Kitten recovering after surviving horrific abuseLosing loved ones in the line of duty; Community offers support to Diaz family
FORT MYERS Kitten recovering after surviving horrific abuse At 12 pounds and 12 weeks old, this little kitty was snatched from her home and literally dragged through the unthinkable.
Losing loved ones in the line of duty; Community offers support to Diaz family Heartbreak over Sergeant Elio Diaz’s death consumed the Charlotte County community, after the fallen hero was laid to rest Friday.
CAPTIVA Impacts of hurricane season on fishing in SWFL Whipping winds and torrential downpours are all too common with hurricanes.
CAPE CORAL What to know before gifting pets this holiday season Gifting someone a pet for Christmas may sound like a good idea but not always. Animal experts remind us that owning an animal takes a big commitment.
Top rated prospects shine in City of Palms Classic In the third week of December, all eyes on college basketball recruiting are on the City of Palms Classic. Year after year, some of the top high school teams, featuring many of the top players in the country, compete in the Fort Myers Tournament. This year is no different. Take Long Island Lutheran versus Owasso, […]
NAPLES ‘Beverly’s Angels’ prepare holiday sacks for kids in need Beverly’s Angels in Naples is providing kids the essentials they need during the holiday season, and they got some help from high school students across Southwest Florida.
‘He was a phenomenal human being’: Woman says Elio Diaz inspired her to turn life around WINK News has shared stories about people greatly impacted by Deputy Sergeant Elio Diaz’s work. Now we hear from a woman whose life he affected for the better.
PUNTA GORDA ShorePoint Health in Punta Gorda to permanently close If people in Punta Gorda consider themselves patients of ShorePoint Hospital, they will have to look for an alternate place of healthcare.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh Acres Fire and Rescue District gives holiday candle safety tips Holiday celebrations are a few days away, and nothing sets the mood better than candles. This warning is best given before the holidays.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers closes on first house through affordable home program Through its Affordable Home Construction Program, the city closed a contract for the first single-family home.
SANIBEL Homeowners share unique ways to fortify homes after storms Roof, walls and floors. There’s so much to think about when you’re rebuilding.
DeSoto teen found guilty for murder at fair A teenager has been convicted in a deadly shooting that occurred at the DeSoto County Fair.
Residents gather at procession to pay tribute to Sgt. Elio Diaz WINK News spent the day along the procession route for Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz talking with people who wanted to let us know what Diaz meant to them.
BABCOCK RANCH Emotional memorial for fallen Charlotte County sergeant Family, friends, brothers and sisters in blue and even complete strangers gave Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz the sendoff he deserved.
NAPLES Naples Hurricanes 13U win Pop Warner Super Bowl The Naples Hurricanes 13U football team won the Pop Warner Super Bowl and become national champions.
FORT MYERS Kitten recovering after surviving horrific abuse At 12 pounds and 12 weeks old, this little kitty was snatched from her home and literally dragged through the unthinkable.
Losing loved ones in the line of duty; Community offers support to Diaz family Heartbreak over Sergeant Elio Diaz’s death consumed the Charlotte County community, after the fallen hero was laid to rest Friday.
CAPTIVA Impacts of hurricane season on fishing in SWFL Whipping winds and torrential downpours are all too common with hurricanes.
CAPE CORAL What to know before gifting pets this holiday season Gifting someone a pet for Christmas may sound like a good idea but not always. Animal experts remind us that owning an animal takes a big commitment.
Top rated prospects shine in City of Palms Classic In the third week of December, all eyes on college basketball recruiting are on the City of Palms Classic. Year after year, some of the top high school teams, featuring many of the top players in the country, compete in the Fort Myers Tournament. This year is no different. Take Long Island Lutheran versus Owasso, […]
NAPLES ‘Beverly’s Angels’ prepare holiday sacks for kids in need Beverly’s Angels in Naples is providing kids the essentials they need during the holiday season, and they got some help from high school students across Southwest Florida.
‘He was a phenomenal human being’: Woman says Elio Diaz inspired her to turn life around WINK News has shared stories about people greatly impacted by Deputy Sergeant Elio Diaz’s work. Now we hear from a woman whose life he affected for the better.
PUNTA GORDA ShorePoint Health in Punta Gorda to permanently close If people in Punta Gorda consider themselves patients of ShorePoint Hospital, they will have to look for an alternate place of healthcare.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh Acres Fire and Rescue District gives holiday candle safety tips Holiday celebrations are a few days away, and nothing sets the mood better than candles. This warning is best given before the holidays.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers closes on first house through affordable home program Through its Affordable Home Construction Program, the city closed a contract for the first single-family home.
SANIBEL Homeowners share unique ways to fortify homes after storms Roof, walls and floors. There’s so much to think about when you’re rebuilding.
DeSoto teen found guilty for murder at fair A teenager has been convicted in a deadly shooting that occurred at the DeSoto County Fair.
Residents gather at procession to pay tribute to Sgt. Elio Diaz WINK News spent the day along the procession route for Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz talking with people who wanted to let us know what Diaz meant to them.
BABCOCK RANCH Emotional memorial for fallen Charlotte County sergeant Family, friends, brothers and sisters in blue and even complete strangers gave Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz the sendoff he deserved.
NAPLES Naples Hurricanes 13U win Pop Warner Super Bowl The Naples Hurricanes 13U football team won the Pop Warner Super Bowl and become national champions.
Credit: WINK News Leaders and neighbors are sounding the alarm over safety in Naples because of a short-staffed police department. Especially as more visitors come into town during the winter season. Naples Police Chief Tom Weschler told WINK News they’ve been hit all at once by a combination of things including retirements and officers out on disability. One of their officers was even killed in a car crash. But there is another reason making it hard to hire new officers, pay and benefits are just not competitive enough. Safety is a cornerstone of life in Naples. Naples resident Rose Deveson said, “I look to live in a safe community. I look to be safe.” Greg and Rose Deveson travel to Naples from Michigan in the winter. Greg said, “getting here knowing it’s a safe community is hugely important to us.” But there’s concern that Naples’ safe reputation is faltering while there are fewer officers are out on the streets. The police chief says they have 11 vacancies. The union claims it’s 14. 5th Avenue South Executive Director Bruce Barone sent a letter to Naples City Council that said in part, “we have serious concerns about how this issue might affect the safety and security for not only our 220+ businesses, but how it will affect the quality of life of the residents and tourists who visit 5th Avenue.” The Naples police union says it is tough to hire or retain officers because the pay is low, and they are losing people to other local law enforcement agencies. Jesse Granese, the president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 38 said, “I can tell you for myself personally with my experience I will be looking elsewhere as well I put an application out to other agencies. Morale is very low actually and this is a large part of it. We have seen a large increase in some crimes there’s just not enough officers around to take care of some of the issues.” Naples Police Chief Weschler is adamant that Naples remains safe. “We have a traffic unit we have temporarily got rid of that and I really don’t want to go into specifics on some of the other areas we’ve kind of cut back but it has caused us to cut back on some of the specialty units, but the street is safe we have officers out there every day.” Weschler says they are actively hiring. Meanwhile, union leaders are negotiating salary and benefits with the city on Thursday. They are optimistic higher wages could solve the problem.