Advocates urge safety measures for retention ponds after boy drownsNaples Winter Wine Festival kicks off
FORT MYERS Advocates urge safety measures for retention ponds after boy drowns The tragic drowning of a little boy in Fort Myers is starting a conversation.
NAPLES Naples Winter Wine Festival kicks off Wine, music and making a difference! On Tuesday evening 40 couples joined together to kick off the 25th annual Naples Winter Wine Festival.
PUNTA GORDA Blue Angels returning for 2025 Florida International Air Show The Blue Angels will finally return for the first time in over 12 years to next year’s Florida International Air Show at Punta Gorda Airport.
Lee County Commissioners discuss LCSO Budget and Sheriff Marceno federal investigation In light of recent investigations into Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, a Lee County Commissioner proposed a change at Tuesday’s commissioner’s meeting that would separate the county budget from the sheriff’s. This potential change is a long way from being implemented because it isn’t necessarily a proposal, but more like the beginning steps of one. […]
NORTH FORT MYERS North Fort Myers cheerleaders push for Nationals with community’s help The North Fort Myers Pop Warner cheer team has the talent to compete on the biggest stage but lacks the money.
Victim identified in Charlotte County shooting A victim has been identified after a shooting on Nasturtium Drive early Monday morning.
Advanced care for lung cancer patients in Lee County The outlook for lung cancer is typically not good, mostly because it’s often picked up in late stages. However, Lee Health hopes to change that trajectory by launching a new advanced care center focusing on lung disease.
CHARLOTTE PARK After the storm: Harbor Belle RV Resort faces a slow path to recovery Here on WINK News, we have told you about the devastation at the Harbor Belle RV Resort in Charlotte Park and how, for months, many people did not have power.
New K-9 honors fallen Fort Myers officer A Fort Myers police officer who made the ultimate sacrifice serving southwest Florida gets a unique honor.
Websites to help you avoid charity rip-offs The holiday season is a popular time for people to open their wallets and make donations to charities, but how can you be sure your money is going to the right place?
Southwest Florida celebrates Giving Tuesday It’s a day of giving to the ones who need it the most. Giving Tuesday is the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
FORT MYERS BEACH Pink Shell developers plead their case against Fort Myers Beach To build up and out or to not. That is the debate going on right now on Fort Myers Beach. The Pink Shell wants to expand on the island.
NAPLES Naples football set for first state semifinal appearance in six years The Naples Golden Eagles are the lone Southwest Florida football team still standing in the drive to the 305.
FSW FSW volleyball celebrates history with third straight national title The FSW volleyball team became the first team ever to win three straight NJCAA national titles at the Division I level.
FORT MYERS Police report reveals how child with autism got out of house before drowning in Fort Myers pond A police report has been released revealing new details on how a 7-year-old boy with autism was able to leave his home before drowning in Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS Advocates urge safety measures for retention ponds after boy drowns The tragic drowning of a little boy in Fort Myers is starting a conversation.
NAPLES Naples Winter Wine Festival kicks off Wine, music and making a difference! On Tuesday evening 40 couples joined together to kick off the 25th annual Naples Winter Wine Festival.
PUNTA GORDA Blue Angels returning for 2025 Florida International Air Show The Blue Angels will finally return for the first time in over 12 years to next year’s Florida International Air Show at Punta Gorda Airport.
Lee County Commissioners discuss LCSO Budget and Sheriff Marceno federal investigation In light of recent investigations into Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, a Lee County Commissioner proposed a change at Tuesday’s commissioner’s meeting that would separate the county budget from the sheriff’s. This potential change is a long way from being implemented because it isn’t necessarily a proposal, but more like the beginning steps of one. […]
NORTH FORT MYERS North Fort Myers cheerleaders push for Nationals with community’s help The North Fort Myers Pop Warner cheer team has the talent to compete on the biggest stage but lacks the money.
