Lehigh Acres roads covered in graffiti and broken glassCaught on Camera: Charlotte County deputy SUV rolls over
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh Acres roads covered in graffiti and broken glass If you travel to Lehigh Acres, some of the streets aren’t clean. You might notice paint splattering the roads and vandals behind the mess. It’s not just paint but broken glass, too.
PORT CHARLOTTE Caught on Camera: Charlotte County deputy SUV rolls over A Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office vehicle was seen rolling over on a road in Port Charlotte.
FORT MYERS City of Fort Myers spends millions to improve digital infrastructure The City of Fort Myers is spending nearly $8 million to improve its digital infrastructure.
FORT MYERS Wade Wilson’s automatic death penalty appeal begins The man convicted and sentenced to death for the killing of two Cape Coral women has begun his first of many appeals to the death sentence he got last year.
Photo shows SWFL teens hit in New Orleans terrorist attack reunited in hospital The grandfather of one of the teens struck by a truck in a New Orleans terrorist attack has released a picture of the teens sharing an emotional moment in the hospital.
FORT MYERS Goodbye mocking bird, hello flamingo? A bill to change the official state bird has been filed in the Florida House of Representatives.
Charlotte County projects $362M cost from Hurricane Ian As Charlotte County officials await cost estimates from the impacts of 2024 hurricanes Helene and Milton, the county is already reeling from the $362,021,150 cost of Hurricane Ian in 2022.
CAPE CORAL Final report reveals cause of February airplane crash in Cape Coral The National Transportation Safety Board has released the cause of the airplane crash that occurred in Cape Coral in February.
VANDERBILT BEACH Collier County issues red tide alert for beaches If you’re thinking of heading to the beach in Collier County, heed this warning.
LCSO nonprofit plans to rezone 10 acres of North Fort Myers riverfront for deputy homes The story of Home Front Heroes so far spans three years and has connections to tens of thousands of dollars in political donations.
Final day approaches to apply for FEMA hurricane assistance Those affected by the 2024 hurricane season have until Tuesday to apply for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
San Carlos Park Lee County students ride school bus for first time after lengthy district battle For the first time this school year, a local mother can put her children on an actual school bus to get to class.
LEHIGH ACRES 2 women wanted for theft at Family Dollar in Lehigh Acres According to Crime Stoppers, two women entered Bell Boulevard on Dec. 18 and requested to purchase a $490 digital gift card.
NAPLES St. Matthew’s House continues to open shelters due to cold weather St. Matthew’s House announced it will continue to keep its two emergency shelters open tonight and through the week.
Southwest Florida International Airport Cancellations and delays at RSW amid US winter storm Southwest Florida International Airport travelers are bracing against delays and cancelations due to dangerous winter conditions throughout the United States.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh Acres roads covered in graffiti and broken glass If you travel to Lehigh Acres, some of the streets aren’t clean. You might notice paint splattering the roads and vandals behind the mess. It’s not just paint but broken glass, too.
PORT CHARLOTTE Caught on Camera: Charlotte County deputy SUV rolls over A Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office vehicle was seen rolling over on a road in Port Charlotte.
FORT MYERS City of Fort Myers spends millions to improve digital infrastructure The City of Fort Myers is spending nearly $8 million to improve its digital infrastructure.
FORT MYERS Wade Wilson’s automatic death penalty appeal begins The man convicted and sentenced to death for the killing of two Cape Coral women has begun his first of many appeals to the death sentence he got last year.
Photo shows SWFL teens hit in New Orleans terrorist attack reunited in hospital The grandfather of one of the teens struck by a truck in a New Orleans terrorist attack has released a picture of the teens sharing an emotional moment in the hospital.
FORT MYERS Goodbye mocking bird, hello flamingo? A bill to change the official state bird has been filed in the Florida House of Representatives.
Charlotte County projects $362M cost from Hurricane Ian As Charlotte County officials await cost estimates from the impacts of 2024 hurricanes Helene and Milton, the county is already reeling from the $362,021,150 cost of Hurricane Ian in 2022.
CAPE CORAL Final report reveals cause of February airplane crash in Cape Coral The National Transportation Safety Board has released the cause of the airplane crash that occurred in Cape Coral in February.
VANDERBILT BEACH Collier County issues red tide alert for beaches If you’re thinking of heading to the beach in Collier County, heed this warning.
LCSO nonprofit plans to rezone 10 acres of North Fort Myers riverfront for deputy homes The story of Home Front Heroes so far spans three years and has connections to tens of thousands of dollars in political donations.
Final day approaches to apply for FEMA hurricane assistance Those affected by the 2024 hurricane season have until Tuesday to apply for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
San Carlos Park Lee County students ride school bus for first time after lengthy district battle For the first time this school year, a local mother can put her children on an actual school bus to get to class.
LEHIGH ACRES 2 women wanted for theft at Family Dollar in Lehigh Acres According to Crime Stoppers, two women entered Bell Boulevard on Dec. 18 and requested to purchase a $490 digital gift card.
NAPLES St. Matthew’s House continues to open shelters due to cold weather St. Matthew’s House announced it will continue to keep its two emergency shelters open tonight and through the week.
Southwest Florida International Airport Cancellations and delays at RSW amid US winter storm Southwest Florida International Airport travelers are bracing against delays and cancelations due to dangerous winter conditions throughout the United States.
Seal of the School District of Lee County. Credit: WINK News. Millions of dollars possibly wasted. A second school board member now wants an outside organization to investigate how the School District of Lee County is spending your money. Last week, we told you Melisa Giovannelli called for the investigation. But then backed down. Now, fellow School District of Lee County Board Member Betsy Vaughn is backing her. The School District of Lee County continues to face immense pressure from some board members. The million dollar question is whether the district needed to spend $3.9 million on a mold remediation project in 2017. “If there is no problem, let’s lay this to rest once and for all,” Vaughn said, “because it doesn’t do the school district any good.” Vaughn fears a lot of the work being outsourced could have been done in house by their employees. Concerned parent and taxpayer, Carl Ratliff, said if one school board member has concerns that are good enough for him to hire outside counsel. “It’s hard to police yourself,” Ratliff said. “You’re going to have to have somebody come from the outside that’s not going to have an opinion one way or the other.” School District of Lee County Board Member Chris Patricca is against an investigation and said none of us are experts at mold remediation. The district will not go on camera, but it said they are outsourcing the work cuts down on liability. “I’m not even saying it’s hiding,” Vaughn said. “It could be or it could just be shotty bookkeeping…” The district is already in trouble with the state over a maintenance contract. An audit found the district has not provided enough documentation proving it needs to spend this much money, as well as using the wrong funds. “If there is a mistake, then let’s get better people,” Vaughn said. “Let’s get people that won’t make these mistakes.” That is why Ratliff, a businessperson himself, said it is always smarter to do more work yourself. “They should have their own maintenance crew do as much of the work as possible to avoid outside issue,” Ratliff said. “Keep better tabs on it.” Auditors from the state will be here next week to do another audit. Chairperson Gwyn Gittens told WINK News she wants to wait until that is done to decide on whether an outside counsel is needed. The school district has until May 31 to prove to the state the audit is wrong.