Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast UniversityMissing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres
Students react to 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.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: Parent brings weapon to Lehigh Acres school According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, there is probable cause to believe a woman unintentionally brought a firearm to school.
Students react to 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.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: Parent brings weapon to Lehigh Acres school According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, there is probable cause to believe a woman unintentionally brought a firearm to school.
Credit: WINK News FORT MYERS, Fla.- Solving crime in Lee County has proven to be a challenge for law enforcement. Many crimes remain unsolved, despite police and sheriff’s deputies attempts to gather information from witnesses. Some residents are too afraid to come forward, in fear of retaliation. Trish Routte with Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is looking to fade that fear. “Right now in our community, there’s so much apathy. People know information about these crimes, people see these crimes, they’re there when it happens, yet when it comes time to getting information from them… ‘What did you see, what do you know?’ [They say] I didn’t see anything, they all of sudden clam up,” said Routte. A Tampa legislator’s new proposal could directly combat this issue statewide. Rep. Ed Narian (D) of Tampa says the “Stop Snitching” culture is plaguing many cities in Florida, “That culture is keeping a lot of good people from coming out and talking to the police about things they may have seen, so the goal of this bill is to really try and stop that from happening.” Narain proposed the measure that would protect the identities of witnesses who come forward with information and work with police. “We have got to get creative,” said Routte. “We have got to find any means possible to make sure that the violent offenders in our community aren’t ruling our community. The good people of Southwest Florida need to rule their community. They need to feel safe in their community, they need to be able to go out and do what they want wherever they want, be it downtown, be it at a park, a mall, wherever and feel safe in that environment.” If passed, the bill would prohibit the disclosure of personal identifying information, making an exemption from the Florida public records law. The exemption would last until the end of a prosecution period, or the statute of limitations to a crime. This is not the first time elected officials in Florida have considered granting anonymity to witnesses or tipsters. Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers offers an anonymous tip line for anyone with information on crimes to call. Routte says operators do not ask for any personal information from callers. Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott has also spoken out about the lack of tips in many crimes in the area, specifically, violence in the Dunbar area. He kick-started another anonymous form of delivering tips, by providing community members with pre-stamped envelopes sent directly to his office. Routte says community members living in fear is unacceptable. “That mentality that you have to worry about every single move your kids make, are they going to be safe? Are they going to be caught in the middle of a drive-by? That is unacceptable on every level.” She agrees any method to help tipsters feel safer and more comfortable coming forward could spark an increase in tips. “We need that mentality to change. We need people to work with law enforcement. We need to work together because separately, we’re not going to solve crimes. Law enforcement needs the community and the community needs law enforcement. It’s a symbiotic relationship. If we work together, we’re going to be able to put these guys behind bars.” The bill has not been scheduled for a hearing yet.