SWFL woman remembers her father’s bravery on 9/11

As we prepare to mark 20 years since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, family members of the fallen brace for another tough day. “It’s every single year it’s replayed, and I’m literally watching my parent being murdered every single year, and that’s just something that will never get easier,” Francesca DeVito said. DeVito lost her […]

Island Walk Community homeowner fights to install solar roof

Frank Zhou remembers Hurricane Irma well. He wants to be ready for the next time Southwest Florida takes a direct hit and wants to install a whole solar roof. “It was miserable, especially with kids. We have two kids and you cannot cook, no AC at night,” Zhou said. “With a solar roof, you can […]

Woman shares story of her COVID-19 hospitalization on ventilator

It’s rare that we get to hear from someone who has survived after being put on a ventilator during their battle with the coronavirus. We spoke to a woman who survived her trying experience with COVID-19 in the hospital. Patricia Hamel fought to get off a ventilator this past March and won. She’s 32 years […]

Missing buoys cause concern for boaters and swimmers

Many boaters and swimmers are now concerned for their safety as they say they are missing important markers in the water. Now they’re wondering if anything will be done to replace the buoys on Lowdermilk Beach. Except for a single buoy still on the water, there’s nothing to tell people where the swimming ends and […]

Lowdermilk Beach on Labor Day

Busy beaches on Labor Day could result in COVID case spike

Yet another holiday in the pandemic and both vacationers and staycationers are packing Southwest Florida’s beaches. However, many health officials worry that the crowded beaches on Labor Day could lead to another spike in COVID-19 cases. Many who were out on the beach on Monday said they felt comfortable and safe. You could witness the […]

Family heartbroken by inability to comfort grandmother in hospital with COVID-19

There are many families that have loved ones hospitalized due to the coronavirus, and they can’t see them or provide comfort to them. We spoke a family that is heartbroken they might never see their loved one again. Shirley Phillips is 81 years old. She was living at her nursing home not long ago. But […]

COVID surge continues to overwhelm NCH intensive care unit

COVID-19 cases are surging and one Southwest Florida hospital is really struggling. Doctors and nurses at NCH Healthcare System are overwhelmed. For nearly two weeks now, NCH’s intensive care units overflowed with COVID-19 patients. On Wednesday, there are 61 people with only 45 beds. Across its hospital, NCH is caring for 209 patients who tested […]

Employees shaken up after violent armed robbery at Pizza Hut

A Sunday morning armed robbery left the employees of a Pizza Hut location, and an entire shopping center in Iona, scared and nervous. The person who robbed the Pizza Hut held employees at gunpoint, tied them up and pistol-whipped them. On Tuesday, WINK News spoke to one of the employees of the restaurant. While he […]

Collier County parents to push for stricter COVID-19 protocols

On Monday, The School District of Lee County announced it would be mandating masks across the district without an opt-out option. Now, parents in Collier County are wondering, some even hoping, if based on the district’s COVID-19 dashboard figures the same will happen there. Every number on the dashboard represents someone who has contracted coronavirus. For […]

Collier County elections office dispels misinformation, works to ensure trust

An elections office in Southwest Florida is working to dispel lies when it comes to the 2020 presidential election. Even though it’s been close to a year, misinformation continues to spread in Southwest Florida. Collier County Supervisor of Elections Office is hard at work to ensure public trust in elections. Supervisor Jennifer Edwards and her […]