FORT MYERS Residents react to Winkler apartment complex fire Residents of the Retreat at Vista Lakes Apartment Complex were forced to evacuate due to a fire Saturday morning.
FORT MYERS Structure fire at Fort Myers apartment complex Authorities responded to the scene of a fire at The Retreat at Vista Lakes apartment complex Saturday afternoon.
NAPLES Deadly crash leaves 4 dead and 1 with serious injuries in Collier County The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly crash in Collier County that left 3 dead and 2 with serious injuries.
ESTERO Fatal crash leaves motorcyclist dead on I-75 in Estero The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal crash that has left at least one motorcyclist dead.
SOUTH FORT MYERS Box truck crashes into drainage canal in South Fort Myers According to South Trail Fire Protection & Rescue Service District, a box truck crashed into multiple vehicles and landed in a drainage canal in South Fort Myers early Saturday morning.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Feel-like temps in the triple digits leading to a warm Saturday in Southwest Florida The Weather Authority says to expect another warm day across Southwest Florida with temperatures reaching the low 90s by the afternoon, but feeling like the triple digits when factoring in the humidity.
WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Week 4 Check out the scores and highlights from week four of high school football action in southwest Florida.
Safety and Security specialist weighs in on Tice child sexual assault The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said Raymond De Jesus approached a girl as she walked to her bus stop Thursday morning.
FMPD searching for juveniles accused of trespassing in Fort Myers apartment complex The Fort Myers Police Department is asking for public assistance in identifying four juveniles accused of trespassing in an apartment complex on 2250 McGregor Blvd. FMPD said the incident occurred on the evening of Sep., 7. The juveniles are alleged to have had a party in the common area of the complex which resulted in […]
FDOT in the process of renovating the Pine Island Causeway The Pine Island Causeway is getting major improvements. Crews are working to make the roads safer and smoother.
IMMOKALEE 2 dead, several injured after SUV crashes into Immokalee building The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash after an SUV collided with another car before it slammed into an Immokalee building.
CAPE CORAL Jaycee Park memorial benches to be relocated Memorial benches, plaques and trees will be relocated at Jaycee Park, and some parkgoers are not happy with the decision.
CAPE CORAL Harry Chapin Food Bank hands out food in Cape Coral The Harry Chapin Food Bank, along with volunteers from LCEC went to Ocean Church in Cape Coral to feed families on Friday.
Neighbors react after Tice man arrested for child sexual assault A Lee County Sheriff’s Office chopper and drones searched two massive scenes on the ground Thursday looking for a man wanted for sexually assaulting a young girl.
Truck hits school bus on College Parkway and Queen Elizabeth Way; 1 child transported According to Lee County Public Schools a dump truck hit the back of a school bus that was at a complete stop on College Parkway and Queen Elizabeth Way.
FORT MYERS Residents react to Winkler apartment complex fire Residents of the Retreat at Vista Lakes Apartment Complex were forced to evacuate due to a fire Saturday morning.
FORT MYERS Structure fire at Fort Myers apartment complex Authorities responded to the scene of a fire at The Retreat at Vista Lakes apartment complex Saturday afternoon.
NAPLES Deadly crash leaves 4 dead and 1 with serious injuries in Collier County The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly crash in Collier County that left 3 dead and 2 with serious injuries.
ESTERO Fatal crash leaves motorcyclist dead on I-75 in Estero The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal crash that has left at least one motorcyclist dead.
SOUTH FORT MYERS Box truck crashes into drainage canal in South Fort Myers According to South Trail Fire Protection & Rescue Service District, a box truck crashed into multiple vehicles and landed in a drainage canal in South Fort Myers early Saturday morning.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Feel-like temps in the triple digits leading to a warm Saturday in Southwest Florida The Weather Authority says to expect another warm day across Southwest Florida with temperatures reaching the low 90s by the afternoon, but feeling like the triple digits when factoring in the humidity.
WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Week 4 Check out the scores and highlights from week four of high school football action in southwest Florida.
