State investigates former Lee County Sheriff consultant Collier County woman arrested twice for operating illicit massage parlor
State investigates former Lee County Sheriff consultant A source sent WINK News anchor Claire Galt an executive order saying the state is investigating Ken Romano, a consultant who was on the sheriff’s office payroll.
Collier County woman arrested twice for operating illicit massage parlor The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of operating an illicit massage parlor, her second time arrested on this charge.
Mother accused of killing 4-month-old baby pleads not guilty A woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby has pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child and aggravated child abuse.
NAPLES Family of bears caught on camera in the Winding Cypress community You never know what you’ll see when you open the door in Florida, and for one WINK News viewer, it was a family of bears.
SOUTH FORT MYERS Former Uber driver who raped passenger sentenced to life in prison Justice has been served after a former Uber driver was sentenced to life in prison for raping his passenger.
CAPE CORAL Single boat crashes into Cape Coral home dock injuring 3 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating a boat crash in Cape Coral that injured three people.
NAPLES NCH becomes first in Florida to offer Van Gogh Biopsy Tool NCH has become the first healthcare provider in the state to offer the groundbreaking Van Gogh Biopsy tool from Aquyre Biosciences.
First full moon of 2025 peaks Monday evening If you take a look into the sky this evening, you will see the first full moon of 2025, otherwise known as the ‘Wolf Moon.’
1st reported Florida Panther death of 2025, killed by vehicle in Collier A vehicle in Collier County claimed the life of a critically endangered Florida Panther, marking the first death recorded in 2025.
Boston oncologist named medical director at Southwest Florida Proton Southwest Florida Proton’s new senior medical director once taught Dr. Arie Dosoretz in medical school. Now, he is her boss.
tallahassee Gov. DeSantis holds news conference at Florida Capitol Gov. Ron DeSantis is holding a news conference at the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee.
Man without license arrested for fatal Burnt Store Road crash The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of driving without a license causing death on Burnt Store Road.
Man sentenced to life for attempted first-degree murder of Sanibel police officer A man found guilty of attempted first-degree murder for shooting at a Sanibel police officer has been sentenced to life in prison.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Temperatures warm back up following cold streak this Monday The Weather Authority is tracking a noticeable temperature warm-up, with highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s this Monday.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
State investigates former Lee County Sheriff consultant A source sent WINK News anchor Claire Galt an executive order saying the state is investigating Ken Romano, a consultant who was on the sheriff’s office payroll.
Collier County woman arrested twice for operating illicit massage parlor The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of operating an illicit massage parlor, her second time arrested on this charge.
Mother accused of killing 4-month-old baby pleads not guilty A woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby has pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child and aggravated child abuse.
NAPLES Family of bears caught on camera in the Winding Cypress community You never know what you’ll see when you open the door in Florida, and for one WINK News viewer, it was a family of bears.
SOUTH FORT MYERS Former Uber driver who raped passenger sentenced to life in prison Justice has been served after a former Uber driver was sentenced to life in prison for raping his passenger.
CAPE CORAL Single boat crashes into Cape Coral home dock injuring 3 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating a boat crash in Cape Coral that injured three people.
NAPLES NCH becomes first in Florida to offer Van Gogh Biopsy Tool NCH has become the first healthcare provider in the state to offer the groundbreaking Van Gogh Biopsy tool from Aquyre Biosciences.
First full moon of 2025 peaks Monday evening If you take a look into the sky this evening, you will see the first full moon of 2025, otherwise known as the ‘Wolf Moon.’
1st reported Florida Panther death of 2025, killed by vehicle in Collier A vehicle in Collier County claimed the life of a critically endangered Florida Panther, marking the first death recorded in 2025.
Boston oncologist named medical director at Southwest Florida Proton Southwest Florida Proton’s new senior medical director once taught Dr. Arie Dosoretz in medical school. Now, he is her boss.
tallahassee Gov. DeSantis holds news conference at Florida Capitol Gov. Ron DeSantis is holding a news conference at the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee.
Man without license arrested for fatal Burnt Store Road crash The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of driving without a license causing death on Burnt Store Road.
Man sentenced to life for attempted first-degree murder of Sanibel police officer A man found guilty of attempted first-degree murder for shooting at a Sanibel police officer has been sentenced to life in prison.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Temperatures warm back up following cold streak this Monday The Weather Authority is tracking a noticeable temperature warm-up, with highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s this Monday.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
CREDIT: WINK News EIghteen months later, with little rebuilding, people in Matlacha say it’s still a mess and a constant reminder of Hurricane Ian. WINK News visited the tiny town and saw the damage Ian did. Almost every building was destroyed. Houses and trash continue to litter the water along with cars stacked on top of debris. CREDIT: WINK News WINK News reporter Olivia Jean talked with several Pine Island residents about the damage. “Healing is going to be when we can drive through there, and it’s just cleaned up,” Elsie Stearns said. It brings back sad memories not only for people who live here but for tourists. Many tourists are day trippers, and the trash greets them as they cross the bridge onto the island. “Driving through Matlacha takes you back literally to the day of the storm, or the day after the storm when many of us that were on the island went back up and, and saw the devastation there. So when you drive through there, now, you know, this many months, and year and a half, almost two years later, and you’re still looking at some of the same devastation. It just takes you right back to that day. It’s heart-wrenching,” Stearns said. I rode along with a man who lives in Pine Island who wished to remain anonymous. He showed WINK News just how bad things still are 18 months later. Another Pine Island resident said something needs to be done. “I’d like them to clean up the major buildings that have fallen in the water, areas like this behind us that need to be cleaned up. And I’d like him to let us know out here how long it’s going to be before this section of roadway is totally open again,” he said. Right after Ian, he told WINK the county was there, and they were an extreme help. “They cleared all the vegetative debris; they cleared our roads. They sent in trucks to call off all the debris. They did a wonderful job. Finish it,” he said. The progress in Matlacha has slowed. The job is not close to being done, and people who live here are wondering when it will be finished. Residents love Matlacha and hope to see it thrive someday like it did before the storm. “Matlacha has always been very special,” Stearns said. WINK News reached out to Lee County and they provided WINK News with this statement: Many county departments continue work and outreach in Matlacha-Pine Island post-Ian. Lee County understands residents and business owners continue to face a very long process in the repair and restoration of their properties. County staff continues to make itself available to private property owner with questions. Additionally, outreach efforts continue for those in need of help post-Ian via LeeCares. Our DOT department has an active resurfacing project going on mid-island. In addition, Lee County said this particular project belongs to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Here is the project website: 451937-2 Pine Island Causeway and Bridge Reconstruction Project WINK News reached out to FDOT and they sent us these answers to our questions: What is the status of recovery? Matlacha Causeway -All utility services for communications, power, water, and sewer service are currently being accommodated in the restoration process. What has been done? Matlacha Causeway- Installed permanent sheet pile wall, with concrete cap, on north and south side of causeway. What still needs to be done? Matlacha Causeway Crews continue installing utilities throughout the causeway. Installation of drainage structures and pipe as well as roadway reconstruction will follow. What is the timeline? Our public meeting on April 11, 2024, will share the design of the new Little Pine Island Bridge. Construction is anticipated to begin Spring 2024. How are you getting funding? Funding is provided by the Federal Highway Administration, the Florida Department of Transportation and Lee County. The roadway segments within this area are owned, operated, and maintained by Lee County. FDOT appreciates the continued patience of the community as we complete the restoration of Hurricane Ian related damage to the roadways with the resilience for years to come. WINK News will keep you updated with any other updates.