Photo shows SWFL teens hit in New Orleans terrorist attack reunited in hospitalMan arrested for failing to return U-Haul
Photo shows SWFL teens hit in New Orleans terrorist attack reunited in hospital The grandfather of one of the teens struck by a truck in a New Orleans terrorist attack has released a picture of the teens sharing an emotional moment in the hospital.
Man arrested for failing to return U-Haul According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, a man was arrested on Thursday for failing to redeliver a U-Haul truck.
WINK Neighborhood Watch: Stolen Jeep, knife attack, and officer impersonator This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a stolen Jeep, a man caught red-handed after slashing his neighbor, and a man impersonating a federal officer.
FORT MYERS BEACH Bonita Bill’s final day: Celebrating 34 years of memories At 8 a.m., the doors opened for one last time at Bonita Bill’s, a beloved restaurant that has been a staple on Fort Myers Beach since 1991.
the weather authority Seasonal Sunday in store with highs reaching the mid 70s The Weather Authority says that even though Southwest Florida is getting another chilly start, with temperatures in the 40s and 50s, it will warm up nicely into the afternoon.
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.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda man arrested for death threats against local leaders A Punta Gorda man has been arrested for sending over thirty threatening emails to senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott and a Punta Gorda police officer.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral man arrested for stealing Jeep, possessing firearm illegally A 39-year-old man was arrested early Friday morning in Cape Coral after being accused of stealing a Jeep and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
NORTH PORT North Port Firefighters rescue dog, cats during structure fire North Port Fire Rescue crews responded to a structure fire, saving one dog and four cats from a burning home.
CAPE CORAL Runners turn out for 13th annual LCEC 5K for United Way Jim Jeffers Park in Cape Coral transformed into a sea of runners Saturday morning as people laced up their shoes for the 13th annual LCEC 5K for United Way.
the weather authority A cool, comfortable first weekend of 2025 with lots of sunshine The Weather Authority is kicking off the first weekend of 2025 on a chilly note with morning temperatures in the 40s and 50s across Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Locals respond to Surgeon General advisory on alcohol Many think a cancer warning label won’t stop anyone who is planning on having a drink from having one. But at the same time, hearing alcohol could increase their cancer risk did get them thinking about drinking.
New provision to Florida law gives public the authority to sue over homeless camping People now have the power to sue local leaders for not stopping the homeless from camping in public if a report is made.
CAPE CORAL Understanding water restriction in Cape Coral The city of Canals has water problems again!
SANIBEL Future of the Sanibel Pier Sanibel Island is looking much better since Hurricane Ian, but while the lighthouse is standing tall, the pier isn’t doing too well.
Photo shows SWFL teens hit in New Orleans terrorist attack reunited in hospital The grandfather of one of the teens struck by a truck in a New Orleans terrorist attack has released a picture of the teens sharing an emotional moment in the hospital.
Man arrested for failing to return U-Haul According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, a man was arrested on Thursday for failing to redeliver a U-Haul truck.
WINK Neighborhood Watch: Stolen Jeep, knife attack, and officer impersonator This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a stolen Jeep, a man caught red-handed after slashing his neighbor, and a man impersonating a federal officer.
FORT MYERS BEACH Bonita Bill’s final day: Celebrating 34 years of memories At 8 a.m., the doors opened for one last time at Bonita Bill’s, a beloved restaurant that has been a staple on Fort Myers Beach since 1991.
the weather authority Seasonal Sunday in store with highs reaching the mid 70s The Weather Authority says that even though Southwest Florida is getting another chilly start, with temperatures in the 40s and 50s, it will warm up nicely into the afternoon.
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.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda man arrested for death threats against local leaders A Punta Gorda man has been arrested for sending over thirty threatening emails to senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott and a Punta Gorda police officer.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral man arrested for stealing Jeep, possessing firearm illegally A 39-year-old man was arrested early Friday morning in Cape Coral after being accused of stealing a Jeep and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
NORTH PORT North Port Firefighters rescue dog, cats during structure fire North Port Fire Rescue crews responded to a structure fire, saving one dog and four cats from a burning home.
