Copper thefts continue across SWFL, this time from an LCEC vehicle

Copper thieves hit another business in Southwest Florida. This time in Collier County, about 500 feet of copper wire was stolen on August 3, along Collier Boulevard from an LCEC utility truck. That copper is valued at $5,000 dollars, and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office believes the vehicle involved is an older model Dodge Dakota […]

New restaurants and retail shops headed to Fifth Avenue in Naples

The space that once housed Bellini and Paddy Murphy’s in downtown Naples is getting a facelift, and new restaurants and shops are on the way, but some in Naples aren’t so excited. “I came here to pay respects to this building, part of the culture on Fifth Avenue,” said Rich Muller, a long-time Naples resident […]

New filtration system is keeping customers coming into restaurants during COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic has changed pretty much every aspect of life. Particularly, going out to dinner at a restaurant is completely different. “We’re very selective on where we choose to eat,” said Sandra Hogan, while she dined with her husband at Ridgeway Bar and Grill. “They’ve taken COVID seriously,” Hogan said about the restaurant.  But many Naples […]

Medical marijuana. (Credit: CBS News)

Marco Island votes to ban recreational marijuana

During Tuesday’s primary elections, those on Marco Island had one question to answer: To ban or not to ban? The City of Marco Island proposed a ban on the recreational sale and growth of marijuana, and residents voted overwhelmingly for it. The city chairman who was part of the committee that drafted this legislation wants […]

COVID-19 hospitalizations at NCH drastically decrease after mask mandate

A month after WINK News cameras first paid a visit to the COVID-19 floor and critical care unit at NCH North Naples, there has been a drastic difference. “When you were here the last time, NCH was around 60% occupied with COVID patients,” said Dr. David Lindner, the COVID-19 medical director for NCH. “At this […]

Sanitation employee fired for painting swastikas on septic tank in Collier County

Racially-charged vandalism in Collier County has cost a man his job after an inspector found swastikas on a brand-new septic tank. The inspector confirms swastikas were painted on a septic tank at a Monty Sanitation project in Collier County recently. Monty Sanitation in North Naples says it fired the employee who drew the swastikas immediately. […]

Woman who felt she was intimidated at polls in Collier County speaks to WINK News

Ellen Hemrick says she’s been voting for decades and has never had anything happen like the events that occurred on Friday, August 14. “I try to vote in every election that I’m able to. Every little local race, every referendum,” Hemrick said. So last week, when she went to North Collier Regional Park to vote […]

‘Ridin With Biden’ caravans across Collier County

People in Naples and across Southwest Florida organized ‘Ridin With Biden’ caravans to show their support for the Biden-Harris ticket and to emphasize the importance of voting. “Let’s put them in the White House,” said Holly Schober of North Naples. For most participants, it wasn’t only about getting Biden elected, it was about supporting all […]