Dog alerts Lee County woman to home intruder The Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 22-year-old man for burglary and loitering after he broke into a woman’s home and stood inches away from her bed as she slept.
NAPLES Naples business owner accused of rape In 2023, 14,021 domestic violence 911 calls came into Collier County.
manasota key Charlotte County Commissioners vote ‘Yes’ to changes and redevelopment on Manasota Key The Charlotte County Commissioners voted to pass charges that residents on Manasota Key have been dreading.
The debate over fluoride in Florida’s water The water you drink and use to brush your teeth is fueling a community, state and national conversation.
SANIBEL Phase 2 of Sanibel Beach renourishment project set to begin Eric Jackson, Sanibel’s Public Information Officer, is encouraging residents and visitors to still come to the beach.
NAPLES Riding toward a brighter future for kids: The story of Bikes for Tykes For nearly four decades, Bikes for Tykes has been on a mission to give children and adults in need in Southwest Florida a chance to ride refurbished bicycles.
ENGLEWOOD SWFL agencies bring chaplains on staff to offer support to first responders First responders across the country face the devastating impact of suicide nationwide those numbers are rising.
NORTH FORT MYERS Lee County deputies arrest man for ATV and UTV thefts, fence destruction A North Fort Myers man has been arrested after allegedly stealing a four-wheeler, crashing it into a property fence, and later trying to flee on a second stolen vehicle.
‘I saw God twice:’ Boating accident survivor thanks Lee Health After surviving an unthinkable accident in Matlacha, one woman wants to thank the medical team that saved her.
MATLACHA Blue Dog restaurant in Matlacha thankful for decade of support The Blue Dog Bar & Grill in Matlacha has survived multiple hurricanes over the past decade. Now, they’re thanking the community for supporting them every step of the way.
NAPLES Nominee of Gulfshore Life Men and Women of the year volunteers for STARability Gulfshore Life has nominated Anne Fleming as one of its Men and Women of the Year for volunteering her time to raise money for a new home store for Starability.
WINK NEWS Holiday gift exchange scams targeting social media users During the holiday season, tidings of joy and goodwill can be shrouded by scammers seeking to take advantage of holiday shoppers.
New cancer fighting machinery arrives at Southwest Florida Proton All the pieces are in place now, but it will take about a year of calibrating and fine-tuning before the proton machine is up and running.
Federal investigation involving Sheriff Carmine Marceno and LCSO WINK News has exclusively obtained a letter warning ranking government leaders in Lee County that money trouble could be brewing within the sheriff’s office.
Alfie Oakes staves off farms foreclosure action Farm Credit of Florida has dropped its $2.78 million foreclosure lawsuit against Alfie Oakes after both parties reached an agreement.
Dog alerts Lee County woman to home intruder The Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 22-year-old man for burglary and loitering after he broke into a woman’s home and stood inches away from her bed as she slept.
NAPLES Naples business owner accused of rape In 2023, 14,021 domestic violence 911 calls came into Collier County.
manasota key Charlotte County Commissioners vote ‘Yes’ to changes and redevelopment on Manasota Key The Charlotte County Commissioners voted to pass charges that residents on Manasota Key have been dreading.
The debate over fluoride in Florida’s water The water you drink and use to brush your teeth is fueling a community, state and national conversation.
SANIBEL Phase 2 of Sanibel Beach renourishment project set to begin Eric Jackson, Sanibel’s Public Information Officer, is encouraging residents and visitors to still come to the beach.
NAPLES Riding toward a brighter future for kids: The story of Bikes for Tykes For nearly four decades, Bikes for Tykes has been on a mission to give children and adults in need in Southwest Florida a chance to ride refurbished bicycles.
ENGLEWOOD SWFL agencies bring chaplains on staff to offer support to first responders First responders across the country face the devastating impact of suicide nationwide those numbers are rising.
NORTH FORT MYERS Lee County deputies arrest man for ATV and UTV thefts, fence destruction A North Fort Myers man has been arrested after allegedly stealing a four-wheeler, crashing it into a property fence, and later trying to flee on a second stolen vehicle.
‘I saw God twice:’ Boating accident survivor thanks Lee Health After surviving an unthinkable accident in Matlacha, one woman wants to thank the medical team that saved her.
MATLACHA Blue Dog restaurant in Matlacha thankful for decade of support The Blue Dog Bar & Grill in Matlacha has survived multiple hurricanes over the past decade. Now, they’re thanking the community for supporting them every step of the way.
NAPLES Nominee of Gulfshore Life Men and Women of the year volunteers for STARability Gulfshore Life has nominated Anne Fleming as one of its Men and Women of the Year for volunteering her time to raise money for a new home store for Starability.
