A cool, comfortable first weekend of 2025 with lots of sunshineLocals respond to Surgeon General advisory on alcohol
the weather authority A cool, comfortable first weekend of 2025 with lots of sunshine The Weather Authority is kicking off the first weekend of 2025 on a chilly note with morning temperatures in the 40s and 50s across Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Locals respond to Surgeon General advisory on alcohol Many think a cancer warning label won’t stop anyone who is planning on having a drink from having one. But at the same time, hearing alcohol could increase their cancer risk did get them thinking about drinking.
New provision to Florida law gives public the authority to sue over homeless camping People now have the power to sue local leaders for not stopping the homeless from camping in public if a report is made.
CAPE CORAL Understanding water restriction in Cape Coral The city of Canals has water problems again!
SANIBEL Future of the Sanibel Pier Sanibel Island is looking much better since Hurricane Ian, but while the lighthouse is standing tall, the pier isn’t doing too well.
downtown fort myers Large crowds expected for Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival Downtown Fort Myers is on higher alert as this weekend’s 4th Annual Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival is expected to draw large crowds.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral neighborhood growing frustrated over debris piles Pounds of trash and debris are blowing through a Cape Coral neighborhood, through the streets, into canals and every which way.
Inside a Lee County special corrections program More than 3,000 bags of trash, 19 interstate projects, nearly 100 citizen requests and over one hundred truckloads of trash—that’s the work done by nonviolent offenders in Lee County, who are doing their part to make our county more beautiful.
FGCU NCAA implements rules for checking pitchers for foreign substances The NCAA will soon send out an instructional video on in-game foreign substance checks for pitchers.
Surgeon General calls for cancer warnings on alcohol In the new year, there’s a new call to warn Americans about the negative effects of alcohol.
Family of Charlotte deputy killed during traffic stop releases statement The family of Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz is breaking their silence.
Southwest Florida battles the Flu Flu cases are skyrocketing in Southwest Florida, making this busy season even more challenging.
FORT MYERS SWFL 19-year-old hurt in New Orleans terrorist attack releases statement One of the young women from Fort Myers hurt during the New Orleans New Year’s Eve attack is speaking out for the first time.
Bonita Bill’s to close Jan. 5 prior to pending $5.5M sale HM Restaurant Group, owners the adjacent Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille and Dixie Fish Co. restaurants, has been named as the buyer.
naples Beloved Naples Zoo giant anteater, Dee Gee, passes away The Naples Zoo is mourning the loss of a beloved male giant anteater who had given nearly 10 years of joy to visitors.
the weather authority A cool, comfortable first weekend of 2025 with lots of sunshine The Weather Authority is kicking off the first weekend of 2025 on a chilly note with morning temperatures in the 40s and 50s across Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Locals respond to Surgeon General advisory on alcohol Many think a cancer warning label won’t stop anyone who is planning on having a drink from having one. But at the same time, hearing alcohol could increase their cancer risk did get them thinking about drinking.
New provision to Florida law gives public the authority to sue over homeless camping People now have the power to sue local leaders for not stopping the homeless from camping in public if a report is made.
CAPE CORAL Understanding water restriction in Cape Coral The city of Canals has water problems again!
SANIBEL Future of the Sanibel Pier Sanibel Island is looking much better since Hurricane Ian, but while the lighthouse is standing tall, the pier isn’t doing too well.
downtown fort myers Large crowds expected for Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival Downtown Fort Myers is on higher alert as this weekend’s 4th Annual Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival is expected to draw large crowds.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral neighborhood growing frustrated over debris piles Pounds of trash and debris are blowing through a Cape Coral neighborhood, through the streets, into canals and every which way.
Inside a Lee County special corrections program More than 3,000 bags of trash, 19 interstate projects, nearly 100 citizen requests and over one hundred truckloads of trash—that’s the work done by nonviolent offenders in Lee County, who are doing their part to make our county more beautiful.
FGCU NCAA implements rules for checking pitchers for foreign substances The NCAA will soon send out an instructional video on in-game foreign substance checks for pitchers.
Surgeon General calls for cancer warnings on alcohol In the new year, there’s a new call to warn Americans about the negative effects of alcohol.
Family of Charlotte deputy killed during traffic stop releases statement The family of Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz is breaking their silence.
Southwest Florida battles the Flu Flu cases are skyrocketing in Southwest Florida, making this busy season even more challenging.
