Joe’s Crab Shack testing “no-tipping” policy in select locations

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Joe’s Crab Shack is getting rid of tipping, at least in some of their locations. The casual dining chain announced they’re testing a new no gratuity policy at 18 of their 130 restaurants nationwide. Though the no-tipping movement hasn’t made its way to Southwest Florida yet, it’s already getting mixed reviews […]

Nephews of Venezuelan first lady arrested on US drug charges

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Two nephews of Venezuela’s powerful first lady Cilia Flores were arrested in Haiti on charges of conspiring to smuggle 800 kilograms of cocaine into the U.S. and will be arraigned in New York, three people familiar with the case said Wednesday. The arrest Tuesday, coming just three weeks ahead of key […]

Amid offensive, Iraqi Kurds cut Islamic State supply line

SINJAR, Iraq (AP) – Supported by U.S.-led airstrikes, Kurdish Iraqi troops on Thursday seized part of a highway that is used as a vital supply line for the Islamic State group, a key initial step in a major offensive to retake the strategic town of Sinjar from the militants. The town was overrun by the […]

Dog found locked in stolen car in North Naples

NORTH NAPLES, Fla.- Collier County deputies found a dog locked in a stolen car after they tracked the suspect to Wiggins State Park. Units responded around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, surrounding the car and found the dog trapped inside with the windows partially cracked. The temperature inside was over 90 degrees and the dog was heavily panting. […]

Baseball game moved due to Fort Myers shooting

FORT MYERS, Fla. –  Phillippa Mead had fun watching her nephew Hayden and the Florida Southwestern State College (FSW) baseball team take on South Florida State College at FGCU’s Swanson Stadium Wednesday night, but it wasn’t where the game was supposed to be played. “(I got) a quick text, ‘It’s been changed and moved because […]

Dunbar church sponsors mentor program to keep kids off the streets

FORT MYERS, Fla.- Guns, drugs, and violence are all part of the culture in some parts of the Dunbar community of Fort Myers. WINK News reports on the killings of children and teens far too often. But now one local church, right in the heart of the violence-stricken area, is working to change that from […]

Aldridge returns to Portland for the 1st time with Spurs

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — LaMarcus Aldridge made his first appearance in Portland since he left the Trail Blazers for the San Antonio Spurs this summer. The Texas native signed a four-year deal worth $80 million with the Spurs in July. Aldridge met with several teams, but ultimately picked the one that brought him home. Aldridge […]

In wake of Tejada injury, MLB examining rules on slides

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — After watching Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada carried off the field with a broken leg during the playoffs when the Dodgers’ Chase Utley upended him, Major League Baseball is examining whether to adopt a rule eliminating slides not directly at bases on force plays. The discussion comes two years after MLB […]

Midpoint Madness 5K shuts down for traffic, honors local veterans

FORT MYERS, Fla.- More than 700 people decked out in bright yellow T-shirts made their way onto the Midpoint Bridge Wednesday evening. The group ran more than 3 miles during the Midpoint Madness 5K  honoring service men on Veterans Day. “We risked our lives for this country,” said Greg Hill, a Navy veteran who served […]

Book highlights SWFL’s role during WWI, WWII

FORT MYERS, Fla.- A man who gained fame for setting a world record for giving blood, has now written a book, focusing on our local military vets. John Sheppard’s “Impact: Six Degrees of Separation” highlights the roles of those with ties to Southwest Florida in winning World War I and II. Sheppard holds the Guinness World Record for giving blood, doing so every […]