Racial Justice: Progress beyond protests

The summer of 2020 saw protests against police brutality and racial injustice as people demanded change in policing tactics after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Summer of 2020 is now part of Black History and American History alike. Black and white together marched with police officers in Collier County. Protesters also marched in […]

Should panthers be evicted for new community in Collier County?

Development vs. wildlife: Should a 1,000-acre town be built east of Golden Gate Estates in Collier County? Those living in one community are in an uproar because protected Florida panthers already live there. Rae Ann Burton describes living in Golden Gate Estates as an escape. “The reason that people moved to rural Golden Gate Estates […]

Naples Police Department, first responders mourn officer killed in Lee County crash

A Naples police officer died in an off-duty crash in Lee County on Thursday. Naples Police Department announced the death of Sgt. Jeffrey Reidy, 41, who leaves behind a wife and four children. The Florida Highway Patrol responded to the crash on Corkscrew Road east of Burgundy Farms Road shortly before noon. According to FHP, […]

Naples wants input on plan for bike, pedestrian safety

To keep you safe, the City of Naples is working to make the community accessible for walkers, bicyclists and drivers. They are looking at things like crosswalks and ways to make them safer by drawing attention to them, potentially raising them. For many people, spending their time in Naples is all about spending time outside, […]

Authorities search for 2017 murder weapon in Gordon River

The search for a weapon in a homicide in Naples turned up empty. A tip sent investigators to a river after a recent plea from Crime Stoppers on a 2017 homicide that left 25-year-old Franklin Francois dead. Investigators spent Wednesday morning searching for a gun in River Park East. Francois was killed in Nov. 2017. […]

WINK News Chief Meteorologist Jim Farrell announces retirement

A legendary member of the WINK News team has announced his retirement. After 29 years, Chief Meteorologist Jim Farrell will leave WINK next month. Jim started at WINK News in 1992 and built a reputation of reliable weather forecasting that is second to none. Jim’s straightforward just-the-facts approach helped calm our Southwest Florida community during […]

Alfie Oakes scores legal victory against School District of Lee County

A controversial Collier County business owner scored a victory this week in a lawsuit against the School District of Lee County, but where the case goes from here gets complicated. Fresh fruit and vegetables from the Seed to Table Market are still off the menu at Lee County schools, and now, instead of paying grocery […]

Most Wanted Wednesday: We feature some of SWFL’s most wanted suspects; Feb. 17

This weekly WINK News segment features fugitives from justice right here in Southwest Florida. This is your chance to help out the community and give the tip that gets these people off the street. These suspects need to be found – and you can help. If you have seen them, reach out to Crime Stoppers […]

Collier County man, 66, accused of molesting teen boy, may have other victims

Warning: This story includes explicit information. A 66-year-old Collier County man is accused of molesting a teenage boy — and there may be other victims. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office says Richard Michael Baga of Ave Maria is facing three counts of lewd and lascivious molestation on a victim aged 12 to 16. Baga’s arrest […]

Naples couple makes 3-hour journey to get vaccinated, one of many

One Southwest Florida couple is happy and relieved Wednesday morning after finally getting vaccinated, but it wasn’t easy. While getting the vaccine at a Lee or Collier County site might have been more convenient, Terri Lynn and Mark Young of Naples could only secure a spot at a Publix location three hours away in Spring […]