Hot and breezy with a few showers this afternoonHow to be aware of Fin-fluencers and their money-saving tips
The Weather Authority Hot and breezy with a few showers this afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a hot and breezy Tuesday, with temperatures climbing into the mid-90s this afternoon.
WINK NEWS How to be aware of Fin-fluencers and their money-saving tips Instead of stepping into a financial office, many are logging onto social media for money-saving tips.
WINK NEWS How the social media warning may affect your children Just like how alcohol and tobacco are presented with warning labels, so too may social media as the US Surgeon General calls for tighter restrictions.
Mosquito invasion after multi-day downpour in Southwest Florida There is a spike in the mosquito population in Southwest Florida, especially after the recent multiple-day downpour.
PUNTA GORDA Fire destroys Punta Gorda home A large fire tore through a house in Punta Gorda on Monday afternoon, sending huge clouds of dark smoke into the sky.
SEBRING Sebring killer’s mother takes stand in murder trial Zephen Xaver’s defense presented opening statements in the courtroom Monday. One of the key people to take the stand was Xaver’s mother.
NAPLES Not lovin’ it; McDonald’s employee allegedly pulls gun on customer Imagine this: It’s 3 a.m. on a Sunday, and you go to a 24-hour McDonald’s for your go-to order.
Massive Wall of Wind machine mimics real hurricanes to better protect the community To those of us living in Southwest Florida, talking about a “wall of wind” might bring up memories of Hurricane Irma or Ian– or even a bad rain storm.
NORTH FORT MYERS North Fort Myers businesses struggling Many are focused on the declining foot traffic in downtown Fort Myers because of the bridge closure, but this collection of businesses said they are struggling just as much.
FORT MYERS $700K original estimate more than triples for Edison Restaurant repairs All eyes were on the Edison Restaurant Monday night as the city council decided to spend $2.62 million on repairs.
BUCKINGHAM Buckingham community works to stop flooding The community is telling us that this could have all been prevented, and they are going to get something done.
SANIBEL Sanibel Historical Museum and Village bell to be reinstalled The bell at the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village is scheduled to be reinstalled after its destruction by Hurricane Ian in 2022.
AVE MARIA Neighbors want answers after child drowns in Ave Maria Dozens watched as six-year-old Abigail Pineda was pulled from the water here at the Ave Maria water park two weeks ago. Many called 911 or tried to help, but the girl did not make it.
LEHIGH ACRES 2 Southwest Florida gas stations trying to fix water contamination Why are two gas stations that are miles apart dealing with water contamination in their fuel? WINK News reported the Sunoco gas station in Lehigh Acres and the Chevron in North Naples both had water in their fuel.
NAPLES Collier County Republican Committeeman Alfie Oakes fails to file for reelection Alfie Oakes, one of the wealthiest men in Southwest Florida, will not be on Collier County’s Republican primary ballot in August.
The Weather Authority Hot and breezy with a few showers this afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a hot and breezy Tuesday, with temperatures climbing into the mid-90s this afternoon.
WINK NEWS How to be aware of Fin-fluencers and their money-saving tips Instead of stepping into a financial office, many are logging onto social media for money-saving tips.
WINK NEWS How the social media warning may affect your children Just like how alcohol and tobacco are presented with warning labels, so too may social media as the US Surgeon General calls for tighter restrictions.
Mosquito invasion after multi-day downpour in Southwest Florida There is a spike in the mosquito population in Southwest Florida, especially after the recent multiple-day downpour.
PUNTA GORDA Fire destroys Punta Gorda home A large fire tore through a house in Punta Gorda on Monday afternoon, sending huge clouds of dark smoke into the sky.
SEBRING Sebring killer’s mother takes stand in murder trial Zephen Xaver’s defense presented opening statements in the courtroom Monday. One of the key people to take the stand was Xaver’s mother.
NAPLES Not lovin’ it; McDonald’s employee allegedly pulls gun on customer Imagine this: It’s 3 a.m. on a Sunday, and you go to a 24-hour McDonald’s for your go-to order.
