Sanibel teen gearing up to reopen popular food truckMan arrested for prowling and enticing a child in Fort Myers
SANIBEL Sanibel teen gearing up to reopen popular food truck The Sanibel Sprout, a beloved local spot, is gearing up for a hopeful reopening in mid-March after two years of rebuilding.
FORT MYERS Man arrested for prowling and enticing a child in Fort Myers A concerned citizen flagged down Florida Highway Patrol state troopers in Fort Myers to report an adult man was harassing his daughter, according to authorities.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte Girl Scout earns Gold Award for pet care project A Port Charlotte teenager has earned the prestigious Gold Girl Scout Award.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers couple’s love grows stronger despite Alzheimer’s diagnosis Jeff and Bunny Edwards of Fort Myers celebrated their 41st anniversary, showcasing a love that has grown stronger over the years.
BONITA SPRINGS Harry Chapin Food Bank volunteers deliver food and a smile Food distributions seem so simple but go a long way in changing people’s lives. In Southwest Florida, the need for food is everywhere.
NAPLES Naples man arrested for cocaine trafficking A Naples man is facing a narcotics trafficking charge after deputies say he pitched cocaine out of his vehicle while trying to elude deputies.
SANIBEL Sanibel’s new rangers educate cyclists on path rules and e-bike limits Sanibel is a popular destination for biking enthusiasts, especially during the busy winter season. With over 26 miles of paved paths, the island offers stunning scenery for cyclists.
Cape Coral residents voice concerns over rental noise and rule-breaking Cape Coral is once again buzzing with discussions on short-term rentals.
Exclusive: Collier County Sheriff’s Office using tech to fight traffic congestion Naples is turning to technology to tackle traffic troubles.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers charity loses donation pod after complaint from local realtor Doug Miller and Amy Eldridge watched as their storage pod was towed away, marking the end of an era for their charitable efforts.
dunbar Dunbar’s Southward Village set for affordable housing transformation Southward Village is set to become a new hub for affordable housing as companies prepare to build on the now-empty site.
BABCOCK RANCH Babcock Ranch showcases cutting-edge robot in home construction Neighbors, friends, and students gathered Wednesday morning to witness a groundbreaking event in their community.
FORT MYERS Lee County schools expand garden program to 14 schools The Lee County School District is expanding its farm-to-school garden program to 14 schools, providing fresh ingredients for cafeteria meals.
SANIBEL Gulf dredging raises questions about red tide and beach conditions The beaches of Southwest Florida are a major attraction and a key reason why many visit or move to the area. However, a recent look at the Gulf waters shows a concerning change.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for February 12, 2025 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for Wednesday, February 12, 2025.
SANIBEL Sanibel teen gearing up to reopen popular food truck The Sanibel Sprout, a beloved local spot, is gearing up for a hopeful reopening in mid-March after two years of rebuilding.
FORT MYERS Man arrested for prowling and enticing a child in Fort Myers A concerned citizen flagged down Florida Highway Patrol state troopers in Fort Myers to report an adult man was harassing his daughter, according to authorities.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte Girl Scout earns Gold Award for pet care project A Port Charlotte teenager has earned the prestigious Gold Girl Scout Award.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers couple’s love grows stronger despite Alzheimer’s diagnosis Jeff and Bunny Edwards of Fort Myers celebrated their 41st anniversary, showcasing a love that has grown stronger over the years.
BONITA SPRINGS Harry Chapin Food Bank volunteers deliver food and a smile Food distributions seem so simple but go a long way in changing people’s lives. In Southwest Florida, the need for food is everywhere.
NAPLES Naples man arrested for cocaine trafficking A Naples man is facing a narcotics trafficking charge after deputies say he pitched cocaine out of his vehicle while trying to elude deputies.
SANIBEL Sanibel’s new rangers educate cyclists on path rules and e-bike limits Sanibel is a popular destination for biking enthusiasts, especially during the busy winter season. With over 26 miles of paved paths, the island offers stunning scenery for cyclists.
Cape Coral residents voice concerns over rental noise and rule-breaking Cape Coral is once again buzzing with discussions on short-term rentals.
Exclusive: Collier County Sheriff’s Office using tech to fight traffic congestion Naples is turning to technology to tackle traffic troubles.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers charity loses donation pod after complaint from local realtor Doug Miller and Amy Eldridge watched as their storage pod was towed away, marking the end of an era for their charitable efforts.
dunbar Dunbar’s Southward Village set for affordable housing transformation Southward Village is set to become a new hub for affordable housing as companies prepare to build on the now-empty site.
BABCOCK RANCH Babcock Ranch showcases cutting-edge robot in home construction Neighbors, friends, and students gathered Wednesday morning to witness a groundbreaking event in their community.
FORT MYERS Lee County schools expand garden program to 14 schools The Lee County School District is expanding its farm-to-school garden program to 14 schools, providing fresh ingredients for cafeteria meals.
SANIBEL Gulf dredging raises questions about red tide and beach conditions The beaches of Southwest Florida are a major attraction and a key reason why many visit or move to the area. However, a recent look at the Gulf waters shows a concerning change.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for February 12, 2025 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for Wednesday, February 12, 2025.
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)