A cool, comfortable first weekend of 2025 with lots of sunshineLocals respond to Surgeon General advisory on alcohol
the weather authority A cool, comfortable first weekend of 2025 with lots of sunshine The Weather Authority is kicking off the first weekend of 2025 on a chilly note with morning temperatures in the 40s and 50s across Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Locals respond to Surgeon General advisory on alcohol Many think a cancer warning label won’t stop anyone who is planning on having a drink from having one. But at the same time, hearing alcohol could increase their cancer risk did get them thinking about drinking.
New provision to Florida law gives public the authority to sue over homeless camping People now have the power to sue local leaders for not stopping the homeless from camping in public if a report is made.
CAPE CORAL Understanding water restriction in Cape Coral The city of Canals has water problems again!
SANIBEL Future of the Sanibel Pier Sanibel Island is looking much better since Hurricane Ian, but while the lighthouse is standing tall, the pier isn’t doing too well.
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.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral neighborhood growing frustrated over debris piles Pounds of trash and debris are blowing through a Cape Coral neighborhood, through the streets, into canals and every which way.
Inside a Lee County special corrections program More than 3,000 bags of trash, 19 interstate projects, nearly 100 citizen requests and over one hundred truckloads of trash—that’s the work done by nonviolent offenders in Lee County, who are doing their part to make our county more beautiful.
FGCU NCAA implements rules for checking pitchers for foreign substances The NCAA will soon send out an instructional video on in-game foreign substance checks for pitchers.
Surgeon General calls for cancer warnings on alcohol In the new year, there’s a new call to warn Americans about the negative effects of alcohol.
Family of Charlotte deputy killed during traffic stop releases statement The family of Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz is breaking their silence.
Southwest Florida battles the Flu Flu cases are skyrocketing in Southwest Florida, making this busy season even more challenging.
FORT MYERS SWFL 19-year-old hurt in New Orleans terrorist attack releases statement One of the young women from Fort Myers hurt during the New Orleans New Year’s Eve attack is speaking out for the first time.
Bonita Bill’s to close Jan. 5 prior to pending $5.5M sale HM Restaurant Group, owners the adjacent Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille and Dixie Fish Co. restaurants, has been named as the buyer.
naples Beloved Naples Zoo giant anteater, Dee Gee, passes away The Naples Zoo is mourning the loss of a beloved male giant anteater who had given nearly 10 years of joy to visitors.
the weather authority A cool, comfortable first weekend of 2025 with lots of sunshine The Weather Authority is kicking off the first weekend of 2025 on a chilly note with morning temperatures in the 40s and 50s across Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Locals respond to Surgeon General advisory on alcohol Many think a cancer warning label won’t stop anyone who is planning on having a drink from having one. But at the same time, hearing alcohol could increase their cancer risk did get them thinking about drinking.
New provision to Florida law gives public the authority to sue over homeless camping People now have the power to sue local leaders for not stopping the homeless from camping in public if a report is made.
CAPE CORAL Understanding water restriction in Cape Coral The city of Canals has water problems again!
SANIBEL Future of the Sanibel Pier Sanibel Island is looking much better since Hurricane Ian, but while the lighthouse is standing tall, the pier isn’t doing too well.
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.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral neighborhood growing frustrated over debris piles Pounds of trash and debris are blowing through a Cape Coral neighborhood, through the streets, into canals and every which way.
Inside a Lee County special corrections program More than 3,000 bags of trash, 19 interstate projects, nearly 100 citizen requests and over one hundred truckloads of trash—that’s the work done by nonviolent offenders in Lee County, who are doing their part to make our county more beautiful.
FGCU NCAA implements rules for checking pitchers for foreign substances The NCAA will soon send out an instructional video on in-game foreign substance checks for pitchers.
Surgeon General calls for cancer warnings on alcohol In the new year, there’s a new call to warn Americans about the negative effects of alcohol.
Family of Charlotte deputy killed during traffic stop releases statement The family of Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz is breaking their silence.
Southwest Florida battles the Flu Flu cases are skyrocketing in Southwest Florida, making this busy season even more challenging.
FORT MYERS SWFL 19-year-old hurt in New Orleans terrorist attack releases statement One of the young women from Fort Myers hurt during the New Orleans New Year’s Eve attack is speaking out for the first time.
Bonita Bill’s to close Jan. 5 prior to pending $5.5M sale HM Restaurant Group, owners the adjacent Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille and Dixie Fish Co. restaurants, has been named as the buyer.
naples Beloved Naples Zoo giant anteater, Dee Gee, passes away The Naples Zoo is mourning the loss of a beloved male giant anteater who had given nearly 10 years of joy to visitors.
The sports scene in Southwest Florida blew up in 2024, and in 2025 we expect it to keep growing. So, to ensure you can keep up, WINK News sports reporters Zach Oliveri and Sylvie Sparks put together a list of things and people you should keep an eye out for in the new year. 2024 brought southwest Florida a lot to cheer for another Kelly Cup championship for the Florida Everblades. FGCU teams are making it to the NCAA tournament. And countless achievements by our local athletes. As we look ahead to 2025, who will be the rising stars? Here’s a look at the five storylines to watch in 2025. FGCU Women’s Basketball Under New Leadership The FGCU women’s basketball team enters 2025 with a new head coach, Chelsea Lyles. A former player and longtime assistant, Lyles steps into the role following Karl Smesko’s departure to coach the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream. Lyles is determined to maintain the program’s legacy of excellence. “We’re going to have to come together to make this season special. The expectations are still the same. We’re still striving for excellence and we still have the same goals as we always have,” Lyles said. FC Naples Joins the USL League One This year marks the inaugural season for FC Naples, Southwest Florida’s new USL League One club. The team unveiled its identity, colors, and coaching staff in 2024, with head coach and sporting director Matt Poland ready to bring an exciting style of play to the community. “Making sure our style of play represents the people of Naples. I want it to be action-packed. I want it to be playing on the front foot, exciting, hard-working guys,” Poland said. Naples Native Heads to MLB Naples High alum Johnny King, known for his 90+ mph pitches, begins his professional baseball journey in 2025. After being drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays, King will report to spring training in Tampa this February. High-Profile Football Recruits to Make College Decisions Three standout high school football players from Southwest Florida are set to decide on their college commitments in 2025. North Fort Myers defensive lineman James Johnson is receiving offers from powerhouses like Georgia, Alabama, and LSU. Wide receiver Jayden Petit of First Baptist and defensive lineman Kendall Guervill of Fort Myers are also drawing attention from programs including Florida, Miami, and Texas A&M. Gulf Coast Alum to Compete in Golf’s Biggest Tournaments Noah Kent, a Gulf Coast High graduate, will achieve a golfer’s dream in 2025 by competing in both the U.S. Open and the Masters. The Florida signee qualified for both tournaments last summer and is ranked among the NCAA’s top 70 golfers. “I made a joke to my dad earlier on the phone. It’s like, we won’t be making pimento cheese sandwiches at home now. Like, you’ll be buying them there at Augusta,” Kent said. These are just a few of the many stories to watch as Southwest Florida’s sports scene continues to grow. Stay tuned throughout the year for more updates and coverage.