WINK NEWS Atlanta Dream hires long-time FGCU coach The Atlanta Dream has hired longtime FGCU coach Karl Smesko to lead the team as he steps down as head women’s basketball coach of the Eagles.
Duo arrested in Collier County for bank jugging The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two men who stand accused of bank jugging, stealing thousands of dollars in cash from a victim.
PUNTA GORDA 2 accused of trafficking narcotics after reckless driving stop in Punta Gorda A man and woman have been arrested for allegedly possessing trafficking amounts of drugs after deputies stopped them for reckless driving in Punta Gorda.
HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital purchases land in Bonita Springs Charlotte County’s HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital purchased a 4.3-acre site on Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs, according to Lee County property records.
NORTH PORT North Port woman wins $1M prize playing scratch-off A woman in North Port won $1 million from a scratch-off game.
FWC rescues baby manatee from shallow area in Caloosahatchee river A baby manatee found in the shallows of the Caloosahatchee River is recovering after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission transported it for care to SeaWorld.
Seacrest volleyball celebrates fourth straight state title The Seacrest Country Day School volleyball team celebrates its fourth straight state championship.
COLLIER COUNTY 7 agencies recognized for their actions during private jet crash in Collier County It was a day that asked for action on Interstate 75 when a private jet crashed on a highway in Collier County back in February.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral CRA giving update Wednesday on Bimini Basin project Cape Coral leaders are giving an update Wednesday during a Community Redevelopment Agency meeting on the Bimini East project.
the weather authority Tracking Invest 99-L, 90% chance of development in the Caribbean The Weather Authority is tracking a tropical wave designated as Invest 99-L in the Caribbean as development is likely to occur later this week.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Weak front brings less humid conditions this Wednesday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a weak cold front, as Southwest Florida can expect less humid conditions this Wednesday.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers man sentenced to life for witness tampering and inmate assault A Fort Myers man has been sentenced to life in prison for witness tampering and inmate assault.
ENGLEWOOD Community comes together to support father battling cancer Kevin Kuznar has spent years working as a barber to build a life for his son in Englewood.
FORT MYERS Woman accused of breaking into hangar, steals car from Page Field Airport A woman has been accused of stealing a car from an airport hangar and going on a crime spree.
NAPLES ‘Love, peace and taco grease’: Guy Fieri brings Flavortown spirit to Naples ‘Culinary rock star’ Guy Fieri was in town Tuesday night to promote his additive-free tequila brand.
WINK NEWS Atlanta Dream hires long-time FGCU coach The Atlanta Dream has hired longtime FGCU coach Karl Smesko to lead the team as he steps down as head women’s basketball coach of the Eagles.
Duo arrested in Collier County for bank jugging The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two men who stand accused of bank jugging, stealing thousands of dollars in cash from a victim.
PUNTA GORDA 2 accused of trafficking narcotics after reckless driving stop in Punta Gorda A man and woman have been arrested for allegedly possessing trafficking amounts of drugs after deputies stopped them for reckless driving in Punta Gorda.
HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital purchases land in Bonita Springs Charlotte County’s HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital purchased a 4.3-acre site on Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs, according to Lee County property records.
NORTH PORT North Port woman wins $1M prize playing scratch-off A woman in North Port won $1 million from a scratch-off game.
FWC rescues baby manatee from shallow area in Caloosahatchee river A baby manatee found in the shallows of the Caloosahatchee River is recovering after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission transported it for care to SeaWorld.
Seacrest volleyball celebrates fourth straight state title The Seacrest Country Day School volleyball team celebrates its fourth straight state championship.
COLLIER COUNTY 7 agencies recognized for their actions during private jet crash in Collier County It was a day that asked for action on Interstate 75 when a private jet crashed on a highway in Collier County back in February.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral CRA giving update Wednesday on Bimini Basin project Cape Coral leaders are giving an update Wednesday during a Community Redevelopment Agency meeting on the Bimini East project.
the weather authority Tracking Invest 99-L, 90% chance of development in the Caribbean The Weather Authority is tracking a tropical wave designated as Invest 99-L in the Caribbean as development is likely to occur later this week.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Weak front brings less humid conditions this Wednesday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a weak cold front, as Southwest Florida can expect less humid conditions this Wednesday.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers man sentenced to life for witness tampering and inmate assault A Fort Myers man has been sentenced to life in prison for witness tampering and inmate assault.
ENGLEWOOD Community comes together to support father battling cancer Kevin Kuznar has spent years working as a barber to build a life for his son in Englewood.
FORT MYERS Woman accused of breaking into hangar, steals car from Page Field Airport A woman has been accused of stealing a car from an airport hangar and going on a crime spree.
NAPLES ‘Love, peace and taco grease’: Guy Fieri brings Flavortown spirit to Naples ‘Culinary rock star’ Guy Fieri was in town Tuesday night to promote his additive-free tequila brand.
In the wake of Hurricane Milton, many Floridians are facing the daunting task of rebuilding their lives, but financial assistance from the government is in short supply. Both FEMA and the Small Business Administration’s Disaster Loan Program, two of the primary sources of relief for those affected by disasters, are running low on funds, leaving many disaster survivors in limbo. WINK News reporter Esly Davis spoke with Leanne, a homeowner in Englewood whose lake house was ravaged by Hurricane Milton. The search for help has been fraught with challenges. Leanne’s home was overwhelmed by floodwaters—nearly a foot and a half inside and three feet outside—making it unlivable. “I got three times the level of water in my house than I did with [Hurricane] Helene,” Leanne shared. “I have a total loss. I have to gut my whole house. I have nowhere to live. I gotta stay with friends.” Leanne is now on the road with her cats, displaced from her dream home, which she said has never flooded before—until now. “It’s just so sad. We had the perfect private waterfront house… no neighbors in sight. It was perfect, all the way. It’s an old house that never flooded, ever. And now, twice in two weeks? The water was 14 to 18 inches high inside, but outside it was up to 36 inches.” As Leanne sought assistance from FEMA, she encountered another obstacle. Despite needing immediate help, she found that she couldn’t apply for FEMA disaster relief for Hurricane Milton because the website wasn’t accepting applications. “I went to apply for Milton, but it wasn’t showing up on the website,” Leanne explained. “So I called, and they told me they’re not accepting applications.” This delay is due to the fact that President Biden has yet to issue a major disaster declaration for Hurricane Milton. Without this declaration, FEMA cannot begin processing aid requests from survivors like Leanne. At a recent press conference, FEMA officials confirmed that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has already submitted a request for an expedited disaster declaration and is working to push it through as quickly as possible. “We’re pushing it through as quickly as possible so we can bring the necessary resources to Floridians impacted by this event,” FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said. In the meantime, FEMA is urging survivors to take specific steps while they wait for assistance to become available. These steps include: Documenting all damage Beginning cleanup efforts and keeping all receipts Filing insurance claims for both homeowners and flood policies However, for Leanne, the delays and uncertainty have become too much to bear. “We’re done,” Leanne said. “Once we get the house together, we’re selling and moving out to the mountains.” Criswell told WINK that she expects President Biden’s disaster declaration to be announced either soon, which would finally open the door for online applications and much-needed relief for those affected by Hurricane Milton. For now, residents like Leanne can only wait and hope that help arrives soon. UPDATE: President Biden approves federal aid for Florida after Hurricane Milton