Fort Myers City Council to provide update on Fowler Street construction projectHot and humid Thursday before evening isolated storms impact coastal communities
FORT MYERS Fort Myers City Council to provide update on Fowler Street construction project The Fort Myers City Council is set to provide an update on the progress of the Fowler Street intersection project.
the weather authority Hot and humid Thursday before evening isolated storms impact coastal communities The Weather Authority is tracking a humid Thursday morning with high afternoon temperatures and evening coastal isolated storms.
Jacksonville Gov. DeSantis to hold a news conference in Jacksonville Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Jacksonville.
FORT MYERS BEACH Sea turtle nesting season begins in Fort Myers Beach Sea turtle nesting season has officially begun, and the FWC wants to remind visitors about the fragility of the young reptiles.
BAREFOOT LAKE Neighbors react to chaos at Barefoot Lake Imagine being scared to leave your home on the weekends. Ana and Anrik understand the feeling all too well.
CAPE CORAL The story of Ollie’s Pub and what kept it open through years of hardships Before Ollie’s housed weekly events, packed to the brim with artwork and home to many, it was a simple dream and an empty space.
Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for May 1, 2024 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for May 1, 2024.
FORT MYERS BEACH Remembering Fort Myers Beach ‘Mayor’ Brad Benson To know Brad Benson was to know a legend. He recently passed away at the age of 71 after battling health issues.
CAPE CORAL Proposed Cape Coral City Council meeting time change fails In a 4 to 4 vote, the motion to move Cape Coral meeting times from 4:30 to 9 a.m. failed.
Greater Dunbar initiative begins A duplex that has been around since the 1960s and is filled with generations of memories is being demolished.
Caught on camera: funnel clouds, hail and more during thunderstorm Wednesday’s thunderstorms storms have produced hail and funnel clouds.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New mammography guidelines Breast cancer is much easier to treat when it’s caught early.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral church picking up the pieces after massive fire Calvary Connection ministries is unrecognizable after a massive fire swept through a Cape Coral Complex on Monday.
CAPE CORAL Day Two of FEMA code compliance hearings in Cape Coral Another 50 people were summoned Wednesday for the second day of code compliance hearings before the special magistrate.
PUNTA GORDA Cracking down on vapes in Charlotte County schools Vaping is taking over, and that’s why three Charlotte County High schools are testing out vape sensors.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers City Council to provide update on Fowler Street construction project The Fort Myers City Council is set to provide an update on the progress of the Fowler Street intersection project.
the weather authority Hot and humid Thursday before evening isolated storms impact coastal communities The Weather Authority is tracking a humid Thursday morning with high afternoon temperatures and evening coastal isolated storms.
Jacksonville Gov. DeSantis to hold a news conference in Jacksonville Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Jacksonville.
FORT MYERS BEACH Sea turtle nesting season begins in Fort Myers Beach Sea turtle nesting season has officially begun, and the FWC wants to remind visitors about the fragility of the young reptiles.
BAREFOOT LAKE Neighbors react to chaos at Barefoot Lake Imagine being scared to leave your home on the weekends. Ana and Anrik understand the feeling all too well.
CAPE CORAL The story of Ollie’s Pub and what kept it open through years of hardships Before Ollie’s housed weekly events, packed to the brim with artwork and home to many, it was a simple dream and an empty space.
Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for May 1, 2024 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for May 1, 2024.
FORT MYERS BEACH Remembering Fort Myers Beach ‘Mayor’ Brad Benson To know Brad Benson was to know a legend. He recently passed away at the age of 71 after battling health issues.
CAPE CORAL Proposed Cape Coral City Council meeting time change fails In a 4 to 4 vote, the motion to move Cape Coral meeting times from 4:30 to 9 a.m. failed.
Greater Dunbar initiative begins A duplex that has been around since the 1960s and is filled with generations of memories is being demolished.
Caught on camera: funnel clouds, hail and more during thunderstorm Wednesday’s thunderstorms storms have produced hail and funnel clouds.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New mammography guidelines Breast cancer is much easier to treat when it’s caught early.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral church picking up the pieces after massive fire Calvary Connection ministries is unrecognizable after a massive fire swept through a Cape Coral Complex on Monday.
