LCSO: Lehigh Acres shooting investigation underwayRock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for Palestine
lehigh acres LCSO: Lehigh Acres shooting investigation underway The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting in Lehigh Acres early Saturday morning.
Rock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for Palestine A Southwest Florida non-profit hosted a benefit concert on Friday night to help with humanitarian aid in Palestine.
Warm, breezy Saturday with a few showers possible The Weather Authority is forecasting a breezy, warm weekend in store across Southwest Florida, with the chance of a few showers, particularly on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Active investigation underway in South Cape Coral Cape Coral police are investigating at a home on Southwest 49th Terrace in South Cape Coral early Saturday morning.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
lehigh acres LCSO: Lehigh Acres shooting investigation underway The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting in Lehigh Acres early Saturday morning.
Rock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for Palestine A Southwest Florida non-profit hosted a benefit concert on Friday night to help with humanitarian aid in Palestine.
Warm, breezy Saturday with a few showers possible The Weather Authority is forecasting a breezy, warm weekend in store across Southwest Florida, with the chance of a few showers, particularly on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Active investigation underway in South Cape Coral Cape Coral police are investigating at a home on Southwest 49th Terrace in South Cape Coral early Saturday morning.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
Bailey’s General Store. (Credit: WINK News) Bailey’s General Store has been in Sanibel for more than 100 years. Now they need a hand to rebuild, and what’s a better way to do that than wine and food? Friends of Bailey’s are hosting the inaugural Waterline Wine Auction that will go to the rebuilding fund for the store. Why is the wine being sold so special? It survived Hurricane Ian. A total of 3,200 bottles survived, and Bailey’s is auctioning them Sunday to raise cash to rebuild the store. The owner also plans to donate some of the money to local non-profits. Richard Johnson didn’t know he’d be the heir to Bailey’s legacy; it just happened that way. “Since I’m the son-in-law, it definitely was a calling,” said Johnson. “The Bailey family moved here in 1895” They opened Bailey’s General Store in 1899. An astonishing record for a family-owned, mom-and-pop grocery store. WINK News asked Johnson what their secret to success is. “It’s customer service. It’s that sense of community. It’s the place to go.” It is the same reason they haven’t given up after being hit hard by Ian. “We need to be part; we need to be here for the community.” Stepping into Bailey’s General Store today is like opening up a time capsule. Cans, cookies, Goldfish, and more are all perfectly placed on the shelves, just as they were on September 28. Inside Bailey’s General Store after Ian. (Credit: WINK News) The groceries somehow stayed in place as the building surrounding them experienced immense destruction. “The wall of water took out our store and literally destroyed everything,” said Johnson. Now, the lights are off, and the smell of mold and rotting food fills the air, but Johnson remembers it just as it was. “I remember faces. I remember friends and family and people that we had people that were in here every single day.” “The kids would walk in, and the first thing when we see a group of kids walk in with their parents first thing we do is we get the parents and want to know if it’s OK for the kids to have a cookie. Every kid got a cookie when they want,” Johnson said. The general store, and the businesses that surrounded it, are hard for Johnson to forget. “Next door, another little small shop, Tips and Toes, was a manicurist that was here. Used to be the only barber shop on Sanibel for many years. Here’s an iconic spot here. Joey’s Custard. This is a family. All of these businesses are family-owned and operated.” Seeing his store destroyed is hard, but a promise of the future makes that pain a little easier to deal with. “I’m ready to close this chapter and work with our insurance carriers and get that wrapped up and move on with the rebuilding process,” said Johnson. Bailey’s is going to cost between $15-20 million to rebuild. Johnson said their hope is to be up and running in 2024 or 2025 at the latest. The auction to help support that rebuild will be held in the parking lot of Bailey’s General Store from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. (Credit: Bailey’s General Store)