LEHIGH ACRES FGCU softball team helps Habitat for Humanity build three homes The Florida Gulf Coast University softball team helped Habitat for Humanity build three homes Saturday.
ESTERO Home Base Golf Tournament helps SWFL Veterans Veterans hit the green at the Copperleaf Golf Course on Saturday. This was part of the Home Base golf tournament.
FORT MYERS At least one person dead after propane truck collides with golf cart Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that has left one person dead and another injured Saturday morning.
Scattered storms ahead for your Saturday plans The Weather Authority is tracking weekend temperatures in the low to mid-90s this weekend with a chance for scattered storms this afternoon.
WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Week 3 Thunderstorms tried to put a stop to week three of high school football on Friday Night, but gridiron action prevailed.
Man accused of plotting murder-for-hire denied bond A man suspected of being involved with a murder-for-hire plot will stay behind bars. Ryan Toranzo had his renewed motion to set bond denied today in Collier County Court.
LABELLE Two dead after crash on State Road 80 According to the Florida Highway Patrol, there was a crash on State Road 80 that has left at least one person dead Friday evening.
DeSoto County looks to recruit more teachers While it can sometimes be easy to fill a classroom with students, it is not so easy for teachers. Schools across the nation and locally in Southwest Florida are still dealing with the challenges of teacher shortages. With class back in session, so is teacher recruiting for DeSoto County schools. The assistant superintendent, Jake Reynolds, […]
IMMOKALEE ROAD Push for change after deadly crash on Immokalee Rd. We’re told the woman was driving with two kids in the car when a semi ran a red light and hit her Thursday morning.
FORT MYERS BEACH Mobi-Mats deployed on Fort Myers Beach A walkway to paradise! Brand new and blue, the Mobi-Mat is making things easier for Fort Myers Beachgoers.
NAPLES Women of Steel business conference inspiring and empowering women Focused, hardworking, empowered. These women have made a name for themselves as Women of Steel.
NAPLES Beloved Collier County bus driver retires after 20 years After 20 years of getting kids to school safely, a beloved Collier County bus driver is retiring.
Wade Wilson has new death row mugshot Convicted double-killer Wade Wilson has a new death row mugshot.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Sizzle Dining is back in SWFL It’s Sizzle Season! Local restaurants are ready to welcome new faces by offering exclusive menu deals to attract new customers.
LEHIGH ACRES FGCU softball team helps Habitat for Humanity build three homes The Florida Gulf Coast University softball team helped Habitat for Humanity build three homes Saturday.
ESTERO Home Base Golf Tournament helps SWFL Veterans Veterans hit the green at the Copperleaf Golf Course on Saturday. This was part of the Home Base golf tournament.
FORT MYERS At least one person dead after propane truck collides with golf cart Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that has left one person dead and another injured Saturday morning.
Scattered storms ahead for your Saturday plans The Weather Authority is tracking weekend temperatures in the low to mid-90s this weekend with a chance for scattered storms this afternoon.
WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Week 3 Thunderstorms tried to put a stop to week three of high school football on Friday Night, but gridiron action prevailed.
Man accused of plotting murder-for-hire denied bond A man suspected of being involved with a murder-for-hire plot will stay behind bars. Ryan Toranzo had his renewed motion to set bond denied today in Collier County Court.
LABELLE Two dead after crash on State Road 80 According to the Florida Highway Patrol, there was a crash on State Road 80 that has left at least one person dead Friday evening.
DeSoto County looks to recruit more teachers While it can sometimes be easy to fill a classroom with students, it is not so easy for teachers. Schools across the nation and locally in Southwest Florida are still dealing with the challenges of teacher shortages. With class back in session, so is teacher recruiting for DeSoto County schools. The assistant superintendent, Jake Reynolds, […]
IMMOKALEE ROAD Push for change after deadly crash on Immokalee Rd. We’re told the woman was driving with two kids in the car when a semi ran a red light and hit her Thursday morning.
FORT MYERS BEACH Mobi-Mats deployed on Fort Myers Beach A walkway to paradise! Brand new and blue, the Mobi-Mat is making things easier for Fort Myers Beachgoers.
NAPLES Women of Steel business conference inspiring and empowering women Focused, hardworking, empowered. These women have made a name for themselves as Women of Steel.
NAPLES Beloved Collier County bus driver retires after 20 years After 20 years of getting kids to school safely, a beloved Collier County bus driver is retiring.
Wade Wilson has new death row mugshot Convicted double-killer Wade Wilson has a new death row mugshot.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Sizzle Dining is back in SWFL It’s Sizzle Season! Local restaurants are ready to welcome new faces by offering exclusive menu deals to attract new customers.
Sarah Glass and Michaela Fischer. CREDIT: Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Six local Girl Scouts have earned national recognition for the service projects they created to bring lasting improvements to Southwest Florida communities. These high achievers included: Kaitlyn Jadevaia Bryanna Sparks Michaela Fischer Gabriella Stafford Ainsley Ellis Sarah Glass WINK News had the opportunity to speak to two of them. Throughout her journey as a Girl Scout, Fischer said there was never a question of whether she would complete a Gold Award service project. The Canterbury School Senior is one of six Girl Scouts from Southwest Florida who have earned the Gold Award, the highest Girl Scouting award in the U.S., the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida announced last month. The prestigious award is earned by qualifying senior or ambassador Girl Scouts who propose and execute a community service project. Members choose to target a problem, either in their community or the world, and create a project with the goal of tackling it. For Fischer, she chose to build a public garden for fallen soldiers at Veterans Park and Recreation in Lehigh Acres. The garden features a star-shaped flower bed made of gray stone and filled with golden flowers. Each point of the star has a bronze symbol for each branch of the military. She said her goal is to bring awareness to Gold Star families, those who have lost an immediate family member in active duty military service. “I think the more that you know that these people are here, these Gold Star mothers are in this community,” Fischer said. “There are people who have given their lives, who have extensive connections in this community, it helps you to live with that mission of service that they exuded so much in their lives.” Although stiffly bolted to the ground, the garden’s plaque is more interactive than meets the eye. While its engraved words will teach visitors about Gold Star families for years to come, the QR code allows people to leave virtual messages to keep the conversations updated and continuous. Fischer used her own money, help from her family and money from selling Girl Scout cookies to pay for the project. “We are so proud to honor the remarkable achievements of our girls who have earned their Gold Award,” said Mary Anne Servian, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida. “Through their dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to making a difference, these young women have exemplified the true spirit of Girl Scouting. Their Gold Award projects not only leave a lasting impact on their communities but also serve as an inspiration to us all.” For recipients such as Glass, the impact of Gold Award projects can stretch across multiple locations. Glass implemented “mindfulness rooms” at three Accelerated Learning Solutions (ALS) schools in Lee County for her project. The Bonita Springs High School graduate said schools didn’t have enough safe spaces for students to learn about mental health. Each of Glass’ cozy rooms include comfy chairs, pillows and a variety of helpful materials. Through her discipline and time management skills, the three ALS schools will continue to use the safe spaces Glass created even after her involvement ends. “I learned to be kind to myself and not put too much pressure on myself to complete the project as fast as possible,” Sarah said. “I focused on one small part at a time rather than the big picture.” According to the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, 87% of Gold Award Girl Scouts agree that earning their award gave them skills for achieving professional success. For both Fischer and Glass, college is one of the next adventures to tackle, as their Gold Award projects will continue to create brighter futures for Southwest Florida communities.