Players of the Week: Dunbar’s Ken’Dahrius Green and Jeremy WareCollier County golfer lands shot on the back of an alligator
Players of the Week: Dunbar’s Ken’Dahrius Green and Jeremy Ware Dunbar High School’s Special Teams unit has shown out these past two weeks, scoring a special teams touchdown in wins over South Fort Myers and Fort Myers.
NAPLES Collier County golfer lands shot on the back of an alligator “Play it safe.” That’s what Greg Irving thought he may be doing when he swung his puck Wednesday morning while golfing with his friend Joe Pack.
PUNTA GORDA Southwest Florida veterans honored during round trip honor flight Veterans from Southwest Florida made a round trip to Washington, DC, and back in honor of their service.
NAPLES Path to freedom: From Cuban prison to NCH operating room It’s rare that a serious heart condition is a blessing, but that was the case for a Naples man. The surgery he received at NCH saved his life in more ways than one.
SANIBEL Changing landscape after hurricanes Many of you know what saltwater surge does to your homes after surviving hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton. It’s highly corrosive and destructive. It also has a similar impact on plants and wildlife, but that’s not all bad news.
Former FGCU basketball player talks Karl Smesko joining WNBA Las Vegas Aces guard Kierstan Bell made a lot of memories playing at FGCU. From winning ASUN championships to playing for one of the winningest coaches in the sport Karl Smesko.
LEHIGH ACRES Suspicious fire sparks at Lehigh Acres church Daycare services at one church are canceled after a small fire at Victory church in Lehigh Acres.
State of Florida sues FEMA for ‘conspiracy to interfere with civil rights’ The State of Florida is suing the Federal Emergency Management Agency for “conspiring to interfere with civil rights,” according to an official complaint filed by Florida Attorney General Ashely Moody.
WINK NEWS Game of the Week: Cape Coral Seahawks vs. Immokalee Indians The Seahawks are undefeated on the road and the Indians have never lost on home turf. Friday night only one will advance to round two.
Disaster assistance available for Charlotte County residents Charlotte County residents affected by hurricanes Ian, Helene or Milton can now apply for disaster assistance from local resources through Community Organizations Active in a Disaster (COAD).
Great Wolf Lodge celebrates grand opening with Rob Gronkowski Pack your trunks. We’re taking you to the grand opening of the Great Wolf Lodge resort in Collier County.
BOCA GRANDE Lee County issues red tide alert near Boca Grande Pass The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Boca Grande Pass.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh Acres parent arrested after allegedly assaulting school bus driver A Lehigh Acres parent is facing charges accused of assaulting a school bus driver. Neighbors told WINK News it began with a screaming match Friday afternoon.
CAPE CORAL Cape police believe retail burglaries are linked Detectives believe a man is linked to multiple burglaries in Southwest Florida.
ESTERO Driver charged with DUI after crashing SUV into restaurant in Gulf Coast Town Center The driver of an SUV that crashed into a restaurant at the Gulf Coast Town Center in Estero has been charged with DUI.
Players of the Week: Dunbar’s Ken’Dahrius Green and Jeremy Ware Dunbar High School’s Special Teams unit has shown out these past two weeks, scoring a special teams touchdown in wins over South Fort Myers and Fort Myers.
NAPLES Collier County golfer lands shot on the back of an alligator “Play it safe.” That’s what Greg Irving thought he may be doing when he swung his puck Wednesday morning while golfing with his friend Joe Pack.
PUNTA GORDA Southwest Florida veterans honored during round trip honor flight Veterans from Southwest Florida made a round trip to Washington, DC, and back in honor of their service.
NAPLES Path to freedom: From Cuban prison to NCH operating room It’s rare that a serious heart condition is a blessing, but that was the case for a Naples man. The surgery he received at NCH saved his life in more ways than one.
SANIBEL Changing landscape after hurricanes Many of you know what saltwater surge does to your homes after surviving hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton. It’s highly corrosive and destructive. It also has a similar impact on plants and wildlife, but that’s not all bad news.
Former FGCU basketball player talks Karl Smesko joining WNBA Las Vegas Aces guard Kierstan Bell made a lot of memories playing at FGCU. From winning ASUN championships to playing for one of the winningest coaches in the sport Karl Smesko.
LEHIGH ACRES Suspicious fire sparks at Lehigh Acres church Daycare services at one church are canceled after a small fire at Victory church in Lehigh Acres.
