Thanksgiving events across Southwest FloridaSocial media influencer arrested for theft at Cape Coral Target
WINK NEWS Thanksgiving events across Southwest Florida Thanksgiving in Southwest Florida is a blend of tradition, offering both classic holiday gatherings and unique local events.
CAPE CORAL Social media influencer arrested for theft at Cape Coral Target The Cape Coral Police Department arrested a woman accused of stealing items worth nearly $500 from a Target.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers woman pleads guilty to possessing loaded firearm as person with felony convictions Fort Myers woman pleaded guilty to possessing a loaded firearm and ammunition as a person with felony convictions.
CAPE CORAL What’s next for Cape Coral City Council after repealing stipend? The City of Cape Coral elected five new council members Wednesday night, and their first motion was to repeal the controversial self-imposed stipend.
FORT MYERS California man pleads guilty to distributing drugs to Lee County A California man has pleaded guilty to conspiracy with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl to Lee County.
Holiday events scheduled in Lee County throughout December It is the most wonderful time of the year, as Lee County is preparing for several Christmas and holiday-themed events in December.
FORT MYERS BEACH 34th annual American Sand Sculpting Companionship begins on Fort Myers Beach The resilience of the Southwest Florida community is on display Thursday morning in the form of sand on Fort Myers Beach.
the weather authority Decreasing humidity and mostly sunny skies for your Thursday The Weather Authority is tracking a cold front dropping humidity and temperatures on this Thursday afternoon.
The Salvation Army of Collier County launches annual toy drive The annual Toys for Tots donation drive in Collier County has officially begun, aiming to bring Christmas joy through generosity.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral’s new council eliminates stipend on day one People in Cape Coral are getting what they voted for: the new city council members were just sworn in, and they eliminated the stipend.
LEHIGH ACRES Man arrested for fatal hit-and-run crash with motorcyclist in Lehigh Acres A man has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed a motorcyclist on Tuesday night.
Latest details on fatal Alligator Alley crash ; 1 killed According to the arrest report, a man told troopers he got a minivan from a pastor but did not get permission to take it out because he left in the middle of the night
Enforcing state law on street camping in Punta Gorda More than a month since the new state law banning sleeping in public places went into effect the city of Punta Gorda voted on if an ordinance change was needed.
Cape Coral home vandalized; homeowner calls it a “hate crime” A man returned to his unfinished Cape Coral home to find it’s been violated and vandalized. Cape Coral police are searching for the suspect.
SWFL organizations putting donated money to good use 41 Southwest Florida organizations are still in shock about the millions of dollars they received from philanthropist Tom Golisano.
WINK NEWS Thanksgiving events across Southwest Florida Thanksgiving in Southwest Florida is a blend of tradition, offering both classic holiday gatherings and unique local events.
CAPE CORAL Social media influencer arrested for theft at Cape Coral Target The Cape Coral Police Department arrested a woman accused of stealing items worth nearly $500 from a Target.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers woman pleads guilty to possessing loaded firearm as person with felony convictions Fort Myers woman pleaded guilty to possessing a loaded firearm and ammunition as a person with felony convictions.
CAPE CORAL What’s next for Cape Coral City Council after repealing stipend? The City of Cape Coral elected five new council members Wednesday night, and their first motion was to repeal the controversial self-imposed stipend.
FORT MYERS California man pleads guilty to distributing drugs to Lee County A California man has pleaded guilty to conspiracy with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl to Lee County.
Holiday events scheduled in Lee County throughout December It is the most wonderful time of the year, as Lee County is preparing for several Christmas and holiday-themed events in December.
FORT MYERS BEACH 34th annual American Sand Sculpting Companionship begins on Fort Myers Beach The resilience of the Southwest Florida community is on display Thursday morning in the form of sand on Fort Myers Beach.
the weather authority Decreasing humidity and mostly sunny skies for your Thursday The Weather Authority is tracking a cold front dropping humidity and temperatures on this Thursday afternoon.
The Salvation Army of Collier County launches annual toy drive The annual Toys for Tots donation drive in Collier County has officially begun, aiming to bring Christmas joy through generosity.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral’s new council eliminates stipend on day one People in Cape Coral are getting what they voted for: the new city council members were just sworn in, and they eliminated the stipend.
LEHIGH ACRES Man arrested for fatal hit-and-run crash with motorcyclist in Lehigh Acres A man has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed a motorcyclist on Tuesday night.
Latest details on fatal Alligator Alley crash ; 1 killed According to the arrest report, a man told troopers he got a minivan from a pastor but did not get permission to take it out because he left in the middle of the night
Enforcing state law on street camping in Punta Gorda More than a month since the new state law banning sleeping in public places went into effect the city of Punta Gorda voted on if an ordinance change was needed.
Cape Coral home vandalized; homeowner calls it a “hate crime” A man returned to his unfinished Cape Coral home to find it’s been violated and vandalized. Cape Coral police are searching for the suspect.
SWFL organizations putting donated money to good use 41 Southwest Florida organizations are still in shock about the millions of dollars they received from philanthropist Tom Golisano.
Autumn Giles died much too young. She still had so much to give, but illness struck and took her away from her family, her teammates and all of southwest Florida. Her dad, her coach on and off the court, is now doing what he can to keep her legacy alive. Robert Giles had a decision to make. In 2013, his daughter Autumn was growing into a star basketball player, and he was living his dream as the boys’ head coach at South Fort Myers until he walked away from his dream to live his daughter’s. “I gave it up and got to experience two state championships with her so that was pretty special,” Robert said. With Autumn playing a leading role, Fort Myers High School won back-to-back state titles in her junior and senior seasons and she wasn’t done. Autumn went on to play collegiately at UMASS and Nova Southeastern then came home to coach. Meanwhile, Robert returned to coaching girls’ hoops this time at Gateway High in 2021. But after Autumn suddenly died, her dad couldn’t bring himself to coach again. Until he got a text message from one of his players. “She never says much and it just read, ‘Your daughter would want you to do what you love,’” Robert said. So Robert is back on the sidelines, but doing what he loves is no longer easy. “Just being in the gym, just being in here, coaching them every day, seeing their faces, it just takes me back to a place when I was doing it with my daughter,” Robert said. “That’s why it’s a tough season.” His Gateway Eagles are 16-3, and his players said every time they take the court they’re ‘Balling for Autumn.’ “I’m glad that we could see and live in her legacy, at least,” Gateway senior Marsha Dorsaint said. “He’s all around a great dad, a second dad to be honest. I’m really glad to have him.” The Eagles aren’t just balling for Autumn; Robert is coaching them to ball like her too. “I never had to tell her to just play hard,” Robert said. “Do stuff that doesn’t show up in the stat book. There’s not a stat for getting the tip pass, jumping on the ground for a loose ball, all that stuff she embodied. I mean, I’ve got plays with her touching the mat on this end and making the layup on that end.” Robert believes his job is more than coaching basketball, but coaching life lessons as well. This season’s lesson? Keep moving forward. “He gives his all and inside you know he’s hurting,” Gateway GBB Assistant Coach Megan Barrett said. “His family is hurting. His wife shows up to every game. She doesn’t miss a game, and I know that’s hard for her too. “They ball in the name of Autumn and they’re really doing it at a high level so I’m just super proud of them,” Robert said. Robert said he believes Autumn is smiling down on him and his team. The Eagles will continue ‘Balling for Autumn’ as they compete for their first district championship on Wednesday.