Where to drop off your mail-in ballots on Election Day Those who still have their mail-in ballots in Southwest Florida have two options on Election Day: vote in person or drop them off at a specified location.
WINK NEWS Lee County race for Sheriff It is now Election Day, and two candidates for the Lee County Sheriff are vying for the position.
WINK NEWS Floridians to vote on legalizing recreational marijuana With Election Day in full swing, WINK News is monitoring the results of the most controversial amendments on the ballot, including Florida’s Amendment 3.
Know where your voting precinct is in Southwest Florida Election Day is only one day away, so it is important to know where to go and if you qualify to vote in Southwest Florida.
WINK NEWS How Floridians are voting on Consitutional right to abortions As Election Day ramps up, WINK News is monitoring the results of the most controversial amendments on the ballot, including Florida’s Amendment 4.
Collier County commission race As the 2024 general election gets underway, WINK News is monitoring the election results in several local races, including the Collier County Commission race.
Cape Coral 5 seats in Cape Coral City Council to eb decided on Election Day The Cape Coral City Council election will be decided on Tuesday. Five seats are up for grabs.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers City Council race for 2 wards The 2024 elections are looking to be a tense battle that will have every American on the edge of their seats. In Southwest Florida, the feeling is no different.
Lee County Superintendent election; School Board District 7 Voters in Lee County are going to the polls to fill some crucial seats in the school district.
PUNTA GORDA The race for Punta Gorda City Council November 5 is election day, as politicians across the country compete for office, with Southwest Florida being no different.
Lee County commission race for districts 3 and 5 The 2024 elections include several local Southwest Florida races, among them are races for two districts on the Lee County Board of County Commissioners.
Election Day crowds expected despite record early voting Election Day is nearly upon us. At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, the polls will be closed, and our team will bring you the results.
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS Voters in Downtown Fort Myers ready for 2024 Election A lot can change in four years. During the 2020 election, many voters masked up as they cast their ballots, and the pandemic was at the top of many voters’ minds.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda residents frustrated by hurricane debris delays Many people in parts of southwest Florida feel like they’ve dealt with more than their fair share of storm damage lately.
Miracle Moment: A rosy outlook following surprise diagnosis It’s time for Miracle Moment. Today, we meet a toddler diagnosed with a disease without known prevention or cure.
Where to drop off your mail-in ballots on Election Day Those who still have their mail-in ballots in Southwest Florida have two options on Election Day: vote in person or drop them off at a specified location.
WINK NEWS Lee County race for Sheriff It is now Election Day, and two candidates for the Lee County Sheriff are vying for the position.
WINK NEWS Floridians to vote on legalizing recreational marijuana With Election Day in full swing, WINK News is monitoring the results of the most controversial amendments on the ballot, including Florida’s Amendment 3.
Know where your voting precinct is in Southwest Florida Election Day is only one day away, so it is important to know where to go and if you qualify to vote in Southwest Florida.
WINK NEWS How Floridians are voting on Consitutional right to abortions As Election Day ramps up, WINK News is monitoring the results of the most controversial amendments on the ballot, including Florida’s Amendment 4.
Collier County commission race As the 2024 general election gets underway, WINK News is monitoring the election results in several local races, including the Collier County Commission race.
Cape Coral 5 seats in Cape Coral City Council to eb decided on Election Day The Cape Coral City Council election will be decided on Tuesday. Five seats are up for grabs.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers City Council race for 2 wards The 2024 elections are looking to be a tense battle that will have every American on the edge of their seats. In Southwest Florida, the feeling is no different.
Lee County Superintendent election; School Board District 7 Voters in Lee County are going to the polls to fill some crucial seats in the school district.
PUNTA GORDA The race for Punta Gorda City Council November 5 is election day, as politicians across the country compete for office, with Southwest Florida being no different.
Lee County commission race for districts 3 and 5 The 2024 elections include several local Southwest Florida races, among them are races for two districts on the Lee County Board of County Commissioners.
