Downtown Fort Myers rings in 2025 with vibrant New Year’s Eve celebrationCrash on Alligator Alley highlights risks for roadside workers
FORT MYERS Downtown Fort Myers rings in 2025 with vibrant New Year’s Eve celebration The fog may have rolled in, but it hasn’t stopped crowds from gathering in downtown Fort Myers for the city’s signature New Year’s Eve celebration, the Downtown Countdown, to ring in 2025.
Crash on Alligator Alley highlights risks for roadside workers A Florida Department of Transportation road ranger is lucky to be alive after he was nearly hit by a car on the side of Interstate 75 while helping a stranded motorist.
NAPLES Naples cancels annual NYE fireworks, drawing community criticism The City of Naples has canceled its annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display near the Naples Pier, and now county leaders are voicing their displeasure and accusing the city of poor planning.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral celebrates New Year’s Eve with family fun and fireworks Cape Coral is ringing in the new year with a vibrant celebration featuring food, music, games, and not one but two ball drops, offering something for everyone in the family.
New Year’s resolution tips ahead of 2025 As one year ends and another begins, it’s common for us to think of changes we want to make.
PUNTA GORDA Remembering fallen Marine, victim of murder-suicide 1 year ago A Marine was shot and killed at the Port of the Islands Resort on New Year’s Eve last year by a former employee, but his memory lives on in Angels for Heroes.
FORT MYERS BEACH New Year’s Eve crowds fill Fort Myers Beach for fireworks Southwest Florida is kicking off the New Year in style as crowds pack Fort Myers Beach for a lively celebration featuring fireworks, fun and excitement.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Fire Department offers fireworks safety tips for New Year’s Eve As the New Year’s Eve festivities approach, the Cape Coral Fire Department is reminding residents to prioritize safety when using fireworks.
FORT MYERS Man accused of stealing several hundred dollars worth of merchandise from Target A man is accused of going into the Target on San Carlos Boulevard on Christmas Eve and attempting to steal several hundred dollars worth of merchandise.
Charlotte County Deputy Chief of Fire accused of DUI Charlotte County’s Deputy Chief of Fire and EMS is in some hot water after he was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence.
FORT MYERS Caught on Camera: 2 men wanted for destruction of local restaurant’s window Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help in identifying two men wanted for throwing rocks at a local restaurant’s window.
COLLIER COUNTY Driver accused of causing fatal 5-vehicle crash in Collier County, arrested on multiple charges The driver accused of causing a five-vehicle crash that killed one person has been arrested on multiple charges.
FORT MYERS Road closures for New Year’s Eve Downtown Countdown event in downtown Fort Myers There will be several road closures in downtown Fort Myers for the New Year’s Eve Downtown Countdown event.
Former Charlotte County deputy named killer of 1979 cold case murder The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has released a statement naming a former deputy as the offender of a cold case murder that occurred in 1979.
the weather authority Partly cloudy and warm Tuesday after a foggy morning The Weather Authority is tracking a partly cloudy Tuesday, with patchy fog expected throughout the New Year’s Eve festivities.
FORT MYERS Downtown Fort Myers rings in 2025 with vibrant New Year’s Eve celebration The fog may have rolled in, but it hasn’t stopped crowds from gathering in downtown Fort Myers for the city’s signature New Year’s Eve celebration, the Downtown Countdown, to ring in 2025.
Crash on Alligator Alley highlights risks for roadside workers A Florida Department of Transportation road ranger is lucky to be alive after he was nearly hit by a car on the side of Interstate 75 while helping a stranded motorist.
NAPLES Naples cancels annual NYE fireworks, drawing community criticism The City of Naples has canceled its annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display near the Naples Pier, and now county leaders are voicing their displeasure and accusing the city of poor planning.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral celebrates New Year’s Eve with family fun and fireworks Cape Coral is ringing in the new year with a vibrant celebration featuring food, music, games, and not one but two ball drops, offering something for everyone in the family.
New Year’s resolution tips ahead of 2025 As one year ends and another begins, it’s common for us to think of changes we want to make.
PUNTA GORDA Remembering fallen Marine, victim of murder-suicide 1 year ago A Marine was shot and killed at the Port of the Islands Resort on New Year’s Eve last year by a former employee, but his memory lives on in Angels for Heroes.
FORT MYERS BEACH New Year’s Eve crowds fill Fort Myers Beach for fireworks Southwest Florida is kicking off the New Year in style as crowds pack Fort Myers Beach for a lively celebration featuring fireworks, fun and excitement.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Fire Department offers fireworks safety tips for New Year’s Eve As the New Year’s Eve festivities approach, the Cape Coral Fire Department is reminding residents to prioritize safety when using fireworks.
FORT MYERS Man accused of stealing several hundred dollars worth of merchandise from Target A man is accused of going into the Target on San Carlos Boulevard on Christmas Eve and attempting to steal several hundred dollars worth of merchandise.
Charlotte County Deputy Chief of Fire accused of DUI Charlotte County’s Deputy Chief of Fire and EMS is in some hot water after he was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence.
FORT MYERS Caught on Camera: 2 men wanted for destruction of local restaurant’s window Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help in identifying two men wanted for throwing rocks at a local restaurant’s window.
COLLIER COUNTY Driver accused of causing fatal 5-vehicle crash in Collier County, arrested on multiple charges The driver accused of causing a five-vehicle crash that killed one person has been arrested on multiple charges.
FORT MYERS Road closures for New Year’s Eve Downtown Countdown event in downtown Fort Myers There will be several road closures in downtown Fort Myers for the New Year’s Eve Downtown Countdown event.
Former Charlotte County deputy named killer of 1979 cold case murder The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has released a statement naming a former deputy as the offender of a cold case murder that occurred in 1979.
the weather authority Partly cloudy and warm Tuesday after a foggy morning The Weather Authority is tracking a partly cloudy Tuesday, with patchy fog expected throughout the New Year’s Eve festivities.
Available homes in Southwest Florida. Credit: WINK News Southwest Florida is a growing area, and that high demand makes it a challenge to find a house or an apartment. WINK News spoke to people who have been waiting more than three months to find a place to stay in Southwest Florida. They say landlords charge a non-refundable fee for applications only to come back and say there’s nothing available right now. Ashley Terrell is a woman who says she has been looking for a three-bedroom apartment for three months and has not found anything. She is now calling hotels and campsites but is not having the best luck with those, either. “The minute we applied, they were gone—they’re going fast, I feel sorry for everybody else that’s going through this because I know how horrible I feel,” Terrell said. “And I just pray for them because if they’ve got kids in their… in my situation, I know how you feel. I know exactly how you feel. It’s scary.” Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson says if you are struggling with finding housing right now, contact non-profit agencies like the United Way or the Salvation Army, and they will help you look. WINK News reached out to Lee County and asked how the issue is being dealt with on a countywide level. County officials say they have programs that can help: Homeowner Housing Development Homeowner Housing Rehabilitation Rental Housing Rehabilitation Rental Housing Development Down Payment Assistance Joe Volpe, a man who has been looking for a place to stay for more than three months, says every time he goes on a website to look, he will see that the price has drastically gone up or the home has been sold. “There’s so many people looking right now that there’s 100 to 200 applicants per house and there’s a $100 application fee that’s not refundable to the management, so they’re making a lot of money off us but not letting you know if you got the house or not,” Volpe said. Lee County says it has spent more than $7 million on affordable housing projects in the last five years.