Lee County Sheriff’s Deputies investigating North Fort Myers shootingBishop of the Diocese of Venice releases statement following sexual abuse allegations by SWFL priest
NORTH FORT MYERS Lee County Sheriff’s Deputies investigating North Fort Myers shooting A shooting investigation is underway in North Fort Myers.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Bishop of the Diocese of Venice releases statement following sexual abuse allegations by SWFL priest The Bishop of the Diocese of Venice is speaking out after Charlotte County Reverend Leo Riley was arrested on five counts of sexual battery stemming from his past work as a priest in Iowa.
NEW YORK (AP) Biden officials indefinitely postpone ban on menthol cigarettes amid election-year pushback President Joe Biden’s administration is indefinitely delaying a long-awaited menthol cigarette ban, a decision that infuriated anti-smoking advocates but could avoid a political backlash from Black voters in November.
FORT MYERS Gone but not forgotten: Traveling Vietnam Memorial pays tribute to veterans A powerful symbol of honor and remembrance is standing proudly here in Southwest Florida. The Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall is open to the public, a reminder of those we lost who served our country.
LEE COUNTY Two arrested for street racing in Lee County Two people have been arrested for street racing in Lee County according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
CAPE CORAL Boaters with rifles seen in Cape Coral canal On an average day, it’s pretty common to see people fishing or swimming in a canal. One neighbor in Cape Coral saw something unusual in his backyard Friday afternoon.
FORT MYERS Car flips, one sent to hospital after two car crash in Fort Myers A crash involving at least two vehicles sent one person to the hospital.
The Weather Authority: Clouds, sunshine, wind, and the possibility of a brief shower for your Sunday Clouds and occasional sunshine this Sunday. A few brief showers are possible late in the afternoon and this evening.
TALLAHASSEE (CBS) Governor DeSantis signs AI and vape bills Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed 28 bills, including a measure requiring disclaimers on certain political ads created using artificial intelligence and a bill about regulation of vape products.
ESTERO Gold Star Golf Tournament honors fallen veteran Behind each putt and swing of a golf club at the Gold Star Golf Tournament is someone who knew John Wirka Junior.
NEW YORK (AP) How TikTok grew from a fun app for teens into a potential national security threat If it feels like TikTok has been around forever, that’s probably because it has, at least if you’re measuring via internet time. What’s now in question is whether it will be around much longer and, if so, in what form?
FORT MYERS Man wanted for armed robbery at Fort Myers convenience store Crime Stoppers is asking the public for help identifying an armed robber who held up a convenience store Saturday morning.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: Rifles, inappropriate texts and Donut shop debacle This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a scary mall trip, an inappropriate coach, and a Dunkin Donuts assault.
The Weather Authority: Sunny Saturday with a nice breeze; fire danger increases Warm temperatures for your Saturday with a nice breeze into the afternoon.
NORTH NAPLES Senior Airman surprises cousin on Aubrey Rogers softball senior night Aubrey Rogers senior pitcher and infielder McKenzie Vargas was surprised by her Air Force cousin for Senior Night.
NORTH FORT MYERS Lee County Sheriff’s Deputies investigating North Fort Myers shooting A shooting investigation is underway in North Fort Myers.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Bishop of the Diocese of Venice releases statement following sexual abuse allegations by SWFL priest The Bishop of the Diocese of Venice is speaking out after Charlotte County Reverend Leo Riley was arrested on five counts of sexual battery stemming from his past work as a priest in Iowa.
NEW YORK (AP) Biden officials indefinitely postpone ban on menthol cigarettes amid election-year pushback President Joe Biden’s administration is indefinitely delaying a long-awaited menthol cigarette ban, a decision that infuriated anti-smoking advocates but could avoid a political backlash from Black voters in November.
FORT MYERS Gone but not forgotten: Traveling Vietnam Memorial pays tribute to veterans A powerful symbol of honor and remembrance is standing proudly here in Southwest Florida. The Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall is open to the public, a reminder of those we lost who served our country.
LEE COUNTY Two arrested for street racing in Lee County Two people have been arrested for street racing in Lee County according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
CAPE CORAL Boaters with rifles seen in Cape Coral canal On an average day, it’s pretty common to see people fishing or swimming in a canal. One neighbor in Cape Coral saw something unusual in his backyard Friday afternoon.
FORT MYERS Car flips, one sent to hospital after two car crash in Fort Myers A crash involving at least two vehicles sent one person to the hospital.
