WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Week 7 Week seven was action packed for high school football teams all over southwest Florida. WINK News has the highlights and scores.
Baby girl born during Hurricane Helene A stork managed to fly through Hurricane Helen’s strong winds. Baby Addison Grace Hayes was born during the storm’s peak at Health Park Medical Center in Lee County.
SOUTHWEST FLOIRDA Southwest Florida prepares for approaching storms The southwest Florida community took on a lot of water during Hurricane Helene, and the approaching rainmaker this weekend is concerning for many living in flood-prone areas.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Exclusive: Eric Trump speaks to WINK News on father’s attempted assassination Former president Donald Trump is set to return to the site where he nearly lost his life in July and concerns over security are top of mind.
Potential increasing for tropical system to head towards Florida next week According to the Weather Authority, the potential is increasing for a tropical system to head towards Florida next week. The next name is Milton.
NORTH PORT North Port man accuses insurance carrier of fraud A North Port man went on 60 Minutes to accuse his home insurance carrier, Hertigate Insurance of fraud and worse.
PORT CHARLOTTE Concerns over drainage issues in Port Charlotte One community’s concern is about high water and flooding because of a poor drainage system in Port Charlotte.
IMMOKALEE Def Leppard, Brad Paisley and Train to headline Immokalee’s Harvest Nights Music Festival Def Leppard, Brad Paisley, Train and many more bands will be performing at Harvest Nights Music Festival in Immokalee this November.
Cape Coral makes flood preparations ahead of possible tropical system For the past week, many people have been focused on storm recovery, and now, as we go into this weekend, we could see more rain and flooded roadways.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral firefighter’s union works to strike deal First responders put their lives on the line for all of us every day. Now, Cape Coral firefighters are fighting back for better healthcare and pay.
Charlotte County volunteers lend a hand to those affected by Helene As communities clean up after Hurricane Helene and brace for more rain in the forecast, volunteers give much-appreciated help to those in need, showing off the camaraderie of southwest Florida.
Jewish Community in SWFL emotional ahead of Oct. 7 anniversary The one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas is approaching. The Jewish community continues to feel the lasting impact of that tragic day.
FORT MYERS Hurricane Helene causes rental car shortages Hurricane Helene has left a lasting impact on Southwest Florida, including the rental car situation at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).
SANIBEL Sanibel woman says she received divine sign from mother 2 years after Hurricane Ian Two years after Hurricane Ian, a Sanibel woman said she received a divine sign after moving back into her home.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SWFL shares concerns over emergency funding after Helene On the heels of Helene, there’s some anxiety surrounding FEMA. This comes after comments from the Homeland Security secretary, who said the agency can meet immediate needs but does not have enough money to make it through the rest of hurricane season.
WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Week 7 Week seven was action packed for high school football teams all over southwest Florida. WINK News has the highlights and scores.
Baby girl born during Hurricane Helene A stork managed to fly through Hurricane Helen’s strong winds. Baby Addison Grace Hayes was born during the storm’s peak at Health Park Medical Center in Lee County.
SOUTHWEST FLOIRDA Southwest Florida prepares for approaching storms The southwest Florida community took on a lot of water during Hurricane Helene, and the approaching rainmaker this weekend is concerning for many living in flood-prone areas.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Exclusive: Eric Trump speaks to WINK News on father’s attempted assassination Former president Donald Trump is set to return to the site where he nearly lost his life in July and concerns over security are top of mind.
Potential increasing for tropical system to head towards Florida next week According to the Weather Authority, the potential is increasing for a tropical system to head towards Florida next week. The next name is Milton.
NORTH PORT North Port man accuses insurance carrier of fraud A North Port man went on 60 Minutes to accuse his home insurance carrier, Hertigate Insurance of fraud and worse.
PORT CHARLOTTE Concerns over drainage issues in Port Charlotte One community’s concern is about high water and flooding because of a poor drainage system in Port Charlotte.
IMMOKALEE Def Leppard, Brad Paisley and Train to headline Immokalee’s Harvest Nights Music Festival Def Leppard, Brad Paisley, Train and many more bands will be performing at Harvest Nights Music Festival in Immokalee this November.
Cape Coral makes flood preparations ahead of possible tropical system For the past week, many people have been focused on storm recovery, and now, as we go into this weekend, we could see more rain and flooded roadways.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral firefighter’s union works to strike deal First responders put their lives on the line for all of us every day. Now, Cape Coral firefighters are fighting back for better healthcare and pay.
Charlotte County volunteers lend a hand to those affected by Helene As communities clean up after Hurricane Helene and brace for more rain in the forecast, volunteers give much-appreciated help to those in need, showing off the camaraderie of southwest Florida.
Jewish Community in SWFL emotional ahead of Oct. 7 anniversary The one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas is approaching. The Jewish community continues to feel the lasting impact of that tragic day.
FORT MYERS Hurricane Helene causes rental car shortages Hurricane Helene has left a lasting impact on Southwest Florida, including the rental car situation at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).
SANIBEL Sanibel woman says she received divine sign from mother 2 years after Hurricane Ian Two years after Hurricane Ian, a Sanibel woman said she received a divine sign after moving back into her home.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SWFL shares concerns over emergency funding after Helene On the heels of Helene, there’s some anxiety surrounding FEMA. This comes after comments from the Homeland Security secretary, who said the agency can meet immediate needs but does not have enough money to make it through the rest of hurricane season.
Never taking no for an answer and becoming a champion in more ways than one, Nancy “Eric” Erickson was a star in the National Women’s Football League, a professional tackle football league for women, in the 1970s. She helped her team create a lasting legacy and when she took off her football pads for the final time Erickson moved to DeSoto County and brought her passion for sports for all with her. Erickson has been an athlete her whole life. She remembers playing catch with her dad as a child in Minneapolis. “I’d stand in the street and he’d throw the ball up and I’d have to locate it and find it and catch it,” Erickson said. Erickson became a softball star, traveled the nation playing professionally and then got into coaching. Then at 35 years old, she decided to give football a try. “Their quarterback came to one of my softball games to recruit my center fielder. I have an uncle who was an all pro so I knew a little bit about football. He was my hero. I really had always wanted to play.” Despite being 15 years older than everyone else, Erickson played middle linebacker and shuttle guard for the Toledo Troopers in the National Women’s Football League. The Troopers won seven straight championships. She played for the 1973 and 1974 title teams. “Football is a game where you have to beat up on your best friend for three hours, three nights a week so you can go out and beat up on somebody else on the weekend and a lot of people can’t do that.” After her football career, Erickson came to DeSoto County and helped to bring the Special Olympics to the area in 1974. Of the many awards she has won Erickson told me the one she values most is her Lifetime Achievement Award from North American Special Olympics. “It was all fun. I’d rather coach special athletes than I would regular athletes. They never say no.” While she has many fond memories of being an athlete, she still treasures those years playing tackle football. “Especially now that I’m alone and 85 years old, they’re the only group I’ve got left. We get together all the time.” Erickson told me she looks at life as a team sport. Her role now is to give back to younger generations. Although she is retired, Erickson still fundraises for Special Olympics and is a part of developing a documentary about the Toledo Troopers.