WINK NEWS Citizens Property Insurance depopulation program This is a sign our insurance crisis in Florida is recovering. Citizens, designed to be Floridian’s last resort insurer, is shrinking.
WINK NEWS Warmer temperatures build in for your Thursday plans The Weather Authority is tracking increased temperatures. Thursday is in the 50s, and the warming trend is continuing into the weekend.
WINK NEWS Smoke from prescribed burns this Thursday The Weather Authority is tracking smoke in the air Thursday morning. If you notice smoke, it’s likely from recent prescribed burns.
LEHIGH ACRES Firefighters break open submerged car in Lehigh Acres Firefighters break open a submerged car and appear to rescue someone stuck inside in Lehigh Acres overnight.
FORT MYERS Stem donor meets recipient at Florida Gulf Coast University An FGCU student is giving the gift of life this holiday season. FGCU senior Zoe Horowitz met the person who received her stem cell donation.
PORT CHARLOTTE CCSO ‘Shop with a Cop’ event spreads holiday cheer Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office deputies spent time helping kids pick out gifts for their families during the annual Shop with a Cop event.
CLEWISTON Caught on camera: Explosion in hotel parking lot in Clewiston There was an explosion in the parking lot of a Holiday Inn in Clewiston on Wednesday.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda leaders outline plans for Gilchrist Park repairs Gilchrist Park is closed, and Punta Gorda city leaders have been discussing possibly restoring the park.
NORTH NAPLES Airman surprises 6-year-old daughter at school for the holidays after ten months of service in Kuwait After almost a year of service in Kuwait, one airman came home for the holidays and surprised his daughter.
FORT MYERS Breaking down the Lee County Sheriff’s Office budget The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Carmine Marceno have been under scrutiny since a federal investigation on potential money laundering began. Many have questioned LCSO’s spending, so we broke down the budget.
How to protect yourself from thieves this holiday season On Cyber Monday, Americans spent $13 billion, which will translate into many packages on doorsteps this holiday season.
FORT MYERS Bishop Verot QB Carter Smith signs with Wisconsin Bishop Verot quarterback Carter Smith signs to play college football for the Wisconsin Badgers on early Signing Day.
WINK NEWS SWFL stars ink with Power 4 programs during Early Signing Period Several Southwest Florida football standouts are taking their talents to the Power 4 gridirons after signing during the Early Signing Period.
Beloved Charlotte County man killed outside home, investigation ongoing A man loved by his peers and his community was taken away from them in the middle of the night at his own home.
FORT MYERS BEACH The Lani Kai Resort reopens on Fort Myers Beach An iconic spot on Fort Myers Beach is back open and taking reservations for the first time since Hurricane Ian.
WINK NEWS Citizens Property Insurance depopulation program This is a sign our insurance crisis in Florida is recovering. Citizens, designed to be Floridian’s last resort insurer, is shrinking.
WINK NEWS Warmer temperatures build in for your Thursday plans The Weather Authority is tracking increased temperatures. Thursday is in the 50s, and the warming trend is continuing into the weekend.
WINK NEWS Smoke from prescribed burns this Thursday The Weather Authority is tracking smoke in the air Thursday morning. If you notice smoke, it’s likely from recent prescribed burns.
LEHIGH ACRES Firefighters break open submerged car in Lehigh Acres Firefighters break open a submerged car and appear to rescue someone stuck inside in Lehigh Acres overnight.
FORT MYERS Stem donor meets recipient at Florida Gulf Coast University An FGCU student is giving the gift of life this holiday season. FGCU senior Zoe Horowitz met the person who received her stem cell donation.
PORT CHARLOTTE CCSO ‘Shop with a Cop’ event spreads holiday cheer Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office deputies spent time helping kids pick out gifts for their families during the annual Shop with a Cop event.
CLEWISTON Caught on camera: Explosion in hotel parking lot in Clewiston There was an explosion in the parking lot of a Holiday Inn in Clewiston on Wednesday.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda leaders outline plans for Gilchrist Park repairs Gilchrist Park is closed, and Punta Gorda city leaders have been discussing possibly restoring the park.
