Crews battle 2.5-acre brush fire near Alico and Eagle Village DriveJake’s story: A mother’s mission to share her son’s story and help other young people
ESTERO Crews battle 2.5-acre brush fire near Alico and Eagle Village Drive San Carlos Park Fire District is on the scene fighting a 2.5-acre brushfire near Alico and Eagle Village Drive.
FORT MYERS Jake’s story: A mother’s mission to share her son’s story and help other young people One Fort Myers mom is turning her pain into purpose after her son, who she refers to as her “heavenly Angel,” took his own life.
CAPE CORAL New renderings for the Cape Coral Yacht Club promise a bright future The Cape Coral Yacht Club, which has been part of this community since the 1960s, will now have a new look after Hurricane Ian’s devastating effects.
LEHIGH ACRES Owner bars public from Barefoot Lake, LCSO installs Watch Tower Every weekend, roughly 200 people go to Barefoot Lake in Lehigh Acres to relax, fish, swim and have a good time.
CAPE CORAL Concern over water shortage in Cape Coral Concern is flowing through Cape Coral as neighbors are seeing their canal levels low and their wells run dry.
FORT MYERS FSW softball swinging for success in the postseason Now their focus shifts to states which means the newbies are looking to the experienced sophomores for advice.
BONITA SPRINGS Young SWFL tennis player competing with professionals You may not know her name now, but you might want remember it because 16-year-old Cookie Jarvis-Tredgett is already competing with professionals.
NORTH NAPLES ‘It’s all about connection,’ Statement Peace makes jewelry with sustainability in mind The brand Statement Peace, once started inside founder Jessica Lee’s home, is now in 2,700 stores across the country
Pine Manor 2 arrested for firing gun at birthday party in Pine Manor A party ended with two people behind bars.
FORT MYERS Shooting investigation on busy Fort Myers street Police are conducting a shooting investigation that involves a traffic crash near Michigan Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard.
FGCU New FGCU athletic director Colin Hargis ready to build on department’s success New FGCU athletic director Colin Hargis talks about the department’s future amid the age of NIL and the transfer portal.
FORT MYERS More middle-aged women being treated for acne You probably thought you broke up with it after high school, but acne is rearing it’s ugly blackheads in adult women.
Lee County student ran up and hit teacher in head, report shows The report says a 13-year-old student ran up and smacked a teacher in the head because multiple classmates offered him money to do so.
NAPLES Collier Planning Commission continues discussion for apartments near Fiddler’s Creek The developer of Fiddler’s Creek wants to build hundreds of luxury apartments on a slice of a 600 acre-plus property known as section 29.
CAPE CORAL Fatigue sets in for third day of FEMA hearings Flying several hours to come to a FEMA code compliance hearing in Cape Coral is the reality for John Gasparini from Maryland.
ESTERO Crews battle 2.5-acre brush fire near Alico and Eagle Village Drive San Carlos Park Fire District is on the scene fighting a 2.5-acre brushfire near Alico and Eagle Village Drive.
FORT MYERS Jake’s story: A mother’s mission to share her son’s story and help other young people One Fort Myers mom is turning her pain into purpose after her son, who she refers to as her “heavenly Angel,” took his own life.
CAPE CORAL New renderings for the Cape Coral Yacht Club promise a bright future The Cape Coral Yacht Club, which has been part of this community since the 1960s, will now have a new look after Hurricane Ian’s devastating effects.
LEHIGH ACRES Owner bars public from Barefoot Lake, LCSO installs Watch Tower Every weekend, roughly 200 people go to Barefoot Lake in Lehigh Acres to relax, fish, swim and have a good time.
CAPE CORAL Concern over water shortage in Cape Coral Concern is flowing through Cape Coral as neighbors are seeing their canal levels low and their wells run dry.
FORT MYERS FSW softball swinging for success in the postseason Now their focus shifts to states which means the newbies are looking to the experienced sophomores for advice.
BONITA SPRINGS Young SWFL tennis player competing with professionals You may not know her name now, but you might want remember it because 16-year-old Cookie Jarvis-Tredgett is already competing with professionals.
NORTH NAPLES ‘It’s all about connection,’ Statement Peace makes jewelry with sustainability in mind The brand Statement Peace, once started inside founder Jessica Lee’s home, is now in 2,700 stores across the country
Pine Manor 2 arrested for firing gun at birthday party in Pine Manor A party ended with two people behind bars.
FORT MYERS Shooting investigation on busy Fort Myers street Police are conducting a shooting investigation that involves a traffic crash near Michigan Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard.
FGCU New FGCU athletic director Colin Hargis ready to build on department’s success New FGCU athletic director Colin Hargis talks about the department’s future amid the age of NIL and the transfer portal.
FORT MYERS More middle-aged women being treated for acne You probably thought you broke up with it after high school, but acne is rearing it’s ugly blackheads in adult women.
Lee County student ran up and hit teacher in head, report shows The report says a 13-year-old student ran up and smacked a teacher in the head because multiple classmates offered him money to do so.