CAPE CORAL Runners turn out for 13th annual LCEC 5K for United Way Jim Jeffers Park in Cape Coral transformed into a sea of runners Saturday morning as people laced up their shoes for the 13th annual LCEC 5K for United Way.
the weather authority A cool, comfortable first weekend of 2025 with lots of sunshine The Weather Authority is kicking off the first weekend of 2025 on a chilly note with morning temperatures in the 40s and 50s across Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Locals respond to Surgeon General advisory on alcohol Many think a cancer warning label won’t stop anyone who is planning on having a drink from having one. But at the same time, hearing alcohol could increase their cancer risk did get them thinking about drinking.
New provision to Florida law gives public the authority to sue over homeless camping People now have the power to sue local leaders for not stopping the homeless from camping in public if a report is made.
CAPE CORAL Understanding water restriction in Cape Coral The city of Canals has water problems again!
SANIBEL Future of the Sanibel Pier Sanibel Island is looking much better since Hurricane Ian, but while the lighthouse is standing tall, the pier isn’t doing too well.
A woman from Massachusetts was arrested Tuesday night after a DUI crash that killed a 23-year-old Charlotte County Sheriff’s deputy Christopher Taylor. Deputy Christopher Taylor (Credit: CCSO) According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Deputy Taylor pulled over a Honda in the northbound lanes of I-75, south of US-17, around 8:45 p.m. Both the Honda and the CCSO vehicle were off on the paved shoulder of the road, and the deputy’s lights were on. Both the deputy and the Honda driver were outside of their vehicles. Cassandra Smith. (Credit: Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office) 30-year-old Cassandra Smith from Lakeville, Massachusetts, was driving north on I-75 when she lost control of her Jeep, crossed over three lanes and went onto the paved shoulder. She hit the deputy’s vehicle, which hit him, the driver of the Honda, and the Honda itself. MORE: Good Samaritan stopped to help Charlotte County deputy killed in DUI crash Deputy Taylor was taken to ShorePoint Health, where he later died. The driver of the Honda was also hospitalized with minor injuries. Smith faces DUI manslaughter charges. She will go before a judge on Thursday. Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell said Smith stayed on the scene after the crash and was the one who called 911. Kacie Spiers, a friend of deputy Taylor spoke with WINK News and shared some thoughts about her friend. “He’s always wanted a family and stuff. I feel bad he doesn’t get that opportunity now,” Spiers said. “I know he just got started in the force. And it was something he wanted to do his whole life and he didn’t get the chance to do that,” Spiers said. “It could happen, but you wouldn’t think that it would happen to someone you know, I guess. Yeah, still in shock,” Spiers said. “He just always put people first. He had a caring heart,” Spiers said. WINK News spoke with Lance Dunford, a criminal defense attorney, who said the punishment would be severe if Smith is convicted. “This is a charge that’s going to score somebody, score to mandatory prison time. And there’s aggravators, without going through a law school dissertation on that, that will be added on to this type of charge because of there being a death. At a minimum, what somebody’s points would be is 124 and a half months, that would be required to be served in prison,” said Dunford. This is the second time Smith has been arrested for DUI. The sheriff’s office says Smith had just finished a 12-month probation in August for a previous DUI arrest in Palm Beach County. Smith could face “A maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, or a combination of 15 years of probation, and or a $10,000 fine not to exceed one another,” said Dunford. The sheriff’s offices of Lee, DeSoto, Sarasota, and Osceola counties, as well as the police departments of Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and North Port, have offered their condolences to CCSO for its loss. Sheriff Prummell released the following video statement about the deputy’s death on Facebook. Deputy Taylor leaves behind his parents and a fiancee. The sheriff’s office said he had just celebrated his 23rd birthday. He joined the sheriff’s office in August 2021 and was officially sworn in on February 14. Flags outside of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office were lowered to half-staff. A memorial for Deputy Taylor has been set up in front of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, and they say the public is welcome to come and pay their respects. Memorial for Deputy Taylor. (Credit: Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office)