Community raises funds for family of elementary school choking victimNB lanes of US 41 at Olympia Ave closed due to traffic investigation
NAPLES Community raises funds for family of elementary school choking victim Staff and students from Laurel Oak Elementary School gathered at a Naples Culver’s to raise money for the family of Benjamin Cronin, an 11-year-old boy who died after choking at school.
NB lanes of US 41 at Olympia Ave closed due to traffic investigation According to the Punta Gorda Police Department, the northbound lane of US 41 at Olympia Avenue and Marion Avenue is closed due to a traffic crash investigation.
NAPLES Swine in the 239: Collier’s pig showdown Over 250 pigs took over the Collier County fairgrounds Saturday morning for Swine in the 239.
immokalee Fatal crash in Immokalee leaves 2 dead, both cars engulfed in flames The Florida Highway Patrol responded to a crash that left one person dead in Immokalee near the intersection of State Road 82 and Gators Slough Road.
NAPLES Motorcyclist dies in crash with pickup truck in Collier County The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly crash on Wilson Boulevard, near 10th Avenue Northeast in Collier County.
southwest florida Plenty of sunshine and less humid air for your Saturday plans The Weather Authority says this weekend is kicking off with some beautiful, less humid weather, perfect for any outdoor plans you may have!
WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Playoffs Round 1 21 Southwest Florida high school football teams were in action in round one of the playoffs trying to keep their state title hopes alive.
CLEWISTON Suspect identified in shooting investigation at Clewiston Walmart According to the Clewiston Police Department, a suspect has been identified in the shooting investigation at a Walmart in Clewiston on Friday night.
WINK Investigates: Everything we know so far about Beattie Development A southwest Florida developer has now surrendered his six different contracting licenses, which include general contracting, plumbing and roofing. Paul Beattie, owner of Beattie Development cannot build homes anymore. It’s not a permanent situation, but part of a settlement agreement with the state says he’d need to pay $300,000 before he could get a new […]
Florida Attorney General speaks out following lawsuit against FEMA Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has spoken out following the filing of a lawsuit alleging that a FEMA supervisor directed aid workers to avoid going to homes in Lake Placid that had yard signs supporting Trump.
FORT MYERS BEACH How to increase odds of getting your hurricane insurance claim paid When Hurricane Helene hit Southwest Florida in September followed by Milton, many people’s lives were affected.
lehigh acres 25 students treated for heat exhaustion on Lehigh Sr. High School football field The Tice Fire Department treated around 25 students for heat exhaustion on the Lehigh Senior High School football field.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda pilots speak out on Allegiant Air strike Allegiant Air pilots said they want a new contract, one that’s amendable, fair and, in their words, what they should be paid.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach couple sues insurance over Hurricane Ian claim In the last two months, southwest Florida experienced a hurricane double punch with Helene and Milton, but for many people out there, it’s still all about Hurricane Ian from 2022.
CAPE CORAL Couple struggling after hurricanes receives $10K from Cape Coral High students A couple who lost everything to Hurricane Milton has received a blessing in more ways than one.
NAPLES Community raises funds for family of elementary school choking victim Staff and students from Laurel Oak Elementary School gathered at a Naples Culver’s to raise money for the family of Benjamin Cronin, an 11-year-old boy who died after choking at school.
NB lanes of US 41 at Olympia Ave closed due to traffic investigation According to the Punta Gorda Police Department, the northbound lane of US 41 at Olympia Avenue and Marion Avenue is closed due to a traffic crash investigation.
NAPLES Swine in the 239: Collier’s pig showdown Over 250 pigs took over the Collier County fairgrounds Saturday morning for Swine in the 239.
immokalee Fatal crash in Immokalee leaves 2 dead, both cars engulfed in flames The Florida Highway Patrol responded to a crash that left one person dead in Immokalee near the intersection of State Road 82 and Gators Slough Road.
NAPLES Motorcyclist dies in crash with pickup truck in Collier County The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly crash on Wilson Boulevard, near 10th Avenue Northeast in Collier County.
southwest florida Plenty of sunshine and less humid air for your Saturday plans The Weather Authority says this weekend is kicking off with some beautiful, less humid weather, perfect for any outdoor plans you may have!
WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Playoffs Round 1 21 Southwest Florida high school football teams were in action in round one of the playoffs trying to keep their state title hopes alive.
CLEWISTON Suspect identified in shooting investigation at Clewiston Walmart According to the Clewiston Police Department, a suspect has been identified in the shooting investigation at a Walmart in Clewiston on Friday night.
