$150k worth of equipment stolen from Lee HealthAward-winning stylist to host event during Naples Automotive Experience
FORT MYERS $150k worth of equipment stolen from Lee Health Fort Myers police arrested a hospital employee accused of stealing more than 150 thousand dollars worth of medical equipment from Lee Health.
NAPLES Award-winning stylist to host event during Naples Automotive Experience On Friday, an Emmy Award-winning Hollywood stylist will host Forever Fabulous, a charity event with the St. Matthew’s House.
FORT MYERS Colonial and I-75 diverging diamond to be completed by spring The diverging diamond at Colonial Boulevard and Interstate 75 in Fort Myers is diverting drivers.
NAPLES 20th Annual Spring Home & Garden show coming to Naples The 20th semi-annual Spring Home & Garden show is coming to Naples.
NAPLES Collier Publix worker spreads joy with kindness cards In Collier County, one person stands out for his daily acts of kindness, bringing smiles to those around him.
FGCU FGCU softball pitcher ranked among the best in the country FGCU softball pitcher Allison Sparkman enters her sophomore season ranked as one of the top pitchers in the country.
Congress steps in as Port Charlotte widow searches for husband’s ashes A Port Charlotte woman continues to fight to find her husband’s ashes, lost in the mail. Members of Congress are now backing her efforts.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers mom recounts dramatic chase to find kidnapped daughter A mother’s worst nightmare unfolded when her 2-year-old daughter was taken from her in Fort Myers on Monday.
ESTERO Copperleaf Community fights hunger through fundraising The Copperleaf Country Club community in Estero is making a significant impact in the fight against hunger.
NAPLES Collier County students explore trade careers at job fair Hundreds of Collier County students explored potential future careers at the Build My Future Job Fair.
NORTH NAPLES New orthopedic hospital nears completion in Collier County A new orthopedic hospital is nearing completion in Collier County, Florida, with an estimated cost of $140 million.
Real estate deals that shaped the SWFL landscape in 2024 The rise of online retail and continued regional population growth played a large role in a series of yin/yang real estate transactions that defined Southwest Florida’s top deals of 2024.
New Florida law governs oversight, brings financial bite A new law has transformed the condominium market in Florida, forcing owners to change their financial plans. The laws have been prompting many owners to sell their condos now, because the bills have come due and they cannot afford to pay them.
Punta Gorda imposes moratorium on car washes, storage facilities Approvals for new car washes and storage facilities in Punta Gorda will be put on pause for a period of 180 days during a moratorium begininng after the next City Council meeting Feb. 19.
Stephen Deutsch, Charlotte County commissioner, accused of using racial slur A Charlotte County commissioner is involved in an investigation after being accused of using a racial slur.
FORT MYERS $150k worth of equipment stolen from Lee Health Fort Myers police arrested a hospital employee accused of stealing more than 150 thousand dollars worth of medical equipment from Lee Health.
NAPLES Award-winning stylist to host event during Naples Automotive Experience On Friday, an Emmy Award-winning Hollywood stylist will host Forever Fabulous, a charity event with the St. Matthew’s House.
FORT MYERS Colonial and I-75 diverging diamond to be completed by spring The diverging diamond at Colonial Boulevard and Interstate 75 in Fort Myers is diverting drivers.
NAPLES 20th Annual Spring Home & Garden show coming to Naples The 20th semi-annual Spring Home & Garden show is coming to Naples.
NAPLES Collier Publix worker spreads joy with kindness cards In Collier County, one person stands out for his daily acts of kindness, bringing smiles to those around him.
FGCU FGCU softball pitcher ranked among the best in the country FGCU softball pitcher Allison Sparkman enters her sophomore season ranked as one of the top pitchers in the country.
Congress steps in as Port Charlotte widow searches for husband’s ashes A Port Charlotte woman continues to fight to find her husband’s ashes, lost in the mail. Members of Congress are now backing her efforts.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers mom recounts dramatic chase to find kidnapped daughter A mother’s worst nightmare unfolded when her 2-year-old daughter was taken from her in Fort Myers on Monday.
ESTERO Copperleaf Community fights hunger through fundraising The Copperleaf Country Club community in Estero is making a significant impact in the fight against hunger.
NAPLES Collier County students explore trade careers at job fair Hundreds of Collier County students explored potential future careers at the Build My Future Job Fair.
NORTH NAPLES New orthopedic hospital nears completion in Collier County A new orthopedic hospital is nearing completion in Collier County, Florida, with an estimated cost of $140 million.
Real estate deals that shaped the SWFL landscape in 2024 The rise of online retail and continued regional population growth played a large role in a series of yin/yang real estate transactions that defined Southwest Florida’s top deals of 2024.
