Road closures in Downtown Fort Myers due to Festival of TreesMicro Wrestling Federation makes its way to Fort Myers
FORT MYERS Road closures in Downtown Fort Myers due to Festival of Trees Due to the return of the Downtown Fort Myers Festival of Trees, First Street between Jackson and Lee Street will be closed on Friday and Saturday.
FORT MYERS Micro Wrestling Federation makes its way to Fort Myers Professionals with the “Micro Wrestling Federation” put on an amazing show at the ranch in Fort Myers on Thursday.
ESTERO Estero man claims his golf equipment burned on flight An Estero man claims Delta Airlines ruined his golf equipment. His golf bag was destroyed by fire and his clubs are charred.
Volunteers come together to deliver Christmas cards to veterans In an effort to make spirits bright this holiday season, volunteers came together to deliver Christmas cards to veterans.
NAPLES Dentists argue over fluoride in water at Naples City Council meeting Several dentists at the Naples City Council meeting gave their reasons why fluoride should be in the water on Wednesday.
Digging Deeper: Lee County Sheriff’s Office budget One Lee County Commissioner wants to change how taxpayers view the Lee County Sheriff’s Office budget following a possible federal investigation and a grand jury meeting.
A new way to identify snakes There’s a new tool to identify locations of the slithering beasts overtaking the Everglades and other invasive snakes.
Car crashes into canal in Lehigh Acres Authorities are investigating a crash after a car became fully submerged in a canal Thursday night.
SB lanes on US 27 shut down due to 3 vehicle crash Hendry County Deputies, along with first responders, are currently on the scene of a traffic crash near Sky Valley at the intersection of South US 27 and Bass Road.
FORT MYERS BEACH Times Square clock reinstalled on Fort Myers Beach The famous Times Square clock on Fort Myers Beach returns just in time for the holidays! It was removed before hurricanes Helene and Milton to protect it.
Flag planting debate takes over college football Flag planting at the end of rivalry college football games sparked fighting on the field and debates away from it.
FORT MYERS Daycare burglarized in Fort Myers One business owner is recovering after a burglar broke in and stole from her daycare.
Hurricane debris still lines road in Fort Myers Shores Over 70 feet of memories formed a giant pile of debris at the end of Aruba Avenue in Fort Myers Shores.
FORT MYERS Airline travel and Christmas gifts tips to get you through TSA If you plan to travel this Christmas with gifts for your loved ones, be prepared. Before you buy, make sure you can fly.
WINK NEWS SWFL stars ink with Division I programs during Early Signing Period Several Southwest Florida football standouts are taking their talents to Division I gridirons after signing during the Early Signing Period.
FORT MYERS Road closures in Downtown Fort Myers due to Festival of Trees Due to the return of the Downtown Fort Myers Festival of Trees, First Street between Jackson and Lee Street will be closed on Friday and Saturday.
FORT MYERS Micro Wrestling Federation makes its way to Fort Myers Professionals with the “Micro Wrestling Federation” put on an amazing show at the ranch in Fort Myers on Thursday.
ESTERO Estero man claims his golf equipment burned on flight An Estero man claims Delta Airlines ruined his golf equipment. His golf bag was destroyed by fire and his clubs are charred.
Volunteers come together to deliver Christmas cards to veterans In an effort to make spirits bright this holiday season, volunteers came together to deliver Christmas cards to veterans.
NAPLES Dentists argue over fluoride in water at Naples City Council meeting Several dentists at the Naples City Council meeting gave their reasons why fluoride should be in the water on Wednesday.
Digging Deeper: Lee County Sheriff’s Office budget One Lee County Commissioner wants to change how taxpayers view the Lee County Sheriff’s Office budget following a possible federal investigation and a grand jury meeting.
A new way to identify snakes There’s a new tool to identify locations of the slithering beasts overtaking the Everglades and other invasive snakes.
Car crashes into canal in Lehigh Acres Authorities are investigating a crash after a car became fully submerged in a canal Thursday night.
SB lanes on US 27 shut down due to 3 vehicle crash Hendry County Deputies, along with first responders, are currently on the scene of a traffic crash near Sky Valley at the intersection of South US 27 and Bass Road.
FORT MYERS BEACH Times Square clock reinstalled on Fort Myers Beach The famous Times Square clock on Fort Myers Beach returns just in time for the holidays! It was removed before hurricanes Helene and Milton to protect it.
Flag planting debate takes over college football Flag planting at the end of rivalry college football games sparked fighting on the field and debates away from it.
FORT MYERS Daycare burglarized in Fort Myers One business owner is recovering after a burglar broke in and stole from her daycare.
Hurricane debris still lines road in Fort Myers Shores Over 70 feet of memories formed a giant pile of debris at the end of Aruba Avenue in Fort Myers Shores.
FORT MYERS Airline travel and Christmas gifts tips to get you through TSA If you plan to travel this Christmas with gifts for your loved ones, be prepared. Before you buy, make sure you can fly.
WINK NEWS SWFL stars ink with Division I programs during Early Signing Period Several Southwest Florida football standouts are taking their talents to Division I gridirons after signing during the Early Signing Period.
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.