Safety and Security specialist weighs in on Tice child sexual assault The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said Raymond De Jesus approached a girl as she walked to her bus stop Thursday morning.
FMPD searching for juveniles accused of trespassing in Fort Myers apartment complex The Fort Myers Police Department is asking for public assistance in identifying four juveniles accused of trespassing in an apartment complex on 2250 McGregor Blvd. FMPD said the incident occurred on the evening of Sep., 7. The juveniles are alleged to have had a party in the common area of the complex which resulted in […]
FDOT in the process of renovating the Pine Island Causeway The Pine Island Causeway is getting major improvements. Crews are working to make the roads safer and smoother.
IMMOKALEE 2 dead, several injured after SUV crashes into Immokalee building The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash after an SUV collided with another car before it slammed into an Immokalee building.
CAPE CORAL Jaycee Park memorial benches to be relocated Memorial benches, plaques and trees will be relocated at Jaycee Park, and some parkgoers are not happy with the decision.
CAPE CORAL Harry Chapin Food Bank hands out food in Cape Coral The Harry Chapin Food Bank, along with volunteers from LCEC went to Ocean Church in Cape Coral to feed families on Friday.
Neighbors react after Tice man arrested for child sexual assault A Lee County Sheriff’s Office chopper and drones searched two massive scenes on the ground Thursday looking for a man wanted for sexually assaulting a young girl.
Truck hits school bus on College Parkway and Queen Elizabeth Way; 1 child transported According to Lee County Public Schools a dump truck hit the back of a school bus that was at a complete stop on College Parkway and Queen Elizabeth Way.
An iconic breakfast spot is almost ready to get back to business on Fort Myers Beach. Since Hurricane Ian, every day has been an uphill battle for The Island’s Pancake House. The restaurant has been in recovery mode for nearly two years, and they want to serve up something really special for the island. The business owners are working to create a wall of memories. WINK News reporter Maddie Herron went to the restaurant to speak with the owners to find out when they’re reopening. The Island’s Pancake House is inches from the finish line of their rebuild. The owners told her they just needed to check a few more maintenance boxes before they set a date. Two years ago, Hurricane Ian ripped through this restaurant and destroyed nearly everything. One of the owners said one of their signs is one of the only items salvaged from Ian. After some touch-ups, it stands as a symbol of resilience, and a sign to rebuild. To own the island’s house of pancakes was a long-time dream for Brian and Stacey Martins. But just three months after opening, disaster struck. “When you got here and you saw the devastation, I don’t think anybody could prepare for that,” Brian said. Hundreds of thousands of dollars and years of hard work got washed away by Ian. The couple took over the restaurant that’s been serving Fort Myers Beach since 1977. “That’s why we decided to rebuild for the community. It’s this has been a staple in the community for, you know, a long time, and people want to come back, so hopefully it gives them a sense of starting again too,” said Stacey. Getting things back up and running, has not been a pan-cake walk. “Cried a lot, a lot, and sat on it for a couple of days, and we looked at each other and said, we can do this. Let’s figure out a way to stay,” she added. Walls once battered down and broken are now splashed with colorful murals, re-created by the same artist who painted them for the previous owners. Two remaining walls sit empty, a blank canvas for the future, which the Martins plan to fill with memories of the past. Brian explained the goal behind the wall, “We’re trying to get the locals to send us their story and their pictures, and we’re going to have a tribute wall to Ian. So, we just don’t want anybody to forget what happened down here two years ago.” Liz Ronk lives on Fort Myers Beach and survived the storm, two years later, those memories are still fresh enough to bring her to tears. “I get emotional,” said Ronk, “We’re slowly getting there but we are getting there.” As an island local, Ronk said she ate at the pancake house all the time. We showed her photos of how far her go-to lunch spot has come since Ian. “Nice and crisp and oh, that’s beautiful. Oh, that’s so nice,” she said. Awes of excitement to see a Fort Myers Beach staple rebuild from the rubble. “Fight for your dream,” said Brian. “The journey is gonna continue,” added Stacey. According to the owners, the grand re-opening should be in a few weeks, but for now, WINK News will keep you updated with the latest.