Shell Factory & Nature Park announces online auction liquidation of remaining inventoryMore clouds than sun for your Wednesday
FORT MYERS Shell Factory & Nature Park announces online auction liquidation of remaining inventory Fans of the now-closed Shell Factory & Nature Park will have a final chance to own a piece of nostalgia with two virtual auctions.
the weather authority More clouds than sun for your Wednesday The Weather Authority is tracking an increased cloud coverage along with cooler conditions this Wednesday afternoon.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘It’s devastating’: Neighbor reflects on fatal fire in Port Charlotte A devastating house fire Monday night in Port Charlotte has left one person dead and another hospitalized while neighbors mourn the possible loss of a beloved member of their community.
‘The sound of death’ Neighbors concerned by amount of crashes on Joel Blvd A woman is heartbroken from witnessing crash after crash outside her Lehigh Acres home.
Fort Myers get 15% increase on flood insurance discount WINK News is finding out what led to the city of Fort Myers going from just a 5% FEMA flood insurance discount to a 20% discount.
FORT MYERS Locals house California wildfire victims The effects of the California fires are being felt worldwide as people evacuate some are in southwest Florida.
LOVERS KEY Couple returns to Lovers Key condo post Ian While Hurricane Ian is long gone from Southwest Florida, many are still feeling its impacts.
EVERGLADES Biden signs Water Resources Development Act, its effect on SWFL President Biden recently signed into law the Water Resources Development Act with an aim to improve rivers and harbors across the country and provide for the conservation of water. Southwest Florida was included in that act. Putting the 240-page plan together took a lot of work, not just from state and federal lawmakers, but also […]
Turning business travel into a vacation Would work travel seem a little easier if you could turn it into a vacation? Two professors say they have proof that would help business travel.
The future of biometrics: Safer security or new AI risks? In 2021, the Transportation Service Agency (TSA) launched its new touchless identity solution in the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airport.
CAPE CORAL Pelican Elementary resource officer saves infant A school resource officer at Pelican Elementary saved an infants’ life at a traffic stop in Cape Coral.
FORT MYERS Progress being made on City View Park in Dunbar More promises made by a city that has not kept its promises for the last six years have some neighbors concerned about the future of their community.
COLLIER COUNTY Seacrest hoops player hits a full court buzzer beater Seacrest Country Day School boys basketball player Hayden Fuller hits full court buzzer beater against Aubrey Rogers.
NAPLES Cutting-edge ACL surgery reducing reinjury risk by 80% Known for its game-changing orthopedic repair options, Naples-based Arthrex has done it again.
FORT MYERS Shell Factory & Nature Park announces online auction liquidation of remaining inventory Fans of the now-closed Shell Factory & Nature Park will have a final chance to own a piece of nostalgia with two virtual auctions.
the weather authority More clouds than sun for your Wednesday The Weather Authority is tracking an increased cloud coverage along with cooler conditions this Wednesday afternoon.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘It’s devastating’: Neighbor reflects on fatal fire in Port Charlotte A devastating house fire Monday night in Port Charlotte has left one person dead and another hospitalized while neighbors mourn the possible loss of a beloved member of their community.
‘The sound of death’ Neighbors concerned by amount of crashes on Joel Blvd A woman is heartbroken from witnessing crash after crash outside her Lehigh Acres home.
Fort Myers get 15% increase on flood insurance discount WINK News is finding out what led to the city of Fort Myers going from just a 5% FEMA flood insurance discount to a 20% discount.
FORT MYERS Locals house California wildfire victims The effects of the California fires are being felt worldwide as people evacuate some are in southwest Florida.
LOVERS KEY Couple returns to Lovers Key condo post Ian While Hurricane Ian is long gone from Southwest Florida, many are still feeling its impacts.
EVERGLADES Biden signs Water Resources Development Act, its effect on SWFL President Biden recently signed into law the Water Resources Development Act with an aim to improve rivers and harbors across the country and provide for the conservation of water. Southwest Florida was included in that act. Putting the 240-page plan together took a lot of work, not just from state and federal lawmakers, but also […]
Turning business travel into a vacation Would work travel seem a little easier if you could turn it into a vacation? Two professors say they have proof that would help business travel.
The future of biometrics: Safer security or new AI risks? In 2021, the Transportation Service Agency (TSA) launched its new touchless identity solution in the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airport.
CAPE CORAL Pelican Elementary resource officer saves infant A school resource officer at Pelican Elementary saved an infants’ life at a traffic stop in Cape Coral.
FORT MYERS Progress being made on City View Park in Dunbar More promises made by a city that has not kept its promises for the last six years have some neighbors concerned about the future of their community.
COLLIER COUNTY Seacrest hoops player hits a full court buzzer beater Seacrest Country Day School boys basketball player Hayden Fuller hits full court buzzer beater against Aubrey Rogers.
NAPLES Cutting-edge ACL surgery reducing reinjury risk by 80% Known for its game-changing orthopedic repair options, Naples-based Arthrex has done it again.
Alfie Oakes (Credit: WINK News) A month after the School District of Lee County severed ties with Oakes Farms after a controversial Facebook post by the business owner, Alfie Oakes has filed a lawsuit against the District. The District said June 11 it would work with other suppliers after Oakes made a Facebook post criticizing “Black Lives Matter” protests and the coronavirus pandemic. Soon after the June 8 post that some felt was racist, a petition went up calling on the Lee and Collier school districts to cut ties. Collier County said it was only using Oakes Farms as a stop-gap for the summer months but would use other suppliers. Lee County, a few days later, said it would begin working with other suppliers, severing its contract with Oakes. Oakes said he never received an explanation from the District in regards to why it cut ties with him. He told WINK News that his post wasn’t meant to offend. Oakes says he is seeking $50 million in damages. He says he filed the lawsuit to stand up for his company and his employees. “I don’t feel like it’s against the school district,” Oakes told WINK News. Oakes says he stands by the post he made on Facebook and is not suing the District out of anger. “We have several employees that could lose their job,” he said. “I’ve fought through hurricanes and [COVID-19], and, so far, I haven’t let anyone go but the loss of business.” Oakes says cuts ties between Oakes Farms and the District put 700 of his employees at risk of losing their jobs. “The reason they said they ended the contract was for convenience, and that’s not really a legal way to void a contract,” Oakes said. Oakes says they had been working with the District for years and looked forward to more. But, after the controversial comments he made, the school district cut ties with the farm owner. Legal expert Pamella Seay at FGCU says this lawsuit will all come down to what the contract says. “At some point, they will need to look and say what are the terms and conditions of the contract,” Seay explained. “Under what conditions can this contract be terminated.” If it can’t be terminated, Seay say, “They canceled it without following the terms of the contract, then, the gentleman may have a claim of damages as a result of that.” But Seay says the District could be at an advantage if it is written on paper that part of the contract had not been followed. “Were his actions related to the performance of the contract, if so, then, the school would be on solid ground,” Seay said. Oakes also filed a separate complaint to Florida Department of Law Enforcement, accusing the school district of not following Sunshine Law open meeting rules. The School District of Lee County said it couldn’t comment “due to pending litigation” and had no comment about the complaint submitted to FDLE. Regardless, Oakes says he hopes they will be able to work this out. “More than anything, I would like to have our contract back in place with Lee County,” he said.