Community raises funds for family of elementary school choking victimNB lanes of US 41 at Olympia Ave closed due to traffic investigation
NAPLES Community raises funds for family of elementary school choking victim Staff and students from Laurel Oak Elementary School gathered at a Naples Culver’s to raise money for the family of Benjamin Cronin, an 11-year-old boy who died after choking at school.
NB lanes of US 41 at Olympia Ave closed due to traffic investigation According to the Punta Gorda Police Department, the northbound lane of US 41 at Olympia Avenue and Marion Avenue is closed due to a traffic crash investigation.
NAPLES Swine in the 239: Collier’s pig showdown Over 250 pigs took over the Collier County fairgrounds Saturday morning for Swine in the 239.
immokalee Fatal crash in Immokalee leaves 2 dead, both cars engulfed in flames The Florida Highway Patrol responded to a crash that left one person dead in Immokalee near the intersection of State Road 82 and Gators Slough Road.
NAPLES Motorcyclist dies in crash with pickup truck in Collier County The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly crash on Wilson Boulevard, near 10th Avenue Northeast in Collier County.
southwest florida Plenty of sunshine and less humid air for your Saturday plans The Weather Authority says this weekend is kicking off with some beautiful, less humid weather, perfect for any outdoor plans you may have!
WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Playoffs Round 1 21 Southwest Florida high school football teams were in action in round one of the playoffs trying to keep their state title hopes alive.
CLEWISTON Suspect identified in shooting investigation at Clewiston Walmart According to the Clewiston Police Department, a suspect has been identified in the shooting investigation at a Walmart in Clewiston on Friday night.
WINK Investigates: Everything we know so far about Beattie Development A southwest Florida developer has now surrendered his six different contracting licenses, which include general contracting, plumbing and roofing. Paul Beattie, owner of Beattie Development cannot build homes anymore. It’s not a permanent situation, but part of a settlement agreement with the state says he’d need to pay $300,000 before he could get a new […]
Florida Attorney General speaks out following lawsuit against FEMA Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has spoken out following the filing of a lawsuit alleging that a FEMA supervisor directed aid workers to avoid going to homes in Lake Placid that had yard signs supporting Trump.
FORT MYERS BEACH How to increase odds of getting your hurricane insurance claim paid When Hurricane Helene hit Southwest Florida in September followed by Milton, many people’s lives were affected.
lehigh acres 25 students treated for heat exhaustion on Lehigh Sr. High School football field The Tice Fire Department treated around 25 students for heat exhaustion on the Lehigh Senior High School football field.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda pilots speak out on Allegiant Air strike Allegiant Air pilots said they want a new contract, one that’s amendable, fair and, in their words, what they should be paid.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach couple sues insurance over Hurricane Ian claim In the last two months, southwest Florida experienced a hurricane double punch with Helene and Milton, but for many people out there, it’s still all about Hurricane Ian from 2022.
CAPE CORAL Couple struggling after hurricanes receives $10K from Cape Coral High students A couple who lost everything to Hurricane Milton has received a blessing in more ways than one.
NAPLES Community raises funds for family of elementary school choking victim Staff and students from Laurel Oak Elementary School gathered at a Naples Culver’s to raise money for the family of Benjamin Cronin, an 11-year-old boy who died after choking at school.
NB lanes of US 41 at Olympia Ave closed due to traffic investigation According to the Punta Gorda Police Department, the northbound lane of US 41 at Olympia Avenue and Marion Avenue is closed due to a traffic crash investigation.
NAPLES Swine in the 239: Collier’s pig showdown Over 250 pigs took over the Collier County fairgrounds Saturday morning for Swine in the 239.
immokalee Fatal crash in Immokalee leaves 2 dead, both cars engulfed in flames The Florida Highway Patrol responded to a crash that left one person dead in Immokalee near the intersection of State Road 82 and Gators Slough Road.
NAPLES Motorcyclist dies in crash with pickup truck in Collier County The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly crash on Wilson Boulevard, near 10th Avenue Northeast in Collier County.
southwest florida Plenty of sunshine and less humid air for your Saturday plans The Weather Authority says this weekend is kicking off with some beautiful, less humid weather, perfect for any outdoor plans you may have!
WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Playoffs Round 1 21 Southwest Florida high school football teams were in action in round one of the playoffs trying to keep their state title hopes alive.
CLEWISTON Suspect identified in shooting investigation at Clewiston Walmart According to the Clewiston Police Department, a suspect has been identified in the shooting investigation at a Walmart in Clewiston on Friday night.
