2024 python challenge winner caught 20 pythonsLee commission awards $39.2M contract to nourish Lovers Key and Bonita Beach shoreline
2024 python challenge winner caught 20 pythons The 2024 Florida Python Challenge has concluded, and we have a winner.
WINK NEWS Lee commission awards $39.2M contract to nourish Lovers Key and Bonita Beach shoreline The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to award a nearly $39.2 contract to nourish beaches on Lovers Key and Bonita Beach.
LEE COUNTY Lee County votes to purchase nearly 100 acres for Conservation 20/20 Lee County Commissioners voted to purchase about 100 acres in southeastern Lee County for the Conservation 20/20 land acquisition program.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh freshman to play in Dream Football Classic All-American Game Lehigh freshman defensive lineman Julian Graham was picked to play in the Dream Football Classic All-American Game.
Matanzas Pass Bridge hit again by the same shrimp boat 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.
Twin Cutz owner launches Barber Academy in south Fort Myers More than a decade after establishing his chain of Twin Cutz barbershops across Southwest Florida, Sean Casey began looking into the next step in his professional journey.
Great Wolf Lodge to launch early in Naples Launching a week earlier than originally announced, the massive Great Wolf Lodge South Florida resort and indoor water park will open Sept. 18.
CAPE CORAL Man accused of 3-vehicle DUI crash in Cape Coral A man has been arrested after allegedly being responsible for a three-vehicle crash while driving under the influence in Cape Coral.
GOLDEN GATE ESTATES Volunteers wanted for Track to Trail Thoroughbreds rehabilitation The volunteer ran horserace rehabilitation effort Track to Trail Thoroughbreds is enlisting additional help from the Southwest Florida community.
NAPLES NCH hosting open house amid Florida Blue negotiations With less than two weeks until the September 30th deadline, NCH and Florida Blue still haven’t reached an agreement on contract negotiations.
WEST PALM BEACH DeSantis signs executive order to hand attempted assassination case of Donald Trump to state attorney general Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order to allow the state attorney general to investigate the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in West Palm Beach.
The Weather Authority The Weather Authority: More rain and storms for your Tuesday The Weather Authority is tracking more rain and storms due to tropical moisture entering into the Southwest Florida area.
NAPLES Veterans hit the water in Naples Every September, a local group of captains and anglers hosts an event to take soldiers on the water. More than 130 troops and 65 captains were at the Naples Take a Soldier Fishing event.
Collier County teachers reach contract agreement Collier County teachers have come to an agreement with the school district in their contract negotiations.
NORTH PORT North Port Police searching for man who struck officer with car The North Port Police Department is on the search for a man who committed battery on an officer, among other charges.
2024 python challenge winner caught 20 pythons The 2024 Florida Python Challenge has concluded, and we have a winner.
WINK NEWS Lee commission awards $39.2M contract to nourish Lovers Key and Bonita Beach shoreline The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to award a nearly $39.2 contract to nourish beaches on Lovers Key and Bonita Beach.
LEE COUNTY Lee County votes to purchase nearly 100 acres for Conservation 20/20 Lee County Commissioners voted to purchase about 100 acres in southeastern Lee County for the Conservation 20/20 land acquisition program.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh freshman to play in Dream Football Classic All-American Game Lehigh freshman defensive lineman Julian Graham was picked to play in the Dream Football Classic All-American Game.
Matanzas Pass Bridge hit again by the same shrimp boat 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.
Twin Cutz owner launches Barber Academy in south Fort Myers More than a decade after establishing his chain of Twin Cutz barbershops across Southwest Florida, Sean Casey began looking into the next step in his professional journey.
Great Wolf Lodge to launch early in Naples Launching a week earlier than originally announced, the massive Great Wolf Lodge South Florida resort and indoor water park will open Sept. 18.
CAPE CORAL Man accused of 3-vehicle DUI crash in Cape Coral A man has been arrested after allegedly being responsible for a three-vehicle crash while driving under the influence in Cape Coral.
GOLDEN GATE ESTATES Volunteers wanted for Track to Trail Thoroughbreds rehabilitation The volunteer ran horserace rehabilitation effort Track to Trail Thoroughbreds is enlisting additional help from the Southwest Florida community.
NAPLES NCH hosting open house amid Florida Blue negotiations With less than two weeks until the September 30th deadline, NCH and Florida Blue still haven’t reached an agreement on contract negotiations.
WEST PALM BEACH DeSantis signs executive order to hand attempted assassination case of Donald Trump to state attorney general Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order to allow the state attorney general to investigate the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in West Palm Beach.
The Weather Authority The Weather Authority: More rain and storms for your Tuesday The Weather Authority is tracking more rain and storms due to tropical moisture entering into the Southwest Florida area.
NAPLES Veterans hit the water in Naples Every September, a local group of captains and anglers hosts an event to take soldiers on the water. More than 130 troops and 65 captains were at the Naples Take a Soldier Fishing event.
Collier County teachers reach contract agreement Collier County teachers have come to an agreement with the school district in their contract negotiations.
NORTH PORT North Port Police searching for man who struck officer with car The North Port Police Department is on the search for a man who committed battery on an officer, among other charges.
There is no lack of exciting oddities to be discovered in Florida, as one WINK News viewer encountered a snake hitching a ride on top of an alligator. Viewer Bobby Ruiz was in the midst of participating in the annual Florida Python Challenge when he witnessed the slippery serpent joyriding an alligator. RELATED: The Hunt Begins: 2024 Florida Python Challenge officially underway Like many other python hunters, Ruiz spent his night hunting for the invasive species at the Big Cypress National Preserve. While the snake seen in the video was not a Burmese Python, Ruiz relished in the brief but humorous moment, saying, “This is the most Florida thing you will ever see.” According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Burmese pythons are large constrictors that can grow to over 20 feet in length. FILE – A Burmese python is held during a safe capture demonstration on June 16, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File) The challenge helps protect the Florida ecosystem, as each invasive serpent removed could potentially save hundreds of native species. Since the 2020 Florida Python Challenge, 743 invasive Burmese pythons have been captured and removed from the Florida ecosystem. The official start of the Florida Python Challenge was on Aug. 9 and ended on Sunday at 5 p.m. The winner of the python challenge receives a handsome $10,000 cash prize. Click here to learn more about the Florida Python Challenge.