SWFL chaplins offer support to first respondersLee County deputies arrest man for ATV and UTV thefts, fence destruction
ENGLEWOOD SWFL chaplins offer support to first responders First responders across the country face the devastating impact of suicide nationwide those numbers are rising.
NORTH FORT MYERS Lee County deputies arrest man for ATV and UTV thefts, fence destruction A North Fort Myers man has been arrested after allegedly stealing a four-wheeler, crashing it into a property fence, and later trying to flee on a second stolen vehicle.
‘I saw God twice:’ Boating accident survivor thanks Lee Health After surviving an unthinkable accident in Matlacha, one woman wants to thank the medical team that saved her.
MATLACHA Blue Dog restaurant in Matlacha thankful for decade of support The Blue Dog Bar & Grill in Matlacha has survived multiple hurricanes over the past decade. Now, they’re thanking the community for supporting them every step of the way.
NAPLES Nominee of Gulfshore Life Men and Women of the year volunteers for STARability Gulfshore Life has nominated Anne Fleming as one of its Men and Women of the Year for volunteering her time to raise money for a new home store for Starability.
WINK NEWS Holiday gift exchange scams targeting social media users During the holiday season, tidings of joy and goodwill can be shrouded by scammers seeking to take advantage of holiday shoppers.
New cancer fighting machinery arrives at Southwest Florida Proton All the pieces are in place now, but it will take about a year of calibrating and fine-tuning before the proton machine is up and running.
Federal investigation involving Sheriff Carmine Marceno and LCSO WINK News has exclusively obtained a letter warning ranking government leaders in Lee County that money trouble could be brewing within the sheriff’s office.
Alfie Oakes staves off farms foreclosure action Farm Credit of Florida has dropped its $2.78 million foreclosure lawsuit against Alfie Oakes after both parties reached an agreement.
naples 5 honored during Women Rock Philanthropy event in Naples More than 600 women congregated at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Naples, where five received honors during the Women Rock Philanthropy event.
FORT MYERS BEACH Winners announced in Fort Myers Beach American Sand Sculpting Championship The winners have been announced in the 34th annual American Sand Sculpting Championship hosted on Fort Myers Beach.
NAPLES Naples city employee fired, accused of using city credit card for personal use An anonymous letter allegedly led to a Naples city employee being fired and becoming the subject of a criminal investigation.
SANIBEL Sanibel School to reopen for the first time since Hurricane Milton For the first time since Oct. 9, students of the Sanibel School now know when they can return for class after damage from Hurricane Milton forced them out.
2 Florida men arrested for assaulting law enforcement during Jan. 6 riots Two Florida men have been arrested for their alleged conduct during the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol, both charged with assaulting law enforcement while rioting.
the weather authority Milder and sunny Tuesday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a sunny Tuesday ahead, with milder conditions expected in the afternoon.
ENGLEWOOD SWFL chaplins offer support to first responders First responders across the country face the devastating impact of suicide nationwide those numbers are rising.
NORTH FORT MYERS Lee County deputies arrest man for ATV and UTV thefts, fence destruction A North Fort Myers man has been arrested after allegedly stealing a four-wheeler, crashing it into a property fence, and later trying to flee on a second stolen vehicle.
‘I saw God twice:’ Boating accident survivor thanks Lee Health After surviving an unthinkable accident in Matlacha, one woman wants to thank the medical team that saved her.
MATLACHA Blue Dog restaurant in Matlacha thankful for decade of support The Blue Dog Bar & Grill in Matlacha has survived multiple hurricanes over the past decade. Now, they’re thanking the community for supporting them every step of the way.
NAPLES Nominee of Gulfshore Life Men and Women of the year volunteers for STARability Gulfshore Life has nominated Anne Fleming as one of its Men and Women of the Year for volunteering her time to raise money for a new home store for Starability.
WINK NEWS Holiday gift exchange scams targeting social media users During the holiday season, tidings of joy and goodwill can be shrouded by scammers seeking to take advantage of holiday shoppers.