The Weather Authority: Clouds, sunshine, wind, and the possibility of a brief shower for your Sunday Clouds and occasional sunshine this Sunday. A few brief showers are possible late in the afternoon and this evening.
TALLAHASSEE (CBS) Governor DeSantis signs AI and vape bills Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed 28 bills, including a measure requiring disclaimers on certain political ads created using artificial intelligence and a bill about regulation of vape products.
ESTERO Gold Star Golf Tournament honors fallen veteran Behind each putt and swing of a golf club at the Gold Star Golf Tournament is someone who knew John Wirka Junior.
NEW YORK (AP) How TikTok grew from a fun app for teens into a potential national security threat If it feels like TikTok has been around forever, that’s probably because it has, at least if you’re measuring via internet time. What’s now in question is whether it will be around much longer and, if so, in what form?
FORT MYERS Man wanted for armed robbery at Fort Myers convenience store Crime Stoppers is asking the public for help identifying an armed robber who held up a convenience store Saturday morning.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: Rifles, inappropriate texts and Donut shop debacle This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a scary mall trip, an inappropriate coach, and a Dunkin Donuts assault.
The Weather Authority: Sunny Saturday with a nice breeze; fire danger increases Warm temperatures for your Saturday with a nice breeze into the afternoon.
NORTH NAPLES Senior Airman surprises cousin on Aubrey Rogers softball senior night Aubrey Rogers senior pitcher and infielder McKenzie Vargas was surprised by her Air Force cousin for Senior Night.
Credit: WINK News As of Thursday, 17 percent of unique unemployment claims submitted in Florida have been paid, but the rest are left waiting. What’s the holdup? And why are some people who applied later getting their money first? “I have logged over 6,432 calls to DEO since March 21,” said Heather Dickerson. The unemployment system is leaving her with more questions than answers. “How are these benefits, these claims, being processed? What is the order? What is the logic behind it?” she asked. Dickerson was laid off from her Naples restaurant job more than a month ago. “Just the day to day. Food, groceries, that sort of thing. That’s hard, but then you add the bills on top of it. It’s tough.” Gov. Ron DeSantis said on April 17 that people who applied first would see benefits first, and yet, “I’ve noticed that people who applied in early April are getting approved and actually receiving payments, but there’s people like me who applied in mid-March that are still pending and have not received any benefits,” Dickerson said. One woman said on Facebook that she applied in early April and her application was approved in two days. She has already seen federal benefits. The inability to financially plan moving forward, it’s scary. It’s very scary,” Dickerson said. The DEO said Tuesday they want to have the backlog cleared in the next 10 to 15 days, but that isn’t fast enough for people like Dickerson. “No, no. It would’ve had to have been yesterday to be fast enough,” she said. As to why people who applied later are getting paid sooner, the DEO said it could be for a number of reasons, like an application is incomplete or an eligibility issue. Either way, without being able to reach someone, people like Dickerson will have to keep waiting – and wondering – when their money will come. Full statement from DEO: There are several scenarios why someone who applied for benefits in April may receive benefits before someone who applied in March. A few examples include: If an individual has applied for Reemployment Assistance in the CONNECT system previously, they have already had their identity verified in the CONNECT system. If an individual has never applied for Reemployment Assistance, their identity must be verified. It is possible that someone who already has an account established in the CONNECT system may receive benefits before someone who has not previously received benefits, because they will not have to go through the identity verification process. Payments may also be delayed if an individual has provided incomplete information or information in their application that creates an eligibility flag that requires resolution. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity remains committed to providing Reemployment Assistance to eligible Floridians as quickly as possible. Update: Response from Rep. Dane Eagle and Rep. Michael Grant (4/23/20): “DEO maintains that applications are being processed in the order they are received. One factor is that companies that employ 1,000 or more employees can file on behalf of said employees. While this may help speed up the system, it may also result in some of those claims being processed ahead of others due to the “bulk” nature of the claims. “Another factor may be paper applications vs. online applications. DMS Secretary Jon Satter (now overseeing Florida’s unemployment system) said: ‘We’re receiving paper applications simultaneously with electronic applications.’ ‘Because many (paper applications) are in hand writing, we have to manually transcribe those paper applications into the electronic system and that’s what we have our state employees doing.’ “He estimates state employees are able to process five to six applications each per hour, up to 10 an hour. “Lastly, previous claimants have already had their identities verified by DEO. First-timers have not. This takes additional time.” For ongoing updates and information on unemployment, follow reporter Sara Girard on Twitter and Facebook. She also updates the FAQ: Unemployment Resources page as information is received.