Man accused of fatal hit-and-run in Port CharlotteScattered storms move inland this Wednesday afternoon
PORT CHARLOTTE Man accused of fatal hit-and-run in Port Charlotte The Florida Highway Patrol and the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man for a fatal hit-and-run that occurred in Port Charlotte.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Scattered storms move inland this Wednesday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking scattered storms moving from the coastal lines and into the inland communities this Wednesday afternoon.
WINK NEWS Collier County Teachers Union to meet and negotiate salaries Collier County teachers brace for their third day of salary negotiations as those living within the area struggle financially.
Police report: witnesses say fatal Firestone tire explosion caused by overinflation The Cape Coral Police Department has released its report regarding a tire explosion that killed a man at a Firestone garage on Sunday.
NAPLES Voters meet with Collier County candidates It was a packed house at Seed to Table on Tuesday night as Collier County voters met with the candidates running to represent them.
FORT MYERS Texas Roadhouse honors memory of five teenagers lost in tragic crash It has been one year since the tragic crash that took the lives of five teenagers on Top Golf Way in Lee County.
CAPE CORAL Locals react to Wade Wilson jury recommendation Wade Wilson, the man found guilty of killing two innocent women, has his life in the hands of a jury and judge. In less than two hours on Tuesday – the jury came to their decision.
FORT MYERS Austan Cristiaan talks joining Bishop Verot and first D-1 offers Quarterback Austan Cristiaan talks about joining Bishop Verot for his freshman season and securing his first two D-1 offers.
FL researchers testing Zika virus to fight childhood brain cancer Neuroblastoma is one of the deadliest childhood cancers. Now, a team of researchers out of Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando are taking a novel approach to wipe out disease. Their studies involve the use of the Zika virus.
FORT MYERS Community Redevelopment Agency seeks public input for Cleveland Avenue project Mayor Kevin Anderson said Tuesday was an opportunity for the Community Redevelopment Agency and leaders to hear what the public thinks this redevelopment should look like.
FGCU professor agrees with US Surgeon General: gun violence is a public health crisis Gun violence: We’ve seen it here firsthand in southwest Florida. Many agree gun violence is a growing problem in the United States. Now, the U.S. Surgeon General is calling it a crisis.
Charlotte County Charlotte County now requiring condo and co-op inspections for building 25-years or older On the 3-year anniversary of the Champlain Towers South building collapse in Surfside, FL, many look to remember those lost and continue to learn from the tragedy.
FORT MYERS A third diamond interchange on its way to Southwest Florida The third iteration of a construction project that strikes fear into some drivers could be a tell-tell sign about the trends of Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Naples practice comes under fire from a former employee A Naples dermatology practice acknowledges it had issues when it first opened two years ago but says those issues are now behind them.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral hosts more FEMA hearings Red tags are rearing their ugly head. Cape Coral homeowners who were slapped with these tags and found non-compliant with city code permits are back to defend themselves.
PORT CHARLOTTE Man accused of fatal hit-and-run in Port Charlotte The Florida Highway Patrol and the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man for a fatal hit-and-run that occurred in Port Charlotte.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Scattered storms move inland this Wednesday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking scattered storms moving from the coastal lines and into the inland communities this Wednesday afternoon.
WINK NEWS Collier County Teachers Union to meet and negotiate salaries Collier County teachers brace for their third day of salary negotiations as those living within the area struggle financially.
Police report: witnesses say fatal Firestone tire explosion caused by overinflation The Cape Coral Police Department has released its report regarding a tire explosion that killed a man at a Firestone garage on Sunday.
NAPLES Voters meet with Collier County candidates It was a packed house at Seed to Table on Tuesday night as Collier County voters met with the candidates running to represent them.
FORT MYERS Texas Roadhouse honors memory of five teenagers lost in tragic crash It has been one year since the tragic crash that took the lives of five teenagers on Top Golf Way in Lee County.
CAPE CORAL Locals react to Wade Wilson jury recommendation Wade Wilson, the man found guilty of killing two innocent women, has his life in the hands of a jury and judge. In less than two hours on Tuesday – the jury came to their decision.
FORT MYERS Austan Cristiaan talks joining Bishop Verot and first D-1 offers Quarterback Austan Cristiaan talks about joining Bishop Verot for his freshman season and securing his first two D-1 offers.
FL researchers testing Zika virus to fight childhood brain cancer Neuroblastoma is one of the deadliest childhood cancers. Now, a team of researchers out of Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando are taking a novel approach to wipe out disease. Their studies involve the use of the Zika virus.
FORT MYERS Community Redevelopment Agency seeks public input for Cleveland Avenue project Mayor Kevin Anderson said Tuesday was an opportunity for the Community Redevelopment Agency and leaders to hear what the public thinks this redevelopment should look like.
