‘It’s devastating’: Neighbor reflects on fatal fire in Port Charlotte‘The sound of death’ Neighbors concerned by amount of crashes on Joel Blvd
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘It’s devastating’: Neighbor reflects on fatal fire in Port Charlotte A devastating house fire Monday night in Port Charlotte has left one person dead and another hospitalized while neighbors mourn the possible loss of a beloved member of their community.
‘The sound of death’ Neighbors concerned by amount of crashes on Joel Blvd A woman is heartbroken from witnessing crash after crash outside her Lehigh Acres home.
Fort Myers get 15% increase on flood insurance discount WINK News is finding out what led to the city of Fort Myers going from just a 5% FEMA flood insurance discount to a 20% discount.
FORT MYERS Locals house California wildfire victims The effects of the California fires are being felt worldwide as people evacuate some are in southwest Florida.
LOVERS KEY Couple returns to Lovers Key condo post Ian While Hurricane Ian is long gone from Southwest Florida, many are still feeling its impacts.
EVERGLADES Biden signs Water Resources Development Act, its effect on SWFL President Biden recently signed into law the Water Resources Development Act with an aim to improve rivers and harbors across the country and provide for the conservation of water. Southwest Florida was included in that act. Putting the 240-page plan together took a lot of work, not just from state and federal lawmakers, but also […]
Turning business travel into a vacation Would work travel seem a little easier if you could turn it into a vacation? Two professors say they have proof that would help business travel.
The future of biometrics: Safer security or new AI risks? In 2021, the Transportation Service Agency (TSA) launched its new touchless identity solution in the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airport.
CAPE CORAL Pelican Elementary resource officer saves infant A school resource officer at Pelican Elementary saved an infants’ life at a traffic stop in Cape Coral.
FORT MYERS Progress being made on City View Park in Dunbar More promises made by a city that has not kept its promises for the last six years have some neighbors concerned about the future of their community.
COLLIER COUNTY Seacrest hoops player hits a full court buzzer beater Seacrest Country Day School boys basketball player Hayden Fuller hits full court buzzer beater against Aubrey Rogers.
NAPLES Cutting-edge ACL surgery reducing reinjury risk by 80% Known for its game-changing orthopedic repair options, Naples-based Arthrex has done it again.
NAPLES MacStrength FL offers sport and lifestyle training for young athletes In 2025, MacStrength FL is swinging for success with their current players and for a wider reach in its community.
You can appeal FEMA’s decision on your claim – Here’s how Now a week after the deadline for FEMA hurricane assistance has closed, the federal agency says you can appeal their decision on your claim if you don’t agree.
Naples selects city CFO as next city manager, averts national search Naples Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Gary Young will become the next city manager, averting a lengthy, expensive national search for a replacement.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘It’s devastating’: Neighbor reflects on fatal fire in Port Charlotte A devastating house fire Monday night in Port Charlotte has left one person dead and another hospitalized while neighbors mourn the possible loss of a beloved member of their community.
‘The sound of death’ Neighbors concerned by amount of crashes on Joel Blvd A woman is heartbroken from witnessing crash after crash outside her Lehigh Acres home.
Fort Myers get 15% increase on flood insurance discount WINK News is finding out what led to the city of Fort Myers going from just a 5% FEMA flood insurance discount to a 20% discount.
FORT MYERS Locals house California wildfire victims The effects of the California fires are being felt worldwide as people evacuate some are in southwest Florida.
LOVERS KEY Couple returns to Lovers Key condo post Ian While Hurricane Ian is long gone from Southwest Florida, many are still feeling its impacts.
EVERGLADES Biden signs Water Resources Development Act, its effect on SWFL President Biden recently signed into law the Water Resources Development Act with an aim to improve rivers and harbors across the country and provide for the conservation of water. Southwest Florida was included in that act. Putting the 240-page plan together took a lot of work, not just from state and federal lawmakers, but also […]
Turning business travel into a vacation Would work travel seem a little easier if you could turn it into a vacation? Two professors say they have proof that would help business travel.
The future of biometrics: Safer security or new AI risks? In 2021, the Transportation Service Agency (TSA) launched its new touchless identity solution in the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airport.