WINK Investigates: Everything we know so far about Beattie Development A southwest Florida developer has now surrendered his six different contracting licenses, which include general contracting, plumbing and roofing. Paul Beattie, owner of Beattie Development cannot build homes anymore. It’s not a permanent situation, but part of a settlement agreement with the state says he’d need to pay $300,000 before he could get a new […]
Florida Attorney General speaks out following lawsuit against FEMA Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has spoken out following the filing of a lawsuit alleging that a FEMA supervisor directed aid workers to avoid going to homes in Lake Placid that had yard signs supporting Trump.
FORT MYERS BEACH How to increase odds of getting your hurricane insurance claim paid When Hurricane Helene hit Southwest Florida in September followed by Milton, many people’s lives were affected.
lehigh acres 25 students treated for heat exhaustion on Lehigh Sr. High School football field The Tice Fire Department treated around 25 students for heat exhaustion on the Lehigh Senior High School football field.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda pilots speak out on Allegiant Air strike Allegiant Air pilots said they want a new contract, one that’s amendable, fair and, in their words, what they should be paid.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach couple sues insurance over Hurricane Ian claim In the last two months, southwest Florida experienced a hurricane double punch with Helene and Milton, but for many people out there, it’s still all about Hurricane Ian from 2022.
CAPE CORAL Couple struggling after hurricanes receives $10K from Cape Coral High students A couple who lost everything to Hurricane Milton has received a blessing in more ways than one.
St. Matthews House and Harry Chapin Food Bank food distribution. (Credit: WINK News) Getting food to seniors and ensuring they don’t go hungry is what St. Matthews House did at the Golden Gate Senior Center on Friday. There is a great need in the area, and the non-profit is teaming up with the Harry Chapin Food Bank to provide seniors with the food they need. WINK News spoke to a woman while she was in line for food. She said she’s grateful for it and depends on food distribution. What made Friday’s event different from the rest? It was for seniors only. Just miles from the wealth of Naples, Golden Gate is a pocket of poverty where the need for food is never-ending. “We’re seeing an increase in need, especially for our seniors that are on a fixed income. The numbers have just been really going up this year,” said Liz McCoy-Ferreira, a community outreach specialist with St. Matthew’s House. Inflation has sent the price of almost everything through the roof. Every month, St. Matthews House partners with Harry Chapin Food Bank to distribute food to seniors 62 and older at the Golden Gate Senior Center. “Seniors that we have walking up to this distribution that don’t have vehicles, and they’re taking the bus to get here. So we try to support them as best we can,” said McCoy-Ferreira. Among the regulars is Juany Delgado. “Oh, anything helps. “ She said anything helps because the situation is not easy, and food like this helps everyone. Delgado said she couldn’t afford to miss these monthly boosts. “This helps me.” Delgado said she doesn’t have to go to the grocery store with her limited money. Whatever she gets at the distribution, she doesn’t have to buy. Distributions like these take the pressure off people living on fixed incomes. Something Mark Davis is eternally grateful for. “The community… A lot of them are going hungry. And thank God they’re here, you know. Anybody that can help out, it does help the community a lot. You know, chip in and do what you can. It’s for real,” Davis said. In addition to getting much-needed support from Harry Chapin Food Bank, St. Matthew’s House also depends on people to help stock its pantry. The need is great right now. They’re down from a 12-week to just a 2-week supply of food. A food distribution dedicated to seniors hits close to home for WINK News reporter Michelle Alvarez. She grew up in Golden Gate and has seen the struggling first-hand. Golden Gate has a large population of hispanic and haitan seniors and is a pocket of poverty compared to Naples, a short 20 minutes down the road. Maria Correa Yanes said she’s disabled, and everything in stores is very expensive, so help like the one on Friday is appreciated. “It’s not homeless people. It’s people of low-income that need food assistance. So, it feels good to be able to help where you can help. You see it in the eyes and even the body language of the people. They very much are appreciative,” said Jon Cohn, a volunteer with St. Matthew’s House. Distributions like the one in Golden Gate ensure older folks like Mark Davis have food on the table. “They help out the community. I mean, I’ve been three years out of work, and it’s detrimental.” Davis he’s grateful for everything St. Matthew’s House and Harry Chapin Food Bank do for the community. “For them to be here. They’re doing an awesome job. They’re keeping everybody fed. What more can you ask for?” said Davis. 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.