Massive Wall of Wind machine mimics real hurricanes to better protect the community To those of us living in Southwest Florida, talking about a “wall of wind” might bring up memories of Hurricane Irma or Ian– or even a bad rain storm.
NORTH FORT MYERS North Fort Myers businesses struggling Many are focused on the declining foot traffic in downtown Fort Myers because of the bridge closure, but this collection of businesses said they are struggling just as much.
FORT MYERS $700K original estimate more than triples for Edison Restaurant repairs All eyes were on the Edison Restaurant Monday night as the city council decided to spend $2.62 million on repairs.
BUCKINGHAM Buckingham community works to stop flooding The community is telling us that this could have all been prevented, and they are going to get something done.
SANIBEL Sanibel Historical Museum and Village bell to be reinstalled The bell at the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village is scheduled to be reinstalled after its destruction by Hurricane Ian in 2022.
AVE MARIA Neighbors want answers after child drowns in Ave Maria Dozens watched as six-year-old Abigail Pineda was pulled from the water here at the Ave Maria water park two weeks ago. Many called 911 or tried to help, but the girl did not make it.
LEHIGH ACRES 2 Southwest Florida gas stations trying to fix water contamination Why are two gas stations that are miles apart dealing with water contamination in their fuel? WINK News reported the Sunoco gas station in Lehigh Acres and the Chevron in North Naples both had water in their fuel.
NAPLES Collier County Republican Committeeman Alfie Oakes fails to file for reelection Alfie Oakes, one of the wealthiest men in Southwest Florida, will not be on Collier County’s Republican primary ballot in August.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office peeled back the curtain on the February 6, 2024, SWAT situation inside the Bank of America at the Bell Tower Shops in South Fort Myers. The Agency released never-before-seen footage from that deadly day. A warning: some of this video is graphic. Sterling Alavache, 36, held up the bank, claiming he had a bomb. He took two people hostage at knifepoint before being shot dead by a SWAT sniper. LCSO deputies faced the intense situation head-on, using various resources, including Robo dogs, K-9 units, drones, and SWAT teams. The hostage crisis happened around lunchtime that Tuesday in February. It gripped the attention of Southwest Florida and left much of the area around Daniels Parkway and U.S. 41 in gridlock. Sheriff Carmine Marceno said after the suspect entered the bank, he made a bomb threat and became physical with the hostages. “SWAT team was in place,” said Marceno. “When he presented deadly force like that, our SWAT sniper shot and killed the suspect. We were in fear for her life and her safety.” RELATED: LCSO: SWAT sniper kills man who held 2 hostages during attempted bank robbery Marsha Brown told WINK News she was inside the Bank of America when the man ran in and said he had a bomb. “He came running in, and he was screaming, ‘I have a bomb. I have a bomb,'” said Marsha Brown, who was inside the bank when Alavache ran in. “He said, ‘I have a bomb, and I will use it.'” She got out. “He wasn’t trying to retain us at all. He just said, ‘Get out.’ and we all ran,” said Brown. “I didn’t know that he had hostages. He was young. Foolish, very foolish. No mask.” Now, we are getting a better look at how it unfolded, intensified, and ended. In a previously released 911 call from inside the bank, you can hear someone who seems to be Alavache and the final chaotic moments of the situation. “Stay right there. I don’t want to hurt them. Can you listen to me? Back up! Back up,” someone shouted during the hostage negotiations. Sterling Ramon Alavache, 36. CREDIT: LCSO Friends of Alavache had described him as a good man who had struggled with addiction. LCSO previously released bodycam footage of the final seconds of the hostage negotiation effort inside the bank. RELATED: Bodycam footage of Bank of America hostage situation released Negotiators spoke with Alavache, followed by the sniper firing and killing him. “Listen, listen, just come out here; let me see your hands up. We’ll work with you. I know you’re going through a lot, but this isn’t gonna make what you’re going through any easier,” said the negotiator in the bodycam footage. The sniper who shot and killed Alavache, Lt. Paul Nader, was recognized as Deputy of the Quarter by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office on June 5, 2024. One of the hostages spoke at the ceremony. You can watch the video below.