Cape Coral Animal Shelter volunteers distribute gifts to cats and dogsDozens volunteer to feed over 500 people at St. Matthew’s House
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Animal Shelter volunteers distribute gifts to cats and dogs Christmas is meant to be merry, but for dogs and cats waiting for their forever homes it can be anything but.
NAPLES Dozens volunteer to feed over 500 people at St. Matthew’s House The St. Matthews House fed nearly 500 people hot and traditional holiday meals at their Naples shelter on Wednesday.
CAPE CORAL Project Siren; Cape Coral chaplain praying for first responders The sound of sirens, life and death hang in the balance. A cape coral chaplain bows his head and says a prayer.
FORT MYERS Residents celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas on the same day Hanukkah begins Wednesday with the lighting of the first candle. Each night, another candle will be lit until all eight shine bright.
ENGLEWOOD Englewood residents still recovering from hurricanes on Christmas Neighbors on Lemon Bay Drive in Englewood said their homes had never seen a drop of a water from a hurricane until 2024.
FORT MYERS Dr. Piper Center hosts annual Christmas Celebration Dozens of children are enjoying new bicycles on Christmas day thanks to the generosity of the Dr. Piper Center.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for December 25, 2024 This weekly Most Wanted Wednesday WINK News segment features fugitives from justice in Southwest Florida.
Spending the holidays with first responders For most of us, Christmas is about spending time with family, but one group is making sure our families are staying safe.
More clouds and a few showers for your Christmas Day plans The Weather Authority is tracking more clouds on Christmas day than we saw on Christmas Eve and the chance for a few showers.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Adoptive family spends first Christmas together Family come in all shapes and sizes but all share one common thing, their love for each other. One southwest Florida woman couldn’t have kids, so she built her family through adoption and fostering.
PUNTA GORDA Man accused of shooting man at Punta Gorda motel A man has been arrested after allegedly shooting another man during a physical dispute at a Punta Gorda motel.
What’s open and closed on Christmas Day in SWFL On Christmas Day, many businesses and services are closed, including most retail stores, offices, and government buildings.
NAPLES Celebrating Christmas Eve with the Magic of Lights Across southwest Florida, people have been feeling the Christmas spirit. In Collier County, families at the Magic of Lights experience counted down the minutes to Santa’s arrival in awe of the spectacular display.
FORT MYERS BEACH Beachgoers enjoy Fort Myers Beach on Christmas Eve Whether you’re a full-time Floridian, a snowbird or just vacationing here for Christmas, it was a great day to go to the beach.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ‘Chrismukkah’; Two major holidays fall on the same day This year Christmas and Hanukkah fall on the same day. Many people of both faiths across our area will participate in the rare opportunity to celebrate both holidays.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Animal Shelter volunteers distribute gifts to cats and dogs Christmas is meant to be merry, but for dogs and cats waiting for their forever homes it can be anything but.
NAPLES Dozens volunteer to feed over 500 people at St. Matthew’s House The St. Matthews House fed nearly 500 people hot and traditional holiday meals at their Naples shelter on Wednesday.
CAPE CORAL Project Siren; Cape Coral chaplain praying for first responders The sound of sirens, life and death hang in the balance. A cape coral chaplain bows his head and says a prayer.
FORT MYERS Residents celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas on the same day Hanukkah begins Wednesday with the lighting of the first candle. Each night, another candle will be lit until all eight shine bright.
ENGLEWOOD Englewood residents still recovering from hurricanes on Christmas Neighbors on Lemon Bay Drive in Englewood said their homes had never seen a drop of a water from a hurricane until 2024.
FORT MYERS Dr. Piper Center hosts annual Christmas Celebration Dozens of children are enjoying new bicycles on Christmas day thanks to the generosity of the Dr. Piper Center.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for December 25, 2024 This weekly Most Wanted Wednesday WINK News segment features fugitives from justice in Southwest Florida.
Spending the holidays with first responders For most of us, Christmas is about spending time with family, but one group is making sure our families are staying safe.
More clouds and a few showers for your Christmas Day plans The Weather Authority is tracking more clouds on Christmas day than we saw on Christmas Eve and the chance for a few showers.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Adoptive family spends first Christmas together Family come in all shapes and sizes but all share one common thing, their love for each other. One southwest Florida woman couldn’t have kids, so she built her family through adoption and fostering.
PUNTA GORDA Man accused of shooting man at Punta Gorda motel A man has been arrested after allegedly shooting another man during a physical dispute at a Punta Gorda motel.
What’s open and closed on Christmas Day in SWFL On Christmas Day, many businesses and services are closed, including most retail stores, offices, and government buildings.
NAPLES Celebrating Christmas Eve with the Magic of Lights Across southwest Florida, people have been feeling the Christmas spirit. In Collier County, families at the Magic of Lights experience counted down the minutes to Santa’s arrival in awe of the spectacular display.
FORT MYERS BEACH Beachgoers enjoy Fort Myers Beach on Christmas Eve Whether you’re a full-time Floridian, a snowbird or just vacationing here for Christmas, it was a great day to go to the beach.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ‘Chrismukkah’; Two major holidays fall on the same day This year Christmas and Hanukkah fall on the same day. Many people of both faiths across our area will participate in the rare opportunity to celebrate both holidays.
