ALVA Woodpeckers build home in Alva woman’s house You may have heard of squatters, but this woman is dealing with squawkers. Who needs a rooster to wake up when you have woodpeckers?
FORT MYERS Man claims he was trapped in a high-rise for 5 days A 77-year-old man wants justice after he claims he spent days trapped on the 24th floor of a high-rise apartment building.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte Correctional prisoner arrested for death of another inmate State Attorney Amira Fox convened a grand jury, which decided to move forward with a case against a Charlotte Correctional inmate.
SANIBEL Construction near Dairy Queen eagle nest on Sanibel raises concerns While many eagle nests may be a bit difficult to see, one nest has always been a favorite for Sanibel residents and tourists.
The environmental effects of artificial sweeteners Experts are studying how the foods we eat affect the environment, especially after we flush our waste down the toilet.
Victim reacts to man exposing himself to her Ring camera You get a notification on your phone from your ring camera app that someone is at the door, only to find out it is someone exposing themselves. It’s the last thing victim Maria Kivi wanted or expected to see last week.
LEE COUNTY The art of capturing your eye and drawing you in How do you capture young, hip, trendy, fun, movers and shakers, all in a pose? We take you behind the scenes of a Gulfshore Life cover shoot.
FORT MYERS The lives of two SJC Boxers changed in the ring Two SJC Boxers, Mario Nunez and Arbon Kurtishi, help each other in the ring as each of them had their lives changed because of boxing.
FORT MYERS Chlamydia cases rising sharply in Lee County If you think about a crowded space- something with more than 250 people- if it’s in Lee county, statistically one person has chlamydia.
SANIBEL Sanibel resort day passes hope to get more business on the island A pass will allow vacationers to hang out at a Sanibel beach club for a day in hopes of drumming up some business.
Voting equipment tested ahead of Lee County elections Voting equipment is being tested in Lee County. This is to ensure all ballots are printed and counted correctly for the upcoming election.
Collier County teen assaulted after leaving party The teen has been charged and the sheriff’s office said they’re aware that many believe felony charges are in order, but under Florida law, there are very specific criteria that must be met for felony charges to be filed.
WINK weather team watching tropical wave over Atlantic Ocean The Weather Authority is watching a tropical disturbance over the Central Atlantic Ocean.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral drug bust leads investigators to fake fentanyl, cash and guns Cape Coral man arrest on drug charges. Investigators said they found, guns, drugs, and more than $32,000 in Richard Riley’s home.
NAPLES Naples youth flag football team to compete in Ohio tournament This weekend, the Naples Lunatics Green will compete in the Superhero Sports tournament in Canton, Ohio.
ALVA Woodpeckers build home in Alva woman’s house You may have heard of squatters, but this woman is dealing with squawkers. Who needs a rooster to wake up when you have woodpeckers?
FORT MYERS Man claims he was trapped in a high-rise for 5 days A 77-year-old man wants justice after he claims he spent days trapped on the 24th floor of a high-rise apartment building.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte Correctional prisoner arrested for death of another inmate State Attorney Amira Fox convened a grand jury, which decided to move forward with a case against a Charlotte Correctional inmate.
SANIBEL Construction near Dairy Queen eagle nest on Sanibel raises concerns While many eagle nests may be a bit difficult to see, one nest has always been a favorite for Sanibel residents and tourists.
The environmental effects of artificial sweeteners Experts are studying how the foods we eat affect the environment, especially after we flush our waste down the toilet.
Victim reacts to man exposing himself to her Ring camera You get a notification on your phone from your ring camera app that someone is at the door, only to find out it is someone exposing themselves. It’s the last thing victim Maria Kivi wanted or expected to see last week.
LEE COUNTY The art of capturing your eye and drawing you in How do you capture young, hip, trendy, fun, movers and shakers, all in a pose? We take you behind the scenes of a Gulfshore Life cover shoot.
FORT MYERS The lives of two SJC Boxers changed in the ring Two SJC Boxers, Mario Nunez and Arbon Kurtishi, help each other in the ring as each of them had their lives changed because of boxing.
FORT MYERS Chlamydia cases rising sharply in Lee County If you think about a crowded space- something with more than 250 people- if it’s in Lee county, statistically one person has chlamydia.
SANIBEL Sanibel resort day passes hope to get more business on the island A pass will allow vacationers to hang out at a Sanibel beach club for a day in hopes of drumming up some business.
Voting equipment tested ahead of Lee County elections Voting equipment is being tested in Lee County. This is to ensure all ballots are printed and counted correctly for the upcoming election.
Collier County teen assaulted after leaving party The teen has been charged and the sheriff’s office said they’re aware that many believe felony charges are in order, but under Florida law, there are very specific criteria that must be met for felony charges to be filed.
WINK weather team watching tropical wave over Atlantic Ocean The Weather Authority is watching a tropical disturbance over the Central Atlantic Ocean.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral drug bust leads investigators to fake fentanyl, cash and guns Cape Coral man arrest on drug charges. Investigators said they found, guns, drugs, and more than $32,000 in Richard Riley’s home.
NAPLES Naples youth flag football team to compete in Ohio tournament This weekend, the Naples Lunatics Green will compete in the Superhero Sports tournament in Canton, Ohio.
Tuesday marks five months since Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida with full force, changing lives in the community forever. The storm surge caused waters to rise and swallow thousands of homes. The high winds caused some of the most devastating damage we’ve ever seen. Parts of homes thrown around like rag dolls leaving islands like Sanibel in shambles. Harlem Heights was devastated by Ian. Not the community is making slow progress toward rebuilding. (CREDIT: WINK News) At the same time, people who live in places like Harlem Heights saw their homes torn to shreds. Five months later, their homes are still a mess. But even in a time when many did not know where to look, they found comfort in landmarks. After Ian did its worst, the Sanibel Lighthouse was still standing, and on Tuesday morning, the light from the tower shined brightly once more. In Harlem Heights, after a lot of work and an equal amount of patience, progress is finally being made, and one group is stepping up in a big way. An organization has helped Angelo Rivera put a roof on his home. (CREDIT: WINK News) “Even my grandkids said, grandpa, are we going to die in the storm? (I) said no, we got you,” said Angelo Rivera. “Don’t worry we’ll take care of you. Your father got you. Your uncle Gotcha. We’re gonna walk out the door.” Rivera is one of Ian’s survivors. After Ian, there was fear and sadness, he said. Twelve days after the storm, Harlem Heights was in absolute devastation. “If you take a shot of the family that standing over here with her. They need help they need to get out of here,” Barbara Vasquez said in October of 2022. Five months later, the devastation persists, but it’s a tough bunch who told WINK News giving up or getting out is not an option. Harlem Heights was devastated by Ian. Not the community is making slow progress toward rebuilding. (CREDIT: WINK News) Volunteer-based organizations like Rebuilding Together have laid down roots in Harlem Heights. They’re there to help rebuild homes and lives. At a news conference on Tuesday, the Hope Depot Foundation and TD Bank announced a $300,000 donation that will go straight toward relief efforts for people like Angelo, who lost it all. “We are just so committed to this neighborhood. We’re going to be here long term,” said Brandy Canada, of Rebuild Together. So far, Rebuild Together has helped 30 homeowners replace the roofs on their holds. Rivera’s was one of them. “They came here in the right time to help,” Rivera said. “God bless.” How to help: If you are interested in volunteering in Harlem Heights, you can go to Adventures.org, or you can visit the Harlem Heights Foundation and ask to be placed on a team.