FORT MYERS Man accused of stealing Twisted Tea from Fort Myers gas station Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man accused of stealing a 12-pack of Twisted Tea from a Fort Myers gas station.
Small-town LaBelle lands big-name franchise Culver’s That small-town feel continues for Culver’s, which just opened its first location in Hendry County’s LaBelle, a city that recently eclipsed 5,000 residents and is skyrocketing in growth.
Collier County Sheriff’s Office warns of voicemail scam The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is warning of a scam in which a fraudster leaves a voicemail advising their intended victim to contact a specific person at the sheriff’s office.
port charlotte Charlotte County opens cold weather shelter for the homeless The Charlotte CARE Center has opened its doors to displaced people needing shelter from the cold temperatures.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island City Council seeks applicants for official positions Marco Island City Council is recruiting qualified residents to fill Advisory Committee or Board positions.
BOKEELIA Man wanted in armed robbery at Bokeelia business Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man wanted for an armed robbery at a Bokeelia business.
Death investigation underway at Nasturtium Drive in Charlotte County The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a death investigation at Nasturtium Drive in a neighborhood just south of Punta Gorda.
cape coral Social media influencer arrested again for theft at same Cape Coral Target The Cape Coral Police Department has arrested a woman accused of stealing $225 worth of items from a Target on Pine Island Road.
BONITA SPRINGS Miracle Moment: Beads of courage honor girl’s cancer fight A teenager from Bonita Springs High School experienced bone pain and bruises that was later diagnosed as leukemia.
naples Gulfshore Life honoree is a keystone architect in the Naples community Matthew Kragh, the founder of MHK Architecture, is responsible for several notable landmarks in the Naples community.
FORT MYERS BEACH More discussions happening for future of Red Coconut RV on Fort Myers Beach The Red Coconut RV park on Fort Myers Beach could turn into luxury condos. Seagate Development plans to build 137 condos with beachfront views.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Monday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a cold Monday with breezier conditions expected throughout the afternoon.
St. Matthew’s House opens shelters amid colder temperature drop Due to the colder temperature in Florida, St. Matthew’s House has opened its emergency shelters for those who need a reprieve from the chilly weather.
NAPLES Naples Zoo throws event for Golisano Children’s Hospital The Naples Zoo closed its doors to the public early Sunday and reopened only for a special group of children and their families.
FORT MYERS Man accused of stealing Twisted Tea from Fort Myers gas station Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man accused of stealing a 12-pack of Twisted Tea from a Fort Myers gas station.
Small-town LaBelle lands big-name franchise Culver’s That small-town feel continues for Culver’s, which just opened its first location in Hendry County’s LaBelle, a city that recently eclipsed 5,000 residents and is skyrocketing in growth.
Collier County Sheriff’s Office warns of voicemail scam The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is warning of a scam in which a fraudster leaves a voicemail advising their intended victim to contact a specific person at the sheriff’s office.
port charlotte Charlotte County opens cold weather shelter for the homeless The Charlotte CARE Center has opened its doors to displaced people needing shelter from the cold temperatures.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island City Council seeks applicants for official positions Marco Island City Council is recruiting qualified residents to fill Advisory Committee or Board positions.
BOKEELIA Man wanted in armed robbery at Bokeelia business Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man wanted for an armed robbery at a Bokeelia business.
Death investigation underway at Nasturtium Drive in Charlotte County The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a death investigation at Nasturtium Drive in a neighborhood just south of Punta Gorda.
cape coral Social media influencer arrested again for theft at same Cape Coral Target The Cape Coral Police Department has arrested a woman accused of stealing $225 worth of items from a Target on Pine Island Road.
BONITA SPRINGS Miracle Moment: Beads of courage honor girl’s cancer fight A teenager from Bonita Springs High School experienced bone pain and bruises that was later diagnosed as leukemia.
naples Gulfshore Life honoree is a keystone architect in the Naples community Matthew Kragh, the founder of MHK Architecture, is responsible for several notable landmarks in the Naples community.
FORT MYERS BEACH More discussions happening for future of Red Coconut RV on Fort Myers Beach The Red Coconut RV park on Fort Myers Beach could turn into luxury condos. Seagate Development plans to build 137 condos with beachfront views.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Monday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a cold Monday with breezier conditions expected throughout the afternoon.
St. Matthew’s House opens shelters amid colder temperature drop Due to the colder temperature in Florida, St. Matthew’s House has opened its emergency shelters for those who need a reprieve from the chilly weather.
NAPLES Naples Zoo throws event for Golisano Children’s Hospital The Naples Zoo closed its doors to the public early Sunday and reopened only for a special group of children and their families.
Credit: WINK News Missing unemployment benefits means more hardship for people in Southwest Florida. Two men, like many others, are pleading for the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) to get their checks. David Westerman is now homeless for Christmas, a situation he never thought he’d be in. “I’m stuck on unemployment now because of this, he explained. “If I had just gotten that money, I could have gotten a vehicle, I would have gotten myself picked up and back to work.” Westerman said he never received the weekly $600 from the CARES Act this summer, “I guess they sent six checks to an address that didn’t exist.” That’s $3,600 he’s still fighting to get. “They say, well, we’re going to get a supervisor to send this information off to the right people and if you don’t get the money within two weeks call back.” Currently, he’s collecting only $125 a week. After his car broke down, he said he sold almost all of his stuff and still couldn’t make rent, leaving him on the street. “It’s not enough for me to function, really. I guess to function on the street maybe, but not get me back to where I need to be.” Herman Clifton is also struggling, all because his account was flagged for fraud. “I’ve been fighting with them since the 26th of May and I still haven’t gotten one penny.” He said if it weren’t for his wife’s job at the post office, they wouldn’t have any of the usual Christmas traditions this year. “It definitely affected my Christmas, because my wife had to foot the bill by herself.” Now, all Clifton and Westerman are asking for is what they’re legally owed. “You know I just need help,” Westerman said, “I just want them to do their job. That’s all I want them to do.” And for Clifton, “At this point, this is about the worst I’ve been in life.” Their lives are hanging in the balance because of the broken unemployment system. We asked the DEO to look into their claims and a representative said she would. Now, due to office and bank closures for the holidays, Reemployment Assistance Payments may be delayed 2-3 business days. For additional resources click here. For ongoing updates and information on unemployment, follow WINK News Investigative Reporter Sara Girard on Twitter and Facebook. She also updates the WINK News FAQ: Unemployment Resources page as information is received.