CAPE CORAL Pelican Elementary resource officer saves infant A school resource officer at Pelican Elementary saved an infants’ life at a traffic stop in Cape Coral.
FORT MYERS Progress being made on City View Park in Dunbar More promises made by a city that has not kept its promises for the last six years have some neighbors concerned about the future of their community.
COLLIER COUNTY Seacrest hoops player hits a full court buzzer beater Seacrest Country Day School boys basketball player Hayden Fuller hits full court buzzer beater against Aubrey Rogers.
NAPLES Cutting-edge ACL surgery reducing reinjury risk by 80% Known for its game-changing orthopedic repair options, Naples-based Arthrex has done it again.
NAPLES MacStrength FL offers sport and lifestyle training for young athletes In 2025, MacStrength FL is swinging for success with their current players and for a wider reach in its community.
You can appeal FEMA’s decision on your claim – Here’s how Now a week after the deadline for FEMA hurricane assistance has closed, the federal agency says you can appeal their decision on your claim if you don’t agree.
Naples selects city CFO as next city manager, averts national search Naples Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Gary Young will become the next city manager, averting a lengthy, expensive national search for a replacement.
Wires dangling low to the ground and damaged power poles leaning over their yard: It’s a scary sight that one Port Charlotte couple had to stare at every day since Hurricane Ian. The equipment created safety concerns, but despite their best efforts, the couple couldn’t get anyone to clean up the mess. The couple’s two dachshunds, Mr. Beans and Rudy, share Barnes’ yard with authority. They’re not the only little ones that love to have fun on the 21 thousand block of Circlewood Avenue in Port Charlotte. Two doors down, four kids play outside. Further down the street, two more kids are active. The yards are mostly open, leaving plenty of space for animals and kids alike to enjoy. But with the damaged equipment easily accessible, Barnes gets stressed and anxious thinking about something bad happening. “I’ve waited and waited and waited for something to happen,” Barnes laments. “I’m afraid somebody is going to touch one of these wires and if it’s a really bad live wire, they’re going to get fried. I know my dog got zapped.” During Hurricane Ian, like many neighborhoods, Circlewood Avenue took heavy damage. The Barnes family suffered through many issues inside and outside of their house. “We came home to a disaster,” Barnes remembers. “I’ve been trying to get things cleaned up around here.” It’s proven to be easier said than done. Barnes called WINK News, desperate for help, 16 months after the storm. Despite her own calls to Florida Power and Light, and CenturyLink, her internet provider during the storm, she couldn’t get anyone out to clean up. “I’ve gotten nowhere with them,” Barnes says frustrated. “I’ve gotten promises that it would be transferred to the proper department and I’ve gotten nowhere… It’s been very terrible. Very disappointing.” FPL’s own website says: “Stay far away from downed power lines or other damaged electrical equipment.” So, neighbors around Circlewood Avenue can’t figure out why the gear wasn’t cleaned up more than 16 months after the storm.” Getting results WINK investigative reporter Peter Fleischer contacted FPL after meeting with the Barnes family and surveying the damaged equipment. They sent a crew the next day, but their team determined, the gear belonged to CenturyLink. Finally, after a call and email to CenturyLink, the Barnes saw action. CenturyLink confirmed the gear belonged to them and removed it the same day Fleischer reached out. For Barnes, it’s a massive relief. Crews came to clean the damaged equipment and downed lines after they were contacted by WINK “It was a beautiful sight,” Barnes admitted, staring out across her yard that is finally damage-free. “We feel great. People of our age, it’s very hard to do things on our own.” After the mess was cleaned up, Fleischer asked CenturyLink, what took so long? How can other customers get faster action if they’re dealing with potentially dangerous equipment? CenturyLink didn’t answer any of those questions directly, but reps did say it helps when customers give as much information as possible: names, address, contact information, even pictures. They sent Fleischer a full statement that reads: We always want to assist our customers and our main focus is on addressing their needs, with service restoration a priority. We realize the wires are unsightly and are working right now to get them removed. If you have additional customers reach out to you, please forward their contact information: address, phone and account number and we will work to resolve their service issues as quickly as possible. If you would like to contact Peter about a story or send him a tip, you can reach him at Peter.Fleischer@winknews.com