Trump’s executive order on straws stirs debate in Fort Myers BeachCharlotte County official’s usage of racial slur prompts calls for resignation
FORT MYERS BEACH Trump’s executive order on straws stirs debate in Fort Myers Beach President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order to bring back plastic straws, reversing a previous plan to reduce plastic reliance in the federal government.
Charlotte County official’s usage of racial slur prompts calls for resignation Charlotte County Commissioner Stephen Deutsch is under scrutiny after a complaint surfaced last week alleging he used the N-word during a work meeting.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral woman finds hope with new ALS drug A breakthrough discovery of a drug offers new hope for patients with a genetic form of the disease.
Elevate Florida program to help homeowners strengthen properties against storms The Florida Dept. of Emergency Management announced the launch of its new “Elevate Florida” residential mitigation program.
Planning and Zoning Board approves proposed West County area development Homebuilder Maronda Homes received approval Feb. 10 from the Charlotte County Planning and Zoning Board to amend a previously approved development on 1,174 acres in the area of South Gulf Cove.
LEHIGH ACRES 3 charged for major theft organization targeting luxury vehicles Three men, one from Lehigh Acres, has been charged for their role in a major theft organization targeting luxury vehicles.
port charlotte Man arrested for DUI after slamming into Port Charlotte home’s garage The North Port Police Department has arrested a man accused of DUI and crashing into a Port Charlotte home’s garage.
CAPE CORAL New information on nurse accused of starving premature baby New information has been released about what happened behind closed doors when a nurse allegedly starved a premature baby.
BONITA SPRINGS World’s largest bounce castle to spring into Bonita Springs The Big Bounce America, the world’s largest inflatable bounce castle is set to appear in Bonita Springs.
palmdale Gatorama owner bitten during alligator feeding show Gatorama owner Allen Register was sent to hospital after being bitten by an alligator during a feeding show.
CAPE CORAL Man accused of Cape Coral DUI accident with serious injuries A man has been arrested after allegedly causing an accident with injuries while driving under the influence in Cape Coral.
wink news Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
the weather authority Another warm afternoon for your Tuesday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a warm Tuesday afternoon with stray rain showers expected in our inland communities.
NORTH FORT MYERS Cape Coral man faces 16 charges after fleeing multiple traffic stops Marcus Selby, 24, is facing multiple charges after a dramatic series of events involving Cape Coral police and Florida Highway Patrol troopers.
SANIBEL Sanibel residents brace for traffic surge with new advisory and app aid Sanibel residents are bracing for increased traffic as the city issued a “heavy traffic advisory” for the entire week.
FORT MYERS BEACH Trump’s executive order on straws stirs debate in Fort Myers Beach President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order to bring back plastic straws, reversing a previous plan to reduce plastic reliance in the federal government.
Charlotte County official’s usage of racial slur prompts calls for resignation Charlotte County Commissioner Stephen Deutsch is under scrutiny after a complaint surfaced last week alleging he used the N-word during a work meeting.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral woman finds hope with new ALS drug A breakthrough discovery of a drug offers new hope for patients with a genetic form of the disease.
Elevate Florida program to help homeowners strengthen properties against storms The Florida Dept. of Emergency Management announced the launch of its new “Elevate Florida” residential mitigation program.
Planning and Zoning Board approves proposed West County area development Homebuilder Maronda Homes received approval Feb. 10 from the Charlotte County Planning and Zoning Board to amend a previously approved development on 1,174 acres in the area of South Gulf Cove.
LEHIGH ACRES 3 charged for major theft organization targeting luxury vehicles Three men, one from Lehigh Acres, has been charged for their role in a major theft organization targeting luxury vehicles.
port charlotte Man arrested for DUI after slamming into Port Charlotte home’s garage The North Port Police Department has arrested a man accused of DUI and crashing into a Port Charlotte home’s garage.
CAPE CORAL New information on nurse accused of starving premature baby New information has been released about what happened behind closed doors when a nurse allegedly starved a premature baby.
BONITA SPRINGS World’s largest bounce castle to spring into Bonita Springs The Big Bounce America, the world’s largest inflatable bounce castle is set to appear in Bonita Springs.
palmdale Gatorama owner bitten during alligator feeding show Gatorama owner Allen Register was sent to hospital after being bitten by an alligator during a feeding show.
