FORT MYERS Lee County making changes to fix bus issues In the past, the Lee County School District struggled to find enough bus drivers.
NAPLES Naples man gets original Bob Ross paintings appraised Bob Ross took this blank canvas in a small studio in Muncie, Indiana, and transformed it into a beautiful masterpiece.
Lee Schools board considers full-day phone bans The biggest talking point in a Lee County School District safety presentation wasn’t about violence or drugs, it was about phones
PINE ISLAND FDOT asking you if bike and pedestrian lanes should be added to busy road The Florida Department of Transportation is asking you if bike and pedestrian lanes should be added to the busy road.
Food drive for mental health awareness While someone may look healthy, they may be fighting a real inner battle.
FORT MYERS Overbilled for overflow of water; Residents stuck with hefty water bill The Moore’s make ends meet living at The Cove for almost a year.
ESTERO Scoreless Eagle up for award at NIL Summit FGCU’s Brandon Dwyer is one of the big time performers in NIL despite having never scored a single point in his entire Eagle career.
What happens after a nuisance alligator is captured? For alligators, the month of May means we are in the heart of mating season in the Sunshine State.
Exclusive: Interview with woman who shares hope of recovery on National Fentanyl Awareness Day Lee County Sheriff’s Office said that in 2020 they seized nearly two thousand grams of fentanyl. In 2023, that number jumped to over 8,000.
ESTERO FGCU star in the circle reflects on historical senior season The Eagles’ ace told WINK News she is focused on making every moment count before she hangs up her cleats for the last time.
NAPLES Pastrami Dan’s reopens in Naples after SUV crash Pastrami Dan’s in Naples welcomed customers once again, with people waiting at the door.
FGCU Two FGCU softball players playing for those who impacted their lives Two FGCU softball players, Riley Oakes and Olivia Black, are playing for friends who impacted their lives in a major way.
Police: Cape Coral man breaks into ex-girlfriend’s home, kills fish named ‘Bean’ A man has been arrested after police said he broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home, damaged her property and killed her pet fish.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers family blessed with new home In about sixty days, Myrtle Dillard’s home on Lincoln Boulevard went from being run-down and unlivable to brand new.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte woman’s student loans forgiveness after consolidation One Port Charlotte woman was skeptical of her student loan consolidation and potential forgiveness but an email over the weekend changed her life.
FORT MYERS Lee County making changes to fix bus issues In the past, the Lee County School District struggled to find enough bus drivers.
NAPLES Naples man gets original Bob Ross paintings appraised Bob Ross took this blank canvas in a small studio in Muncie, Indiana, and transformed it into a beautiful masterpiece.
Lee Schools board considers full-day phone bans The biggest talking point in a Lee County School District safety presentation wasn’t about violence or drugs, it was about phones
PINE ISLAND FDOT asking you if bike and pedestrian lanes should be added to busy road The Florida Department of Transportation is asking you if bike and pedestrian lanes should be added to the busy road.
Food drive for mental health awareness While someone may look healthy, they may be fighting a real inner battle.
FORT MYERS Overbilled for overflow of water; Residents stuck with hefty water bill The Moore’s make ends meet living at The Cove for almost a year.
ESTERO Scoreless Eagle up for award at NIL Summit FGCU’s Brandon Dwyer is one of the big time performers in NIL despite having never scored a single point in his entire Eagle career.
What happens after a nuisance alligator is captured? For alligators, the month of May means we are in the heart of mating season in the Sunshine State.
Exclusive: Interview with woman who shares hope of recovery on National Fentanyl Awareness Day Lee County Sheriff’s Office said that in 2020 they seized nearly two thousand grams of fentanyl. In 2023, that number jumped to over 8,000.
ESTERO FGCU star in the circle reflects on historical senior season The Eagles’ ace told WINK News she is focused on making every moment count before she hangs up her cleats for the last time.
NAPLES Pastrami Dan’s reopens in Naples after SUV crash Pastrami Dan’s in Naples welcomed customers once again, with people waiting at the door.