FGCU professor agrees with US Surgeon General: gun violence is a public health crisis Gun violence: We’ve seen it here firsthand in southwest Florida. Many agree gun violence is a growing problem in the United States. Now, the U.S. Surgeon General is calling it a crisis.
Charlotte County Charlotte County now requiring condo and co-op inspections for building 25-years or older On the 3-year anniversary of the Champlain Towers South building collapse in Surfside, FL, many look to remember those lost and continue to learn from the tragedy.
FORT MYERS A third diamond interchange on its way to Southwest Florida The third iteration of a construction project that strikes fear into some drivers could be a tell-tell sign about the trends of Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Naples practice comes under fire from a former employee A Naples dermatology practice acknowledges it had issues when it first opened two years ago but says those issues are now behind them.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral hosts more FEMA hearings Red tags are rearing their ugly head. Cape Coral homeowners who were slapped with these tags and found non-compliant with city code permits are back to defend themselves.
Barbeques, beaches, and booming business. Fort Myers Beach has come a long way since Hurricane Ian devastated the community. RELATED: ‘The Whale’ restaurant to break ground on new building The sun, water, and a holiday weekend brought many together. “Been exciting to get out of everybody. You know, like I said, it’s for Fort Myers. For all we’ve been through with the hurricane and everything so, you know, everything’s picking up and we’re starting to get back,” said Robert Mceeloy, a security guard for Margaritaville. Mceeloy works the night shift. “We’re fairly busy. I know the rooms are booked here,” said Mceeloy. “There hasn’t been any problems or everybody’s been good, just enjoying themself, you know, having a wonderful time.” According to Jacki Liszak, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Fort Myers Beach, businesses on the island are booming. “The crowds are out. Definitely, it’s busy,” said Liszak. “The beach is hopping and people are coming. The locals are coming. We do have some drive coming in.” Both Diamondhead and Margaritaville resorts were fully booked Saturday night. This is the first big holiday weekend Margaritaville has been open since its grand opening in December 2023. On Saturday, the Diamondhead Resort made $14,000 in food and beverage revenue. 1,200 hotel rooms on the island and almost 600 Vacation Rentals are open. Although compared to pre-Ian, there are not as many food and shopping options but that did not deter people from coming to the island for the holiday weekend. Several people who spoke to WINK News had differing opinions. Some say it is as crowded as pre-Ian, others say, it’s not even close. Regardless, visitors and locals enjoyed the sun and water Sunday morning. “I’ll tell you why I love it down here. I come down here for drinks and entertainment. It’s great,” said Michael O’Connell from Cape Coral. “The beautiful white sands. Just some calm you know,” Ann Phelps-Conroy of North Fort Myers said. O’Connell and Phelps-Conroy both knew the beach pre-Ian. “The buildings were completely destroyed. I just sat down and cried,” Phelps-Conroy, said. This weekend didn’t just consist of those enjoying the beach. Others were paying tribute to our troops. WINK News Reporter Olivia Jean asked two little ones what Memorial Day means to them. “We have to remember all the people that died and all the people that fought for America,” they said. When asked about the importance of the holiday, the boys answered. “Because it’s the only reason we are free today. Freedom,” one said. The other added, “That’s how our country came to be.” Both were part of a 50 person-group on Sunday morning that hit the beach, with a mission in mind. They walked miles for our veterans. CREDIT: WINK News. The group walking together on Fort Myers Beach. “We got together three local businesses to put on an event in honor of Memorial Day for those who gave it all and also to build awareness for some nonprofits that are doing great things for veterans,” said veteran Thor Hmielewski. Sarah McCormick, a local gym owner, was also walking with the group. “It is just a day to remember those that gave the ultimate sacrifice.” said Mccormick, “Obviously, we have like, intense appreciation for our veterans. And then all of those that lost their lives and the families, and just remembering all of them because there’s no way to repay that.” For Thor, Memorial Day is about those who served alongside him. “I was in the Marine Corps. I served twice in Afghanistan, in Helmand province. It was a life-changing experience and just knowing you know, guys that aren’t here any longer.” said Hmielewski. “Men and women that aren’t here any longer and being able to come out here and show support for them and their families.” CREDIT: WINK News. Thor Hmielewski walking on the beach Sunday morning. Hmielewski went on to say, “It’s a day to honor the people that you know, gave everything. left it all on the line, paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. And the only way we can really honor them is by being better Americans, coming out here and taking full advantage of everything that we have.” The group walking on the beach raised and donated a couple thousand dollars. The organizations the group sponsored are small non-profits with the goal of helping veterans, which includes Big Fish, Freedom 13, and Guardian Outdoors Division. Memorial Day is a day Thor and many others cherish as many lost their lives in combat and aren’t able to go to the beach.