Police respond to shots fired at Clewiston WalmartWINK Investigates: Everything we know so far about Beattie Development
CLEWISTON Police respond to shots fired at Clewiston Walmart According to the Clewiston Police Department, an active shooter was present at the Walmart in Clewiston Friday night.
WINK Investigates: Everything we know so far about Beattie Development A southwest Florida developer has now surrendered his six different contracting licenses, which include general contracting, plumbing and roofing. Paul Beattie, owner of Beattie Development cannot build homes anymore. It’s not a permanent situation, but part of a settlement agreement with the state says he’d need to pay $300,000 before he could get a new […]
Florida Attorney General speaks out following lawsuit against FEMA Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has spoken out following the filing of a lawsuit alleging that a FEMA supervisor directed aid workers to avoid going to homes in Lake Placid that had yard signs supporting Trump.
FORT MYERS BEACH How to increase odds of getting your hurricane insurance claim paid When Hurricane Helene hit Southwest Florida in September followed by Milton, many people’s lives were affected.
lehigh acres 25 students treated for heat exhaustion on Lehigh Sr. High School football field The Tice Fire Department treated around 25 students for heat exhaustion on the Lehigh Senior High School football field.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda pilots speak out on Allegiant Air strike Allegiant Air pilots said they want a new contract, one that’s amendable, fair and, in their words, what they should be paid.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach couple sues insurance over Hurricane Ian claim In the last two months, southwest Florida experienced a hurricane double punch with Helene and Milton, but for many people out there, it’s still all about Hurricane Ian from 2022.
CAPE CORAL Couple struggling after hurricanes receives $10K from Cape Coral High students A couple who lost everything to Hurricane Milton has received a blessing in more ways than one.
FORT MYERS BEACH FEMA denies extension for business trailers on Fort Myers Beach FEMA has denied an extension for business trailers on Fort Myers Beach.
Mistrial declared in case of former Hendry County deputy A mistrial has been called in the trial of Tyler Williams, a former Hendry County deputy. The court declared the mistrial after the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on either count in the indictment. Williams was charged with two felonies in federal court in early April 2024, after knocking a handcuffed man unconscious. […]
Examining healthy breast tissue to understand how cancer starts A new approach being researched by scientists has led to the examination of healthy breast tissue to better understand how cancer develops.
Analysts: Charlotte County’s rapid population growth calls for more services Charlotte County’s population has shown unprecedented growth, increasing 5.2% from June 2023 to March 2024.
FORT MYERS Man accused of attempted burglary while nude in Fort Myers; covers head with white cloth The Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man who stands accused of attempted burglary while wearing nothing but a white cloth over his head.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral man accused of breaking into 6 different businesses A man has been arrested after allegedly breaking into six different businesses in Southeast Cape Coral this month.
COLLIER COUNTY DOH-Collier issues blue-green algae health alert for Lake Avalon It’s official: the Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) has issued a health alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algae toxins in Lake Avalon.
CLEWISTON Police respond to shots fired at Clewiston Walmart According to the Clewiston Police Department, an active shooter was present at the Walmart in Clewiston Friday night.
WINK Investigates: Everything we know so far about Beattie Development A southwest Florida developer has now surrendered his six different contracting licenses, which include general contracting, plumbing and roofing. Paul Beattie, owner of Beattie Development cannot build homes anymore. It’s not a permanent situation, but part of a settlement agreement with the state says he’d need to pay $300,000 before he could get a new […]
Florida Attorney General speaks out following lawsuit against FEMA Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has spoken out following the filing of a lawsuit alleging that a FEMA supervisor directed aid workers to avoid going to homes in Lake Placid that had yard signs supporting Trump.
FORT MYERS BEACH How to increase odds of getting your hurricane insurance claim paid When Hurricane Helene hit Southwest Florida in September followed by Milton, many people’s lives were affected.
lehigh acres 25 students treated for heat exhaustion on Lehigh Sr. High School football field The Tice Fire Department treated around 25 students for heat exhaustion on the Lehigh Senior High School football field.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda pilots speak out on Allegiant Air strike Allegiant Air pilots said they want a new contract, one that’s amendable, fair and, in their words, what they should be paid.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach couple sues insurance over Hurricane Ian claim In the last two months, southwest Florida experienced a hurricane double punch with Helene and Milton, but for many people out there, it’s still all about Hurricane Ian from 2022.
