16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier CountyNew bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal The city of Cape Coral is seeing two projects that will change the city. One is called one of the most lucrative deals in county history.
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association breaks ground on new Fort Myers headquarters As Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association’s president pointed out, about 1,000 people are still moving to Florida every day, and many of them are finding their way to Southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County drug trafficker sentenced to 10 years A Charlotte County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
lehigh acres ‘How to sign away parental rights?’; Lehigh Acres woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal The city of Cape Coral is seeing two projects that will change the city. One is called one of the most lucrative deals in county history.
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association breaks ground on new Fort Myers headquarters As Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association’s president pointed out, about 1,000 people are still moving to Florida every day, and many of them are finding their way to Southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County drug trafficker sentenced to 10 years A Charlotte County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
lehigh acres ‘How to sign away parental rights?’; Lehigh Acres woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby.
Credit: The Weather Authority The Weather Authority has continuing coverage of the widespread rain that has been drenching Southwest Florida since Monday morning. Lee County Flood Advisory 8 PM Additional rainfall is expected throughout Wednesday evening. Weather Authority Meteorologist Zach Maloch said, “The heavy rain will persist throughout Wednesday, with 1-4 inches expected through the evening. Road flooding will be possible this afternoon.” According to the Weather Authority Chief Meteorologist Matt Devitt, a confirmed tornado occurred this morning over a rural area of Big Cypress in eastern Collier County at around 10:26 a.m. on Wednesday. According to Devitt, the tornado formed several miles southwest of the Miccosukee Service Plaza as debris, likely from trees, was lofted in the air. This is the second Southwest Florida tornado of 2024 and the second within a week. No damage occurred due to the tornado, so a rating was deemed unnecessary. Due to a developing area of low pressure, Southwest Florida will experience breezy conditions with sustained wind speeds of around 10 to 20 mph. The National Hurricane Center and the Weather Authority are also tracking a broad and elongated area of low pressure near the west-central coast of Florida, producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. There is currently a 20% chance of formation over the next seven days. This system has moved little over the past few hours but is expected to move northeastward across Florida and offshore of the U.S. southeast coast within the next day or so. Although upper-level winds are expected to be only marginally conducive, some slow development is possible while the system moves offshore of the U.S. Southeast coast. Outside of the increased rainfall and wind, the formation has no significant impact on the Southwest Florida region. Wind gusts for Wednesday may reach 30 mph, with higher winds along the coastline. Another disturbance emerged late Wednesday morning that also has a 20% chance of development, but it is situated near Mexico and will only affect that area. A flood watch continues across most of Southwest Florida through Thursday evening. Temperatures will be on the cool side once again, with highs in the lower to mid-80s. Thursday morning will begin with scattered to widespread rain and storms. Our wet weather pattern continues for Thursday, with road flooding continuing to be a possibility. We could see an additional 2 – 4 inches of rain across Southwest Florida for Thursday. Temperatures will climb into the mid-80s for highs Thursday afternoon. Scattered rain and storms will be around the area for your Friday morning commute. While the rain won’t be as widespread or as heavy as Wednesday and Thursday, we could still see impacts across the area through the day. Highs Friday will be in the mid to upper 80s. Rain finally looks to taper off by Friday evening with slightly drier conditions in the forecast for the weekend. WINK News has kept an eye on flooding throughout the area, as several areas are prone. In Lee County, roads like Fowler Street in downtown Fort Myers have already experienced ponding due to the heavy rainfall. Download the WINK Weather app, stream the latest forecast, or WINK Doppler 3x anywhere you go. If you see any dramatic weather images that you want featured in a story online or on air, send them to tips@winknews.com.