SWFL community raise $1600 for family of fallen Charlotte County Sgt.Collier commissioners increase opposition to possible move by Naples Airport
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.
PORT CHARLOTTE Community grieves as investigation continues into fatal Port Charlotte fire The state fire marshal has yet to confirm whether 70-year-old Roseanne Cantasano was the victim of a devastating house fire on Monday night.
Local influencer reacts to potential TikTok ban TikTok is more than just a place to dance, learn something new or just scroll. For the Manella family, the app is a place where they can be themselves.
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.
PORT CHARLOTTE Community grieves as investigation continues into fatal Port Charlotte fire The state fire marshal has yet to confirm whether 70-year-old Roseanne Cantasano was the victim of a devastating house fire on Monday night.
Local influencer reacts to potential TikTok ban TikTok is more than just a place to dance, learn something new or just scroll. For the Manella family, the app is a place where they can be themselves.
Gross stuff floating on Peace River. (Credit: Mark Cagelosi) The water at Gilchrist Park in Punta Gorda has piles of gunk floating on top of it, creating a smelly situation. WINK News grabbed a sample from the water and took it to Florida Gulf Coast University to get it assessed. We first learned about the stuff floating in the water when a WINK News viewer couldn’t stand the sight or smell of the water in Gilchrist Park. Mark Cangelosi called and asked us to investigate the gunk and whether it was dangerous. “It smells like the top of your septic tank. If you were to open it up. It smells just like that is pretty nasty stuff,” said Cangelosi. Charlotte County Water Quality Manager Brandon Moody gave us the answer to what it is. “This is just cyanobacteria and macroalgae that is going through its natural processes, dying and decomposing,” said Moody. WINK News brought FGCU Water School Professor Barry Rosen a sample of the water from Gilchrist Park, and he confirmed it as cyanobacteria. I wish I could say there were other good things in here, but there really or not,” said Rosen. As for why it’s here, there’s a difference of opinion. In January, a sewage spill dumped approximately 20,000 gallons of wastewater into a drainage canal in the Deep Creek community. That spill was upstream from where the gunk was found floating on the water. WINK News asked Moody if that spill could have caused the cyanobacteria. “I wouldn’t say it would have anything directly to do with this,” said Moody. Rosen said the spill could be the reason for the cyanobacteria near Gilchrist Park. “The organisms are always there, but they have to be given a stimulus which could’ve easily been that sewage spill, and that stimulus allows them to grow and grow and grow, and now, wait, where are the nutrients, you know, more sewage? So it slowed it up, and it’s going, ‘now what are we going to do?'” said Rosen. So, where does that nasty smell come from? Rosen said bacteria start to grow when things in water decay. With low oxygen, hydrogen sulfide is released and that creates a bad smell. Submit Copyright ©2025 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.