New cancer fighting machinery arrives at Southwest Florida Proton All the pieces are in place now, but it will take about a year of calibrating and fine-tuning before the proton machine is up and running.
Federal investigation involving Sheriff Carmine Marceno and LCSO WINK News has exclusively obtained a letter warning ranking government leaders in Lee County that money trouble could be brewing within the sheriff’s office.
Alfie Oakes staves off farms foreclosure action Farm Credit of Florida has dropped its $2.78 million foreclosure lawsuit against Alfie Oakes after both parties reached an agreement.
naples 5 honored during Women Rock Philanthropy event in Naples More than 600 women congregated at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Naples, where five received honors during the Women Rock Philanthropy event.
FORT MYERS BEACH Winners announced in Fort Myers Beach American Sand Sculpting Championship The winners have been announced in the 34th annual American Sand Sculpting Championship hosted on Fort Myers Beach.
NAPLES Naples city employee fired, accused of using city credit card for personal use An anonymous letter allegedly led to a Naples city employee being fired and becoming the subject of a criminal investigation.
SANIBEL Sanibel School to reopen for the first time since Hurricane Milton For the first time since Oct. 9, students of the Sanibel School now know when they can return for class after damage from Hurricane Milton forced them out.
2 Florida men arrested for assaulting law enforcement during Jan. 6 riots Two Florida men have been arrested for their alleged conduct during the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol, both charged with assaulting law enforcement while rioting.
the weather authority Milder and sunny Tuesday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a sunny Tuesday ahead, with milder conditions expected in the afternoon.
Downtown Fort Myers foot traffic. CREDIT: WINK News Traffic is getting worse on Southwest Florida roads, and downtown Fort Myers, one of the most popular areas in the region, is having some issues with foot traffic. Sights of sparse foot traffic in downtown Fort Myers are becoming more common. Businesses are saying 2024 is one of the worst and slowest years they’ve seen in a long time. Businesses and groups organizing events in the downtown area say the numbers speak for themselves. The numbers from April and May don’t paint an ideal picture. If you’re looking for bars, restaurants, retail, entertainment and all that with a view, then downtown Fort Myers is your destination. Downtown Fort Myers people walking around. CREDIT: WINK News “Our downtown is just so charming and beautiful,” said Lisa Sbuttoni, the president and CEO of River District Alliance. The River District Alliance plans events like the Art Walk, Music Walk and the Fourth of July fireworks. The historic downtown has it all, but businesses report they’re feeling the pinch. “April was just a really not good month for pretty much across the board for any kind of business,” said Sbuttoni. Nils Richter has a hand in six downtown businesses. “Cabos, The Lodge, Izzy’s, Social House, Capone’s and Firestone,” said Richter. Richter reports April was actually strong, still basking in the sun of season, but since the sun has set, things are changing. “The May that we’re seeing right now is much more quiet than we expect … so that is concerning,” said Richter. “We saw that drop this year, which we had not seen since COVID,” said Sbuttoni. Sbuttoni said COVID changed tourist behavior in the Sunshine State. Pre-pandemic, we had season, then Easter came, and people left, so the numbers followed, and businesses were used to it. “Jump ahead to COVID, where everything, the whole world shut down, and then Florida opened up,” said Sbuttoni. “In ’21 and ’22, it felt a lot less seasonal, we got a really big uptick of people that stayed down here and stayed down here longer,” said Richter. “Downtown was still thriving, even as other parts of the world opened up, and then Ian hit,” said Sbuttoni. And put a wrench in our era of good feeling. Sbuttoni expected the COVID-tourism boom to end eventually, but the hurricane shifted the outcome. “I’m just hoping that our community rallies around our small businesses this summer more than any other summer. I think we’re going to need them,” said Sbuttoni. There are more factors playing a role in the sparse downtown foot traffic for businesses. Factors like the economy, driving traffic, paying for parking and the relentless heat.