New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashesNew leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans
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.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
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.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal The city of Cape Coral is seeing two projects that will change the city. One is called one of the most lucrative deals in county history.
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association breaks ground on new Fort Myers headquarters As Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association’s president pointed out, about 1,000 people are still moving to Florida every day, and many of them are finding their way to Southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County drug trafficker sentenced to 10 years A Charlotte County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
lehigh acres ‘How to sign away parental rights?’; Lehigh Acres woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby.
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.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
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.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal The city of Cape Coral is seeing two projects that will change the city. One is called one of the most lucrative deals in county history.
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association breaks ground on new Fort Myers headquarters As Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association’s president pointed out, about 1,000 people are still moving to Florida every day, and many of them are finding their way to Southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County drug trafficker sentenced to 10 years A Charlotte County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
lehigh acres ‘How to sign away parental rights?’; Lehigh Acres woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby.
(Center) Sheriff Kevin J. Rambosk is recognized by Florida Sheriffs Association for the design of his deputy driving course and initiative to reduce deputy-involved traffic incidents, thus making roadways safer on the roads his deputies work to keep safe. Credit: Florida Sheriffs Association. Wearing a badge means sometimes you have take out the bad guys on the road. Deputies in Missouri recently stopped a driver from seriously injuring Super Bowl fans gathering to celebrate the Kansas City Chiefs win a few weeks ago. But not every day behind the wheel is like that. Law enforcement officers can also find themselves in traffic incidents themselves, so a sheriff in Southwest Florida designed a course to help deputies continue to always be alert, ready and improve all-around safety on the road. Rich Kolko, WINK News Safety & Security Specialist, went on a drive recently to see how Collier County Sheriff’s Office is working to keep everyone safer on the road. January 2011, a distracted Collier County deputy looking at his computer caused a three-car crash. November 2017, another deputy who investigators say didn’t pay attention to a red light crashed into a car, sending two people to the hospital. Those are just two examples that put deputies and drivers at risk. “We had an increase in at-fault crashes, and the task was to find a way to reduce to the crashes,” said CCSO Lt. J.J. Carroll, the district commander and driving adviser. So Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk decided to act, introducing a driving course to generate better training and safer roads. “We put together a training program,” Rambosk said. “And it really looks at some distracted driving information and awareness.” In Florida’s police academy, officers go through 48 hours of driving instruction to earn their badge. They aren’t required to brush up on their skills after that. But, now, Sheriff Rambosk makes his deputies buckle up and complete the CCSO course. “We try to go back to the basics for driving,” Rambosk said. Sheriff Rambosk wants all deputies through the program in 16 months, and they are on schedule. After that, they will evaluate crash records, adjust the class and start over. The course involves sharp turns, backup drills, evasive action and hard braking. Recently, Florida Sheriffs Association recognized Sheriff Rambosk for his work developing the course and for producing the largest percentage drop of crashes in the state. (Center) Sheriff Kevin J. Rambosk is recognized by Florida Sheriffs Association for the design of his deputy driving course and initiative to reduce deputy-involved traffic incidents, thus making roadways safer on the roads his deputies work to keep safe. Credit: Florida Sheriffs Association. The sheriff’s office says, in 2018, there were 200 deputy-involved crashes. In 2019, after driving school started, those numbers dropped to 148. And CCSO says its deputies collectively drive more than 9.5 million miles per year. “The most important thing is we don’t have deputies getting hurt; we don’t have citizens getting hurt from crashes; and reducing the cost,” Rambosk said.