16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier CountyNew bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal The city of Cape Coral is seeing two projects that will change the city. One is called one of the most lucrative deals in county history.
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association breaks ground on new Fort Myers headquarters As Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association’s president pointed out, about 1,000 people are still moving to Florida every day, and many of them are finding their way to Southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County drug trafficker sentenced to 10 years A Charlotte County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
lehigh acres ‘How to sign away parental rights?’; Lehigh Acres woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal The city of Cape Coral is seeing two projects that will change the city. One is called one of the most lucrative deals in county history.
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association breaks ground on new Fort Myers headquarters As Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association’s president pointed out, about 1,000 people are still moving to Florida every day, and many of them are finding their way to Southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County drug trafficker sentenced to 10 years A Charlotte County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
lehigh acres ‘How to sign away parental rights?’; Lehigh Acres woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby.
Fort Myers resident Henry Jackson has emailed the mayor of Columbus to tell him about information Chief Derrick Diggs may left off his resume. (CREDIT: WINK News) Fort Myers police Chief Derrick Diggs wants the top police job in Columbus, Ohio. According to his resume, he’s selling himself as someone who builds trust and transparency while also improving community engagement with the police. But his track record on transparency could hinder him. And one outspoken Fort Myers resident is letting the mayor of Columbus know. Henry Jackson, the father of Fort Myers police Officer Jason Jackson, emailed the mayor of Columbus to warn him of the 4-year scandal that kept his son off the force. “My opinion is, it’s not a positive one,” Henry Jackson said. WINK News requested an interview with Diggs, but he didn’t respond. In a memo to police officers, Diggs said, “These are tumultuous times for law enforcement so being open to opportunities is just prudent professional practice.” For years, Jackson has criticized Diggs and the Fort Myers Police Department for placing his son on administrative leave without revealing the reason why. “A strong leader would go ahead would be able to face those tough questions,” Jackson said. Jason Jackson was on paid administrative leave for four years until April 6 when the Fort Myers Police Department announced he would be back on duty after the conclusion of a federal investigation resulted in no criminal charges against the officer and three others who were placed on leave with him. Jason, Melvin Perry, Michael Forbes and Rick Notaro were placed on leave Feb. 22, 2017, coinciding with the release of a months-long audit by the Freeh Group International Solutions that alleged possible corruption, lack of leadership, thinning resources and favoritism at the police department. When Diggs arrived in Fort Myers in 2016, he told WINK News he wanted to bridge the gap between police and the community. Diggs was hired as Fort Myers police chief in 2016. At the time, he signed a three-year contract with an annual base pay of $140,000. In 2019, his contract was renewed for two years with a $42,000 pay bump. Diggs’ contract is set to expire in August. On his resume, he claims he did that by “instituting change at every level of the department” and driving down crime by more than 50%. “Chief Diggs is top-drawer,” said Fort Myers Councilman Liston Bochette. “He’s as good as they get. We’ve been blessed to have him here. The city is a safer city.” Crime stats from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed that. And achievements like a real-time crime center, more officers on the job and better pay are markers of his success. But when it comes to those words: trust and transparency, that depends on who you ask. “I don’t think so If you ask the people out in the Dunbar community,” Henry Jackson said. While Henry Jackson’s son is back on full-duty, and the federal investigation has concluded, Fort Myers police still won’t reveal the accusations that landed Jason Jackson on leave for four years. Four pages of the Freeh report are still redacted. “He destroyed four officers’ lives,” Henry Jackson said. “Their lives, their careers, without any evidence. What if he goes up there and does the same thing?” Henry Jackson said he wasn’t trying to sabotage Diggs’ chances of getting the chief position at the Columbus Police Department. “I’m just making the Mayor of Columbus aware of what happened down here,” Henry Jackson said. “Don’t start a fire here and then leave with the fire still burning and you’re going somewhere else.”