Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach students attend different schools due to Hurricane Milton damageGale’s Gifts year-round Christmas store gears up for season
WINK NEWS Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach students attend different schools due to Hurricane Milton damage For the second time in two years, students in Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach headed to a different school Wednesday morning because of the damage left by a hurricane.
Gale’s Gifts year-round Christmas store gears up for season Gale Griswold hoped she was onto something, opening a year-round Christmas specialty store. A year later, her instincts are paying off.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island public meeting cancelled The City of Marco Island Waterways Advisory Committee public meeting scheduled for Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in the Community Meeting Room, 51 Bald Eagle Dr, has been canceled.
Swim advisory lifted in some SWFL beaches The Department of Health in Collier County has been taking tests after Hurricane Milton to see if there were any signs of illnesses in the water.
PORT CHARLOTTE Mobile medical clinics available in Charlotte County If you need necessities after the recent impact of hurricanes Helene and Milton, Mobile Medical Clinics in Charlotte County can help.
Bicyclist killed after crashing with 2 motorcyclists on Three Oaks Parkway The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash involving a bicyclist and two motorcycles on Three Oaks Parkway.
SANIBEL Sanibel church keeps the faith after three storms The St. Michael and All Angels Church in Sanibel has miraculously evaded serious damage from hurricanes despite its lack of structural protection.
The Weather Authority Cold front brings cooler and breezy conditions this Wednesday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking an approaching cold front, which will bring cooler and breezier afternoon conditions.
FEMA’s Operation Blue Roof active for Charlotte and DeSoto counties If you suffered roof damage to your home from Hurricane Milton, you can now get help for free if you live in Charlotte or DeSoto counties.
ENGLEWOOD Indian Mound Park left in ruins, residents look to rebuild People living in Englewood’s Indian Mound Park community are cleaning up what’s left of their homes.
CLEWISTON Two arrested in Clewiston teen’s murder Two people are in jail Tuesday night for the murder of 16-year-old Ja’yhanna Johnson.
FORT MYERS NWS surveys tornado damage as Lee County residents share their loss The National Weather Service got a firsthand look at what people in one Lee County neighborhood have been dealing with for a week.
NAPLES Naples stormwater project to reduce street flooding The project aims to improve water quality and reduce flooding in city streets that often experience heavy rainfall.
CAPTIVA How the South Seas Resort in Captiva is recovering after Milton At the South Seas Resort in Captiva, dozens of crews are working hard to restore power, remove trees and clear roads.
TWIN PALMS Twin Palm’s tornado was the strongest tornado ever recorded in southwest Florida A tornado from Hurricane Milton left a Glades County community in pieces. WINK News has confirmed that the tornado that hit the Twin Lakes Resort was the strongest tornado ever recorded in southwest Florida, according to the National Weather Service.
WINK NEWS Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach students attend different schools due to Hurricane Milton damage For the second time in two years, students in Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach headed to a different school Wednesday morning because of the damage left by a hurricane.
Gale’s Gifts year-round Christmas store gears up for season Gale Griswold hoped she was onto something, opening a year-round Christmas specialty store. A year later, her instincts are paying off.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island public meeting cancelled The City of Marco Island Waterways Advisory Committee public meeting scheduled for Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in the Community Meeting Room, 51 Bald Eagle Dr, has been canceled.
Swim advisory lifted in some SWFL beaches The Department of Health in Collier County has been taking tests after Hurricane Milton to see if there were any signs of illnesses in the water.
PORT CHARLOTTE Mobile medical clinics available in Charlotte County If you need necessities after the recent impact of hurricanes Helene and Milton, Mobile Medical Clinics in Charlotte County can help.
Bicyclist killed after crashing with 2 motorcyclists on Three Oaks Parkway The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash involving a bicyclist and two motorcycles on Three Oaks Parkway.
SANIBEL Sanibel church keeps the faith after three storms The St. Michael and All Angels Church in Sanibel has miraculously evaded serious damage from hurricanes despite its lack of structural protection.
The Weather Authority Cold front brings cooler and breezy conditions this Wednesday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking an approaching cold front, which will bring cooler and breezier afternoon conditions.
