ENGLEWOOD Indian Mound Park left in ruins, residents look to rebuild People living in Englewood’s Indian Mound Park community are cleaning up what’s left of their homes.
CLEWISTON Two arrested in Clewiston teen’s murder Two people are in jail Tuesday night for the murder of 16-year-old Ja’yhanna Johnson.
FORT MYERS NWS surveys tornado damage as Lee County residents share their loss The National Weather Service got a firsthand look at what people in one Lee County neighborhood have been dealing with for a week.
NAPLES Naples stormwater project to reduce street flooding The project aims to improve water quality and reduce flooding in city streets that often experience heavy rainfall.
CAPTIVA How the South Seas Resort in Captiva is recovering after Milton At the South Seas Resort in Captiva, dozens of crews are working hard to restore power, remove trees and clear roads.
TWIN PALMS Twin Palm’s tornado was the strongest tornado ever recorded in southwest Florida A tornado from Hurricane Milton left a Glades County community in pieces. WINK News has confirmed that the tornado that hit the Twin Lakes Resort was the strongest tornado ever recorded in southwest Florida, according to the National Weather Service.
FORT MYERS BEACH Harry Chapin Food Bank on Fort Myers Beach after Milton People on Fort Myers Beach were feeling the love on Tuesday. Harry Chapin Food Bank set up a distribution site on the island.
IMMOKALEE Collier County woman arrested for shooting another woman in the face A woman has been arrested in Collier County after shooting another woman in the face, killing her.
FGCU FGCU athletic director speaks exclusively on House v. NCAA settlement FGCU athletic director Colin Hargis spoke exclusively with WINK News about how the House v. NCAA settlement impacts the athletic department.
MANASOTA KEY Residents let back onto south side of Manasota Key WINK News is getting a look at the south side of Manasota Key for the first time since Hurricane Milton.
BOCA GRANDE LCSO tours damage on Boca Grande after Milton An island community was almost completely underwater after Hurricane Milton.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda reels from destruction, clings to hope The community of Riverside Drive in Punta Gorda was hit hard and mangled by hurricanes Helene and Milton.
CAPE CORAL Police searching for pair suspected of gift card fraud in Cape Coral and Fort Myers The Cape Coral and Fort Myers police departments are asking for the public’s help in identifying two individuals suspected of conducting fraudulent transactions.
Key permitting information by county for hurricane recovery If you’re recovering from Hurricane Milton, you need to pay attention to some critical permitting information in our area.
CLEWISTON New tips received in Clewiston teen’s murder; Two people arrested People are providing tips on the murder of a Glades County teenager.
ENGLEWOOD Indian Mound Park left in ruins, residents look to rebuild People living in Englewood’s Indian Mound Park community are cleaning up what’s left of their homes.
CLEWISTON Two arrested in Clewiston teen’s murder Two people are in jail Tuesday night for the murder of 16-year-old Ja’yhanna Johnson.
FORT MYERS NWS surveys tornado damage as Lee County residents share their loss The National Weather Service got a firsthand look at what people in one Lee County neighborhood have been dealing with for a week.
NAPLES Naples stormwater project to reduce street flooding The project aims to improve water quality and reduce flooding in city streets that often experience heavy rainfall.
CAPTIVA How the South Seas Resort in Captiva is recovering after Milton At the South Seas Resort in Captiva, dozens of crews are working hard to restore power, remove trees and clear roads.
TWIN PALMS Twin Palm’s tornado was the strongest tornado ever recorded in southwest Florida A tornado from Hurricane Milton left a Glades County community in pieces. WINK News has confirmed that the tornado that hit the Twin Lakes Resort was the strongest tornado ever recorded in southwest Florida, according to the National Weather Service.
FORT MYERS BEACH Harry Chapin Food Bank on Fort Myers Beach after Milton People on Fort Myers Beach were feeling the love on Tuesday. Harry Chapin Food Bank set up a distribution site on the island.
IMMOKALEE Collier County woman arrested for shooting another woman in the face A woman has been arrested in Collier County after shooting another woman in the face, killing her.
FGCU FGCU athletic director speaks exclusively on House v. NCAA settlement FGCU athletic director Colin Hargis spoke exclusively with WINK News about how the House v. NCAA settlement impacts the athletic department.
MANASOTA KEY Residents let back onto south side of Manasota Key WINK News is getting a look at the south side of Manasota Key for the first time since Hurricane Milton.
BOCA GRANDE LCSO tours damage on Boca Grande after Milton An island community was almost completely underwater after Hurricane Milton.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda reels from destruction, clings to hope The community of Riverside Drive in Punta Gorda was hit hard and mangled by hurricanes Helene and Milton.
CAPE CORAL Police searching for pair suspected of gift card fraud in Cape Coral and Fort Myers The Cape Coral and Fort Myers police departments are asking for the public’s help in identifying two individuals suspected of conducting fraudulent transactions.
Key permitting information by county for hurricane recovery If you’re recovering from Hurricane Milton, you need to pay attention to some critical permitting information in our area.
CLEWISTON New tips received in Clewiston teen’s murder; Two people arrested People are providing tips on the murder of a Glades County teenager.
Releasing doves instead of balloons at events if new law passes. CREDIT: WINK News State lawmakers are battling balloons. Releasing balloons has been a way for people to unite during some of life’s best and worst moments. They’re mesmerizing to watch, but is it worth it to damage the environment? That’s why a new option is flocking to center stage: doves. The doves always find a way home. The couple who breeds them and trains them bring the birds to vigils, funerals, weddings and different events as far as 60 miles away from their Lehigh Acres home. Even though it may day a day or two, they never stay gone for long and always eventually return to their coop. They’re a part of the best and worst days of people’s lives and we are learning why it may soon be one of the few options you have to memorialize a goodbye to a loved one. Rest in peace, sweet prince, but you’re going to have to change up the lyrics just this once. That’s because birds are about to get a lot more air time. “They have a representation of the loved one that they’re releasing to go to Heaven, followed by the angels,” said Eugene Holzborn. WINK News first met Susan and Eugene Holzborn in the summer of 2023, at the vigil at Texas Roadhouse, honoring the five teens who died after crashing into a retention pond. “It seems to be an emotional thing with people that do this. And it’s very gratifying for us to know that these people, you know, really appreciate it,” said Eugene. The fact is, what goes up must come down, and those balloons are downright bad for the environment, especially the animals and marine life that ingest them. Susan knows the benefits of the birds. She’s heard people whisper heartfelt messages to them before releasing them. That’s something you just can’t do with an inanimate object. “She held it up, and she says, ‘God, I release my son back to you and you gave him to me.’ And she said one of the most amazing farewell speeches to her son, and she just released it. Go in spirit and rest in peace,” said Eugene. The bill is now on Governor Ron DeSantis’s desk awaiting his signature. If he signs it, anyone who intentionally releases a balloon would be looking at a fine. Susan and Eugene say they have more dove releases planned in the coming weeks, including a funeral on Saturday and two releases on Easter. Click here to learn more about Doves From Heaven.