NAPLES Collier Planning Commission continues discussion for apartments near Fiddler’s Creek The developer of Fiddler’s Creek wants to build hundreds of luxury apartments on a slice of a 600 acre-plus property known as section 29.
CAPE CORAL Fatigue sets in for third day of FEMA hearings Flying several hours to come to a FEMA code compliance hearing in Cape Coral is the reality for John Gasparini from Maryland.
Protesters stood at the corner of Cypress Lake Drive and Summerlin Road to decry at Trump Administration decision that withdraws federal protection for transgender students that required schools to allow them to use bathrooms and locker rooms matching their gender identities. ELLEN THALLS / WINK News SOUTH FORT MYERS, Fla. An appearance by an unlikely opponent of President Trump set the scene for a demonstration in support of her cause Sunday. Between 30 and 40 protesters waved signs and shouted to voice their concerns over the Trump administration’s decision Wednesday to end federal protection for transgender students that required schools to allow them to use bathrooms and locker rooms matching their gender identities. Jackie Evancho, who sang the national anthem at Trump’s inaugural, tweeted her displeasure with the decision in support of her transgender sister. She performed Sunday at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, not far from where the protest took place. I am obviously disappointed in the @POTUS decision to send the #transgender bathroom issue to the states to decide. #sisterlove — Jackie Evancho (@jackieevancho) February 22, 2017 . @realDonaldTrump u gave me the honor 2 sing at your inauguration. Pls give me & my sis the honor 2 meet with u 2 talk #transgender rghts ❤ — Jackie Evancho (@jackieevancho) February 23, 2017 “As a community, we are going to take the power upon ourselves to make a change, and make sure that we are equal as all other Americans are equal,” said protester Lynn Murray, who has a transgender grandchild. The Trump administration came down on the side of states’ rights, lifting federal guidelines that had been issued by the Obama administration. Without the Obama directive, it will be up to states and school districts to interpret federal anti-discrimination law and determine whether students should have access to restrooms in accordance with their expressed gender identity and not just their biological sex. “I don’t think it should be up to our states,” Murray said. “It should a government rule, so wherever we travel within the United States, we’re always protected as transgender people.” It’s not clear how Florida will proceed. The Obama administration’s guidance was based on its determination that Title IX, the federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in education, also applies to gender identity. While not legally binding, the guidance sent a warning that schools could lose funding if they did not comply. The Trump administration’s decision feels like a step backward, said Jenna Satterfield, who doesn’t want children to be targets of discrimination. “I transitioned myself 21 years ago,” Satterfield said. “I know what they’re going through and they shouldn’t have to go through what I went through to become the person I am now.” Conservative activists hailed the change, saying the Obama directives were illegal and violated the rights of fixed-gender students, especially girls who did not feel safe changing clothes or using restrooms next to anatomical males. “Our daughters should never be forced to share private, intimate spaces with male classmates, even if those young men are struggling with these issues,” said Vicki Wilson, a member of Students and Parents for Privacy. “It violates their right to privacy and harms their dignity.” Sunday’s protest drew a mixed reaction from passersby, some of whom honked their car horns in support and some of whom angrily gestured at the demonstrators. But more people than not reacted positively, organizers said. WINK News reporter Ellen Thalls went live via Facebook from the scene: Protesters stood at the corner of Cypress Lake Drive and Summerlin Road to decry at Trump Administration decision that withdraws federal protection for transgender students that required schools to allow them to use bathrooms and locker rooms matching their gender identities. ELLEN THALLS / WINK News Protesters stood at the corner of Cypress Lake Drive and Summerlin Road to decry at Trump Administration decision that withdraws federal protection for transgender students that required schools to allow them to use bathrooms and locker rooms matching their gender identities. ELLEN THALLS / WINK News Protesters stood at the corner of Cypress Lake Drive and Summerlin Road to decry at Trump Administration decision that withdraws federal protection for transgender students that required schools to allow them to use bathrooms and locker rooms matching their gender identities. ELLEN THALLS / WINK News Protesters stood at the corner of Cypress Lake Drive and Summerlin Road to decry at Trump Administration decision that withdraws federal protection for transgender students that required schools to allow them to use bathrooms and locker rooms matching their gender identities. ELLEN THALLS / WINK News Protesters stood at the corner of Cypress Lake Drive and Summerlin Road to decry at Trump Administration decision that withdraws federal protection for transgender students that required schools to allow them to use bathrooms and locker rooms matching their gender identities. ELLEN THALLS / WINK News Protesters stood at the corner of Cypress Lake Drive and Summerlin Road to decry at Trump Administration decision that withdraws federal protection for transgender students that required schools to allow them to use bathrooms and locker rooms matching their gender identities. ELLEN THALLS / WINK News Protesters stood at the corner of Cypress Lake Drive and Summerlin Road to decry at Trump Administration decision that withdraws federal protection for transgender students that required schools to allow them to use bathrooms and locker rooms matching their gender identities. ELLEN THALLS / WINK News Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.