WINK News: First. Fair. Everywhere.

Mild and humid Friday morning ahead of a hot afternoon

The Weather Authority is tracking a mild and humid Friday morning start, with sun and clouds expected for the afternoon.

EAST NAPLES

The "addicting" pickleball lifestyle, The US Open Pickleball Championship

The new owner wants to keep the 'Pickleball Capital of the World' simple, including bringing in all players from around the world and at all levels.

MATLACHA

Community unites to honor Matlacha victim with memorial garden

A community is coming together to create a memorial garden for Mary-Lou Sharp, the 80-year-old woman who was killed after a driver barreled through the outdoor seating area of That BBQ Place

CHARLOTTE HARBOR

Two injured in Charlotte Harbor crash

At least two people are injured after a crash on Tamiami Trail before 8 p.m. on Thursday evening.

FORT MYERS

Local postal workers union raises alarm over mail delivery delays

President Sam Wood and Vice President Danny Carinci of the southwest Florida area local American postal workers union are voicing significant concerns regarding mail delivery delays in our region.

Overcoming addiction: One former addict is helping others stay clean

One woman is using her battle with addiction to save the lives of others. A battle Bethany Clark never thought she would survive herself.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

Charlotte County condos and co-ops may soon see a change to inspections

A potential new Charlotte County law will impact many condos and co-op owners.

EAST NAPLES

Uncertain future for pickleball at East Naples Community Park

Pickleball is in a tough spot after Collier County dropped the owners of the courts at East Naples Community Park.

BONITA SPRINGS

1 injured in crash involving school bus in Bonita Springs

A school bus crash on a busy road in Lee County caused some serious delays in Bonita Springs, and left the driver of a vehicle injured.

FORT MYERS

Centennial Park clean-up adds to downtown Fort Myers improvements

The cleanup of a waterfront property is nearly done. WINK News told viewers about a group of concerned people who say a piece of land near Centennial Park is becoming a dumping ground.

Gulfshore Business

Arthrex looks to extend global recognition at Edison Awards

Arthrex, which already has won four Edison Awards, submitted two recent inventions in trying to achieve its fifth and sixth trophies. 

Punta Gorda chooses YMCA to run New Operation Cooper Street

After solicitating bids from several nonprofit organizations to run New Operation Cooper Street Recreation Center, Punta Gorda City Council voted 3-1 April 17, choosing YMCA of Southwest Florida. 

Lee County provides update on FEMA flood insurance discount

On April 8, FEMA announced a 30-day pause on the decision for the five communities to gather requested documentation and retain their standing in the Community Rating System, which determines policy discounts for residents.  

New law mandates condo inspections for older Charlotte County buildings

Charlotte County sent notices to owners of 168 condominiums built decades ago that are at least three stories high, informing them the structures must undergo comprehensive inspections under a new state law. 

Lavender Cafe & Bistro launches in Naples

Hakan Karsavuran basically took the traditional American diner concept and infused it with a Mediterranean influence for healthier preparation techniques and a fresh fusion of ingredients. 

Pilotcar to feature autonomous car at Edison Awards

Pilotcar, headquartered at 16121 Lee Road, unit 107, in south Fort Myers since 2022, will be participating in the Edison Awards for the first time, featuring the autonomous version of its Pilotcar. 

Nonchalance eatery opens in south Fort Myers

The vision for the restaurant is a scratch kitchen that is laid-back yet refined.  

Join our Newsletter for the latest news right to your inbox

Sign up for e-mail alerts from WINK News

Investigations

More green space needed in Fort Myers; Parks 'Master plan' unveiled

The fate of the long-awaited park at the old Dunbar sludge site might lie in Fort Myers voters' hands.

Cape Coral family warns of unlicensed contractor

Thousands of dollars of cash paid and not a bit of work done. That's what one Cape Coral grandmother is dealing with as she tries to recover from Hurricane Ian.

Arsenic, other minerals may be back at old Dunbar sludge site

The decades old sludge site on South Street in Fort Myers was supposed to become a park. Now, the neighborhood's long-awaited promise could be in jeopardy. Even though the sludge is gone, the arsenic and other unhealthy minerals may be back.

Former Hendry Sheriff's Office deputy charged in brutal arrest caught on bodycam

The United States Attorney's Office has announced charges in a federal civil rights investigation of a Hendry County Sheriff's Office deputy.

Are stores abandoning self-checkout lanes in SWFL?

When you walk inside a store, do you prefer waiting in line to see a cashier or entering the self-checkout section?

State News

Deputies: Jeep driver purposely rammed Island Vista Estates gate

Opening the gate the right way takes too much time for one man at Island Vista Estates.

Left lane cruising ends if DeSantis signs new bill going to his desk

A bill preventing drivers from cruising in the left lanes on highways is headed to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's desk.

