MATLACHA Matlacha after Hurricane Milton Matlacha and Pine Island Fire Control District crews began assessing Matlacha in the early hours of Thursday morning after Hurricane Milton began pushing further inland.
First responders resume emergency response WINK News will update this article as first responders announce they are resuming their emergency response. First responders continue to reiterate, the deadliest time of a hurricane happens post storm. Downed power lines, scattered storm debris, flooding and lost traffic signals, all add to that danger. On Wednesday, many local agencies deemed it was no […]
Tallahassee Gov. DeSantis to hold news conference in Tallahassee Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Tallahassee regarding post-Hurricane Milton.
36 preliminary reports of tornadoes in Florida caused by Milton You may have seen videos and pictures of tornadoes due to Hurricane Milton and the damage they have caused in Southwest Florida.
Roadways affected by Milton As Southwest Florida feels the effects of Hurricane Milton, roads are being affected.
SANIBEL Sanibel spokesperson speaks on plans for Milton recovery efforts Eric Jackson, the Public Information Officer for Sanibel, said the first point of order is finding out wether residents are able make their way back home safely.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County EOC in full swing to respond to Hurricane Milton WINK News reporter Annalise Iraola went to the Charlotte County EOC and spoke with Public Information Officer Todd Dunn about what’s happening within the EOC as Milton impacts Southwest Florida.
Important numbers and links as Milton approaches SWFL general area As Hurricane Milton approaches the Florida coast, here are resources in the state, county and city level.
Hurricane Milton weakens to Cat 1 The Weather Authority is continuing to track Hurricane Milton, which as of the 2 a.m. update, has downgraded to a Category 1 strength.
Biden holds press conference on Hurricane Milton President Joe Biden held a press conference on Hurricane Milton on Wednesday evening.
SOUTH FORT MYERS The Villas in Fort Myers sees damage due to Hurricane Milton As Hurricane Milton made its way to Florida, residents in the Villas in South Fort Myers went through a possible tornado around 12 p.m. on Wednesday.
Tracking Milton: Power outages across SWFL The Lee County Electric Cooperative has reported power outages throughout the area due to the effects of Hurricane Milton.
TALLAHASSEE DeSantis holds news conference in Tallahassee Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is holding a news conference regarding Hurricane Milton.
NORTH FORT MYERS Potential tornado touchdown in North Fort Myers Neighbors said there was a lot of damage. Residents surveyed the aftermath on their vehicles.
What’s open and closed for Hurricane Milton As Hurricane Milton gains momentum toward the west coast of Florida, services and businesses in Southwest Florida are adjusting their hours or closing temporarily.
MATLACHA Matlacha after Hurricane Milton Matlacha and Pine Island Fire Control District crews began assessing Matlacha in the early hours of Thursday morning after Hurricane Milton began pushing further inland.
First responders resume emergency response WINK News will update this article as first responders announce they are resuming their emergency response. First responders continue to reiterate, the deadliest time of a hurricane happens post storm. Downed power lines, scattered storm debris, flooding and lost traffic signals, all add to that danger. On Wednesday, many local agencies deemed it was no […]
Tallahassee Gov. DeSantis to hold news conference in Tallahassee Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Tallahassee regarding post-Hurricane Milton.
36 preliminary reports of tornadoes in Florida caused by Milton You may have seen videos and pictures of tornadoes due to Hurricane Milton and the damage they have caused in Southwest Florida.
Roadways affected by Milton As Southwest Florida feels the effects of Hurricane Milton, roads are being affected.
SANIBEL Sanibel spokesperson speaks on plans for Milton recovery efforts Eric Jackson, the Public Information Officer for Sanibel, said the first point of order is finding out wether residents are able make their way back home safely.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County EOC in full swing to respond to Hurricane Milton WINK News reporter Annalise Iraola went to the Charlotte County EOC and spoke with Public Information Officer Todd Dunn about what’s happening within the EOC as Milton impacts Southwest Florida.
Important numbers and links as Milton approaches SWFL general area As Hurricane Milton approaches the Florida coast, here are resources in the state, county and city level.
Hurricane Milton weakens to Cat 1 The Weather Authority is continuing to track Hurricane Milton, which as of the 2 a.m. update, has downgraded to a Category 1 strength.
Biden holds press conference on Hurricane Milton President Joe Biden held a press conference on Hurricane Milton on Wednesday evening.
SOUTH FORT MYERS The Villas in Fort Myers sees damage due to Hurricane Milton As Hurricane Milton made its way to Florida, residents in the Villas in South Fort Myers went through a possible tornado around 12 p.m. on Wednesday.
Tracking Milton: Power outages across SWFL The Lee County Electric Cooperative has reported power outages throughout the area due to the effects of Hurricane Milton.
TALLAHASSEE DeSantis holds news conference in Tallahassee Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is holding a news conference regarding Hurricane Milton.
NORTH FORT MYERS Potential tornado touchdown in North Fort Myers Neighbors said there was a lot of damage. Residents surveyed the aftermath on their vehicles.
What’s open and closed for Hurricane Milton As Hurricane Milton gains momentum toward the west coast of Florida, services and businesses in Southwest Florida are adjusting their hours or closing temporarily.
Lee County Courthouse. CREDIT: WINK News More and more courtrooms in Florida are struggling to find court interpreters. Lee County is no exception. “We have a terrible interpreter shortage around the state, I’ll tell you,” said Judge Margaret Steinbeck. “I have had an entire courtroom waiting for the limited resources of interpreter services, and so clearly, we can’t go forward until we have an interpreter.” Being unable to move forward without an interpreter can create a backlog of cases. The administrative office of the courts said here in Southwest Florida; they have two vacant interpreter positions out of a 25% resource shortage Renata Castro is an immigration attorney who sees the problem each day. “it is, without question, a recipe for legal disaster for migrants and for courts,” said Castro, “Courts are trying to get cases heard expeditiously while preserving the law. And migrants are trying to get their fair day in court. And without a translator, that cannot happen.” Reasons can include an increase in diverse communities and not being able to attract workers. “It’s just poor planning and poor execution on the government side to not be prepared for the amount of cases that we are expected to know will take place,” said Castro. Castro said those who are interested in becoming an interpreter don’t need a college degree as long as they can show mastery of the language – English and whichever language they are translating. “If you’re passionate about the law, this is a great opportunity to see how the court system works and do meaningful work for the United States and for these individuals who deserve their fair day in court,” said Castro. Castro hopes to address the language barriers in the legal system, one case at time. Some lawmakers have been looking to pass legislation to provide court-appointed interpreting services to people who can’t afford an interpreter. So far, the Senate bill has not made it out of committee.