Warm, dry and breezy afternoon after a comfortable morning The Weather Authority is tracking a comfortable Friday morning start with dry and breezy afternoon conditions expected. NAPLES Event held in Naples for National Crime Victims Week The City of Naples and Project HELP held an event in Baker Park for National Crime Victims Week. NAPLES 25-acre brush fire off I-75S in Collier County lowers air quality The Greater Naples Fire Rescue responded to a 25-acre brush fire at Mile Marker 96 on I-75 in the Picayune Strand State Forest. CAPE CORAL Cape Coral softball coach arrested for alleged inappropriate conduct with student released on bond A former Cape Coral volunteer softball coach arrested for alleged sexual contact with a student was released from jail on bond. FORT MYERS A prom like no other at Golisano Children’s Hospital Logan Stryker may be a little young for high school prom, but he’s the prom king of Golisano Children’s Hospital. FORT MYERS Group protests death of Christopher Jordan Their messages were aimed at the Fort Myers police department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and State Attorney Amira Fox. NAPLES Friday’s Furry Friends: Holly, Slim For this week’s Friday’s Furry Friends, WINK visits the Collier County Domestic Animal Services to showcase two adorable animals ready to be adopted. FORT MYERS Caught on Camera: Dust Devil spotted spiraling in Fort Myers A dust devil was spotted and recorded by a WINK News viewer on Hanson Street in Fort Myers. FORT MYERS A least 3 cars involved in crash near Top Golf Way and Challenger Blvd. It happened near Top Golf Way and Challenger Boulevard in Fort Myers. Hendry County Fired deputy charged with crimes had troubled past in law enforcement A local police officer resigned in lieu of termination after dozens of disciplinary actions against him, so how was he hired at another SWFL law enforcement agency? Gulfshore Business View all 3 new restaurants coming this fall to Coconut Point Fresh Catch Bistro, PJK Neighborhood Chinese Restaurant and Real Seafood Co. are launching upscale casual restaurants in units previously home to TGI Fridays, The Saloon and Bokamper’s Sports Bar & Grill, respectively. Cape Coral City Council salary, stipend won’t appear on November ballot After being presented with four proposals at an April 24 committee of the whole meeting, Council couldn’t come to a legitimate consensus for City Attorney Aleksandr Boksner to formulate a referendum for the November ballot. Evangelical Christian School completes $28.6M purchase of Hodges campus The property consisting of two buildings at 4501 Colonial Blvd. and 4445 Winkler Ave., at the northeast corner of Colonial and Winkler, will continue to serve as Hodges’ home through June. Burnt Store Road area residents ask for stakeholder meeting Members of the Burnt Store Corridor Coalition urged Charlotte County commissioners on April 23 to host a stakeholder meeting to help solve problems related to the area’s increasing growth. Sanibel Captiva Trust Co. opens two new offices Sanibel Captiva Trust Co. finished navigating its aftermath of Hurricane Ian, moving into two new office buildings to better serve its clients. El Gaucho Trattoria to open in North Naples After opening three Peruvian and Argentinian restaurants inspired by owners Rocio Navarrete and Mariano Maldonado’s heritage, the couple is departing from their usual concept and diving into Maldonado’s Italian heritage for their new restaurant. Babcock Ranch, FPL unveil Solar Ranch Eco-Discovery Center The 2,500-square-foot Eco-Discovery Center, 8500 State Road 31 in Punta Gorda, opens to the public May 1 and showcases advantages of clean and solar energy. Join our Newsletter for the latest news right to your inbox Sign up for e-mail alerts from WINK News Investigations The Lee County School District proposes changes to address safety and discipline on school grounds Lee Schools changing the rules to improve safety and discipline. Sheriff Carmine Marceno addresses incident after deputy pulled over, taken home Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno sat down exclusively with Investigative Reporter Peter Fleischer to provide answers about why an off-duty deputy was driven home instead of to jail. More green space needed in Fort Myers; Parks ‘Master plan’ unveiled The fate of the long-awaited park at the old Dunbar sludge site might lie in Fort Myers voters’ hands. Cape Coral family warns of unlicensed contractor Thousands of dollars of cash paid and not a bit of work done. That’s what one Cape Coral grandmother is dealing with as she tries to recover from Hurricane Ian. Arsenic, other minerals may be back at old Dunbar sludge site The decades old sludge site on South Street in Fort Myers was supposed to become a park. Now, the neighborhood’s long-awaited promise could be in jeopardy. Even though the sludge is gone, the arsenic and other unhealthy minerals may be back. State News View all What’s next for Punta Gorda hotel with asbestos? The owner of the Punta Gorda Waterfront Hotel and Suites and Hurricane Charley’s Raw Bar and Grill has chosen Pece of Mind Environmental to remove the mineral. Asbestos delays Punta Gorda hotel demolition Asbestos was found in the Punta Gorda Waterfront Hotel and Suites along with the