CAMPAIGN CENTRAL Tim Walz and JD Vance face off in VP debate WINK News is campaign central, and on Tuesday night, all eyes are focused on the debate stage in New York, where the vice presidential candidates are facing off in their only debate.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County couple rescued from rooftop by stranger Hurricane Helene battered Charlotte County with heavy rain and wind, and many neighbors watched as water flooded into their homes.
CAPE CORAL WINK Investigates: For the first time, Beattie Development owner Paul Beattie speaks out during liquidation after allegations On Tuesday for the first time, Paul Beattie, owner of Beattie Development, who a lot of people say owe them a lot of money, is speaking out.
FORT MYERS Local Rabbi and Israeli soldier speak on Iran missile attack Israeli authorities said Iran launched dozens of missiles at the country.
PORT CHARLOTTE “It was just a monster in disguise,” Port Charlotte couple cleans up after Helene Wesley and Karen Wingate will never forget what they had for dinner September 27th.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IRS announces tax relief for those affected by Helene The IRS has just announced tax relief for people affected by Hurricane Helene.
FORT MYERS BEACH How the Fort Myers Beach community is handling Helene’s aftermath One storm hit Fort Myers Beach, but the damage is as different from block to block as the stories their homeowners tell
SOUTH FORT MYERS Submerged car in Fort Myers neighborhood has people worried A submerged car has neighbors worried that their pond will become polluted. One neighbor told WINK News that the vehicle has been in the pond since Hurricane Helene.
Collier County expands mosquito control district The Collier Mosquito Control District is expanding to different areas, and new tools are being used to keep the mosquito population under control as more standing water remains following Hurricane Helene.
CAPE CORAL Memorial benches being removed from Jaycee Park in Cape Coral After years of discussions, the City of Cape Coral will start to remove items from Jaycee Park as part of ongoing improvements.
ST. JAMES CITY How residents of St. James City are coping after Helene Once known for sunsets and dolphins, the tiny island community of St. James City is once again cleaning up after a hurricane.
CHARLOTTE HARBOR Charlotte County woman and dog rescued from home during Helene Amidst the rising waters of Hurricane Helene, a woman and her dog sought safety atop the kitchen counter inside their Charlotte County home.
NAPLES After 60 years in River Park, neighbors moving out because of Hurricane Helene Southwest Florida is still feeling the impacts from Helene, and a Naples community got the brunt of the storm.
ESTERO SWFL 12-year-old swimmer earns statewide recognition Last season Kallen Garnier-Chan achieved a national ranked top three time in the 800 and 1000 meter freestyle.
NORTH PORT Family continues legal battle with Heritage Insurance A husband and wife will not quit the fight with their homeowner’s insurance.
CAMPAIGN CENTRAL Tim Walz and JD Vance face off in VP debate WINK News is campaign central, and on Tuesday night, all eyes are focused on the debate stage in New York, where the vice presidential candidates are facing off in their only debate.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County couple rescued from rooftop by stranger Hurricane Helene battered Charlotte County with heavy rain and wind, and many neighbors watched as water flooded into their homes.
CAPE CORAL WINK Investigates: For the first time, Beattie Development owner Paul Beattie speaks out during liquidation after allegations On Tuesday for the first time, Paul Beattie, owner of Beattie Development, who a lot of people say owe them a lot of money, is speaking out.
FORT MYERS Local Rabbi and Israeli soldier speak on Iran missile attack Israeli authorities said Iran launched dozens of missiles at the country.
PORT CHARLOTTE “It was just a monster in disguise,” Port Charlotte couple cleans up after Helene Wesley and Karen Wingate will never forget what they had for dinner September 27th.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IRS announces tax relief for those affected by Helene The IRS has just announced tax relief for people affected by Hurricane Helene.
FORT MYERS BEACH How the Fort Myers Beach community is handling Helene’s aftermath One storm hit Fort Myers Beach, but the damage is as different from block to block as the stories their homeowners tell
SOUTH FORT MYERS Submerged car in Fort Myers neighborhood has people worried A submerged car has neighbors worried that their pond will become polluted. One neighbor told WINK News that the vehicle has been in the pond since Hurricane Helene.
Collier County expands mosquito control district The Collier Mosquito Control District is expanding to different areas, and new tools are being used to keep the mosquito population under control as more standing water remains following Hurricane Helene.