CAPE CORAL Day Two of FEMA code compliance hearings in Cape Coral Another 50 people were summoned Wednesday for the second day of code compliance hearings before the special magistrate.
PUNTA GORDA Cracking down on vapes in Charlotte County schools Vaping is taking over, and that’s why three Charlotte County High schools are testing out vape sensors.
Councilman Rick Williams was seen during a public meeting in Cape Coral with a mask covering his entire face Monday, July 6, 2020. Credit: Cape Coral City Hall meeting recording, email from Jay LaGace, via WINK News. A Cape Coral councilman has gained negative attention after he was caught on camera with a mask over his entire face at the most recent city council meeting. He also abruptly left the meeting prior to that one. Now, a Cape Coral businessman says he was directly threatened by the elected leader. Jay LaGace, a real estate agent, says Councilman Rick Williams in Cape Coral sent him a threatening email amid public scrutiny of the council member’s recent behavior. “It’s horrendous to have an elected official threaten you in an email,” Lagace said. LaGace checked his inbox Wednesday morning to find an email from Williams that upset him. “It says ‘Keep this crap up, and you will start seeing some very negative reviews on your realty blog and Jay LaGace realtor website,’ signed Rick Williams, council member District 6, Cape Coral, Florida,” LaGace said. The response came after LaGace contacted the council with a photo, which was a screen capture from a video circulating on Facebook of Williams briefly wearing a mask over his eyes during an emergency meeting. “If he’s going to do something that ridiculous to me, how can I or anyone else in the city expect him to pay attention to what’s going on and city council, vote on certain things for the city council, or anything on the city council,” LaGace said. Williams did not respond to our request for comment. He is already under scrutiny for his recent past behavior. Councilwoman Jennifer Nelson says the council will be addressing all of his actions in a meeting July 20. “I know I’m not responsible for Council Member Williams’ actions or certainly what he says or types,” Nelson said. “But I do apologize as a fellow teammate and elected official who sits with Council Member Williams.” “It’s just not a way you should conduct yourself ever, especially in a position where more is expected of you,” Nelson said. Nelson says she’s researching what next steps to take, including potential suspension or behavioral adjustment. After the original story aired, Nelson reached out to WINK News again to provide further comment about Williams. “I am confident we will have a discussion regarding him leaving early for multiple meetings,” Nelson said. “In terms of next steps, after reviewing the Florida Statute, an elected official cannot be removed from office for unprofessional or inappropriate behavior unless it involves incompetence, drunkenness, neglect of duty of malfeasance.” LaGace says Williams should be removed. “It’s going viral everywhere,”” he said. “I mean, everyone’s going to realize and everybody’s going to know that what this guy is like, ‘Looney Tunes.’” Both LaGace and Nelson say, while they want to get to the bottom of Williams’ behavior, they’re also concerned about his health and want to make sure he’s OK. Councilman Williams’ statement shared by city “I would like to address the video that circulated following Monday night’s City Council meeting. In the video, it appears that I am sleeping,” Williams said in a statement. “This was not the case. My eyes were suddenly burning and tearing from something in the room. As I listened to Council’s comments, I leaned back in my chair and pulled my mask over my eyes to protect them. I did not consider how this may have looked to those in attendance, which was a mistake.” “I apologize to my fellow Council members, those in attendance and the community for my actions. I also want to apologize to Jay LaGace for an email response that I sent reacting to his social media post earlier that day. My comments in that email were out of line. I’d like to reaffirm my continuing commitment to representing all our Cape Coral residents in a professional and respectful manner.” Cape Coral mayor’s statement Cape Coral Mayor Joe Coviello released a statement in reference to Williams wearing a mask over his eyes. “It’s extremely concerning for a member of council to act with such disregard and disrespect towards the people he represents,” coviello shared in a statement with WINK News. “It’s now up to Council Member Williams to explain his action to the mayor, fellow council members and his constituents.” Mayor Coviello did not respond to our request for comment about Williams’ email.