The Weather Authority Invest 95L reaches 90% chance of further development The Weather Authority is currently tracking Invest 95L in the Eastern Atlantic as the formation chance has now reached 90%.
FORT MYERS RSW to add Canada airline service in the Fall The Southwest Florida International Airport announced the addition of Toronto-based Porter Airlines to operate a seasonal route.
PUNTA GORDA Woman dead, deputy hospitalized in yesterday’s crash on Oil Well Road Two vehicles crashed, including a Collier County Sheriff’s Office vehicle, and one driver died after a crash on Oil Well Road Thursday afternoon.
WINK NEWS Fourth of July events across Southwest Florida The Fourth of July is celebrated Across Southwest Florida and nationwide with fireworks, barbecues, patriotic events and more.
NORTH FORT MYERS Brooke Hankinson kicking down barriers for North Fort Myers football Nothing intimidates North Fort Myers senior kicker Brooke Hankinson, not even playing football with the boys.
FORT MYERS SWFL reacts to the presidential debate Whether you’re rooting for Former President Donald Trump or President Joe Biden, or you just can’t choose a side, everyone has an opinion about this debate.
VENICE Teacher arrested for alleged sexual misconduct with student The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man for allegedly engaging in sexual misconduct with a student.
Funeral procession held for Collier County detective The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is honoring one of its own as a funeral procession is being held for Detective Kerry Sill.
The Weather Authority Inland rain storms for your Friday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking high afternoon temperatures and inland rain showers throughout the early evening on Friday.
FORT MYERS Christopher Davis to be held without bond ahead of murder trial for missing boyfriend Christopher Davis, who stands accused of killing his boyfriend Barry Schmalbach, is in court for a bond hearing.
CAPE CORAL Groundbreaking for Festival Park in Cape Coral set for July The City of Cape Coral announced the groundbreaking ceremony date for Festival Park at 1100 Wilmington Parkway.
WINK NEWS Sheriff: deputies investigating a homicide in Three Oaks Park, shooter at large Deputies are searching for a shooter who killed a man in the Three Oaks Parks community.
CAPE CORAL Barry Schmalbach’s sister speaks out for the first time For the first time, Barry Schmalbach’s sister, Sherry has spoken with only WINK News about her brother’s mysterious disappearance and the emotional toll it has taken on his loved ones. Sherry shared memories of Barry’s life and described him as determined, charming and loving. “I love you so much. I’m so heartbroken that this happened to you. I’m so sorry. And I miss you. I would just hug him so hard,” said Sherry.
FORT MYERS BEACH San Carlos Island residents concerned about 240-room hotel A 240-room resort is being proposed on Main Street on San Carlos Island, and residents aren’t happy.
ENGLEWOOD Burger King bandit breaks into car in Englewood Three double-bacon cheeseburgers and a chicken sandwich led deputies straight to the Burger King Bandit.
The Weather Authority Invest 95L reaches 90% chance of further development The Weather Authority is currently tracking Invest 95L in the Eastern Atlantic as the formation chance has now reached 90%.
FORT MYERS RSW to add Canada airline service in the Fall The Southwest Florida International Airport announced the addition of Toronto-based Porter Airlines to operate a seasonal route.
PUNTA GORDA Woman dead, deputy hospitalized in yesterday’s crash on Oil Well Road Two vehicles crashed, including a Collier County Sheriff’s Office vehicle, and one driver died after a crash on Oil Well Road Thursday afternoon.
WINK NEWS Fourth of July events across Southwest Florida The Fourth of July is celebrated Across Southwest Florida and nationwide with fireworks, barbecues, patriotic events and more.
NORTH FORT MYERS Brooke Hankinson kicking down barriers for North Fort Myers football Nothing intimidates North Fort Myers senior kicker Brooke Hankinson, not even playing football with the boys.
FORT MYERS SWFL reacts to the presidential debate Whether you’re rooting for Former President Donald Trump or President Joe Biden, or you just can’t choose a side, everyone has an opinion about this debate.
