Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads UpLee County School District addresses parent’s concerns at town hall meeting
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
Lee County School District addresses parent’s concerns at town hall meeting Creating open dialog between parents and those in charge of our kid’s education. Thursday night was the first of many town hall meetings being held by the Lee County school district.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office intercepts drugs shipped via dark web The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has launched “Operation Dark Knight” to address the growing issue of drug trafficking through the dark web.
NAPLES CCSO seeks help identifying suspected school burglars in Collier County The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying four people who broke into Golden Gate Middle School.
Beloved owner of iconic Lani Kai Island Resort passes away The community is saying goodbye to a Fort Myers Beach legend.
FORT MYERS Experts give safety tips regarding reigniting heaters With record cold fronts this week, some are now turning on their heaters for the first time in a while.
NAPLES Naples Winter Wine Festival: 25 years of helping Collier County children This year marks the silver anniversary of The Naples Winter Wine Festival. It was an idea sparked by a group of like-minded friends.
NAPLES Girl’s weightlifting popularity growing in Collier County Since the sport was introduced in Collier County schools three years ago teams have seen a sharp increase in participation.
CAPE CORAL Trend of phasing out shingled roofs for metal In Florida, the trend of replacing shingle roofs with metal roofs is gaining attention.
CAPTIVA Red tide warning near Turner Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Turner Beach.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Beach Town Council facing threats over development projects Tensions have risen in Fort Myers Beach, with local council member Karen Woodson facing verbal threats and abuse.
NAPLES Attendees arrive ahead of 2025 Naples Winter Wine Festival The Naples Winter Wine Festival is set to begin on Friday night, marking its silver anniversary.
COVID-19’s hidden dangers Researchers have discovered that the neurological effects of long COVID extend beyond common symptoms like coughing and sneezing.
Locals react to Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship A federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump’s attempt to end the nation’s birthright citizenship policy.
Watering schedule to begin for unincorporated Lee County residents A once-a-week watering schedule is being issued for unincorporated Lee County, which is intended to conserve water and protect the aquifer.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
Lee County School District addresses parent’s concerns at town hall meeting Creating open dialog between parents and those in charge of our kid’s education. Thursday night was the first of many town hall meetings being held by the Lee County school district.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office intercepts drugs shipped via dark web The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has launched “Operation Dark Knight” to address the growing issue of drug trafficking through the dark web.
NAPLES CCSO seeks help identifying suspected school burglars in Collier County The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying four people who broke into Golden Gate Middle School.
Beloved owner of iconic Lani Kai Island Resort passes away The community is saying goodbye to a Fort Myers Beach legend.
FORT MYERS Experts give safety tips regarding reigniting heaters With record cold fronts this week, some are now turning on their heaters for the first time in a while.
NAPLES Naples Winter Wine Festival: 25 years of helping Collier County children This year marks the silver anniversary of The Naples Winter Wine Festival. It was an idea sparked by a group of like-minded friends.
NAPLES Girl’s weightlifting popularity growing in Collier County Since the sport was introduced in Collier County schools three years ago teams have seen a sharp increase in participation.
CAPE CORAL Trend of phasing out shingled roofs for metal In Florida, the trend of replacing shingle roofs with metal roofs is gaining attention.
CAPTIVA Red tide warning near Turner Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Turner Beach.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Beach Town Council facing threats over development projects Tensions have risen in Fort Myers Beach, with local council member Karen Woodson facing verbal threats and abuse.
NAPLES Attendees arrive ahead of 2025 Naples Winter Wine Festival The Naples Winter Wine Festival is set to begin on Friday night, marking its silver anniversary.
COVID-19’s hidden dangers Researchers have discovered that the neurological effects of long COVID extend beyond common symptoms like coughing and sneezing.
Locals react to Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship A federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump’s attempt to end the nation’s birthright citizenship policy.
Watering schedule to begin for unincorporated Lee County residents A once-a-week watering schedule is being issued for unincorporated Lee County, which is intended to conserve water and protect the aquifer.
A judge has paved the way for local school districts to make their own decision on masking. (CREDIT: WINK News) Schools could be one step closer to enforcing pandemic restrictions after a judge blocked Gov. Ron DeSantis’ no-mask mandate. The decision could make a difference in Southwest Florida for districts reluctant to enforce a mandate over fears of repercussions from DeSantis. The Lee County School Board plans to review its masking policies on Monday. Collier and Charlotte county schools said it’s too early for them to say what they will do. But the judge kicked the door open for local districts to order masks for all. “Face mask policies that follow CDC guidance are, at this point in time, reasonable and consistent with the best scientific and medical opinion guidance in this country at this time,” Judge John Cooper said. Lee County School Board member Mary Fischer said “it’s about time.” She said the board will now prepare to start the mask debate again, this time with no parental opt-out. “Whatever happens, my vote will definitely be in favor of requiring masks at this time,” Fischer said. WINK News called all of the district’s board members. In addition to Fischer, Betsy Vaughn said she would vote for a mandate. Melisa W. Giovannelli, Chris N. Patricca, Debbie Jordan and Cathleen O’Daniel Morgan did not return a request for comment. Lee County School Board member Gwyn Gittens is unsure how she will vote, but she said this might be a way to help everyone come together to put out the fire. “I can’t stand staunchly on we must do this if I don’t know all of the information so honestly I don’t know what I’ll do,” Gittens said. The local teacher’s union president said letting local districts make the call is the right thing. The state will appeal the order, but so far no comment from DeSantis. Parisima Taeb, a mother of a Lee County student who is also a doctor, said the ruling is on point. More than 200 doctors signed her petition for a mask mandate in the school district. “The school district can have all these flowcharts set, they could have all these meetings, workshops, and they could enact implement all these safe other safety measures,” said Taeb, an internal medicine physician. “The most important, most preventive safety protocol is to mandate masks period. If they don’t do that, all the other stuff, the whole system is broken.”