Punta Gorda imposes moratorium on car washes, storage facilitiesStephen Deutsch, Charlotte County commissioner, accused of using racial slur
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.
SANIBEL Sanibel Recreation Center to host pickleball tournament In celebration of Healthy Heart Month, Sanibel Recreation Center invites the public to the Cupid’s Court Indoor Pickleball Tournament.
cape coral Nurse accused of intentionally starving child with severe medical conditions The Cape Coral Police Department has arrested a woman accused of child neglect while working as a licensed practical nurse.
City Council again rejects outdoor dining for Olde Naples Building Naples City Council rejected an outdoor dining proposal for the historic Olde Naples Building on Third Street South.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers advocate against youth gun violence Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is campaigning against youth gun violence with a new Public Service Announcement.
78-acre prescribed burn planned in Collier County The South Florida Water Management District plans to conduct a 78-acre prescribed burn on Thursday in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers man accused of stabbing 3 men at Gentleman’s club The Fort Myers Police Department has arrested a man accused of stabbing three men at the Allure Gentleman’s Club.
NAPLES Naples Automotive Experience 2025 begins, benefiting St. Matthew’s House The Naples Chapter of the Ferrari Club of America presents the Naples Automotive Experience 2025, benefiting St. Matthew’s House.
Police report released for Fort Myers child abduction, search for suspect ongoing A mother chased down the man who kidnapped her toddler in Fort Myers. This dramatic event is part of the ongoing investigation into the Amber Alert issued earlier this week.
FORT MYERS Spring training kicks off as Boston Red Sox truck arrives in Fort Myers Baseball fans in Fort Myers are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Boston Red Sox equipment truck.
the weather authority Warm and dry for your Thursday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a continuing warm stretch, as we can expect dry conditions along with plenty of sun this Thursday.
LABELLE 17-year-old arrested after deputies respond to gunshots at LaBelle Dollar General According to the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, there is a large presence of law enforcement in the area of Cowboy Way and Collinswood Parkway in LaBelle.
GOLDEN GATE Golden Gate love triangle turns violent with screwdriver attack A screwdriver became the weapon of choice in a dramatic altercation between an ex-lover and a current partner in Golden Gate, leaving one man injured.
CHARLOTTE HARBOR Charlotte County’s Sunseeker Resort sale sparks community discussion Big changes could be on the horizon for the Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte Harbor; the company that owns the resort recently announced plans to sell it.
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.
SANIBEL Sanibel Recreation Center to host pickleball tournament In celebration of Healthy Heart Month, Sanibel Recreation Center invites the public to the Cupid’s Court Indoor Pickleball Tournament.
cape coral Nurse accused of intentionally starving child with severe medical conditions The Cape Coral Police Department has arrested a woman accused of child neglect while working as a licensed practical nurse.
City Council again rejects outdoor dining for Olde Naples Building Naples City Council rejected an outdoor dining proposal for the historic Olde Naples Building on Third Street South.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers advocate against youth gun violence Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is campaigning against youth gun violence with a new Public Service Announcement.
78-acre prescribed burn planned in Collier County The South Florida Water Management District plans to conduct a 78-acre prescribed burn on Thursday in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers man accused of stabbing 3 men at Gentleman’s club The Fort Myers Police Department has arrested a man accused of stabbing three men at the Allure Gentleman’s Club.
NAPLES Naples Automotive Experience 2025 begins, benefiting St. Matthew’s House The Naples Chapter of the Ferrari Club of America presents the Naples Automotive Experience 2025, benefiting St. Matthew’s House.
Police report released for Fort Myers child abduction, search for suspect ongoing A mother chased down the man who kidnapped her toddler in Fort Myers. This dramatic event is part of the ongoing investigation into the Amber Alert issued earlier this week.
FORT MYERS Spring training kicks off as Boston Red Sox truck arrives in Fort Myers Baseball fans in Fort Myers are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Boston Red Sox equipment truck.
the weather authority Warm and dry for your Thursday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a continuing warm stretch, as we can expect dry conditions along with plenty of sun this Thursday.
LABELLE 17-year-old arrested after deputies respond to gunshots at LaBelle Dollar General According to the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, there is a large presence of law enforcement in the area of Cowboy Way and Collinswood Parkway in LaBelle.
GOLDEN GATE Golden Gate love triangle turns violent with screwdriver attack A screwdriver became the weapon of choice in a dramatic altercation between an ex-lover and a current partner in Golden Gate, leaving one man injured.
CHARLOTTE HARBOR Charlotte County’s Sunseeker Resort sale sparks community discussion Big changes could be on the horizon for the Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte Harbor; the company that owns the resort recently announced plans to sell it.
FORT MYERS, Fla. – When it comes to mail scams, who is keeping you safe? WINK News Call for Action discovered there is a government agency going through your mail to protect you. Stacks of scams are piled in every corner of Curtis’ home, whose last name we withheld to protect him from more scammers. As the phone ringed non-stop, he told us the scammers are “constantly calling, constantly asking for money.” Ivan Ramirez understands that frustration. He is a Postal Inspector with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “To date we’re upwards to half a billion dollars of losses altogether.” As a Postal Inspector, Ramirez is one of 1,400 nationwide who are searching the incoming mail at four facilities like the one in Miami, for fraudulent mail. “It is a large operation. It is a 24 hour seven-day a week operation. As you know it doesn’t stop, it does not stop,” he said. The federal agents look to flag any mail that looks like a scam. “Fraudulent lottery sweepstakes, you’ve won a prize, you just need to send us money to pay your taxes or to clear your customs or to clear our customs.” But not all the scams are weeded out before they get to your home. Roy Carmack made a Call for Action, warning viewers about an “Award Notice” he received in the mail. Before anyone could claim the prize, they would need to send in a payment. “Just a little bit further down, they’re asking us to send $11.89 for some certification or something which don’t make sense. When you win, you win.” Carmack did not send the scammers a dime, and we discovered that the Postal Inspectors are investigating that very letter Carmack received. Another popular scam includes sending fraudulent checks to your home. The scammers ask you to cash that check, keep a portion for yourself, and send the rest back to them. When the check bounces, you are on the hook for every dime and scammers get away with free money. The Postal Inspectors try to weed out those fake checks and shred them before they even reach your door. “Potential number of losses, and what I mean by that the checks that were intercepted, with winnings have climbed over almost a half a billion of dollars. In the billions,” said Ramirez. “…As far as pieces of mail, we have outside bags, 20 some odd bags of shredded mail that is getting ready to be discarded.” The shredder is not their only weapon for keeping scammers at bay. Sometimes Postal Inspectors will send a warning attached to your mail. Pet sitter Rachel Martin used a legitimate website, Care.com, to advertise her businesses. Scammers contacted her about a job and ended up sending her a fake check that came with a letter from the Postal Inspection Service advising her it was likely a scam. Despite all the tools they use to catch the criminals, Postal Inspectors say they need your help. “Tell someone [about being scammed]. Don’t be embarrassed. If by any chance you were swindled, you were taken… I guarantee that’s not the end of it. They got you once, they’re going to continue,” explained Ramirez. If you want to report a mail scam, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.