Senior Airman surprises cousin on Aubrey Rogers softball senior nightPolice: 15-year-old injured after accidentally shot in the leg
NORTH NAPLES Senior Airman surprises cousin on Aubrey Rogers softball senior night Aubrey Rogers senior pitcher and infielder McKenzie Vargas surprised by her Air Force cousin for Senior Night.
BONITA SPRINGS Police: 15-year-old injured after accidentally shot in the leg Lee County deputies say the teen was accidentally shot in the leg.
PUNTA GORDA Exclusive: Brother and best friend of accused pedophile priest speak out Riley’s brother reached out to WINK on Friday, saying people aren’t getting the full story.
IMMOKALEE Caught on video: Huge gator crosses Immokalee neighborhood Fridays in Florida are for gators
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Memorial celebrates the life of John Passidomo Hundreds of friends and family gathered for a memorial at Baker Park in Naples.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
NORTH NAPLES Senior Airman surprises cousin on Aubrey Rogers softball senior night Aubrey Rogers senior pitcher and infielder McKenzie Vargas surprised by her Air Force cousin for Senior Night.
BONITA SPRINGS Police: 15-year-old injured after accidentally shot in the leg Lee County deputies say the teen was accidentally shot in the leg.
PUNTA GORDA Exclusive: Brother and best friend of accused pedophile priest speak out Riley’s brother reached out to WINK on Friday, saying people aren’t getting the full story.
IMMOKALEE Caught on video: Huge gator crosses Immokalee neighborhood Fridays in Florida are for gators
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Memorial celebrates the life of John Passidomo Hundreds of friends and family gathered for a memorial at Baker Park in Naples.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
As of 6 p.m. Wednesday, there are 1,977 positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida. The case count includes 1,867 Florida residents and 110 non-Florida residents. There are now 23 deaths reported in Florida. Among the new positive cases in Southwest Florida is a 10-year-old boy. Officials say he traveled to Colorado, but he had no contact with anyone who has tested positive. Two deaths reported Wednesday morning were those who tested positive for the virus out of Pasco and Sarasota counties with the latest being in Citrus County. Late Wednesday, Johns Hopkins University reported that the U.S. death toll from the coronavirus has surpassed 1,000. STATEWIDE NUMBERS Total number of cases: 1,977 (up from 1,682) Number of Florida residents: 1,867 (up from 1,583) Number of non-Florida residents: 110 (up from 99) Deaths: 23 (up from 22) SOUTHWEST FLORIDA NUMBERS Total number of cases: 116* Lee County: 52 (up from 42) Collier County: 57 (up from 47) Charlotte County: 3 (unchanged) DeSoto County: 4 (up from 1) Glades County: 0 Hendry County: 0 *Scroll down for a case-by-case breakdown As of the most recently revealed numbers, there have been 23,723 total tests administered in the state of Florida, with 1,977 positive tests. 20,165 tests have come back negative, and the remainder are pending, according to the FDOH website. NOW HIRING: SWFL companies adding jobs as business picks up amid coronavirus crisis LATEST CLOSURES: Southwest Florida business updates and store closings WEDNESDAY COVID-19 HEADLINES Collier County schools laying out plan to keep students learning from home County leaders discuss enacting ‘Stay at Home’ order for Lee and Collier County UK palace says heir to the throne Prince Charles tests positive for coronavirus, has mild symptoms Trump, Congress agree on $2 trillion virus rescue bill WATCH WEDNESDAY’S NEWS CONFERENCES: 5PM – White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing 4:30PM — Governor Ron DeSantis gives an afternoon briefing 10:30AM — Governor Ron DeSantis at the State Logistics Response Center. SCREENING AT RSW EXPECTED TO BEGIN The Department of Health is expected to be at Southwest Florida International Airport starting Thursday morning to screen passengers arriving from New York City and the tri-state area. Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday issued an executive order requiring those traveling to Florida from the NYC-area, New Jersey and Connecticut to self-quarantine for 14 days when they arrive. COLLIER CO. MEDICAL SOCIETY PUSHES FOR STAY-AT-HOME The Collier County Medical Society wants the governor to issue a stay-at-home order. In a letter sent to Gov. DeSantis, the Society says, “The board of Collier County Medical Society in Naples, as physician leaders in our community, urges you to please issue the shelter in place option for our state. Your decisive action will save lives.” The also sent a letter to the Collier County Board of Medical Commissioners asking them to urge the governor to put the order in place. “Without a quick decision, which would show your constituents the necessity of staying at home, the outbreak will worsen at a more drastic rate,” the letter reads. JURY DUTY POSTPONED The Florida State Supreme Court has suspended jury trials through Friday, April 17, due to the coronavirus pandemic. This means anyone with a summons for jury duty dated between March 24 and April 17 is not required to report to the Clerk’s Office for jury duty. If you are unsure if your summons is affected, call the number on your jury summons or click here. SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CASE BREAKDOWN As of the most recent results, this is the breakdown of SWFL cases where patient information has been released. COLLIER – 57 cases: 30-year-old woman, traveled to Spain – no contact with known case 66-year-old man, traveled to France, Italy, Spain – no contact with known case 33-year-old man, traveled to Spain – unknown if contact with known case 26-year-old man, traveled to France, Italy, Spain – unknown if contact with known case 47-year-old woman, traveled to France, Italy, Spain – unknown if contact w/ known case 82-year-old man, no travel – contact with known case 31-year-old woman, traveled to Egypt – no contact with known case 59-year-old man, traveled to Japan – unknown if contact with known case 77-year-old man, no travel – no contact with known case 49-year-old woman, no travel – no contact with known case 76-year-old man, traveled to NY – contact with known case 28-year-old man, traveled to Italy – unknown if