TALLAHASSEE (CBS) Governor DeSantis signs AI and vape bills Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed 28 bills, including a measure requiring disclaimers on certain political ads created using artificial intelligence and a bill about regulation of vape products.
ESTERO Gold Star Golf Tournament honors fallen veteran Behind each putt and swing of a golf club at the Gold Star Golf Tournament is someone who knew John Wirka Junior.
NEW YORK (AP) How TikTok grew from a fun app for teens into a potential national security threat If it feels like TikTok has been around forever, that’s probably because it has, at least if you’re measuring via internet time. What’s now in question is whether it will be around much longer and, if so, in what form?
FORT MYERS Man wanted for armed robbery at Fort Myers convenience store Crime Stoppers is asking the public for help identifying an armed robber who held up a convenience store Saturday morning.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: Rifles, inappropriate texts and Donut shop debacle This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a scary mall trip, an inappropriate coach, and a Dunkin Donuts assault.
The Weather Authority: Sunny Saturday with a nice breeze; fire danger increases Warm temperatures for your Saturday with a nice breeze into the afternoon.
NORTH NAPLES Senior Airman surprises cousin on Aubrey Rogers softball senior night Aubrey Rogers senior pitcher and infielder McKenzie Vargas was surprised by her Air Force cousin for Senior Night.
BONITA SPRINGS Police: 15-year-old injured after accidentally shot in the leg Lee County deputies say the teen was accidentally shot in the leg.
PUNTA GORDA Exclusive: Brother and best friend of accused pedophile priest speak out Riley’s brother reached out to WINK on Friday, saying people aren’t getting the full story.
IMMOKALEE Caught on video: Huge gator crosses Immokalee neighborhood Fridays in Florida are for gators
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society raises concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
TALLAHASSEE (CBS) Governor DeSantis signs AI and vape bills Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed 28 bills, including a measure requiring disclaimers on certain political ads created using artificial intelligence and a bill about regulation of vape products.
ESTERO Gold Star Golf Tournament honors fallen veteran Behind each putt and swing of a golf club at the Gold Star Golf Tournament is someone who knew John Wirka Junior.
NEW YORK (AP) How TikTok grew from a fun app for teens into a potential national security threat If it feels like TikTok has been around forever, that’s probably because it has, at least if you’re measuring via internet time. What’s now in question is whether it will be around much longer and, if so, in what form?
FORT MYERS Man wanted for armed robbery at Fort Myers convenience store Crime Stoppers is asking the public for help identifying an armed robber who held up a convenience store Saturday morning.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: Rifles, inappropriate texts and Donut shop debacle This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a scary mall trip, an inappropriate coach, and a Dunkin Donuts assault.
The Weather Authority: Sunny Saturday with a nice breeze; fire danger increases Warm temperatures for your Saturday with a nice breeze into the afternoon.
NORTH NAPLES Senior Airman surprises cousin on Aubrey Rogers softball senior night Aubrey Rogers senior pitcher and infielder McKenzie Vargas was surprised by her Air Force cousin for Senior Night.
BONITA SPRINGS Police: 15-year-old injured after accidentally shot in the leg Lee County deputies say the teen was accidentally shot in the leg.
PUNTA GORDA Exclusive: Brother and best friend of accused pedophile priest speak out Riley’s brother reached out to WINK on Friday, saying people aren’t getting the full story.
IMMOKALEE Caught on video: Huge gator crosses Immokalee neighborhood Fridays in Florida are for gators
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society raises concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Authorities have made 21 arrests related to online sex crimes as part of a joint operation by the Cape Coral Police Department and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, both departments announced Tuesday morning. “Operation Cyber Guardian,” which ran from June 13-19, targeted offenders who used computers to seduce, solicit and entice children into sexual activity. Six additional arrests are pending, officials said. Investigators lured suspects to a southwest Cape Coral residence where they were apprehended upon arrival. One person traveled from Port St. Lucie, while another rode a bicycle from North Port, authorities said. “As you heard them say, one individual traveled all the way from North Port, Florida, on a bicycle in sporadic rain, at times stopping to ask directions,” Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott said. “He was so committed to coming and having sex with an underage child. It shows the level and the depth of their perversion.” Both departments did not allow reporters to ask questions about the operation, then provided heavily redacted reports for each arrest: All 21 are facing charges of obscene communication for the use of a computer to seduce, solicit or a lure a child into an unlawful sexual act. Those arrested are as follows, with additional pending charges in parentheses, where applicable: *After the initial arrest, charges were not brought by the state for some suspects. Richard Brown, 33 (use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony) Richard Desrosiers, 23 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Michael Drew, 44 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Douglas Feddersen, 64 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Dominique Felicetti, 28 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Jorge Gonzalez-Benavides, 26 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child; possession of 20 grams or less of marijuana) Fabian Grajales, 52 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Roger Gregory, 36 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Rodolfo Hernandez, 33 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Travis Holcomb, 26 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child; violating probation) Michael Hoyman, 23 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child; cruelty toward a child for transmitting harmful information) Franklin Klein, 72 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Serguei Korneev, 46 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) John McEnroe IV, 22 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Kyle Narring, 22 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Paul Newport, 48 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Nilson Orozco, 19 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Samuel Ribel, 48 Bradley Vetter, 72 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Ian Wagoner, 25 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Additional Suspect (After arrest, the state did not file charges)