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.
Central Elementary School in Clewiston. Credit: WINK News. After receiving documents from Hendry County District Schools, WINK News learned Wednesday the Clewiston principal under investigation for paddling a young student had prior incidents for paddling two other students. School district documents also show the discipline it handed down to Principal Melissa Carter of Central Elementary School: Carter had to get rid of her wooden paddle, and she was put on administrative leave with pay for two days in April. She was then suspended again with pay in April during a fact-finding investigation at the school district. According to the records, Carter said she would not paddle another student again within the school district in a handwritten oath, also writing, “I have read and understand the policy.” Hendry County school district has a no corporal punishment policy. Other school staff members were also documented saying they had no idea corporal punishment violated school district policy. Those same documents outline an interview Florida Department of Children and Families conducted with the student victim of the paddling. The first-grade student, a 6-year-old girl, had to rewatch the video her mother recorded of her punishment when she met with investigators from DCF. During the interview with investigators, the little girl also told investigators she likes to play with her dog. She likes to draw. She likes math. Then, she moved on to the hard stuff. She said the principal is very mean to everyone. She told investigators it was the first time she had ever been paddled. That, afterward, she had “purple bruises,” and, “It hurts when she sits down.” Then, the investigator noted the girl got upset and started to cry. DCF’s interview with Carter was emotional too. Carter defended the paddling. She said, “The first lick was a good one, and the second and third were soft taps.” Investigators said Carter told them she felt, “humiliated because the mother has put the video on social media.” Carter swore, “She would never intentionally hurt a child.” She said the mother, “requested it,” and “never tried to stop her. ” DCF said consent did not matter. What Mrs. Carter did was, “excessive and inappropriate.” DCF recommended no, “contact with young and vulnerable children in an official capacity. ” But Superintendent Michael Swindle said Carter will be principal of Central Elementary School this coming school year after wrapping up their own internal investigation at the school district. Swindle told us he was not aware of the DCF report or the conclusion of the Florida Department of Education investigation either. Carter’s attorney would not talk to us Wednesday. We are set to meet Thursday afternoon. The attorney for the girl’s mother gave us documents he told us came from DCF. A DCF spokesman would not comment on the investigation. Florida Department of Education responded to WINK News Wednesday night to update Principal Melissa Carter’s case with the state. According to the DOE’s statement, Melissa Carter’s attorney and the school district received a letter from DOE Wednesday that says Carter must move forward with an Election of Rights in her case, which could include her choosing to surrender her Florida educator certificate for permanent revocation. Florida Department of Education Statement A letter Finding of Probable Cause was sent from the Florida Department of Education to Melissa Carter’s attorney and to the school district on Wednesday morning. Ms. Carter will receive an Election of Rights, allowing her to select which option she would like to elect, including surrender of her certificate for permanent revocation, negotiate a settlement agreement with the Florida Department of Education, a formal hearing before an administrative law judge at the Division of Administrative Hearings, or an informal hearing before the Education Practices Commission. She has up to 21 days to return the Election of Rights. Upon completion of whichever path she elected, the case will go to the Education Practices Commission to be placed on a hearing agenda. At that time, the case will be heard and a resolution would be issued through a Final Order. Parents entrust their children’s lives with every school employee responsible for providing students a world-class education. That trust should never be broken. Unfortunately, we cannot provide you with any additional specifics regarding this case as it is currently active. Having said that, Commissioner Corcoran has placed an emphasis on student safety and has aggressively taken action against school employees whose conduct threatens that trust. Commissioner Corcoran is committed to continue holding school employees to the highest standards of professional conduct to ensure that Florida’s 2.9 million students have a safe and healthy learning environment.