Convicted child predator receives 75-year prison sentence in DeSoto CountyWhite Pelican Villas taking shape at former Beachview Cottages site on Sanibel
Convicted child predator receives 75-year prison sentence in DeSoto County The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office has announced a 75-year prison sentence for a man convicted of sexual crimes against children.
White Pelican Villas taking shape at former Beachview Cottages site on Sanibel Following Hurricane Ian, Tony Lapi faced a dilemma. He could either rebuild the resort in the same footprint as the 22 Beachview Cottages that were destroyed on Sanibel Island or move it farther back from the beach and construct something more resilient.
WINK News Photos of the Week (3/21 – 3/27) Welcome to WINK News Photos of the Week, where we highlight memorable moments from Southwest Florida throughout the week.
NORTH NAPLES Man accused of stealing over $15K worth of Pokémon cards in North Naples The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of stealing over $15,000 worth of Pokémon cards from a North Naples business.
Tim Aten Knows: Costco formally files plans for second store in Collier Less than two weeks after hundreds of residents packed a neighborhood information meeting to protest conceptual plans for a second location in Collier County, Costco Wholesale Corp. submitted formal development plans earlier this month for a new store proposed on the southeast corner of Collier Boulevard and Rattlesnake Hammock Road.
FORT MYERS Vietnam Traveling Wall comes to Southwest Florida A moving tribute to Vietnam veterans arrived in Southwest Florida.
12-year-old Lee County student arrested for making bomb threats at his school A 12-year-old student from Veterans Park Academy for the Arts was arrested on Thursday for making threats involving planting bombs around the school.
Motorcyclist critically injured following SUV crash on US-41 in Lee County The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash involving a motorcycle and an SUV that critically injured one person on U.S. 41 in Lee County.
BOKEELIA Bokeelia home destroyed after early morning fire The Matlacha Pine Island Fire Control District is on the scene of a fire that broke out at a Bokeelia home.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Breezy with a few showers Friday afternoon and evening The Weather Authority is tracking a breezier Friday with a mix of sun and clouds, which may produce showers, impacting your evening plans.
ESTERO Estero Goodwill holds grand opening Lynn Watts, a longtime Goodwill shopper, found herself in the midst of the bustling scene.
SANIBEL Destroyed and distressed: properties on Sanibel facing code enforcement Sanibel, a city known for its resilience, is now facing challenges as some of its beloved landmarks remain in disrepair.
NAPLES Collier County first responders extinguish brush fire near golf course A brush fire in Collier County threatened the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples on Wednesday, but quick action from first responders helped prevent disaster.
Naples embraces new mobile gym for dogs A unique mobile gym for dogs is making waves in Naples, offering a convenient way for pets to exercise without leaving their homes.
EVERGLADES Florida sugar firms lose lawsuit; Everglades restoration moves forward The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the Army Corps, marking a significant victory for Everglades restoration efforts.
Convicted child predator receives 75-year prison sentence in DeSoto County The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office has announced a 75-year prison sentence for a man convicted of sexual crimes against children.
White Pelican Villas taking shape at former Beachview Cottages site on Sanibel Following Hurricane Ian, Tony Lapi faced a dilemma. He could either rebuild the resort in the same footprint as the 22 Beachview Cottages that were destroyed on Sanibel Island or move it farther back from the beach and construct something more resilient.
WINK News Photos of the Week (3/21 – 3/27) Welcome to WINK News Photos of the Week, where we highlight memorable moments from Southwest Florida throughout the week.
NORTH NAPLES Man accused of stealing over $15K worth of Pokémon cards in North Naples The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of stealing over $15,000 worth of Pokémon cards from a North Naples business.
Tim Aten Knows: Costco formally files plans for second store in Collier Less than two weeks after hundreds of residents packed a neighborhood information meeting to protest conceptual plans for a second location in Collier County, Costco Wholesale Corp. submitted formal development plans earlier this month for a new store proposed on the southeast corner of Collier Boulevard and Rattlesnake Hammock Road.
FORT MYERS Vietnam Traveling Wall comes to Southwest Florida A moving tribute to Vietnam veterans arrived in Southwest Florida.
12-year-old Lee County student arrested for making bomb threats at his school A 12-year-old student from Veterans Park Academy for the Arts was arrested on Thursday for making threats involving planting bombs around the school.
Motorcyclist critically injured following SUV crash on US-41 in Lee County The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash involving a motorcycle and an SUV that critically injured one person on U.S. 41 in Lee County.
BOKEELIA Bokeelia home destroyed after early morning fire The Matlacha Pine Island Fire Control District is on the scene of a fire that broke out at a Bokeelia home.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Breezy with a few showers Friday afternoon and evening The Weather Authority is tracking a breezier Friday with a mix of sun and clouds, which may produce showers, impacting your evening plans.
ESTERO Estero Goodwill holds grand opening Lynn Watts, a longtime Goodwill shopper, found herself in the midst of the bustling scene.
SANIBEL Destroyed and distressed: properties on Sanibel facing code enforcement Sanibel, a city known for its resilience, is now facing challenges as some of its beloved landmarks remain in disrepair.
NAPLES Collier County first responders extinguish brush fire near golf course A brush fire in Collier County threatened the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples on Wednesday, but quick action from first responders helped prevent disaster.
Naples embraces new mobile gym for dogs A unique mobile gym for dogs is making waves in Naples, offering a convenient way for pets to exercise without leaving their homes.
EVERGLADES Florida sugar firms lose lawsuit; Everglades restoration moves forward The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the Army Corps, marking a significant victory for Everglades restoration efforts.
A family in Collier County is facing heartbreak as they work to maintain a memorial for their loved one who died in a shooting. Merest Exilhomme Jr. was killed last November outside the Burlington store at Freedom Square Plaza on Tamiami Trail and Collier Boulevard. He left behind four children and his girlfriend, Angelina Galli. Galli and her children decorated a tree at the site where Exilhomme died to honor his memory. However, because the memorial is on private property, the decorations have been removed several times. Galli spoke exclusively to WINK News about her desire to establish a permanent memorial at the location. She wants a place where her children can remember their father, grieve, cry and honor him. “He means everything, because as soon as I pull into the driveway, the parking lot, they are literally running to the tree, ‘Daddy, Daddy,'” said Galli. “They know that their daddy passed right here, and this is where they come and see him. We do go to his grave, but this is what they know last of where he was alive.” The Collier County Sheriff’s Office reported that Exilhomme was shot and killed by 25-year-old Widnes Moricette in broad daylight. Galli and her children find some relief in visiting the spot where Exilhomme died, but their memorials keep getting taken down, causing them more pain. WINK News reached out to the Brixmor Property Group, which owns the plaza. They expressed a willingness to work with Galli to find a more meaningful, permanent way to honor Exilhomme. Galli is hopeful and waiting for their call. In a TikTok post, Galli compared her memorial to those seen on the side of roads for victims of deadly car crashes. The Florida Department of Transportation offers a “Memorial Marker Program” to commemorate those who have died in crashes on state highways. The memorials, which are 15 inches in diameter and made of aluminum, help remember lives lost and increase highway safety awareness. Each sign can stay in place for one year, and FDOT covers the cost. Click here for more information on the FDOT Memorial Marker Program.