NORTH FORT MYERS Lee County residents wait hours for D-SNAP assistance The supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) is at the Lee Civic Center all weekend, ready to help southwest Florida.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA First eaglet hatches in famous SWFL eagle nest Welcome E24! The third eaglet from the nest of M15 and F23 has hatched according to the Southwest Florida eagle camera.
lehigh acres LCSO: Lehigh Acres shooting investigation underway The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting in Lehigh Acres early Saturday morning.
Rock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for Palestine A Southwest Florida non-profit hosted a benefit concert on Friday night to help with humanitarian aid in Palestine.
Warm, breezy Saturday with a few showers possible The Weather Authority is forecasting a breezy, warm weekend in store across Southwest Florida, with the chance of a few showers, particularly on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Active investigation underway in South Cape Coral Cape Coral police are investigating at a home on Southwest 49th Terrace in South Cape Coral early Saturday morning.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
NORTH FORT MYERS Lee County residents wait hours for D-SNAP assistance The supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) is at the Lee Civic Center all weekend, ready to help southwest Florida.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA First eaglet hatches in famous SWFL eagle nest Welcome E24! The third eaglet from the nest of M15 and F23 has hatched according to the Southwest Florida eagle camera.
lehigh acres LCSO: Lehigh Acres shooting investigation underway The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting in Lehigh Acres early Saturday morning.
Rock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for Palestine A Southwest Florida non-profit hosted a benefit concert on Friday night to help with humanitarian aid in Palestine.
Warm, breezy Saturday with a few showers possible The Weather Authority is forecasting a breezy, warm weekend in store across Southwest Florida, with the chance of a few showers, particularly on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Active investigation underway in South Cape Coral Cape Coral police are investigating at a home on Southwest 49th Terrace in South Cape Coral early Saturday morning.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Credit: WINK News. County officials say there are tens of thousands of drivers on the road in Lee County who should not be sitting behind the wheel. Every day, they break the law, put public safety at risk and cost the county millions of dollars. This was an issue and concern for counties addressed by state lawmakers during 2019 legislative session, so the state passed into law a requirement that clerks of court establish a driver license reinstatement days program. Lee County told us 62,000 drivers in Lee County should not be on the road due to a suspended license. That’s almost as many people who live in Fort Myers. “It’s astronomical,” Joelle Ruotsinoja said. “Kind of makes me wonder how it’s actually happening.” Linda Doggett, Lee County clerk of court, told us those 62,000 people have suspended licenses due to running tolls, not paying fines and more. “What used to be a $2 fine is now a $200 fine because of all the fees that have been added to the violation over time,” Doggett said. That adds up to $40 million dollars that these tens of thousands of people owe Lee County. “You just kind of have to wonder who the people are that are responsible for making sure that the debts are collected,” Ruotsinoja said. Insurance companies can drop drivers with suspended licenses, putting everyone else on the road at risk. “So if they go out and cause catastrophic damage to your property or worse your life or the life of your loved ones, then there is no protection for you,” said Jason Leonard, a personal injury lawyer. “Because they chose not to follow the law and be responsible.” And, of course, a driver caught on the road by law enforcement is in trouble of ending up behind bars. “Anybody who drives without a license is a safety issue,” said Sgt. Patrick O’Grady with Cape Coral Police Department. “Because if you get into a crash, you’re an unlicensed driver, that puts you in a potential for going to jail.” DRIVER LICENSE REINSTATEMENT DAYS To respond to the large numbers of drivers reportedly on the road when they shouldn’t be, Lee Clerk is bringing back “Operation Green Light,” which would help reduce the fine and reinstate driver’s licenses. The project is set to begin Saturday, Oct. 12 at the Lee Clerk office. The operation continues the following week at both the clerk of courts and Lee County government center in Cape Coral. Both Collier an Charlotte County have “Operation Green Light” days scheduled as well. Qualifying Cases Driving without a valid driver license Driving with a suspended driver license Failing to make a payment on penalties in collection Failing to appear in court on a traffic violation Failing to comply with any provision of chapter 318 or chapter 322 Non-Qualifying Cases Court-ordered child support obligations DUI offenses Habitual traffic offenders Traffic related felonies Failures to complete driver improvement course, substance/alcohol abuse course (Unless proof of course completion is provided) Ruotsinoja hopes all 62,000 drivers in Lee County with a suspended license take advantage of this program. “The idea that someone could hit me and be uninsured and take out my vehicle, which is ultimately my source of work, is frightening,” Ruotsinoja said. MORE: Get License Back, Save Money On Fees Operation Green Light Days By CountyÂ