Quan Martin representing SWFL on NFL Championship Sunday8-story Naples hotel passes first hurdle in approval process
LEHIGH ACRES Quan Martin representing SWFL on NFL Championship Sunday Washington Commanders safety Quan Martin, who went to Lehigh Senior High, is representing Southwest Florida on NFL Championship Sunday.
8-story Naples hotel passes first hurdle in approval process An eight-story, dual-brand luxury hotel received unanimous preliminary approval from the Naples Design Review Board, the first hurdle in a yearlong planning process.
Jacksonville Gov. Ron DeSantis to hold news conference in Jacksonville DeSantis will be joined by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Dave Kerner and Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters.
Man accused of stealing ATV from DeSoto County campground A man has been arrested after allegedly driving an ATV that was reported stolen last year in DeSoto County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers hospital offers free autism screening for young children Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida is offering free monthly autism spectrum disorder screenings for toddlers aged 18 months to 5 years.
FWC rescues 30 sea turtles from cold waters amid freezing temperatures Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers recently braved icy waters to rescue around 30 sea turtles.
Clarifying our style referencing the president’s name in stories WINK News has received multiple emails from viewers concerned about our approach to referring to President Donald Trump, both on-air and online, only by his last name on second reference.
Southwest Florida International Airport JetBlue begins nonstop travel from RSW to Manchester, NH The Southwest Florida International Airport has announced JetBlue will begin nonstop service to Manchester, New Hampshire.
Winkler & Gladiolus farmland sells for $19.97M, to become apartments One of the few pieces of farmland left on Gladiolus Drive in south Fort Myers has sold and will join its neighboring properties as being developed to become part of the surrounding suburbia.
Village Council seeks to put Estero sports park on fast track Village of Estero’s sports park took another step forward Jan. 22 when village leaders unanimously approved the master plan.
Lee County and partners activate Cold Weather Outreach Plan Lee County Government is coordinating with several of its partner agencies for cold-weather outreach this week.
Fort Myers man arrested on multiple charges after fleeing from FHP The Florida Highway Patrol has arrested a Fort Myers man accused of reckless driving and possession of illegal substances.
Man arrested for DUI manslaughter following fatal El Jobean Bridge crash The Florida Highway Patrol has arrested a man accused of DUI manslaughter following a fatal crash on the El Jobean Bridge in Charlotte County.
the weather authority Light showers with clouds and chilly temperatures this Thursday The Weather Authority is tracking light showers along with chillier and cloudier conditions expected throughout this Thursday.
Sanibel Prescribed burns to be considered in Sanibel; aims to protect against wildfires Residents of Sanibel may soon notice smoke rising from the island, but there is no cause for alarm.
LEHIGH ACRES Quan Martin representing SWFL on NFL Championship Sunday Washington Commanders safety Quan Martin, who went to Lehigh Senior High, is representing Southwest Florida on NFL Championship Sunday.
8-story Naples hotel passes first hurdle in approval process An eight-story, dual-brand luxury hotel received unanimous preliminary approval from the Naples Design Review Board, the first hurdle in a yearlong planning process.
Jacksonville Gov. Ron DeSantis to hold news conference in Jacksonville DeSantis will be joined by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Dave Kerner and Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters.
Man accused of stealing ATV from DeSoto County campground A man has been arrested after allegedly driving an ATV that was reported stolen last year in DeSoto County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers hospital offers free autism screening for young children Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida is offering free monthly autism spectrum disorder screenings for toddlers aged 18 months to 5 years.
FWC rescues 30 sea turtles from cold waters amid freezing temperatures Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers recently braved icy waters to rescue around 30 sea turtles.
Clarifying our style referencing the president’s name in stories WINK News has received multiple emails from viewers concerned about our approach to referring to President Donald Trump, both on-air and online, only by his last name on second reference.
Southwest Florida International Airport JetBlue begins nonstop travel from RSW to Manchester, NH The Southwest Florida International Airport has announced JetBlue will begin nonstop service to Manchester, New Hampshire.
Winkler & Gladiolus farmland sells for $19.97M, to become apartments One of the few pieces of farmland left on Gladiolus Drive in south Fort Myers has sold and will join its neighboring properties as being developed to become part of the surrounding suburbia.
Village Council seeks to put Estero sports park on fast track Village of Estero’s sports park took another step forward Jan. 22 when village leaders unanimously approved the master plan.
Lee County and partners activate Cold Weather Outreach Plan Lee County Government is coordinating with several of its partner agencies for cold-weather outreach this week.
Fort Myers man arrested on multiple charges after fleeing from FHP The Florida Highway Patrol has arrested a Fort Myers man accused of reckless driving and possession of illegal substances.
Man arrested for DUI manslaughter following fatal El Jobean Bridge crash The Florida Highway Patrol has arrested a man accused of DUI manslaughter following a fatal crash on the El Jobean Bridge in Charlotte County.
the weather authority Light showers with clouds and chilly temperatures this Thursday The Weather Authority is tracking light showers along with chillier and cloudier conditions expected throughout this Thursday.
Sanibel Prescribed burns to be considered in Sanibel; aims to protect against wildfires Residents of Sanibel may soon notice smoke rising from the island, but there is no cause for alarm.
