GATEWAY LCSO deputies investigating armed robbery in Gateway The Lee County Sheriffs office is currently investigating an armed robbery held at 7-eleven on Gateway Boulevard.
ALVA LCSO investigating stabbing in Alva The Lee County sheriffs office is investigating a stabbing that occurred Saturday afternoon.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: Grand Theft Auto, Murder, and Fast Food This weeks segment of WINK neighborhood watch features a stolen ambulance, a suspected murderer, and a drive-through disaster.
LABELLE Criminal investigation advances at what was once a hazmat scene in Hendry County The Hendry County hazmat situation has been contained, but questions linger in the community after scene remains active for several days.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA The Weather Authority: Scattered storms on the radar for the afternoon and evening There is a good chance of seeing scattered storms this weekend and into next week.
ESTERO Families battling cancer get much-needed break Ten local families battling cancer are getting a much-needed break this weekend.
SOUTH FORT MYERS Permanent memorial honors 12-year-old crash victim The death of a 12-year-old boy is bringing the community together, and his father could not be more thankful.
PUNTA GORDA FEMA trailers on airport property called “junk” by Charlotte County code officers “I certainly would not want to enter into a storm with those (trailers) potentially being debris,” said Patrick Fuller, Charlotte County Emergency Management Director, during a May 28 board meeting.
PORT CHARLOTTE Front wall of Promenades in Port Charlotte demolished by wrecking ball Destruction is usually a bad thing, but for Port Charlotte, it’s a new future as the front wall of the Promenades was demolished.
The pros and cons of using AI to predict weather The conversation around Artificial Intelligence has increased over the last few years, and for good reason; when it comes to weather, AI shows a lot of promise.
LABELLE Experts weigh in on Hendry hazmat hazard The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office said the problem area where the mysterious substance scene is all clear. WINK News spoke with experts.
CLEWISTON Airglades Airport expansion aiming to spark economy The Airglades Airport in Hendry County is getting a $300-million renovation.
HENDRY COUNTY All-clear for hazmat situation in Hendry County; still no answers Some are feeling anxious in a small Hendry County community after several people, including first responders, got sick.
FORT MYERS Expect roadblocks for Music Walk in downtown Fort Myers tonight Music Walk will be going on for several hours, so expect some roadblocks if you’re coming downtown.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Bridge to close for annual Red, White & Boom Fourth of July celebration Believe it or not, the Fourth of July is approaching, which means another bridge closure in Southwest Florida.
GATEWAY LCSO deputies investigating armed robbery in Gateway The Lee County Sheriffs office is currently investigating an armed robbery held at 7-eleven on Gateway Boulevard.
ALVA LCSO investigating stabbing in Alva The Lee County sheriffs office is investigating a stabbing that occurred Saturday afternoon.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: Grand Theft Auto, Murder, and Fast Food This weeks segment of WINK neighborhood watch features a stolen ambulance, a suspected murderer, and a drive-through disaster.
LABELLE Criminal investigation advances at what was once a hazmat scene in Hendry County The Hendry County hazmat situation has been contained, but questions linger in the community after scene remains active for several days.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA The Weather Authority: Scattered storms on the radar for the afternoon and evening There is a good chance of seeing scattered storms this weekend and into next week.
ESTERO Families battling cancer get much-needed break Ten local families battling cancer are getting a much-needed break this weekend.
SOUTH FORT MYERS Permanent memorial honors 12-year-old crash victim The death of a 12-year-old boy is bringing the community together, and his father could not be more thankful.
PUNTA GORDA FEMA trailers on airport property called “junk” by Charlotte County code officers “I certainly would not want to enter into a storm with those (trailers) potentially being debris,” said Patrick Fuller, Charlotte County Emergency Management Director, during a May 28 board meeting.
PORT CHARLOTTE Front wall of Promenades in Port Charlotte demolished by wrecking ball Destruction is usually a bad thing, but for Port Charlotte, it’s a new future as the front wall of the Promenades was demolished.
The pros and cons of using AI to predict weather The conversation around Artificial Intelligence has increased over the last few years, and for good reason; when it comes to weather, AI shows a lot of promise.
LABELLE Experts weigh in on Hendry hazmat hazard The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office said the problem area where the mysterious substance scene is all clear. WINK News spoke with experts.
CLEWISTON Airglades Airport expansion aiming to spark economy The Airglades Airport in Hendry County is getting a $300-million renovation.
HENDRY COUNTY All-clear for hazmat situation in Hendry County; still no answers Some are feeling anxious in a small Hendry County community after several people, including first responders, got sick.
FORT MYERS Expect roadblocks for Music Walk in downtown Fort Myers tonight Music Walk will be going on for several hours, so expect some roadblocks if you’re coming downtown.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Bridge to close for annual Red, White & Boom Fourth of July celebration Believe it or not, the Fourth of July is approaching, which means another bridge closure in Southwest Florida.
In December 2023, the City of Fort Myers changed its parking system. Now, we are learning just how much Fort Myers has made, and it is safe to say, the increase in funds is huge. Out with the old coin system, and in with new technology, but people are upset over the new parking fees and practices. RELATED: Some Fort Myers downtown business owners want free employee parking RELATED: Parking problems prevail in downtown Fort Myers Today, the city sat down with WINK News Reporter Olivia Jean to provide some updated information and explanations. The city provided WINK News with some numbers. There are a total of 2,220 parking spots; the same number available before the new parking system was implemented. From October 2022 to October 2023, the city made $1,758,044 from parking revenue. From October 2023 to April 30th of this year, the city has already made $2,177,390 dollars in parking revenue. As you see, there is a huge revenue increase. These numbers include on-street parking, parking garages and penalties and fines. The biggest changes downtown parking has seen is that parking rates are higher and the city took away all free parking, except one free hour in downtown parking garages. If you stay longer than the hour, you’ll be charged for two. The old system wasn’t technology-driven which the city says, was a big drive for the upgrade to the parking system as well as better accessibility because people can no longer park for the entire day in front of a business. “The idea with a new parking management system is to make parking available for people to want to come down to conduct business,” Marty Lawing, the Fort Myers City Manager said. The main goal, Lawing says is “to meet our budget” and stay “self-supporting.” The numbers show the city is meeting projections but as for where the money is going? “The parking is an enterprise fund for the city, meaning the revenues of the parking support the operating costs of the parking system. So no general fund dollars are required to support the parking fund. So it’s working as intended,” Lawing said. Basically, the city said the money that is coming would pay for parking amenities. Lawing said any excess money will go into a fund balance that can be carried forward for future years. A lingering question many are asking is ‘Will this be worth it?’ Several downtown business owners have spoken to WINK News, including the Owner of The Standard Restaurant, Chris Blauvelt. “The pressing issue is getting people down here to support these businesses. Now you’re driving away by forcing them to buy a ticket to nine o’clock at night, Saturdays and Sundays,” Blauvelt said. Blauvelt said the biggest difference he has seen since the new parking system has been implemented is “the streets are empty.” He continued to say, “I just feel that parking is really putting real, real strain on businesses.” But the city says otherwise, as they’ve seen an increase in parking turnover. “There’s more new parking sessions initiated, which makes it easier for people to find parking spaces if they want to go to a business and go out to dinner or whatever,” Lawing said.