Fort Myers leaders combat low water pressure with 11 new wellsPark Shore Beach undergoes restoration after hurricanes and erosion
FORT MYERS Fort Myers leaders combat low water pressure with 11 new wells On Monday afternoon, WINK News learned why the city limited the amount of water coming out of your faucet.
Park Shore Beach undergoes restoration after hurricanes and erosion A multi-million dollar beach renourishment project is underway in Collier County.
Collier County woman in critical condition after bike hit-and-run A woman is in critical condition after a car hit her while riding a bike on Weber Boulevard in Collier County.
Possible drones spotted in Englewood Neighbors in Englewood, North Port, and Venice are puzzled about what could be in the sky. Some say it’s two planes close to each other. Others say it’s drones.
ESTERO Everblades’ Logan Lambdin works on post-hockey life as a realtor Florida Everblades forward Logan Lambdin works as a realtor away for the ice as a way to prepare for his post-hockey life.
FORT MYERS BEACH Addressing traffic headaches on Fort Myers Beach Fort Myers Beach traffic causes a big annoyance for many beachgoers. The Matanzas pass the bridge to get onto the island and can be backed up, eating into that beach relaxation time.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh Acres roads covered in graffiti and broken glass If you travel to Lehigh Acres, some of the streets aren’t clean. You might notice paint splattering the roads and vandals behind the mess. It’s not just paint but broken glass, too.
PORT CHARLOTTE Caught on Camera: Charlotte County deputy SUV rolls over A Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office vehicle was seen rolling over on a road in Port Charlotte.
FORT MYERS City of Fort Myers spends millions to improve digital infrastructure The City of Fort Myers is spending nearly $8 million to improve its digital infrastructure.
FORT MYERS Wade Wilson’s automatic death penalty appeal begins The man convicted and sentenced to death for the killing of two Cape Coral women has begun his first of many appeals to the death sentence he got last year.
Photo shows SWFL teens hit in New Orleans terrorist attack reunited in hospital The grandfather of one of the teens struck by a truck in a New Orleans terrorist attack has released a picture of the teens sharing an emotional moment in the hospital.
FORT MYERS Goodbye mocking bird, hello flamingo? A bill to change the official state bird has been filed in the Florida House of Representatives.
Charlotte County projects $362M cost from Hurricane Ian As Charlotte County officials await cost estimates from the impacts of 2024 hurricanes Helene and Milton, the county is already reeling from the $362,021,150 cost of Hurricane Ian in 2022.
CAPE CORAL Final report reveals cause of February airplane crash in Cape Coral The National Transportation Safety Board has released the cause of the airplane crash that occurred in Cape Coral in February.
VANDERBILT BEACH Collier County issues red tide alert for beaches If you’re thinking of heading to the beach in Collier County, heed this warning.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers leaders combat low water pressure with 11 new wells On Monday afternoon, WINK News learned why the city limited the amount of water coming out of your faucet.
Park Shore Beach undergoes restoration after hurricanes and erosion A multi-million dollar beach renourishment project is underway in Collier County.
Collier County woman in critical condition after bike hit-and-run A woman is in critical condition after a car hit her while riding a bike on Weber Boulevard in Collier County.
Possible drones spotted in Englewood Neighbors in Englewood, North Port, and Venice are puzzled about what could be in the sky. Some say it’s two planes close to each other. Others say it’s drones.
ESTERO Everblades’ Logan Lambdin works on post-hockey life as a realtor Florida Everblades forward Logan Lambdin works as a realtor away for the ice as a way to prepare for his post-hockey life.
FORT MYERS BEACH Addressing traffic headaches on Fort Myers Beach Fort Myers Beach traffic causes a big annoyance for many beachgoers. The Matanzas pass the bridge to get onto the island and can be backed up, eating into that beach relaxation time.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh Acres roads covered in graffiti and broken glass If you travel to Lehigh Acres, some of the streets aren’t clean. You might notice paint splattering the roads and vandals behind the mess. It’s not just paint but broken glass, too.
PORT CHARLOTTE Caught on Camera: Charlotte County deputy SUV rolls over A Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office vehicle was seen rolling over on a road in Port Charlotte.
FORT MYERS City of Fort Myers spends millions to improve digital infrastructure The City of Fort Myers is spending nearly $8 million to improve its digital infrastructure.
FORT MYERS Wade Wilson’s automatic death penalty appeal begins The man convicted and sentenced to death for the killing of two Cape Coral women has begun his first of many appeals to the death sentence he got last year.
Photo shows SWFL teens hit in New Orleans terrorist attack reunited in hospital The grandfather of one of the teens struck by a truck in a New Orleans terrorist attack has released a picture of the teens sharing an emotional moment in the hospital.
FORT MYERS Goodbye mocking bird, hello flamingo? A bill to change the official state bird has been filed in the Florida House of Representatives.
Charlotte County projects $362M cost from Hurricane Ian As Charlotte County officials await cost estimates from the impacts of 2024 hurricanes Helene and Milton, the county is already reeling from the $362,021,150 cost of Hurricane Ian in 2022.
CAPE CORAL Final report reveals cause of February airplane crash in Cape Coral The National Transportation Safety Board has released the cause of the airplane crash that occurred in Cape Coral in February.
VANDERBILT BEACH Collier County issues red tide alert for beaches If you’re thinking of heading to the beach in Collier County, heed this warning.
Credit: WINK News At 8 a.m., the doors opened for one last time at Bonita Bill’s, a beloved restaurant that has been a staple for Fort Myers Beach since 1991. While Bonita Bill’s will be missed, Sunday is a day to celebrate the past 34 years the restaurant has sat tucked under the Matanzas Pass Bridge on San Carlos Island. WINK News Reporter Paul Dolan was at Bonita Bill’s on its final morning to witness the iconic restaurant’s lasting impression on the community. Leah Brakefield, the general manager at Bonita Bill’s, shared what has made the restaurant special. “We’re very laid back and low-key. You can come on your boat in your bathing suit. You can come in the front door in your church clothes,” Brakefield said. “This is another little slice not only of old-school Fort Myers Beach but also small-business America.” Lorie Longo, a former employee, reflected on the emotional day. “I cry. It’s just, it’s overwhelming,” Longo said. While Longo shared a toast with friends and reminisced about her days working at Bonita Bill’s, a packed house enjoyed a music-filled Sunday afternoon at the beloved restaurant one last time. “They’d have bands here, and they’d have parties for holidays. It was always just a fun place to go,” said Jerry Redmann, a longtime customer. For many, like Diane Kralicek, Sundays at Bonita Bill’s were a cherished tradition. “Every Sunday, we come here, and we pray. We pray before our mimosas. I don’t know where we go from here, but it’s one step back from what we’ve been through,” Kralicek said. While customers inside smiled through the memories, outside, a sad face was etched beside Monday’s closed hours. “My heart hurts,” Longo said. “I’ve known the family, and like I said, I’ve only been here three years, but I feel like I’ve been here my whole life.” The restaurant opened at 8 a.m., and by midday, seats at the bar and tables were filled to capacity. On its final day, Bonita Bill’s became a lightning rod for the community, drawing crowds who sought to soak in as much joy as possible, knowing that come Monday, they would need to find a new gathering spot. “The people that come in here every day, that used to come here every day — the heart of it are the locals,” Longo said. According to public records, the restaurant sold for $5.5 million. The buyer is HM Restaurant Group, which owns Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille and Dixie Fish Company. If you’d like to join us in saying farewell to Bonita Bill’s, the final call for drinks is at 7 p.m., with doors closing for good at 8:30 p.m.