CAPTIVA Captiva Beach continues renourishment project Nearly two years later, the recovery efforts from Hurricane Ian continue on Captiva Beach. People WINK News spoke with say it’s a work in progress since Hurricane Ian, but they are hopeful as more time passes and more sand is brought in for beach renourishment.
Proposal to mine in the Everglades withdrawn for now The now-withdrawn proposal for the Southland Water Resource Project was submitted to the South Florida Water Management District in July by contractor Phillips and Jordan.
FORT MYERS Bishop Verot cross-country runner commits to UF The Bishop Verot Catholic High School senior won a state championship last year. Now, she’s committed to running at the University of Florida.
DeSantis fights back on Amendment 4 Florida may not be the swing state it used to be, but we’ll be on the map and certainly making headlines for at least one big reason this year: Abortion.
The do’s and don’ts of ATV’s An investigation is underway after a car crashed into an ATV with six people, including children, on it. Concerns are now being raised over the rules and regulations of ATVs.
SANIBEL Sanibel city council votes on E-bike limits The Sanibel City Council has voted to set new speed limits for e-bikes and whether they can ride on the island’s bike paths.
NORTH FORT MYERS Child shoots themselves in foot at youth football game, later arrested There was a frenzy on the field as parents and kids rushed to shelter in a concession building after hearing a gunshot fired during a youth football game.
Miracle Moment: Horsepower drives healing A horse gave a young girl the motivation she needed to fight an aggressive cancer.
Former LCSO deputy pleads not guilty to jewelry store shooting A former Lee County deputy has been caught on the wrong side of the law twice now, but he says he is innocent.
LEE COUNTY East Lee County football off to best start in school history There’s a new energy in the halls of East Lee County High School, because a 3-0 start is a first for Jaguar football.
RSV vaccine for mothers can help baby Now, a new FDA-approved vaccine can protect your baby, even before the little one is born.
Harris’ past debates: A prosecutor’s style with narrative flair but risks in a matchup with Trump Harris faces former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, who will participate in his seventh general election debate since 2016 for an event that will be seen by tens of millions of viewers just as early voting in November’s election starts around the country.
Collier commissioners approve tax rates, consider repaying Conservation Collier Collier County commissioners on Sept. 5 tentatively approved the $2.98 billion 2024-25 budget, but didn’t resolve whether to repay $29.6 million they took from Conservation Collier to help cover a more than $60 million shortfall last year.
LEE COUNTY Jury finds man guilty of molesting child in Lee County A jury has found a Lehigh Acres man guilty of sending inappropriate messages and molesting a child following a three-day trial.
CAPE CORAL 2 teens plead not guilty in murder of 15-year-old Cape Coral girl Two teens accused of murdering a 15-year-old girl in Cape Coral have both entered a plea of not guilty.
CAPTIVA Captiva Beach continues renourishment project Nearly two years later, the recovery efforts from Hurricane Ian continue on Captiva Beach. People WINK News spoke with say it’s a work in progress since Hurricane Ian, but they are hopeful as more time passes and more sand is brought in for beach renourishment.
Proposal to mine in the Everglades withdrawn for now The now-withdrawn proposal for the Southland Water Resource Project was submitted to the South Florida Water Management District in July by contractor Phillips and Jordan.
FORT MYERS Bishop Verot cross-country runner commits to UF The Bishop Verot Catholic High School senior won a state championship last year. Now, she’s committed to running at the University of Florida.
DeSantis fights back on Amendment 4 Florida may not be the swing state it used to be, but we’ll be on the map and certainly making headlines for at least one big reason this year: Abortion.
The do’s and don’ts of ATV’s An investigation is underway after a car crashed into an ATV with six people, including children, on it. Concerns are now being raised over the rules and regulations of ATVs.
SANIBEL Sanibel city council votes on E-bike limits The Sanibel City Council has voted to set new speed limits for e-bikes and whether they can ride on the island’s bike paths.
NORTH FORT MYERS Child shoots themselves in foot at youth football game, later arrested There was a frenzy on the field as parents and kids rushed to shelter in a concession building after hearing a gunshot fired during a youth football game.
Miracle Moment: Horsepower drives healing A horse gave a young girl the motivation she needed to fight an aggressive cancer.
Former LCSO deputy pleads not guilty to jewelry store shooting A former Lee County deputy has been caught on the wrong side of the law twice now, but he says he is innocent.
LEE COUNTY East Lee County football off to best start in school history There’s a new energy in the halls of East Lee County High School, because a 3-0 start is a first for Jaguar football.
RSV vaccine for mothers can help baby Now, a new FDA-approved vaccine can protect your baby, even before the little one is born.
Harris’ past debates: A prosecutor’s style with narrative flair but risks in a matchup with Trump Harris faces former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, who will participate in his seventh general election debate since 2016 for an event that will be seen by tens of millions of viewers just as early voting in November’s election starts around the country.
Collier commissioners approve tax rates, consider repaying Conservation Collier Collier County commissioners on Sept. 5 tentatively approved the $2.98 billion 2024-25 budget, but didn’t resolve whether to repay $29.6 million they took from Conservation Collier to help cover a more than $60 million shortfall last year.
LEE COUNTY Jury finds man guilty of molesting child in Lee County A jury has found a Lehigh Acres man guilty of sending inappropriate messages and molesting a child following a three-day trial.
CAPE CORAL 2 teens plead not guilty in murder of 15-year-old Cape Coral girl Two teens accused of murdering a 15-year-old girl in Cape Coral have both entered a plea of not guilty.
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.