A storm surge wiped her out, until all this Fort Myers Beach mother had was a hammer and hope. In came WINK News Investigates Reporter Celine McArthur, who introduced you to, “A Man with a Plan,” and created a storm surge of another kind: A tidal wave of community hope. As Tammy Drake climbs into the cab of this excavator, and prepares to level her Fort Myers Beach home, she’s feeling… a mix of emotions. “Part of me is beyond ecstatic,” said Tammy. “I don’t have to look at that anymore, and we have something beautiful and flood-proof going in. Then, you know, that’s where my kids were born and raised. And there are so many memories in that house.” But the memory of riding out Hurricane Ian with her daughter Maddy, watching their house—their HOME—disappear into the storm surge, is one they never want to re-live. So, this house has got to go! Demo day has been more than a month in the making. Once this debris is hauled away, it’s time to build this! These are the plans for a raised home, that hopefully will never flood again. It’s about a $350,000 project, when you factor in materials and labor. Joe Orlandini says his suppliers have stepped up in a big way, and neighbors pitched in. Then, after our story aired, there was a tidal wave of support. “People wanting to supply roofs. People wanting to contribute and donate cabinets, labor and even time. Even furniture! I had someone that said, ‘I want to do Maddy’s bedroom with the mermaids!’ That was really, really cute and nice.” A birds-eye view of the demolition. CREDIT: WINK News Tammy is overwhelmed by the support. “Oh, so much outpouring of love,” said Tammy. “I have people come up to me multiple times a day just saying they saw the story. They’re all teared-up, which makes me all teared-up. And the responses have been absolutely beautiful. Just beautiful.” Then came THE BIG ONE. A WHALE of an opportunity from WINK News viewers Mike and Dawn Miller who watched our story about Tammy and Maddy. “We absolutely love the story,” said Mike. Dawn added, “We felt for her. We want her daughter back home with her. We’re like, we’ve got to figure out a way we can help!” This, while they’re also rebuilding their Fort Myers Beach landmark! The Millers bought The Whale restaurant in June of 2022. “We absolutely fell in love with it,” said Mike. But three months later, it was gone. Wiped out by Hurricane Ian. The Millers say they’re not leaving, and believe their neighbors, who were relative strangers, should be able to stay put, too. So, Mike reached out to Joe… with a plan of his own. Joe recounted the conversation on text. “He says, would $100,000 help? Completely blown away, I texted back Mike. I think, Oh, my God! I can’t believe it. Are you serious? You know, for real?” It’s real. Our cameras were rolling when the Millers handed Tammy a check for $100,000. Tammy’s first reaction: “You know I’m going to leave here and go puke, right?” After the news sunk in, she said, “I was in shock. Just absolutely shock. I mean, they have so much to rebuild already between their home and their business, and to give to my family’s… it tears at the heartstrings. Beautiful thing.” Construction vehicle tearing down a Fort Myers Beach restaurant. CREDIT: WINK News And then it happened again. Another big donation. $20,000 from a neighbor, who asked to not be identified by name. With a plan in hand, money in the bank, and a community behind them, Tammy is ready to build a new foundation. A Man with a Plan Series FORT MYERS BEACH The future of Fort Myers Beach: The man with a plan Many of you closely follow what’s happening on Fort Myers Beach, especially if you live or work there. Decisions made now and in the near future about how to rebuild will impact everyone with a stake on this island. “I’m sorry for being so emotional,” says Fort Myers Beach resident William Dean Simmons. It isn’t […] FORT MYERS BEACH The future of Fort Myers Beach: The personal side of progress It’s been just over three months since Hurricane Ian devastated Southwest Florida. For some in Fort Myers Beach, the aftermath has been the most challenging time of their lives. WINK News is profiling the rebuild of the barrier island town through the eyes and experiences of a local builder. In part one of the series, […] FORT MYERS BEACH The time has come: ‘Man with a plan’ to replace Fort Myers Beach clock lost during Hurricane Ian An iconic piece of Fort Myers Beach lost in Hurricane Ian will be replaced. We’re talking about the big blue clock. In our special series “A Man With a Plan,” WINK news investigative reporter Céline McArthur sits down with the beach builder behind the project to get the story. The last thing this man has […] FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach man to build $350k home for Hurricane Ian victims Can the character of pre-Hurricane Ian Fort Myers Beach be saved? In our special series, “A Man With a Plan,” we’re profiling the rebuild of the barrier island town through the eyes and experiences of a local builder. He says the answer is yes—one family at a time.
FORT MYERS BEACH The future of Fort Myers Beach: The man with a plan Many of you closely follow what’s happening on Fort Myers Beach, especially if you live or work there. Decisions made now and in the near future about how to rebuild will impact everyone with a stake on this island. “I’m sorry for being so emotional,” says Fort Myers Beach resident William Dean Simmons. It isn’t […]
FORT MYERS BEACH The future of Fort Myers Beach: The personal side of progress It’s been just over three months since Hurricane Ian devastated Southwest Florida. For some in Fort Myers Beach, the aftermath has been the most challenging time of their lives. WINK News is profiling the rebuild of the barrier island town through the eyes and experiences of a local builder. In part one of the series, […]
FORT MYERS BEACH The time has come: ‘Man with a plan’ to replace Fort Myers Beach clock lost during Hurricane Ian An iconic piece of Fort Myers Beach lost in Hurricane Ian will be replaced. We’re talking about the big blue clock. In our special series “A Man With a Plan,” WINK news investigative reporter Céline McArthur sits down with the beach builder behind the project to get the story. The last thing this man has […]
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach man to build $350k home for Hurricane Ian victims Can the character of pre-Hurricane Ian Fort Myers Beach be saved? In our special series, “A Man With a Plan,” we’re profiling the rebuild of the barrier island town through the eyes and experiences of a local builder. He says the answer is yes—one family at a time.