WINK NEWS Holiday gift exchange scams targeting social media users During the holiday season, tidings of joy and goodwill can be shrouded by scammers seeking to take advantage of holiday shoppers.
New cancer fighting machinery arrives at Southwest Florida Proton All the pieces are in place now, but it will take about a year of calibrating and fine-tuning before the proton machine is up and running.
Federal investigation involving Sheriff Carmine Marceno and LCSO WINK News has exclusively obtained a letter warning ranking government leaders in Lee County that money trouble could be brewing within the sheriff’s office.
Alfie Oakes staves off farms foreclosure action Farm Credit of Florida has dropped its $2.78 million foreclosure lawsuit against Alfie Oakes after both parties reached an agreement.
Credit: WINK News. The beaches on the coast of Lee County remain closed amid the restrictions set by the state to stop the spread of the coronavirus. And public places, businesses and most areas also remain empty or closed. That’s all positive for what Lee County officials hoped for when they asked residents to stay home over the weekend. The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Monday to approve a resolution adopting measures to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19 to the vulnerable population, limit the gathering of groups of people, limit exposure to people with cold- and flu-like symptoms and provide a means of conducting business for the workforce. The resolution, approved in an emergency meeting, codifies concepts outlined in the Florida Surgeon General’s Public Health Advisory of March 25. The resolution will be posted online at leegov.com. The resolution is not a shelter-in-place order. MORE: Read the Florida Surgeon Generals Advisory here The Board’s resolution supplements communication campaign efforts – both ongoing and previously taken – targeting a reduction in person-to-person contact. Key messages include: social distancing, slow the spread, and stay home. The messaging has been deployed on the county’s website, via social media, at news conferences, in videos, on billboards and other signage such as those outside stadiums. Additionally, the county has conveyed the message to people in Lee County via wireless emergency alerts to cell phones. The messaging is also part of an out-of-area marketing campaign launched through the Visitor & Convention Bureau for prospective visitors to stay home at this time. These efforts have been carried out in tandem with partnering agencies such as the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. The county and LCSO are coordinating and monitoring jointly to identify the effectiveness of the messaging, including LCSO flight videos, deputies on foot, in boats and on all-terrain vehicles. Additionally in last two weeks, the county has shifted many services to online portals, moved much of its workforce out of county buildings and closed libraries, parks facilities, pools, playgrounds, fishing piers, beach parks and restrooms and public lobbies. The county eliminated cash payment on its three tolls bridges and suspended fees for boat-ramp users and LeeTran bus riders. The resolution approved Monday remains in effect until it is repealed or the State of Local Emergency expires. The Lee County Board of Commissioners discussed the state of the virus outbreak and the county and impact it’s having in addition to the resolution. Commissioners said they were happy with the response from community members countywide. Commissioner Frank Mann said Lee County neighbors have done well. Ahead of the meeting, Mann said, “I think the public has done a superb job, but I believe, when we get together tomorrow morning for a meeting, I think we’re going to ask the public to do even more.” Commissioners said there were several options on the table for them to discuss during the meeting, and it was based on on whether or not people here in Lee County are doing a good job social distancing among other guidelines to help lessen the spread of COVID-19. “We have a mandate that we’re going to be entertaining,” Mann said. “We have a resolution, which says strong words” Lee County Sheriff’s Office patrolled and observed the county all weekend to see if people practiced social distancing. If it was positive for good practices, the county could call for further observation before making any further decisions. If deputies gathered negative findings, commissioners could pass a stay-at-home resolution or even a stay-at-home order, which would have more depth. Commissioner Brian Hamman posted on social media this weekend to commend Lee County neighbors for staying at home. “What we’re trying to do is encourage residents to voluntarily stay home and help us limit the spread of COVID-19,” Hamman said. “We think that people have the ability to make good decisions for themselves.” We asked you to stay home and the vast majority listened. Thank you! 🙏 Please keep it up❗ #COVID19 #swfl pic.twitter.com/xnK2bRDuKq — Brian Hamman (@BrianHamman1) March 29, 2020 Commissioner Mann said the main reservations with the stay-at-home order or mandate is enforcement. He said it would be hard for law enforcement to make sure people are abiding by the order. “I don’t know if we’re going to mandate something,” Mann said. “Because, when we mandate, part of the difficulty there is we don’t have a rule book. We don’t have a way for our officers on the street and sheriff deputies out there to be able to determine this car driving in the street, whether they have a legitimate purpose there or not.” Mann said the county will rely on the public to continue to cooperate to make sure everyone stays safe and follows guidelines in place to stop the spread of the coronavirus. “Things that you used to think were so important, they’re not,” Mann said. “This is a matter of life and death we’re talking about”