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.
Pamela R. Davis PUNTA GRODA, Fla. – Punta Gorda has selected Pamela R. Davis to serve as the next Punta Gorda police chief. Davis, who will be the first woman to lead the Punta Gorda Police Department, is currently the Director of the Professional Development and Training Academy for the City of Baltimore Police Department. Prior to Davis’ current position, she served 23 years with the Anne Arundel County Police Department in Maryland, working up the ranks from Patrol Officer to Deputy Chief of Police. LINK: More on Davis from the Baltimore Police Department City Manager Howard Kunik points to Davis’s leadership abilities, broad public safety background and extensive training acumen as qualities that elevated her to be the top choice. “I was impressed with her genuine demeanor and overall leadership and technical skills that will enable her to re-energize the department within as well as our extensive partnerships with the community. Pam is well prepared to step into the position and re-elevate our Police Department to pinnacle status,” said City Manager Howard Kunik. Davis’s 26 years of experience in police services have included a wide range of responsibilities to include professional development and training, administration, patrol, investigations, crises intervention, internal affairs, labor negotiations and community outreach. Pam assisted with creation of a Citizens Advisory Council and Business Advisory Council that resulted in enhanced relationships and trust with all areas of the Anne Arundel community. PREVIOUS: Interviews begin for Punta Gorda police chief, see their resumes She was the architect of that department’s first crisis intervention team to address the systemic problem of dealing with mentally ill people, a program nationally recognized by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Upon joining the Baltimore Police Department in September 2016, Pam assumed responsibility for training to ensure compliance with the Department of Justice Consent Decree and all Maryland Police Training Standards Commission regulations. Davis created the first ever Training Academy Community Engagement Unit. Davis holds a Master of Science Degree in Management/Leadership from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Arts in Labor Studies Degree from National Labor College. She attended the FBI National Academy and the Police Executive Research Forum – Senior Management Institute for Police. The process to select a new Police Chief involved representatives from the City’s residential neighborhoods, business sectors and Police Department staff, who engaged the eight finalists in conversations culminating with their overall insights to the City Manager. City Council members also had the opportunity to meet the candidates and observe the panel discussions. PREVIOUS: Punta Gorda police chief says he’s been fired The eight candidates also interviewed with the City Manager, who was assisted by the Assistant State Attorney – Charlotte County Office. Davis said “It is an absolute honor to be selected as the Chief of Police for the City of Punta Gorda. One of the things I am most excited about Punta Gorda, is the active engagement between community members, business leaders, and city government. I am eager to be a part of that interaction and to be a part of such a wonderful, vibrant community. With this position comes tremendous responsibility and accountability that I am fully prepared to undertake. I look forward to leading a progressive Punta Gorda Police Department that will continue to focus on providing quality customer service.” Davis will take over for Interim Chief Jason Ciaschini on Jan. 2, 2018.