Charlotte County Sheriff’s office investigating deputy-involved shootingVeteran injured in crash that killed wife
ENGLEWOOD Charlotte County Sheriff’s office investigating deputy-involved shooting The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deputy-involved shooting in Englewood on Friday night.
Veteran injured in crash that killed wife WINK News has learned that a veteran’s wife was killed in a crash on Wednesday on State Road 82.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda to repair old city hall building The City of Punta Gorda is scrapping plans to build a new city hall.
SWFL teen injured in New Orleans terror attack released from hospital According to the mom of one of the teens injured in the New Orleans Terror attack on New Year’s Day, she has been released from the hospital.
NAPLES Jay Leno comedy show coming to Southwest Florida One of the most famous comedians in the world is coming to Southwest Florida.
SOUTH NAPLES Collier neighbors anticipating second Costco location Members of a community are waiting for one of the most popular wholesale stores, but there is something standing in the way.
AVE MARIA Caught on camera: Massive gator seen in front of Ave Maria home A massive alligator was seen using a walking path in front of an Ave Maria home, and it was all caught on camera.
NCAA approves plan to pay women’s basketball tournament teams In a historic unanimous vote, the NCAA approves of a plan to pay women’s basketball teams that compete in March Madness.
FORT MYERS City of Fort Myers announces Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival The City of Fort Myers invites the public to the 21st anniversary of the Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival in downtown Fort Myers.
MATLACHA Neighbors protest delay in repairs to Matlacha Pass Bridge People are set to take the streets and protest the delay in repairs to the Matlacha Pass Bridge.
Port Authority postpones talk of RSW’s $346M, four-year delayed terminal expansion Lee County and Port Authority Commissioner Brian Hamman finally had a public forum to get some answers on why a construction project went more than $346 million over budget and will be more than four years behind schedule to complete.
DeSantis responds to question on possible Sheriff Marceno suspension Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed calls for the suspension of Lee County’s sheriff amid an FBI investigation into his office.
Annette’s Beach Book Nook celebrates grand reopening on Fort Myers Beach From 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 18, Annette Stillson finally will be celebrating the grand reopening of the new-look Annette’s Beach Book Nook.
Punta Gorda renowned media artist finds safe haven for work Former businessman and artist David Sussman, known for his photography on canvas and coffee-table photography books, has found a safe, flood-proof homestead after he lost several homes and studios to hurricanes.
ENGLEWOOD Charlotte County Sheriff’s office investigating deputy-involved shooting The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deputy-involved shooting in Englewood on Friday night.
Veteran injured in crash that killed wife WINK News has learned that a veteran’s wife was killed in a crash on Wednesday on State Road 82.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda to repair old city hall building The City of Punta Gorda is scrapping plans to build a new city hall.
SWFL teen injured in New Orleans terror attack released from hospital According to the mom of one of the teens injured in the New Orleans Terror attack on New Year’s Day, she has been released from the hospital.
NAPLES Jay Leno comedy show coming to Southwest Florida One of the most famous comedians in the world is coming to Southwest Florida.
SOUTH NAPLES Collier neighbors anticipating second Costco location Members of a community are waiting for one of the most popular wholesale stores, but there is something standing in the way.
AVE MARIA Caught on camera: Massive gator seen in front of Ave Maria home A massive alligator was seen using a walking path in front of an Ave Maria home, and it was all caught on camera.
NCAA approves plan to pay women’s basketball tournament teams In a historic unanimous vote, the NCAA approves of a plan to pay women’s basketball teams that compete in March Madness.
FORT MYERS City of Fort Myers announces Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival The City of Fort Myers invites the public to the 21st anniversary of the Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival in downtown Fort Myers.
MATLACHA Neighbors protest delay in repairs to Matlacha Pass Bridge People are set to take the streets and protest the delay in repairs to the Matlacha Pass Bridge.
Port Authority postpones talk of RSW’s $346M, four-year delayed terminal expansion Lee County and Port Authority Commissioner Brian Hamman finally had a public forum to get some answers on why a construction project went more than $346 million over budget and will be more than four years behind schedule to complete.
DeSantis responds to question on possible Sheriff Marceno suspension Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed calls for the suspension of Lee County’s sheriff amid an FBI investigation into his office.
Annette’s Beach Book Nook celebrates grand reopening on Fort Myers Beach From 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 18, Annette Stillson finally will be celebrating the grand reopening of the new-look Annette’s Beach Book Nook.
Punta Gorda renowned media artist finds safe haven for work Former businessman and artist David Sussman, known for his photography on canvas and coffee-table photography books, has found a safe, flood-proof homestead after he lost several homes and studios to hurricanes.
Credit: MGN. As you do your holiday shopping, fraudsters are doing shopping of their own. They hope you will fall for their tricks-disguised-as-presents and give them your personal and financial information. It’s something WINK News consumer reporter Andryanna Sheppard sees all too often. “Cyber-crooks know that (you’re shopping) and cook up different ways to steal your personal and financial information,” added Sheppard. “Fraud is epidemic. It hits our phones; it comes into our email inboxes; text messaging now is huge.” Kathy Stokes, AARP Director of Fraud Prevention According to AARP, about 75% of Americans have experienced or been targeted by at least one form of holiday fraud. The Requests Fake charities Online shopping schemers Phishing emails Scam texts Director of Fraud Prevention for AARP, Kathy Stokes believes the key to keeping your info safe is to be a skeptic. Stokes explained, “Fraud is epidemic. It hits our phones if we still have landlines. It comes into our email inboxes; text messaging now is huge. You can’t trust online ads. You can’t be on a social media platform and click on something and trust that you’re going to actually go there.” How not to be a victim: Don’t click on links in unsolicited messages Go directly to the retailer’s website to shop Pay with a credit card “The bank has to investigate it, determine that it was fraud and get your money back to you,” said Stokes. “You don’t want to have that missing money when you’re trying to pay rent for next month. The credit card has more protections.” As for charity schemes, Stokes suggested you keep a list of organizations you want to donate to all year. That will give you time to research the organization, make sure it’s real and worth your money. Checking out a charity – tips from the FTC Search online for the cause you care about and add the word charity and complaints Check out the charity’s website for details about its mission and financial information Research BBB Wise Giving Alliance Charity Navigator CharityWatch Candid Find out if the fundraiser and the charity are registered Donations are tax deductible ONLY IF the organization is registered with the IRS as a tax-exempt organization If any charity messages you out of the blue to ask for a donation through cryptocurrency, don’t respond. It’s likely a rip-off.