Gabby Petito (Credit: Joseph Petito) “Van Life” vlogger Gabby Petito was reported missing on September 11, 2021. What happened between her and her fiancé in the days leading up to her death? And where is Brian Laundrie? July 2021: New adventures Petito and Laundrie leave New York for what was supposed to be a four-month, cross-country trip visiting and camping in national parks. They plan to sleep in their van and document their travels on Instagram and YouTube. August 12, 2021: Disorderly conduct stop A 911 call is placed by someone who reports seeing a confrontation between Gabby and Brian. The caller said he saw Laundrie hit Petito. Police in Moab, Utah, are dispatched and pull the van over. It is unclear if they knew the details of the 911 call. Police bodycam video shows Petito crying and upset. The police report says that Petito hit Laundrie, but no arrests were made. The couple is separated for the night – Laundrie checks into a hotel and Petito stays in the van. Gabby Petito’s disappearance prompts discussions on domestic violence and how to identify patterns of abuse. August 19, 2021: “Van Life” Petito and Laundrie post a video on YouTube called “Van Life: Beginning Our Van Life Journey.” The images show them laughing and kissing. August 24, 2021: Seen in Salt Lake City Petito and Laundrie are reportedly seen leaving a hotel in Salt Lake City. August 25, 2021: Gabby’s last post The van is spotted at Grand Teton National Park. This is also the last day a post is made to Petito’s Instagram account. August 27, 2021: An odd text and an argument According to a search warrant, on August 27, Petito’s mother says she receives an odd text from Gabby’s phone. It read, “Can you help Stan, I just keep getting his voicemails and missed calls.” Stan is Gabby’s grandfather, but her mother says Gabby never referred to him by his first name. Gabby‘s mother said it was out of character and concerning. Witnesses also reportedly see an argument between Laundrie and restaurant staff in Jackson, WY. August 29, 2021: Hitchhiking claims Miranda Baker posts on her TikTok claiming she picked up Brian Laundrie, who was hitchhiking alone. Brian LaundrieCredit: BRIAN LAUNDRIE/INSTAGRAM August 30, 2021: Another text Petito’s mom says she receives a text from Gabby’s phone. She wouldn’t comment on what it said but according to some reports it read “no service in Yosemite”. September 1, 2021: Brian returns home According to North Port PD, Laundrie returns to North Port, Florida, where he lived with Gabby — but he was alone. He was traveling in the white ford van they shared. The attorney for the Laundrie family says that on this date, during his journey home, Brian stopped at his sister’s home in Lakewood Ranch. Some time between August 30 and September 1 is when Brian used Gabby’s card after her death. September 4, 2021: Brian’s new phone Brian Laundrie opens a new account with At&T and got a new phone. September 6-7, 2021: Laundrie family vacation The lawyer for Brian Laundrie and his family says the Laundrie family took a “vacation” to Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County. September 11, 2021: Gabby reported missing Gabby’s mother files a missing person’s report with the Suffolk County, New York, Police Department after not hearing from her since late August. On September 11, 2021, Nicole Schmidt, Gabby Petito’s mother, files a missing person’s report with the Suffolk County, New York, Police Department.Credit: WCBS The white van Gabby and Brian traveled in was taken from the Laundrie family home on this date. September 13, 2021: Brian’s last day Brian Laundrie’s family reports that the last day that he was seen was on September 13. September 14, 2021: Families torn apart Brian Laundrie’s family issues a statement through their lawyer saying that they intend to remain in the background while the search for Gabby is underway. Petito’s family issues a statement accusing Laundrie of refusing to tell them where he last saw Gabby. September 15, 2021: A person of interest North Port Police say that Laundrie is refusing to cooperate and name him as a person of interest in Petito’s disappearance. September 16, 2021: A plea for help North Port Police hold a press conference. Gabby’s father asks everyone to help find his daughter. Joe Petito appeals to the public to come forward with any information that could help investigators. “I’m asking for help from the parents of Brian and I’m asking for the help of the family members and friends of the Laundrie family as well,” he said. “Whatever you can do to make sure my daughter comes home, I’m asking for that help. There is nothing else that matters to me now.”Credit: WINK News September 17, 2021: Where is Brian? Laundrie’s parents tell police they have not seen Brian in three days and report him missing. Protesters gather outside the Laundrie house. September 18, 2021: The search for Brian The search for Laundrie begins in the 24,000-acre Carlton Reserve in Sarasota, Florida. His parents say that was where he was headed the last time they saw him. A search for Brian Laundrie is expected to continue at the Carlton Reserve on Saturday. (CREDIT: North Port Police Department) September 19, 2021: Remains found Authorities say they found remains near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming where the van was previously spotted. September 20, 2021: FBI raid Police execute a search warrant on Laundrie’s home, seizing his car and a hard drive that may contain “evidence that a felony has been committed.” September 21, 2021: Gabby is identified A coroner confirms that the remains found in Wyoming is Gabby Petito and determined the initial manner of death is homicide. The FBI announces they are taking over the criminal investigation, and authorities continue to search for Laundrie in the Carlton Reserve. Once Petito’s body is found, the investigation into her homicide begins. September 23, 2021: Arrest warrant issued A federal court in Wyoming issues an arrest warrant for Brian Laundrie. He’s charged with the unauthorized use of a debit card to make unauthorized withdrawals worth more than $1,000 during the time Petito went missing. September 24, 2021: A vigil for Gabby A candlelight vigil is held for Petito in her hometown of Blue Point, New York. A memorial to Gabby Petito at North port City Hall. Credit: WINK News September 25, 2021: Helping others Petito’s father announces the creation of the Gabby Petito Foundation to “help people in similar situations as Gabby” and provide resources and guidance for parents searching for missing children. September 26, 2021: Saying goodbye Over 1,000 people attend a public memorial service for Petito at a Long Island, New York funeral home. The service was also streamed online. The FBI also retrieved more items from the Laundrie house to test for DNA. September 28, 2021: “Turn yourself in” Petito’s family and their attorney thanked law enforcement on Tuesday in their first interview since Gabby’s death. They urge Laundrie to turn himself in to the authorities. Gabby Petito’s mother Nichole Schmidt during an interview with Dr. Phil. (Credit: Dr. Phil)