Demonstrators gather for Fort Myers Women’s MarchTwo-vehicle crash causes rollover near Pine Ridge Road
FORT MYERS Demonstrators gather for Fort Myers Women’s March Dozens gathered at the intersection of Colonial Boulevard and US 41 in Fort Myers for the annual Women’s March on Saturday morning.
Two-vehicle crash causes rollover near Pine Ridge Road A two-vehicle crash occurred near Pine Ridge Road and Premiere Way late Saturday morning, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.
LCSO investigates early morning shooting near Wawa on Alico Road The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred early Saturday morning.
ENGLEWOOD Charlotte County deputies fatally shoot man in Englewood, investigation ongoing Deputies from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office shot and killed a man who was reportedly acting erratically.
the weather authority Warm weekend ahead with increased rain chances on the way The Weather Authority says a warm Saturday is on tap, with temperatures reaching the upper 70s into the afternoon.
Bodycam video shows warning signs from teen accused of killing mother In newly released body camera footage, a mother questions her son’s violence months before her murder.
Veteran injured in crash that killed wife WINK News has learned that a veteran’s wife was killed in a crash on Wednesday on State Road 82.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda to repair old city hall building The City of Punta Gorda is scrapping plans to build a new city hall.
SWFL teen injured in New Orleans terror attack released from hospital According to the mom of one of the teens injured in the New Orleans Terror attack on New Year’s Day, she has been released from the hospital.
NAPLES Jay Leno comedy show coming to Southwest Florida One of the most famous comedians in the world is coming to Southwest Florida.
SOUTH NAPLES Collier neighbors anticipating second Costco location Members of a community are waiting for one of the most popular wholesale stores, but there is something standing in the way.
AVE MARIA Caught on camera: Massive gator seen in front of Ave Maria home A massive alligator was seen using a walking path in front of an Ave Maria home, and it was all caught on camera.
NCAA approves plan to pay women’s basketball tournament teams In a historic unanimous vote, the NCAA approves of a plan to pay women’s basketball teams that compete in March Madness.
FORT MYERS City of Fort Myers announces Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival The City of Fort Myers invites the public to the 21st anniversary of the Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival in downtown Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS Demonstrators gather for Fort Myers Women’s March Dozens gathered at the intersection of Colonial Boulevard and US 41 in Fort Myers for the annual Women’s March on Saturday morning.
Two-vehicle crash causes rollover near Pine Ridge Road A two-vehicle crash occurred near Pine Ridge Road and Premiere Way late Saturday morning, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.
LCSO investigates early morning shooting near Wawa on Alico Road The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred early Saturday morning.
ENGLEWOOD Charlotte County deputies fatally shoot man in Englewood, investigation ongoing Deputies from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office shot and killed a man who was reportedly acting erratically.
the weather authority Warm weekend ahead with increased rain chances on the way The Weather Authority says a warm Saturday is on tap, with temperatures reaching the upper 70s into the afternoon.
Bodycam video shows warning signs from teen accused of killing mother In newly released body camera footage, a mother questions her son’s violence months before her murder.
Veteran injured in crash that killed wife WINK News has learned that a veteran’s wife was killed in a crash on Wednesday on State Road 82.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda to repair old city hall building The City of Punta Gorda is scrapping plans to build a new city hall.
SWFL teen injured in New Orleans terror attack released from hospital According to the mom of one of the teens injured in the New Orleans Terror attack on New Year’s Day, she has been released from the hospital.
NAPLES Jay Leno comedy show coming to Southwest Florida One of the most famous comedians in the world is coming to Southwest Florida.
SOUTH NAPLES Collier neighbors anticipating second Costco location Members of a community are waiting for one of the most popular wholesale stores, but there is something standing in the way.
AVE MARIA Caught on camera: Massive gator seen in front of Ave Maria home A massive alligator was seen using a walking path in front of an Ave Maria home, and it was all caught on camera.
NCAA approves plan to pay women’s basketball tournament teams In a historic unanimous vote, the NCAA approves of a plan to pay women’s basketball teams that compete in March Madness.
FORT MYERS City of Fort Myers announces Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival The City of Fort Myers invites the public to the 21st anniversary of the Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival in downtown Fort Myers.
Credit: WINK News. A man is accusing his country club of committing fraud. He claims the club received a PPP loan from the government even though it shouldn’t have, and the case is heading to court. While many small businesses struggle to bounce back from giant pandemic losses, others are in the hot seat for getting government help. It’s one of the reasons William Verhelle, a finance executive, decided to sue Grey Oaks Country Club in Collier County. “I guess we’re still trying to understand why they would need a million-dollar PPP loan,” Verhelle said. Verhelle and his wife have been members at Grey Oaks for eight years. “We still love living here,” Verhelle said. However, they began to question financial decisions after the luxurious golf club switched to community ownership. “We requested financial statements. We requested budgets,” Verhelle said. “Last year, for example, in 2020, we requested repeatedly if we could just get a copy of what the budget was for the current year, and we were continuingly denied that information.” Verhelle’s lawsuit claims the country club’s net loss from 2017 to 2019 adds up to $15 million, and the club has engaged in fraud by taking over $2 million dollars in PPP money. ”When I heard they were taking out the PPP loan, we pointed out that we didn’t think that they were eligible and encouraged them to double check it and was kind of surprised that they went ahead anyway,” Verhelle said. The general manager at Grey Oaks says the loan allowed the club to bring back roughly 60 employees and argues they met requirements. “They’re on a list of companies that we feel made them ineligible as a private club that discriminates on membership for reasons other than capacity,” Verhelle said. “There’s a certification that’s part of the PPP process, where you certify that you really need the money. You’re not going to survive. I guess, we just didn’t understand.” The case is due back in court Jan. 28. One of the topics is a motion to dismiss filed by the attorney for Grey Oaks.