Iconic Fort Myers statue to undergo repairsCollier County Salvation Army Thrift Store closing its doors
FORT MYERS Iconic Fort Myers statue to undergo repairs The iconic “Rachel at the Well” statue on McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers has been a landmark for 94 years. However, it became a casualty of Hurricane Ian in 2022, and discussions for its repair are ongoing.
Collier County Salvation Army Thrift Store closing its doors The Salvation Army has announced the permanent closure of the Naples Family Store on Davis Boulevard.
SANIBEL Rebuilding the Sanibel Causeway with a cause Construction crews are hard at work making the Sanibel Causeway more resilient. The bridge is being fortified to withstand future storms.
LEE COUNTY No. 2 prospect in MLB Roman Anthony with Red Sox for Spring Training Roman Anthony, who is ranked as the second best in baseball, is with the Boston Red Sox for his first Spring Training.
MANASOTA KEY Popular Manasota Key restaurant reopens after storm damage Manasota Key is steadily recovering from a challenging hurricane season, and residents are celebrating the reopening of a beloved local spot.
PINE ISLAND Construction to start on hurricane-proof fire station on Pine Island A new hurricane-proof fire station is coming to Pine Island. The current station, over 40 years old, is in dire need of replacement.
NORTH PORT Braves’ Chris Sale on the mound in southwest Florida once again Spring Training is in full swing for the Atlanta Braves, who’s full squad reported on Tuesday, that means Chris Sale is back in SWFL.
NORTH NAPLES Construction on Collier County diverging diamond begins in March Construction on Southwest Florida’s third diverging diamond interchange is set to begin in March.
Charlotte County homeowners consider elevating homes Recent hurricanes and flooding events prompted some Charlotte County homeowners to either demolish or elevate their homes.
CLEWISTON Clewiston man shoots friend over alleged sexual crime against relative There is new information about a murder in Clewiston earlier this month.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Bridge design vote aims to improve traffic flow Residents and drivers in Cape Coral have long shared a common frustration: traffic congestion, particularly on Cape Coral Parkway.
Symptoms and treatment for pleurisy, the inflammation of lungs’ lining This winter season in Southwest Florida has been rampant with illness, from flu to viral infections.
Lee county approves major road projects to improve traffic flow, safety The Lee Board of County Commissioners continued its commitment to improving the county’s transportation network.
NAPLES Young bobcat injured by car; rehabilitated, released into Naples A young bobcat has been released back into the wild after recovering from its injuries through the collaborative efforts of several Florida environmental agencies.
Florida house speaker appoints Charlotte County sheriff to state immigration enforcement council Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez has appointed two sheriffs, one of whom is Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell, to the state immigration enforcement council.
FORT MYERS Iconic Fort Myers statue to undergo repairs The iconic “Rachel at the Well” statue on McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers has been a landmark for 94 years. However, it became a casualty of Hurricane Ian in 2022, and discussions for its repair are ongoing.
Collier County Salvation Army Thrift Store closing its doors The Salvation Army has announced the permanent closure of the Naples Family Store on Davis Boulevard.
SANIBEL Rebuilding the Sanibel Causeway with a cause Construction crews are hard at work making the Sanibel Causeway more resilient. The bridge is being fortified to withstand future storms.
LEE COUNTY No. 2 prospect in MLB Roman Anthony with Red Sox for Spring Training Roman Anthony, who is ranked as the second best in baseball, is with the Boston Red Sox for his first Spring Training.
MANASOTA KEY Popular Manasota Key restaurant reopens after storm damage Manasota Key is steadily recovering from a challenging hurricane season, and residents are celebrating the reopening of a beloved local spot.
PINE ISLAND Construction to start on hurricane-proof fire station on Pine Island A new hurricane-proof fire station is coming to Pine Island. The current station, over 40 years old, is in dire need of replacement.
NORTH PORT Braves’ Chris Sale on the mound in southwest Florida once again Spring Training is in full swing for the Atlanta Braves, who’s full squad reported on Tuesday, that means Chris Sale is back in SWFL.
NORTH NAPLES Construction on Collier County diverging diamond begins in March Construction on Southwest Florida’s third diverging diamond interchange is set to begin in March.
Charlotte County homeowners consider elevating homes Recent hurricanes and flooding events prompted some Charlotte County homeowners to either demolish or elevate their homes.
CLEWISTON Clewiston man shoots friend over alleged sexual crime against relative There is new information about a murder in Clewiston earlier this month.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Bridge design vote aims to improve traffic flow Residents and drivers in Cape Coral have long shared a common frustration: traffic congestion, particularly on Cape Coral Parkway.
Symptoms and treatment for pleurisy, the inflammation of lungs’ lining This winter season in Southwest Florida has been rampant with illness, from flu to viral infections.
Lee county approves major road projects to improve traffic flow, safety The Lee Board of County Commissioners continued its commitment to improving the county’s transportation network.
NAPLES Young bobcat injured by car; rehabilitated, released into Naples A young bobcat has been released back into the wild after recovering from its injuries through the collaborative efforts of several Florida environmental agencies.
Florida house speaker appoints Charlotte County sheriff to state immigration enforcement council Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez has appointed two sheriffs, one of whom is Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell, to the state immigration enforcement council.
FILE Photo of FMPD Officer Jason Jackson. Credit: WINK News. After four years on paid administrative leave, an officer with Fort Myers Police Department is ready to get back on the job. Jason Jackson is the last of four officers on leave amid a federal investigation into misconduct at the agency that began in 2017. Captain Melvin Perry, Sergeant Michael Forbes and Sergeant Rick Notaro retired amid the investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office Middle District of Florida notified all of the officers last Friday the investigation had concluded, and none would be prosecuted for crimes at this time. “Jason Jackson should be back in uniform today. If he’s not, I don’t know what the holdup is. Something needs to be done here,” said Matt Sellers, the president of the Gulf Coast Police Benevolent Association. In February 2020, Sellers confirmed to WINK News the officers were the target of a federal criminal investigation regarding the murder of a confidential drug informant. But he said he had first-hand knowledge as a former homicide detective with the agency that there was no way these officers were involved with leaking any information in the case. Allegations of information leaks and cozy relationships with drug dealers surfaced in a 2017 audit of the agency by the Freeh Group. Shortly after that report was released, the officers were placed on leave. Jackson’s father, Henry Jackson, was outspoken at city council meetings and in interviews with WINK News that allegations against his son were based on rumors. “I’m happy and sad at the same time because of what he’s gone through without any evidence,” he said. Jackson’s father told WINK News Investigative Reporter Lauren Sweeney Monday that his son had not even heard from the police department since being cleared of federal charges. Sellers says the sergeant at the department who stirred up the allegations in the first place is now off the job. An internal investigation report obtained through the PBA shows Sgt. Candice Petaccio abruptly resigned in June. It happened after the department’s inspector general scheduled an interview with Petaccio regarding the allegations against Jackson and others. A transcript shows that she claimed she was instructed by The U.S. Attorney’s Office she could not discuss what she had testified about in front of a Grand Jury. Inspector Donald Oswald instructed her that he would not be asking her about anything that interfered with the rules of the Grand Jury, and told her she could have the U.S. Attorney and her own attorney present. Petacchio instead abruptly left the interview and then resigned from the agency. “She’s the one that put these officers under scrutiny, and if you read through the details, she’s the one with the information,” said Sellers. As of publication, Petacchio had not returned a call from WINK News. The U.S. Attorney’s Office would not comment further about why the criminal investigation had concluded without any charges. As of publication, Fort Myers Police Department had not responded to WINK News request for an interview.