Recent deputy-involved shootings bring mental health to the forefrontFort Myers teen athlete defies odds after brain condition
PUNTA GORDA Recent deputy-involved shootings bring mental health to the forefront In the last three months, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has had four deputy-involved shootings. One of them even led to loss of one of their own, Sgt. Elio Diaz.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Fort Myers teen athlete defies odds after brain condition Saniya Freeman, a junior at Mariner High School, faced a rare brain condition that threatened her athletic career.
Charlotte County grapples with 2 fatal deputy-involved shootings The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is starting a new week with at least four deputies on administrative leave after back-to-back deadly shootings.
71-year-old dead after being struck by vehicle in Collier County The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly crash involving a 71-year-old male pedestrian in Collier County.
Military Heritage Museum, Punta Gorda mutually terminate lease for city meetings Punta Gorda City Council and the city’s various committees and boards will no longer use the Military Heritage Museum as a meeting venue.
St. Matthew’s House keeps shelters open due to cold weather Due to the cold weather, St. Matthew’s House will continue to keep its emergency shelters open to the public.
Arthrex, Lee County Port Authority agree to 40-year lease for new Skyplex logistics facility Lee Board County Board of Port Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a lease-build agreement for Arthrex to construct a 1 million-square-foot logistics facility at Skyplex, just across Paul J. Doherty Parkway from where Gartner and Alta Resources.
IMMOKALEE Premier Mobile Health Services scheduled to visit Collier County A nonprofit health clinic called Premier Mobile Health Services, which brings essential medical care to those in need across Lee County, is scheduled to visit Collier this weekend.
WASHINGTON Stream Live: complete coverage of Donald Trump’s inauguration by CBS While WINK is not carrying the entirety of Donald Trump’s inauguration on television, CBS is offering its whole televised experience online.
Donald Trump becomes 47th U.S. president after inauguration Thousands of people gathered in Washington, D.C., to observe President Donald Trump’s swearing-in to his first day in office.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Cloudy and cool with a few showers this Martin Luther King Day The Weather Authority is tracking a mix of clouds and cold temperatures with rain showers possible throughout this Monday.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
dunbar Commemorative march, more to be held in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In celebration of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., several events are to be held across Southwest Florida to honor his legacy.
FORT MYERS Saint John Baptist Church holds service for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Saint John First Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Myers hosted an ecumenical service on Sunday afternoon in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
WINK News Photos of the Week: Jan. 11 – Jan. 18 This week features some high-flying wrestling, photos from the Downtown Fort Myers Art Walk, and much more.
PUNTA GORDA Recent deputy-involved shootings bring mental health to the forefront In the last three months, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has had four deputy-involved shootings. One of them even led to loss of one of their own, Sgt. Elio Diaz.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Fort Myers teen athlete defies odds after brain condition Saniya Freeman, a junior at Mariner High School, faced a rare brain condition that threatened her athletic career.
Charlotte County grapples with 2 fatal deputy-involved shootings The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is starting a new week with at least four deputies on administrative leave after back-to-back deadly shootings.
71-year-old dead after being struck by vehicle in Collier County The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly crash involving a 71-year-old male pedestrian in Collier County.
Military Heritage Museum, Punta Gorda mutually terminate lease for city meetings Punta Gorda City Council and the city’s various committees and boards will no longer use the Military Heritage Museum as a meeting venue.
St. Matthew’s House keeps shelters open due to cold weather Due to the cold weather, St. Matthew’s House will continue to keep its emergency shelters open to the public.
Arthrex, Lee County Port Authority agree to 40-year lease for new Skyplex logistics facility Lee Board County Board of Port Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a lease-build agreement for Arthrex to construct a 1 million-square-foot logistics facility at Skyplex, just across Paul J. Doherty Parkway from where Gartner and Alta Resources.
IMMOKALEE Premier Mobile Health Services scheduled to visit Collier County A nonprofit health clinic called Premier Mobile Health Services, which brings essential medical care to those in need across Lee County, is scheduled to visit Collier this weekend.
WASHINGTON Stream Live: complete coverage of Donald Trump’s inauguration by CBS While WINK is not carrying the entirety of Donald Trump’s inauguration on television, CBS is offering its whole televised experience online.
Donald Trump becomes 47th U.S. president after inauguration Thousands of people gathered in Washington, D.C., to observe President Donald Trump’s swearing-in to his first day in office.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Cloudy and cool with a few showers this Martin Luther King Day The Weather Authority is tracking a mix of clouds and cold temperatures with rain showers possible throughout this Monday.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
dunbar Commemorative march, more to be held in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In celebration of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., several events are to be held across Southwest Florida to honor his legacy.
FORT MYERS Saint John Baptist Church holds service for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Saint John First Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Myers hosted an ecumenical service on Sunday afternoon in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
WINK News Photos of the Week: Jan. 11 – Jan. 18 This week features some high-flying wrestling, photos from the Downtown Fort Myers Art Walk, and much more.
Credit: The State Park of Florida.org Another endangered Florida panther has been slain by a vehicle on Interstate 75 in Collier County. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Panther Pulse website, the government agency has been tracking panther deaths since 2017, remarking the highest number of reported deaths being 30. On Nov. 29, the record was broken, as a 9-year-old male, identified as K446, was killed at mile marker 62 of I-75, incrementing the total recorded deaths to 31. This is the fourth time in 2024 that the endangered cat was killed via vehicles on I-75. RELATED: Florida panther struck by vehicle in Collier County; 27th death in 2024 RELATED: Enrollment opens for ranchers to join Florida Panther Ecosystem pilot program RELATED: Endangered Florida panther killed by vehicle on SR-29 SB in Collier County; 30th death in 2024 The FWC began recording the litter, deaths, and depredations in 2014, and the highest reported amount of panther deaths happened in 2015 and 2016, which are tied at 42 panther deaths. In 2017, the FWC estimated the population size to be between 120 and 230; however, accurately determining the population is impossible because of constant births and deaths and the limitations of survey methods. FWC reports vehicle strikes are the most common cause of death for Florida panthers. In August, a litter of kittens, one male and two females, was born at the Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest. Unfortunately, the male and one female kitten were predated in Hendry County in early September, both at the Okaloacoochee Slough WMA. Panther Crossing sign. Credit: WINK News. Twenty-four of the 31 panthers found dead in 2024 were due to vehicles; one was struck by a train, two from predation, and four died from unknown causes. Driving the posted speed limits, especially in Panther Crossing zones, can help keep Florida’s state animals safe. Click here to learn more about Panther Crossing zones. The FWC created a program to help conserve endangered species by enlisting landowners’ assistance for the Florida Panther Payment for Ecosystem Services pilot program. According to the FWC, the program will benefit private landowners and the panther population by providing per-acre payments for habitat conditions that support panther conservation and landscape connectivity. The eligibility period has since passed; however, programs like the one listed above have become vital in keeping the endangered cat’s existence. For more information, refer to the FWC’s Panther Pulse website. Early reporting noted this was a record-breaking year. This story has since been corrected to note the record stands at 42 deaths in 2016.