WINK Neighborhood Watch: burglary, aggravated battery and cockfightingDeath investigation underway at Naples house party
WINK Neighborhood Watch: burglary, aggravated battery and cockfighting This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a burglary spree, aggravated battery with a vehicle and a man arrested for cockfighting.
NAPLES Death investigation underway at Naples house party The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that happened at a house party in Naples.
southwest florida Beautiful Sunday on tap with temperatures reaching the low 80s this afternoon It will be another seasonal day with sun and clouds across Southwest Florida with temperatures reaching yet again topping out in the low 80s.
NAPLES Community raises funds for family of elementary school choking victim Staff and students from Laurel Oak Elementary School gathered at a Naples Culver’s to raise money for the family of Benjamin Cronin, an 11-year-old boy who died after choking at school.
NB lanes of US 41 at Olympia Ave closed due to traffic investigation According to the Punta Gorda Police Department, the northbound lane of US 41 at Olympia Avenue and Marion Avenue is closed due to a traffic crash investigation.
NAPLES Swine in the 239: Collier’s pig showdown Over 250 pigs took over the Collier County fairgrounds Saturday morning for Swine in the 239.
immokalee Fatal crash in Immokalee leaves 2 dead, both cars engulfed in flames The Florida Highway Patrol responded to a crash that left one person dead in Immokalee near the intersection of State Road 82 and Gators Slough Road.
NAPLES Motorcyclist dies in crash with pickup truck in Collier County The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly crash on Wilson Boulevard, near 10th Avenue Northeast in Collier County.
southwest florida Plenty of sunshine and less humid air for your Saturday plans The Weather Authority says this weekend is kicking off with some beautiful, less humid weather, perfect for any outdoor plans you may have!
WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Playoffs Round 1 21 Southwest Florida high school football teams were in action in round one of the playoffs trying to keep their state title hopes alive.
CLEWISTON Suspect identified in shooting investigation at Clewiston Walmart According to the Clewiston Police Department, a suspect has been identified in the shooting investigation at a Walmart in Clewiston on Friday night.
WINK Investigates: Everything we know so far about Beattie Development A southwest Florida developer has now surrendered his six different contracting licenses, which include general contracting, plumbing and roofing. Paul Beattie, owner of Beattie Development cannot build homes anymore. It’s not a permanent situation, but part of a settlement agreement with the state says he’d need to pay $300,000 before he could get a new […]
Florida Attorney General speaks out following lawsuit against FEMA Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has spoken out following the filing of a lawsuit alleging that a FEMA supervisor directed aid workers to avoid going to homes in Lake Placid that had yard signs supporting Trump.
FORT MYERS BEACH How to increase odds of getting your hurricane insurance claim paid When Hurricane Helene hit Southwest Florida in September followed by Milton, many people’s lives were affected.
lehigh acres 25 students treated for heat exhaustion on Lehigh Sr. High School football field The Tice Fire Department treated around 25 students for heat exhaustion on the Lehigh Senior High School football field.
WINK Neighborhood Watch: burglary, aggravated battery and cockfighting This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a burglary spree, aggravated battery with a vehicle and a man arrested for cockfighting.
NAPLES Death investigation underway at Naples house party The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that happened at a house party in Naples.
southwest florida Beautiful Sunday on tap with temperatures reaching the low 80s this afternoon It will be another seasonal day with sun and clouds across Southwest Florida with temperatures reaching yet again topping out in the low 80s.
NAPLES Community raises funds for family of elementary school choking victim Staff and students from Laurel Oak Elementary School gathered at a Naples Culver’s to raise money for the family of Benjamin Cronin, an 11-year-old boy who died after choking at school.
NB lanes of US 41 at Olympia Ave closed due to traffic investigation According to the Punta Gorda Police Department, the northbound lane of US 41 at Olympia Avenue and Marion Avenue is closed due to a traffic crash investigation.
NAPLES Swine in the 239: Collier’s pig showdown Over 250 pigs took over the Collier County fairgrounds Saturday morning for Swine in the 239.
immokalee Fatal crash in Immokalee leaves 2 dead, both cars engulfed in flames The Florida Highway Patrol responded to a crash that left one person dead in Immokalee near the intersection of State Road 82 and Gators Slough Road.
NAPLES Motorcyclist dies in crash with pickup truck in Collier County The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly crash on Wilson Boulevard, near 10th Avenue Northeast in Collier County.
southwest florida Plenty of sunshine and less humid air for your Saturday plans The Weather Authority says this weekend is kicking off with some beautiful, less humid weather, perfect for any outdoor plans you may have!
WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Playoffs Round 1 21 Southwest Florida high school football teams were in action in round one of the playoffs trying to keep their state title hopes alive.
CLEWISTON Suspect identified in shooting investigation at Clewiston Walmart According to the Clewiston Police Department, a suspect has been identified in the shooting investigation at a Walmart in Clewiston on Friday night.
