State investigates former Lee County Sheriff consultant Collier County woman arrested twice for operating illicit massage parlor
State investigates former Lee County Sheriff consultant A source sent WINK News anchor Claire Galt an executive order saying the state is investigating Ken Romano, a consultant who was on the sheriff’s office payroll.
Collier County woman arrested twice for operating illicit massage parlor The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of operating an illicit massage parlor, her second time arrested on this charge.
Mother accused of killing 4-month-old baby pleads not guilty A woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby has pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child and aggravated child abuse.
NAPLES Family of bears caught on camera in the Winding Cypress community You never know what you’ll see when you open the door in Florida, and for one WINK News viewer, it was a family of bears.
SOUTH FORT MYERS Former Uber driver who raped passenger sentenced to life in prison Justice has been served after a former Uber driver was sentenced to life in prison for raping his passenger.
CAPE CORAL Single boat crashes into Cape Coral home dock injuring 3 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating a boat crash in Cape Coral that injured three people.
NAPLES NCH becomes first in Florida to offer Van Gogh Biopsy Tool NCH has become the first healthcare provider in the state to offer the groundbreaking Van Gogh Biopsy tool from Aquyre Biosciences.
First full moon of 2025 peaks Monday evening If you take a look into the sky this evening, you will see the first full moon of 2025, otherwise known as the ‘Wolf Moon.’
1st reported Florida Panther death of 2025, killed by vehicle in Collier A vehicle in Collier County claimed the life of a critically endangered Florida Panther, marking the first death recorded in 2025.
Boston oncologist named medical director at Southwest Florida Proton Southwest Florida Proton’s new senior medical director once taught Dr. Arie Dosoretz in medical school. Now, he is her boss.
tallahassee Gov. DeSantis holds news conference at Florida Capitol Gov. Ron DeSantis is holding a news conference at the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee.
Man without license arrested for fatal Burnt Store Road crash The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of driving without a license, causing death on Burnt Store Road.
Man sentenced to life for attempted first-degree murder of Sanibel police officer A man found guilty of attempted first-degree murder for shooting at a Sanibel police officer has been sentenced to life in prison.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Temperatures warm back up following cold streak this Monday The Weather Authority is tracking a noticeable temperature warm-up, with highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s this Monday.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
State investigates former Lee County Sheriff consultant A source sent WINK News anchor Claire Galt an executive order saying the state is investigating Ken Romano, a consultant who was on the sheriff’s office payroll.
Collier County woman arrested twice for operating illicit massage parlor The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of operating an illicit massage parlor, her second time arrested on this charge.
Mother accused of killing 4-month-old baby pleads not guilty A woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby has pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child and aggravated child abuse.
NAPLES Family of bears caught on camera in the Winding Cypress community You never know what you’ll see when you open the door in Florida, and for one WINK News viewer, it was a family of bears.
SOUTH FORT MYERS Former Uber driver who raped passenger sentenced to life in prison Justice has been served after a former Uber driver was sentenced to life in prison for raping his passenger.
CAPE CORAL Single boat crashes into Cape Coral home dock injuring 3 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating a boat crash in Cape Coral that injured three people.
NAPLES NCH becomes first in Florida to offer Van Gogh Biopsy Tool NCH has become the first healthcare provider in the state to offer the groundbreaking Van Gogh Biopsy tool from Aquyre Biosciences.
First full moon of 2025 peaks Monday evening If you take a look into the sky this evening, you will see the first full moon of 2025, otherwise known as the ‘Wolf Moon.’
1st reported Florida Panther death of 2025, killed by vehicle in Collier A vehicle in Collier County claimed the life of a critically endangered Florida Panther, marking the first death recorded in 2025.
Boston oncologist named medical director at Southwest Florida Proton Southwest Florida Proton’s new senior medical director once taught Dr. Arie Dosoretz in medical school. Now, he is her boss.
tallahassee Gov. DeSantis holds news conference at Florida Capitol Gov. Ron DeSantis is holding a news conference at the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee.
Man without license arrested for fatal Burnt Store Road crash The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of driving without a license, causing death on Burnt Store Road.
Man sentenced to life for attempted first-degree murder of Sanibel police officer A man found guilty of attempted first-degree murder for shooting at a Sanibel police officer has been sentenced to life in prison.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Temperatures warm back up following cold streak this Monday The Weather Authority is tracking a noticeable temperature warm-up, with highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s this Monday.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
Burmese python squeezing hunter’s arm. CREDIT: PYTHON COWBOY Since the 2020 Florida Python Challenge, 743 invasive Burmese pythons have been captured and removed from the Florida ecosystem. That is a considerable amount despite not knowing how many are slithering through the Florida Everglades. Nevertheless, hunters are ready to help Florida’s native species fend off an animal they were never supposed to be competing with. Invasive Burmese pythons, beware; the hunters are coming. Friday marks the start of the 2024 Florida Python Challenge. After quickly scaling to the top of the Florida food chain in a few decades, pythons will be in unfamiliar territory starting Friday. For 10 days, hunters will descend into the murky swamp for the annual Florida Python Challenge. “They’re capable of eating just about any native wildlife,” said Mike Kirkland from the South Florida Water Management District. “We are seeing significant declines in native wildlife populations in Everglades National Park and radiating out, in some cases, 90 to 95%.” Biologist Ian Bartoszek, Board Member Jon Kukk and Julie Kukk holding a female Burmese python. CREDIT: CONSERVANCY OF SWFL But if you’ve had the itch to catch some massive serpents, you can participate. That’s because the event is not just for specialized hunters. The Florida Python Challenge is open to everyone as long as you meet certain requirements. RELATED: Hunters prevent 76 Burmese pythons and their 17-foot mother from devastating Everglades ecosystem RELATED: Burmese python hunter gets upper hand on 14-foot snake by sitting on it RELATED: 2024 Florida Python Challenge registration begins In doing so, the event turns local Floridians into environmental heroes. “That is essentially an ecosystem collapse,” said Kirkland. “The Burmese python is safe to say one of the most destructive invasive species in Florida.” Before registering, you must take a required online training course, which is available on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website. Even if you did the online training for the 2023 hunt, you have to take it again for the event this year. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, center, holds a Burmese python at a media event, Thursday, June 16, 2022, where he announced that registration for the 2022 Florida Python Challenge has opened for the annual 10-day event to be held Aug 5-14, , in Miami. The Python Challenge is intended to engage the public in participating in Everglades conservation through invasive species removal of the Burmese python. Also pictured are Ron Bergeron, left, McKayla Spencer, second from left, Rodney Barreto, third from right, and Jan Fore, second from right. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) It’s also important to know the rules for the specific area you are looking for pythons. Rules vary depending on if you are hunting in Big Cypress National Preserve, Southern Glades Wildlife and Environmental Area, or the Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area. The people who go out hunting these snakes are why Kirkland has hope for the future of native wildlife in Florida. “I am optimistic for the future. I’m hoping in another 10 or 15 years to start seeing a rebound our native wildlife populations,” said Kirkland. Burmese Python eggs. CREDIT: TheCritterCult The 10-day Florida Python Challenge begins just after midnight on Friday. There is a $10,000 award for whoever catches the most invasive Burmese pythons during the hunt. And while it’s unknown how many invasive pythons plague the Florida ecosystem, it is a reminder that our native species need help. Over the last 24 years, FWC says more than 21,000 Burmese pythons have been removed from the wild and reported to the agency. Click here to learn more about how to register for the Florida Python Challenge. Click here to learn more about Burmese python removal efforts from the South Florida Water Management District. Click here to learn more about Burmese python’s impact on Florida wildlife.