CAPE CORAL Man accused of Cape Coral DUI accident with serious injuries A man has been arrested after allegedly causing an accident with injuries while driving under the influence in Cape Coral.
wink news Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
the weather authority Another warm afternoon for your Tuesday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a warm Tuesday afternoon with stray rain showers expected in our inland communities.
NORTH FORT MYERS Cape Coral man faces 16 charges after fleeing multiple traffic stops Marcus Selby, 24, is facing multiple charges after a dramatic series of events involving Cape Coral police and Florida Highway Patrol troopers.
SANIBEL Sanibel residents brace for traffic surge with new advisory and app aid Sanibel residents are bracing for increased traffic as the city issued a “heavy traffic advisory” for the entire week.
Brian Omar Hyde LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. – A 19-year-old family member has been charged with murder in the deaths of three people found inside a Lehigh Acres home on Tuesday, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday. Brian Omar Hyde, of 3507 21st St. SW, is charged with three counts of second-degree murder and one count of killing an unborn child by harming the mother. “This was an extremely violent scene, even for us,” said Lt. Matt Sands with the sheriff’s office. “This scene was unimaginable, what happened.” Phone call led to discovery Michael Kelly Jr., 19, Starlette Pitts, 17, and her mother, Dorla Pitts, 37, were found inside the 21st Street Southwest home. They died from “repeated sharp force trauma,” Sands said. Kelly had defensive wounds on his arms, according to a booking report. Dorla Pitts is Hyde’s aunt. Starlette Pitts is his cousin, Sands said. Kelly and Starlette Pitts had a one-year-old toddler, who was found alive inside a bedroom, Sands said. The baby girl is currently in the care of her grandfather, authorities said. Starlette Pitts was approximately six months pregnant when she was killed, investigators said. Deputies discovered the bodies Tuesday morning after responding to the home for a medical call, according to the report. Dorla Pitts was engaged in a phone conversation with her husband when she screamed Hyde’s name and said “What happened here, what happened,” the husband told detectives, according to the report. “This is an extremely important detail that indicated the wife came home to the bloody scene and realized what occurred,” the report said. The husband then called a family friend, who went to the home. “(The family friend) opened the door and noticed blood stains on the floor and what appeared to be someone’s foot extended past the couch,” the report said. “Frightened, Lewis left the door open, retreated back to the roadway and called 911.” Traffic stop led to suspect Investigators focused on Hyde after he was pulled over by Fort Myers police for driving on the opposite side of the road, Sands said. The traffic stop occurred a few hours after the bodies were discovered. “Brian Hyde had visible blood on his pants and shoes,” the report said. Hyde was driving Dorla Pitts’ white Range Rover, investigators said. Once the vehicle was traced back to the home, “that’s when the first connection was made,” Sands said. Blood was later found on Hyde’s hands and feet, as well as on a floor board and laptop computer inside the vehicle, the report said. “A back pack full of male laundered clothes was located in the back seat along with several pairs of shoes, making it appear as if Hyde was about to flee the area,” the report said. Dorla Pitts’ North Collier Hospital identification was in the front passenger seat, the report said. She had worked at the hospital for three years, hospital spokesman Debbie Curry said. “The NCH Healthcare System family is saddened to learn of the passing of fellow staff member Dorla Pitts,” Curry said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this very difficult time.” Charges provide some closure Thursday’s announcement was not surprising to Sherri Flemming, Kelly’s mother. She described Hyde as quiet, someone who distanced himself from others and had “a bad vibe” when she met him. “It’s so sad that they, you know they trusted him,” she said. “They opened up their home and welcomed him in, took him in, Star and her mother, because that’s their family.” Flemming added that her son and Starlette Pitts included Hyde in family events and made him feel welcome. “I do have some closure that you know, he’s caught he’s in custody,” she said. “I know he’s not going nowhere. I don’t know what his intention was, I just don’t know.” Hyde, who was initially arrested for driving without a license, is an illegal alien from Belize who entered the country through Texas seven months ago, Sands said. Deportation proceedings were in progress when he was arrested, Sands said. While answering questions, Sands referred back to the crime scene. “It’s the nature of our job to see homicide scenes and most of them are violent,” he said. “But this one took it to a whole ‘nother level.”