12-year-old collecting donations for the needy during the holidaysFort Myers man facing homelessness before the holidays
NAPLES 12-year-old collecting donations for the needy during the holidays A 12-year-old Naples boy isn’t worried about what he’s getting for Christmas. Instead, he’s working on his 6th annual “Holiday Sock Drive.”
Fort Myers man facing homelessness before the holidays A 75-year-old man is on the brink of homelessness despite working over 80 hours a week.
NAPLES Adoptee uses non-profit to provide suitcases for foster children This holiday season, a Naples woman is on a mission to bring foster children something many take for granted: a suitcase filled with dignity.
MARCO ISLAND City of Marco Island discusses lead awareness during city council meeting The city of Marco Island sent out 4900 letters to residents warning them that their pipes could contain plastic or lead.
NAPLES The future of electric planes in Southwest Florida Features of living near an airport include persistent headache-inducing engine rumbles and foul-smelling jet fuel, but electric planes could play a part in the solution.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors awaiting answers on Port Charlotte Beach Park repairs Neighbors said a contractor hired by the Florida Division of Emergency Management mishandled the boats at Port Charlotte Beach Park.
FGCU introduces new technology for cognitive health screenings Ten minutes. That’s all it takes for doctors to assess how well you remember, how quickly you learn things, and how your brain is working overall.
WINK Investigates: Disgraced contractor faces new lawsuits and allegations Paul Beattie, a disgraced home builder is back doing business but legal challenges continue as another one of his businesses gets sued. Former employees of Beattie speak out, only to WINK.
SWFL reacts to UNC hiring Bill Belichick Southwest Florida reacts to North Carolina hiring Bill Belichick as its new head football coach and how that could impact the decisions of local recruits.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Some Floridians want more alone time during the holidays The holidays are all about spending time with family and friends, but nearly half of Americans say they really want more alone time during the holiday.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
Aggressive driving concerns on the rise in Southwest Florida The arrest of a man who, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said, killed a motorcyclist after crashing into him on purpose is raising concerns over aggressive driving in Southwest Florida.
SANIBEL Sanibel School students prepare for community Christmas performance The school that has had to claw and fight its way back more than once to reopen is getting the chance to celebrate.
FORT MYERS Rock For Equality: SWFL music scene to hold benefit concert for Palestine A two-venue, eight-band benefit concert is coming to Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Naples man sentenced in deadly bar shooting A man has been sentenced for a deadly shooting that took place at a Naples bar in March 2021.
NAPLES 12-year-old collecting donations for the needy during the holidays A 12-year-old Naples boy isn’t worried about what he’s getting for Christmas. Instead, he’s working on his 6th annual “Holiday Sock Drive.”
Fort Myers man facing homelessness before the holidays A 75-year-old man is on the brink of homelessness despite working over 80 hours a week.
NAPLES Adoptee uses non-profit to provide suitcases for foster children This holiday season, a Naples woman is on a mission to bring foster children something many take for granted: a suitcase filled with dignity.
MARCO ISLAND City of Marco Island discusses lead awareness during city council meeting The city of Marco Island sent out 4900 letters to residents warning them that their pipes could contain plastic or lead.
NAPLES The future of electric planes in Southwest Florida Features of living near an airport include persistent headache-inducing engine rumbles and foul-smelling jet fuel, but electric planes could play a part in the solution.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors awaiting answers on Port Charlotte Beach Park repairs Neighbors said a contractor hired by the Florida Division of Emergency Management mishandled the boats at Port Charlotte Beach Park.
FGCU introduces new technology for cognitive health screenings Ten minutes. That’s all it takes for doctors to assess how well you remember, how quickly you learn things, and how your brain is working overall.
WINK Investigates: Disgraced contractor faces new lawsuits and allegations Paul Beattie, a disgraced home builder is back doing business but legal challenges continue as another one of his businesses gets sued. Former employees of Beattie speak out, only to WINK.
SWFL reacts to UNC hiring Bill Belichick Southwest Florida reacts to North Carolina hiring Bill Belichick as its new head football coach and how that could impact the decisions of local recruits.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Some Floridians want more alone time during the holidays The holidays are all about spending time with family and friends, but nearly half of Americans say they really want more alone time during the holiday.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
Aggressive driving concerns on the rise in Southwest Florida The arrest of a man who, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said, killed a motorcyclist after crashing into him on purpose is raising concerns over aggressive driving in Southwest Florida.
SANIBEL Sanibel School students prepare for community Christmas performance The school that has had to claw and fight its way back more than once to reopen is getting the chance to celebrate.
FORT MYERS Rock For Equality: SWFL music scene to hold benefit concert for Palestine A two-venue, eight-band benefit concert is coming to Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Naples man sentenced in deadly bar shooting A man has been sentenced for a deadly shooting that took place at a Naples bar in March 2021.
Rafael Jesus Del-Valle-Jomarron (Credit: CCSO booking photo) A 40-year-old Golden Gate man has been arrested after deputies found evidence of dogfighting at his home. Rafael Jesus Del-Valle-Jomarron turned himself in Friday afternoon, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. Del-Valle-Jomarron faces four counts of animal cruelty causing cruel death, pain or suffering, one count of animal fighting and one count of selling, possessing or using equipment for fighting or baiting, the sheriff’s office said. Detectives say Del-Valle-Jomarron is described by deputies as a convicted felon who operated a dogfighting ring in his home in the 2100 block of 52nd Lane of Golden Gate. Multiple dogs removed from Rafael Jesus Del-Valle-Jomarron appeared to have scars and injuries. (Credit: Collier County Sheriff’s Office) The investigation began June 9 after deputies learned of possible animal abuse at the home. Deputies observed multiple dogs with apparent injuries in metal cages in Del-Valle-Jomarron’s backyard, deputies said. Deputies also found multiple roosters with injuries and lost feathers and an above-ground pool filled with sawdust which they say is used as a baiting device. Those who live nearby say that they were surprised to see this happen in their neighborhood. “It’s a quiet neighborhood, you know, everybody talks to everybody, you know,” said Angel Mendoza. Another neighbor didn’t want to be named because they believe they could have ties to one of the injured animals. “Last July we were outside, I just came home from work and two little puppies came running down the street and we were playing with them. My teenage daughter actually saw an ad on Facebook for two puppies that were lost and it turned out that they lived really close to us,” the neighbor said. That neighbor said they never actually saw anything out of the ordinary with the animals. “No, nothing. Not even the day that we returned the puppies. There was like nothing out of the ordinary that I would say there’s something sketchy going on.” Six female bull terriers, one female hound dog, two male bull terriers, and an injured rooster were seized by authorities. Two of the dogs were pregnant. Authorities also found steroids for animals, the sheriff’s office said. One of the dogs found had 249 scars and wounds while another had 109 scars, the sheriff’s office said. The animals were examined and cared for by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and will remain in the care of Collier County Domestic Animal Services. “These innocent animals endured repeated torturous abuse, suffering and pain,” Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said in a statement. “We are pleased that we, along with our partners with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Collier County Domestic Animal Services, have delivered them to a safe and healing environment and are bringing their abuser to justice.” Del-Valle-Jomarron remains in Collier County Jail.