CAPE CORAL Memorial benches being removed from Jaycee Park in Cape Coral After years of discussions, the City of Cape Coral will start to remove items from Jaycee Park as part of ongoing improvements.
ST. JAMES CITY How residents of St. James City are coping after Helene Once known for sunsets and dolphins, the tiny island community of St. James City is once again cleaning up after a hurricane.
CHARLOTTE HARBOR Charlotte County woman and dog rescued from home during Helene Amidst the rising waters of Hurricane Helene, a woman and her dog sought safety atop the kitchen counter inside their Charlotte County home.
NAPLES After 60 years in River Park, neighbors moving out because of Hurricane Helene Southwest Florida is still feeling the impacts from Helene, and a Naples community got the brunt of the storm.
ESTERO SWFL 12-year-old swimmer earns statewide recognition Last season Kallen Garnier-Chan achieved a national ranked top three time in the 800 and 1000 meter freestyle.
NORTH PORT Family continues legal battle with Heritage Insurance A husband and wife will not quit the fight with their homeowner’s insurance.
A single-car crash has killed one person in Naples. The crash occurred at Airport Pulling Road near Progress Avenue, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The driver of the vehicle was a 47-year-old man from Naples. He was heading north on Airport Pulling Road, approaching the turn lane at Progress Avenue, when he veered off the roadway and hit a traffic light pole. Authorities say the driver was ejected and the car was split in two upon impact. The northbound lane of Airport Pulling Road is currently closed. Seek an alternate route if possible.
Sunday is one of the busiest travel days since the pandemic began, as hundreds of thousands of people return from their Christmas vacations. But many say that traveling for the holidays meant even more after not seeing their loved ones for months. Lisa Liceaga and her husband weren’t looking forward to a lonely white Christmas. So, they came from Cleveland to Southwest Florida. “We really wanted to be with the family this holiday even though there’s all this craziness going on. I just had to see my family, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen them,” Liceaga said. TSA says this time a year ago there were double the amount of people coming in and out of the airport. But they also say this has been the biggest weekend since the pandemic began. Travelers say time with their families was important. Robert Delker is from Pennsylvania. “I think it was very important. Being contained for a very long period of time definitely put a toll on you and seeing loved ones that you probably haven’t seen in a long time it enlightens you and gives you a little bit more push to get to the finish line,” Delker said. Delker is a frequent traveler and says he did notice the difference in people flying this weekend compared to the past few months. The lines were moving quickly. He flew down to spend the weekend with his loved ones. “The older you get every time you get to spend with your family is very important. So for me it was a good time to just be with my family,” Delker said. Despite CDC recommendations telling Americans to limit travel, both Delker and Liceaga say they felt safe traveling and would definitely do it again for the sake of seeing their families. “It meant the world. We would have been so sad sitting in our house alone in Cleveland over the holidays. Coming here really revitalized us, we’re so happy to be here,” Liceaga said. The official holiday travel numbers for RSW will be available on Monday, January 4.
The Department of Health in Lee County has announced that it will be canceling its remaining COVID-19 testing and Hepatitis A and Flu vaccine pop-up dates for the month of December. DOH Lee has shifted its focuses to providing the COVID-19 vaccine to frontline health care workers and adults 65 and older. The DOH still encourages residents of Lee County to get their flu shots and Hepatitis A shots. If you would still like to get either vaccine or a free COVID-19 test, you can do so by scheduling an appointment at their 3920 Michigan Avenue in Fort Myers. You can schedule appointments by calling 239-461-6100. The Department of Health originally released that schedule on December 5. You can still get COVID-19 tests at CenturyLink Sports Complex.
Authorities say the man suspected of setting off a bomb in a recreational vehicle that rocked downtown Nashville on Christmas day died in the explosion. U.S. Attorney Don Cochran identified the suspect on Sunday as Anthony Quinn Warner. Investigators said they used DNA to determine the remains were Warner’s. The FBI said it also matched the RV’s vehicle identification number to a registration belonging to Warner. Federal agents and police had searched a home in suburban Nashville associated with Warner. Authorities did not immediately provide details about a potential motive. FBI special agent Douglas Korneski said there was no indication anyone else was involved in the explosion, except for Warner.
