Downtown Fort Myers rings in 2025 with vibrant New Year’s Eve celebrationCrash on Alligator Alley highlights risks for roadside workers
FORT MYERS Downtown Fort Myers rings in 2025 with vibrant New Year’s Eve celebration The fog may have rolled in, but it hasn’t stopped crowds from gathering in downtown Fort Myers for the city’s signature New Year’s Eve celebration, the Downtown Countdown, to ring in 2025.
Crash on Alligator Alley highlights risks for roadside workers A Florida Department of Transportation road ranger is lucky to be alive after he was nearly hit by a car on the side of Interstate 75 while helping a stranded motorist.
NAPLES Naples cancels annual NYE fireworks, drawing community criticism The City of Naples has canceled its annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display near the Naples Pier, and now county leaders are voicing their displeasure and accusing the city of poor planning.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral celebrates New Year’s Eve with family fun and fireworks Cape Coral is ringing in the new year with a vibrant celebration featuring food, music, games, and not one but two ball drops, offering something for everyone in the family.
New Year’s resolution tips ahead of 2025 As one year ends and another begins, it’s common for us to think of changes we want to make.
PUNTA GORDA Remembering fallen Marine, victim of murder-suicide 1 year ago A Marine was shot and killed at the Port of the Islands Resort on New Year’s Eve last year by a former employee, but his memory lives on in Angels for Heroes.
FORT MYERS BEACH New Year’s Eve crowds fill Fort Myers Beach for fireworks Southwest Florida is kicking off the New Year in style as crowds pack Fort Myers Beach for a lively celebration featuring fireworks, fun and excitement.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Fire Department offers fireworks safety tips for New Year’s Eve As the New Year’s Eve festivities approach, the Cape Coral Fire Department is reminding residents to prioritize safety when using fireworks.
FORT MYERS Man accused of stealing several hundred dollars worth of merchandise from Target A man is accused of going into the Target on San Carlos Boulevard on Christmas Eve and attempting to steal several hundred dollars worth of merchandise.
Charlotte County Deputy Chief of Fire accused of DUI Charlotte County’s Deputy Chief of Fire and EMS is in some hot water after he was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence.
FORT MYERS Caught on Camera: 2 men wanted for destruction of local restaurant’s window Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help in identifying two men wanted for throwing rocks at a local restaurant’s window.
COLLIER COUNTY Driver accused of causing fatal 5-vehicle crash in Collier County, arrested on multiple charges The driver accused of causing a five-vehicle crash that killed one person has been arrested on multiple charges.
FORT MYERS Road closures for New Year’s Eve Downtown Countdown event in downtown Fort Myers There will be several road closures in downtown Fort Myers for the New Year’s Eve Downtown Countdown event.
Former Charlotte County deputy named killer of 1979 cold case murder The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has released a statement naming a former deputy as the offender of a cold case murder that occurred in 1979.
the weather authority Partly cloudy and warm Tuesday after a foggy morning The Weather Authority is tracking a partly cloudy Tuesday, with patchy fog expected throughout the New Year’s Eve festivities.
FORT MYERS Downtown Fort Myers rings in 2025 with vibrant New Year’s Eve celebration The fog may have rolled in, but it hasn’t stopped crowds from gathering in downtown Fort Myers for the city’s signature New Year’s Eve celebration, the Downtown Countdown, to ring in 2025.
Crash on Alligator Alley highlights risks for roadside workers A Florida Department of Transportation road ranger is lucky to be alive after he was nearly hit by a car on the side of Interstate 75 while helping a stranded motorist.
NAPLES Naples cancels annual NYE fireworks, drawing community criticism The City of Naples has canceled its annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display near the Naples Pier, and now county leaders are voicing their displeasure and accusing the city of poor planning.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral celebrates New Year’s Eve with family fun and fireworks Cape Coral is ringing in the new year with a vibrant celebration featuring food, music, games, and not one but two ball drops, offering something for everyone in the family.