New Florida law governs oversight, brings financial bite A new law has transformed the condominium market in Florida, forcing owners to change their financial plans. The laws have been prompting many owners to sell their condos now, because the bills have come due and they cannot afford to pay them.
Punta Gorda imposes moratorium on car washes, storage facilities Approvals for new car washes and storage facilities in Punta Gorda will be put on pause for a period of 180 days during a moratorium begininng after the next City Council meeting Feb. 19.
Stephen Deutsch, Charlotte County commissioner, accused of using racial slur A Charlotte County commissioner is involved in an investigation after being accused of using a racial slur.
LEE COUNTY, Fla.- After recent allegations of indecent exposure, the State Attorney’s Office announced Monday that NFL star Nate Allen is innocent. STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE COMMENT: The State Attorney’s Office (SAO) said “Alenn did not commit an allegation of indecent exposure” and denied a summons request from the Fort Myers police department. An email from SAO goes on to say that, “on Feb. 17 the State Attorney’s Office received an affidavit and request for a summons for Nathaniel Ray Allen, 27, from the Fort Myers Police Department for a charge of exposure of sexual organs, which is a misdemeanor.” “The allegations came from an incident last Monday, February 17th. The SAO requested follow-up investigation and information, including video from surveillance cameras along US 41, the 16-year-old victim’s 911 call, and measurements and photographs of the vehicles.” “After reviewing and evaluating the totality of the evidence received from FMPD, information and evidence provided by Allen through his interviews and his attorney, Sawyer Smith – and through further investigation – Allen could not have been the perpetrator alleged in the reports, according to the SAO.” State Attorney Steve Russell said in Monday’s statement: “After reviewing the case and situation, Mr. Nate Allen should be commended for his patience, cooperation, and understanding.” ____________________________________________________ FORT MYERS POLICE COMMENT: The Fort Myers Police Department issued a statement on the case Monday as well. In it, they say Allen’s truck matched the description of the vehicle driven by the perpetrator; the driver matched the description provided by the victim and the vehicle was heading from the area of the crime location that was described to police. FMPD also said in its statement that the victim never wavered in her testimony and identified Allen as the perpetrator of the alleged offense. Police said they later obtained surveillance videos showing another truck traveling next to the victim’s vehicle at the time of the offense. “The video evidence clearly indicates that Mr. Allen was not the perpetrator of the offense,” a statement Monday from FMPD said. FMPD Chief Doug Baker ordered the Professional Standards Bureau of his department to do an administrative review of the incident. The victim should be commended for her cooperation and willingness to report the offense as well, according to the SAO statement on Monday. FMPD is still investigating the incident and asks anyone with information to call them at 239-321-7700. Or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS. ____________________________________________________ ALLEN’S LAWYER PROVIDES EVIDENCE OF INNOCENCE Last week, Nate Allen told WINK News, there was no way he did what he was accused of, calling the allegations “disgusting.” The SAO says part of the confusion in this case, was caused by Allen’s black truck. The alleged victim told police she was driving past the Edison Mall, when she looked over and saw a man exposing himself. That man was inside his four door black truck, one similar to Allen’s. “We set out to conduct our very own aggressive investigation,” said Allen’s attorney Sawyer Smith. Smith says he always knew his client was innocent, and showed us the evidence to prove it. It was some of the same evidence the SAO looked at. First, there was Allen’s credit card statement. It shows Allen paid for dinner at the Fort Myers Red Lobster at 4:47 p.m. He then took a picture with a former coworker there. The time stamp on the picture was 4:53 p.m. Smith says that’s just one minute before the teen called 911. Smith says that FMPD also made many more mistakes, including the fact that Allen should have never been held for questioning in the first place, because the crime he was accused of, was just a misdemeanor. He also says Allen was shown to the victim, without a line-up. “You ask a 16-year-old girl, assuming no experience in this situation at all, to identify the person she saw out on the street and then they show her one guy. He’s in handcuffs, surrounded by cops,” said Smith. The SAO did address FMPD’s identification process calling it quote “inherently suggestive and leads to potential misidentification.” WINK News exclusively spoke to Allen’s best friend, Mike Padilla, who says he was on the phone with the Philadelphia Eagles star when he was pulled over and says there is no way Allen could have been masturbating with the window rolled down. “I have talked to him when he has the window rolled down before and when he hasn’t and in that case I can tell you 100% that the window was not rolled down,” said Padilla. ____________________________________________________ SUSPECT STILL ON THE LOOSE FMPD says it’s still looking for the man in the other truck. He is described as a male in his 40s to 50s, with a grey white goatee. He is driving either a Ford F-150 or F-250.