WINK Investigates: Everything we know so far about Beattie Development A southwest Florida developer has now surrendered his six different contracting licenses, which include general contracting, plumbing and roofing. Paul Beattie, owner of Beattie Development cannot build homes anymore. It’s not a permanent situation, but part of a settlement agreement with the state says he’d need to pay $300,000 before he could get a new […]
Florida Attorney General speaks out following lawsuit against FEMA Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has spoken out following the filing of a lawsuit alleging that a FEMA supervisor directed aid workers to avoid going to homes in Lake Placid that had yard signs supporting Trump.
FORT MYERS BEACH How to increase odds of getting your hurricane insurance claim paid When Hurricane Helene hit Southwest Florida in September followed by Milton, many people’s lives were affected.
lehigh acres 25 students treated for heat exhaustion on Lehigh Sr. High School football field The Tice Fire Department treated around 25 students for heat exhaustion on the Lehigh Senior High School football field.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda pilots speak out on Allegiant Air strike Allegiant Air pilots said they want a new contract, one that’s amendable, fair and, in their words, what they should be paid.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach couple sues insurance over Hurricane Ian claim In the last two months, southwest Florida experienced a hurricane double punch with Helene and Milton, but for many people out there, it’s still all about Hurricane Ian from 2022.
CAPE CORAL Couple struggling after hurricanes receives $10K from Cape Coral High students A couple who lost everything to Hurricane Milton has received a blessing in more ways than one.
Authorities are searching for information on the 1971 homicide of John Deal in Port Charlotte. He was killed on Harbor Boulevard. (CREDIT: WINK News) There is a renewed push to solve a 51-year-old homicide case, the oldest on record, in Charlotte County. The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is looking for information involving the murder of John Deal. Deal, 71, was shot and killed in 1971 on Harbor Boulevard in Port Charlotte but his body was never found. Back when the crime occurred, detectives could not confirm who the victim was but now there is DNA testing. Also a challenge was the rarity of prosecuting a case without a body. But improving technology now proves he died and was shot in the head. The evidence they did have included broken eyeglasses, a bank notice made out to Betty Faber, a 22-caliber shell casing and blood. “Sometimes time is an enemy. And sometimes it’s a friend,” said Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Det. Mike Gandy. “The DNA technology is improved so much. And remember, back during that time, it was pretty rare to see a case prosecuted where no body was present.” New technology has allowed the department to do additional testing, said Mike Vogel, with the Major Crimes Cold Case Homicide Unit. Faber was 27 years old at the time of Deal’s death. When detectives talked to her, she was driving Deal’s car. Those detectives found holes and blood in the trunk. Their relationship? “He was older, she was younger, and she lived in his place, and he provided her with a lot of money. So I’ll leave that to you,” said Det. Kurt Mehl, with the cold case unit. Faber worked for a fish company. She exclaimed the blood away at the time, claiming it was from fish and shrimp. But more than 50 years later, detectives confirmed the blood belonged to Deal, thanks to a DNA sample from his nephew. “We sent it off to the lab and along with the blood that had been collected from the roadway and the blood from the trunk. And they were able to determine that Mr. Deal’s nephew and the blood that was located on the roadway, they were in fact male relatives,” Vogel said. “We intend to keep working on this case until we can get it solved. If that can happen. And I feel reasonably confident that there’s a good possibility we can do that,” Gandy added. Authorities now want to speak with Fabor and almost 20 others who may know what happened to Deal. Andy Naylor (Lee, Charlotte County) Betty Faber AKA: Betty Cole, Betty Naylor, Betty Bird (Lee, Charlotte, and Sarasota County) Frank Jenkins AKA Sonny Jenkins (Lee County) Brenda Jenkins AKA Brenda Ray (Lee County) Ted Smith (Lee, Charlotte County) Shirlene McMillan Williams (Lee County) William Duffy (Charlotte County) John Bird (Sarasota County) John Faber (Charlotte, Lee County) James Harkcom (Lee County) Clarence Whickum (Lee County) Larry Lopez (Lee County) Ida Mae Pinder Dailey (Lee County) John Nelson (Lee County) Donald Naylor (Lee, Charlotte County) Robert Naylor (Charlotte County) “We realize how much time has passed since this murder but we do believe there are still people in the area that have direct or indirect information related to this case,” the sheriff’s office said. If you had contact with any of these people around the time of the crime, or have heard any of them speak about the crime, please contact the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office at 941-639-2101.