LCSO Deputies save man from burning homeStalking charges dropped against Bonita jeweler who had accusations against Marceno
NORTH FORT MYERS LCSO Deputies save man from burning home A dramatic rescue unfolded in North Fort Myers as deputies from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office saved a disabled man from a burning home.
Stalking charges dropped against Bonita jeweler who had accusations against Marceno A man at the center of accusations against the Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno won’t be charged in a separate case.
SANIBEL Historic Bailey’s Store in Sanibel plans comeback after storms Bailey’s General Store, a beloved Sanibel institution since the 1800s, is making a comeback after suffering significant damage from recent hurricanes.
ENGLEWOOD Lemon Bay High’s programs drive 98% graduation rate Lemon Bay High School in Englewood boasts an impressive 98% graduation rate, surpassing the state’s nearly 90% rate.
FORT MYERS Bishop Verot grad celebrates national title with Ohio State Former Bishop Verot safety Leroy Roker wins the national championship with Ohio State.
DORAL House Republicans focus on Trump agenda at annual retreat in Doral U.S. House Republicans have gathered at Trump National Doral for their annual retreat, known as the “Issues Conference.”
GAINESVILLE UF Title IX investigation into Todd Golden closed Title IX investigation into Florida Gators men’s basketball head coach is closed after the university found “no evidence” of a Title IX violation.
New surgical robot helps patients recover faster Robot-assisted surgeries are transforming the operating room by turning major operations into smaller, less invasive procedures.
TALLAHASSEE Lawmakers cancel special session called by Gov. DeSantis There was some chaos and defiance earlier this morning as a special session got underway in Tallahassee.
Sugarshack Downtown music venue goes live in Bonita Springs Following a series of private invitation-only events, the live music venue with a full-service restaurant and bars launches to the general public Jan. 31 across Old 41 Road from the city’s Riverside Park bandshell. A grand opening celebration is planned in early February.
Foxtail Coffee Co., Eagle Specialty Coffee open in Cape Coral The two coffee shops are almost identical in size, shape and layout. Both rely on drive-thru windows for more than half their business. Both are located off Pine Island Road in Cape Coral, and both are part of relatively small companies when compared to the behemoth that’s located roughly halfway between them.
Jury selection begins for Charlotte County teen accused of murdering his mother Jury selection begins for the 17-year-old accused of killing his mother, who could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted.
PUNTA GORDA Quarter auction to benefit Sgt. Elio Diaz in Punta Gorda There will be a quarterly auction in Punta Gorda to benefit Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz, who died last year while conducting a traffic stop.
Charlotte deputies searching for armed suspect on the run The hunt is on for a suspect who fled from Charlotte County deputies when they went to arrest him on a Sarasota warrant on Sunday.
FORT MYERS Lee Health holds groundbreaking ceremony in Fort Myers Lee Health is expanding its reach and held an event for a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Fort Myers campus.
NORTH FORT MYERS LCSO Deputies save man from burning home A dramatic rescue unfolded in North Fort Myers as deputies from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office saved a disabled man from a burning home.
Stalking charges dropped against Bonita jeweler who had accusations against Marceno A man at the center of accusations against the Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno won’t be charged in a separate case.
SANIBEL Historic Bailey’s Store in Sanibel plans comeback after storms Bailey’s General Store, a beloved Sanibel institution since the 1800s, is making a comeback after suffering significant damage from recent hurricanes.
ENGLEWOOD Lemon Bay High’s programs drive 98% graduation rate Lemon Bay High School in Englewood boasts an impressive 98% graduation rate, surpassing the state’s nearly 90% rate.
FORT MYERS Bishop Verot grad celebrates national title with Ohio State Former Bishop Verot safety Leroy Roker wins the national championship with Ohio State.
DORAL House Republicans focus on Trump agenda at annual retreat in Doral U.S. House Republicans have gathered at Trump National Doral for their annual retreat, known as the “Issues Conference.”
GAINESVILLE UF Title IX investigation into Todd Golden closed Title IX investigation into Florida Gators men’s basketball head coach is closed after the university found “no evidence” of a Title IX violation.
New surgical robot helps patients recover faster Robot-assisted surgeries are transforming the operating room by turning major operations into smaller, less invasive procedures.
TALLAHASSEE Lawmakers cancel special session called by Gov. DeSantis There was some chaos and defiance earlier this morning as a special session got underway in Tallahassee.
