Erika Jackson
WINK News
North Port, FL, United States
Contact Erika
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Erika:
Donations on Giving Tuesday keep The Shelter for Abused Women and Children going
On The National Day of Giving, Americans come together to give back to their communities. This unofficial holiday takes place each year after on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. And, on this day, The Shelter for Abused Women and Children discusses how much donations on Giving Tuesday and any other day mean to them. Hundreds of […] → Read More
Charlotte County veterans honored at William R. Gaines Jr Veterans Memorial Park
Charlotte County is home to 28,000 veterans. An event on Thursday did its best to make sure they felt honored. The county’s big veterans event was held at the William R. Gaines Jr Veterans Memorial Park in Port Charlotte. The park is named after a Charlotte County native who died in the Beirut bombing of … → Read More
Families linked by loss choose to spread kindness
A mother’s way of honoring her daughter is inspiring others who have been hit with loss. Paying it forward is helping two families who are linked by grief. Dani Krater loved life and loved spreading joy to those around her. Tina Rubin is Dani’s mother. “She was one of those people that that was always … → Read More
Waste management truck driver puts out fire, saves woman and dog
A waste management driver was performing their usual trash pickup duties. That is until she saw smoke, and then flames, coming from a home. Eunice Warman is more than just a trash collector. She drives a truck and estimates the cost of pickup. But this weekend, she became a hero when she was able to … → Read More
Some SWFL communities asked to conserve water
Parts of Southwest Florida will have to limit their use of water. People living in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties are being asked to cut back on their water usage. “I don’t have to pay a water bill so I don’t really worry about it,” said Joe Rosado. “But at the same time, I … → Read More
North Port Police admit to mistakes in Brian Laundrie investigation
North Port Police told WINK News on Monday that investigators made mistakes in Brian Laundrie’s case. The North Port Police Department says they thought they were keeping a close eye on Brian before he went missing. North Port PD had cameras set up around the Laundrie family home but that strategy was not successful. Those … → Read More
Charlotte County boy battling cancer pays it forward with toy drive, goal of 10,000 gifts
A young boy with a big heart is collecting toys for kids in the hospital for the second year in a row, and he needs your help. Alex Meyer, 10, comes home to boxes and boxes of deliveries at his doorstep, but the toys are not for him. They’re for kids who need a reason … → Read More
Forensic K9 brought in to search for human remains at Carlton Reserve
A K9-unit dog from Pasco County Sheriff’s Office was brought in by investigators recently to help search for human remains in Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County, where it continued searching Thursday. That is where crews have been searching for homicide victim Gabby Petito’s fiancé, Brian Laundrie, who has been missing for weeks. However, it was … → Read More
Gabby Petito died of strangulation 3-4 weeks before her body was found
Cross-country traveler Gabby Petito was strangled to death, a Wyoming coroner announced Tuesday. Petito, 22, died three to four weeks before her body was found Sept. 19 near an undeveloped camping area along the border of Grand Teton National Park in remote northern Wyoming, Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue said in a news conference. … → Read More
Final day of makeshift memorial for Gabby Petito
A makeshift memorial set up outside of North Port City Hall will be coming down soon. For the past few weeks, this served as a place for people to grieve and pay their respects to Gabby and her family. But now, because of the rain and sun damage, the City will be collected all of … → Read More
What a scaled-back search for Brian Laundrie could mean for the future
For now, there aren’t any protesters with megaphones outside of the Laundrie family home in North Port. But, there also isn’t an active search for Brian Laundrie in Carlton Reserve at the moment. For those living on Wabasso Avenue in North Port, this silence is welcomed. After weeks of protests, raids and pushing and shoving … → Read More
Attorney: Brian Laundrie's father asked to assist with search in Carlton Reserve
Brian Laundrie’s family attorney confirmed in a statement Wednesday his father was asked to help investigators search for Brian at Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County. “Chris Laundrie was asked to assist law enforcement in their search for Brian at the preserve today,” Attorney Steve Bertolino sent in a statement to WINK News. “Since the preserve … → Read More
FBI returns to Brian Laundrie's home to collect personal items, search continues
The FBI has returned to Brian Laundrie’s home in North Port. FBI Task Force agents were seen entering the home and then entering a camper on Thursday afternoon. They were in and out in under a minute. Steven Bertolino, the attorney representing the Laundrie family, said the agents were there to collect “some personal items … → Read More
Memorial service held on Long Island for Gabby Petito
Gabby Petito loved to document her travel adventures — so everyone at Sunday’s memorial service will be able to watch clips of her full of life. Services for Gabby will be held at Moloney Funeral Home, 825 Main Street, Holbrook, New York on Sunday, from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Two TVs with a photo montage and tribute to … → Read More
Retired teacher recounts meeting President Bush at a school in Florida on 9/11
A teacher remembers waiting for President Bush to arrive in the media center at her school on 9/11. September 11th has always been a special day for Patricia Varley. She was a teacher at Emma E. Booker Elementary School. “That was my son’s birthday, September 11, which I say was because we don’t celebrate it … → Read More
9/11 attack on Pentagon seared into minds of two Charlotte County men
Monsignor Philip Hill watched the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center unfold live on TV as the host of a scheduled meeting was running late. The New Yorker watched the towers turn to ash from his office in the Pentagon. Minutes later, Hill, the chief of staff for the Army’s chief of chaplains, found … → Read More
Huey helicopter won't be moved to Vietnam Wall of SWFL
A Vietnam War symbol on display in public will not be relocated. We spoke to people on both sides of the decision. Punta Gorda City Council rejected the proposal to move a medivac Huey helicopter on display from outside the Military Heritage Museum to the Vietnam Wall of Southwest Florida. Bill Akins has difficult memories … → Read More
A Charlotte County 9/11 Ceremony has been postponed due to COVID
A 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony in Charlotte County has been postponed due to COVID-19. The decision to cancel came from a surge warning inside hospitals. Organizers were worried there could be an outbreak of the virus at the event. Shannon Mesenburg found herself, like many of you, glued to her tv screen on 9/11. Her eyes … → Read More
Charlotte County businesses hope fewer red tide conditions persist
Some businesses are back after their customers were scared off by weeks of toxic red tide in parts of Southwest Florida. We were in Englewood Monday, where the water was free of dead fish, bad odor and respiratory irritation. It was the first time in weeks there was no sign of red tide. Mother nature … → Read More
Charlotte County Public Schools student dies from COVID-19 complications
At least one Charlotte County Public Schools student has died from COVID-19. Charlotte County School Chair Wendy Atkinson told WINK News a student died due to COVID-19 complications. The date of death and the school where the student attended were not released by the Florida Department of Health-Charlotte County or by the school district. Florida … → Read More