1 dead, 2 injured in four-vehicle crash on I-75 in Collier CountyLee County woman’s home transforms into Santa’s Workshop for families in need
1 dead, 2 injured in four-vehicle crash on I-75 in Collier County A collision involving four vehicles on northbound Interstate 75 near mile marker 108 resulted in one fatality, minor injuries to two others, and a large paint spill.
Lee County woman’s home transforms into Santa’s Workshop for families in need One Lee County woman’s home has looked like Santa’s workshop since June.
Chilly first day of winter with plenty of sunshine overhead The Weather Authority says Saturday is the first day of the winter solstice, and it feels like it across Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Kitten recovering after surviving horrific abuse At 12 pounds and 12 weeks old, this little kitty was snatched from her home and literally dragged through the unthinkable.
Losing loved ones in the line of duty; Community offers support to Diaz family Heartbreak over Sergeant Elio Diaz’s death consumed the Charlotte County community, after the fallen hero was laid to rest Friday.
CAPTIVA Impacts of hurricane season on fishing in SWFL Whipping winds and torrential downpours are all too common with hurricanes.
CAPE CORAL What to know before gifting pets this holiday season Gifting someone a pet for Christmas may sound like a good idea but not always. Animal experts remind us that owning an animal takes a big commitment.
Top rated prospects shine in City of Palms Classic In the third week of December, all eyes on college basketball recruiting are on the City of Palms Classic. Year after year, some of the top high school teams, featuring many of the top players in the country, compete in the Fort Myers Tournament. This year is no different. Take Long Island Lutheran versus Owasso, […]
NAPLES ‘Beverly’s Angels’ prepare holiday sacks for kids in need Beverly’s Angels in Naples is providing kids the essentials they need during the holiday season, and they got some help from high school students across Southwest Florida.
‘He was a phenomenal human being’: Woman says Elio Diaz inspired her to turn life around WINK News has shared stories about people greatly impacted by Deputy Sergeant Elio Diaz’s work. Now we hear from a woman whose life he affected for the better.
PUNTA GORDA ShorePoint Health in Punta Gorda to permanently close If people in Punta Gorda consider themselves patients of ShorePoint Hospital, they will have to look for an alternate place of healthcare.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh Acres Fire and Rescue District gives holiday candle safety tips Holiday celebrations are a few days away, and nothing sets the mood better than candles. This warning is best given before the holidays.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers closes on first house through affordable home program Through its Affordable Home Construction Program, the city closed a contract for the first single-family home.
SANIBEL Homeowners share unique ways to fortify homes after storms Roof, walls and floors. There’s so much to think about when you’re rebuilding.
DeSoto teen found guilty for murder at fair A teenager has been convicted in a deadly shooting that occurred at the DeSoto County Fair.
1 dead, 2 injured in four-vehicle crash on I-75 in Collier County A collision involving four vehicles on northbound Interstate 75 near mile marker 108 resulted in one fatality, minor injuries to two others, and a large paint spill.
Lee County woman’s home transforms into Santa’s Workshop for families in need One Lee County woman’s home has looked like Santa’s workshop since June.
Chilly first day of winter with plenty of sunshine overhead The Weather Authority says Saturday is the first day of the winter solstice, and it feels like it across Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Kitten recovering after surviving horrific abuse At 12 pounds and 12 weeks old, this little kitty was snatched from her home and literally dragged through the unthinkable.
Losing loved ones in the line of duty; Community offers support to Diaz family Heartbreak over Sergeant Elio Diaz’s death consumed the Charlotte County community, after the fallen hero was laid to rest Friday.
CAPTIVA Impacts of hurricane season on fishing in SWFL Whipping winds and torrential downpours are all too common with hurricanes.
CAPE CORAL What to know before gifting pets this holiday season Gifting someone a pet for Christmas may sound like a good idea but not always. Animal experts remind us that owning an animal takes a big commitment.
Top rated prospects shine in City of Palms Classic In the third week of December, all eyes on college basketball recruiting are on the City of Palms Classic. Year after year, some of the top high school teams, featuring many of the top players in the country, compete in the Fort Myers Tournament. This year is no different. Take Long Island Lutheran versus Owasso, […]
NAPLES ‘Beverly’s Angels’ prepare holiday sacks for kids in need Beverly’s Angels in Naples is providing kids the essentials they need during the holiday season, and they got some help from high school students across Southwest Florida.
‘He was a phenomenal human being’: Woman says Elio Diaz inspired her to turn life around WINK News has shared stories about people greatly impacted by Deputy Sergeant Elio Diaz’s work. Now we hear from a woman whose life he affected for the better.