State of Florida sues FEMA for ‘conspiracy to interfere with civil rights’ The State of Florida is suing the Federal Emergency Management Agency for “conspiring to interfere with civil rights,” according to an official complaint filed by Florida Attorney General Ashely Moody.
WINK NEWS Game of the Week: Cape Coral Seahawks vs. Immokalee Indians The Seahawks are undefeated on the road and the Indians have never lost on home turf. Friday night only one will advance to round two.
Disaster assistance available for Charlotte County residents Charlotte County residents affected by hurricanes Ian, Helene or Milton can now apply for disaster assistance from local resources through Community Organizations Active in a Disaster (COAD).
Great Wolf Lodge celebrates grand opening with Rob Gronkowski Pack your trunks. We’re taking you to the grand opening of the Great Wolf Lodge resort in Collier County.
BOCA GRANDE Lee County issues red tide alert near Boca Grande Pass The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Boca Grande Pass.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh Acres parent arrested after allegedly assaulting school bus driver A Lehigh Acres parent is facing charges accused of assaulting a school bus driver. Neighbors told WINK News it began with a screaming match Friday afternoon.
CAPE CORAL Cape police believe retail burglaries are linked Detectives believe a man is linked to multiple burglaries in Southwest Florida.
ESTERO Driver charged with DUI after crashing SUV into restaurant in Gulf Coast Town Center The driver of an SUV that crashed into a restaurant at the Gulf Coast Town Center in Estero has been charged with DUI.
Jonathan Benitez, 31. Credit: Lee County Sheriff’s Office The Lee County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference to announce an arrest following an Animal Cruelty Task Force investigation. Watch below or click here. According to Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, Lehigh Acres man Jonathan Benitez, 31, was arrested Tuesday morning. The sheriff did not mince words during the news conference. “A gut-wrenching view of torture and a cruel death for a helpless animal.” On Tuesday at 11 a.m., Lee County deputies were called to a sad, disturbing scene—an animal cruelty case at a Lehigh Acres home on Brian Avenue North. “Let me explain how horrible and heartbreaking conditions oreo was found in. Oreo was left alone in a cage for six hours directly in the sun with no access to food or water. His cries for help were unanswered,” said Marceno. Animal cruelty investigation. (Credit: Lee County Sheriff’s Office) Marceno said his deputies found Oreo, a 7-month-old, 60-pound English bulldog mix, dead inside a small cage only four inches wider and longer than the pup. So tight, Oreo could hardly move, turn around, or lie down. “Oreo tried to chew his way out of a metal cage. Oreo was found dead with his teeth still biting the cage, trying to chew out,” Marceno said. The sheriff said 31-year-old Jonathan Benitez is the man responsible for Oreo’s death. He now faces felony aggravated animal cruelty charges. The arrest report says his girlfriend’s mother, who lived in the home with Benitez and her daughter, called LCSO to say Oreo was in trouble. She explained that she couldn’t help the dog because she’s wheelchair-bound. Neighbors, fellow dog owners, and the sheriff are unsettled by Oreo’s death. “That’s why I keep my dog inside. Because I know it’s hot. You know? I mean, that just like leaving your child in a car. You know, same scenario,” said neighbor Wardell Scott. “If anyone abuses an animal in this county, we’re coming for them. We’re going to hunt them down, and they’re going to jail. I promise you,” said Marceno. LCSO posted a Facebook video of deputies arresting Benitez at the home. If you know of a case of animal cruelty, you can call the Lee County Animal Cruelty Task Force at 239-477-1622 to report it. If you are unsure if the situation is abuse, you can learn more about examples of abuse and neglect by clicking here. According to the Lee County Animal Cruelty Task Force website: “April 2020 — Sheriff Carmine Marceno announced an initiative to combat animal abuse in lee county by establishing the Animal Cruelty Task Force, which will continue focusing on educating residents on animal abuse and neglect and enforcing Florida Statute 828.12. Marceno selected experienced detectives to investigate all misdemeanor and felony animal abuse cases within the county. Sheriff Marceno has zero tolerance for animal abuse and will seek justice for those who cannot speak for themselves. The US Humane Society’s website says that a study conducted by the Chicago Police Department from 2001 to 2004 revealed a, ‘Startling propensity for offenders charged with crimes against animals to commit other violent offenses toward human victims.'”