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.
4 local music shows to choose from in one day If you’re an indecisive local music fan, Friday will be a tough day for you.
FORT MYERS Walt Wesley Way unveiled in honor of local legend Take a drive down Lincoln Blvd. in Fort Myers and you will notice above the street sign is another that reads ‘Honorary Walt Wesley Way.’
LABELLE Man reunited with dog after she appears in LaBelle 2 years after disappearing in Maryland A man has been reunited with his dog after she went missing for two years and many states away.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Several brands of ice cream, a variety of products, recalled for possible Listeria contamination Several brands of ice cream sold at Southwest Florida grocery stores are part of a massive nationwide recall involving 14 brands.
ARCADIA Arcadia man arrested after allegedly going on perversion spree A man in Arcadia has been arrested after police say he exposed himself to a minor and took photos of a woman wearing a skirt as she shopped.
FORT MYERS Hear from the candidates running for the next superintendent of Lee County Schools For the first time since the 1970s, Lee County voters will vote for the next superintendent of Lee County Schools. When you cast your ballot on November 5, either Victor Arias or Denise Carlin will become the elected superintendent of Lee County Schools to serve a 4-year term ending in 2028.
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.
ALVA Neal Communities faces local opposition over Alva development On Tuesday, Neal Communities of Southwest Florida, Inc. held a public meeting to discuss their application for the Owl Creek Community.
Lee and Collier emergency officials warn residents to follow evacuation routes Each coastal county is broken up into several zones associated with flood risks. The categories start with “A” for barrier islands and low lying areas, and “F” for areas with least at risk of flooding.
FORT MYERS Jury recommends death for Wade Wilson The jury has recommended that double-murderer Wade Wilson should be sentenced to death for the 2019 killings of two Cape Coral women.
Charlotte County home prices slip in May while some areas retained strength Single-family homes for sale in Charlotte County experienced more price reductions in May, while in some areas selling prices remained steady. Meanwhile, condominium and townhome prices decreased amid rising HOAs based on assessments from hurricane damage coupled with an inventory buildup.
WINK NEWS Closing arguments tomorrow in penalty trial for man convicted of killing 5 women at Sebring bank A jury will decide whether the man convicted of killing five women at a Sebring bank should get life or death.
FORT MYERS 2 men wanted for stealing Ford truck from business in Fort Myers Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers and the Fort Myers Police Department are searching for two men who stole a Ford F-350 from a local business.
FORT MYERS Penalty phase for convicted double-murderer Wade Wilson now in hands of jury The jury is now considering its recommendation to the judge whether a man convicted in the first-degree murder of two Cape Coral women should live or die.
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.
4 local music shows to choose from in one day If you’re an indecisive local music fan, Friday will be a tough day for you.
FORT MYERS Walt Wesley Way unveiled in honor of local legend Take a drive down Lincoln Blvd. in Fort Myers and you will notice above the street sign is another that reads ‘Honorary Walt Wesley Way.’
LABELLE Man reunited with dog after she appears in LaBelle 2 years after disappearing in Maryland A man has been reunited with his dog after she went missing for two years and many states away.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Several brands of ice cream, a variety of products, recalled for possible Listeria contamination Several brands of ice cream sold at Southwest Florida grocery stores are part of a massive nationwide recall involving 14 brands.
ARCADIA Arcadia man arrested after allegedly going on perversion spree A man in Arcadia has been arrested after police say he exposed himself to a minor and took photos of a woman wearing a skirt as she shopped.
FORT MYERS Hear from the candidates running for the next superintendent of Lee County Schools For the first time since the 1970s, Lee County voters will vote for the next superintendent of Lee County Schools. When you cast your ballot on November 5, either Victor Arias or Denise Carlin will become the elected superintendent of Lee County Schools to serve a 4-year term ending in 2028.
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.
ALVA Neal Communities faces local opposition over Alva development On Tuesday, Neal Communities of Southwest Florida, Inc. held a public meeting to discuss their application for the Owl Creek Community.
Lee and Collier emergency officials warn residents to follow evacuation routes Each coastal county is broken up into several zones associated with flood risks. The categories start with “A” for barrier islands and low lying areas, and “F” for areas with least at risk of flooding.
FORT MYERS Jury recommends death for Wade Wilson The jury has recommended that double-murderer Wade Wilson should be sentenced to death for the 2019 killings of two Cape Coral women.
Charlotte County home prices slip in May while some areas retained strength Single-family homes for sale in Charlotte County experienced more price reductions in May, while in some areas selling prices remained steady. Meanwhile, condominium and townhome prices decreased amid rising HOAs based on assessments from hurricane damage coupled with an inventory buildup.
WINK NEWS Closing arguments tomorrow in penalty trial for man convicted of killing 5 women at Sebring bank A jury will decide whether the man convicted of killing five women at a Sebring bank should get life or death.
FORT MYERS 2 men wanted for stealing Ford truck from business in Fort Myers Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers and the Fort Myers Police Department are searching for two men who stole a Ford F-350 from a local business.
FORT MYERS Penalty phase for convicted double-murderer Wade Wilson now in hands of jury The jury is now considering its recommendation to the judge whether a man convicted in the first-degree murder of two Cape Coral women should live or die.
Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida in September 2022. More than a year and a half later, as we enter another hurricane season, April numbers from the state show nearly 32,000 claims remain open. The Smith family knows that all too well. WINK News Consumer Investigator Andryanna Sheppard talked with the family of six who live in their Port Charlotte driveway as they battle Citizens Insurance. Sheppard’s interview with Brittney Smith was the longest Smith had been in her house since Hurricane Ian. One look inside, and you can see why. There are no walls, no doors, just bleak reminders of what the rooms used to be. “Every day when I come in here, it makes me sad that it’s not our home,” said an emotional Smith. “It has taken everything from us.” Smith blames her insurer, Citizens Property Insurance, the state-run insurer of last resort. “We can’t give up. This is our home. This is our family. All of our money is tied up in our home. We are not backing down. They should not be able to put families through what my family has been through the past year and a half,” added Smith. She first hired a public adjuster to help with the claim but said Citizens ignored them. That’s when she got attorney Vanessa Ross on her team. Ross used to represent Citizens Insurance. Now, she helps homeowners get their lives and homes back. “I just tell them to keep the faith to know that we’re working through the process,” explained the attorney. Ross told me contractors estimated it would take about $260,000 to fix Smith’s house. Flood insurance paid its portion, but Ross claimed Citizens has lowballed and delayed the lawsuit. At this point, we’ve been out of our house longer than we actually lived in it. Brittney Smith “We’re still dealing with the additional living expenses, the price of the camper that was never reimbursed, the other expenses that were incurred because she couldn’t live in her house,” added Ross. “Why are you making this longer for my family to have to go through?” Smith questioned. “It’s causing more stress on my family.” But even if the Smiths get all the money they need to repair their home–can they? “I’m so worried about the 50% rule. It’s like I already put out money for the roof. If all the permanent work goes over that certain limit, we can’t rebuild. Then what do we do,” she wondered. The Federal Emergency Management Agency‘s 50% rule prohibits repairs and improvements on damaged homes exceeding 50% of their market value unless the entire residential structure is brought up to code to meet the most current floodplain management regulations. Sheppard contacted Citizens Insurance. A spokesperson said they could not comment because of ongoing litigation related to the claim.