PUNTA GORDA ShorePoint Health in Punta Gorda to permanently close If people in Punta Gorda consider themselves patients of ShorePoint Hospital, they will have to look for an alternate place of healthcare.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh Acres Fire and Rescue District gives holiday candle safety tips Holiday celebrations are a few days away, and nothing sets the mood better than candles. This warning is best given before the holidays.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers closes on first house through affordable home program Through its Affordable Home Construction Program, the city closed a contract for the first single-family home.
SANIBEL Homeowners share unique ways to fortify homes after storms Roof, walls and floors. There’s so much to think about when you’re rebuilding.
DeSoto teen found guilty for murder at fair A teenager has been convicted in a deadly shooting that occurred at the DeSoto County Fair.
Christmas came early for non-profit foundations and agencies across Southwest Florida, thanks to Thomas Golisano. On Tuesday, leaders and representatives of these organizations walked up to a podium to collect a check by the millions. It was the surprise of a lifetime for these charities as well as healthcare and educational institutions. There were cheers and tears from the organizations receiving the money. Those who were invited had no idea of the news that Golisano was about to deliver: $85 million to 41 entities. During the announcement in Naples, Golisano recalled how important health care, which received the largest donations, was to him and his family. “I had a great-granddaughter who had a heart transplant, and it was successful. I have a 96-year-old sister who just had a hip replacement. The doctors all said, ‘No, we’re not going to do it,'” but she insisted, and she’s running around now,” said Golisano. “And a few weeks ago, I was sitting outside on a sunny day, and all of a sudden they told me I passed out. About an hour later, I passed out again. EMT came, put a couple of plugs in my chest and said by the end of the day I will have a pacemaker, and I did. It’s worked out good so far.” The organizations received between $150,000 and $10 million each. Golisano spoke genuinely and candidly about the $15 million he pledged to Golisano Children’s Hospital and NCH. Lee Health CEO Dr. Larry Antonucci spoke on preliminary plans to use the $10 Million announced for Golisano Children’s Hospital. “If you look at what the immediate needs are and the things that we’re looking at, one of the things is neonatal intensive care unit. Our NICU is a 64-bed unit, and it’s full most of the time, and so we know that that’s going to have to be expanded in the future,” said Antonucci. “Another area that we’re looking at is pediatric trauma. When children are injured here, there’s only so much we an do to be able to take care of them and we want to be able to expand that program.” WINK News spoke with some of the dozens of organizations who are ready to get the ball rolling and put the money to use. Golisano provided a full list of the organizations and the donations: Health – 2 Organizations – $15 Million Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida – $10,000,000 Naples Comprehensive Health – $5,000,000 Education – 2 Organizations – $13 Million Ave Maria University – $10,000,000 Guadalupe Center – $3,000,000 Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) – 12 Organizations – $32 Million Best Buddies Southwest Florida – $1,000,000 Beyond the Spectrum, Inc. $1,000,000 Easterseals Southwest Florida – $5,000,000 Family Initiative – $5,000,000 Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida – $5,000,000 Guardian Angels for Special Populations – $1,000,000 LARC, Inc. – $5,000,000 Protected Harbor – $1,000,000 Special Olympics – Florida – $1,000,000 STARability – $5,000,000 Sunrise – Naples – $ 1,000,000 The Haven – $1,000,000 Community – 5 Organizations – $15 Million American Red Cross Southwest Florida – $3,000,000 Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida– $2,000,000 Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples – $4,000,000 Meals of Hope – $3,000,000 Youth Haven – $3,000,000 Animal Welfare – 20 Organizations – $10 Million Animal Rescue Coalition – $1,000,000 Cape Coral Animal Shelter – $1,500,000 Gulf Coast Humane Society – $1,500,000 Humane Society Naples – $500,000 SNIP Collier – $1,500,000 Anna Maria Island Pup Rescue – $150,000 Big Dog Ranch Rescue – $500,000 Florida Coastal Cocker Rescue – $150,000 For the Love of Cats – $150,000 Fur and Tails Animal Rescue – $150,000 Canine Castaways, Inc. – $150,000 Guardians of Florida Animal Rescue – $500,000 Haven on Earth Animal League – $150,000 Humane Society of Manatee County – $500,000 Humane Society of Sarasota County – $500,000 Max`s Ark Rescue – $150,000 Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue Center – $500,000 Pawtcake Refuge – $150,000 Purradise Gardens – $150,000 Shy Wolf Sanctuary – $150,000 Stay tuned to WINKNews.com, WINK News App, streaming, and on-air for any new developments on this story.