FORT MYERS SWFL 19-year-old hurt in New Orleans terrorist attack releases statement One of the young women from Fort Myers hurt during the New Orleans New Year’s Eve attack is speaking out for the first time.
Bonita Bill’s to close Jan. 5 prior to pending $5.5M sale HM Restaurant Group, owners the adjacent Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille and Dixie Fish Co. restaurants, has been named as the buyer.
naples Beloved Naples Zoo giant anteater, Dee Gee, passes away The Naples Zoo is mourning the loss of a beloved male giant anteater who had given nearly 10 years of joy to visitors.
(Credit: WINK News) A woman is sharing her experience after she says her boyfriend threatened to beat her with a gun. The incident took place on Sunday outside the Lee County Jail as a deputy was walking to work. It was a desperate cry for help from the girlfriend of 18-year-old Gustavo Reyes. “He threatened to beat me to a pulp with his gun. He said because he couldn’t kill me he would just hurt me really bad” At the survivor’s request, WINK News will not be showing her face or naming her for safety reasons. She told WINK News the two were driving in downtown Fort Myers to pick up a friend on Sunday. Then an argument started, and she knew she needed help. That’s when she saw a lee county deputy. “I roll down the window and I said can you please help me. I’m in my boyfriend’s car and he’s threatening to beat me with his gun and he won’t let me out.” The deputy asked Reyes multiple times to get out of the car. “He starts acting like he’s going to. And then as soon as the officer hesitates he starts pulling off he just starts driving straight forward,” the woman said. Then Reyes made a sudden movement, which caused the deputy to fire his weapon through the passenger side door where the woman was sitting. “I didn’t even realize that he got shot until I looked down and thought why are my ears ringing. And his arm was gushing blood. It’s like filling up the middle console of his car.” When Reyes drove off, the survivor says he stopped to throw the gun away. Giving her a chance to get out of the car. “I unlock the door and step one foot out of the car and as I do he pushes me out of the car and he speeds off.” Still disoriented from the gunshot, she found safety and help. She told WINK News that she wants others to learn from her experience “I’m really glad that I didn’t lose my life that day,” she said. “If you’re ever in a situation where you need help or you feel afraid to ask for help or if you can’t you should, even if it’s super scary.” The survivor said she and Reyes were together off and on for five years. She called their relationship toxic and not peaceful. Gustavo Reyes has been released on a $65,000 bond. If you are a victim of domestic violence and are looking for help you can find a life of local resources below. Resources National Network to End Domestic Violence: Financial Abuse Consider applying for a micro-loan with NNEDV’s Independence Project to begin rebuilding your credit score. Domestic violence myths Domestic Violence Centers map 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) Charlotte County Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies Phone: 941-639-5499 Hotline: 941-627-6000 SMS Text: 941-449-8534 TDD: 941-627-6000 Website: carefl.org Chat: resourceconnect.com Collier County The Shelter for Abused Women & Children Phone: 239-775-3862 Hotline: 239-775-1101 TDD: 239-775-4265 Website: naplesshelter.org DeSoto County Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center Phone: 941-365-0208 Hotline: 941-365-1976 TDD: 941-365-1976 Website: sparcc.net Glades County Abuse Counseling and Treatment Phone: 239-939-2553 Hotline: 239-939-3112 TDD: 239-939-3112 Website: actabuse.com Hendry County Abuse Counseling and Treatment Phone: 239-939-2553 Hotline: 239-939-3112 TDD: 239-939-3112 Website: actabuse.com Lee County Abuse Counseling and Treatment Phone: 239-939-2553 Hotline: 239-939-3112 TDD: 239-939-3112 Website: actabuse.com Below are mental health resources available to Southwest Floridians at the national and local levels. National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255 suicidepreventionlifeline.org David Lawrence Center (Collier County) (239)455-8500 davidlawrencecenter.org SalusCare (Lee County) (239)275-4242 saluscareflorida.org National Alliance on Mental Illness, Collier County namicollier.org National Alliance on Mental Illness, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry Counties namilee.org The National Alliance for Caregiving offers a free handbook Circle of Care: A Guidebook for Mental Health Caregivers Collier County Mental Health Court ca.cjis20.org/home/collier Lee County Mental Health Court ca.cjis20.org/home/lee Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance convio.net Local Support Groups: Anxiety and Depression Association of America adaa.org U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Mental Health and Addiction Insurance Help) hhs.gov/programs/topic-sites/mental-health-parity Local veterans resource: Home Base SWFL https://homebase.org/home-base-southwest-florida/