33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee CountyCool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther was killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Milton.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther was killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Milton.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
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.