Apple AirPods lead LCSO to an arrest ; over $100,000 worth of stolen items recoveredHendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones
FORT MYERS Apple AirPods lead LCSO to an arrest ; over $100,000 worth of stolen items recovered Through the use of Apple Airpods, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office was able to locate nearly $100,000 worth of stolen items, leading to an arrest.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral officials approve replacement funding for hurricane-damaged stop signs The Cape Coral City Council has approved funding to replace stop signs damaged during Hurricane Milton, resulting in an emergency purchase.
Holiday events happening in Southwest Florida Southwest Florida is embracing the holiday spirit with a variety of festive events this Christmas season.
Collier man accused of supplying fentanyl-laced pills, enough to kill 531,500 people The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of supplying more than 10,000 fentanyl-laced pills disguised as prescription painkillers.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral council supports construction of I-75 interchange into city The Cape Coral City Council has approved a resolution requesting support from Lee and Charlotte counties to prioritize state and federal funding for the Interstate 75 Interchange at Slater Road.
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther has been killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon After waking up to a cold morning, the Weather Authority is tracking warming conditions to the low 70s this Thursday.
Police release threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
FORT MYERS Apple AirPods lead LCSO to an arrest ; over $100,000 worth of stolen items recovered Through the use of Apple Airpods, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office was able to locate nearly $100,000 worth of stolen items, leading to an arrest.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral officials approve replacement funding for hurricane-damaged stop signs The Cape Coral City Council has approved funding to replace stop signs damaged during Hurricane Milton, resulting in an emergency purchase.
Holiday events happening in Southwest Florida Southwest Florida is embracing the holiday spirit with a variety of festive events this Christmas season.
Collier man accused of supplying fentanyl-laced pills, enough to kill 531,500 people The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of supplying more than 10,000 fentanyl-laced pills disguised as prescription painkillers.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral council supports construction of I-75 interchange into city The Cape Coral City Council has approved a resolution requesting support from Lee and Charlotte counties to prioritize state and federal funding for the Interstate 75 Interchange at Slater Road.
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther has been killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon After waking up to a cold morning, the Weather Authority is tracking warming conditions to the low 70s this Thursday.
Police release threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
FORT MYERS, Fla. – A pet owner said Gulf Coast Humane Society burned her dog, after they used a rice sock during a procedure. Deborah Benfield took her 6-year-old chihuahua, Marco, to Gulf Coast Humane Society in August for a routine teeth cleaning. Benfield said when she picked Marco up later that day, she was told he had been burned. “It’s explained that during surgery under anesthesia the body temperature lowers. To prevent them from being cold, they use this sock. It’s microwaved for a few minutes, and then placed on the animal,” Benfield explained. “It was never checked to see how he’s doing, it was left on him for 15 minutes.” Benfield said over three weeks, she took Marco back to GCHS four times. During one visit, they gave her Silver Sulfadiazine Cream, which is commonly used to treat burns. However, the burn was progressively getting worse and had open wounds, and Benfield was fed up. “He’s burnt really bad. It’s very upsetting that I have to do this [apply cream] four times a day for him and he cries.” At one point, Benfield asked GCHS to pay for Marco to see a specialist, but she said they refused. On day 23, Benfield contacted WINK News Call for Action. Reporter Lindsey Sablan contacted the executive director at Gulf Coast Humane Society, Jennifer Galloway. During a phone conversation, Galloway told WINK News they believed Marco had Cushing’s disease and would need to have blood work done. Benfield did not believe that was the case, and she wanted a second opinion. She took Marco to another veterinarian, not associated with GCHS. The veterinarian told Benfield Marco needed to have the burned skin removed immediately, so it could heal. He also noted, Marco did not appear to have Cushing’s disease. Immediately after that consultation, WINK News contacted Ms. Galloway again, and once again asked if GCHS would pay for Marco to see a specialist. An hour later, Galloway responded in an email: “We would be happy to have Marco go to a local specialist-Specialist in Veterinary Medicine (SVS). We will cover the cost of the consult. Our concern is for Marco first and foremost.” The following day, Marco was admitted at SVS. The veterinarian told his owner he would have to remove the damaged skin and close the incision. A day later, Marco was released, and his surgery was a success. At that point, WINK News contacted GCHS to ensure they planned to cover the cost of the entire $1,969.20 surgery. Galloway responded in another email stating: “Of course GCHS will cover the cost and work with SVS to be sure Marco is fully recovered. The use of rice socks is very common in the veterinary world to keep pets warm during procedures, in all my years I have never seen a pet burned by one and we are all sick about it. I wish I had understood from the beginning what happened…[The veterinarian at SVS] gave me suggestions of other warmers to use in the future to ensure this never happens again.” WINK News sent a follow-up email to GCHS asking why they had told us Marco needed further blood work to determine he had Cushing’s disease, when they had already admitted to Benfield that Marco was burned. Galloway’s response is below. “We did have the first vet believe it was not a burn as I explained above. I read you his notes. The second set of notes I could barely read…When I questioned [the vet] later she indicated the comment read he ‘might have had an underlying condition, such as Cushing’s that could lead to heat sensitiveness [sic].’ That is where she recommended follow up blood work.” The email continued: “We take the situation with Marco extremely seriously, we have had meetings, done research and reviewed training to be sure this never happens again.”