Collier County hit-and-run victims seek justice after New Year’s Day crashFlorida wildlife affected by cold weather
NAPLES MANOR Collier County hit-and-run victims seek justice after New Year’s Day crash A mother and daughter were left for dead on the side of the road; the crash happened on New Year’s Day on Texas Avenue in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Florida wildlife affected by cold weather If you’re not a snowbird you’re probably going to spend this week shivering.
Fort Myers leaders discuss Dunbar Park renovation plans City leaders want to breathe new life into a community park many say has been neglected and forgotten Dunbar Park.
Deadline arrives for FEMA hurricane assistance in Florida The application deadline has arrived for those affected by the 2024 hurricane season to apply for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
NAPLES Cyclists push for bike safety after recent crash Every cyclist has their story. Whether it’s a near miss or a hard hit, there’s no doubt about it: cyclists are vulnerable.
NORTH FORT MYERS North Fort Myers home turns into junkyard Waking up to the smell of garbage is not a fun way to start your day.
Suspect confesses in hit-and-run that left bicyclist critically injured The man who hit bicyclist Hollie Masino with his car was arrested following his confession on Tuesday.
CCSO implements new tools to help crack down on animal cruelty Our deputies swear an oath to serve and protect everyone in our county, even those with four legs.
FORT MYERS BEACH The Division of Administrative hearings have started on Fort Myers Beach Will they stay or will they go? Tuesday is the day six properties on Fort Myers Beach fight to stay.
Attorneys seek evidence review in death sentence for man accused of killing wife Attorneys on Mark Sievers’ post-conviction counsel are asking a Lee County judge to review the evidence they say was kept secret during the trial.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island intersection shut down due to gas leak The Marco Island Police Department and Fire Rescue Department are responding to a gas leak at the intersection of Windward and Bald Eagle Drive.
FORT MYERS BEACH Concrete piling falls off Big Carlos Pass Bridge on Fort Myers Beach Crews working on the Big Carlos Pass Bridge had a concrete beam fall over onto a crane as Lee County deputies and other departments helped out. Traffic on Fort Myers Beach was backed up, but the bridge is now back open.
Charlotte County man accused of killing grandfather sentenced A man accused of murdering his grandfather in December of 2023 pleaded no contest and has been sentenced to 20 years.
State report on COVID-19 vaccine issues released For the first time, we’re hearing what a state grand jury has recommended regarding issues with COVID-19 vaccines.
Lee County Sheriff addresses FBI investigation in State of the Agency address Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno is breaking his silence about the FBI investigation into his department during his State of the Agency address.
NAPLES MANOR Collier County hit-and-run victims seek justice after New Year’s Day crash A mother and daughter were left for dead on the side of the road; the crash happened on New Year’s Day on Texas Avenue in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Florida wildlife affected by cold weather If you’re not a snowbird you’re probably going to spend this week shivering.
Fort Myers leaders discuss Dunbar Park renovation plans City leaders want to breathe new life into a community park many say has been neglected and forgotten Dunbar Park.
Deadline arrives for FEMA hurricane assistance in Florida The application deadline has arrived for those affected by the 2024 hurricane season to apply for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
NAPLES Cyclists push for bike safety after recent crash Every cyclist has their story. Whether it’s a near miss or a hard hit, there’s no doubt about it: cyclists are vulnerable.
NORTH FORT MYERS North Fort Myers home turns into junkyard Waking up to the smell of garbage is not a fun way to start your day.
Suspect confesses in hit-and-run that left bicyclist critically injured The man who hit bicyclist Hollie Masino with his car was arrested following his confession on Tuesday.
CCSO implements new tools to help crack down on animal cruelty Our deputies swear an oath to serve and protect everyone in our county, even those with four legs.
FORT MYERS BEACH The Division of Administrative hearings have started on Fort Myers Beach Will they stay or will they go? Tuesday is the day six properties on Fort Myers Beach fight to stay.
Attorneys seek evidence review in death sentence for man accused of killing wife Attorneys on Mark Sievers’ post-conviction counsel are asking a Lee County judge to review the evidence they say was kept secret during the trial.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island intersection shut down due to gas leak The Marco Island Police Department and Fire Rescue Department are responding to a gas leak at the intersection of Windward and Bald Eagle Drive.
FORT MYERS BEACH Concrete piling falls off Big Carlos Pass Bridge on Fort Myers Beach Crews working on the Big Carlos Pass Bridge had a concrete beam fall over onto a crane as Lee County deputies and other departments helped out. Traffic on Fort Myers Beach was backed up, but the bridge is now back open.
Charlotte County man accused of killing grandfather sentenced A man accused of murdering his grandfather in December of 2023 pleaded no contest and has been sentenced to 20 years.
State report on COVID-19 vaccine issues released For the first time, we’re hearing what a state grand jury has recommended regarding issues with COVID-19 vaccines.
Lee County Sheriff addresses FBI investigation in State of the Agency address Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno is breaking his silence about the FBI investigation into his department during his State of the Agency address.
For years, WINK News has reported on the struggle neighbors living in Fort Myers have dealt with when it comes to low water pressure. On Monday afternoon, WINK News learned why the city limited the amount of water coming out of your faucet. RELATED: Water quantity issues in Fort Myers RELATED: Concern over water shortage in Cape Coral RELATED: Cape Coral homeowners dealing with dried-up wells The issue dates back to the early 2000’s. With the population of Fort Myers increasing and the economy declining, the decision was made by city leaders back then to keep rates low at the expense of infrastructure upgrades. “We had the downturn of the economy in 2008-2009. People were losing their homes,” said Jason Sciandra, Assistant Director of the Public Utilities Department for Fort Myers. “We had not reinvested in our water utility. We had made some conscious decisions very early on in the downturn economy of like, ‘no, we’re going to hold off on doing additional investments’ because we need to keep costs affordable so people can continue to have water and continue to be able to pay for their homes and things like that.” What appeared to be a drop-in-the-bucket decision made by previous Fort Myers city leaders with good intentions led to a wave of nearly catastrophic consequences for over a decade. “That delay, you know, to meet that increase in demand, that delay meant that we were lowering pressure,” said Sciandra. “So basically, you turn on your faucet and you wouldn’t get as much water out. It was a way to control how much water was being sent out. So over time, that pressure dropped in. I think we were as low as 47 psi at one point right after Hurricane Ian.” Consequences trickled down to neighborhoods, schools and hospitals. It was that realization that led the city to take action. “More often than not, like this morning, I couldn’t shower,” said Mike Hodgins, a Pelican Preserve resident. “I’m sorry, we are getting porta potties at our schools for our kids in some cases, when there’s low water pressure and we have to shut down bathrooms, we are getting those out there so they still do have that access,” said Frederick Ross, Executive Director Operations for the Lee County School District. “In the wake of Hurricane Ian, we were, I think, five hours away from Lee Memorial having to shut down operations because the water pressure,” said Sciandra. “The water available to them wasn’t significant enough, it wasn’t enough to keep operations going.” From 2022 to the start of 2025, the city added 11 new wells moving the total number from 16 to 27. During the Fort Myers City Council meeting on Monday, The utilities department gave an update on the water supply, and the 11 new wells added. The city’s most recent capital improvements budget over the next 10 years sits at $950 million.