Naples police rescue injured owl outside station2 arrested for $1,500 vape theft at Port Charlotte gas station
NAPLES Naples police rescue injured owl outside station Naples police officers took on an unusual task when they rescued an injured owl outside the police department.
PORT CHARLOTTE 2 arrested for $1,500 vape theft at Port Charlotte gas station Two suspects were arrested early Sunday morning after allegedly stealing approximately $1,500 worth of vape products from a gas station in Port Charlotte.
WINK Neighborhood Watch: knife attack, robbery at gunpoint and hit-and-run This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a knife attack, a robbery at gunpoint and a hit-and-run on a bicyclist.
FORT MYERS Former Uber driver convicted of rape to be sentenced Monday Felix Torres, a former Uber driver, was found guilty in December of raping one of his passengers and will be sentenced Monday.
the weather authority Sunnier, less humid day in store with highs in the low 70s The Weather Authority says a pleasant day is in store for Southwest Florida, with much more sunshine than we saw on Saturday.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Police department hosts annual Cops and Joggers 5K FMPD hosted the Cops and Joggers 5K event on Saturday. This unique experience takes attendees through the heart of Downtown Fort Myers.
Purple Heart Army veteran receives new home thanks to charity A Purple Heart Army veteran and his family entered their new accessible home on Saturday, thanks to the charity “Homes for Our Troops.”
CAPE CORAL Rain doesn’t stop crowds at 40th Annual Cape Coral Arts Festival For 40 years, the Cape Coral Arts Festival has drawn crowds from across Southwest Florida, showcasing a blend of small businesses from the region.
CAPE CORAL Sports trading card collecting going through “a generational reboot” The hobby of sports trading card collecting has been on the rise since 2020, especially in Southwest Florida with more card shows.
PUNTA GORDA 11th annual short film festival coming to Punta Gorda The Punta Gorda Englewood Beach Visitor Convention Bureau will host its 11th annual short film festival.
the weather authority Mild, breezy day on tap with more clouds than sun The Weather Authority says a brief line of showers, associated with a cold front, is moving through Southwest Florida Saturday morning.
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.
CAPE CORAL CCPD cruiser damaged after officer involved crash An officer-involved crash leaves a Cape Coral police cruiser smashed.
PORT CHARLOTTE Sweet’s Diner in Port Charlotte reopens After months of fundraising and rebuilding, this diner, which had a car fly-through it, is back open.
NAPLES Naples police rescue injured owl outside station Naples police officers took on an unusual task when they rescued an injured owl outside the police department.
PORT CHARLOTTE 2 arrested for $1,500 vape theft at Port Charlotte gas station Two suspects were arrested early Sunday morning after allegedly stealing approximately $1,500 worth of vape products from a gas station in Port Charlotte.
WINK Neighborhood Watch: knife attack, robbery at gunpoint and hit-and-run This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a knife attack, a robbery at gunpoint and a hit-and-run on a bicyclist.
FORT MYERS Former Uber driver convicted of rape to be sentenced Monday Felix Torres, a former Uber driver, was found guilty in December of raping one of his passengers and will be sentenced Monday.
the weather authority Sunnier, less humid day in store with highs in the low 70s The Weather Authority says a pleasant day is in store for Southwest Florida, with much more sunshine than we saw on Saturday.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Police department hosts annual Cops and Joggers 5K FMPD hosted the Cops and Joggers 5K event on Saturday. This unique experience takes attendees through the heart of Downtown Fort Myers.
Purple Heart Army veteran receives new home thanks to charity A Purple Heart Army veteran and his family entered their new accessible home on Saturday, thanks to the charity “Homes for Our Troops.”
CAPE CORAL Rain doesn’t stop crowds at 40th Annual Cape Coral Arts Festival For 40 years, the Cape Coral Arts Festival has drawn crowds from across Southwest Florida, showcasing a blend of small businesses from the region.
CAPE CORAL Sports trading card collecting going through “a generational reboot” The hobby of sports trading card collecting has been on the rise since 2020, especially in Southwest Florida with more card shows.
PUNTA GORDA 11th annual short film festival coming to Punta Gorda The Punta Gorda Englewood Beach Visitor Convention Bureau will host its 11th annual short film festival.
the weather authority Mild, breezy day on tap with more clouds than sun The Weather Authority says a brief line of showers, associated with a cold front, is moving through Southwest Florida Saturday morning.
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.
CAPE CORAL CCPD cruiser damaged after officer involved crash An officer-involved crash leaves a Cape Coral police cruiser smashed.
PORT CHARLOTTE Sweet’s Diner in Port Charlotte reopens After months of fundraising and rebuilding, this diner, which had a car fly-through it, is back open.
Maleena Valdez, 4, died a year ago after a stolen Jeep crashed into a playground at an Arcadia daycare. CREDIT: Valdez family Thursday marked one year since a driver went off the road and into a daycare killing 4-year-old Maleena Valdez. It happened at an Arcadia daycare called Imagination Station. Kiara Morant, the driver, was arrested after crashing into the playground while children were outside playing. One year later, the heartbreaking screams still ring in the community’s memory. 911 caller: “I need somebody now! Now!”911 dispatcher: “You said the Imagination Station?”911 caller: “Yes, yes, yes, yes! A car has hit a child! Hurry up!” Valdez’s grandmother said Imagination Station is just as responsible for the death of her granddaughter as the driver. Scene of the crash at the Arcadia playground. CREDIT: WINK News She used the term ‘hate’ when describing the daycare. When you look at the Imagination Station now, they’ve tried to do everything imaginable to prevent this from happening again. They can’t change the traffic flow, but they reinforced the flimsy chainlink fence with guardrails. Big concrete blocks now barricade the front entrance, and the turn warning signs that 19-year-old Kiara Morant, the woman behind the SUV’s wheel that crashed into the daycare, knocked down are all replaced. One year after a deadly crash, Valdez’s pain remains sharp while her anger only deepens. “It still feels so unreal. Every day it feels so unreal. Like, I still feel like I’m gonna get that phone call from her and say what, grandma? You know, like, I would call her every day,” Maleena said. The 4-year-old died when police say Morant drove a Jeep into a chain-linked fence. Police then say that Morant was driving without a license. Kiara Morant. Credit: DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office In 2022, when WINK News spoke with Savannah Valdez, Maleena Valdez’s mother, she said she wants Morant behind bars and the daycare held accountable. “I really thought my daughter was safe there, you know, she’s been there for almost a year. She was going to graduate, and they got all that stuff donated, and you know it took for my daughter to lose her life,” Savannah said. “Why did this happen? You know, I mean, it’s just, I mean, I don’t understand. You know, I’m trying to understand. I’m trying to cope with it still, but I can’t,” Maleena said. Maleena’s family members are expected to gather at the daycare Thursday to release balloons in her memory. Morant has her next court appearance for the crash on April 4. Since the crash, she’s been in the DeSoto County Jail.