Hurricane Charley’s Raw Bar and Grill next door. Endangered smalltooth sawfish deaths more than double since mid-March Wildlife officials have announced five more endangered smalltooth sawfish mortalities occurred in the last two weeks of the ongoing abnormal fish behavior event in the Florida Keys. Convicted Tampa armed robber faces 100 years in prison after a traffic stop in Collier County A man known as the “Beretta Bandit,” who had been convicted of several armed robberies in Tampa, faces a lifetime in prison after a 2021 Collier County traffic stop led to his arrest. Gov. DeSantis signs bills to encourage hurricane prep Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two bills to strengthen Florida against natural events and hurricanes while in Redington Shores. Health & Medical View all Magic mushrooms may help ease depression, but are they safe? The potential of magic mushrooms to act as a ‘magic’ solution to treat depression is getting a lot of attention. One of the most important aspects is safety. Naples med center using tech to help people live longer Advances in medicine are helping people live longer and experts in the field of longevity believe there is still room to enjoy more quality years. Diagnosing stomach issues with breath and motility Forty percent of all Americans suffer from gastrointestinal diseases, such as nausea, fecal incontinence, and IBS. Lee Health official discusses advantages of patient portal for Spanish speakers Having access to healthcare records at your fingertips was widely available but out of reach for Hispanics in Southwest Florida. Breast Cancer treatment is evolving; Same day mastectomies are becoming more common Eileen Wesley is diligent about her health, and for good reason. Breast cancer runs in her family. Apple and Pickleball team up to study health benefits The meteoric rise of pickleball is getting attention from the medical community. It was first adopted by older Americans looking for a social sport to get them moving. Now Apple is studying its health analytics. The Environment View all Bear spotted sleeping in tree in Collier County A large black bear climbed up a tree and was caught on camera relaxing on some branches at Heritage Bay Boulevard. 911 call released of Collier County alligator attack victim A man survived an alligator attack in Collier County thanks in part to the quick thinking of his neighbor. FWC charges 2 for issues with alligator skulls and deer harvesting Two suspects are accused of dozens of wildlife violations involving alligator and deer remains at a taxidermy business. WINK Sports View all From Verot to The Show: Blaze Alexander is living his MLB dream Former Bishop Verot star Blaze Alexander is now living his MLB dream as he got called up to join the Arizona Diamondbacks. Man proves polio doesn’t have to be a strikeout so you can swing for the fences too Dave Clark shocked doctors when he survived infancy and he shocked the world when he played professional baseball on crutches. Guiding young men keeps former FSW coach motivated as he joins NCAA For Eric Murphy, performance on the floor only scratches the surface of what it means to be a coach. Legally blind Bonita Springs man hits hole in one 85-year-old Vincent Costa from Bonita Springs hit a hole in one at Vasari Country Club despite being legally blind. Estero teen to represent U.S. golf on international stage At only 16-years-old Gianna Clemente already has a resume that most golfers only dream of and she’s just getting started. St. John Neumann baseball ranked top five in the state The St. John Neumann baseball team is currently ranked fifth in the FHSAA rankings and are poised to make a postseason push. Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright talks changes in college basketball Former Villanova men’s basketball head coach Jay Wright shares his thoughts on the current state of college basketball. FGCU golfer swings with the pros at the PGA Tour in Texas After winning a college tournament, Joe Sullivan, a Florida Gulf Coast University golfer, was given an automatic bid to play in an official Professional Golfers Association tour event with some of the best in the world. Former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani faces bank fraud charges in sports betting case U.S. Attorney Marin Estrada announced the charges Thursday. FGCU’s Rivers showing off skills in College Slam Dunk Championship Rivers is the first to represent FGCU in the dunk contest and hopes to be the first to bring home the crown. Campaign Central View all ‘Catch and kill’ will be described to jurors in Donald Trump’s hush money trial as testimony resumes A tabloid publisher was expected Tuesday to tell jurors about helping Donald Trump stifle unflattering stories during the 2016 campaign. President Biden speaks at Reproductive Freedom Event in Tampa President Joe Biden is in Tampa and gave remarks at the Reproductive Freedom Event on Tuesday. Trump tried to ‘corrupt’ the 2016 election, prosecutor alleges as hush money trial gets underway Donald Trump tried to illegally influence the 2016 presidential election by preventing damaging stories about his personal life from becoming public, a prosecutor told jurors Monday at the start of the former president’s historic hush money trial.
