16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier CountyNew bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal The city of Cape Coral is seeing two projects that will change the city. One is called one of the most lucrative deals in county history.
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association breaks ground on new Fort Myers headquarters As Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association’s president pointed out, about 1,000 people are still moving to Florida every day, and many of them are finding their way to Southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County drug trafficker sentenced to 10 years A Charlotte County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
lehigh acres ‘How to sign away parental rights?’; Lehigh Acres woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal The city of Cape Coral is seeing two projects that will change the city. One is called one of the most lucrative deals in county history.
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association breaks ground on new Fort Myers headquarters As Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association’s president pointed out, about 1,000 people are still moving to Florida every day, and many of them are finding their way to Southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County drug trafficker sentenced to 10 years A Charlotte County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
lehigh acres ‘How to sign away parental rights?’; Lehigh Acres woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby.
Flooding in Everglades City. (Photo via viwer Debbie Marteney Owen) MARCO ISLAND, Fla. – State inspectors are fanning out to check on contractors fixing damage left behind from Irma. After Irma, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer formed the Disaster Fraud Anti-Strike Team, or DFAST. The teams include investigators within the Department of Financial Services and their goal is to identify fraud and educate homeowners’ about the red flag of fraud. LINK: Division of Investigative & Forensic Services “…our utmost goal, our first goal, is to educate the citizens in Florida about how not to be taken advantage of, what to look out for,” explained Captain Darrell Wilson with the Bureau of Insurance Fraud. Through the CFO’s office, WINK News cameras were able to capture surprise inspections conducted with the help of DFAST crews, along with other state and local agencies. The goal included checking to make sure contractors hired for hurricane recovery were licensed through the state and had workers’ compensation insurance. “What happens is if someone comes to your property and falls off the roof, you as a homeowner would be responsible for the medical bills,” explained Captain Wilson. “So you have to make sure this person has worker’s compensation insurance as well as they’re licensed.” First Surprise Inspection Stop The first location of the day included a home that was getting work done on the roof. During the course of the check, inspectors discovered that the subcontractor hired by the contractor, did not have the proper workers’ compensation insurance. A stop work order was issued and everyone on the roof had to come down. A few days later the contractor on the project was able to put those same workers on its own workers’ comp insurance and the job was able to continue. Last Surprise Inspection Stop The state issued another stop work order at the last location. John Slocum, a residential contractor on Marco Island said the man he hired turned out not to have the proper paperwork. “Price was reasonable. I never quibbled and then they started and then we find out that he has a truck that’s not his, he’s using a license that’s not his, has no workers’ comp and just can’t be here working,” said Slocum. A work truck in the driveway advertised for “Doctor Roof of Naples” and had a license number registered to “Doctor Roof of Tampa Bay.” When we called the number on the truck for “Doctor Roof Naples,” the man who answered said Doctor Roof of Naples is longer operating. We left a message for Doctor Roof of Tampa and have not heard back. PALM-REYES, OSCAR MIGUEL, 44 On the lookout for fraud In October the DFAST team received a complaint about a roofing job in Fort Myers. After an investigation, they arrested a man accused of working on a roof without a license or workers’ compensation. We reached out to Oscar Palm-Reyes who told us that he was just doing a favor for a friend. Protect yourself from Fraud When you hire a contractor, make sure he or she is licensed through the state (DBPR) and has workers’ compensation (DFS). Also ask if the contractor you hire will be the one to make repairs or if a subcontractor will be hired. Make sure you check the license and insurance for all subcontractors as well. Most homeowners’ insurance policies have a hurricane deductible. So if someone tells you they can repair your home at no cost to you, remember nothing is free. (info on insurance deductibles ) Resources Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation License Search Division of Workers’ Compensation Compliance Proof of Coverage Search Page Hurricane and windstorm deductibles explained Insurance Fraud regions