Caught on Camera: Accused Dollar General thief arrestedLee County considers adding second fixed-base operator to RSW
NORTH FORT MYERS Caught on Camera: Accused Dollar General thief arrested A man accused of robbing a Dollar General store is behind bars.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Ward 4 candidate seeks vote recount In the race for Fort Myers city council, Cindy Banyai lost the Ward 4 race to incumbent Liston Bochette by just 77 votes or 1.58% of the vote.
FORT MYERS Lee County considers adding second fixed-base operator to RSW The Lee County Port Authority is officially moving forward with negotiations for a new fixed-base operator at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral roofing business owes $2M to IRS after guilty plea The owner of a Cape Coral roofing business owes the Internal Revenue Service over $2 million after pleading guilty to fraud charges.
FDA approves new shoulder implant From high school seniors to senior citizens, more than 100,000 people will need a shoulder replacement each year.
Private Sky sues future competitor at RSW Private Sky Aviation Services will be getting future competition from a company with trillions of dollars in assets.
Taberna Burntwood opens rebranded tavern at Mercato in North Naples The Mercato restaurant’s difference in decor is clearly striking. Taberna is less rustic and more modern.
Law enforcement presence at Alfie Oakes’ North Naples home and Immokalee packing house Several federal and state law enforcement agencies were at Alfie Oakes’ home and packing house for an investigation that remains undisclosed.
IONA Iona home catches fire, at least 2 vehicles also ruined A person lost their home and at least two vehicles after a fire engulfed their property.
FORT MYERS LeeTran scheduled to resume trolley system this month LeeTran brings back the popular seasonal River District trolleys and Fort Myers Beach tram later this month.
MBA Transportation no longer sole transporter at RSW After serving Southwest Florida locals and travelers for nearly 20 years, MBA Transportation is being forced to leave its booth at Southwest Florida International Airport.
WINK NEWS Veterans Day events across Southwest Florida Veterans Day is a time to honor and celebrate the sacrifices and bravery of those who have served in the military.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral man accused of possessing child pornography A Cape Coral man has been arrested this week after allegedly being caught in possession of child pornography.
FORT MYERS Free dental work for veterans event to be held in Fort Myers The Fort Myers Laser Dentistry will provide free dental work for veterans as part of its Day of Service Program.
the weather authority Tracking Category 2 Hurricane Rafael in the Gulf of Mexico The Weather Authority Meteorologists are tracking Hurricane Rafael as it tracks farther away from Southwest Florida.
NORTH FORT MYERS Caught on Camera: Accused Dollar General thief arrested A man accused of robbing a Dollar General store is behind bars.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Ward 4 candidate seeks vote recount In the race for Fort Myers city council, Cindy Banyai lost the Ward 4 race to incumbent Liston Bochette by just 77 votes or 1.58% of the vote.
FORT MYERS Lee County considers adding second fixed-base operator to RSW The Lee County Port Authority is officially moving forward with negotiations for a new fixed-base operator at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral roofing business owes $2M to IRS after guilty plea The owner of a Cape Coral roofing business owes the Internal Revenue Service over $2 million after pleading guilty to fraud charges.
FDA approves new shoulder implant From high school seniors to senior citizens, more than 100,000 people will need a shoulder replacement each year.
Private Sky sues future competitor at RSW Private Sky Aviation Services will be getting future competition from a company with trillions of dollars in assets.
Taberna Burntwood opens rebranded tavern at Mercato in North Naples The Mercato restaurant’s difference in decor is clearly striking. Taberna is less rustic and more modern.
Law enforcement presence at Alfie Oakes’ North Naples home and Immokalee packing house Several federal and state law enforcement agencies were at Alfie Oakes’ home and packing house for an investigation that remains undisclosed.
IONA Iona home catches fire, at least 2 vehicles also ruined A person lost their home and at least two vehicles after a fire engulfed their property.
FORT MYERS LeeTran scheduled to resume trolley system this month LeeTran brings back the popular seasonal River District trolleys and Fort Myers Beach tram later this month.
MBA Transportation no longer sole transporter at RSW After serving Southwest Florida locals and travelers for nearly 20 years, MBA Transportation is being forced to leave its booth at Southwest Florida International Airport.
WINK NEWS Veterans Day events across Southwest Florida Veterans Day is a time to honor and celebrate the sacrifices and bravery of those who have served in the military.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral man accused of possessing child pornography A Cape Coral man has been arrested this week after allegedly being caught in possession of child pornography.
FORT MYERS Free dental work for veterans event to be held in Fort Myers The Fort Myers Laser Dentistry will provide free dental work for veterans as part of its Day of Service Program.
the weather authority Tracking Category 2 Hurricane Rafael in the Gulf of Mexico The Weather Authority Meteorologists are tracking Hurricane Rafael as it tracks farther away from Southwest Florida.
Students, parents and teachers are left in limbo after their school says the doors won’t open in August. Optima Classical Academy announced they won’t open until Fall 2025. WINK News is hearing from parents who are navigating the changes and need to find a new school for their children with just over two months until the first bell rings. Some parents have a plan B, while others are scrambling to look for a new school to send their kids to. Nathan Williamson, whose daughter was set to go in the Fall, sent WINK News some emails originally from Optima Classical Academy Gladiolus just a few weeks ago discussing uniforms and school activities. His daughter was ready to go; however, that was before the dad said the messaging began slowing down, and now the family feels like they’ve been ghosted. 9-year-old Amelia Williamson went to her last day of fourth grade excited. She knew that after summer break, she would be settling into her new school. “Friday, we got the unfortunate email that school was not opening next year,” said Williamson. Williamson’s dad was one of the many parents who got the email from the school principal. The email said the opening of Optima Classical Academy Gladiolous is delayed until Fall 2025 due to economic challenges and the effects of Hurricane Ian. The news created a ripple effect for students like Amelia, parents like Nathan and teachers. “The most disappointing things that come out of all this is the fact that they waited until the last day of school had finished and 4:11 p.m.,” said an anonymous teacher. “I just think it’s horrible what they’ve done to these parents.” Christopher Spiro, who spoke on behalf of the school, said delaying the school’s opening wasn’t made lightly. Spiro also said alternative options are offered to parents. One alternative option is enrolling in other Lee County Charter Schools, and another is online school through Optima. “End of the school year, probably getting ready for summer vacation to get a notification like this. Yep, it’s a monkey wrench in your life. And yes, you will have to scramble. What is enough time, what is enough notification, that’s not for me to say, because everybody’s life has different points at which there’s a pain threshold,” said Spiro. Another option for parents to consider is enrolling in Lee County Public Schools. However, with the district using the lottery system, parents may be up against limited availability while dealing with deadlines that have already passed. Nathan said the lesson learned is the need for better communication. “Earlier communication would have been a little more helpful for parents like me who are probably going to be in tougher situations,” said Nathan.