Authorities on Sunday were investigating the shooting death of a woman found bleeding outside a South Florida apartment complex. The South Florida SunSentinel reported that homicide detectives from the Broward Sheriff’s Office were trying to piece together the events that led to the Saturday night shooting. The woman’s name was being withheld pending notification of kin. Deputies were dispatched to the scene after someone reported gunfire shortly before 10:30 p.m. Saturday. They found the woman on the ground bleeding from a gunshot. She was rushed to a hospital, where she later died.
The head of drugmaker AstraZeneca, which is developing a coronavirus vaccine widely expected to be approved by U.K. authorities this week, said Sunday that researchers believe the shot will be effective against a new variant of the virus driving a rapid surge in infections in Britain. AstraZeneca chief executive Pascal Soriot also told the Sunday Times that researchers developing its vaccine have figured out a “winning formula” making the jab as effective as rival candidates. Some have raised concern that the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is being developed with Oxford University, may not be as good as the one made by Pfizer already being distributed in the U.K. and other countries. Partial results suggest that the AstraZeneca shot is about 70% effective for preventing illness from coronavirus infection, compared to the 95% efficacy reported by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech. “We think we have figured out the winning formula and how to get efficacy that, after two doses, is up there with everybody else,” Soriot said. “I can’t tell you more because we will publish at some point.” Britain’s government says its medicines regulator is reviewing the final data from AstraZeneca’s phase three clinical trials. The Times and others have reported that the green light could come by Thursday, and the vaccines can start to be rolled out for the U.K. public in the first week of January. Asked about the vaccine’s efficacy against the new variant of coronavirus spreading in the U.K., Soriot said: “So far, we think the vaccine should remain effective. But we can’t be sure, so we’re going to test that.” British authorities have blamed the new virus variant for soaring infection rates across the country. They said the variant is much more transmittable, but stress there is no evidence it makes people more ill. Prime Minister Boris Johnson sounded an urgent alarm about the variant days before Christmas, saying the new version of the virus was spreading rapidly and that plans to travel and gather must be canceled for millions to curb the spread of the virus. Authorities have since put increasing areas of the country — affecting about 24 million people, or 43% of the population — in the strictest level of restrictions. Nonessential shops have closed, restaurants and pubs can only operate for takeout and no indoor socializing is allowed. Many countries swiftly barred travel from the U.K., but cases of the new variant have since also been reported in a dozen locations around the world. Public health officials said on Dec. 24 that more than 600,000 people had received the first of two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Britain recorded another 30,501 positive COVID-19 cases and a further 316 deaths on Sunday, bringing the country’s total death toll to 70,752. Many hospitals are under pressure, including the largest hospital in Wales, which issued an urgent appeal on Saturday for health care staff or medical students to help care for coronavirus patients in intensive care. The health board that runs University Hospital of Wales said Sunday that the situation has improved, but its critical care unit remains extremely busy.
As of 2 p.m. Sunday, there have been 1,271,979 positive cases of the coronavirus recorded in the state. The case count includes 1,250,275 Florida residents and 21,704 non-Florida residents. There are 21,212 Florida resident deaths reported, 302 non-resident deaths, and 61,459 hospitalizations at some point during illness, according to the Florida Department of Health. *Numbers are released by the DOH every afternoon. STATEWIDE NUMBERS Total number of recorded cases: 1,271,979 (up from 1,264,588) Florida resident deaths: 21,212 (up from 21,135) Non-resident deaths: 302 (unchanged) Total deaths in state (Fla./non-Fla. residents combined): 21,514 (up from 21,437) 7,391 total new cases reported Sunday 77 new resident deaths reported Sunday 0 new non-resident deaths reported Sunday Percent positive for new cases in Fla. residents: 9.69% This percent is the number of people who test PCR- or antigen-positive for the first time divided by all the people tested that day, excluding people who have previously tested positive. SOUTHWEST FLORIDA NUMBERS Total recorded cases in SWFL: 74,565 (up from 73,923) Deaths: 1,320 (up from 1,317) 642 total new cases reported Sunday 3 new deaths