Chaotic lake getting fence and securityWhat we learned about Cape Coral’s water crisis after a ride along
LEHIGH ACRES Chaotic lake getting fence and security Now, with all the negative attention it has gotten, some think putting up a fence is a great way to keep that bad activity out.
CAPE CORAL What we learned about Cape Coral’s water crisis after a ride along On Friday, WINK News got to ride along to see just what people are doing that could be wasting water.
FORT MYERS Students affected by COVID-19 able to graduate for the first time For many young people, COVID stripped away one of their greatest rites of passage: graduation.
Deadly crash on State Road 29 in Hendry County Authorities are at the scene of a deadly crash on State Road 29 in Hendry County on Friday afternoon.
Celebrating Free Comic Book Day in SWFL JP Sports store manager Jonathan Powell said this is a generational event that brings families together to reminisce on comics and other hobby-related knickknacks.
FORT MYERS Group rescues dogs before getting put down in Lee County Our animal shelters are packed with amazing puppies who have the sole desire to be loved.
FORT MYERS FGCU student beats all odds and is able to graduate Nearly four years ago, Marisa Manning had her heart set on going to Florida Gulf Coast University but never thought she’d find her passion for studying parasites.
FORT MYERS Victim in MLK Blvd. shooting identified as social media influencer The victim of the Martin Luther King Boulevard shooting has been identified as a local social media influencer.
FORT MYERS Could a Ferris wheel in downtown Fort Myers work? Right now, there are talks to bring a Ferris wheel to downtown Fort Myers, but several things are still up in the air.
LITTLE HICKORY BAY Improving ‘Hell’s Gate’ safety, a notoriously dangerous waterway for boaters A push to make an area known as “Hell’s Gate” safer since it’s a dangerous stretch of water with several blind corners within Little Hickory Bay.
Fixing failed back surgeries More than a million and a half people in the U.S. undergo back surgery each year. However, classic back surgery has one of the highest failure rates of any surgery.
WINK NEWS Getting an inside look at the FEMA discount controversy Picking up the pieces after Hurricane Ian has been difficult for many and moving on can impact our wallets.
FGCU FGCU pitcher Dylan Wolff playing for hometown team after labrum injury FGCU pitcher Dylan Wolff is living the dream playing for the hometown team after he overcame a labrum injury.
LEHIGH ACRES Frustrated Lehigh parents want action after violent school fights go viral online Violence at a Lehigh Acres Middle school was captured and posted online.
Turtle Club beachfront restaurant relaunches in Naples After a series of private friends and family events this week, The Turtle Club will reopen May 5 and begin taking reservations again May 6.
LEHIGH ACRES Chaotic lake getting fence and security Now, with all the negative attention it has gotten, some think putting up a fence is a great way to keep that bad activity out.
CAPE CORAL What we learned about Cape Coral’s water crisis after a ride along On Friday, WINK News got to ride along to see just what people are doing that could be wasting water.
FORT MYERS Students affected by COVID-19 able to graduate for the first time For many young people, COVID stripped away one of their greatest rites of passage: graduation.
Deadly crash on State Road 29 in Hendry County Authorities are at the scene of a deadly crash on State Road 29 in Hendry County on Friday afternoon.
Celebrating Free Comic Book Day in SWFL JP Sports store manager Jonathan Powell said this is a generational event that brings families together to reminisce on comics and other hobby-related knickknacks.
FORT MYERS Group rescues dogs before getting put down in Lee County Our animal shelters are packed with amazing puppies who have the sole desire to be loved.
FORT MYERS FGCU student beats all odds and is able to graduate Nearly four years ago, Marisa Manning had her heart set on going to Florida Gulf Coast University but never thought she’d find her passion for studying parasites.
FORT MYERS Victim in MLK Blvd. shooting identified as social media influencer The victim of the Martin Luther King Boulevard shooting has been identified as a local social media influencer.
FORT MYERS Could a Ferris wheel in downtown Fort Myers work? Right now, there are talks to bring a Ferris wheel to downtown Fort Myers, but several things are still up in the air.
