Firefighters work to contain Myakka State Forest fireSpaceX launches flight test; spacecraft visible in Florida
Firefighters work to contain Myakka State Forest fire A brush fire near Myakka State Forest in Charlotte County left residents in fear as it threatened homes and property.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SpaceX launches flight test; spacecraft visible in Florida A mysterious sight in the sky had WINK News viewers buzzing, but there’s no need to worry. It’s not a UFO.
Sovereign citizen claim complicates deputy-involved Charlotte County shooting case A tense incident unfolded on Sandy Pine Drive in Charlotte County last October when deputies shot and killed a man in his driveway.
SANIBEL Sanibel’s water system faces climate challenges Sanibel Island is facing challenges as it balances its natural beauty with the demands of stormwater management.
FORT MYERS Travel tips ahead of spring break Spring break 2025 has arrived, and tourists are flocking to Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Pilot project tackles affordable housing gaps in Fort Myers Affordable housing is a pressing issue in Southwest Florida, driven by a growing population. The Florida Housing Coalition is working to ensure residents can afford a place to live.
ALVA Alva locals voice concerns over Lee County’s housing expansion plan Residents of Alva are grappling with changes as Lee County commissioners approved a significant development project that will transform their rural community.
Collier County man caught in $150K bank fraud at Fifth Third Bank Collier County deputies arrested a man accused of impersonating another individual and making fraudulent bank transactions exceeding $150,000.
SANIBEL Discover rare shells at Sanibel Shell Show The nation’s oldest and most esteemed shell show is currently taking place on Sanibel.
Lee County Fighting the bite: Soaring high to battle mosquitoes WINK News anchor Liz Biro had the chance to fly with the Lee County Mosquito Control District to see how they work to battle mosquitoes.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte wrestling ready for state tournament under strong leadership Fresh off of a regional title and a state runner-up finish in the dual team wrestling tournament, the Tarpons are fired up.
CAPE CORAL Managing allergies during peak season Springtime in Southwest Florida brings not only flowers and sunshine but also a wave of sneezes and sniffles.
COLLIER COUNTY One-on-one with FC Naples head coach Matt Poland WINK Sports Reporter Zach Oliveri sat down with FC Naples head coach Matt Poland to talk about the inaugural season.
Economist Jeremy Siegel favors Trump tax cuts, not tariffs During President Donald Trump’s first administration, longtime economic professor Jeremy Siegel received a request to join it as an economic adviser.
miami beach Gov. DeSantis announces safety efforts ahead of spring break Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced safety efforts in Florida ahead of spring break.
Firefighters work to contain Myakka State Forest fire A brush fire near Myakka State Forest in Charlotte County left residents in fear as it threatened homes and property.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SpaceX launches flight test; spacecraft visible in Florida A mysterious sight in the sky had WINK News viewers buzzing, but there’s no need to worry. It’s not a UFO.
Sovereign citizen claim complicates deputy-involved Charlotte County shooting case A tense incident unfolded on Sandy Pine Drive in Charlotte County last October when deputies shot and killed a man in his driveway.
SANIBEL Sanibel’s water system faces climate challenges Sanibel Island is facing challenges as it balances its natural beauty with the demands of stormwater management.
FORT MYERS Travel tips ahead of spring break Spring break 2025 has arrived, and tourists are flocking to Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Pilot project tackles affordable housing gaps in Fort Myers Affordable housing is a pressing issue in Southwest Florida, driven by a growing population. The Florida Housing Coalition is working to ensure residents can afford a place to live.
ALVA Alva locals voice concerns over Lee County’s housing expansion plan Residents of Alva are grappling with changes as Lee County commissioners approved a significant development project that will transform their rural community.
Collier County man caught in $150K bank fraud at Fifth Third Bank Collier County deputies arrested a man accused of impersonating another individual and making fraudulent bank transactions exceeding $150,000.
SANIBEL Discover rare shells at Sanibel Shell Show The nation’s oldest and most esteemed shell show is currently taking place on Sanibel.
Lee County Fighting the bite: Soaring high to battle mosquitoes WINK News anchor Liz Biro had the chance to fly with the Lee County Mosquito Control District to see how they work to battle mosquitoes.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte wrestling ready for state tournament under strong leadership Fresh off of a regional title and a state runner-up finish in the dual team wrestling tournament, the Tarpons are fired up.
CAPE CORAL Managing allergies during peak season Springtime in Southwest Florida brings not only flowers and sunshine but also a wave of sneezes and sniffles.
COLLIER COUNTY One-on-one with FC Naples head coach Matt Poland WINK Sports Reporter Zach Oliveri sat down with FC Naples head coach Matt Poland to talk about the inaugural season.
Economist Jeremy Siegel favors Trump tax cuts, not tariffs During President Donald Trump’s first administration, longtime economic professor Jeremy Siegel received a request to join it as an economic adviser.
miami beach Gov. DeSantis announces safety efforts ahead of spring break Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced safety efforts in Florida ahead of spring break.
Shells along the shoreline of Blind Pass Beach on Sanibel Island. As beachgoers start taking on the sand, it’s important to know what pieces of your trip to the shore you can and can’t take with you. The city of Sanibel works with beach patrol to protect our shores’ living creatures. A woman’s shell findings along a beach on Sanibel Island. She uses the tiller in the photo to sift through shells on the sand. According to the Sanibel Shelling Regulations, there are a few things to be aware of when you go searching for sea shells. Do: Know what you’re taking if you are taking home a shell Make sure there is nothing living inside your shell Passively shell, taking shells that are on the surface of the shore is OK Bring a bag to keep all your findings in Don’t: Take home a live organism Take home a shell with an animal living inside it Dig into the beach to find shells Not only are the sea shells you can see on shore from Sanibel’s beaches various, but there are hundreds of species on the island. The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum has educated those on Sanibel Island for decades on our beaches’ sea shells. José Leal is the museum’s science director and curator. He said the island has hundreds of species to explore and protect. “They are a very diverse group of animals. They’re literally thousands and thousands of species in this country here on Sanibel, just the shallow water species we have in our shell that I believe have a history and worth about 410 species of shallow water just on Sanibel,” Leal said. RELATED: Lighthouse Beach parking lots will temporarily close for Sanibel Lighthouse repairs Blind Pass beach as birds sit perched along the shoreline. What’s living and what’s not? The City of Sanibel works with beach patrol to protect our shores’ living creatures. Joel Caouette is an Environmental Biologist for the city of Sanibel. Caouette explains what is living as a “shell with a live tissue.” These living shells and organisms are off-limits when it comes to shelling. RELATED: Iconic island businesses She Sells Sea Shells, Nanny’s of Sanibel, RC Otter’s reopen This includes sea urchins, starfish and sanddollars. “Snails, they build the shells with this shell material, and then they have live tissue in there. Anything like a hermit crab, anything like that, would be prohibited to take,” Caouette said. The City of Sanibel said taking a live organism could land you in jail for 60 days or have you ticketed for a $500 fine.