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.
State lawmakers want to hear your opinion on voting in Lee County Right now, everyone votes for or against all five of the Lee Commissioners, but they’re talking about changing the system so that each commissioner represents a specific part of the county.
FORT MYERS Migrants entering Florida under controversial parole program The House Committee on Homeland Security has released documents, which show a surge in migrants entering the United States through a parole program, sparking debate over immigration policies and border security.
North Collier firefighter beats cancer, educates others on safety He’s a father, son, friend and mentor, but for the last four years, he’s been in a battle for his life.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection to brother’s death in Cape Coral A man wanted for questioning in the death of his brother at his Cape Coral home has been arrested in Pennsylvania.
Candidates challenge Punta Gorda incumbents over land, building regulations A growing grassroots movement has united residents seeking to stem high density and restrict building heights, and three are challenging Punta Gorda City Council members who are up for reelection this year.
Hurricane season is one month away The outlook for the 2024 Hurricane Season is for it be active, potentially even hyperactive.
NORTH FORT MYERS 1 dead after crash on SR 31 and Busbee Rd. in North Fort Myers At around noon Wednesday, the Florida Highway Patrol said a PT Cruiser and a car hauler collided on State Road 31 and Busbee Road, near the Lee/Charlotte County line.
Man sentenced to 25 years in prison for molesting Lee County child A Florida man will spend the next 25 years in prison for molesting a child in Lee County.
LEHIGH ACRES Man accused of using stolen credit card from car burglary at Lehigh Acres CVS Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man who allegedly used a stolen credit card at the CVS in Lehigh Acres.
ARCADIA Family of flea market murder victim struggles to find closure The family of a woman who was murdered at an Arcadia flea market continues to seek justice as the accused killer awaits trial.
NAPLES Naples man accused of possessing child porn After an investigation, a Naples man has been arrested after allegedly having child pornography in his home.
CAPE CORAL Arrest report for volunteer softball coach accused of inappropriate behavior released New details have been released about the arrest of a Cape Coral volunteer softball coach accused of sending nude photos and touching a 17-year-old student.
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.
State lawmakers want to hear your opinion on voting in Lee County Right now, everyone votes for or against all five of the Lee Commissioners, but they’re talking about changing the system so that each commissioner represents a specific part of the county.
FORT MYERS Migrants entering Florida under controversial parole program The House Committee on Homeland Security has released documents, which show a surge in migrants entering the United States through a parole program, sparking debate over immigration policies and border security.
North Collier firefighter beats cancer, educates others on safety He’s a father, son, friend and mentor, but for the last four years, he’s been in a battle for his life.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection to brother’s death in Cape Coral A man wanted for questioning in the death of his brother at his Cape Coral home has been arrested in Pennsylvania.
Candidates challenge Punta Gorda incumbents over land, building regulations A growing grassroots movement has united residents seeking to stem high density and restrict building heights, and three are challenging Punta Gorda City Council members who are up for reelection this year.
Hurricane season is one month away The outlook for the 2024 Hurricane Season is for it be active, potentially even hyperactive.
NORTH FORT MYERS 1 dead after crash on SR 31 and Busbee Rd. in North Fort Myers At around noon Wednesday, the Florida Highway Patrol said a PT Cruiser and a car hauler collided on State Road 31 and Busbee Road, near the Lee/Charlotte County line.
Man sentenced to 25 years in prison for molesting Lee County child A Florida man will spend the next 25 years in prison for molesting a child in Lee County.
LEHIGH ACRES Man accused of using stolen credit card from car burglary at Lehigh Acres CVS Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man who allegedly used a stolen credit card at the CVS in Lehigh Acres.
ARCADIA Family of flea market murder victim struggles to find closure The family of a woman who was murdered at an Arcadia flea market continues to seek justice as the accused killer awaits trial.
NAPLES Naples man accused of possessing child porn After an investigation, a Naples man has been arrested after allegedly having child pornography in his home.
CAPE CORAL Arrest report for volunteer softball coach accused of inappropriate behavior released New details have been released about the arrest of a Cape Coral volunteer softball coach accused of sending nude photos and touching a 17-year-old student.
Philipas Christos Batsios (Credit: CCSO booking photo) A 44-year-old Golden Gate man who was previously convicted of secretly recording a woman in her shower was arrested Tuesday on a video voyeurism charge involving a child and multiple counts of possession of child pornography. Philipas Christos Batsios faces 75 counts possession of child pornography, one count of possession of child pornography with intent to promote and one count of video voyeurism involving a victim younger than 16. The latter charge involved a young girl who detectives said appeared in a video taken by Batsios at a North Naples grocery store. Detectives said Batsios was also creating his own video voyeurism videos while out in public, such as at grocery stores, gas stations and assisting clients of his pool cleaning business. Detectives said Batsios’ face can be seen in many of the videos and his voice heard while talking to female clients about their pumps/pools while he places the camera under their dresses/skirts while they are distracted. “We walk up and down these streets all the time,” said Sheyen Lachat in Golden Gates Estates. Lachat is one of nine kids in her family who are always playing outside “It’s especially concerning because you want to trust your neighbors,” Lachat said. Knowing a man who lived next door is accused of having tens of thousands of images of nude children makes everyone uneasy. “We’re grandparents. We have two grandkids that live here and visit us frequently, so, yes, that’s a concern as well,” Marsha McDonaugh said. This investigation is ongoing and more charges may be possible as detectives attempt to identify more victims. According to Collier County Sheriff’s Office arrest reports, detectives found the lewd images on Batsios’ cell phone after his mid-July arrest for violating his state probation. Batsios is on probation for a conviction out of Lee County for burglary to an occupied dwelling and video voyeurism after he was caught using his cell phone to video a woman taking a shower in her residence. On July 16, detectives searched Batsios’ residence after CCSO received nine cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding the possible transmission of child pornography on a website that hosts pornographic material. One of the images was of a known identified child victim from Indonesia and detectives said the transmissions were occurring at Batsios’ residence. “Just frightening, disturbing upsetting,” McDonaugh said. Batsios admitted to visiting websites that featured child pornography and indicated that detectives would find those files on his cell phone. He was placed under arrest for violating his probation because he viewed child pornography. Batsios’ phone held tens of thousands of images of nude children, according to CCSO. At least 75 of those images were child pornography and depicted children ranging in age from 2 to 12. Detectives also found Batsios was visiting Russian-hosted websites that contained these images of children with page titles in German such as “kids and friends” on a regular basis for years. One video, taken Oct. 9, 2019, was of a young child at a North Naples grocery store. Detectives said the child was helping her mother unload their grocery cart. Batsios filmed underneath the girl’s dress and his face can be seen in the video. Detectives were able to identify the child victim and her family who advised they wished to prosecute Batsios for the crime. Batsios was arrested on the new charges Tuesday at the Collier County Jail, where he has been housed since his July arrest. WINK News’ Safety & Security Specialist says, in child pornography cases, it’s important for parents to look out for the warning signs. “If you come up to your child, and they quickly change the screen that’s a warning sign,” specialist Rich Kolko said. And he encourages women to always keep an eye out. “Situational awareness,” Kolko explained. “Keep your head on a swivel. Keep a distance between people.” Anyone who thinks they may be a victim or who has information is asked to contact the Collier County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number at 239-252-9300, or to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 800-780-TIPS (8477).