NORTH NAPLES Airman surprises 6-year-old daughter at school for the holidays after ten months of service in Kuwait After almost a year of service in Kuwait, one airman came home for the holidays and surprised his daughter.
FORT MYERS Breaking down the Lee County Sheriff’s Office budget The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Carmine Marceno have been under scrutiny since a federal investigation on potential money laundering began. Many have questioned LCSO’s spending, so we broke down the budget.
How to protect yourself from thieves this holiday season On Cyber Monday, Americans spent $13 billion, which will translate into many packages on doorsteps this holiday season.
FORT MYERS Bishop Verot QB Carter Smith signs with Wisconsin Bishop Verot quarterback Carter Smith signs to play college football for the Wisconsin Badgers on early Signing Day.
WINK NEWS SWFL stars ink with Power 4 programs during Early Signing Period Several Southwest Florida football standouts are taking their talents to the Power 4 gridirons after signing during the Early Signing Period.
Beloved Charlotte County man killed outside home, investigation ongoing A man loved by his peers and his community was taken away from them in the middle of the night at his own home.
FORT MYERS BEACH The Lani Kai Resort reopens on Fort Myers Beach An iconic spot on Fort Myers Beach is back open and taking reservations for the first time since Hurricane Ian.
Several Southwest Florida football standouts are taking their talents to the Power 4 gridirons. Kicking things off in Charlotte County, Port Charlotte’s four-star defensive tackle Myron Charles is headed to Austin to play for the Texas Longhorns. “I’m coming in with a lot of dogs that contributed a lot this year and next year i get to play with them,” Charles said. “I’m excited.” His senior year, Charles had 43 total tackles and eight for loss. The 6’4″ standout had his choice of Division I school and previously committed to Florida State, but UT Austin’s relentless pursuit of the Pirate ultimately led to him saying ‘Hook Em’ for good. “Coach Kenny, even when I was committed to FSU, the communication, texting every day, not just him but like everybody,” Charles said. “The communication never stopped, never slowed down. That was big for me. They weren’t just recruiting me. They were recruiting my family.” Cape Coral safety Darrion Jones is leaving the Seahawks for the Jayhawks. The three-star signed with the University of Kansas. “I always had it hard coming up playing football, you know, being called overrated, so I always try to work as hard as I can to be the best,” Jones said. In two seasons with the Seahawks, Jones had 62 total tackles, averaging four a game. He had 22 solo tackles in seven games his senior year. 1400 miles between Cape Coral and Lawrence doesn’t bother Jones, he told WINK News his support system knows no bounds. “My support system has been very high since i was growing up,” Jones said. “I already know when it’s time they’re coming.” First Baptist Academy is sending two football players to the Division I level. Bradley Martino, a three-star athlete, is heading to Minnesota to play for the Golden Gophers. “I’ve waited for this day for 17 years living on this earth,” Martino said. “It’s just, ever since I was a kid growing up I’ve always wanted to do this. Looking back on my freshman year, when I was at Palmetto and my coaches got fired, I honestly didn’t know if I was going to keep playing football and I just had to make that decision of life and I got to keep going because I can’t give up on the dream I’ve had ever since I was a kid.” Martino told WINK News he has felt at home with the Golden Gophers since June. “For example, Florida feels like home,” Martino said. “I feel like Minnesota is another Florida for me. I want to play for Coach Fleck. Coach Fleck is an intense dude and he’s going to make sure that I’m held capable of my abilities that he knows that I have.” Three-star safety Logan Bartley soon to suit up for the Kansas State Wildcats. Bartley is sold on playing for his position coach and the environment. “It means a lot,” Bartley said. “Come a long way and just to see everything come together it’s really cool.” Bartley has attended First Baptist Academy since first grade and is looking forward to this next step. “It’s going to be surreal,” Bartley said. “Finally done, but I’ve got a new chapter. Got to restart and establish myself at K State.” Rounding out FBA’s football signees, Devin Imburgia signed to play Division III ball at Franklin and Marshall.