Driving safely during Thanksgiving holiday in Southwest FloridaWhat’s open and closed on Thanksgiving Day in Southwest Florida
WINK NEWS Driving safely during Thanksgiving holiday in Southwest Florida Most people drive to their Thanksgiving destination on Thanksgiving Day, and nearly 72 million people are expected to get behind the wheel.
WINK NEWS What’s open and closed on Thanksgiving Day in Southwest Florida On Thanksgiving Day, millions across the country come together to celebrate the holiday with friends, family and food.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda residents show resiliency amid recent hurricane damage this Thanksgiving On this Thanksgiving, many express gratefulness for what they have; but for the residents of Punta Gorda, they’ll spend this holiday gathering what they have left.
the weather authority Beautiful weather for your Thanksgiving day The Weather Authority is tracking beautiful conditions with sunny skies expected throughout this Thanksgiving Thursday.
NORTH FORT MYERS LCSO confirms fatal deputy-involved shooting in North Fort Myers A 21-year-old man has been killed after a deputy-involved shooting at a Sunoco gas station near Suncoast Drive in North Fort Myers.
Meteorologist’s dream of joining Thanksgiving parade comes true Wink News Weather Authority meteorologist Lauren Kriedler is usually doing her thing in front of the green screen, but behind the scenes, she has her eyes on more than just the ten-day forecast.
FORT MYERS Residents choosing to order pizza on the night before Thanksgiving The night before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest business days for pizza places like McGregor Pizza Company.
‘Everybody needs oversight’ State lawmakers backed calls for audit of Lee County Sheriff’s Office A state lawmaker is backing the high-ranking Lee County leader who went public on WINK News Tuesday with his warning about possible money trouble inside the sheriff’s office.
Celebrate the holidays on SWFL beaches The beaches are a big draw for anyone in southwest Florida and with the extended weekend due to the holiday, it could be a good time to hit the sand.
Excitement begins for Black Friday The deals for holiday shopping have been going on for days already, but there is still a large group of you who still love the thrill of getting to the store on Black Friday.
CAPE CORAL Social media influencer donates land for burrowing owls A social media influencer who used to live in southwest Florida has donated a plot of land she owned where burrowing owls live.
FORT MYERS Building a clear future for the Sanibel Outlets The question of what will happen to the Sanibel outlets has been top of mind for many years now.
CAPE CORAL 16-year-old accused of stealing car and leading troopers on chase According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a trooper attempted to stop a car on Pondella Road, but the car, being driven by a 16-year-old, then took off.
PORT CHARLOTTE Women’s workout group in Port Charlotte gives back for the holidays Women Warriors, a workout group located in Port Charlotte, is lifting heavy weights, and not just dumbbells.
Hurricane debris still sitting in Bonita Springs neighborhood Since Hurricane Milton, a pile of debris has been ticking off residents in one Bonita Springs neighborhood.
WINK NEWS Driving safely during Thanksgiving holiday in Southwest Florida Most people drive to their Thanksgiving destination on Thanksgiving Day, and nearly 72 million people are expected to get behind the wheel.
WINK NEWS What’s open and closed on Thanksgiving Day in Southwest Florida On Thanksgiving Day, millions across the country come together to celebrate the holiday with friends, family and food.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda residents show resiliency amid recent hurricane damage this Thanksgiving On this Thanksgiving, many express gratefulness for what they have; but for the residents of Punta Gorda, they’ll spend this holiday gathering what they have left.
the weather authority Beautiful weather for your Thanksgiving day The Weather Authority is tracking beautiful conditions with sunny skies expected throughout this Thanksgiving Thursday.
NORTH FORT MYERS LCSO confirms fatal deputy-involved shooting in North Fort Myers A 21-year-old man has been killed after a deputy-involved shooting at a Sunoco gas station near Suncoast Drive in North Fort Myers.
Meteorologist’s dream of joining Thanksgiving parade comes true Wink News Weather Authority meteorologist Lauren Kriedler is usually doing her thing in front of the green screen, but behind the scenes, she has her eyes on more than just the ten-day forecast.
FORT MYERS Residents choosing to order pizza on the night before Thanksgiving The night before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest business days for pizza places like McGregor Pizza Company.
‘Everybody needs oversight’ State lawmakers backed calls for audit of Lee County Sheriff’s Office A state lawmaker is backing the high-ranking Lee County leader who went public on WINK News Tuesday with his warning about possible money trouble inside the sheriff’s office.
Celebrate the holidays on SWFL beaches The beaches are a big draw for anyone in southwest Florida and with the extended weekend due to the holiday, it could be a good time to hit the sand.
Excitement begins for Black Friday The deals for holiday shopping have been going on for days already, but there is still a large group of you who still love the thrill of getting to the store on Black Friday.
CAPE CORAL Social media influencer donates land for burrowing owls A social media influencer who used to live in southwest Florida has donated a plot of land she owned where burrowing owls live.
FORT MYERS Building a clear future for the Sanibel Outlets The question of what will happen to the Sanibel outlets has been top of mind for many years now.
CAPE CORAL 16-year-old accused of stealing car and leading troopers on chase According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a trooper attempted to stop a car on Pondella Road, but the car, being driven by a 16-year-old, then took off.
PORT CHARLOTTE Women’s workout group in Port Charlotte gives back for the holidays Women Warriors, a workout group located in Port Charlotte, is lifting heavy weights, and not just dumbbells.
Hurricane debris still sitting in Bonita Springs neighborhood Since Hurricane Milton, a pile of debris has been ticking off residents in one Bonita Springs neighborhood.
Most people drive to their Thanksgiving destination on Thanksgiving Day. According to AAA, nearly 72 million people are expected to get behind the wheel. Most days, driving on Southwest Florida roads involves brake lights, aggressive drivers and endless construction. Over the Thanksgiving holiday and weekend, thousands of new drivers will add to the chaos. “We’re looking at 4.1 million Floridians who will be hitting the roads, and that doesn’t even include the number of people who are going to be here from out of state,” said Mark Jenkins, Spokesperson at AAA. And they’ll be navigating spots that confuse and enrage locals, like the notoriously dangerous State Road 82, the dreaded diverging diamond project at Colonial Boulevard and I-75 and lane closures and construction on the Caloosahatchee Bridge. “I’m sure you’re going to see more traffic near attractions, shopping centers, malls, things like that. So just plan ahead, leave early, if you can,” said Jenkins. And be prepared not just for more drivers, but for more impaired drivers too. “More people are consuming alcohol or other drugs, and they’re taking to the roadways to get home from holiday parties. So, there is an increase in impaired driving crashes,” said Sophia Spiro, Program Specialist at Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Mothers Against Drunk Driving Program Specialist Sophia Spiro knows the consequences of these crashes firsthand. “In 2018, I was on my way to my part-time job, and unfortunately, an impaired driver, a wrong-way impaired driver, came at me down the road, and we ended up having a head-on collision. I suffered numerous orthopedic injuries,” said Spiro. So, as you hit the road to celebrate this Thanksgiving, think of Spiro and all the other people inside those cars. Keep calm, drive sober and drive safely.