Sugarshack Downtown music venue goes live in Bonita Springs Following a series of private invitation-only events, the live music venue with a full-service restaurant and bars launches to the general public Jan. 31 across Old 41 Road from the city’s Riverside Park bandshell. A grand opening celebration is planned in early February.
Foxtail Coffee Co., Eagle Specialty Coffee open in Cape Coral The two coffee shops are almost identical in size, shape and layout. Both rely on drive-thru windows for more than half their business. Both are located off Pine Island Road in Cape Coral, and both are part of relatively small companies when compared to the behemoth that’s located roughly halfway between them.
Jury selection begins for Charlotte County teen accused of murdering his mother Jury selection begins for the 17-year-old accused of killing his mother, who could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted.
PUNTA GORDA Quarter auction to benefit Sgt. Elio Diaz in Punta Gorda There will be a quarterly auction in Punta Gorda to benefit Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz, who died last year while conducting a traffic stop.
Charlotte deputies searching for armed suspect on the run The hunt is on for a suspect who fled from Charlotte County deputies when they went to arrest him on a Sarasota warrant on Sunday.
FORT MYERS Lee Health holds groundbreaking ceremony in Fort Myers Lee Health is expanding its reach and held an event for a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Fort Myers campus.
FILE: Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez throws to a San Francisco Giants batter during the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019, in San Francisco. The Pirates won 6-3. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez is facing multiple charges in three counties and two states. Wednesday morning a news conference from Pennsylvania State Police was held on the case against MLB pitcher Felipe Vazquez. “It’s appalling and disgusting and it’s sad that things like this happen,” said Trooper Steve Limani with the Pennsylvania State Police Department. PA State Police charged Vazquez Wednesday with statutory sexual assault and unlawful contact with a minor and other unspecified related felony charges in the state. “There was sexual contact that took place, intercourse, that took place,” said Limani. Vazquez told investigators he originally refused to talk to the 13-year-old girl who reached out to him on social media because “the victim looked too young and that she appeared to be 16 years of age or younger.” However, troopers say Vazquez later admitted to driving to the 13-year-old’s house near Scottdale, a town 50 minutes outside of Pittsburgh, where he “advised the two of them began to have sexual intercourse inside of his vehicle.” Vazques later stopped and told the victim he had to leave because he had a game that night. “Right now we believe there was only one physical contact between the two of them,” said Limani. But investigators say text messages between the two suggest he wanted to make plans to meet up for sex again in Florida when his season ended. WINK News has the criminal complaint from August 2017 where Vazquez admits to having sex with a girl and sending her text messages that are too explicit to describe. The allegations against him in Lee County are brought to light by the teen’s concerned mom. The charges include computer pornography, solicitation of a child, and one count of providing obscene material to minors. Police confirmed the images were Vazquez’s when they noticed distinct tattoos on Vazquez that they also found in photos and videos he sent to the girl. The girl told investigators this relationship has been going on for years and they met at the Pittsburgh Pirates home field in Pittsburgh. So far, the only comment made by Vazquez is through his attorney saying that they are reviewing the charges and it is too early to comment. As of now he hasn’t entered a not guilty plea yet. The Pirates responded immediately releasing this statement: “Today we were made aware of an active law enforcement investigation involving Felipe Vázquez and his subsequent arrest. We take this matter, and these charges in particular, extremely seriously. We have informed the Commissioner’s Office of the investigation and arrest. The Commissioner’s Office will immediately place Felipe Vázquez on Administrative Leave (and, as a result, Restricted List) pursuant to the Joint MLB/MLBPA Policy. We need to be respectful to all involved and the ongoing legal proceeding. As a result, the organization, our staff and players cannot comment any further at this time.” He is currently on leave and will remain there for 7 days, but the players union can also choose to extend that. Vazquez will still be paid, but the pirates could try to void his $22-million contract. Pirates manager, Clint Hurdle says they has been a shock for the whole team. A lot of different emotions were stirred up today, in a lot of different places. But how do we connect and support our way through those emotions? We’ve gone through the storm together and now how are we going to get on the other side of it together? Following the arrest, the team removed all signs and banners at their ballpark and cleaned out his locker. Right now, Vazquez is locked up in Pittsburgh and the Allegheny County jail he is in will not release a mugshot because he was arrested on a Lee County warrant. When Vazquez is extradited back here to Lee County he’ll be transported to the Lee County jail. A hearing for his extradition has already been schedule for next Wednesday.