Rain doesn’t stop crowds at 40th Annual Cape Coral Arts FestivalSports trading card collecting going through “a generational reboot”
CAPE CORAL Rain doesn’t stop crowds at 40th Annual Cape Coral Arts Festival For 40 years, the Cape Coral Arts Festival has drawn crowds from across Southwest Florida, showcasing a blend of small businesses from the region.
CAPE CORAL Sports trading card collecting going through “a generational reboot” The hobby of sports trading card collecting has been on the rise since 2020, especially in Southwest Florida with more card shows.
PUNTA GORDA 11th annual short film festival coming to Punta Gorda The Punta Gorda Englewood Beach Visitor Convention Bureau will host its 11th annual short film festival.
the weather authority Mild, breezy day on tap with more clouds than sun The Weather Authority says a brief line of showers, associated with a cold front, is moving through Southwest Florida Saturday morning.
ESTERO 1 injured after shooting at Coconut Point Mall According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, one person has been injured after a shooting at the Coconut Point Mall on Friday.
CAPE CORAL CCPD cruiser damaged after officer involved crash An officer-involved crash leaves a Cape Coral police cruiser smashed.
PORT CHARLOTTE Sweet’s Diner in Port Charlotte reopens After months of fundraising and rebuilding, this diner, which had a car fly-through it, is back open.
FWC pushing to protect Florida’s endangered manatees Florida Fish and Wildlife is pushing to protect endangered manatees. One danger that animals face is when boats bash into them, leaving deep scars across their backs.
FORT MYERS The Fort Myers Fire Department looks towards new year Fighting fires is always top of mind for the Fort Myers Fire Department. The Fort Myers Fire Department leads the way when it comes to protecting your property when a fire breaks out.
WINK NEWS Palisades Wildfire devastates SWFL family Just hours after evacuating their Malibu home, the Wohl family learned they would never go back.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral expands with development The Cove at 47th The Cove sits in south Cape Coral between Cape Coral Parkway and Southeast 47th Terrace right next to Cork Soakers.
FORT MYERS ‘Operation Ghost Buster’: 16 arrested in Fort Myers drug operation The Fort Myers Police Department Narcotics Unit conducted an operation targeting drug traffickers and individuals unlawfully selling and possessing firearms in Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS ‘A Distinctive Honor’: Bank of America award benefits FSW Nursing Program Bank of America has been awarded Florida Southwestern State College the 2024 Neighborhood Champion Award.
CAPTIVA One step closer to decision on South Seas building density After hearing arguments from both sides, the judge said he stood by his earlier decision in favor of the Captiva Civic Association.
Governor signs death warrant for man accused of 1997 killing of 2 in Charlotte County Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed the death warrant for a man accused of killing two people in Charlotte County in 1997.
CAPE CORAL Rain doesn’t stop crowds at 40th Annual Cape Coral Arts Festival For 40 years, the Cape Coral Arts Festival has drawn crowds from across Southwest Florida, showcasing a blend of small businesses from the region.
CAPE CORAL Sports trading card collecting going through “a generational reboot” The hobby of sports trading card collecting has been on the rise since 2020, especially in Southwest Florida with more card shows.
PUNTA GORDA 11th annual short film festival coming to Punta Gorda The Punta Gorda Englewood Beach Visitor Convention Bureau will host its 11th annual short film festival.
the weather authority Mild, breezy day on tap with more clouds than sun The Weather Authority says a brief line of showers, associated with a cold front, is moving through Southwest Florida Saturday morning.
ESTERO 1 injured after shooting at Coconut Point Mall According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, one person has been injured after a shooting at the Coconut Point Mall on Friday.
CAPE CORAL CCPD cruiser damaged after officer involved crash An officer-involved crash leaves a Cape Coral police cruiser smashed.
PORT CHARLOTTE Sweet’s Diner in Port Charlotte reopens After months of fundraising and rebuilding, this diner, which had a car fly-through it, is back open.
FWC pushing to protect Florida’s endangered manatees Florida Fish and Wildlife is pushing to protect endangered manatees. One danger that animals face is when boats bash into them, leaving deep scars across their backs.
FORT MYERS The Fort Myers Fire Department looks towards new year Fighting fires is always top of mind for the Fort Myers Fire Department. The Fort Myers Fire Department leads the way when it comes to protecting your property when a fire breaks out.
