SpaceX launches flight test; spacecraft visible in FloridaSovereign citizen claim complicates deputy-involved Charlotte County shooting case
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SpaceX launches flight test; spacecraft visible in Florida A mysterious sight in the sky had WINK News viewers buzzing, but there’s no need to worry. It’s not a UFO.
Sovereign citizen claim complicates deputy-involved Charlotte County shooting case A tense incident unfolded on Sandy Pine Drive in Charlotte County last October when deputies shot and killed a man in his driveway.
SANIBEL Sanibel’s water system faces climate challenges Sanibel Island is facing challenges as it balances its natural beauty with the demands of stormwater management.
FORT MYERS Travel tips ahead of spring break Spring break 2025 has arrived, and tourists are flocking to Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Pilot project tackles affordable housing gaps in Fort Myers Affordable housing is a pressing issue in Southwest Florida, driven by a growing population. The Florida Housing Coalition is working to ensure residents can afford a place to live.
ALVA Alva locals voice concerns over Lee County’s housing expansion plan Residents of Alva are grappling with changes as Lee County commissioners approved a significant development project that will transform their rural community.
Crews battling 12-acre brush fire in Charlotte County Crews are hard at work battling a 12-acre brush fire in Charlotte County.
Collier County man caught in $150K bank fraud at Fifth Third Bank Collier County deputies arrested a man accused of impersonating another individual and making fraudulent bank transactions exceeding $150,000.
SANIBEL Discover rare shells at Sanibel Shell Show The nation’s oldest and most esteemed shell show is currently taking place on Sanibel.
Lee County Fighting the bite: Soaring high to battle mosquitoes WINK News anchor Liz Biro had the chance to fly with the Lee County Mosquito Control District to see how they work to battle mosquitoes.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte wrestling ready for state tournament under strong leadership Fresh off of a regional title and a state runner-up finish in the dual team wrestling tournament, the Tarpons are fired up.
CAPE CORAL Managing allergies during peak season Springtime in Southwest Florida brings not only flowers and sunshine but also a wave of sneezes and sniffles.
COLLIER COUNTY One-on-one with FC Naples head coach Matt Poland WINK Sports Reporter Zach Oliveri sat down with FC Naples head coach Matt Poland to talk about the inaugural season.
Economist Jeremy Siegel favors Trump tax cuts, not tariffs During President Donald Trump’s first administration, longtime economic professor Jeremy Siegel received a request to join it as an economic adviser.
miami beach Gov. DeSantis announces safety efforts ahead of spring break Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced safety efforts in Florida ahead of spring break.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SpaceX launches flight test; spacecraft visible in Florida A mysterious sight in the sky had WINK News viewers buzzing, but there’s no need to worry. It’s not a UFO.
Sovereign citizen claim complicates deputy-involved Charlotte County shooting case A tense incident unfolded on Sandy Pine Drive in Charlotte County last October when deputies shot and killed a man in his driveway.
SANIBEL Sanibel’s water system faces climate challenges Sanibel Island is facing challenges as it balances its natural beauty with the demands of stormwater management.
FORT MYERS Travel tips ahead of spring break Spring break 2025 has arrived, and tourists are flocking to Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Pilot project tackles affordable housing gaps in Fort Myers Affordable housing is a pressing issue in Southwest Florida, driven by a growing population. The Florida Housing Coalition is working to ensure residents can afford a place to live.
ALVA Alva locals voice concerns over Lee County’s housing expansion plan Residents of Alva are grappling with changes as Lee County commissioners approved a significant development project that will transform their rural community.
Crews battling 12-acre brush fire in Charlotte County Crews are hard at work battling a 12-acre brush fire in Charlotte County.
Collier County man caught in $150K bank fraud at Fifth Third Bank Collier County deputies arrested a man accused of impersonating another individual and making fraudulent bank transactions exceeding $150,000.
SANIBEL Discover rare shells at Sanibel Shell Show The nation’s oldest and most esteemed shell show is currently taking place on Sanibel.
Lee County Fighting the bite: Soaring high to battle mosquitoes WINK News anchor Liz Biro had the chance to fly with the Lee County Mosquito Control District to see how they work to battle mosquitoes.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte wrestling ready for state tournament under strong leadership Fresh off of a regional title and a state runner-up finish in the dual team wrestling tournament, the Tarpons are fired up.
CAPE CORAL Managing allergies during peak season Springtime in Southwest Florida brings not only flowers and sunshine but also a wave of sneezes and sniffles.
COLLIER COUNTY One-on-one with FC Naples head coach Matt Poland WINK Sports Reporter Zach Oliveri sat down with FC Naples head coach Matt Poland to talk about the inaugural season.
Economist Jeremy Siegel favors Trump tax cuts, not tariffs During President Donald Trump’s first administration, longtime economic professor Jeremy Siegel received a request to join it as an economic adviser.
miami beach Gov. DeSantis announces safety efforts ahead of spring break Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced safety efforts in Florida ahead of spring break.
Christopher Davis’ mugshot. Credit: The Lee County Sheriff’s Office Christopher Davis, who stands accused of killing his boyfriend Barry Schmalbach, is now in the Lee County Jail. The news of his extradition Thursday comes almost exactly five months since Cape Coral Police charged Davis with Schmalbach’s murder and issued an arrest warrant. Davis appeared in court at 10 a.m. on to be formally charged. A bond hearing was pushed until Friday. Davis did speak in court, saying, “I haven’t been able to go to the bathroom for hours this morning, stuck inside a shower.” Davis tried to plead with the judge about conditions he claimed he was dealing with while being held in detention. He said he was in fear for his life, held under psychiatric care and suicide watch. The judge told Davis he couldn’t help with any of that and all he was there to do was postpone the first appearance for 24 hours, which the judge did. Davis had been sitting in a South Carolina jail for unrelated charges; however, he has been made the prime suspect in the 2023 missing Schmalbach case. Schmalbach’s body has not yet been located by detectives and forensics. Davis was booked into the Lee County Jail at around 1:45 a.m. on Thursday and now faces around 18 charges, including murder, tampering with evidence and fraud. RELATED: From suspicious behavior to murder charges: A Timeline of Barry Schmalbach’s disappearance The Cape Coral Police Department claims that they have collected an enormous amount of evidence linking Davis to the murder of Schmalbach, stating that his involvement in the case stems back to January. “Detectives and forensics personnel have been investigating, collecting a massive amount of physical evidence, obtaining witness statements, collecting and examining digital forensic evidence and working with the prosecutors from the State Attorney’s Office all along the way,” said Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore. Tom Wilson a friend of Schmalbach spoke to WINK News last year soon after his disappearance, and suspected Davis was somehow behind his friend’s disappearance. “On Saturday morning, Christopher was texting [a friend], sharing screenshots of supposed conversations between he and Barry,” said Wilson. “At that moment, we know something was wrong because the comments were not Barry … nothing that Barry would say.” Police have also stated that Davis has not been cooperative with detectives. According to the CCPD, Davis reportedly last saw Schmalbach on July 19 in the vicinity of Beach Parkway in Cape Coral, where the couple shared an apartment. The bond hearing has been rescheduled for Friday.