FEMA’s Operation Blue Roof active for Charlotte and DeSoto counties If you suffered roof damage to your home from Hurricane Milton, you can now get help for free if you live in Charlotte or DeSoto counties.
ENGLEWOOD Indian Mound Park left in ruins, residents look to rebuild People living in Englewood’s Indian Mound Park community are cleaning up what’s left of their homes.
CLEWISTON Two arrested in Clewiston teen’s murder Two people are in jail Tuesday night for the murder of 16-year-old Ja’yhanna Johnson.
FORT MYERS NWS surveys tornado damage as Lee County residents share their loss The National Weather Service got a firsthand look at what people in one Lee County neighborhood have been dealing with for a week.
NAPLES Naples stormwater project to reduce street flooding The project aims to improve water quality and reduce flooding in city streets that often experience heavy rainfall.
CAPTIVA How the South Seas Resort in Captiva is recovering after Milton At the South Seas Resort in Captiva, dozens of crews are working hard to restore power, remove trees and clear roads.
TWIN PALMS Twin Palm’s tornado was the strongest tornado ever recorded in southwest Florida A tornado from Hurricane Milton left a Glades County community in pieces. WINK News has confirmed that the tornado that hit the Twin Lakes Resort was the strongest tornado ever recorded in southwest Florida, according to the National Weather Service.
The Caloosahatchee Bridge will undergo a significant closure on Friday evening, leaving drivers searching for detours until Aug. 11. This planned closure aims to expedite construction and enhance safety for both construction crews and motorists. The Florida Department of Transportation said closing the bridge will allow the project to be completed a year ahead of schedule, with enhanced safety measures in place for the construction crews. During this period, crews will work on constructing a single median barrier, installing new guardrails along the east side of the northbound lanes, and adding a sidewalk on the west side of the southbound lanes. The overall project is expected to be completed by early 2025, weather permitting. Following the bridge’s reopening on August 11, there will still be nighttime closures and daytime lane closures as needed. Detour Routes Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes during the bridge closure to avoid potential traffic build-up. Recommended detours include: Edison Bridge Midpoint Bridge Cape Coral Bridge Interstate 75 Signs have already been posted to guide drivers through these detours. Here is a link to the visual of the detours. It includes the placement of the signs. Detour signs A WINK News crew drove around and saw dozens of signs plastered around downtown Fort Myers and on the other side of the bridge in North Fort Myers around U.S. 41 and nearby roads like Pondella Road. “Our biggest recommendation is to allow extra time in the morning and be patient,” said FMPD spokeswoman Kristin Capuzzi. “It is going to take a while to get used to this transition.” Traffic management FDOT said it will work with the city and county to manage the flow of traffic. That includes FMPD. The department said it will have crews out in the downtown area to manage the influx in traffic. “Blocking intersections is probably going to be a big problem,” said Capuzzi, “and that’s something we will be focusing on because it’s unfair to pedestrians, people on bikes and other travelers.” Capuzzi stressed alternate routes in the downtown corridor to get back onto 41. The MLK and State Road 82 areas will likely be very congested. Alternative routes include Edison Ave, South Street and Hanson. Capuzzi said all the way down Carol and Colonial, drivers will see many DOT sign boards that provide alternate routes. The good news is that school will be out for most of the duration of this project. Local concerns Bessie Mulholland and Selena Davis, who work at the American Legion downtown, expressed concerns about traffic congestion. “We are expecting a lot of backup because we are centrally located in downtown,” Davis said. “Accidents are already happening because people are not paying attention.” Capuzzi said drivers may need to try a few different routes to find what works best for them. If you’re in the downtown side of the closure looking for a way to get to 41, MLK and SR 82 will likely be extremely congested. Alternatives there are Edison Avenue southbound or Hanson Street. Capuzzi said drivers may need to try different routes and find what works best for them. Drivers in the eastern portion of the city can take Pine Island Road to I-75 and then take Palm Beach Boulevard or State Road 82 to their destination. We will likely see a huge build-up of traffic downtown. FMPD said officers will be enforcing out there as usual.