WINK NEWS Palisades Wildfire devastates SWFL family Just hours after evacuating their Malibu home, the Wohl family learned they would never go back.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral expands with development The Cove at 47th The Cove sits in south Cape Coral between Cape Coral Parkway and Southeast 47th Terrace right next to Cork Soakers.
FORT MYERS ‘Operation Ghost Buster’: 16 arrested in Fort Myers drug operation The Fort Myers Police Department Narcotics Unit conducted an operation targeting drug traffickers and individuals unlawfully selling and possessing firearms in Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS ‘A Distinctive Honor’: Bank of America award benefits FSW Nursing Program Bank of America has been awarded Florida Southwestern State College the 2024 Neighborhood Champion Award.
CAPTIVA One step closer to decision on South Seas building density After hearing arguments from both sides, the judge said he stood by his earlier decision in favor of the Captiva Civic Association.
Governor signs death warrant for man accused of 1997 killing of 2 in Charlotte County Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed the death warrant for a man accused of killing two people in Charlotte County in 1997.
Francesca DeVito’s father was among the fallen at the World Trad Center 20 years ago on 9/11. Her father, Robert Cirri, was a member of New Jersey Port Authority. Credit: WINK News. As we prepare to mark 20 years since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, family members of the fallen brace for another tough day. “It’s every single year it’s replayed, and I’m literally watching my parent being murdered every single year, and that’s just something that will never get easier,” Francesca DeVito said. DeVito lost her father on 9/11 when she was 13 years old. He was a lieutenant with the New Jersey Port Authority and went to ground zero that day to help. We sat down with DeVito to reflect on that fateful day and her father’s memory. Lt. Robert Cirri of New Jersey Port Authority. Cirri died while responding inside the World Trade Center on 9/11. Credit: WINK News. A gentle giant. A hero. A friend. And to Francesca DeVito, Robert Cirri was a loving dad. “He just lived to help people,” DeVito said. “His voice kind of sounded like Sylvester Stallone. That deep, raspy, ‘Come here; do your homework.’ That’s exactly what he sounded like.” In her Golden Gate Estates home, DeVito’s father keeps watch over them. His oil painting is on the wall and memorabilia in a cabinet at home. Devito wants to remember how her father lived. But as 9/11 approaches, it’s impossible not to think about how he died at ground zero. “And he went in because his transcripts said he was supposed to leave,” DeVito explained. “They were in the north tower, and they made it to like the 30-something floor, and there was still one lady that they had to get out.” “But I guess something happened with her legs being injured, so he had a stair chair that firefighters use,” DeVito said. “He wouldn’t leave her, and his transcripts were like ‘No, I’m not leaving her.’” “I was in English class when the first tower was hit,” DeVito said. “And you just saw the twin towers burning, and I saw the second plane hit on TV,” DeVito said. “And my cousin was in my classroom, and I turned around; I said, ‘He’s there,’ and he’s like, ‘What do you mean he’s there?’ I was like, ‘He’s there. I know he’s there. Like, I’m really scared.’” “I remember doing the rosary, and I just said, like, out loud, like, ‘God, why would you let something so bad happened?’” DeVito said. “And by 10 p.m.-ish, Port Authority contacted my mom. He’s missing in action, and I’ll never forget that.” Adding to the pain and grief was Devito’s last conversation with her father. “I was grounded the night before 9/11, and my last words to my dad, were, ‘I hate you for grounding me,’” DeVito said. But I have to come to peace with that. Because if I don’t, I’m going to torture my soul, and that’s no way to live, and he wouldn’t want that for me either.” “People forget with 9/11 that there was kids that lost their parents, and those kids are adults,” DeVito said. “I’m 33. I had to walk myself down an aisle for my wedding, which is not fair. My mom is a widow. She was supposed to grow old with him.” Now, she never takes love for granted and makes sure her father’s memory lives on. “I got married on his birthday, so we get a happier day. I think that’s the big thing,” DeVito said. “What kind of grandfather do you think he’d be? Oh, goodness, stressed out with my kids,” DeVito said. “He would be fun. He would be the grandpa that jacks them up on sugar and then sends them home.” “I tell them everything, everything that I can. We still talk like he’s still here. My kids, you know, they’re, they never got to meet him. But they talk to me like they go over to his house every Sunday for dinner,” DeVito said. “And you know, they said something to me last year. You know, they said that, ‘It’s sad that he died. But he died because he went back in to save someone. And like that’s like super brave mommy.’ And I was like, ‘Yeah … he was very brave that day.’”