San Carlos Island residents concerned about 240-room hotelBurger King Bandit breaks into car in Englewood
FORT MYERS BEACH San Carlos Island residents concerned about 240-room hotel A 240-room resort is being proposed on Main Street on San Carlos Island, and residents aren’t happy.
ENGLEWOOD Burger King Bandit breaks into car in Englewood Three double-bacon cheeseburgers and a chicken sandwich led deputies straight to the Burger King Bandit.
FORT MYERS SWFL reacts to presidential debate Whether you’re rooting for Former President Donald Trump or President Joe Biden, or you just can’t choose a side, everyone has an opinion about this debate.
NORTH FORT MYERS State Representative Spencer Roach reflects on his time in office Many of you will soon have to find new Florida House Representative.
Tucker’s Promise: a non-profit teaching children how to swim Losing a child is every parent’s worst nightmare, and this family is finding a way to give back.
ATLANTA Trump and Biden battle it out during first 2024 presidential debate Former President Trump and President Biden clashed in Atlanta for the earliest presidential debate in modern history.
Representative Spencer Roach weighs in on debate and 2024 presidential election Republican State Representative Spencer Roach sat down with WINK News to discuss all things politics.
FORT MYERS FDOT holds second meeting on diverging diamond On Thursday, the public had another opportunity to hear about the diverging diamond project coming to Daniels Parkway and Interstate 75.
SANIBEL Sanibel Fire Rescue District training to fight natural gas fires Learning how to take care of the intense fires on our roads! Today the Sanibel Fire Rescue District did training to fights natural gas fires.
CAPE CORAL Barry Schmalbach’s sister speaks out for the first time For the first time, Barry Schmalbach’s sister, Sherry has spoken with only WINK News about her brother’s mysterious disappearance and the emotional toll it has taken on his loved ones. Sherry shared memories of Barry’s life and described him as determined, charming and loving. “I love you so much. I’m so heartbroken that this happened to you. I’m so sorry. And I miss you. I would just hug him so hard,” said Sherry.
Florida Attorney General’s Office sent nearly $71,000 to a suspected imposter Anyone can fall victim to cyber attacks, including the government. The Florida Attorney General’s Office paid nearly $71,000 to someone pretending to be from a law firm they worked with. Now the Office is trying to get its money back.
Former battalion chief files lawsuit after losing job over failed drug test A former Collier County EMS employee allegedly maliciously discriminated against when he was terminated.
GLADES COUNTY Man sentenced to 54 years in prison for killing 4 people in Glades County DUI crash A Fort Lauderdale man has been sentenced to 54 years in prison for a DUI crash that killed four people in 2023 in Glades County.
NAPLES Firefighters train at old structure on Isles of Capri Firefighters ran into a smoke-filled building as part of their training this week. One technique they used is called seek and find.
WINK NEWS New hope for most common neurological disorder among children More than three million people are living with epilepsy in the U.S. It’s one of the most common neurological disorders among children.
FORT MYERS BEACH San Carlos Island residents concerned about 240-room hotel A 240-room resort is being proposed on Main Street on San Carlos Island, and residents aren’t happy.
ENGLEWOOD Burger King Bandit breaks into car in Englewood Three double-bacon cheeseburgers and a chicken sandwich led deputies straight to the Burger King Bandit.
FORT MYERS SWFL reacts to presidential debate Whether you’re rooting for Former President Donald Trump or President Joe Biden, or you just can’t choose a side, everyone has an opinion about this debate.
NORTH FORT MYERS State Representative Spencer Roach reflects on his time in office Many of you will soon have to find new Florida House Representative.
Tucker’s Promise: a non-profit teaching children how to swim Losing a child is every parent’s worst nightmare, and this family is finding a way to give back.
ATLANTA Trump and Biden battle it out during first 2024 presidential debate Former President Trump and President Biden clashed in Atlanta for the earliest presidential debate in modern history.
Representative Spencer Roach weighs in on debate and 2024 presidential election Republican State Representative Spencer Roach sat down with WINK News to discuss all things politics.