Election Day crowds expected despite record early voting Election Day is nearly upon us. At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, the polls will be closed, and our team will bring you the results.
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS Voters in Downtown Fort Myers ready for 2024 Election A lot can change in four years. During the 2020 election, many voters masked up as they cast their ballots, and the pandemic was at the top of many voters’ minds.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda residents frustrated by hurricane debris delays Many people in parts of southwest Florida feel like they’ve dealt with more than their fair share of storm damage lately.
Miracle Moment: A rosy outlook following surprise diagnosis It’s time for Miracle Moment. Today, we meet a toddler diagnosed with a disease without known prevention or cure.
“Drivers need to be aware of the big yellow school buses or face a hefty fine,” said WINK News Traffic Anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen. If you’re driving behind a school bus, and you see that red stop sign come out, you need to stop. You are not in the clear on the other side of the road either. Drivers going in either direction on a two-way or multi-lane road have to stop for school buses. According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website, “Motorists should always be alert and drive with caution around school buses and in school zones where children may be present—like at schools, bus stops, and in school parking lots. Parents should also go over safety tips with their children to make sure they are safe on and around school buses and school zones.” School bus stop sign. CREDIT: WINK News “Drivers need to stop until the children have reached the sidewalks and the stop sign arm folds back into the bus,” added Cox-Rosen. The only time you don’t have to stop is if you’re driving past a school bus in the opposite direction with a raised barrier in the middle or at least five feet of unpaved space separating traffic. Illegally passing a school bus, depending on the severity of the offense and if anyone is injured, could result in a fine of up to $1,500, points on your license, and a requirement to take a driver improvement course. CREDIT: FLORIDA HIGHWAY SAFTEY AND MOTOR VEHICLES Penalties from FLHSMV if you pass a stopped school bus and hit or kill someone: 120 community service hours in a trauma center or hospital Participate in a victim’s impact panel session, or if such a panel does not exist, attend a FLHSMV approved driver improvement course Six points on your driver’s license Suspension of license for a minimum of one year $1,500 fine The agency also offered advice to keep children safe: Arrive at the bus stop about five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Wait in a safe place away from the road. Never sit on the roadway or curb while waiting for the bus. Know the bus driver’s name and the bus number. Never walk behind a bus, and stay away from its wheels at all times. When the bus stops, children should wait for the driver’s signal that it is safe to cross the road or board the bus. Look both ways before crossing the street. Look left, right and left again. Children should make eye contact with the bus driver. Illegal Passing of School Buses – Survey Results The Florida Department of Education conducts an annual survey about the illegal passing of buses. Here are the 2023 results for Southwest Florida. Charlotte County—92 drivers participated and said they experienced 83 illegal passes. Thirty-one happened in the morning, five in midday, and 47 in the afternoon. Fifty-seven passed in front of the bus, 26 in the rear, 78 on the left side, and five on the right. Collier County—234 drivers participated and said they experienced 334 illegal passes. 152 happened in the morning, 4 in the midday, and 178 in the afternoon. 162 passed in front of the bus, 172 in the rear, 334 on the left side and none on the right. DeSoto County—23 drivers participated and said they experienced eight illegal passes. Six happened in the morning, none in the midday and two in the afternoon. Eight passed in front of the bus and on the left side. Glades County—12 drivers participated and said they didn’t experience any illegal passes. Hendry County—Five drivers participated and said they experienced 11 illegal passes. Three happened in the morning, three in the midday, and five in the afternoon. Nine passed in front of the bus, two in the rear, 10 on the left side and one on the right. Lee County—455 drivers participated and said they experienced 834 illegal passes. 402 happened in the morning, 64 in the midday and 368 in the afternoon. 470 passed in front of the bus, 364 in the rear, 772 on the left side, and 62 on the right. For more information on school bus safety, click here, and for more resources, click here.