Warm, dry and breezy afternoon after a comfortable morning The Weather Authority is tracking a comfortable Friday morning start with dry and breezy afternoon conditions expected.
NAPLES Event held in Naples for National Crime Victims Week The City of Naples and Project HELP held an event in Baker Park for National Crime Victims Week.
NAPLES 25-acre brush fire off I-75S in Collier County lowers air quality The Greater Naples Fire Rescue responded to a 25-acre brush fire at Mile Marker 96 on I-75 in the Picayune Strand State Forest.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral softball coach arrested for alleged inappropriate conduct with student released on bond A former Cape Coral volunteer softball coach arrested for alleged sexual contact with a student was released from jail on bond.
FORT MYERS A prom like no other at Golisano Children’s Hospital Logan Stryker may be a little young for high school prom, but he’s the prom king of Golisano Children’s Hospital.
FORT MYERS Group protests death of Christopher Jordan Their messages were aimed at the Fort Myers police department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and State Attorney Amira Fox.
NAPLES Friday’s Furry Friends: Holly, Slim For this week’s Friday’s Furry Friends, WINK visits the Collier County Domestic Animal Services to showcase two adorable animals ready to be adopted.
FORT MYERS Caught on Camera: Dust Devil spotted spiraling in Fort Myers A dust devil was spotted and recorded by a WINK News viewer on Hanson Street in Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS A least 3 cars involved in crash near Top Golf Way and Challenger Blvd. It happened near Top Golf Way and Challenger Boulevard in Fort Myers.
Hendry County Fired deputy charged with crimes had troubled past in law enforcement A local police officer resigned in lieu of termination after dozens of disciplinary actions against him, so how was he hired at another SWFL law enforcement agency?
3 new restaurants coming this fall to Coconut Point Fresh Catch Bistro, PJK Neighborhood Chinese Restaurant and Real Seafood Co. are launching upscale casual restaurants in units previously home to TGI Fridays, The Saloon and Bokamper’s Sports Bar & Grill, respectively.
Cape Coral City Council salary, stipend won’t appear on November ballot After being presented with four proposals at an April 24 committee of the whole meeting, Council couldn’t come to a legitimate consensus for City Attorney Aleksandr Boksner to formulate a referendum for the November ballot.
Evangelical Christian School completes $28.6M purchase of Hodges campus The property consisting of two buildings at 4501 Colonial Blvd. and 4445 Winkler Ave., at the northeast corner of Colonial and Winkler, will continue to serve as Hodges’ home through June.
Burnt Store Road area residents ask for stakeholder meeting Members of the Burnt Store Corridor Coalition urged Charlotte County commissioners on April 23 to host a stakeholder meeting to help solve problems related to the area’s increasing growth.
Sanibel Captiva Trust Co. opens two new offices Sanibel Captiva Trust Co. finished navigating its aftermath of Hurricane Ian, moving into two new office buildings to better serve its clients.
El Gaucho Trattoria to open in North Naples After opening three Peruvian and Argentinian restaurants inspired by owners Rocio Navarrete and Mariano Maldonado’s heritage, the couple is departing from their usual concept and diving into Maldonado’s Italian heritage for their new restaurant.
Babcock Ranch, FPL unveil Solar Ranch Eco-Discovery Center The 2,500-square-foot Eco-Discovery Center, 8500 State Road 31 in Punta Gorda, opens to the public May 1 and showcases advantages of clean and solar energy.
The Lee County School District proposes changes to address safety and discipline on school grounds Lee Schools changing the rules to improve safety and discipline.
Sheriff Carmine Marceno addresses incident after deputy pulled over, taken home Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno sat down exclusively with Investigative Reporter Peter Fleischer to provide answers about why an off-duty deputy was driven home instead of to jail.
More green space needed in Fort Myers; Parks ‘Master plan’ unveiled The fate of the long-awaited park at the old Dunbar sludge site might lie in Fort Myers voters’ hands.
Cape Coral family warns of unlicensed contractor Thousands of dollars of cash paid and not a bit of work done. That’s what one Cape Coral grandmother is dealing with as she tries to recover from Hurricane Ian.
Arsenic, other minerals may be back at old Dunbar sludge site The decades old sludge site on South Street in Fort Myers was supposed to become a park. Now, the neighborhood’s long-awaited promise could be in jeopardy. Even though the sludge is gone, the arsenic and other unhealthy minerals may be back.
What’s next for Punta Gorda hotel with asbestos? The owner of the Punta Gorda Waterfront Hotel and Suites and Hurricane Charley’s Raw Bar and Grill has chosen Pece of Mind Environmental to remove the mineral.
