SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Playoffs Round 1Police respond to shots fired at Clewiston Walmart
WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Playoffs Round 1 21 Southwest Florida high school football teams were in action in round one of the playoffs trying to keep their state title hopes alive.
CLEWISTON Police respond to shots fired at Clewiston Walmart According to the Clewiston Police Department, an active shooter was present at the Walmart in Clewiston Friday night.
WINK Investigates: Everything we know so far about Beattie Development A southwest Florida developer has now surrendered his six different contracting licenses, which include general contracting, plumbing and roofing. Paul Beattie, owner of Beattie Development cannot build homes anymore. It’s not a permanent situation, but part of a settlement agreement with the state says he’d need to pay $300,000 before he could get a new […]
Florida Attorney General speaks out following lawsuit against FEMA Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has spoken out following the filing of a lawsuit alleging that a FEMA supervisor directed aid workers to avoid going to homes in Lake Placid that had yard signs supporting Trump.
FORT MYERS BEACH How to increase odds of getting your hurricane insurance claim paid When Hurricane Helene hit Southwest Florida in September followed by Milton, many people’s lives were affected.
lehigh acres 25 students treated for heat exhaustion on Lehigh Sr. High School football field The Tice Fire Department treated around 25 students for heat exhaustion on the Lehigh Senior High School football field.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda pilots speak out on Allegiant Air strike Allegiant Air pilots said they want a new contract, one that’s amendable, fair and, in their words, what they should be paid.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach couple sues insurance over Hurricane Ian claim In the last two months, southwest Florida experienced a hurricane double punch with Helene and Milton, but for many people out there, it’s still all about Hurricane Ian from 2022.
CAPE CORAL Couple struggling after hurricanes receives $10K from Cape Coral High students A couple who lost everything to Hurricane Milton has received a blessing in more ways than one.
FORT MYERS BEACH FEMA denies extension for business trailers on Fort Myers Beach FEMA has denied an extension for business trailers on Fort Myers Beach.
Mistrial declared in case of former Hendry County deputy A mistrial has been called in the trial of Tyler Williams, a former Hendry County deputy. The court declared the mistrial after the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on either count in the indictment. Williams was charged with two felonies in federal court in early April 2024, after knocking a handcuffed man unconscious. […]
Examining healthy breast tissue to understand how cancer starts A new approach being researched by scientists has led to the examination of healthy breast tissue to better understand how cancer develops.
Analysts: Charlotte County’s rapid population growth calls for more services Charlotte County’s population has shown unprecedented growth, increasing 5.2% from June 2023 to March 2024.
FORT MYERS Man accused of attempted burglary while nude in Fort Myers; covers head with white cloth The Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man who stands accused of attempted burglary while wearing nothing but a white cloth over his head.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral man accused of breaking into 6 different businesses A man has been arrested after allegedly breaking into six different businesses in Southeast Cape Coral this month.
WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Playoffs Round 1 21 Southwest Florida high school football teams were in action in round one of the playoffs trying to keep their state title hopes alive.
CLEWISTON Police respond to shots fired at Clewiston Walmart According to the Clewiston Police Department, an active shooter was present at the Walmart in Clewiston Friday night.
WINK Investigates: Everything we know so far about Beattie Development A southwest Florida developer has now surrendered his six different contracting licenses, which include general contracting, plumbing and roofing. Paul Beattie, owner of Beattie Development cannot build homes anymore. It’s not a permanent situation, but part of a settlement agreement with the state says he’d need to pay $300,000 before he could get a new […]
Florida Attorney General speaks out following lawsuit against FEMA Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has spoken out following the filing of a lawsuit alleging that a FEMA supervisor directed aid workers to avoid going to homes in Lake Placid that had yard signs supporting Trump.
FORT MYERS BEACH How to increase odds of getting your hurricane insurance claim paid When Hurricane Helene hit Southwest Florida in September followed by Milton, many people’s lives were affected.
lehigh acres 25 students treated for heat exhaustion on Lehigh Sr. High School football field The Tice Fire Department treated around 25 students for heat exhaustion on the Lehigh Senior High School football field.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda pilots speak out on Allegiant Air strike Allegiant Air pilots said they want a new contract, one that’s amendable, fair and, in their words, what they should be paid.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach couple sues insurance over Hurricane Ian claim In the last two months, southwest Florida experienced a hurricane double punch with Helene and Milton, but for many people out there, it’s still all about Hurricane Ian from 2022.
CAPE CORAL Couple struggling after hurricanes receives $10K from Cape Coral High students A couple who lost everything to Hurricane Milton has received a blessing in more ways than one.
FORT MYERS BEACH FEMA denies extension for business trailers on Fort Myers Beach FEMA has denied an extension for business trailers on Fort Myers Beach.
Mistrial declared in case of former Hendry County deputy A mistrial has been called in the trial of Tyler Williams, a former Hendry County deputy. The court declared the mistrial after the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on either count in the indictment. Williams was charged with two felonies in federal court in early April 2024, after knocking a handcuffed man unconscious. […]
Examining healthy breast tissue to understand how cancer starts A new approach being researched by scientists has led to the examination of healthy breast tissue to better understand how cancer develops.
Analysts: Charlotte County’s rapid population growth calls for more services Charlotte County’s population has shown unprecedented growth, increasing 5.2% from June 2023 to March 2024.
FORT MYERS Man accused of attempted burglary while nude in Fort Myers; covers head with white cloth The Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man who stands accused of attempted burglary while wearing nothing but a white cloth over his head.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral man accused of breaking into 6 different businesses A man has been arrested after allegedly breaking into six different businesses in Southeast Cape Coral this month.
The Caloosahatchee Bridge. Credit: WINK 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.