How the social media warning may affect your childrenMosquito invasion after multi-day downpour in Southwest Florida
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.
MARCO ISLAND Crash on Jolley Bridge causes traffic delays; 1 injured The Collier County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene of a vehicle crash with injuries shortly before 4 p.m. on Monday.
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS ‘They need to do more’ downtown business owners react to parking fees potentially being suspended Blu Sushi is just the latest restaurant in downtown Fort Myers to announce it is closing its doors after 10 years, but for the downtown businesses that remain, they fear what could be next for them, even after leaders discussed potentially suspended downtown parking fees.
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.
MARCO ISLAND Crash on Jolley Bridge causes traffic delays; 1 injured The Collier County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene of a vehicle crash with injuries shortly before 4 p.m. on Monday.
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS ‘They need to do more’ downtown business owners react to parking fees potentially being suspended Blu Sushi is just the latest restaurant in downtown Fort Myers to announce it is closing its doors after 10 years, but for the downtown businesses that remain, they fear what could be next for them, even after leaders discussed potentially suspended downtown parking fees.
Wade Wilson. Credit WINK News The fate of Wade Wilson, who is accused of killing two Cape Coral women, now lies in the hands of the jury. During closing arguments, Wilson’s defense team said the 2019 murders of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz were not pre-mediated, hoping for a second-degree murder sentence. The defense team argued that Wilson was under the influence of drugs at the time, which impacted his decision-making. In a final attempt to save Wilson from a death penalty sentence, the defense called for the jury to consider whether the act was a pre-meditated or depraved murder. The state attorney argued that with the evidence compiled, Wilson’s actions were indeed pre-meditated, and the use of drugs bore no impact on his actions. “This was pre-meditative all day long. The defendant’s attitude towards these women is despicable. he bragged about death with Dad after. No regret. No remorse. He replaced the name Kristine’s mother gave her at birth with an [expletive]. ‘I killed a [expletive]. I choked that [expletive] out. Three days later, he is still bragging about law enforcement. My biggest concern is that he can get a burger and fries. While Diane Ruiz is in an unrecognizable field getting scavenged, this guy over here wants french fries, and he is bragging about Diane Ruiz, who looks like spaghetti.” During the second day of testimony, the defense called for a mistrial after body camera footage was used as evidence in the case, claiming that the words of a police officer may have prejudiced the jury. After the motion was filed, the judge decided to take a 10-minute recess, where afterward, the motion was decided. Another surprising turn in the trial came from Wilson’s father, who said his son not only confessed to the crimes in detail but also bragged about them. RELATED: State, defense rest cases in Wade Wilson’s double murder trial “He said I’m a killer—there are two people gone who are not coming back,” said Wilson’s biological father, Steven Testasecca. “He said that he pulled her out of the car and realized she was still breathing. He said he got back in the car and ran her over until she looked like spaghetti.” Stay tuned to WINKNEWS.com for a live stream of the jury delivering its verdict in a follow-up story.