Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center opening 2 art exhibitions during Art Walk in downtown Fort MyersTim Aten Knows: More than 50 area restaurants coming in 2025
FORT MYERS Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center opening 2 art exhibitions during Art Walk in downtown Fort Myers The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center announced its opening of two art exhibitions during the Art Walk in downtown Fort Myers.
Tim Aten Knows: More than 50 area restaurants coming in 2025 Get set for a scrumptious smorgasbord of restaurants preparing to open in the Naples area in 2025.
FORT MYERS Local bookstore on path to recovery following 2024 hurricane season An independent bookstore in Fort Myers has reopened in a new location following damages from hurricanes Helene and Milton.
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.
the weather authority Below-normal highs with temperatures in the 70s The Weather Authority is tracking lower-than-average temperatures due to a cold front moving through Southwest Florida this weekend.
downtown fort myers Large crowds expected for Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival Downtown Fort Myers is on higher alert as this weekend’s 4th Annual Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival is expected to draw large crowds.
NAPLES MANOR Neighbors react to Collier County hit-and-run that injured 2 women According to the Florida Highway Patrol, two women were severely injured after a hit-and-run on Texas Avenue in Collier County.
Decision on Vandy QB leads to ex-JUCO players gaining eligibility A former FSW volleyball player is one of the ex-JUCO student athletes to get an extra season in college following Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia’s injunction.
Little Gasparilla Island looking to rebuild after active hurricane season The 2024 hurricane season did damage to Little Gasparilla Island in Charlotte County. Residents hope the new year will bring revitalization.
SOUTH FORT MYERS “I love you guys very much”; Longtime soccer coach speaks on SWFL teens injured in New Orleans terrorist attack Two graduates of The Canterbury School in South Fort Myers were struck by a truck during a terrorist attack in New Orleans.
TALLAHASSEE New AI-driven emergency alert system launches in Florida The Florida Division of Emergency Management partnered with the University of Florida to launch a program that uses artificial intelligence to send real-time messaging before, during and after a disaster like a hurricane.
NAPLES Intercept Task Force fights online sextortion involving children Online predators are finding ways to lure children into sharing nude images.
Man arrested in Collier for allegedly impersonating CIA officer The Florida Highway Patrol has arrested a man for impersonating a federal officer after conducting a traffic stop in Collier County on a suspicious vehicle.
Local law enforcement’s plan for protection in large crowds The scene of chaos and confusion in New Orleans has filled many with worry and fear of being out in large crowds in busy areas.
PUNTA GORDA The importance of ShorePoint Health in Punta Gorda WINK News is hearing from people who say that the community is losing something it cannot live without.
FORT MYERS Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center opening 2 art exhibitions during Art Walk in downtown Fort Myers The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center announced its opening of two art exhibitions during the Art Walk in downtown Fort Myers.
Tim Aten Knows: More than 50 area restaurants coming in 2025 Get set for a scrumptious smorgasbord of restaurants preparing to open in the Naples area in 2025.
FORT MYERS Local bookstore on path to recovery following 2024 hurricane season An independent bookstore in Fort Myers has reopened in a new location following damages from hurricanes Helene and Milton.
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.
the weather authority Below-normal highs with temperatures in the 70s The Weather Authority is tracking lower-than-average temperatures due to a cold front moving through Southwest Florida this weekend.
downtown fort myers Large crowds expected for Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival Downtown Fort Myers is on higher alert as this weekend’s 4th Annual Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival is expected to draw large crowds.
NAPLES MANOR Neighbors react to Collier County hit-and-run that injured 2 women According to the Florida Highway Patrol, two women were severely injured after a hit-and-run on Texas Avenue in Collier County.
Decision on Vandy QB leads to ex-JUCO players gaining eligibility A former FSW volleyball player is one of the ex-JUCO student athletes to get an extra season in college following Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia’s injunction.
Little Gasparilla Island looking to rebuild after active hurricane season The 2024 hurricane season did damage to Little Gasparilla Island in Charlotte County. Residents hope the new year will bring revitalization.
SOUTH FORT MYERS “I love you guys very much”; Longtime soccer coach speaks on SWFL teens injured in New Orleans terrorist attack Two graduates of The Canterbury School in South Fort Myers were struck by a truck during a terrorist attack in New Orleans.
TALLAHASSEE New AI-driven emergency alert system launches in Florida The Florida Division of Emergency Management partnered with the University of Florida to launch a program that uses artificial intelligence to send real-time messaging before, during and after a disaster like a hurricane.
NAPLES Intercept Task Force fights online sextortion involving children Online predators are finding ways to lure children into sharing nude images.
Man arrested in Collier for allegedly impersonating CIA officer The Florida Highway Patrol has arrested a man for impersonating a federal officer after conducting a traffic stop in Collier County on a suspicious vehicle.
Local law enforcement’s plan for protection in large crowds The scene of chaos and confusion in New Orleans has filled many with worry and fear of being out in large crowds in busy areas.
PUNTA GORDA The importance of ShorePoint Health in Punta Gorda WINK News is hearing from people who say that the community is losing something it cannot live without.
Southwest Florida is kicking off the New Year in style as crowds pack Fort Myers Beach for a lively celebration featuring fireworks, fun and excitement. WINK News reporter Taylor Wirtz joined the action from across the Matanzas Pass Bridge, where locals and tourists alike gathered to soak in the holiday spirit. The beach drew two distinct types of visitors: those prepared to stay all night to enjoy the fireworks and those who came to soak up the sun and leave before the celebration reached its peak. Regardless of their plans, attendees shared excitement about the bustling atmosphere and the revival of Fort Myers Beach. “It’s really nice,” said Leandro Guevara of Cape Coral. “You know how everything’s getting built back up. You can see the progress.” Traffic heading over the Fort Myers Beach Bridge—once a source of frustration—was now a welcome sight for locals celebrating the area’s recovery. “It’s kind of nice to see a lot of people out here because it means that we’re rebuilding ourselves out here,” said Cape Coral resident Hannah McDaniel. Visitors from colder states embraced the warm weather, even amid a misty fog, and expressed gratitude for the beach experience. “Yeah, we’ll take anything, honestly,” said Tavia Dowell, who is visiting from Illinois. “Thank God for this beautiful sand, this beautiful beach, this beautiful weather,” added Taylor Klosterman of Ohio. Families, including the Salyards from Illinois, eagerly anticipated the fireworks display. “You gonna stay up ’til midnight?” Wirtz asked. “Yeah,” Hannah and Hayden Salyards replied with enthusiasm. For the Dowell family, the beachside fireworks were a unique highlight of their vacation. “We’ve never seen fireworks over the ocean or anything like that,” said Tenley Dowell. “So I think it’ll be a fun time and just something different.” Most locals said they planned on being long gone before the Matanzas Pass Bridge closes at 11 p.m., but the festive mood on the beach remains high as the final hours of 2024 tick away. For anyone planning to join the celebration, the Matanzas Pass Bridge will reopen at 1:30 a.m., and the Big Carlos Pass Bridge on the south end of the island will remain open. Fort Myers Beach will ring in the new year with a vibrant celebration, signaling hope and renewal for both locals and visitors alike.