Deputies confirm one death while investigating structure fire in Charlotte County neighborhoodSave Energy: LCEC urges customers to forego heaters as temperatures drop
Deputies confirm one death while investigating structure fire in Charlotte County neighborhood One person is dead as several fire departments and the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office investigate an overnight fire that broke out in a neighborhood.
Save Energy: LCEC urges customers to forego heaters as temperatures drop The Lee County Electric Cooperative, LCEC, is encouraging people to conserve energy as temperatures drop throughout Southwest Florida.
the weather authority Cold and sunny for your Thursday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a frigid Thursday with more sunshine expected this afternoon.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
NAPLES Expert at Naples Botanical Garden speaks on prescribed burns There’s no need to sound the alarms for this smoke in the air, as Southwest Florida is actually seeing many controlled or ‘prescribed’ fires.
Sawfish caught with fishing wire tied around rostrum and hooks in mouth; removed and released An endangered smalltooth sawfish was not what Mac expected to be at the end of his fishing line after fishing with buddies New Year’s Day.
Florida Power and Light Set to potentially raise prices in 2026 Florida Power and Light has announced their proposal for a need to increase rates from 2026 – 2029.
PORT CHARLOTTE Home of Port Charlotte couple destroyed due to mold from Hurricane Ian A Port Charlotte couple inherited a home after the wife’s parents died. The home is now destroyed because of mold from Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Update on the Naples Pier construction The Naples Pier has been destroyed since Hurricane Ian. Since then, the city has considered ways to restore the pier but questions linger over the work, especially on how long it will take to complete.
FORT MYERS BEACH Pink Shell resort expansion project moves onto final vote The future for the expansion of a Fort Myers Beach staple comes down to one vote.
PUNTA GORDA Fatal crash on Burnt Store Road, all lanes blocked A crash on Burnt Store Road near Charlee Road in Charlotte County has reportedly resulted in a fatality.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral’s school zone safety plan hits a speed bump Thanks to new cameras, speeders in Cape Coral school zones would be facing fines this week, but due to delays in the contractor’s schedule, they will not.
Law enforcement and City of Fort Myers warning residents about QR code scams Law enforcement and the city of Fort Myers are warning you to think twice before scanning QR codes so you can avoid “quishing.”
IMMOKALEE Is the Florida citrus industry on its way out? The orange is the iconic symbol of Florida. While the fruit may be on the state’s license plates, the citrus industry has been on the decline for more than a decade.
Arthrex showcase explores diverse careers for students A chance for young minds to get a crack at being a part of one of the biggest and most innovative companies in the world.
Deputies confirm one death while investigating structure fire in Charlotte County neighborhood One person is dead as several fire departments and the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office investigate an overnight fire that broke out in a neighborhood.
Save Energy: LCEC urges customers to forego heaters as temperatures drop The Lee County Electric Cooperative, LCEC, is encouraging people to conserve energy as temperatures drop throughout Southwest Florida.
the weather authority Cold and sunny for your Thursday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a frigid Thursday with more sunshine expected this afternoon.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
NAPLES Expert at Naples Botanical Garden speaks on prescribed burns There’s no need to sound the alarms for this smoke in the air, as Southwest Florida is actually seeing many controlled or ‘prescribed’ fires.
Sawfish caught with fishing wire tied around rostrum and hooks in mouth; removed and released An endangered smalltooth sawfish was not what Mac expected to be at the end of his fishing line after fishing with buddies New Year’s Day.
Florida Power and Light Set to potentially raise prices in 2026 Florida Power and Light has announced their proposal for a need to increase rates from 2026 – 2029.
PORT CHARLOTTE Home of Port Charlotte couple destroyed due to mold from Hurricane Ian A Port Charlotte couple inherited a home after the wife’s parents died. The home is now destroyed because of mold from Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Update on the Naples Pier construction The Naples Pier has been destroyed since Hurricane Ian. Since then, the city has considered ways to restore the pier but questions linger over the work, especially on how long it will take to complete.
FORT MYERS BEACH Pink Shell resort expansion project moves onto final vote The future for the expansion of a Fort Myers Beach staple comes down to one vote.
PUNTA GORDA Fatal crash on Burnt Store Road, all lanes blocked A crash on Burnt Store Road near Charlee Road in Charlotte County has reportedly resulted in a fatality.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral’s school zone safety plan hits a speed bump Thanks to new cameras, speeders in Cape Coral school zones would be facing fines this week, but due to delays in the contractor’s schedule, they will not.
Law enforcement and City of Fort Myers warning residents about QR code scams Law enforcement and the city of Fort Myers are warning you to think twice before scanning QR codes so you can avoid “quishing.”
IMMOKALEE Is the Florida citrus industry on its way out? The orange is the iconic symbol of Florida. While the fruit may be on the state’s license plates, the citrus industry has been on the decline for more than a decade.
Arthrex showcase explores diverse careers for students A chance for young minds to get a crack at being a part of one of the biggest and most innovative companies in the world.
Thee Oaks Middle School (CREDIT: WINK News) A 12-year-old child with autism is recovering after spending a night in jail, accused by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office of sending a threatening email. The crime occurred when an email was sent from the student’s account saying he would shoot students at Three Oaks Middle School. But now, an expert is questioning whether it was a hasty arrest. The child’s family and lawyer say he did not commit the crime. And so did the school principal, who the family said called them to apologize. “The thing about it is if you were to take a look at him, he has the body of a 12-year-old. He’s the height of a 12-year-old, but his mentality level is at five years old,” said Kimberly Green, a relative of the student. The child is on the autism spectrum and is frequently bullied. The family’s attorney said someone accessed the child’s email and sent the threat. And now, he is traumatized from being sent to jail and angry the school’s resource officer interviewed him without his mom present. “The investigation was shoddy and I hate to say that, but it was,” said David Thomas, a former law enforcement officer and FGCU criminal justice professor. “It led to a bad arrest.” The family’s attorney said the school knew the student was autistic and the school resource officer had to know once he talked to him. On top of that, when the boy types, he types without spaces. The email threat, “I’m taking a gun to school on Friday and I’m going to kill ever one,” contained spaces. Green said during the time the child was jailed, he was still getting bullied. “I have a son who is autistic and he’s almost 40 now, but I couldn’t imagine, I can’t imagine him being arrested and, and the trauma that he would go through,” Thomas said. Shortly after the child was back home with family, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office asked the State Attorney’s Office to delay pursuing the case against the child because deputies identified another suspect. “Why didn’t we take that much time to make sure that we got the right child especially considering those circumstances,” Thomas said. “Now this kid is forever marked because of what happened.”