16 bands performing at free 239 Fest in Cape Coral after hurricane delayNaples’ CFO formally appointed Naples city manager, city manager’s new job disclosed
CAPE CORAL 16 bands performing at free 239 Fest in Cape Coral after hurricane delay The show must go on. 239 Fest, which was canceled last year due to Hurricane Milton, will be returning and bigger than ever.
Naples’ CFO formally appointed Naples city manager, city manager’s new job disclosed Naples City Council unanimously agreed Deputy City Manager Gary Young will become city manager, formalizing a decision made two days earlier.
SWFL community raise $1600 for family of fallen Charlotte County Sgt. Southwest Floridians were asked to come out and support the family of fallen Charlotte County Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz, and you showed up.
Collier commissioners increase opposition to possible move by Naples Airport Collier County commissioners increased their opposition to possibly relocating Naples Airport, supporting a resolution against two sites near Ave Maria and rejecting the airport authority’s request for assistance.
PORT CHARLOTTE Georgia man found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with minor in Port Charlotte A Georgia man has been found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with a minor and possessing a firearm as a person with felony convictions.
New recreational marijuana amendment proposed for 2026 Florida ballot Smart & Safe Florida, the political action committee primarily funded by Trulieve – the state’s largest medical marijuana company and fourth largest in the U.S. – this week filed a new proposal to put an amendment on the ballot in Florida in 2026 that would legalize adult recreational use of marijuana.
NAPLES Naples Pride releases statement on city council’s vote Naples Pride has issued a statement on the Naples City Council’s decision to approve this year’s festival but with a caveat.
Punta Gorda scraps plan for new $16M City Hall building Prior to the hurricane in September 2022 causing City Hall’s closure, the previous City Council, including three incumbents who were unseated in the Nov. 5 election, planned to build a new City Hall on its current site at 326 W. Marion Ave.
CAPE CORAL Jaycee Park Renovations — There’s no going back now Where there’s talk of Jaycee Park in Cape Coral Council meetings, there is turmoil.
CAPE CORAL NRG Wrestling slams its way into Cape Coral NRG wrestling is hosting its first live event of 2025 with NRG Fully Charged on Saturday, Jan. 18, at Scotty Bierwerks.
Backlash over new state law banning kids from social media From body image issues to bullying and, even worse, depression and suicide.
orlando Gov. DeSantis appoints Ashley Moody for Florida Senator Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has named Attorney General Ashley Moody the next Florida Senator, replacing Marco Rubio.
sanibel Volunteer Expo to be held at Sanibel Community House; nearly 50 organizations in attendance The City of Sanibel is set to hold its Volunteer Expo, an event with nearly 50 organizations aiming to give back to the community.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
the weather authority Cooler-than-average with a few showers possible this afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cooler-than-average temperatures with a possible afternoon shower this Thursday.
CAPE CORAL 16 bands performing at free 239 Fest in Cape Coral after hurricane delay The show must go on. 239 Fest, which was canceled last year due to Hurricane Milton, will be returning and bigger than ever.
Naples’ CFO formally appointed Naples city manager, city manager’s new job disclosed Naples City Council unanimously agreed Deputy City Manager Gary Young will become city manager, formalizing a decision made two days earlier.
SWFL community raise $1600 for family of fallen Charlotte County Sgt. Southwest Floridians were asked to come out and support the family of fallen Charlotte County Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz, and you showed up.
Collier commissioners increase opposition to possible move by Naples Airport Collier County commissioners increased their opposition to possibly relocating Naples Airport, supporting a resolution against two sites near Ave Maria and rejecting the airport authority’s request for assistance.
PORT CHARLOTTE Georgia man found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with minor in Port Charlotte A Georgia man has been found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with a minor and possessing a firearm as a person with felony convictions.
New recreational marijuana amendment proposed for 2026 Florida ballot Smart & Safe Florida, the political action committee primarily funded by Trulieve – the state’s largest medical marijuana company and fourth largest in the U.S. – this week filed a new proposal to put an amendment on the ballot in Florida in 2026 that would legalize adult recreational use of marijuana.
NAPLES Naples Pride releases statement on city council’s vote Naples Pride has issued a statement on the Naples City Council’s decision to approve this year’s festival but with a caveat.
Punta Gorda scraps plan for new $16M City Hall building Prior to the hurricane in September 2022 causing City Hall’s closure, the previous City Council, including three incumbents who were unseated in the Nov. 5 election, planned to build a new City Hall on its current site at 326 W. Marion Ave.
CAPE CORAL Jaycee Park Renovations — There’s no going back now Where there’s talk of Jaycee Park in Cape Coral Council meetings, there is turmoil.
CAPE CORAL NRG Wrestling slams its way into Cape Coral NRG wrestling is hosting its first live event of 2025 with NRG Fully Charged on Saturday, Jan. 18, at Scotty Bierwerks.
Backlash over new state law banning kids from social media From body image issues to bullying and, even worse, depression and suicide.
orlando Gov. DeSantis appoints Ashley Moody for Florida Senator Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has named Attorney General Ashley Moody the next Florida Senator, replacing Marco Rubio.
sanibel Volunteer Expo to be held at Sanibel Community House; nearly 50 organizations in attendance The City of Sanibel is set to hold its Volunteer Expo, an event with nearly 50 organizations aiming to give back to the community.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
the weather authority Cooler-than-average with a few showers possible this afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cooler-than-average temperatures with a possible afternoon shower this Thursday.
Brad Gallagher and Ryan Harp during their days as military servicemen. Credit: WINK News Wednesday could mean tens of thousands of dollars for two military veterans who became Naples police officers before sustaining career-ending injuries in the line of duty, as they continue fighting to get back the money they put in a retirement fund. Brad Gallagher and Ryan Harp put more than $27,000 each into the police pension fund while working as officers in Naples, but the Naples City Council has to amend an ordinance before those former officers can get paid after being permanently disabled. Under the current ordinance, Naples can not provide a refund of pension funds to members who retire under a disability pension. On Jan. 24, the council approved the first reading to amend this ordinance, and it will vote on adopting that amendment on Wednesday. Gallagher says he’s glad there’s some momentum on getting this law changed, but he also has some concerns. “It’s been quite an adventure up and down with the City… it seems like it just got bounced back and forth until, finally, we came to city council, where it looks like it’s going to come to some type of head one way or the other,” Gallagher said. “Obviously, I’m feeling concerned because you never know how a vote’s gonna go until it’s already on the table.” In total, Naples would be paying the former officers $63,300. Councilman Mike McCabe is in favor of giving them their money back—he just doesn’t want to amend the current ordinance to do it. He voted against amending it back in January because, if the City chooses to permit refunds of buybacks to disability retirees, there would be an annual additional cost to Naples of around $9,000 to $10,000 a year. McCabe says the city should give Gallagher and Harp their money back out of the general fund and not make any changes to an ordinance. “Without any further actions, without any changes to a pension plan, without any ordinance or resolution required,” McCabe said. “It seems like a more sensible solution without creating collateral issues or without going through and establishing a policy for something that I say is an instance that’s isolated, at this point.” The two former officers say that, although they would be happy to get their money, they also want city leaders to amend this ordinance so no other officer has to go through what they’ve had to. Councilman McCabe has not gotten back to WINK News for comment on that point.