COLLIER COUNTY Vigil held in Collier County to remember children lost to drownings A vigil was held on Vanderbilt Beach in Collier County Friday to remember children who died from drowning. Those gathered read the names of every child lost to drowning here in Collier then released butterflies in their honor. Paul Demello organized the event. In 2010, he and his family lost his twin sons to drowning […]
NAPLES Naples group asking state AG to prosecute schools providing books with sex, LGBTQ references to minors Have you seen what’s in your child’s school library? One Naples group says it’s way too inappropriate. However, some people, like Susan, say the controversial book “Catcher In The Rye” helped write the next chapters of her life. “It opened my eyes,” she said. “It changed my life. I ended up a lawyer.” The Florida […]
NAPLES Dispatched Naples firefighter found her stolen car at the scene Erin Gill, a firefighter for Greater Naples Fire Rescue District, could not believe what happened when she was dispatched for a motorcycle crash. For Gill, it started as a routine call, where she was sent to help injured bikers. “Loaded the patient up, transported him downtown,” Gill said. “While that was happening, I recognize a […]
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island officer accused of sex on duty can keep his certification Marco Island’s city council and city manager used the word “boggled” to describe a state commission’s discipline of one of its former officers who was accused of having sex on duty. “We called them and we said we really don’t think this is an appropriate punishment for the infractions that occurred,” said Erik Brechnitz, the […]
FORT MYERS City hopes to turn ‘Rat Island’ into a destination with new Legacy Island Park Changes are coming for Legacy Island Park. A compromise, creating the park, allowed the city to build the Luminary Hotel. If you leave downtown Fort Myers behind, pass the Caloosahatchee and Edison Bridge ahead, you’ll find an island known as “Rat Island” to some and likened by the mayor to “Gilligan’s Island.” But come October […]
FORT MYERS Soldier fired from post office for serving in the National Guard gets job back, lawsuit remains Retired Sgt. Major Richard Erickson was fired from his job with the U.S. Postal Service for taking time off to serve in the Army National Guard. Now, the Cape Coral veteran, with a Purple Heart and three combat valor awards, has returned to work after a 20-year fight to get his job back. “It feels […]
SANIBEL ISLAND Vice President Pence extends his Sanibel Island trip for church service Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to leave Southwest Florida on Sunday after a few days on Sanibel Island. His visit comes as an order by President Donald Trump on Thursday led to the death of the second-ranking Iranian leader. Pence and his security detail were seen at Sanibel Community Church, coming in for the […]
CHARLOTTE COUNTY Iowa Democratic caucus comes to Charlotte County Florida’s presidential primary will not be until March, but some people who are living in our state will be voting in Iowa’s a month earlier. It is called a satellite caucus and organizers said it is to help make sure every voice is heard before the presidential primary. Iowans in Southwest Florida, like Audra Lynn, […]
WINK NEWS Hundreds of prescription drug price increases to start 2020 Brace yourself before you head to the pharmacy. Effective New Year’s Day, several drug companies raised the prices on hundreds of prescription medications. We broke down what this price hike means for your health and your wallet. Prescription drug companies raise the prices of medications annually, and, this year, it might be too much of […]
WINK NEWS A look back at the top Southwest Florida stories of the 2010s The decade in news: From hurricanes, to economic downturn and a chaotic Fort Myers shooting. We asked our Facebook followers what they thought the biggest stories in Southwest Florida were the past 10 years, and many of you answered. Watch the video above for a look at some of your answers and many of the […]