World’s largest bounce castle to spring into Bonita SpringsGatorama owner bitten during alligator feeding show
BONITA SPRINGS World’s largest bounce castle to spring into Bonita Springs The Big Bounce America, the world’s largest inflatable bounce castle is set to appear in Bonita Springs.
palmdale Gatorama owner bitten during alligator feeding show Gatorama owner Allen Register was sent to hospital after being bitten by an alligator during a feeding show.
CAPE CORAL Man accused of Cape Coral DUI accident with serious injuries A man has been arrested after allegedly causing an accident with injuries while driving under the influence in Cape Coral.
wink news Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
the weather authority Another warm afternoon for your Tuesday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a warm Tuesday afternoon with stray rain showers expected in our inland communities.
port charlotte Suspected impaired driver in custody after slamming into Port Charlotte home’s garage The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and North Port Police Department are investigating a crash involving a suspected impaired driver slamming into a home garage.
NORTH FORT MYERS Cape Coral man faces 16 charges after fleeing multiple traffic stops Marcus Selby, 24, is facing multiple charges after a dramatic series of events involving Cape Coral police and Florida Highway Patrol troopers.
SANIBEL Sanibel residents brace for traffic surge with new advisory and app aid Sanibel residents are bracing for increased traffic as the city issued a “heavy traffic advisory” for the entire week.
FGCU FGCU’s Casey Santoro battles back from Achilles injury FGCU women’s basketball player Casey Santoro is back on the floor after suffering an Achilles injury a season ago.
BABCOCK RANCH Heaviest Florida panther ever recorded located in Babcock Ranch Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists recently captured and collared the heaviest Florida panther ever recorded.
Lee County deputies using VR for safe high-risk training scenarios The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has taken a significant step forward in training by incorporating virtual reality technology.
NAPLES FC Naples signs local soccer star Joffre followed his dream across continents after graduating from Gulf Coast. Now he’s back on the professional soccer pitch in his hometown.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach businesses face floodplain compliance deadline Fort Myers Beach’s businesses face pressure to comply with floodplain regulations or leave the island by March 1.
NAPLES Persistent red tide bloom off Naples to Boca Grande raises concerns As the weather warms up, more people are heading to the beach. However, those with beach plans in Southwest Florida should be aware of the persistent red tide affecting the coastline.
FORT MYERS Community aids in search for missing pitbull after Lee County crash A crash on I-75 near Daniels Parkway in Lee County turned a routine drive into a heartbreaking search for a missing pet.
BONITA SPRINGS World’s largest bounce castle to spring into Bonita Springs The Big Bounce America, the world’s largest inflatable bounce castle is set to appear in Bonita Springs.
palmdale Gatorama owner bitten during alligator feeding show Gatorama owner Allen Register was sent to hospital after being bitten by an alligator during a feeding show.
CAPE CORAL Man accused of Cape Coral DUI accident with serious injuries A man has been arrested after allegedly causing an accident with injuries while driving under the influence in Cape Coral.
wink news Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
the weather authority Another warm afternoon for your Tuesday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a warm Tuesday afternoon with stray rain showers expected in our inland communities.
port charlotte Suspected impaired driver in custody after slamming into Port Charlotte home’s garage The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and North Port Police Department are investigating a crash involving a suspected impaired driver slamming into a home garage.
NORTH FORT MYERS Cape Coral man faces 16 charges after fleeing multiple traffic stops Marcus Selby, 24, is facing multiple charges after a dramatic series of events involving Cape Coral police and Florida Highway Patrol troopers.
SANIBEL Sanibel residents brace for traffic surge with new advisory and app aid Sanibel residents are bracing for increased traffic as the city issued a “heavy traffic advisory” for the entire week.
FGCU FGCU’s Casey Santoro battles back from Achilles injury FGCU women’s basketball player Casey Santoro is back on the floor after suffering an Achilles injury a season ago.
BABCOCK RANCH Heaviest Florida panther ever recorded located in Babcock Ranch Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists recently captured and collared the heaviest Florida panther ever recorded.
