New information on nurse accused of starving premature babyWorld’s largest bounce castle to spring into Bonita Springs
CAPE CORAL New information on nurse accused of starving premature baby New information has been released about what happened behind closed doors when a nurse allegedly starved a premature baby.
BONITA SPRINGS World’s largest bounce castle to spring into Bonita Springs The Big Bounce America, the world’s largest inflatable bounce castle is set to appear in Bonita Springs.
palmdale Gatorama owner bitten during alligator feeding show Gatorama owner Allen Register was sent to hospital after being bitten by an alligator during a feeding show.
CAPE CORAL Man accused of Cape Coral DUI accident with serious injuries A man has been arrested after allegedly causing an accident with injuries while driving under the influence in Cape Coral.
wink news 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.
the weather authority Another warm afternoon for your Tuesday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a warm Tuesday afternoon with stray rain showers expected in our inland communities.
port charlotte Suspected impaired driver in custody after slamming into Port Charlotte home’s garage The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and North Port Police Department are investigating a crash involving a suspected impaired driver slamming into a home garage.
NORTH FORT MYERS Cape Coral man faces 16 charges after fleeing multiple traffic stops Marcus Selby, 24, is facing multiple charges after a dramatic series of events involving Cape Coral police and Florida Highway Patrol troopers.
SANIBEL Sanibel residents brace for traffic surge with new advisory and app aid Sanibel residents are bracing for increased traffic as the city issued a “heavy traffic advisory” for the entire week.
FGCU FGCU’s Casey Santoro battles back from Achilles injury FGCU women’s basketball player Casey Santoro is back on the floor after suffering an Achilles injury a season ago.
BABCOCK RANCH Heaviest Florida panther ever recorded located in Babcock Ranch Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists recently captured and collared the heaviest Florida panther ever recorded.
Lee County deputies using VR for safe high-risk training scenarios The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has taken a significant step forward in training by incorporating virtual reality technology.
NAPLES FC Naples signs local soccer star Joffre followed his dream across continents after graduating from Gulf Coast. Now he’s back on the professional soccer pitch in his hometown.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach businesses face floodplain compliance deadline Fort Myers Beach’s businesses face pressure to comply with floodplain regulations or leave the island by March 1.
NAPLES Persistent red tide bloom off Naples to Boca Grande raises concerns As the weather warms up, more people are heading to the beach. However, those with beach plans in Southwest Florida should be aware of the persistent red tide affecting the coastline.
CAPE CORAL New information on nurse accused of starving premature baby New information has been released about what happened behind closed doors when a nurse allegedly starved a premature baby.
BONITA SPRINGS World’s largest bounce castle to spring into Bonita Springs The Big Bounce America, the world’s largest inflatable bounce castle is set to appear in Bonita Springs.
palmdale Gatorama owner bitten during alligator feeding show Gatorama owner Allen Register was sent to hospital after being bitten by an alligator during a feeding show.
CAPE CORAL Man accused of Cape Coral DUI accident with serious injuries A man has been arrested after allegedly causing an accident with injuries while driving under the influence in Cape Coral.
wink news 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.
the weather authority Another warm afternoon for your Tuesday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a warm Tuesday afternoon with stray rain showers expected in our inland communities.
port charlotte Suspected impaired driver in custody after slamming into Port Charlotte home’s garage The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and North Port Police Department are investigating a crash involving a suspected impaired driver slamming into a home garage.
NORTH FORT MYERS Cape Coral man faces 16 charges after fleeing multiple traffic stops Marcus Selby, 24, is facing multiple charges after a dramatic series of events involving Cape Coral police and Florida Highway Patrol troopers.
SANIBEL Sanibel residents brace for traffic surge with new advisory and app aid Sanibel residents are bracing for increased traffic as the city issued a “heavy traffic advisory” for the entire week.
FGCU FGCU’s Casey Santoro battles back from Achilles injury FGCU women’s basketball player Casey Santoro is back on the floor after suffering an Achilles injury a season ago.
BABCOCK RANCH Heaviest Florida panther ever recorded located in Babcock Ranch Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists recently captured and collared the heaviest Florida panther ever recorded.
Lee County deputies using VR for safe high-risk training scenarios The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has taken a significant step forward in training by incorporating virtual reality technology.
NAPLES FC Naples signs local soccer star Joffre followed his dream across continents after graduating from Gulf Coast. Now he’s back on the professional soccer pitch in his hometown.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach businesses face floodplain compliance deadline Fort Myers Beach’s businesses face pressure to comply with floodplain regulations or leave the island by March 1.
NAPLES Persistent red tide bloom off Naples to Boca Grande raises concerns As the weather warms up, more people are heading to the beach. However, those with beach plans in Southwest Florida should be aware of the persistent red tide affecting the coastline.
(Credit: Shared with WINK News) Three young men brought together by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America in Fort Myers have made their shared love of basketball the basis of a lifelong friendship. Cliff Smith was matched with David and Jonathan Delices through Big Brothers Big Sisters 6 1/2 years ago. “When we first were matched, literally, you could count the words combined they both would say on your hands,” said Smith, who was assigned to be the Delices’ big brother. “They would answer questions with ‘yes,’ ‘no’… I mean, they were always unbelievably polite, always unbelievably friendly, but as shy and untalkative as you could get.” But many late-night games of basketball eventually got everyone talking. “I can’t even recognize the old me, because I’m so different,” said David. “I think of [Chris] as another father figure, in a way, because he essentially is… like, if I’m playing my sports, he’s always there,” said Jonathan. On and off the court, Smith swooped in at the perfect time. “Before we met cliff, our environment was not the greatest; you know, we had friends that were smoking and drinking; the basketball court we used to play, there were fights there all the time, we would watch drug deals happen, like, right in front of us while we were hooping, and we were like 12, 11 years old,” David said. “And that was one of the first things lifted was removing us from the environment by giving us access to the YMCA.” The love of the game brought them together initially, but Smith became a sort of point guard in their lives, setting them up for college and successful careers. Jonathan is dual-enrolled at Fort Myers High School. He’s already been accepted to The Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University. David is working towards his master’s degree in social work at FGCU. Smith bounces between cheering on the sidelines and being at the center of the action. “I actually was the officiant at David’s wedding, which was unbelievably cool,” Smith said. In Southwest Florida, 111 young men are on a waitlist to be matched with a big brother: 28 in Lee County, 13 in Collier County and 70 in Charlotte County. “You don’t know what everyone’s situation is,” David said. “But I know—I can predict—that a lot of people that are on that waiting list are in great need because their situation is very difficult. And they just need someone to support them and encourage them and tell them that they’re there for them.” The minimum commitment to be a big sibling is four hours per month. That can be a couple of meals or a long afternoon working together on something, or even playing basketball. Whatever it is, the real reward is the difference you make for someone. “He truly changed my life, and he didn’t have to do that,” Jonathan said. “But he did that with the kindness of his heart” Big Brothers Big Sisters is working to recruit 100 men in 100 days. If you think you can be a match for someone, head to the organization’s website.