FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herselfSurrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Memorial celebrates the life of John Passidomo Hundreds of friends and family gathered for a memorial at Baker Park in Naples.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Memorial celebrates the life of John Passidomo Hundreds of friends and family gathered for a memorial at Baker Park in Naples.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
Close-up of Kelly Anne and Anthony Ferraro at their wedding. Credit: David Gannon Kelly Anne Ferraro met her future husband in 2017, hanging out with mutual friends at the Jersey shore. Kelly knew Anthony was blind – but soon learned there was much more to him. “Anthony didn’t have a cane or anything and no one was guiding him around,” Kelly told CBS News, adding that Anthony said he can see some light outside, but nothing indoors. “So I was like, ‘Why isn’t anyone helping you?'” “Kelly grabbed on to me and was helping me the rest of the day,” Anthony told CBS News. “I was like, ‘This girl’s amazing.'” Kelly Anne met her future husband, Anthony Ferarro at the Jersey shore, through mutual friends. On their wedding day, she wanted to do something special for Anthony, who is blind.Courtesy of Kelly Anne & Anthony Ferraro Kelly said that was their first “bonding experience,” but their first date came about a month later, when Anthony invited her to a documentary premiere. The film was about Anthony wrestling against sighted opponents in high school. The athlete is not only a wrestler, but also practices judo, and trained for the Paralympics. For the first date, Kelly wanted to do something special. So, she got a new dress – one he could feel. “She’s like, ‘Well, he can’t see me, so I have to wear something that feels nice.’ And no one’s ever thought to do that, like ever,” Anthony said. “I remember my sister making fun of me because I was like, ‘I’m going to wear a velvet dress so he can feel it.’ And she was like, ‘That is so corny, he’s not going to feel your dress just because he’s blind,'” Kelly said. “And I was like, ‘No, he might! You don’t know.’ And it ended up being something that was so important to him.” After that first date, the pair became a couple. Anthony travels a lot for his judo tournaments, and Kelly began going with him. “My whole life changed when I met Kelly. I remember just not being able to see anything when I traveled, you know,” he said. “She would describe these landscapes to me, visually, where it would paint these pictures in my head. And she literally became my eyes for the world.” After about four years of dating, the couple got married in Maine earlier this month. Ahead of the wedding, Kelly wanted to do something special for Anthony again. So, she got a custom wedding dress – one with many textures, so he could “see” by feeling. “I really want something that’s a whole experience for Anthony,” Kelly remembered saying. Kelly’s friend recommended a bridal shop in Greenpoint, Brooklyn that makes sustainable gowns by recycling fabrics. Since she’s “not a shopper” she was anxious about going. Kelly got a tactile dress with velvet tassels, embossed flowers and several fabrics. Credit: David Gannon “I remember looking at her before she left and saying, ‘Kelly, just go be a princess today. Go have fun,'” Anthony said. Kelly went to the bridal shop with her mom, and her dreams came true. She tried on a dress with velvet tassels, embossed flowers and several fabrics. “When I looked up, I started crying,” Kelly said. “This is the dress I dreamed about.” She also got a jacket to stay warm – and with long velvet tassels on the sleeves, Anthony had another tactile fabric to feel. “That was the real kicker,” Anthony said. “It was velvet, just like our first date.” Like most grooms, Anthony had no clue what his bride’s wedding dress was going to be like. So when she met him at the altar, he was shocked. “My mind was blown. I started crying. And it was just like – was able to see Kelly. That was the best part, I was able to feel her dress.” he said. Kelly said she was so excited about the dress that she showed it to him at the altar before ceremony even started. “I was like, ‘Feel it!'” she said. Credit: David Gannon Kelly said she was so excited about the dress that she showed it to him at the altar before ceremony even started. “I was like, ‘Feel it!'” she said. “When I was feeling the dress, it was just creating this image of an angel in my brain, it was just beautiful,” Anthony said. Kelly not only had the dress customized for Anthony, but she also ensured the wedding venue was accessible. “To put yourself in other people’s shoes, I think really helps,” Anthony said about people like Kelly. “But understanding everyone in life is different and going that extra step to just think about that other person and try to put yourself in their experiences.”