Bonita Springs residents alarmed after car break-insLee Deputies work to track down transient sex offenders who fail to register
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs residents alarmed after car break-ins A Bonita Springs homeowner is sleeping with one eye open after her social security card was stolen from her car, an incident caught on video.
LEE COUNTY Lee Deputies work to track down transient sex offenders who fail to register WINK News Anchor Corey Lazar goes on patrol with Lee County Deputies in search of transient sex offenders who don’t register.
FORT MYERS Exclusive: Florida Warriors president talks misunderstanding with city On Friday, the president of Florida Warriors Hockey got a letter saying that starting July 1, his program’s rink access at the Fort Myers Skatium would be cut from 48 hours a month to only eight hours a month.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) 3 law officers killed, 5 others wounded trying to serve warrant in North Carolina, authorities say Three law enforcement officers serving a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm were killed and five other officers were wounded Monday in a shootout at a Charlotte, North Carolina, home, police said.
CAPE CORAL Massive fire leaves Cape Coral businesses in shambles Several fire rescue trucks are responding to a structure fire at a commercial building in Cape Coral.
NORTH FORT MYERS North Fort Myers residents concerned over abandoned boat A day out in the water turned into an alarming discovery for one North Fort Myers family.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers first responders stress safety after rollover crash Fort Myers fire department officials are pointing to safety and awareness following a recent rollover crash on Palm Beach Blvd. and Oasis Way.
NAPLES FSU pitcher Jacob Marlowe’s determined heart is on the mound Former Barron Collier ace, now FSU pitcher Jacob Marlowe is recovering from two open heart surgeries in five days.
Contrasting Lee, Collier and Charlotte homicide rates to nationwide numbers The Wall Street Journal says nationwide homicide rates have dropped by 20% compared to the numbers from 2023.
New program to make life more manageable for Parkinson’s patients A new program, backed by research, was created using the power of spin cycling to redefine the fight against Parkinson’s.
Medicaid class action gets go-ahead A federal judge has cleared the way for a class-action lawsuit that alleges Florida did not properly inform people before dropping them from the Medicaid program after a COVID-19 public health emergency ended.
FORT MYERS New downtown Fort Myers parking options coming soon Two new spots are coming for you to park on nights and weekends in downtown Fort Myers, but you’ll still have to pay.
LEHIGH ACRES Caught on Camera: Family ‘sucker-punched’ in Lehigh Acres brawl A woman is speaking out about a conflict she was involved in at Barefoot Lake.
Miracle Moment: Christina Soriero Doctors diagnosed 22-year-old Christina Soriero with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma when she was just 18. A time in her life when the only thing she should have been dealing with was senioritis and getting ready for life after high school.
DeSantis signs bill impacting new mothers and jury duty Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that will impact new mothers and their eligibility to serve on jury duty.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs residents alarmed after car break-ins A Bonita Springs homeowner is sleeping with one eye open after her social security card was stolen from her car, an incident caught on video.
LEE COUNTY Lee Deputies work to track down transient sex offenders who fail to register WINK News Anchor Corey Lazar goes on patrol with Lee County Deputies in search of transient sex offenders who don’t register.
FORT MYERS Exclusive: Florida Warriors president talks misunderstanding with city On Friday, the president of Florida Warriors Hockey got a letter saying that starting July 1, his program’s rink access at the Fort Myers Skatium would be cut from 48 hours a month to only eight hours a month.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) 3 law officers killed, 5 others wounded trying to serve warrant in North Carolina, authorities say Three law enforcement officers serving a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm were killed and five other officers were wounded Monday in a shootout at a Charlotte, North Carolina, home, police said.
CAPE CORAL Massive fire leaves Cape Coral businesses in shambles Several fire rescue trucks are responding to a structure fire at a commercial building in Cape Coral.
NORTH FORT MYERS North Fort Myers residents concerned over abandoned boat A day out in the water turned into an alarming discovery for one North Fort Myers family.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers first responders stress safety after rollover crash Fort Myers fire department officials are pointing to safety and awareness following a recent rollover crash on Palm Beach Blvd. and Oasis Way.
NAPLES FSU pitcher Jacob Marlowe’s determined heart is on the mound Former Barron Collier ace, now FSU pitcher Jacob Marlowe is recovering from two open heart surgeries in five days.
Contrasting Lee, Collier and Charlotte homicide rates to nationwide numbers The Wall Street Journal says nationwide homicide rates have dropped by 20% compared to the numbers from 2023.
New program to make life more manageable for Parkinson’s patients A new program, backed by research, was created using the power of spin cycling to redefine the fight against Parkinson’s.
Medicaid class action gets go-ahead A federal judge has cleared the way for a class-action lawsuit that alleges Florida did not properly inform people before dropping them from the Medicaid program after a COVID-19 public health emergency ended.
FORT MYERS New downtown Fort Myers parking options coming soon Two new spots are coming for you to park on nights and weekends in downtown Fort Myers, but you’ll still have to pay.
LEHIGH ACRES Caught on Camera: Family ‘sucker-punched’ in Lehigh Acres brawl A woman is speaking out about a conflict she was involved in at Barefoot Lake.
Miracle Moment: Christina Soriero Doctors diagnosed 22-year-old Christina Soriero with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma when she was just 18. A time in her life when the only thing she should have been dealing with was senioritis and getting ready for life after high school.
DeSantis signs bill impacting new mothers and jury duty Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that will impact new mothers and their eligibility to serve on jury duty.
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 announce Davis has been charged with Barry Schmalbach’s murder and issue arrest warrant to have him transferred from South Carolina jail to Lee County to face charges.