FORT MYERS FDOT holds second meeting on diverging diamond On Thursday, the public had another opportunity to hear about the diverging diamond project coming to Daniels Parkway and Interstate 75.
SANIBEL Sanibel Fire Rescue District training to fight natural gas fires Learning how to take care of the intense fires on our roads! Today the Sanibel Fire Rescue District did training to fights natural gas fires.
CAPE CORAL Barry Schmalbach’s sister speaks out for the first time For the first time, Barry Schmalbach’s sister, Sherry has spoken with only WINK News about her brother’s mysterious disappearance and the emotional toll it has taken on his loved ones. Sherry shared memories of Barry’s life and described him as determined, charming and loving. “I love you so much. I’m so heartbroken that this happened to you. I’m so sorry. And I miss you. I would just hug him so hard,” said Sherry.
Florida Attorney General’s Office sent nearly $71,000 to a suspected imposter Anyone can fall victim to cyber attacks, including the government. The Florida Attorney General’s Office paid nearly $71,000 to someone pretending to be from a law firm they worked with. Now the Office is trying to get its money back.
Former battalion chief files lawsuit after losing job over failed drug test A former Collier County EMS employee allegedly maliciously discriminated against when he was terminated.
GLADES COUNTY Man sentenced to 54 years in prison for killing 4 people in Glades County DUI crash A Fort Lauderdale man has been sentenced to 54 years in prison for a DUI crash that killed four people in 2023 in Glades County.
NAPLES Firefighters train at old structure on Isles of Capri Firefighters ran into a smoke-filled building as part of their training this week. One technique they used is called seek and find.
WINK NEWS New hope for most common neurological disorder among children More than three million people are living with epilepsy in the U.S. It’s one of the most common neurological disorders among children.
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. However, for researchers at Florida International University, it’s about WoW—the Wall of Wind—unveiled in 2012, 20 years after Hurricane Andrew wiped out Homestead and parts of South Florida. The Weather Authority Meteorologist Nikki Sheaks traveled to FIU in Miami to give viewers a firsthand look at how WoW works and how it benefits everyone. Wall of Wind, Credit: WINK News The massive 12-fan system of the Wall of Wind is quite a sight to see and feel. “We’re on a national stage when it comes to research on wind engineering projects,” explained Erik Salna, Associate Director and Meteorologist at FIU’s International Hurricane Research Center. The WoW delivers valuable information to better protect and build homes, schools and infrastructure from hurricanes. “Anything that gets affected by wind, we want them to be more aerodynamic and more resilient so there’s less damage,” added Salna. The massive machine has improved how we build in the Sunshine State since 2012. “[Hurricane] Andrew was the reason this whole program got started,” Salna said. Hurricane Andrew, Credit: NOAA As Southwest Floridians know, we need strong, sturdy structures to ride out a storm or to have a place to call home after one hits. “We have been able to enhance some of the building codes,” said Salna. “We have some of the strongest building codes in Florida.” So how does the powerful weathermaker work? Each fan is six feet in diameter and weighs 15,000 pounds. It’s as close to what Mother Nature can do in real life. Erik Salna, FIU International Hurricane Research Center It uses the same amount of power needed to electrify 2,000 homes to create sustained winds stronger than we felt in Hurricane Ian. It reaches Category 5 wind speeds of 157 miles per hour. “We want the wall of wind to replicate a real hurricane and two things, first of all, the speed. The fans themselves will get us to category one, so the engineers have to develop a contraction zone on the other side of the fans to speed up and accelerate the air. That’s what got us to 157,” Salna explained. Panels on the grounds replicate the friction created when hurricane-strength winds move over land, ensuring the wind strengthens with height, like a real hurricane. Water can also be added to the tests to recreate raindrops the size associated with a slow-moving storm. “If you have a lot of rain in the wind, yes, that is a more dense airflow, rain hitting a window or shutter,” said Salna, “so they are looking at studies to see how much more force that added rain can add, and that’s critical to knowing if that window will hold up and shutter.” Researchers collect the data from the tests from the control room. Then, the process of updating building codes begins. “That’s what makes the research so valuable, ’cause we have real hurricane conditions,” said Salna. Leading to stronger, safer homes to protect you and your family.