LITTLE HICKORY BAY Improving ‘Hell’s Gate’ safety, a notoriously dangerous waterway for boaters A push to make an area known as “Hell’s Gate” safer since it’s a dangerous stretch of water with several blind corners within Little Hickory Bay.
Fixing failed back surgeries More than a million and a half people in the U.S. undergo back surgery each year. However, classic back surgery has one of the highest failure rates of any surgery.
WINK NEWS Getting an inside look at the FEMA discount controversy Picking up the pieces after Hurricane Ian has been difficult for many and moving on can impact our wallets.
FGCU FGCU pitcher Dylan Wolff playing for hometown team after labrum injury FGCU pitcher Dylan Wolff is living the dream playing for the hometown team after he overcame a labrum injury.
LEHIGH ACRES Frustrated Lehigh parents want action after violent school fights go viral online Violence at a Lehigh Acres Middle school was captured and posted online.
Turtle Club beachfront restaurant relaunches in Naples After a series of private friends and family events this week, The Turtle Club will reopen May 5 and begin taking reservations again May 6.
The family and friends of 72-year-old James “Denny” Hurst are feeling a bittersweet mixture of emotions after the recovery of Hurst’s body, meaning everyone missing is accounted for in Lee County after Hurricane Ian. Hurst was found on his sunken sailboat Good Girl, pulled out of the water near Salty Sam’s in Matanzas Pass on Friday. While those who knew Hurst were crushed to learn of his fate, they’re happy his family has the closure they’ve awaited for over 100 days. “It was amazing that they found him,” said Fort Myers resident Daryl Schmidt. “I was kind of surprised they found him that late.” It wasn’t an easy operation. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office spent hours in and out of the water. Hurst’s daughter Shannon Vaughan shared her reaction to the discovery in a Twitter post: “I’m happy and sad at the same time.” She’s found and remains confirmed on board but have to wait on the ME to officially identify. I’m happy and sad at the same time pic.twitter.com/gZrY9s28bz — Waffa 3.0/Shannon (@waffaagain) January 13, 2023 Despite the outcome, Cape Coral resident John Davies says Hurst’s death won’t be in vain. He believes Hurst was a perfect example of what makes the people on Fort Myers Beach special. “It’s, you know, reminiscent of the characters, the beach people, what they love about it, and they’re not about to leave under any circumstances: ‘A hurricane is coming, I’ve got my boat, whatever comes, comes,'” Davies said. For others, like Ann Garbelink, the discovery of Hurst serves as a closing point: He was the last unaccounted-for person since Ian hit. Knowing he’s been found gives her peace as she continues moving forward. “I’ve been coming here since I was a teenager, and visiting my parents, and then we moved here five years ago,” Garbelink said. “I needed that closure, I needed to come down here and see it.” The recovery process has not stopped; crews are still clearing out debris from the water in Fort Myers Beach. But people say progress won’t let them forget about those who lost their lives in the storm, people like Hurst and Ilonka Knes, also recently found. “I just kept saying, ‘What about Ilonka?'” said Marti Gardner, Knes’ best friend. “I kept calling everybody I knew, and no one knew what had happened to her.” The same goes for Hurst. Shannon Vaughan shared on social media regarding her journey as she searched for her father. “It’s official,” Vaughan said. “Missing persons just called; medical examiner confirmed that is my father that was found on his boat.” Deputies confirmed Knes’ remains were found on Jan. 10 in the mangroves near Fort Myers Beach Town Hall. Just three days later, Hurst’s sailboat was found underwater in Matanzas Pass with him onboard. “It’s just very sad,” Garbelink said. “The whole thing is very sad.” “I think it’s wonderful for the family to have that closure,” said Cape Coral resident Harper Wright. “He died the way he lived.” Despite the tragic outcome, people say their lives shouldn’t be forgotten, nor should any of the more than 100 lives we lost during Hurricane Ian. Daryl Schmidt suggests creating a memorial. “Maybe just a big plaque with names on it,” Schmidt said. “Something out here in Times Square.”