FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herselfSurrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Memorial celebrates the life of John Passidomo Hundreds of friends and family gathered for a memorial at Baker Park in Naples.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Memorial celebrates the life of John Passidomo Hundreds of friends and family gathered for a memorial at Baker Park in Naples.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
Pledge Williams played for the Florida Stingrays football team in Southwest Florida before an injury paralyzed him. But Williams is overcoming the odds and the obstacles to stay involved with the game he loves. Pledge Williams talking to a player during practice. CREDIT: WINK News Marines are taught to adapt and overcome obstacles. Williams loved playing football, but like a marine, staying involved with the team meant adapting and overcoming. So, Williams did that by pivoting into a coaching role for the Florida Stingrays. Williams, once a student of the game, has now become a teacher. And from his scooter, Williams will get the Florida Stingrays ready for their upcoming season. Florida Stingrays football practice. CREDIT: WINK News “This coaching has really brought light into my life,” Williams said. Coach Williams was a linebacker and cornerback, positions he had never played before, in 2019 before his injury. Pledge Williams as a player on the Stingrays, before his injury. CREDIT: Pledge Williams Williams was getting ready for his second season when he suffered his injury. Williams suffered a T-9 spinal injury after getting shot in the back, paralyzing him from the waist down. “When I got shot, the first thing I thought about was dying,” Williams said. “When I got out the hospital… One of my lowest darkest points of my life. Ever. I didn’t want to eat. I didn’t want to get out of the bed sometimes. It was just a dark place for me because I didn’t know what life had ahead of me after the injury.” Since the injury, he’s been working and going to physical therapy three times a week, all to try and walk again. Through all the uncertainty, Williams knew, God had a plan for him. “If I can’t play it I’m going to coach it. And I’m going to show the world that no matter what predicament you in you can still do what you want to do,” Williams said. Coach Williams is the offensive coordinator for the Stingrays, so during warmups, he’s looking at every detail of his team. And right before the kickoff, he gives the Stingrays’ offense their pregame speech. Pledge Williams watching the players at practice. CREDIT: WINK News Williams goes down the sideline imploring his team to give it their all on the field. For Jacquayle Blanks, the Stingrays quarterback, Williams will always be a friend first. “It’s hard because it’s like that’s my brother and I have to look at him as a coach now,” Blanks said. “If somebody run the wrong play, he’ll throw the hat, and everybody know he’s gonna be mad then. And then the next play, we gotta run it right,” Blanks said. Coach Williams aspires to be like another Southwest Florida athlete turned coach, like Deion Sanders. “Imma be the next Coach Prime riding around on the sidelines in this scooter. Give me my theme music,” Williams said. Coach Williams started his career with the Stingrays with a 28 to 7 win. He told WINK News he’s going to keep coaching even after he recovers.