Charlotte County hosts first-ever Magnet FairDaughter believes mother was killed in Port Charlotte house fire
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County hosts first-ever Magnet Fair A first-of-its-kind chance to allow parents and students to choose the school they go to.
PORT CHARLOTTE Daughter believes mother was killed in Port Charlotte house fire A family is holding each other close as they fear for the worst. Loved ones of 70-year-old Roseanne Cantasano told wink new they believe she was killed in this house fire in Port Charlotte on Monday.
Man arrested after multi-county chase stemming from carjacking A man has been arrested after a carjacking turned into a chase that crossed county lines.
PORT CHARLOTTE Nurses protest use of AI in the workplace Nurses are fighting back against artificial intelligence in their place of work. On Thursday, nurses took to the streets to protest.
NAPLES New gym offers safe place to play for kids on the autism spectrum We Rock the Spectrum welcomes kids both on and off the autism spectrum with activities that cater to all kids.
Charlotte County Vulture Infestation in Placida Neighborhood Big birds are taking over a local golf course in Charlotte County, feeding off the fish kill.
PUNTA GORDA CCSO on scene of officer-involved shooting in Punta Gorda According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, they are on the scene of an officer-involved shooting on Eager Road in Punta Gorda.
FORT MYERS Tempers flare over RSW expansion budget Tensions rose during Thursday’s meeting with the Lee County Port Authority and county commissioners over RSW’s budget.
ENGLEWOOD Promoting good mental health for veterans The tragedy of veteran suicide impacts far too many families.
72-year-old former law enforcement still displaced after Glades County tornado Devastating damage was brought to the Lakeport Community in Glades County on October 2024, after the strongest tornado to ever hit southwest Florida ripped the neighborhood to shreds.
NORTH FORT MYERS Drivers react to FDOT project on US 41 in North Fort Myers Drivers are reacting to the traffic being caused by a Florida Department of Transportation project at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Pine Island Road.
FORT MYERS Bishop Verot boys basketball coach celebrates 500 career wins Bishop Verot High School boys basketball head coach Matt Herting celebrates 500 career wins and reflects on 29 years coaching the sport.
NAPLES Shy Wolf Sanctuary to host Wolfstock Music festival Shy Wolf Sanctuary will soon host its 6th annual Wolfstock Music and Brewfest.
More women and younger adults getting cancer Mortality rates for cancer continue to decline. The American Cancer Society’s annual report says there was a 34% decrease in deaths between 1991 and 2022, but the report isn’t all good news.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County hosts first-ever Magnet Fair A first-of-its-kind chance to allow parents and students to choose the school they go to.
PORT CHARLOTTE Daughter believes mother was killed in Port Charlotte house fire A family is holding each other close as they fear for the worst. Loved ones of 70-year-old Roseanne Cantasano told wink new they believe she was killed in this house fire in Port Charlotte on Monday.
Man arrested after multi-county chase stemming from carjacking A man has been arrested after a carjacking turned into a chase that crossed county lines.
PORT CHARLOTTE Nurses protest use of AI in the workplace Nurses are fighting back against artificial intelligence in their place of work. On Thursday, nurses took to the streets to protest.
NAPLES New gym offers safe place to play for kids on the autism spectrum We Rock the Spectrum welcomes kids both on and off the autism spectrum with activities that cater to all kids.
Charlotte County Vulture Infestation in Placida Neighborhood Big birds are taking over a local golf course in Charlotte County, feeding off the fish kill.
PUNTA GORDA CCSO on scene of officer-involved shooting in Punta Gorda According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, they are on the scene of an officer-involved shooting on Eager Road in Punta Gorda.
FORT MYERS Tempers flare over RSW expansion budget Tensions rose during Thursday’s meeting with the Lee County Port Authority and county commissioners over RSW’s budget.
ENGLEWOOD Promoting good mental health for veterans The tragedy of veteran suicide impacts far too many families.
72-year-old former law enforcement still displaced after Glades County tornado Devastating damage was brought to the Lakeport Community in Glades County on October 2024, after the strongest tornado to ever hit southwest Florida ripped the neighborhood to shreds.
NORTH FORT MYERS Drivers react to FDOT project on US 41 in North Fort Myers Drivers are reacting to the traffic being caused by a Florida Department of Transportation project at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Pine Island Road.
FORT MYERS Bishop Verot boys basketball coach celebrates 500 career wins Bishop Verot High School boys basketball head coach Matt Herting celebrates 500 career wins and reflects on 29 years coaching the sport.
NAPLES Shy Wolf Sanctuary to host Wolfstock Music festival Shy Wolf Sanctuary will soon host its 6th annual Wolfstock Music and Brewfest.
More women and younger adults getting cancer Mortality rates for cancer continue to decline. The American Cancer Society’s annual report says there was a 34% decrease in deaths between 1991 and 2022, but the report isn’t all good news.
A box of food left at an educational center by Harry’s Helpings. Credit: WINK News WINK News is on a mission to raise money for those who need help feeding their families, going on a March to a Million Meals to support the Harry Chapin Food Bank, which is running a special program to help people who can’t make it to the food bank’s pantries. Biridiana Barragan lost her husband unexpectedly in 2021, leaving her to take care of her 4-year-old daughter Sapphire Vega all by herself, and Harry’s Helpings has been a saving grace. Sapphire Vega goes to school at an early learning center in Immokalee called Pathways. The Harry Chapin Food Bank, via Harry’s Helpings, drops off boxes of food for families at the front door during the second week of every month. That’s where Barragan and other parents with children attending Pathways can pick their kids up along with a box of food to take home. “They’re right there… it’s easy access,” Barragan said. “A blessing, not just for myself, but for families and children and anybody who’s in need. And especially when it comes to food, it’s one less problem for anybody.” Harry’s Helpings was launched for parents who may not be able to visit traditional food pantries. The program is not just helping families in Immokalee; it’s also offered at other places throughout Southwest Florida that parents and students visit regularly, like schools, daycares and other education centers, so children and their families can be connected with the food they need for energy, focus and learning. “There’s different like, levels here, especially in Immokalee… it’s known as being one of the lowest classes,” Barragan said. “Not every school’s gonna do this. And when I saw that Pathways does, I’m like, ‘Well, I’m blessed to have my child going to this school.'” For some perspective on how many families benefit from this: 125 kits from Harry’s Helpings were placed outside Pathways on Wednesday. By Thursday, barely any were left. WINK News is marching toward feeding a million people by March 1st. Please join us throughout the month of February to raise the much-needed funds. Less than $5 feeds a family of four. Donate here and join us as we March to a Million Meals.