Lee County deputies using VR for safe high-risk training scenarios The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has taken a significant step forward in training by incorporating virtual reality technology.
NAPLES FC Naples signs local soccer star Joffre followed his dream across continents after graduating from Gulf Coast. Now he’s back on the professional soccer pitch in his hometown.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach businesses face floodplain compliance deadline Fort Myers Beach’s businesses face pressure to comply with floodplain regulations or leave the island by March 1.
NAPLES Persistent red tide bloom off Naples to Boca Grande raises concerns As the weather warms up, more people are heading to the beach. However, those with beach plans in Southwest Florida should be aware of the persistent red tide affecting the coastline.
FORT MYERS Community aids in search for missing pitbull after Lee County crash A crash on I-75 near Daniels Parkway in Lee County turned a routine drive into a heartbreaking search for a missing pet.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signs the Heartbeat Protection Act into law, banning abortion after six weeks in the state of Florida, Thursday, April 13, 2023. Courtesy of the Governor’s Office One of the strictest abortion bills in the U.S. is now law in Florida: Women can no longer get an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, a time when most are just finding out they’re pregnant. On Thursday night, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Heartbeat Protection Act. The bill still has to go through the Florida Supreme Court, where the 15-week ban is still under review. The court will have 30 days to make this decision. The Florida House passed the bill with a 70-to-40 vote earlier on Thursday. The bill has exceptions in cases of rape, incest, human trafficking and where the mother’s life is at risk. It also includes more than $20 million to fund clinics and organizations that provide counseling and education for pregnant women and families, as well as providing parenting classes and essentials like diapers and car seats. Doctors who violate the new law can be charged with a third-degree felony. A woman who wishes to use one of the exceptions in the law would have to prove rape or incest with documentation, such as a restraining order or police report. They won’t take one’s word for it. Some women believe this takes things too far, while others feel it doesn’t go far enough. The six-week abortion ban comes as a stab in the heart to people like Stephanie Fraim, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida. “Angry, furious, disgusted and deeply, deeply, deeply sad for the people of Florida,” Fraim said. “We are providing abortion care right now up to 15 weeks because that’s the current law… we’re challenging that law in courts and hoping that our state Supreme Court will respect our right to privacy and overturn the 15-week ban, which would then kick out the six-week ban as well.” Yvette Benarroch, vice chair of the Collier County GOP, sees the ban as a benefit. “I’m really excited, happy… we’re able to save so many babies now,” Benarroch said. “Children are a blessing.” Benarroch’s story stems from an abortion she had as a teenager and still regrets. “I get emotional when I talk about it because it really scars you for life, and it’s a burden that I don’t wish anybody has to carry,” Benarroch said. Bennaroch says she wants to prevent anyone from feeling the same pain she does. She says women who feel they need to get an abortion will just have to go outside of state lines. “I wouldn’t want anybody to go through that, there’s options that they can choose,” Benarroch said. “But, in the end, if they choose to do that, then then they would need to travel and do what is needed.” The Florida House of Representatives extensively debated this ban before it was passed. “We say that when a child has a heartbeat, that is when we are going to start saying that we’ve got to give some value to that life and not allow an abortion,” said Republican Rep. and House Speaker Paul Renner. “Most women don’t know that they are pregnant at six weeks; let’s be clear about the silent part,” said Democratic Rep. and House Minority leader Fentrice Driskell. “You just don’t want women to have choice.” “Either you value life, or we don’t,” said Republican Rep. Chase Tramont of Port Orange. “I mean, it really is that simple. We value life, or we don’t.” This bill’s provisions could drastically limit the number of abortions performed in Florida. “Enough is enough,” Driskell said. “It is time that we listen to women, that we trust women, that we trust families and allow them to make these most intimate decisions of home and heart, without Tallahassee politicians looking over their shoulders.” This ban comes as DeSantis is widely expected to launch a 2024 presidential run.