reported Sunday Lee County: 39,003 cases (up from 38,575) – 652 deaths (1 new) Collier County: 21,683 (up from 21,558) – 326 deaths Charlotte County: 7,065 (up from 7,000) – 230 deaths (2 new) DeSoto County: 2,839 (up from 2,835) – 52 deaths Glades County: 761 (up from 760) – 11 deaths Hendry County: 3,214 (up from 3,195) – 49 deaths Click HERE* for a case-by-case breakdown – updated daily. *If not linked, the final report has not yet been made available. TESTING DATA Effective Oct. 27, the Florida Department of Health ceased releasing data showing overall testing numbers. Their statement: “The Florida Department of Health is making adjustments to the COVID-19 dashboard and daily report to provide clear, accurate information for Florida families. Moving forward, the daily report will focus on the number of tests reported to the state by day and the corresponding positivity rate by day. The previously reported cumulative number did not reflect the current status of the pandemic in Florida. This change is in line with the CDC recommendation that calculation of percent positivity [is] applied consistently and with clear communication, will allow public health officials to follow magnitude and trends effectively, and the trends will be useful for local public health decision making.” RESOURCES VACCINES: State of Florida’s COVID-19 vaccine reports NOW HIRING: SWFL companies adding jobs FOOD PANTRIES: Harry Chapin mobile food pantry schedule, week of Dec. 28 REPORT COVID-19 DIAGNOSIS/TEST: International self-reporting system IF YOU FEEL SICK: The Florida Department of Health has a 24-hour COVID-19 Call Center at 1-866-779-6121. Questions may also be emailed to covid-19@flhealth.gov. Email responses will be sent during call center hours. LINK: Florida Department of Health COVID-19 updates *The map is best viewed on a desktop computer. If you don’t see the map above tap HERE for a fullscreen version.
The Harry Chapin Food Bank will be providing free food at these locations from Dec. 28 to Dec. 31. Monday, Dec. 28 10 a.m. – Noon Bonita Old Library 26876 Pine Ave., Bonita Springs, FL 34135 10 a.m. – Noon Fleamasters Flea Market 4135 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33916 Tuesday, Dec. 29 10 a.m. – Noon Boys and Girls Club of Immokalee 1155 Roberts Ave. W., Immokalee, FL 34142 10 a.m. – Noon Copperhead Golf Club 20910 Copperhead Dr., Lehigh Acres, FL 33936 Wednesday, Dec. 30 10 a.m. – Noon Forrey Drive Forrey Drive, LaBelle, FL 33935 10 a.m. – Noon Golden Gate Community Center 4701 Golden Gate Pkwy., Naples, FL 34116 Thursday, Dec. 31 10 a.m. – Noon Sacred Heart Church, Punta Gorda 211 W Charlotte Ave., Punta Gorda, FL 33950 St. Matthew’s House schedule Due to the holidays, St. Matthew’s House won’t hold its regular food distribution Tuesday at Fairway Bible Church, but it will hold two distributions Thursday on New Year’s Eve. Thursday’s Food Distributions: From 10 to 11 a.m. at Iglesia Pueblo de Dio (People of God) Church in Naples From 2 to 6 p.m. at Mount Olive AME Church in Fort Myers (No food distribution this week at First Haitian Baptist Church)
A U.S. serviceman from Florida has been charged in a shooting at an Illinois bowling alley that left three people dead and three wounded, authorities said Sunday. Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley said Duke Webb, 37, has been charged with three counts of murder and three counts of first-degree attempted murder in the shooting at Don Carter Lanes, in Rockford, on Saturday evening. While no bowling is currently allowed due to state-imposed coronavirus restrictions, a bar linked to the business was open. Webb was taken into custody shortly after the shooting at around 7 p.m., Rockford Police Chief Dan O’Shea said at a news conference Sunday morning. Duke Webb (Credit: Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office) “I am very confident the officers that were on the scene in the building were able to stop further violence,” O’Shea said. He said the three who died were all men, aged 73, 65 and 69, but did not provide names. Additionally, he said, a 14-year-old boy was shot in the face and airlifted to a hospital in Madison in stable condition, and a 16-year-old girl who was shot in the shoulder was treated at a hospital and released. A 62-year-old man underwent surgery overnight after suffering multiple gunshot wounds and is in critical condition, the chief said. The suspect has no known ties to the victims, O’Shea said. “We believe this was a completely random act, and there is no prior meeting or any kind of relationship between the suspect and any of the victims in this case,” O’Shea said. He did not provide information on what led up to the shooting. The bowling alley was closed at the time of the shooting, in accordance with restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, O’Shea said. But a bar upstairs was open. The chief said the upstairs venue has double doors that open to the outside, ensuring the bar