FORT MYERS BEACH Beachgoers enjoy Fort Myers Beach on Christmas Eve Whether you’re a full-time Floridian, a snowbird or just vacationing here for Christmas, it was a great day to go to the beach.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ‘Chrismukkah’; Two major holidays fall on the same day This year Christmas and Hanukkah fall on the same day. Many people of both faiths across our area will participate in the rare opportunity to celebrate both holidays.
FORT MYERS BEACH Smokin’ Oyster Brewery reopens after damage from hurricanes It’s an iconic bar and restaurant on Fort Myers Beach that has been missing since Hurricane Ian destroyed it.
Family of 10 caught in American Airlines tech issue at RSW A family of ten thought they had a good plan to beat the Christmas travel rush at Southwest Florida International Airport.
NAPLES Taking an inside look at Naples Police Department’s Technical Analysis Center WINK News got an inside look at the new license plate reading technology being used by the Naples Police Department.
CAPE CORAL Facebook post sparks Christmas miracle for Cape Coral family The joy of Christmas for many, especially kids, is seeing gifts under the tree, but for one family, they couldn’t afford not only presents but the bare necessities.
MATLACHA Matlacha businesses bounce back in time for the holidays Matlacha has had its share of damage this year from hurricanes Helene and Milton. While people continue to heal and recover, they’re also looking toward the new year and beyond.
CAPE CORAL Families in Cape Coral forced out of their homes right after the new year As many of us have already made our Christmas lists and checked them twice, dozens of neighbors are just wishing for a warm and safe place to live.
Final rush for holiday food If you are still baking and basting your holiday dish, time is running out.
FORT MYERS Jewelry of the future with AI One Fort Myers jewelry store is taking the art of jewelry making into the future, all with the help of AI.
LEHIGH ACRES 1 person dead after scene at Lehigh Acres home Deputies are in a tense back and forth with a man barricaded inside a home.
ESTERO From rookie to captain, Oliver Chau leads the Florida Everblades From shy newcomer to team leader, one man’s journey with the Florida Everblades has been remarkable.
FORT MYERS Reward increase of $5K for more information on Edison Mall shooter from 2011 Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking more information on a suspect wanted for shooting someone at the Edison Mall.
CAPE CORAL Precautionary boil water notice issued for neighborhood in Cape Coral A precautionary boil water notice is in effect for residents in the area of Southwest 5th Avenue following a water main break that briefly halted potable water service.
FORT MYERS BEACH Beachgoers enjoy Fort Myers Beach on Christmas Eve Whether you’re a full-time Floridian, a snowbird or just vacationing here for Christmas, it was a great day to go to the beach.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ‘Chrismukkah’; Two major holidays fall on the same day This year Christmas and Hanukkah fall on the same day. Many people of both faiths across our area will participate in the rare opportunity to celebrate both holidays.
FORT MYERS BEACH Smokin’ Oyster Brewery reopens after damage from hurricanes It’s an iconic bar and restaurant on Fort Myers Beach that has been missing since Hurricane Ian destroyed it.
Family of 10 caught in American Airlines tech issue at RSW A family of ten thought they had a good plan to beat the Christmas travel rush at Southwest Florida International Airport.
NAPLES Taking an inside look at Naples Police Department’s Technical Analysis Center WINK News got an inside look at the new license plate reading technology being used by the Naples Police Department.
CAPE CORAL Facebook post sparks Christmas miracle for Cape Coral family The joy of Christmas for many, especially kids, is seeing gifts under the tree, but for one family, they couldn’t afford not only presents but the bare necessities.
MATLACHA Matlacha businesses bounce back in time for the holidays Matlacha has had its share of damage this year from hurricanes Helene and Milton. While people continue to heal and recover, they’re also looking toward the new year and beyond.
CAPE CORAL Families in Cape Coral forced out of their homes right after the new year As many of us have already made our Christmas lists and checked them twice, dozens of neighbors are just wishing for a warm and safe place to live.
Final rush for holiday food If you are still baking and basting your holiday dish, time is running out.
FORT MYERS Jewelry of the future with AI One Fort Myers jewelry store is taking the art of jewelry making into the future, all with the help of AI.
LEHIGH ACRES 1 person dead after scene at Lehigh Acres home Deputies are in a tense back and forth with a man barricaded inside a home.
ESTERO From rookie to captain, Oliver Chau leads the Florida Everblades From shy newcomer to team leader, one man’s journey with the Florida Everblades has been remarkable.
FORT MYERS Reward increase of $5K for more information on Edison Mall shooter from 2011 Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking more information on a suspect wanted for shooting someone at the Edison Mall.
CAPE CORAL Precautionary boil water notice issued for neighborhood in Cape Coral A precautionary boil water notice is in effect for residents in the area of Southwest 5th Avenue following a water main break that briefly halted potable water service.
Bravo Supermarket on Palm Beach Boulevard is the only full service grocery store in the Dunbar area. (CREDIT: WINK News) You’re cooking dinner and realize you’re missing an ingredient. Can you run to the store and get what you need? Is there even one nearby? If not, you might live in what the U.S. Department of Agriculture calls a food desert. “You don’t have easy access to a store where you can buy good quality food; it’s too far away from you to be easy for you to access,” said Richard LeBer, president and CEO of the Harry Chapin Food Bank. That is the case for about 70% of the people living in Southwest Florida. The 2019 map from the USDA shows the food deserts in the area. (CREDIT: USDA) The area in green is considered low-income and at least a mile from a grocery store. “Some places are obvious like you know, when you’re out east in the middle of the Everglades somewhere, it’s, you know, might be 20 miles or more to a food store Glades County, there is no full-service retail food store in Glades County at all,” LeBer said. According to a 2014 study from Johns Hopkins University, Black communities are more likely to be food deserts, a possible result of racial residential segregation. The food that is there is often more expensive. Dunbar is no exception. The only store in the 33916 area code is the Bravo Supermarket on Palm Beach Boulevard. “If you want to get produce, and you don’t want to pay a fortune for it. It’s hard for people in those parts of town to do that on a regular basis, particularly if they’re working and they’re caring for kids, and they have limited time and all of that,” LeBer said. Pastor Gregory Ford, of First Assembly Cornerstone in Dunbar, sees the need for a grocery store with fresh food firsthand. “It will be a little more convenience for the families, especially when you got the families that don’t have proper transportation to get around,” Ford said. They end up having to rely on Uber, taxis, or friends. Hopefully, the community won’t have to wait and walk far for much longer. Under the umbrella of the Greater Dunbar Initiative, help is on the way. It’s a multi-million dollar plan to improve the neighborhood and the lives of the people in it by fixing and creating more housing, creating jobs, and giving the area access to healthy food with a brand-new grocery store. “It also establishes our community as being a community that people live in. That these people deserve to be able to have these things,” Ford said. But that could be years down the road. And everyone, no matter where they live, deserves fresh, healthy, affordable food. You can help the issue of food deserts by donating to the Harry Chapin Food Bank. WINK News is hoping to raise enough funds for 1 million meals. HOW TO HELP: Help us raise $450,000 to put a million meals on the tables of hungry families in Southwest Florida. You can donate by visiting our March to a Million Meals donation page.