Police: 15-year-old injured after accidentally shot in the legExclusive: Brother and best friend of accused pedophile priest speak out
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.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
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.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
Brian Laundrie home in North Port. Credit: WINK News. Gabby Petito’s fiancé, Brian Laundrie, flew home in the middle of their trip before joining her again out west, Laundrie’s attorney, Steve Bertolino, confirmed Tuesday. We also confirmed a change in the timeline of this case: Laundrie’s parents say they last saw their son a day earlier than they originally reported to the FBI. Bertolino says Laundrie actually went on a hike on Sept. 13 after he came home from the trip without Gabby instead of Tuesday, Sept. 14. Bertolino says Laundrie’s parents were mistaken about what happened on those two days. The attorney says the parents and the FBI now agree on the dates. We spoke with a legal expert who says there is an important distinction between a mistake and not telling the whole story, which could impact Brian’s parents. “And to be honest with you, they probably wouldn’t tell the truth to begin with,” said Joe Petito, Gabby’s father. Gabby’s family spoke to Dr. Phil. The family says they had zero communication with Laundrie’s parents. “A normal parent, when you text someone you’re calling the cops because you can’t find your child, they would reply. No nothing. No response,” Joe said. According to the family’s lawyer, the Laundries had to clarify some items with the FBI before the timeline changed. “If it was their faulty memory or if it was relying on information they thought they had, it was simply a mistake. You can’t be prosecuted for a simple mistake,” said Pamella Seay, and FGCU professor of legal studies. Seay says that distinction is critical for investigators to determine. “If it was done on purpose, if they purposefully lied to the police, then, that could be considered obstruction of justice,” Seay said. We also know Laundrie flew back to Florida Aug. 17 during the couple’s road trip, five days after they were pulled over in Moab, Utah. Laundrie returned to clean out a storage unit. On Sept. 1, he returned home and saw his family without Gabby. The family went on their camping trip Sept. 6. All of this while Gabby’s family thought the worst for both. “We thought Brian was actually missing too,” stepfather Joe Schmitt said. “I was worried about both of them,” Nicole Schmitt said. While the world waits for answers, Gabby Petito’s family demands them. “I’m a dad. I make my kids stand up for their decisions,” Joe said. “I’m your dad, I’ll help you, I’ll walk you through that path. But you’re going to own up to your mistake because that’s what a parent does. I’m sorry.” Brian Laundrie is wanted by the FBI for using a credit card after Gabby Petito’s death. They spent days searching for him in the Carlton Reserve. They have since scaled that search back there.