WINK NEWS Palisades Wildfire devastates SWFL family Just hours after evacuating their Malibu home, the Wohl family learned they would never go back.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral expands with development The Cove at 47th The Cove sits in south Cape Coral between Cape Coral Parkway and Southeast 47th Terrace right next to Cork Soakers.
ESTERO 1 injured after shooting at Coconut Point Mall According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, one person has been injured after a shooting at the Coconut Point Mall on Friday.
FORT MYERS ‘Operation Ghost Buster’: 16 arrested in Fort Myers drug operation The Fort Myers Police Department Narcotics Unit conducted an operation targeting drug traffickers and individuals unlawfully selling and possessing firearms in Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS ‘A Distinctive Honor’: Bank of America award benefits FSW Nursing Program Bank of America has been awarded Florida Southwestern State College the 2024 Neighborhood Champion Award.
CAPTIVA Judge upholds decision in fight over building heights and density on Captiva Island After hearing arguments from both sides, the judge said he stood by his earlier decision in favor of the Captiva Civic Association.
Governor signs death warrant for man accused of 1997 killing of 2 in Charlotte County Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed the death warrant for a man accused of killing two people in Charlotte County in 1997.
Community input needed for renaming Challenger Boulevard While Lee Health continues construction on the area’s newest hospital, there are decisions to be made.
ESTERO SWFL Lady Hammerheads find community through rugby The southwest Florida Lady Hammerheads are the Florida Women’s Rugby Union’s newest team.
Heavy law enforcement presence near Arcadia Popeyes According to the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office, there is a heavy law enforcement presence near a Popeyes restaurant.
Punta Gorda City Council searches for new home Punta Gorda City Council sought a temporary solution when it was unable to meet Jan. 9 at the Military Heritage Museum because elevators weren’t working, which would have been a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Heavy metal drummer turns Winkler House into Stet’s Bar rock venue Stet Howland, who as a drummer has an affinity for heavy metal music, bought a longtime Fort Myers dive bar and then transformed it into a haven for rock and roll.
CAPE CORAL 40th annual Cape Coral Art Festival to close roads Cape Coral Parkway will close off Coronado Parkway to Del Prado Boulevard for this weekend’s 40th annual Art Festival.
LEHIGH ACRES Lee County man arrested after holding woman at knifepoint The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man for holding a woman at knifepoint during a domestic disturbance.
2 accused of multiple thefts while using stolen vehicle in Charlotte County The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two men accused of multiple thefts and driving a stolen vehicle.
WINK NEWS Palisades Wildfire devastates SWFL family Just hours after evacuating their Malibu home, the Wohl family learned they would never go back.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral expands with development The Cove at 47th The Cove sits in south Cape Coral between Cape Coral Parkway and Southeast 47th Terrace right next to Cork Soakers.
ESTERO 1 injured after shooting at Coconut Point Mall According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, one person has been injured after a shooting at the Coconut Point Mall on Friday.
FORT MYERS ‘Operation Ghost Buster’: 16 arrested in Fort Myers drug operation The Fort Myers Police Department Narcotics Unit conducted an operation targeting drug traffickers and individuals unlawfully selling and possessing firearms in Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS ‘A Distinctive Honor’: Bank of America award benefits FSW Nursing Program Bank of America has been awarded Florida Southwestern State College the 2024 Neighborhood Champion Award.
CAPTIVA Judge upholds decision in fight over building heights and density on Captiva Island After hearing arguments from both sides, the judge said he stood by his earlier decision in favor of the Captiva Civic Association.
Governor signs death warrant for man accused of 1997 killing of 2 in Charlotte County Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed the death warrant for a man accused of killing two people in Charlotte County in 1997.
Community input needed for renaming Challenger Boulevard While Lee Health continues construction on the area’s newest hospital, there are decisions to be made.
ESTERO SWFL Lady Hammerheads find community through rugby The southwest Florida Lady Hammerheads are the Florida Women’s Rugby Union’s newest team.
Heavy law enforcement presence near Arcadia Popeyes According to the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office, there is a heavy law enforcement presence near a Popeyes restaurant.
Punta Gorda City Council searches for new home Punta Gorda City Council sought a temporary solution when it was unable to meet Jan. 9 at the Military Heritage Museum because elevators weren’t working, which would have been a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Heavy metal drummer turns Winkler House into Stet’s Bar rock venue Stet Howland, who as a drummer has an affinity for heavy metal music, bought a longtime Fort Myers dive bar and then transformed it into a haven for rock and roll.
CAPE CORAL 40th annual Cape Coral Art Festival to close roads Cape Coral Parkway will close off Coronado Parkway to Del Prado Boulevard for this weekend’s 40th annual Art Festival.
LEHIGH ACRES Lee County man arrested after holding woman at knifepoint The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man for holding a woman at knifepoint during a domestic disturbance.
2 accused of multiple thefts while using stolen vehicle in Charlotte County The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two men accused of multiple thefts and driving a stolen vehicle.
LeeTran ULTRA On-Demand Transit vehicle. Credit: WINK News Have somewhere to go but don’t want to wait at the bus stop or pay a lot of money on a rideshare app? If you live in Lehigh Acres, LeeTran’s ULTRA On-Demand Transit service launches Thursday morning, offering door-to-door service for less than $2. Lee County tried out ULTRA in Bonita Springs. It worked well there, so now the service is expanding. It’s akin to LeeTran’s version of Uber. Riders will even use the Uber app to schedule their ride, or they can call LeeTran directly to make their ride requests. Once a request is made, ULTRA On-Demand Transit will come to get you in a multi-person vehicle and take you anywhere you want to go within a defined service area. The new fleet of vehicles is smaller and more accessible for residential neighborhoods and narrow roads. “We’re going to their door, so it not only helps the individual, [it] helps our economy as a whole,” said Robert Codie, Lee County’s transit director. “So now, people not only have access to transportation, they have access to employment, they have access to resources to better benefit not only their household but our community as a whole.” Ridesharing apps are very popular, and the community says this public transportation option will be safer and more convenient. “I think it would be really cool to have a bus come directly to your house instead of people walking in the street because I feel like that’s really dangerous,” said Lehigh Acres resident Mia Garcia. “I think, especially older folks like I am… I’m 80, and the day will come when I can’t drive a car anymore, but I still have to go somewhere shopping,” said fellow resident Daniel Schlei. Lee-Tran’s on-demand service is available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Rides will only cost $1.50 during the pilot phase.