Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast UniversityMissing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: Parent brings weapon to Lehigh Acres school According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, there is probable cause to believe a woman unintentionally brought a firearm to school.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: Parent brings weapon to Lehigh Acres school According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, there is probable cause to believe a woman unintentionally brought a firearm to school.
Travis Westberry (Credit: CCSO booking photo) A former Collier County high school teacher and coach accused of inappropriate contact with students remained in jail Thursday as his personnel file revealed some red flags. Travis Westberry, 30, taught math and coached basketball at Immokalee High School. His arrest caught two former colleagues off guard, but his school district personnel file shows he has been in hot water before. One former colleague worked with Westberry at First Baptist Academy in Collier County, where Westberry was a coach and youth leader from 2013 to 2016. He called the actions Westberry’s accused of “out of character,” describing him as “positive, upbeat and fun.” Another supervised Westberry at Santa Fe College and said he did a good job. But Westberry’s personnel file at the Collier County school district says he shoved a student last year, told kids to “shut up,” and drove a student off campus in 2016. Golden Gate Middle School officials told him to cease contact with one student he paid special attention to, touching the student’s back and commenting on another student’s lips. He also received letters for poor performance and missing numerous meetings. Westberry left the district in 2018 before he was rehired at Immokalee High in 2019. Faustina Rivera’s grandson goes to the school and she said the district should do more to protect kids. “They need to be more thorough on the background checks on these teachers, you know? There’s got to be a leak somewhere,” she said. Mom Ariana Rivera agreed. “More background checks and, you know, being thorough on who they hire.” WINK News asked Collier County Public Schools how Westberry got rehired based on his personnel file, but they said they don’t comment on personnel matters. On Westberry’s teaching application, he wrote, “An outstanding teacher should have character that is above reproach,” and “Love is the most important.” He faces charges of battery, distributing obscene material to a child, and transmission of material harmful to minors. His bail is set at $225,000 and should he bond out, he cannot have any unsupervised contact with minors. Congressman Byron Donalds statement Both Florida U.S. Congressman Byron Donalds (Fla-R) and his wife, Erika Donalds, were listed as references on Westberry’s past Collier County Public Schools application. The District 19 representative shared a statement with WINK News in response to Westberry’s arrest. “Erika and I are heartbroken and devastated for everyone impacted by allegations of sexual misconduct surrounding Travis Westberry,” Donalds said in his statement. “We pray for healing and justice for the victims of his alleged misconduct. Thank you to our law enforcement community for taking swift action. These allegations are deeply disturbing and a tremendous shock to Erika and I.”