VENICE Teacher arrested for alleged sexual misconduct with student The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man for allegedly engaging in sexual misconduct with a student.
Funeral procession held for Collier County detective The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is honoring one of its own as a funeral procession is being held for Detective Kerry Sill.
The Weather Authority Inland rain storms for your Friday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking high afternoon temperatures and inland rain showers throughout the early evening on Friday.
FORT MYERS Christopher Davis to be held without bond ahead of murder trial for missing boyfriend Christopher Davis, who stands accused of killing his boyfriend Barry Schmalbach, is in court for a bond hearing.
CAPE CORAL Groundbreaking for Festival Park in Cape Coral set for July The City of Cape Coral announced the groundbreaking ceremony date for Festival Park at 1100 Wilmington Parkway.
WINK NEWS Sheriff: deputies investigating a homicide in Three Oaks Park, shooter at large Deputies are searching for a shooter who killed a man in the Three Oaks Parks community.
CAPE CORAL Barry Schmalbach’s sister speaks out for the first time For the first time, Barry Schmalbach’s sister, Sherry has spoken with only WINK News about her brother’s mysterious disappearance and the emotional toll it has taken on his loved ones. Sherry shared memories of Barry’s life and described him as determined, charming and loving. “I love you so much. I’m so heartbroken that this happened to you. I’m so sorry. And I miss you. I would just hug him so hard,” said Sherry.
FORT MYERS BEACH San Carlos Island residents concerned about 240-room hotel A 240-room resort is being proposed on Main Street on San Carlos Island, and residents aren’t happy.
ENGLEWOOD Burger King bandit breaks into car in Englewood Three double-bacon cheeseburgers and a chicken sandwich led deputies straight to the Burger King Bandit.
Getting to places like Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach by boat was a breeze if you used the Punta Rassa Boat Ramp. However, it’s lately been used as a construction site for the Sanibel Causeway, and boaters don’t know how long it will take to finish. Since Punta Rassa is getting used this way, boaters are finding other places to put their boats in the water, mainly in Cape Coral. The problem with the other places that are used, like Rosen Park and Horton Boat Rams, is the how much more expensive they are. Moreover, the ride to Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel is much longer. A crane at the Punta Rassa Boat Ramp. CREDIT: WINK News Before Hurricane Ian, the area around the Punta Rassa Boat Ramp wasn’t surrounded by cranes, construction workers, and do not enter signs. But it has since shifted to a busy work site. “Most of the time, I’d use Punta Rassa and Sanibel. That was my place to go,” boater Sachin Handa said. The Punta Rassa Boat Ramp was once popular for boaters like Handa. And it was especially if they were going to Sanibel or Fort Myers Beach. “When I have like friends and family from out of town. They’re coming to Fort Myers first thing in their head is going to Fort Myers Beach,” Handa said. But Sachin has to use the Rosen Park Ramp in Cape Coral which makes the boat ride to the islands much longer. “Punta Rassa, you drop your boat down and you are in Sanibel, but right now from here to get to Sanibel, it takes you about like 45 to 50 minutes of boat ride,” Handa said. And that longer ride means the trip is more expensive. Cape Coral boat ramps, like Rosen Park and Horton, are not cheap for non-locals. “If you live in the cape, you can get a permit at this. And you can work at any one of these places. But seeing how I don’t live here, I have to pay every time,” boater Michael Bahr said. $15 each time to use the ramp at Horton whereas a Lee County membership to use Punta Rossa costs $60. But Sachin doesn’t mind the inconvienences and understands that recovery after Ian won’t be speedy. “It’s not like 123 and everything will be fixed. You know, it takes time,” Handa said. A Lee County government spokesperson told WINK News there are plans to reopen the Punta Rassa ramp, but becasue its a staging area for constuction crews, there is no exact timetable. WINK News reached out to the state to find out how far along the rebuild of the Sanibel Causeway is but nobody got back to us. Construction workers on the scene believe it could be as long as another year.