New Year’s resolution tips ahead of 2025 As one year ends and another begins, it’s common for us to think of changes we want to make.
PUNTA GORDA Remembering fallen Marine, victim of murder-suicide 1 year ago A Marine was shot and killed at the Port of the Islands Resort on New Year’s Eve last year by a former employee, but his memory lives on in Angels for Heroes.
FORT MYERS BEACH New Year’s Eve crowds fill Fort Myers Beach for fireworks Southwest Florida is kicking off the New Year in style as crowds pack Fort Myers Beach for a lively celebration featuring fireworks, fun and excitement.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Fire Department offers fireworks safety tips for New Year’s Eve As the New Year’s Eve festivities approach, the Cape Coral Fire Department is reminding residents to prioritize safety when using fireworks.
FORT MYERS Man accused of stealing several hundred dollars worth of merchandise from Target A man is accused of going into the Target on San Carlos Boulevard on Christmas Eve and attempting to steal several hundred dollars worth of merchandise.
Charlotte County Deputy Chief of Fire accused of DUI Charlotte County’s Deputy Chief of Fire and EMS is in some hot water after he was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence.
FORT MYERS Caught on Camera: 2 men wanted for destruction of local restaurant’s window Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help in identifying two men wanted for throwing rocks at a local restaurant’s window.
COLLIER COUNTY Driver accused of causing fatal 5-vehicle crash in Collier County, arrested on multiple charges The driver accused of causing a five-vehicle crash that killed one person has been arrested on multiple charges.
FORT MYERS Road closures for New Year’s Eve Downtown Countdown event in downtown Fort Myers There will be several road closures in downtown Fort Myers for the New Year’s Eve Downtown Countdown event.
Former Charlotte County deputy named killer of 1979 cold case murder The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has released a statement naming a former deputy as the offender of a cold case murder that occurred in 1979.
the weather authority Partly cloudy and warm Tuesday after a foggy morning The Weather Authority is tracking a partly cloudy Tuesday, with patchy fog expected throughout the New Year’s Eve festivities.
gas leak on state road 31 CREDIT WINK News Natural gas continues leaking form a broken line on State Road 31 off Palm Beach Boulevard. WINK News has received conflicting reports regarding the timeline for repairs. A Florida Department of Transportation spokesperson told WINK News the work would be done by the end of the day Friday. However, TECO Energy, the company that owns the gas line, said it would be complete by the end of the week. There’s no sign the road will reopen anytime soon because the scene looks just like it did on Thursday and the day before. For now, the scene remains lined with caution tape and closed road signs. Gas mixes with the groundwater and then spews it into the air. As the natural gas shoots upward, it makes contact with the groundwater, resulting in a visible mist. A question many WINK News viewers have been asking is whether or not natural gas is dangerous. The leak itself does not pose any significant risk, since the natural gas dissipates into the air, and the groundwater helps dampen any spark potentiality. WINK News spoke with FDOT employee Janella Newsome about what’s being done to repair the leak. “My understanding is it’s a very complex job anytime you’re dealing with gas, and so I know that they’re erring on the side of caution and doing all that they can to make the repairs as expeditiously as they possibly can and as safely as they possibly can,” Newsome said. FDOT will not name the company that hit the gas line. Questions remain: If the contracting company called 811 before drilling to prevent hitting a gas line? Did someone come out and mark where the gas line was? Or did the contractor miss it somehow because it was 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday when the leak happened? WINK News continues to look for these answers and more. FDOT encourage motorists to seek alternate routes and allow ample time for travel. Here are the suggested alternate routes: If headed north on State Road 31 from State Road 80, take State Road 80 to Interstate 75 north to State Road 78 and veer off to exit number 143 which will put you on State Road 78. Go east on State Road 78 until you get to State Road 31, then you can travel north on State Road 31. If headed south on State Road 31 to State Road 80, take State Road 78 west to I-75 south, then exit at State Road 80 and veer off to exit number 141.