WINK News has learned that a veteran’s wife was killed in a crash on Wednesday on State Road 82.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda to repair old city hall building The City of Punta Gorda is scrapping plans to build a new city hall.
SWFL teen injured in New Orleans terror attack released from hospital According to the mom of one of the teens injured in the New Orleans Terror attack on New Year’s Day, she has been released from the hospital.
NAPLES Jay Leno comedy show coming to Southwest Florida One of the most famous comedians in the world is coming to Southwest Florida.
SOUTH NAPLES Collier neighbors anticipating second Costco location Members of a community are waiting for one of the most popular wholesale stores, but there is something standing in the way.
AVE MARIA Caught on camera: Massive gator seen in front of Ave Maria home A massive alligator was seen using a walking path in front of an Ave Maria home, and it was all caught on camera.
NCAA approves plan to pay women’s basketball tournament teams In a historic unanimous vote, the NCAA approves of a plan to pay women’s basketball teams that compete in March Madness.
An obituary dated Oct. 13, 1945, reads that Crabbe, a technical sergeant and member of the B-24 Liberator, was killed in action. He grew up in Rockville Centre, New York, and died in Germany, but his Purple Heart somehow ended up in North Fort Myers. WINK News first introduced you to Brenda Carlson, and the Purple Heart she found, last month. That Purple Heart has since been put into some very special hands and Carlson couldn’t be prouder. Carlson contacted WINK in July in hopes that we’d be able to find the family of Charles W. Crabbe. While she didn’t find his family, dozens of viewers reached out because they wanted to help. After all, as a country, it is our responsibility to remember those who have died for our country and the freedoms we have. That’s why it was so important to Brenda to make sure that World War II veteran Charles W. Crabbe never be forgotten. “This purple heart was discovered in a piece of furniture. Bought at an estate sale,” Carlson said. Retired Colonel Russ Vernon is the Executive Director of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission. “You know, The Purple Heart is the one medal that no one wants to receive. But it’s the one that people are most proud of,” said Vernon. The medal is one of the highest military honors that is given to those who were wounded or killed in action. “All gave some. Some gave all,” Vernon said. The Purple Heart engraved with Crabbe’s name was given to Carlson over a decade ago, by a friend, in North Fort Myers. Crabbe was a Technical Sergeant who was killed in action in 1945. It was discovered that his hometown was in Rockville Center, located in Long Island, New York. “People reached out from all over the country to help us find the rightful family. The end result was that he was an only child and when his father passed away, the mother widowed moved to the Orlando area,” Carlson said. After determining that Crabbe had no immediate family, Carlson was connected to Vernon’s organization. When they heard the story, they flew her to Rockville Center. There, she could tell that story and return the Purple Heart to Crabbe’s hometown. “I know she is comforted to know that that medal has finally been put in the right hands,” said Vernon. Russ Vernon say his organization plans to showcase the Purple Heart in a moving “Wall of Honor.” The organization is also in the process of creating a traveling nationwide tribute and education center for those who have earned the medal. All of this so our heroes wil not be forgotten.