WINK Investigates: Everything we know so far about Beattie Development A southwest Florida developer has now surrendered his six different contracting licenses, which include general contracting, plumbing and roofing. Paul Beattie, owner of Beattie Development cannot build homes anymore. It’s not a permanent situation, but part of a settlement agreement with the state says he’d need to pay $300,000 before he could get a new […]
Florida Attorney General speaks out following lawsuit against FEMA Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has spoken out following the filing of a lawsuit alleging that a FEMA supervisor directed aid workers to avoid going to homes in Lake Placid that had yard signs supporting Trump.
FORT MYERS BEACH How to increase odds of getting your hurricane insurance claim paid When Hurricane Helene hit Southwest Florida in September followed by Milton, many people’s lives were affected.
lehigh acres 25 students treated for heat exhaustion on Lehigh Sr. High School football field The Tice Fire Department treated around 25 students for heat exhaustion on the Lehigh Senior High School football field.
Cape Coral police continue to investigate the disappearance of Barry Schmalbach, a 56-year-old Cape Coral resident, who is no believed to have been murdered by his live-in boyfriend Christopher Davis. Below is a timeline of the investigation gathered from police reports and interviews. Wednesday, July 19, 2023 Schmalbach reportedly argues with Davis at Cruiser’s Lounge, a gay bar in Cape Coral and walks out while Davis chases after him. Christopher Davis headshot CREDIT Lee County Sheriff’s Office At 8:21 p.m., Miguel Blanco, a friend of Schmalbach, receives a voicemail from Schmalbach saying he needs help. Thursday, July 20, 2023 Blanco hears the voicemail and returns Schmalbach’s call but gets no answer. Davis sends Blanco a screenshot of text messages purported to be between him and Schmalbach. However, Blanco and his husband doubt the authenticity of the message. Friday, July 21, 2023 Schmalbach’s friends arrive at his apartment to check on him at around 9 p.m. They find the apartment in disarray. Blanco confirms with mutual friends that no one else has heard from Schmalbach. Saturday, July 22, 2023 At 1:21 p.m., Davis calls the Cape Coral Police Department to report Schmalbach missing, noting he did not believe he was in danger. An officer arrives at the home, but a missing person’s report is not completed. Blanco contacts CCPD at 8:21 p.m. and reports Schmalbach’s disappearance, and Schmalbach is officially entered as a missing person. Cape Coral police speak to Davis who claims he reported his boyfriend missing earlier that day and tells investigators a story they later dispel that he last saw him on July 20 leaving in someone else’s vehicle. Barry Schmalbach. CREDIT: WINK News Blanco arrives at the home as police are leaving. He gives them a statement calling it suspicious that Schmalbach left his Jeep in the apartment parking lot. A Cape Coral officer determines Davis provided the first officer he met earlier that day with an incorrect birthdate. His real date of birth is June 8, 1988 and he is wanted on two active arrest warrants in Georgia for probation violation for fraud and in South Carolina for probation violation for larceny. Wednesday, July 26, 2023 CCPD announce and begin their search for Schmalbach, calling his disappearance suspicious. Cape Coral Police at Schmalbach’s apartment. CREDIT: WINK News Thursday, July 27, 2023 Cape Coral Police return to Schmalbach’s condo, banging on the door to gain entry. Davis declines to comment to WINK News. Monday, July 31, 2023 An anonymous donor donates $3,000 to increase the reward for information leading to Schmalbach. The total was at $6,000, according to a Facebook post. Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers says an anonymous donor has increased the reward to $16,000 to help find Schmalbach. Davis is arrested on the South Carolina warrant and is taken into custody by Cape Coral police at a gym on Del Prado Boulevard North. Christopher Davis (CREDIT: Kirkland Correctional Center) Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023 Schmalbach’s half-sister Emily Scaletta speaks to WINK News and says Cape Coral police have not told the family if any leads have been found. Schmalbach’s landlord asks Davis to leave the property because his name is not on the lease. There is a sign taped to the property’s door, purportedly dated Aug. 1. A notice to evict on Schmalbach’s apartment. CREDIT: WINK News Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023 Davis’ arrest is made public. Friday, Aug. 4, 2023 Cape Poral police hold a press conference announcing they have a person of interest in Schmalbach’s disappearance but do not name them. They say detectives suspect foul play and are searching multiple counties for Schmalbach. They also update the timeline to say Schmalbach is last seen and heard from on Wednesday, July 19, making the voicemail to Blanco the last known attempt at communication. Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023 Schmalbach’s family go to Jaycee Park to hand out flyers, hoping for information on his disappearance. Flyers Schmalbach’s family handed out during their search. CREDIT: WINK News Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023 Cape Coral police search the sewer system near Schmalbach’s apartment. Friday, Aug. 11, 2023 Davis is extradited to a South Carolina jail. Friday, Jan. 26, 2024 Cape Coral police announced Davis has been charged with Barry Schmalbach’s murder and issue an arrest warrant to have him transferred from South Carolina jail to Lee County to face charges. Thursday, June 27, 2024 Davis is booked into the Lee County Jail at around 1:45 a.m. on 18 charges, including murder, tampering with evidence and fraud. Schmalbach’s body remains missing. Friday, June 28, 2024 Davis was ordered held without bond ahead of the murder trial.