Cape Coral council supports construction of I-75 interchange into cityCrews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral council supports construction of I-75 interchange into city The Cape Coral City Council has approved a resolution requesting support from Lee and Charlotte counties to prioritize state and federal funding for the Interstate 75 Interchange at Slater Road.
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther has been killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Milton.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral council supports construction of I-75 interchange into city The Cape Coral City Council has approved a resolution requesting support from Lee and Charlotte counties to prioritize state and federal funding for the Interstate 75 Interchange at Slater Road.
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther has been killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Milton.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
Emilee Rauschenberger and her family. CREDIT: EMILEE RAUSCHENBERGER Emilee Rauschenberger, her five kids and her husband have left Gaza and crossed the border into Egypt after being stuck in the warzone for weeks. Rauschenberger and her children are Americans and WINK News was the first to bring you the story of their attempts to get out of Gaza when the war began. The family is either on a bus to Cairo or just arrived at the hotel in Cairo. This after a long, desperate wait to get out of Gaza. WINK News first told you about Rauchenberger, her husband and their five kids when Emilee’s dad reached out to WINK News Reporter Claire Galt for help. And John called Claire moments after he heard his family was finally safe. “I got another short snippet phone call from my daughter,” said John. RELATED: Bonita Springs man’s family escapes from Gaza war zone RELATED: Family trapped in Gaza as Israel prepares for ground invasion It was only 45 seconds, but it was the best 45 seconds of John’s life. “Dads are not supposed to cry. But my voice cracked a couple of times,” said John. His daughter Emille called with happy news this time. She, her husband and their five kids are out of Gaza. “I didn’t get the details how they pulled it off or what they did. But they’re out there safe,” said John. And almost immediately, the family of seven hopped on a bus. “The kids can lay down in the seats and sleep. They’re on a bus to Cairo, and then they’re on a British bus, believe it or not, and the British UK is setting putting them up at the Marriott Hotel in Cairo tonight,” said John. Finally getting a safe night’s sleep after 26 days and 26 nights of anguish and despondency. “We’re just ecstatic and, again, can’t thank you, Claire, for all the help you’ve done to put this out. You were the epicenter of it all. You helped us get the first story out and draw attention,” said John. John, who lives in Bonita Springs, reached out to WINK News Reporter Claire Galt a couple of days after Hamas attacked Israel hoping media attention might help his family. He tried the Biden Administration and our congressman and told Claire he got nowhere. The results were practically instantaneous. Suddenly, the world knew about the American woman and her five children and how they got trapped in Gaza while visiting her husband’s family’s olive tree farm. For almost four weeks, they bounced from shelter to shelter, dodging bombs, stood in bread lines for hours and prayed the mule pulling the water jug came that day. “Just goes to show you the power of prayer and the power of persuasion,” said John. They kept John, WINK News Reporter Claire Galt and the world informed thanks to spotty Facetime calls and text messages. Wednesday, an international news crew even shot a video of them waiting in line at the border. But that’s in the past because now they’ve crossed into Egypt. “They’ll be going back to their home in London. I mean, in Manchester, probably flying into Heathrow, I hope to show up with their early Christmas presents and my three suitcases,” said John. “And then we’ll work on their plans of immigrating to the US by this next spring.” As for John, he’s up to simpler activities. “I’m going to have a Scotch on the rocks tonight here in Florida,” said John.