Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concernsStudents benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society 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.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Memorial celebrates the life of John Passidomo Hundreds of friends and family gathered for a memorial at Baker Park in Naples.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema prepares for opening at Mercato The newest movie theater in Southwest Florida opens April 29, and it does so with an array of entertainment offerings that go beyond the usual options across the region.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society 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.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Memorial celebrates the life of John Passidomo Hundreds of friends and family gathered for a memorial at Baker Park in Naples.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema prepares for opening at Mercato The newest movie theater in Southwest Florida opens April 29, and it does so with an array of entertainment offerings that go beyond the usual options across the region.
FHP releases list of ‘Most Wanted Fugitives’; 6 in SWFL. WINK News The Florida Highway Patrol released a list of its “Most Wanted Fugitives” in the state. Six people on the list were wanted for crashes in Southwest Florida: Alfredo Acevedo Alfredo Acevedo is wanted in connection with two counts of DUI Manslaughter, two counts of DUI Injury and one count of DUI Property Damage, the Florida Highway Patrol said. Acevedo was driving southbound on Interstate 75 in Charlotte County when he lost control of the vehicle and it overturned, according to the FHP. Two passengers died and two others suffered “incapacitating injuries.” Acevedo’s blood alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit at the time of the crash, State troopers said. Alejandro Garcia Alejandro Garcia is wanted in connection with a deadly DUI crash on State Road 82 in Lee County, according to the FHP. Garcia is accused of hitting a vehicle head-on, which caused the vehicle to overturn, State troopers said. The driver of the other vehicle was killed in the wreck. Garcia’s blood alcohol limit was more than four times the legal limit, according to State troopers. Following the crash, Garcia fled to the hospital, but his whereabouts are unknown, State troopers said. It’s also unclear when the crash happened. Augustin Lara-Nonez Augustin Lara-Nonez is wanted in connection with a deadly DUI crash involving a Lee County deputy. Lara-Nonez was driving a silver 2006 Ford truck westbound on State Road 82 approaching Sunshine Boulevard, according to the FHP. There was a previous deadly crash, and Lee County deputy Margena Nunez had her patrol car with the emergency lights activated facing south in the westbound lane and traffic cones out, State troopers said. Lara-Nonez was accused of not following the detour, and he front of his truck hit the left side of the patrol car. “For just doing her job and assisting FHP with traffic control, she certainly didn’t deserve to be hit or die,” said Lt. Greg Bueno, of the FHP. Lara-Nonez was arrested in connection with a DUI involving death, but he did not face charges in court and there is an active felony warrant for his arrest, according to State troopers. “It adds salt to the wound that the individual was arrested to be held accountable for his decisions that night,” Bueno said. Lara-Nonez was believed to have fled to Mexico, according to State troopers. Roman Saebastian Saldarriaga Roman Saebastian Saldarriaga is wanted in connection with a deadly crash on Sept. 1, 2003 in Collier County, according to the FHP. Saldarriaga has active warrants for DUI manslaughter, DUI personal injury and DUI property damage, State troopers said. Saldarriaga was driving eastbound on County Road approaching another vehicle and hit rear of the other vehicle, according to State troopers. The impact from the initial crash forced vehicle into the westbound lane and was hit by a pickup truck. One person died in the crash and there were additional “personal injuries,” State troopers said. Saldarriaga has since fled and is believed to be in Bonita Springs, Fla., Miami, New Jersey, New York, or Canada, according to State troopers. Jose Ayala Santiago Jose Ayala Santiago is wanted in connection with a deadly DUI crash on Jan. 12, 2003 on Tamiami Trail in Collier County, according to the FHP. Santiago has an active warrant for DUI manslaughter, according to State troopers. Santiago was driving westbound on State Road 90 approaching a vehicle traveling eastbound, according to State troopers. Santiago was then accused of steering across the center line, into the eastbound lane and hitting another vehicle. One person died in the crash and there were additional “personal injuries.” James R. Wasileski James R. Wasileski has an active warrant for DUI manslaughter out of Charlotte County, the Florida Highway Patrol said. Wasileski was driving a 1997 Ford Taurus on Feb. 3, 2007 northbound on Burnt Store Road, according to the FHP. Wasileski —who was accused of being under the influence— lost control and hit a tree. His passenger, Mark E. Burlison, succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash. Wasileski has since left the state and had Texas as a last known location, State troopers said. His current whereabouts are unclear, and he may have fled to Mexico. Roman Saebastian Saldarriaga (Photo via Florida Highway Patrol) Jose Ayala Santiago (Photo via Florida Highway Patrol) James R. Wasileski (Photo via Florida Highway Patrol) Alejandro Garcia (Photo via Florida Highway Patrol) Alfredo Acevedo (Photo via Florida Highway Patrol) Augustin Lara-Nonez (Photo via Florida Highway Patrol) Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspects listed above should the FHP at 239-938-1800 prompt 3, email FHP, email HerbertHead@flhsmv.gov, or contact Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers. “We are going to do anything and everything we can to locate these individuals and hold them accountable for their actions,” Bueno said. For a complete list of “Most Wanted Fugitives” in Florida, visit the FHP’s website.