The Weather Authority: Hotter with scattered storms Wednesday afternoon and eveningNegotiations between NCH and Florida Blue could impact SWFL residents
The Weather Authority The Weather Authority: Hotter with scattered storms Wednesday afternoon and evening The Weather Authority is tracking a hotter Wednesday ahead; scattered storms are expected in the afternoon.
Teenage boys suspected of car stealing spree According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, two 16-year-old boys have been connected to 5 stolen cars and 28 vehicle break-ins.
naples Negotiations between NCH and Florida Blue could impact SWFL residents A high-stakes healthcare negotiation is hanging in the balance as Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) and Florida Blue are at odds over how to handle the rising cost of health.
Cape Coral’s Darrion Jones ready to go from Seahawk to Jayhawk Cape Coral senior safety Darrion Jones reflects on his time in high school and looks ahead to playing for the Kansas Jayhawks in college.
Preserving paradise: protecting our water quality There’s a local effort underway to protect what many believe is our most precious resource: our water.
NORTH FORT MYERS What will happen to the Shell Factory’s animals after it closes? The Shell Factory in North Fort Myers is set to close after nearly ninety years of business. The owner plans to sell the property, but what will happen to the hundreds of animals?
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New details about Lee County man arrested for animal abuse A newly updated Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrest report details a troubling past for a new animal abuse arrest of a Lee County resident.
EVERGLADES CITY Museum of Everglades opens Python Hunters exhibit A new exhibit gives us a closer look at how bad the Burmese python invasion really is. The exhibit opened on Tuesday in the Museum of the Everglades.
NORTH FORT MYERS Habitat for Humanity receives $50 million grant for over 200 new homes The Lee and Hendry County non-profit applied for a grant back in April, and on Tuesday, the Lee County Board of Commissioners approved them for $50 million.
FORT MYERS BEACH Matanzas Pass Bridge shrimp boat makes it under on 3rd attempt The Florida Department of Transportation has reported that the Matanzas Pass Bridge was hit again by the same passing shrimp boat that struck it a day before.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors upset over constant flooding in Port Charlotte A couple living in Port Charlotte says they’ve been dealing with flooding issues for years, every single time it rains.
LEHIGH ACRES Roundabout approved for intersection at Gunnery Road and Buckingham Road Lee County officials are looking to improve safety and make traffic smoother with a roundabout at the intersection of Gunnery Road and Buckingham Road.
Local man falls victim to rare Guillain-Barré syndrome One day, a local man was happy and healthy, and the next day, he was paralyzed and needed breathing and feeding tubes. That’s how fast Guillain-Barré syndrome can strike.
CAPE CORAL 5 vehicle crash in Cape Coral near Pine Island Rd. and Chiquita Blvd. Authorities are investigating a multi-car crash that occurred in Cape Coral on Tuesday afternoon.
2024 python challenge winner caught 20 pythons The 2024 Florida Python Challenge has concluded, and we have a winner.
The Weather Authority The Weather Authority: Hotter with scattered storms Wednesday afternoon and evening The Weather Authority is tracking a hotter Wednesday ahead; scattered storms are expected in the afternoon.
Teenage boys suspected of car stealing spree According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, two 16-year-old boys have been connected to 5 stolen cars and 28 vehicle break-ins.
naples Negotiations between NCH and Florida Blue could impact SWFL residents A high-stakes healthcare negotiation is hanging in the balance as Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) and Florida Blue are at odds over how to handle the rising cost of health.
Cape Coral’s Darrion Jones ready to go from Seahawk to Jayhawk Cape Coral senior safety Darrion Jones reflects on his time in high school and looks ahead to playing for the Kansas Jayhawks in college.
Preserving paradise: protecting our water quality There’s a local effort underway to protect what many believe is our most precious resource: our water.
NORTH FORT MYERS What will happen to the Shell Factory’s animals after it closes? The Shell Factory in North Fort Myers is set to close after nearly ninety years of business. The owner plans to sell the property, but what will happen to the hundreds of animals?
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New details about Lee County man arrested for animal abuse A newly updated Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrest report details a troubling past for a new animal abuse arrest of a Lee County resident.
EVERGLADES CITY Museum of Everglades opens Python Hunters exhibit A new exhibit gives us a closer look at how bad the Burmese python invasion really is. The exhibit opened on Tuesday in the Museum of the Everglades.
NORTH FORT MYERS Habitat for Humanity receives $50 million grant for over 200 new homes The Lee and Hendry County non-profit applied for a grant back in April, and on Tuesday, the Lee County Board of Commissioners approved them for $50 million.
FORT MYERS BEACH Matanzas Pass Bridge shrimp boat makes it under on 3rd attempt The Florida Department of Transportation has reported that the Matanzas Pass Bridge was hit again by the same passing shrimp boat that struck it a day before.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors upset over constant flooding in Port Charlotte A couple living in Port Charlotte says they’ve been dealing with flooding issues for years, every single time it rains.
LEHIGH ACRES Roundabout approved for intersection at Gunnery Road and Buckingham Road Lee County officials are looking to improve safety and make traffic smoother with a roundabout at the intersection of Gunnery Road and Buckingham Road.
Local man falls victim to rare Guillain-Barré syndrome One day, a local man was happy and healthy, and the next day, he was paralyzed and needed breathing and feeding tubes. That’s how fast Guillain-Barré syndrome can strike.
CAPE CORAL 5 vehicle crash in Cape Coral near Pine Island Rd. and Chiquita Blvd. Authorities are investigating a multi-car crash that occurred in Cape Coral on Tuesday afternoon.
2024 python challenge winner caught 20 pythons The 2024 Florida Python Challenge has concluded, and we have a winner.
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.