is in compliance with Illinois’ COVID-19 mitigation guidance. Up to 25 people were at Don Carter Lanes when the shooting happened, but most escaped or hid, O’Shea said. He declined to say whether the shootings happened in the bar or elsewhere in the building, but said those details would come out in court. The teens who were wounded were picking up food at the carryout section of the bowling alley, he said. He said the suspect tried to conceal his weapons before his arrest, and that he was apprehended without officers firing a shot. “Most of the incident was captured on surveillance video from inside the business,” O’Shea said, adding that investigators are studying captured images. Webb is an active military man, and investigators are in touch with the U.S. Army, O’Shea said. The Rockford Register Star reported that 2020 has been the deadliest year on record for homicides in the city of about 170,000 residents located about 80 miles northwest of Chicago. Thirty-five people have been killed in the city this year, breaking the previous record of 31 in 1996. “As we come to the end of this most difficult year and we look ahead at this New Year upon us, we know that this type of violence needs to stop,” Mayor Tom McNamara said. “… And today, with the eyes of the country upon us, we need to show as Rockfordians how we respond to an incident such as this, as one Rockford, supporting one another.”
Starting Monday, the Florida Department of Health in Lee County will begin COVID-19 vaccinations for high-risk frontline health care workers and those 65 and older. DOH-Lee staff will have 300 doses of vaccine available at each site, supported by Lee County Public Safety. The first of seven testing sites will be at Estero Park and Recreation Center. Those who stopped by the Estero site say this could be the first step to getting back to pre-pandemic normalcy. The DOH-Lee County held a press conference Monday morning on its vaccine rollout. Watch below or click here. Monday’s vaccination opportunity represents hope for Deane and Dick Hall of Bonita Springs. “We’re excited to get the vaccination and we can’t wait to get it,” Deane said. After months of not being able to hug their grandkids, there’s finally a light at the end of the tunnel. “I’d like to put COVID 2020 to bed and go on with a better year,” Dick said. That ray of light comes in the form of the Estero Parks and Rec Center where high-risk frontline health care workers and those 65 and older can get the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Karlene Reilly is from Estero and sees this opportunity for a vaccine as thrilling. “Absolutely thrilled that there is a possibility. It’s really an answer to a prayer. and I hope that I am able to get it,” Reilly said. She came to the center to see if she could find out more information about what to do prior to getting in line. There, she learned that there is a release form to fill out. “I’ve been trying to be as careful as I can be but I think I would feel better if I had the vaccine in my system,” said Reilly. 2020 has been challenging and worrisome for many but they think the vaccine is a good way to ring in a new year. “It’s the beginning of the new year,” said Dick. “Let’s hope we can all get it very quickly,” Reilly said. The Moderna vaccine does require two doses which are meant to be given 28 days apart. WINK News reached out to the Department of Health about getting the second dose if you happen to get the first one but they have not yet responded. Vaccination site schedules for the upcoming week are as follows: Monday, Dec. 28: Estero Park and Rec Center 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd. Estero, FL 33928 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29: East County Regional Library 881 Gunnery Road N. Lehigh Acres, FL 33971 9 a.m. to Noon 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Old Bonita Spring Library 26876 Pine Avenue Bonita Springs, FL 34135 9 a.m. to Noon 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Fort Myers Stars Complex 2980 Edison Avenue Fort Myers, FL 33916 9 a.m. to Noon 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30: N. Fort Myers Recreation Center 2000 N Recreation Pkwy. North Fort Myers, FL 33903 9 a.m. to Noon 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Lakes Regional Library 15290 Bass Road Fort Myers, FL 33919 9 a.m. to Noon 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Cultural Park Theatre 528 Cultural Park Blvd. Cape Coral, FL 33919 9 a.m. to Noon 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. There is no fee for the vaccine, and no appointment is necessary. Bring identification and, if you are a healthcare worker, a copy of your ID badge or a current paystub. These are not drive-thru sites; all sites are ADA compliant. To expedite the registration process, you may visit https://www.leegov.com/vaccine to download, print and complete the consent form prior to visiting one of the vaccination sites.