FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herselfSurrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns
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 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.
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 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.
Ariel view of a home worked on by Campbell Roofing. (Credit: WINK News) At least twenty-four people tell WINK News Campbell Roofing and Sheet Metal took their money and did not complete their jobs. Everett Glover hired the Cape Coral business in September to put new roofs on three condominium buildings. He calls the experience a nightmare. “A lot of sleepless nights and worrying about what’s going to happen if we don’t get roofs on there,” he said. Glover paid almost $56,000, or about two-thirds of the total cost he was quoted. He says Campbell Roofing ripped off all three roofs, placed shingles on one and stopped showing up. Now, he says, some of the buildings are leaking. Glover said owner Joshua Campbell never answers or returns calls, forcing him to hire a lawyer. He also reported Campbell to state agencies. “I don’t think the systems working fast enough or working at all at this point, which is why I reached out to you guys,” Glover said. In multiple cases, clients say Campbell Roofing and Sheet Metal took money and never touched the roof. Larry Stone of Naples paid Campbell almost $24,000 in September 2018 and said no work was done. Sam Azraqi of Naples paid Campbell $19,400 by September 2018 and said no work was done. Kathy Myher of Naples paid Campbell $19,400 by September 2018 and said no work was done. “He’s just taking everyone’s money and not doing the work, and nobody’s doing anything about it,” Myhre said. Kim Wright of Naples said Campbell has $39,000 of her money that the company won’t return. Lori Tyll of Naples paid Campbell almost $50,000. She said by July 2018, they completed a tear off and stopped showing up. “It’s sad what he did. Took all our money and never finished the job,” she explained. Melissa Spaich, Annette Dedio and Marc Schnee said their jobs were started, but abandoned. Some clients have since fired Campbell Roofing. All are demanding refunds, several via lawsuits. Josh Campbell told WINK over the phone that people embezzled from him, that he’s chipping away at the jobs and not taking on any new work. DISCIPLINE In the past fifteen years, the DBPR has fined owner Josh Campbell, put him on probation and even suspended him. The State Attorney General’s Office told WINK they have an active consumer investigation into Campbell Roofing and Sheet Metal. Charlotte County said in August 2008, Campbell was brought before the Board for 6 counts of failing to obtain final inspections on 6 permits. In May 2009, his permitting privileges were revoked for the same offense, but for 12 counts. In February 2011, Campbell requested and received his permitting privileges restored. Last month, the Lynn Haven Police Department in Bay County charged Campbell with grand theft stemming from a roofing job. He was arrested, bonded out, and the case is pending. HOW TO BACKGROUND Before hiring a contractor, consumers should verify the contractor is both registered and licensed. Closed contractor complaints with the DBPR are posted with the license information. The county clerk’s web site will post lawsuits, small claims cases and charges. Contractor complaints can also be filed at various levels. At the state level, consumers can report issues to the State Attorney General and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The DBPR says local jurisdictions also have disciplinary authority over state registered contractors per s.489.131(7), Florida Statutes. In addition, local jurisdictions have disciplinary authority to suspend the permits and permitting privileges of certified contractors for willful code violations and fraud per s.489.113(4), Florida Statutes. Law enforcement agencies may also have an economic crimes unit where consumer can report concerns. Clients who lose money may also apply for the state recovery fund. In 2017-2018, The Department of Business and Professional Regulation tells us they received 139 claims. Of that number, 77 of those claims were eligible. Of the eligible claims, 44 of them were awarded money and the average claim pay out was $35,660.85. The Florida Legislature appropriated $5.5 million dollars which was available for consumers during the 2017-18 fiscal year. The amount varies from year to year depending on how much the legislature decides to appropriate.