Mega Millions jackpot surges over $1B; next drawing set for FridayWarmer temperatures and isolated showers for your Thursday plans
wink news Mega Millions jackpot surges over $1B; next drawing set for Friday The elusive Mega Millions jackpot has evaded players this holiday season as the prize money has ballooned to $1.15 billion.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Warmer temperatures and isolated showers for your Thursday plans The Weather Authority is tracking warmer temperatures along with isolated showers expected throughout this Thursday afternoon.
PORT CHARLOTTE Families visit Santa’s Village in Port Charlotte for Christmas The holiday magic is in full swing at Santa’s Village. There are holiday lights, food, and plenty of families making some holiday memories
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Animal Shelter volunteers distribute gifts to cats and dogs Christmas is meant to be merry, but for dogs and cats waiting for their forever homes it can be anything but.
NAPLES Dozens volunteer to feed over 500 people at St. Matthew’s House The St. Matthews House fed nearly 500 people hot and traditional holiday meals at their Naples shelter on Wednesday.
CAPE CORAL Project Siren; Cape Coral chaplain praying for first responders The sound of sirens, life and death hang in the balance. A cape coral chaplain bows his head and says a prayer.
FORT MYERS Residents celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas on the same day Hanukkah begins Wednesday with the lighting of the first candle. Each night, another candle will be lit until all eight shine bright.
ENGLEWOOD Englewood residents still recovering from hurricanes on Christmas Neighbors on Lemon Bay Drive in Englewood said their homes had never seen a drop of a water from a hurricane until 2024.
FORT MYERS Dr. Piper Center hosts annual Christmas Celebration Dozens of children are enjoying new bicycles on Christmas day thanks to the generosity of the Dr. Piper Center.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for December 25, 2024 This weekly Most Wanted Wednesday WINK News segment features fugitives from justice in Southwest Florida.
Spending the holidays with first responders For most of us, Christmas is about spending time with family, but one group is making sure our families are staying safe.
More clouds and a few showers for your Christmas Day plans The Weather Authority is tracking more clouds on Christmas day than we saw on Christmas Eve and the chance for a few showers.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Adoptive family spends first Christmas together Family come in all shapes and sizes but all share one common thing, their love for each other. One southwest Florida woman couldn’t have kids, so she built her family through adoption and fostering.
PUNTA GORDA Man accused of shooting man at Punta Gorda motel A man has been arrested after allegedly shooting another man during a physical dispute at a Punta Gorda motel.
What’s open and closed on Christmas Day in SWFL On Christmas Day, many businesses and services are closed, including most retail stores, offices, and government buildings.
wink news Mega Millions jackpot surges over $1B; next drawing set for Friday The elusive Mega Millions jackpot has evaded players this holiday season as the prize money has ballooned to $1.15 billion.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Warmer temperatures and isolated showers for your Thursday plans The Weather Authority is tracking warmer temperatures along with isolated showers expected throughout this Thursday afternoon.
PORT CHARLOTTE Families visit Santa’s Village in Port Charlotte for Christmas The holiday magic is in full swing at Santa’s Village. There are holiday lights, food, and plenty of families making some holiday memories
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Animal Shelter volunteers distribute gifts to cats and dogs Christmas is meant to be merry, but for dogs and cats waiting for their forever homes it can be anything but.
NAPLES Dozens volunteer to feed over 500 people at St. Matthew’s House The St. Matthews House fed nearly 500 people hot and traditional holiday meals at their Naples shelter on Wednesday.
CAPE CORAL Project Siren; Cape Coral chaplain praying for first responders The sound of sirens, life and death hang in the balance. A cape coral chaplain bows his head and says a prayer.
FORT MYERS Residents celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas on the same day Hanukkah begins Wednesday with the lighting of the first candle. Each night, another candle will be lit until all eight shine bright.
ENGLEWOOD Englewood residents still recovering from hurricanes on Christmas Neighbors on Lemon Bay Drive in Englewood said their homes had never seen a drop of a water from a hurricane until 2024.
FORT MYERS Dr. Piper Center hosts annual Christmas Celebration Dozens of children are enjoying new bicycles on Christmas day thanks to the generosity of the Dr. Piper Center.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for December 25, 2024 This weekly Most Wanted Wednesday WINK News segment features fugitives from justice in Southwest Florida.
Spending the holidays with first responders For most of us, Christmas is about spending time with family, but one group is making sure our families are staying safe.
More clouds and a few showers for your Christmas Day plans The Weather Authority is tracking more clouds on Christmas day than we saw on Christmas Eve and the chance for a few showers.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Adoptive family spends first Christmas together Family come in all shapes and sizes but all share one common thing, their love for each other. One southwest Florida woman couldn’t have kids, so she built her family through adoption and fostering.
PUNTA GORDA Man accused of shooting man at Punta Gorda motel A man has been arrested after allegedly shooting another man during a physical dispute at a Punta Gorda motel.
What’s open and closed on Christmas Day in SWFL On Christmas Day, many businesses and services are closed, including most retail stores, offices, and government buildings.
Anthony William Kunasek at the Club Blu trial. (Credit: WINK News) Prosecutor Anthony William Kunasek with the State Attorney’s Office has died, according to his office. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said Kunasek was not murdered but declined to give any further details. State Attorney Amira Fox said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Assistant State Attorney Anthony (Tony) Kunasek. Tony was an incredibly important and beloved member of our SAO team for many years and a dear friend, and he will be deeply missed more than words could ever express. He was an excellent and gifted attorney and his work helped keep Southwest Florida a safe place to live. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and request that you allow his family and friends to grieve privately at this time.” Kunasek was the lead prosecutor in the Club Blu shooting case, where the trial for defendant Kierra Russ, who is facing a second-degree murder and conspiracy change, is currently underway. Russ is the first of five defendants to face a jury in the 2016 shooting that killed Stef’an Strawder, 18, and Sean Archilles, 14, two teens present at the party. The shooting also injured 14 others. The high-profile murder trial started last week. As they head into the second week, the trial’s future is up in the air. “These kinds of things do happen, it is very rare. That’s true. But they can happen,” said Pamella Seay, an FGCU law professor. WINK News spoke with Seay to see what could happen next in this trial. “First of all, we’re looking at the possibility of a continuance. Secondly, a possibility of a mistrial. And third, there will be concerns on the part of the participants in this trial,” said Seay. They are two very different options, each with its own challenges. “To see a delay in the process may be very challenging for them, certainly, psychologically for the family, for the family and friends, and timewise for the witnesses,” said Seay. As for continuance, “What would be that second attorney’s frame of mind? Haven’t, you know, they’ve been working together for a long time on this case? If this was somebody that you were working with for a long period of time, and all of a sudden they passed away? How is that going to affect you personally? And are you able to move forward? So that is a huge question,” said Seay. What comes next for the case? “Those those three parties, defense, prosecution and judge, those three parties are going to talk and figure out what needs to be done,” said Seay. The future of Russ’ trial is unknown. Testimony is set to resume on Monday at 9:00 a.m. WINK News will be there and bring you the latest updates on the trial. Also awaiting trial for the 2016 Club Blu shooting are Tajze Battle, Derrick Church, Don Loggins, and Demetrius O’Neal.