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.
Dr. Parisima Taeb. Credit: WINK News. Doctors are signing a petition for a universal mask mandate in Lee County schools. They’re also calling for better contact tracing. The doctor who organized the petition is also a concerned parent of the school district. A petition spearheaded by Dr. Parisima Taeb has more than 250 doctor signatures Tuesday calling for masks as a necessary safety measure at all schools in The School District of Lee County. “We, the physicians of Southwest Florida, are urging you to reconsider your position regarding mandating masks for our school district,” as written in the the first paragraph of the petition. “We are also asking for accurate and timely notification protocols for those who have been exposed to COVID-19 positive individuals in our schools. We need to show that we prioritize health, safety, and in-person learning and that we follow the recommendations of medical and public health experts.” This is personal for Taeb, since her daughter goes to school in Lee County. Taeb has made calls no parent wants to make, calls to her daughter’s school and The School District of Lee County, letting them know her daughter tested positive for COVID-19. Taeb says she did not expect the response she received. “To my surprise, nobody from the school or Lee County school district notified any of the parents about this exposure,” Taeb said. “Also, there were a couple of other classmates in her classroom, who were also tested positive, and they were never notified as well.” That made Taeb angry as a mom and as a doctor, who specializes in internal medicine. “Other kids in the classroom, they’re not mandated to wear masks at the desks, are very close to each other,” Taeb said. Taeb told us kids without masks and slow contact tracing are two recipes for disaster. That’s why she started the petition to urge Lee County School Board to mandate masks and improve contact tracing. “Our hospitals are getting overwhelmed,” Taeb said. “I mean, this is a cry out from all of us from the community. We are trying to beg the school board to help us.” We spoke directly to District spokesperson Rob Spicker about masks in schools and the petition being signed by doctors. “At the moment, the mask policy that we have complies with the parents bill of rights, complies with the governors executive order and complies with the rule from the department of health,” Spicker said. The petition serves as a sign-on letter for physicians only. Taeb is expected to stop gathering signatures on the petition 5 p.m. Tuesday. The petition and letter to the school board is expected to be sent Wednesday. Taeb says she fears the worst if the policy does not change fast, so she and other doctors will keep pushing. “I’m just scared that a child is going to die,” Taeb said. “And that’s going to be, it’s going to be too late by then.”