FGCU Two FGCU softball players playing for those who impacted their lives Two FGCU softball players, Riley Oakes and Olivia Black, are playing for friends who impacted their lives in a major way.
Police: Cape Coral man breaks into ex-girlfriend’s home, kills fish named ‘Bean’ A man has been arrested after police said he broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home, damaged her property and killed her pet fish.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers family blessed with new home In about sixty days, Myrtle Dillard’s home on Lincoln Boulevard went from being run-down and unlivable to brand new.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte woman’s student loans forgiveness after consolidation One Port Charlotte woman was skeptical of her student loan consolidation and potential forgiveness but an email over the weekend changed her life.
A Southwest Florida veteran is reconnecting with old Army friends after being separated from his brothers in arms for more than 50 years. It took this long because Jim Coffey’s friends thought he died in Vietnam and today, they said it was like seeing a ghost. Coffey, in the Army 4th Infantry Division at the time, was sent to Vietnam in June 1968. He was just a scared kid, determined to serve and survive. “I knew this was going to be a year of tremendous sacrifice and keeping my head up,” Coffey recalled. “I wanted to make it through the 12 months.” Also serving with him was 19-year old Don Woodruff, known by his friends as Woody, and it didn’t take long for the two to bond. “Jim and I just hit it off,” said Woodruff, who served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. “It worked. It worked. He was a great guy. I loved him.” Nine months into his time in Vietnam, Coffey’s life changed forever. While working in the field, his infantry engaged with the enemy, they took enemy fire. “They said, ‘Coffey, let’s go!’ I was the first to go.” Coffey recalled, but as he raced into battle, he got shot in the head. “I get hit. It just came. I don’t know… And that’s the last I remember.” An Army medic declared him dead, after what appeared to be his lifeless body lying on the ground in the middle of a firefight. Woodruff asked the medic for help, “He said I can’t do anything for him. He’s gone.” The firefight continued. Woodruff couldn’t live with the thought of leaving his friend’s body there so he threw Coffey over his shoulder and rushed him to a supply chopper while getting shot at the entire time. Woodruff yelled, “Take him! Don’t wait for a medevac, he has to go now!” He put him on that chopper and thought that was the end, and possibly the last time he would see his friend. “I looked at him as the helicopter… I said goodbye … Honestly, I thought he was dead.” Woodruff added. Thanks to Woodruff, his helmet, numerous surgeries, and seemingly endless physical therapy, Coffey survived that gunshot wound. He ended up working for 40 years with the Department of the Treasury, before retiring to Southwest Florida. Coffey’s platoon members didn’t know any of that until this year. The men he served with noticed he wasn’t in the Vietnam casualties database. They quickly realized he had been alive this whole time. After Coffey’s old brothers in arms found and reconnected with him, it wasn’t long before he found a phone number for his old friend – Don Woodruff. “I’ll never forget this,” Coffey said, emotionally, recalling the phone conversation. “Hello, is this Woody from Vietnam?” Who’s this? Jim Coffey – It went silent.” “I really don’t have the vocabulary to express what it felt like or how to describe it,” Woodruff said, “In a lot of ways I’d felt guilty. You know, like when you feel you should’ve done more.” After weeks of talking on the phone, the two reunited at Woodrufs home. “I gotta compose myself,” Coffey said about the reunion. “He came out and he was crying. Grabbed me, hugged me. The most emotional time I’ve ever had in my life. I’ll never forget that. I owe my life to him.” To help paint a picture, Woodruff said, “Imagine having a brother or a parent that passed away, and then you meet them again someday.” Veterans Day does have special meaning to Coffey, a man whose friends still lovingly call him a ghost. But rather than reflect on his own journey on a day meant to honor the armed forces, his mind goes to others who have served. “There’s a lot out there that are heroes too. But people say thank you for your service, so I just say thank you. I don’t know what else to say.” Jim Coffey says he hopes for two things on Veterans Day – respect and recognition for all who serve.