Asbestos delays Punta Gorda hotel demolition Asbestos was found in the Punta Gorda Waterfront Hotel and Suites along with the Hurricane Charley’s Raw Bar and Grill next door.
Endangered smalltooth sawfish deaths more than double since mid-March Wildlife officials have announced five more endangered smalltooth sawfish mortalities occurred in the last two weeks of the ongoing abnormal fish behavior event in the Florida Keys.
Convicted Tampa armed robber faces 100 years in prison after a traffic stop in Collier County A man known as the “Beretta Bandit,” who had been convicted of several armed robberies in Tampa, faces a lifetime in prison after a 2021 Collier County traffic stop led to his arrest.
Gov. DeSantis signs bills to encourage hurricane prep Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two bills to strengthen Florida against natural events and hurricanes while in Redington Shores.
Magic mushrooms may help ease depression, but are they safe? The potential of magic mushrooms to act as a ‘magic’ solution to treat depression is getting a lot of attention. One of the most important aspects is safety.
Naples med center using tech to help people live longer Advances in medicine are helping people live longer and experts in the field of longevity believe there is still room to enjoy more quality years.
Diagnosing stomach issues with breath and motility Forty percent of all Americans suffer from gastrointestinal diseases, such as nausea, fecal incontinence, and IBS.
Lee Health official discusses advantages of patient portal for Spanish speakers Having access to healthcare records at your fingertips was widely available but out of reach for Hispanics in Southwest Florida.
Breast Cancer treatment is evolving; Same day mastectomies are becoming more common Eileen Wesley is diligent about her health, and for good reason. Breast cancer runs in her family.
Apple and Pickleball team up to study health benefits The meteoric rise of pickleball is getting attention from the medical community. It was first adopted by older Americans looking for a social sport to get them moving. Now Apple is studying its health analytics.
Bear spotted sleeping in tree in Collier County A large black bear climbed up a tree and was caught on camera relaxing on some branches at Heritage Bay Boulevard.
911 call released of Collier County alligator attack victim A man survived an alligator attack in Collier County thanks in part to the quick thinking of his neighbor.
FWC charges 2 for issues with alligator skulls and deer harvesting Two suspects are accused of dozens of wildlife violations involving alligator and deer remains at a taxidermy business.
From Verot to The Show: Blaze Alexander is living his MLB dream Former Bishop Verot star Blaze Alexander is now living his MLB dream as he got called up to join the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Man proves polio doesn’t have to be a strikeout so you can swing for the fences too Dave Clark shocked doctors when he survived infancy and he shocked the world when he played professional baseball on crutches.
Guiding young men keeps former FSW coach motivated as he joins NCAA For Eric Murphy, performance on the floor only scratches the surface of what it means to be a coach.
Legally blind Bonita Springs man hits hole in one 85-year-old Vincent Costa from Bonita Springs hit a hole in one at Vasari Country Club despite being legally blind.
Estero teen to represent U.S. golf on international stage At only 16-years-old Gianna Clemente already has a resume that most golfers only dream of and she’s just getting started.
St. John Neumann baseball ranked top five in the state The St. John Neumann baseball team is currently ranked fifth in the FHSAA rankings and are poised to make a postseason push.
Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright talks changes in college basketball Former Villanova men’s basketball head coach Jay Wright shares his thoughts on the current state of college basketball.
FGCU golfer swings with the pros at the PGA Tour in Texas After winning a college tournament, Joe Sullivan, a Florida Gulf Coast University golfer, was given an automatic bid to play in an official Professional Golfers Association tour event with some of the best in the world.
Former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani faces bank fraud charges in sports betting case U.S. Attorney Marin Estrada announced the charges Thursday.
FGCU’s Rivers showing off skills in College Slam Dunk Championship Rivers is the first to represent FGCU in the dunk contest and hopes to be the first to bring home the crown.
‘Catch and kill’ will be described to jurors in Donald Trump’s hush money trial as testimony resumes A tabloid publisher was expected Tuesday to tell jurors about helping Donald Trump stifle unflattering stories during the 2016 campaign.
President Biden speaks at Reproductive Freedom Event in Tampa President Joe Biden is in Tampa and gave remarks at the Reproductive Freedom Event on Tuesday.
Trump tried to ‘corrupt’ the 2016 election, prosecutor alleges as hush money trial gets underway Donald Trump tried to illegally influence the 2016 presidential election by preventing damaging stories about his personal life from becoming public, a prosecutor told jurors Monday at the start of the former president’s historic hush money trial.