LCSO: Lehigh Acres shooting investigation underwayRock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for Palestine
lehigh acres LCSO: Lehigh Acres shooting investigation underway The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting in Lehigh Acres early Saturday morning.
Rock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for Palestine A Southwest Florida non-profit hosted a benefit concert on Friday night to help with humanitarian aid in Palestine.
Warm, breezy Saturday with a few showers possible The Weather Authority is forecasting a breezy, warm weekend in store across Southwest Florida, with the chance of a few showers, particularly on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Active investigation underway in South Cape Coral Cape Coral police are investigating at a home on Southwest 49th Terrace in South Cape Coral early Saturday morning.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
lehigh acres LCSO: Lehigh Acres shooting investigation underway The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting in Lehigh Acres early Saturday morning.
Rock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for Palestine A Southwest Florida non-profit hosted a benefit concert on Friday night to help with humanitarian aid in Palestine.
Warm, breezy Saturday with a few showers possible The Weather Authority is forecasting a breezy, warm weekend in store across Southwest Florida, with the chance of a few showers, particularly on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Active investigation underway in South Cape Coral Cape Coral police are investigating at a home on Southwest 49th Terrace in South Cape Coral early Saturday morning.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
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.