NAPLES Naples Cars on Fifth event fuels $2M for local charity efforts For over two decades, car enthusiasts in Southwest Florida have gathered on Fifth Avenue in Naples.
MARCO ISLAND Caxambas Park boat ramp on Marco Island set to reopen Collier County announced the reopening of the Caxambas Park boat ramp on Marco Island.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Animal Shelter to host Puppy Bowl 3 ahead of big game Ahead of the big game on Sunday, Cape Coral Animal Shelter will be featuring its very own Puppy Bowl III.
FORT MYERS From the ballpark to the beach: the Minnesota Twins are back for Spring Training 1700 miles later the Twins truck is here and the team from Minnesota is ready to spend the next six weeks here in Fort Myers.
the weather authority Warm stretch continues throughout this weekend The Weather Authority says if you are a fan of the warmer weather, you are going to love this weekend.
SANIBEL Sanibel’s red tide raises health alerts and wildlife concerns With great weather in the forecast, it’s shaping up to be a perfect beach weekend. However, visitors to the barrier islands should exercise caution.
NAPLES Naples Automotive Experience raises funds for St. Matthew’s House The Naples Automotive Experience brought excitement and philanthropy to the community, raising money for St. Matthew’s House.
MATLACHA Little Pine Island bridge work causes delays, FDOT promises progress Construction on the Little Pine Island Bridge has narrowed traffic to one lane, causing significant delays for drivers.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Support women’s heart health on National Wear Red Day The first Friday in February marks National Wear Red Day!
Ongoing repairs following Naples plane crash A deadly plane crash that occurred one year ago in Naples, Florida continues to impact lives in Southwest Florida. The tragic event involved two pilots who lost their lives on Interstate 75.
Naples jet crash, one year later: new details on emergency response Sunday marks one year since a jet crashed after its pilots attempted an emergency landing on I-75 just outside of Naples. “Your mind goes back to everything that happened that day,” said Heather Mazurkiewicz, public information officer with the North Collier Fire Rescue. “I think about the fact that there weren’t more lives lost.” At […]
LCSO cutting down law enforcement response times The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is gearing up to implement “Prepared 9-1-1,” a new tool designed to enhance emergency response times.
How Harry Chapin Food Bank supports struggling families In the heart of Dunbar, a neighborhood in Fort Myers, the STARS Complex becomes a place of hope as the Harry Chapin Food Bank supports families in need.
MOORE HAVEN African American family breaking barriers in Moore Haven politics Breaking barriers is a family tradition for Rashondra Croskey and her godmother, Gloria Reese.
NAPLES Naples Cars on Fifth event fuels $2M for local charity efforts For over two decades, car enthusiasts in Southwest Florida have gathered on Fifth Avenue in Naples.
MARCO ISLAND Caxambas Park boat ramp on Marco Island set to reopen Collier County announced the reopening of the Caxambas Park boat ramp on Marco Island.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Animal Shelter to host Puppy Bowl 3 ahead of big game Ahead of the big game on Sunday, Cape Coral Animal Shelter will be featuring its very own Puppy Bowl III.
FORT MYERS From the ballpark to the beach: the Minnesota Twins are back for Spring Training 1700 miles later the Twins truck is here and the team from Minnesota is ready to spend the next six weeks here in Fort Myers.
the weather authority Warm stretch continues throughout this weekend The Weather Authority says if you are a fan of the warmer weather, you are going to love this weekend.
SANIBEL Sanibel’s red tide raises health alerts and wildlife concerns With great weather in the forecast, it’s shaping up to be a perfect beach weekend. However, visitors to the barrier islands should exercise caution.
NAPLES Naples Automotive Experience raises funds for St. Matthew’s House The Naples Automotive Experience brought excitement and philanthropy to the community, raising money for St. Matthew’s House.
MATLACHA Little Pine Island bridge work causes delays, FDOT promises progress Construction on the Little Pine Island Bridge has narrowed traffic to one lane, causing significant delays for drivers.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Support women’s heart health on National Wear Red Day The first Friday in February marks National Wear Red Day!
Ongoing repairs following Naples plane crash A deadly plane crash that occurred one year ago in Naples, Florida continues to impact lives in Southwest Florida. The tragic event involved two pilots who lost their lives on Interstate 75.
Naples jet crash, one year later: new details on emergency response Sunday marks one year since a jet crashed after its pilots attempted an emergency landing on I-75 just outside of Naples. “Your mind goes back to everything that happened that day,” said Heather Mazurkiewicz, public information officer with the North Collier Fire Rescue. “I think about the fact that there weren’t more lives lost.” At […]
LCSO cutting down law enforcement response times The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is gearing up to implement “Prepared 9-1-1,” a new tool designed to enhance emergency response times.
How Harry Chapin Food Bank supports struggling families In the heart of Dunbar, a neighborhood in Fort Myers, the STARS Complex becomes a place of hope as the Harry Chapin Food Bank supports families in need.
MOORE HAVEN African American family breaking barriers in Moore Haven politics Breaking barriers is a family tradition for Rashondra Croskey and her godmother, Gloria Reese.
Former Afghan translator “Frank” and his family. Courtesy of Frank In a major update to WINK News’ exclusive story about the Afghan man known as “Frank” (for security reasons), the former translator for the U.S. military has successfully made it to the U.S. with his family. Frank, who has given WINK News permission to share photos of himself and his family, remained in touch with Aaron Forum, owner of Shoot Center in Cape Coral, who worked alongside Frank while for eight months while serving with U.S. Army Special Operations in Afghanistan. Frank’s family is in Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, at a large military base where they are working on paperwork. Their goal is still to get to reach Lee County. Last we heard, he was in Kuwait after fleeing Afghanistan. Frank and his family flew from Kabul to Kuwait, from there to Bulgaria and finally to New Jersey. He spoke to WINK about being in the Kabul airport at the same gate as the deadly IED explosions and what the conditions were like. “Actually, it was difficult and tough times,” Frank said. “We were deprived from food, from water, even from toilet for like two, three days… you are, you know, just sleeping and groveling in the dirt. And there was possibility that the Taliban will find out who I am. And, you know, if it was possible, I am open-minded person. And I don’t practice the things they’re doing and I don’t share the same value they have. So, in their religion, I consider as an infidel. So it was a lot for them to kill me.” Two of Frank’s teenage sons Omer and Hatim, 12 and 15, want to be doctors and engineers. His daughter Aisha is almost 18 and wants to be a brain surgeon. Shahabudin and Mohammad are the two youngest children with him. Frank has two other sons in Egypt; he says they are safe and are expected to join the whole family soon, so they will soon have a full house. “I’m so happy to announce that I’m here with my family [in] the United States of America, we are so happy and so excited to start our new life,” Frank said. Getting out of Afghanistan was anything but easy. At times, it didn’t even seem possible. Aaron Forum called it “a coin toss—a 50/50 chance.” “Back in Afghanistan, during of the collapse of the government, I’ve been in my office,” Frank said. “And suddenly everyone started running. And I find out there is a bunch of Taliban, with [their] ugly faces and long hair, just walking around me. So I hide in one of my neighbor’s house. And I’ve been there for, like, seven or eight days.” Fortunately, the coin came up heads. “But right now, we leave behind everything; we just came here with one pair of clothes and a single pair of shoes, and that’s all we have,” Frank said. “So thanks for all of you. God bless America, and God bless the people of America. Thanks.”