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.
the weather authority Cold morning makes way for another chilly day The Weather Authority is tracking the coldest morning of the season as Southwest Florida braces for another chilly Wednesday afternoon.
NAPLES MANOR Collier County hit-and-run victims seek justice after New Year’s Day crash A mother and daughter were left for dead on the side of the road; the crash happened on New Year’s Day on Texas Avenue in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Florida wildlife affected by cold weather If you’re not a snowbird you’re probably going to spend this week shivering.
Fort Myers leaders discuss Dunbar Park renovation plans City leaders want to breathe new life into a community park many say has been neglected and forgotten Dunbar Park.
Deadline arrives for FEMA hurricane assistance in Florida The application deadline has arrived for those affected by the 2024 hurricane season to apply for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
NAPLES Cyclists push for bike safety after recent crash Every cyclist has their story. Whether it’s a near miss or a hard hit, there’s no doubt about it: cyclists are vulnerable.
NORTH FORT MYERS North Fort Myers home turns into junkyard Waking up to the smell of garbage is not a fun way to start your day.
Suspect confesses in hit-and-run that left bicyclist critically injured The man who hit bicyclist Hollie Masino with his car was arrested following his confession on Tuesday.
CCSO implements new tools to help crack down on animal cruelty Our deputies swear an oath to serve and protect everyone in our county, even those with four legs.
FORT MYERS BEACH The Division of Administrative hearings have started on Fort Myers Beach Will they stay or will they go? Tuesday is the day six properties on Fort Myers Beach fight to stay.
Attorneys seek evidence review in death sentence for man accused of killing wife Attorneys on Mark Sievers’ post-conviction counsel are asking a Lee County judge to review the evidence they say was kept secret during the trial.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island intersection shut down due to gas leak The Marco Island Police Department and Fire Rescue Department are responding to a gas leak at the intersection of Windward and Bald Eagle Drive.
FORT MYERS BEACH Concrete piling falls off Big Carlos Pass Bridge on Fort Myers Beach Crews working on the Big Carlos Pass Bridge had a concrete beam fall over onto a crane as Lee County deputies and other departments helped out. Traffic on Fort Myers Beach was backed up, but the bridge is now back open.
Charlotte County man accused of killing grandfather sentenced A man accused of murdering his grandfather in December of 2023 pleaded no contest and has been sentenced to 20 years.
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.
the weather authority Cold morning makes way for another chilly day The Weather Authority is tracking the coldest morning of the season as Southwest Florida braces for another chilly Wednesday afternoon.
NAPLES MANOR Collier County hit-and-run victims seek justice after New Year’s Day crash A mother and daughter were left for dead on the side of the road; the crash happened on New Year’s Day on Texas Avenue in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Florida wildlife affected by cold weather If you’re not a snowbird you’re probably going to spend this week shivering.
Fort Myers leaders discuss Dunbar Park renovation plans City leaders want to breathe new life into a community park many say has been neglected and forgotten Dunbar Park.
Deadline arrives for FEMA hurricane assistance in Florida The application deadline has arrived for those affected by the 2024 hurricane season to apply for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
NAPLES Cyclists push for bike safety after recent crash Every cyclist has their story. Whether it’s a near miss or a hard hit, there’s no doubt about it: cyclists are vulnerable.
NORTH FORT MYERS North Fort Myers home turns into junkyard Waking up to the smell of garbage is not a fun way to start your day.
Suspect confesses in hit-and-run that left bicyclist critically injured The man who hit bicyclist Hollie Masino with his car was arrested following his confession on Tuesday.
CCSO implements new tools to help crack down on animal cruelty Our deputies swear an oath to serve and protect everyone in our county, even those with four legs.
FORT MYERS BEACH The Division of Administrative hearings have started on Fort Myers Beach Will they stay or will they go? Tuesday is the day six properties on Fort Myers Beach fight to stay.
Attorneys seek evidence review in death sentence for man accused of killing wife Attorneys on Mark Sievers’ post-conviction counsel are asking a Lee County judge to review the evidence they say was kept secret during the trial.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island intersection shut down due to gas leak The Marco Island Police Department and Fire Rescue Department are responding to a gas leak at the intersection of Windward and Bald Eagle Drive.
FORT MYERS BEACH Concrete piling falls off Big Carlos Pass Bridge on Fort Myers Beach Crews working on the Big Carlos Pass Bridge had a concrete beam fall over onto a crane as Lee County deputies and other departments helped out. Traffic on Fort Myers Beach was backed up, but the bridge is now back open.
Charlotte County man accused of killing grandfather sentenced A man accused of murdering his grandfather in December of 2023 pleaded no contest and has been sentenced to 20 years.
Cape Coral firefighters training in a parking lot. Credit: WINK News The Cape Coral Fire Department, the largest fire department in Southwest Florida, does not have an independent training facility, and is now asking the city for a brand new one. CCFD is evaluated by the Insurance Service Office, which says it needs to train new firefighters at a facility for at least 18 hours before they’re certified, but CCFD is currently only able to train its new firefighters at a facility for two hours. “The recommendation from ISO is 18 hours of facility training; we average right now about two, just because of the difficulty of getting our crews to those other sites,” said CCFD chief Ryan Lamb. “This will dramatically improve those numbers. And then that, with a variety of other factors… we hope we will improve our overall ISO rating. Right now, we’re Class 3, we hope to improve to a Class 2, and that should lower homeowner insurance in most cases.” New CCFD firefighters currently train in a station parking lot or an empty plot of land. The new facility will have a five-story training tower, office space, a control room and thermal lining systems with training props all over the place. “Right now, we’re training a group of five new firefighters, we have 10 more coming here the first of the year,” Lamb said. “As we continue to see those new firefighters come in due to growth, and then also due to attrition as people retire, it’s important that we bring those firefighters in well-trained so they’re prepared. Because we’re seeing, as we see that decreasing experience… we want to make sure that they’re well-trained and prepared for somebody’s worst day.” CCFD is currently looking to get approval for phase one of the construction manager at risk, which will cost about $69,006. If approved, construction for the rest of the project would be slated to begin in nine to 12 months.