contact with known case 73-year-old man, traveled to Egypt – unknown if contact with known case 68-year-old woman, traveled to Egypt – contact with known case 64-year-old woman, traveled to Egypt – unknown if contact with known case 64-year-old man, traveled to FL/HI – no contact with known case, non-FL resident 79-year-old woman, traveled to CT – no contact with known case, non-FL resident 19-year-old man, traveled to Italy – unknown if contact with known case 80-year-old man, no travel – no contact with known case 64-year-old man, traveled to Bahamas, Belize, FL, Honduras, Mexico – contact 59-year-old man, traveled to Canada – no contact with known case 62-year-old woman, traveled to Bahamas; FL; Honduras; Mexico – contact w/ known c. 61-year-old man, traveled to Canada – no contact with known case 76-year-old man, traveled to St. Martin – contact with known case 75-year-old man, no travel – no contact with known case, non-FL resident 79-year-old man, no travel – no contact with known case 77-year-old man, no travel – contact with known case 54-year-old woman, no travel – contact with known case 75-year-old woman, no travel – no contact with known case 17-year-old man, no travel – no contact with known case 80-year-old man, traveled to NY – no contact with known case 84-year-old woman, no travel – no contact with known case 17-year-old woman, traveled to UK – no contact with known case, non-FL resident 61-year-old woman, unknown travel – no contact with known case 47-year-old man, unknown travel – unknown if contact with known case 60-year-old woman, no travel – no contact with known case 76-year-old woman, unknown travel – no contact with known case, non-FL resident 50-year-old man, unknown travel – unknown if contact, non-FL resident 77-year-old man, traveled to NJ – no contact with known case, non-FL resident 44-year-old man, no travel – no contact with known case 59-year-old man, no travel – no contact with known case 85-year-old man, no travel – no contact, non-FL resident 82-year-old man, no travel – no contact, non-FL resident 50-year-old man, traveled to NY – unknown contact, non-FL resident 69-year-old woman, unknown travel – unknown contact 80-year-old man, no travel – no contact with known case 57-year-old woman, unknown travel – unknown contact 33-year-old man, unknown travel – unknown contact 93-year-old man, no travel – contact with known case 58-year-old woman, unknown travel – unknown contact 30-year-old woman, unknown travel – unknown contact 41-year-old woman, unknown travel – unknown contact 81-year-old woman, no travel – unknown contact 32-year-old man, unknown travel – unknown contact 50-year-old woman, unknown travel – unknown contact 48-year-old woman, no travel – contact with known case 46-year-old man, traveled to CO – no contact with known case 28-year-old woman, no travel – no contact LEE – 52 cases: 80-year-old man, no travel – contact with known case 69-year-old man, no travel – contact with known case 79-year-old man, no travel – contact with known case 67-year-old man, no travel – no contact 66-year-old man, traveled to Colombia and Ecuador, unknown if contact 72-year-old woman, traveled to MA, NH – contact with known case 77-year-old man (deceased), no travel – contact with known case 77-year-old woman (deceased), traveled to Dominican – contact w/ known case 77-year-old man, traveled to Dominican Republic 65-year-old woman, traveled to FL, Jamaica – contact with known case 57-year-old man, traveled to FL, France, UK – non-FL resident 72-year-old woman, no travel – unknown if contact 67-year-old man, no travel – contact with known case 23-year-old man, traveled to TN – contact with known case 60-year-old man, unknown if travel-related – no contact with known case 73-year-old man, unknown if travel-related – no contact with known case 59-year-old woman, no travel – no contact with known case 89-year-old woman, traveled to FL, NY – no contact with known case 90-year-old woman, no travel – contact with known case 57-year-old woman, no travel – contact with known case 75-year-old woman, no travel – contact with known case 75-year-old man, no travel – contact with known case 67-year-old man, no travel – contact with known case 21-year-old woman, traveled to Spain – no contact with known case 65-year-old woman, no travel – contact with known case 70-year-old man, no travel – contact with known case 32-year-old man, no travel – no contact with known case 75-year-old woman, unknown travel – no contact with known case 83-year-old man, no travel – no contact, non-FL resident 74-year-old woman, traveled to NY – unknown if contact, non-FL resident 35-year-old man, no travel – no contact with known case 56-year-old man, no travel – no contact 67-year-old man (deceased), no travel – contact with known case 82-year-old man, no travel – no contact with known case 51-year-old woman, unknown travel – unknown contact, non-FL resident 36-year-old man, traveled to CA – no contact with known case, non-FL resident 10-year-old boy, traveled to CO – no contact with known case 56-year-old man, unknown travel – unknown contact 39-year-old man, unknown travel – unknown contact 36-year-old man, unknown travel – unknown contact 33-year-old woman, no travel – contact with known case 67-year-old man, no travel – no contact with known case 52-year-old man, unknown travel – no contact with known case 30-year-old woman, no travel – unknown contact 36-year-old man, no travel – contact with known case 51-year-old man, no travel – no contact with known case 40-year-old man, no travel – unknown contact 75-year-old man, no travel – no contact with known case 67-year-old man, no travel – no contact with known case 50-year-old woman, no travel – contact with known case 56-year-old man, no travel – no contact with known case 79-year-old woman, no travel – contact with known case CHARLOTTE – 3 cases: 54-year-old woman, traveled to Egypt and Israel – contact with known case 55-year-old man, no travel – contact with known case 59-year-old man, unknown travel – unknown contact DESOTO – 4 cases: 32-year-old man, no travel – contact with known case 32-year-old man, no travel – contact with known case 27-year-old woman, no travel – contact with known case 28-year-old man, no travel – contact with known case IF YOU FEEL SICK: The Florida Department of Health has opened 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.