CAPE CORAL Couple struggling after hurricanes receives $10K from Cape Coral High students A couple who lost everything to Hurricane Milton has received a blessing in more ways than one.
FORT MYERS BEACH FEMA denies extension for business trailers on Fort Myers Beach FEMA has denied an extension for business trailers on Fort Myers Beach.
Mistrial declared in case of former Hendry County deputy A mistrial has been called in the trial of Tyler Williams, a former Hendry County deputy. The court declared the mistrial after the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on either count in the indictment. Williams was charged with two felonies in federal court in early April 2024, after knocking a handcuffed man unconscious. […]
Examining healthy breast tissue to understand how cancer starts A new approach being researched by scientists has led to the examination of healthy breast tissue to better understand how cancer develops.
Analysts: Charlotte County’s rapid population growth calls for more services Charlotte County’s population has shown unprecedented growth, increasing 5.2% from June 2023 to March 2024.
FORT MYERS Man accused of attempted burglary while nude in Fort Myers; covers head with white cloth The Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man who stands accused of attempted burglary while wearing nothing but a white cloth over his head.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral man accused of breaking into 6 different businesses A man has been arrested after allegedly breaking into six different businesses in Southeast Cape Coral this month.
COLLIER COUNTY DOH-Collier issues blue-green algae health alert for Lake Avalon It’s official: the Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) has issued a health alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algae toxins in Lake Avalon.
Backlash and safety concerns for LGBTQ+ advocacy group GLSEN pride conference. (CREDIT: WINK News) A chance for LGBTQ youth to explore LGBTQ-related issues facing them is what the organizers of the annual Youth Pride Conference hope to provide. The event takes place Saturday at the Naples United Church of Christ, where a room for this pride event has been privately rented and has no affiliation with the church. This was the case last year when they were also met with pushback from the community. “I think we know from the threats and the harassment that we have gotten that they certainly would be met with some unsafe circumstances,” said Youth Pride Conference Director Daniel Shaw. For the second year, the group plans for more pushback. In March 2022, the first-ever Youth Pride Conference was held to empower and educate LGBTQ kids ages 12 to 18 on issues like mental health and religion. “To see these students and the way they’re finally able to be themselves, that’s why we do this,” said Shaw during that first event. Shaw said the event inside the Naples United Church of Christ was intended to create a supportive and safe place for LGBTQ kids, but some people didn’t see it that way. “We are protesting something because we believe people are in danger,” said Fred while protesting the event last year. One year later, the event will happen again and feature topics like transgender healthcare, queer arts, and even highly-controversial issues like book bans. “We’re taking the whole notion that LGBTQ youth are controversial and accepting that premise. I refuse to accept that. There is nothing controversial about LGBTQ youth and their identities, absolutely nothing,” said Shaw. With the possibility of more protests and safety concerns surrounding the LGBTQ community, the focus of Saturday’s event will be all on support. “These students are fearful. So yeah, there is a lot of fear surrounding this event. But it’s not my fear. It’s not the fear in the community. It’s the fear that these students face every day in their lives. And it’s not right. It’s not fair,” Shaw said. In 2022, critics hated the idea. Protesters held signs outside the doors to the church. That won’t stop organizers from holding a second Youth Pride Conference. “We had a lot of negative backlash within the community. But in reality, those were just the loudest voices. Those were not by any means majority. The overwhelming amount of support that we received last year alone, and much less this year, is overwhelming, overwhelmingly for good,” said Shaw. He said the event would take place at the same church. Senior Minister David Greenhaw said it’s no problem. “We’re an open and affirming congregation, which means that the long history of gay and lesbian misuse, dismissal has been wrong in the life of the world. And it’s time for some of us to say there’s a place at the table and to change the way we do it.” Conference Coordinator Olive Saunders said, as proven in politics and protests, not everyone is so welcoming. “To be honest, it also makes me petrified. It makes me a little bit concerned for my future as a queer youth. (edit) it’s something that I have to do for queer youth because they deserve fundamentally, you know, to feel safe, comfortable, happy so they can flourish just like any other kid,” said Saunders. To make sure everyone attending feels safe, Naples police will be on hand.