Sign at the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, which shows it is closed due to the government shutdown. Photo via WINK News.

Some ‘Ding’ Darling wildlife refuge employees return amid shutdown

The partial government shutdown has left a popular Lee County wildlife refuge understaffed for the past 20 days creating the potential to put wildlife at risk. Just hours from now a creative solution will bring at least a few employees back. Education and welcome staff will return to J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on […]

Sheriff: Jayme Closs found alive, suspect in custody

A 13-year-old northwest Wisconsin girl who went missing in October after her parents were killed has been found alive, authorities said Thursday. The Barron County Sheriff’s Department said on its Facebook page that Jayme Closs has been located and that a suspect was taken into custody. Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said the sheriff’s office in Douglas […]

An abundance of blue-green algae. Photo via WINK News.

SWFL neighbors hopeful about DeSantis algae task force

Homeowners in Southwest Florida who had to deal with hazardous blue-green algae in 2018 want a permanent fix to the mucky bacteria that has hurt tourism and livelihoods of neighbors alike along the Gulf coast. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the first executive order of his term to secure $2.5 billion for Everglades restoration and creating […]

Bonita Springs murder home listed for auction

In 2015, Dr. Teresa Sievers was beaten to death with a hammer in her home. Her husband, Mark Sievers, was accused of orchestrating her murder. Their home is the largest piece of evidence in the case. The Bonita Springs home where Dr. Sievers was killed has been listed for auction at more than $460,000 Thursday. […]

88 child drownings in 2018 remembered after Naples child drowns

More children drown in Florida than any other state in the country, and it’s the leading cause of death for children ages 1 years old to 4 years old, according to Florida Department of Health. People came together on Vanderbilt beach Friday to remember 88 children who drowned in 2018. “I think it’s important, whether […]

Fiat Chrysler recalls 1.6M vehicles to fix Takata air bags

Fiat Chrysler is recalling more than 1.6 million vehicles worldwide to replace Takata front passenger air bag inflators that can be dangerous. Takata inflators can explode with too much force, hurling shrapnel into drivers and passengers. At least 23 people have died from the problem worldwide. The recall covers the 2010 through 2016 Jeep Wrangler […]

Bonita Springs Utilities works to stop gushing water near intersection

No one seems to know where gushing water from a burst pipe near an intersection in Lee County is coming from. The water has been pouring from it for the past two days and has not been stopped. Some nearby business owners, who depend on the water source, are beginning to worry it could have […]

Trump will “probably” declare national emergency absent a deal in Congress

President Trump indicated Thursday he will likely declare a national emergency if Congress doesn’t reach an agreement to fund his border wall — a move that is sure to set off challenges in the courts if he goes ahead with it. The president made the remarks to reporters on the White House South Lawn ahead […]

Fort Myers police partners with video doorbell company Ring

Local neighborhoods became safer this week, as Fort Myers Police Department has partnered with Ring Monday. FMPD can access the app to view homeowner surveillance video and ultimately catch crooks in the act. “There’s so many things that happen around the neighborhoods,” Adriana White said. Police are only able to view videos what a homeowner […]

Application for Collier County 4,000-acre community pulled by developer

A controversial plan for development in Collier County is on hold. Developer Collier Enterprises wanted to build a new 4,000-acre town in eastern Collier County but has pulled its application altogether. Collier Enterprises said it’s exploring all other options for the future. The land developer wanted to build a town called Rural Lands West. It […]