City of Cape Coral offers free Wi-Fi at select public parksCity Takers director speaks on how he helps troubled youth
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral offers free Wi-Fi at select public parks The City of Cape Coral has announced that free Wi-Fi will be available at selected parks.
fort myers City Takers director speaks on how he helps troubled youth Through love and care for his community, one Southwest Florida man has created a program aimed at helping troubled youths in need.
Some flight cancelations loom over RSW as severe weather approaches parts of US Holiday travel continues for many; however, due to severe weather in the eastern and southern United States, some flights have either been delayed or canceled.
36th critically endangered Florida panther death in 2024; struck by vehicle in Lee County A vehicle in Lee County claimed the life of a critically endangered Florida panther, marking the 36th death recorded in 2024.
the weather authority Increasing humidity, rain chances this weekend The Weather Authority is tracking increased humidity and higher rain chances this weekend.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral homeowner suing LCEC over damage from Milton A Cape Coral homeowner is taking Lee County Electric Cooperative to court after losing their home in Hurricane Milton.
CHARLOTTE HARBOR Local barbershop to hold fundraiser for fallen Charlotte County Sergeant Pioneer Cuts Barber Shop in Port Charlotte will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from every customer who comes in on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Fire ignites in Cape Coral garage Authorities are responding to a house fire that ignited Friday night at a home in Cape Coral.
NAPLES Ciro Dominguez: wrap up of first year as Naples police chief Chief of Naples Police Department Ciro Dominguez started his law enforcement career at the NPD in 1982.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Where does the money go? $85 Million donation boosts non-profits in SWFL Last month billionaire Tom Golisano gave 41 of our non-profits a total of $85 million.
PORT CHARLOTTE FWC making progress in removing boats; neighbors aren’t convinced Derelict boats are still scattered in places like North Fort Myers, Fisherman’s Village in Punta Gorda or the Port Charlotte Beach Park.
A look back on some ‘miracle moments’ from 2024 Throughout the year, Wink News anchor Amanda Hall introduced us to dozens of kids persevering through illnesses and injuries. They’re our “Miracle moments.”
Updates on repairs to wall damaged by I-75 plane crash in February A grim reminder of a tragedy that hit Southwest Florida may soon go away.
Breast cancer treatment side effect for women of color Women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer often face many side effects. One, called neuropathy, causes extreme pain and research shows it happens more often to Black women.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Top 5 influential medical stories of 2024 This past year saw several major milestones, some of which involved a great deal of money- that impacted the health of our community.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral offers free Wi-Fi at select public parks The City of Cape Coral has announced that free Wi-Fi will be available at selected parks.
fort myers City Takers director speaks on how he helps troubled youth Through love and care for his community, one Southwest Florida man has created a program aimed at helping troubled youths in need.
Some flight cancelations loom over RSW as severe weather approaches parts of US Holiday travel continues for many; however, due to severe weather in the eastern and southern United States, some flights have either been delayed or canceled.
36th critically endangered Florida panther death in 2024; struck by vehicle in Lee County A vehicle in Lee County claimed the life of a critically endangered Florida panther, marking the 36th death recorded in 2024.
the weather authority Increasing humidity, rain chances this weekend The Weather Authority is tracking increased humidity and higher rain chances this weekend.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral homeowner suing LCEC over damage from Milton A Cape Coral homeowner is taking Lee County Electric Cooperative to court after losing their home in Hurricane Milton.
CHARLOTTE HARBOR Local barbershop to hold fundraiser for fallen Charlotte County Sergeant Pioneer Cuts Barber Shop in Port Charlotte will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from every customer who comes in on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Fire ignites in Cape Coral garage Authorities are responding to a house fire that ignited Friday night at a home in Cape Coral.
NAPLES Ciro Dominguez: wrap up of first year as Naples police chief Chief of Naples Police Department Ciro Dominguez started his law enforcement career at the NPD in 1982.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Where does the money go? $85 Million donation boosts non-profits in SWFL Last month billionaire Tom Golisano gave 41 of our non-profits a total of $85 million.
PORT CHARLOTTE FWC making progress in removing boats; neighbors aren’t convinced Derelict boats are still scattered in places like North Fort Myers, Fisherman’s Village in Punta Gorda or the Port Charlotte Beach Park.
A look back on some ‘miracle moments’ from 2024 Throughout the year, Wink News anchor Amanda Hall introduced us to dozens of kids persevering through illnesses and injuries. They’re our “Miracle moments.”
Updates on repairs to wall damaged by I-75 plane crash in February A grim reminder of a tragedy that hit Southwest Florida may soon go away.
Breast cancer treatment side effect for women of color Women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer often face many side effects. One, called neuropathy, causes extreme pain and research shows it happens more often to Black women.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Top 5 influential medical stories of 2024 This past year saw several major milestones, some of which involved a great deal of money- that impacted the health of our community.
House with hurricane protection on the garage. (Credit: WINK News) Jan Haley lives in South Fort Myers for the landscape and lifestyle. “I love the weather, I love the beautiful flowers,” Haley said. But she knows with the tropical climate, comes hurricanes. That’s why replacing her broken hurricane shutter was important. She said she called FLA Hurricane Protection LLC to do the job. “They came out and… [I] decided to go with the bi-fold shutter,” Haley said. Haley showed us a payment to owner Devin Dobbins for $900 or fifty percent of the job. But, Dobbins didn’t deliver. Haley says she called and texted him, but excuses were the only thing she got. “I tried taking care of it myself,” Haley said. “But I’m very happy that you guys [WINK News] are helping out.” To to install hurricane shutters, a person either needs to be the homeowner with the proper permits and drawings, or have a license, which Dobbins doesn’t have. The “license” number he displayed on his business card is an identification number related to his LLC or business filing. This information does not indicate whether or not someone is qualified to do a job. Through court records, we found two other people who shared a similar experience to Haley. They’ve both filed civil lawsuits with claims totaling $4,785.00; one is pending and one has a judgment against Dobbins. While Dobbins refused an on-camera interview, he told us over the phone that he made a mistake and that he’s sorry. He added that Haley will get her check the last week of August, and the other two people will receive their money via monthly installments. WINK News will provide an update if that happens. “If the storms come – I’ll need it [the money],” Haley said. Where to find the information Before hiring someone, consumers should find out if the person needs a license to do the job and who licenses them. Some are issued at the state level, while others can be certified locally. When it comes to hurricane shutters, it can be both. For example, Collier County told WINK that a variety of licenses would qualify someone to do this line of work. They include a general contractor, building contractor, residential contractor, aluminum or aluminum specialty contractor and a hurricane shutter/ awning contractor. In Charlotte County, the licenses that can pull this type of permit include a certified building, certified general, certified residential, certified specialty structure, registered building, registered general, registered residential and local aluminium. To verify a state contractor, you can search for a licensee on The Department of Business and Professional Regulation site. Closed complaint information may also be posted here. To verify a local contractor, you can either call the city or county office, or search online. Lee County Contractor Licensing 239-533-8895 contractorlicensing@leegov.com Charlotte County Contractor Licensing 941-743-1201 ContractorLicensing@CharlotteCountyFL.gov Collier County Contractor Licensing (239) 252-2431 contractorslicensing@colliercountyfl.gov Cape Coral Contractor Licensing (239) 574-0430 licensing@capecoral.net Lawsuits, like the ones WINK found, can be looked up on the county clerk of court web sites: Lee County; Collier County; and Charlotte County.