Victim identified in Charlotte County shooting A victim has been identified after a shooting on Nasturtium Drive early Monday morning.
Advanced care for lung cancer patients in Lee County The outlook for lung cancer is typically not good, mostly because it’s often picked up in late stages. However, Lee Health hopes to change that trajectory by launching a new advanced care center focusing on lung disease.
CHARLOTTE PARK After the storm: Harbor Belle RV Resort faces a slow path to recovery Here on WINK News, we have told you about the devastation at the Harbor Belle RV Resort in Charlotte Park and how, for months, many people did not have power.
New K-9 honors fallen Fort Myers officer A Fort Myers police officer who made the ultimate sacrifice serving southwest Florida gets a unique honor.
Websites to help you avoid charity rip-offs The holiday season is a popular time for people to open their wallets and make donations to charities, but how can you be sure your money is going to the right place?
Southwest Florida celebrates Giving Tuesday It’s a day of giving to the ones who need it the most. Giving Tuesday is the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
FORT MYERS BEACH Pink Shell developers plead their case against Fort Myers Beach To build up and out or to not. That is the debate going on right now on Fort Myers Beach. The Pink Shell wants to expand on the island.
NAPLES Naples football set for first state semifinal appearance in six years The Naples Golden Eagles are the lone Southwest Florida football team still standing in the drive to the 305.
FSW FSW volleyball celebrates history with third straight national title The FSW volleyball team became the first team ever to win three straight NJCAA national titles at the Division I level.
FORT MYERS Police report reveals how child with autism got out of house before drowning in Fort Myers pond A police report has been released revealing new details on how a 7-year-old boy with autism was able to leave his home before drowning in Fort Myers.
UPC Insurance. Thousands of United Property and Casualty Insurance (UPC) customers with Hurricane Ian damaged homes are struggling to find another insurance company to protect their homes in the future. Now, Citizens Property Insurance hopes some newly announced rule changes will help. They’re extending deadlines and giving people more time to prove they are working on fixing their homes. The only problem is many don’t have the money to start repairs or construction. After paying UPC to insure her Port Charlotte home for 18 years, Barbara Pellegrino feels tossed aside after filing her hurricane claim. “You expect when you pay for insurance, that’s a service. So, when and if you have to use it, it should be there. I’m finding it hard to believe that it’s not there,” said Pellegrino. The company went under, and while she waits for the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association to step in, she’s paid out of pocket for home repairs. Roofers started last week. Pellegrino’s next hurdle; finding another insurance company to protect her home before hurricane season 2023 picks up. “The only way you can get insurance is if you have a perfect house, and that’s where I have my problem because I don’t have a perfect house right now,” said Pellegrino. Most former UPC customers will have to turn to Citizens Property Insurance, the state’s insurer of last resort. “My broker is actually dealing with Citizens for me,” Pellegrino said. On Wednesday, Citizens announced changes to some of its rules to give people like Pellegrino more time. They have until April 17 to get a policy. But when it comes to repairs? “We are allowing UPC applicants who have existing damage to their home 90 days to submit a contract to repair the damage. We think this is the right thing to do, and it can help those who are still suffering hardship in the aftermath of Ian,” said Timothy Cerio, president and CEO of Citizens Property Insurance. Charlotte County insurance agent Kevin Feuser believes this still means many homeowners will fall through the cracks. Most contractors require a deposit. “They don’t have the money yet from their insurance company. So, if a contract is done and they need to pay, they won’t have the money to pay. So many of them are reluctant to do that. Therefore, they don’t have the contract or statement. Therefore, Citizens is not willing to write them a policy,” Feuser said. As a result, many have nowhere to turn. “They could have a mortgage. We’re already hearing that some of the mortgage companies are forced to place coverage on them. But that’s not a good alternative,” said Feuser. A Citizens spokesperson told WINK News the company understands everyone’s concerns which is why they are giving those UPC customers 90 days. MORE: UPC Insurance closed with your open claim. Now what?