A stomach bug is making hundreds of people sick in Florida, says CDC

Giardiasis is on the rise in Florida, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

7 states, including Florida, with Salmonella infections linked to contaminated basil from Trader Joe's

The CDC released a food safety alert regarding an outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to potentially contaminated basil.

Gov. DeSantis signs bills allowing chaplains at schools and 'patriotic' organizations

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke about enhancing the student experience in the state's education system by signing two bills into law while in Kissimmee.

Health & Medical

Lee Health launches new MyChart accessibility for Spanish speakers

Lee Health announced on Tuesday that it has launched a Spanish-language version of the digital patient portal MyChart.

Groundbreaking single-incision adrenal surgery

A groundbreaking single-incision adrenal surgery is brand new, and it's proving to be much faster, resulting in shorter hospital stays.

New technique to help restore the ability to blink

Up to 10,000 people a year lose their ability to blink, and that can cause serious problems, even causing people to go blind.

Lee County newborn recovering from botulism

Lee county newborn recovering from botulism. At three weeks old, Khaizyn Kay was taken to Golisano Children's Hospital after he stopped eating and grew lethargic. Parents Daisy and Joey Kay knew something was wrong.

Many cancer drugs remain unproven 5 years after accelerated approval, a study finds

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's accelerated approval program is meant to give patients early access to promising drugs. But how often do these drugs actually improve or extend patients' lives?

Researchers working on toothpaste to treat peanut allergies

One in 50 children in the United States is allergic to peanuts. The number has tripled over the past 20 years and nobody really knows why. But there are several breakthroughs that may ease their symptoms. Including a toothpaste.

The Environment

April: 2024's deadliest month for Florida panthers with 5 roadkill victims

A little past halfway into April and five endangered Florida panthers have died from vehicle strikes, making it the deadliest month of 2024 so far.

Caught on Camera: Extremely rare piebald white-tailed deer in Florida

Florida wildlife officials posted a picture of a deer that's so rare it even appeared like it was wearing a personal coat of camouflage.

4 endangered Florida panther deaths in April bring 2024 total to 11

Two more endangered Florida panthers were discovered dead by wildlife officials after the animals were struck by vehicles in Collier and Hendry counties.

WINK Sports

Cypress Lake sophomore competing at powerlifting nationals

Cypress Lake sophomore Landon Hiatte is heading to New Orleans to compete in the Powerlifting America High School Nationals.

FGCU golfer swings with the pros at the PGA Tour in Texas

After winning a college tournament, Joe Sullivan, a Florida Gulf Coast University golfer, was given an automatic bid to play in an official Professional Golfers Association tour event with some of the best in the world.

Bishop Verot alumna returns to coach her former team and sister

Former Bishop Verot lacrosse star Lauren Lockard is back on campus coaching her former team and her sister Lily.

Former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani faces bank fraud charges in sports betting case

U.S. Attorney Marin Estrada announced the charges Thursday.

Gulf Coast lacrosse player scores 200th goal on senior night

Gulf Coast High School lacrosse star Kali Cleary scores her 200th career goal on senior night.

81-year-old Fred Drilling adds to tennis legacy with latest Team USA win

Fred Drilling, 81, from Naples adds to his tennis legacy by winning the Gardner Mulloy Cup with Team USA in Turkey.

FGCU's Rivers showing off skills in College Slam Dunk Championship

Rivers is the first to represent FGCU in the dunk contest and hopes to be the first to bring home the crown.

CPKC Stadium opening encourages FGCU women's soccer players

Seeing the NWSL become home to the world's first stadium built for a women's professional sports team means so much to a pair of Eagles.

Former Dunbar star and NBA pro Walt Wesley dies at 79

Walt Wesley, a former star at Dunbar High and a 10-year NBA pro, passed away at the age of 79.

Fans say goodbye to the Twins as Spring Training ends

Fans say goodbye to the Minnesota Twins as they host their final Spring Training game of the year.

Campaign Central

12 jurors have been picked for Donald Trump's hush money trial. Selection of alternates ongoing

A jury of 12 people has been seated in former President Donald Trump's hush money trial in New York. Alternates are now being selected.

First 6 jurors are chosen for Trump's hush money criminal trial; 12 more still needed

The first six jurors for Donald Trump's hush money trial were chosen Tuesday after lawyers grilled members of the jury pool about their social media posts, political views and personal lives to decide whether they can sit in fair judgment of the former president.

News organizations urge Biden and Trump to commit to presidential debates during the 2024 campaign

Twelve news organizations on Sunday urged presumptive presidential nominees Joe Biden and Donald Trump to agree to debates, saying they were a "rich tradition" that have been part of every general election campaign since 1976.