Expert at Naples Botanical Garden speaks on prescribed burnsSawfish caught with fishing wire tied around rostrum and hooks in mouth; removed and released
NAPLES Expert at Naples Botanical Garden speaks on prescribed burns There’s no need to sound the alarms for this smoke in the air, as Southwest Florida is actually seeing many controlled or ‘prescribed’ fires.
Sawfish caught with fishing wire tied around rostrum and hooks in mouth; removed and released An endangered smalltooth sawfish was not what Mac expected to be at the end of his fishing line after fishing with buddies New Year’s Day.
Florida Power and Light Set to potentially raise prices in 2026 Florida Power and Light has announced their proposal for a need to increase rates from 2026 – 2029.
PORT CHARLOTTE Home of Port Charlotte couple destroyed due to mold from Hurricane Ian A Port Charlotte couple inherited a home after the wife’s parents died. The home is now destroyed because of mold from Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Update on the Naples Pier construction The Naples Pier has been destroyed since Hurricane Ian. Since then, the city has considered ways to restore the pier but questions linger over the work, especially on how long it will take to complete.
FORT MYERS BEACH Pink Shell resort expansion project moves onto final vote The future for the expansion of a Fort Myers Beach staple comes down to one vote.
PUNTA GORDA Fatal crash on Burnt Store Road, all lanes blocked A crash on Burnt Store Road near Charlee Road in Charlotte County has reportedly resulted in a fatality.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral’s school zone safety plan hits a speed bump Thanks to new cameras, speeders in Cape Coral school zones would be facing fines this week, but due to delays in the contractor’s schedule, they will not.
Law enforcement and City of Fort Myers warning residents about QR code scams Law enforcement and the city of Fort Myers are warning you to think twice before scanning QR codes so you can avoid “quishing.”
IMMOKALEE Is the Florida citrus industry on its way out? The orange is the iconic symbol of Florida. While the fruit may be on the state’s license plates, the citrus industry has been on the decline for more than a decade.
Arthrex showcase explores diverse careers for students A chance for young minds to get a crack at being a part of one of the biggest and most innovative companies in the world.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County to host 24th annual boat show The 24th Annual Charlotte County Boat Show is back in Port Charlotte.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for January 8, 2025 This weekly Most Wanted Wednesday WINK News segment features fugitives from justice in Southwest Florida.
ENGLEWOOD Suncoast Humane Society to hold grand opening for new location The Suncoast Humane Society will hold a grand opening for its new location on Thursday following hurricane damage to its previous location.
County commissioner reacts to Marceno’s comments on FBI A county leader is reacting to what Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno had to say about the FBI.
NAPLES Expert at Naples Botanical Garden speaks on prescribed burns There’s no need to sound the alarms for this smoke in the air, as Southwest Florida is actually seeing many controlled or ‘prescribed’ fires.
Sawfish caught with fishing wire tied around rostrum and hooks in mouth; removed and released An endangered smalltooth sawfish was not what Mac expected to be at the end of his fishing line after fishing with buddies New Year’s Day.
Florida Power and Light Set to potentially raise prices in 2026 Florida Power and Light has announced their proposal for a need to increase rates from 2026 – 2029.
PORT CHARLOTTE Home of Port Charlotte couple destroyed due to mold from Hurricane Ian A Port Charlotte couple inherited a home after the wife’s parents died. The home is now destroyed because of mold from Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Update on the Naples Pier construction The Naples Pier has been destroyed since Hurricane Ian. Since then, the city has considered ways to restore the pier but questions linger over the work, especially on how long it will take to complete.
FORT MYERS BEACH Pink Shell resort expansion project moves onto final vote The future for the expansion of a Fort Myers Beach staple comes down to one vote.
PUNTA GORDA Fatal crash on Burnt Store Road, all lanes blocked A crash on Burnt Store Road near Charlee Road in Charlotte County has reportedly resulted in a fatality.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral’s school zone safety plan hits a speed bump Thanks to new cameras, speeders in Cape Coral school zones would be facing fines this week, but due to delays in the contractor’s schedule, they will not.
Law enforcement and City of Fort Myers warning residents about QR code scams Law enforcement and the city of Fort Myers are warning you to think twice before scanning QR codes so you can avoid “quishing.”
IMMOKALEE Is the Florida citrus industry on its way out? The orange is the iconic symbol of Florida. While the fruit may be on the state’s license plates, the citrus industry has been on the decline for more than a decade.
Arthrex showcase explores diverse careers for students A chance for young minds to get a crack at being a part of one of the biggest and most innovative companies in the world.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County to host 24th annual boat show The 24th Annual Charlotte County Boat Show is back in Port Charlotte.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for January 8, 2025 This weekly Most Wanted Wednesday WINK News segment features fugitives from justice in Southwest Florida.
ENGLEWOOD Suncoast Humane Society to hold grand opening for new location The Suncoast Humane Society will hold a grand opening for its new location on Thursday following hurricane damage to its previous location.
County commissioner reacts to Marceno’s comments on FBI A county leader is reacting to what Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno had to say about the FBI.
A man risking his life to save others during the chaos of Hurricane Ian. One man decided to go out and help others, saving two couples from the Royal Woods neighborhood in south Fort Myers. Austin Hayhurst insists he’s no hero. “I don’t really have a better explanation other than just it needed to be done. And I was able to do it. So I did it.” The four people he helped rescue during Ian said he is a hero, and then some. Hayhurst reuniting with the people he saved during Ian. (Credit: WINK News) Caroline Calogero emailed WINK News about Hayhurst and his life-saving efforts in the Royal Woods neighborhood off Island Park Road. “He was the hands and feet of God’s angelic host literally coming up out of nowhere, saving people, whether he knew it intended it. He was that he was that person,” said Calogero. Tim Mitchell was the first person Hayhurst rescued. He said he was trying to get his truck to higher ground when the flood waters surrounded him. Flood waters near where the couples were rescued. “I got trapped in the middle of this parking lot where he came and pulled me out. He saved my life so we could save my wife’s life,” said Mitchell. “I punched a hole through my master door, and then Austin tore a hole through it. He tore a hole enough to get my wife to step through. (I) fell on my face in the water, and the whole time he is pulling us. He whispered. ‘I was trained for this.’ so he said we’re gonna survive.” With Tim and Lisa in tow, Hayhurst saw Caroline and Michael Calogero. Caroline was wrapped around a telephone pole on Island Park Road. Michael was across the street holding their dog Rogue as high as he could. The Calogeros’ dog Rogue. “We kept saying over and over, ‘today’s not the day we die,'” said Michael Calogero. “I was ready to go. If I died today, that would be okay. But I didn’t want to leave my children motherless,” said Caroline Calogero. “And then I heard take my hand swimming to my hand. and it was Austin. He came up out of nowhere. And I swam to his hand, and he brought me from over my head to where I could touch to about my chest. And he said, ‘stay here. I’m gonna go help your husband.'” Hayhurst found Michael and eventually got both couples to a shelter. Both couples lost all their possessions but not their lives, and their bond now is unbreakable. “We make our plans, but God has a different plan. And I think the gift and the lesson from this experience for me was that, even though we lost, it’s all material, but we gained a friendship for life,” said Lisa Doyle-Mitchell. Hayhurst said his brother Casey also played a big part in saving people that day but couldn’t meet for the reunion.