Charlotte County hosts first-ever Magnet FairDaughter believes mother was killed in Port Charlotte house fire
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County hosts first-ever Magnet Fair A first-of-its-kind chance to allow parents and students to choose the school they go to.
PORT CHARLOTTE Daughter believes mother was killed in Port Charlotte house fire A family is holding each other close as they fear for the worst. Loved ones of 70-year-old Roseanne Cantasano told wink new they believe she was killed in this house fire in Port Charlotte on Monday.
Man arrested after multi-county chase stemming from carjacking A man has been arrested after a carjacking turned into a chase that crossed county lines.
PORT CHARLOTTE Nurses protest use of AI in the workplace Nurses are fighting back against artificial intelligence in their place of work. On Thursday, nurses took to the streets to protest.
NAPLES New gym offers safe place to play for kids on the autism spectrum We Rock the Spectrum welcomes kids both on and off the autism spectrum with activities that cater to all kids.
Charlotte County Vulture Infestation in Placida Neighborhood Big birds are taking over a local golf course in Charlotte County, feeding off the fish kill.
PUNTA GORDA CCSO on scene of officer-involved shooting in Punta Gorda According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, they are on the scene of an officer-involved shooting on Eager Road in Punta Gorda.
FORT MYERS Tempers flare over RSW expansion budget Tensions rose during Thursday’s meeting with the Lee County Port Authority and county commissioners over RSW’s budget.
ENGLEWOOD Promoting good mental health for veterans The tragedy of veteran suicide impacts far too many families.
72-year-old former law enforcement still displaced after Glades County tornado Devastating damage was brought to the Lakeport Community in Glades County on October 2024, after the strongest tornado to ever hit southwest Florida ripped the neighborhood to shreds.
NORTH FORT MYERS Drivers react to FDOT project on US 41 in North Fort Myers Drivers are reacting to the traffic being caused by a Florida Department of Transportation project at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Pine Island Road.
FORT MYERS Bishop Verot boys basketball coach celebrates 500 career wins Bishop Verot High School boys basketball head coach Matt Herting celebrates 500 career wins and reflects on 29 years coaching the sport.
NAPLES Shy Wolf Sanctuary to host Wolfstock Music festival Shy Wolf Sanctuary will soon host its 6th annual Wolfstock Music and Brewfest.
More women and younger adults getting cancer Mortality rates for cancer continue to decline. The American Cancer Society’s annual report says there was a 34% decrease in deaths between 1991 and 2022, but the report isn’t all good news.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County hosts first-ever Magnet Fair A first-of-its-kind chance to allow parents and students to choose the school they go to.
PORT CHARLOTTE Daughter believes mother was killed in Port Charlotte house fire A family is holding each other close as they fear for the worst. Loved ones of 70-year-old Roseanne Cantasano told wink new they believe she was killed in this house fire in Port Charlotte on Monday.
Man arrested after multi-county chase stemming from carjacking A man has been arrested after a carjacking turned into a chase that crossed county lines.
PORT CHARLOTTE Nurses protest use of AI in the workplace Nurses are fighting back against artificial intelligence in their place of work. On Thursday, nurses took to the streets to protest.
NAPLES New gym offers safe place to play for kids on the autism spectrum We Rock the Spectrum welcomes kids both on and off the autism spectrum with activities that cater to all kids.
Charlotte County Vulture Infestation in Placida Neighborhood Big birds are taking over a local golf course in Charlotte County, feeding off the fish kill.
PUNTA GORDA CCSO on scene of officer-involved shooting in Punta Gorda According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, they are on the scene of an officer-involved shooting on Eager Road in Punta Gorda.
FORT MYERS Tempers flare over RSW expansion budget Tensions rose during Thursday’s meeting with the Lee County Port Authority and county commissioners over RSW’s budget.
ENGLEWOOD Promoting good mental health for veterans The tragedy of veteran suicide impacts far too many families.
72-year-old former law enforcement still displaced after Glades County tornado Devastating damage was brought to the Lakeport Community in Glades County on October 2024, after the strongest tornado to ever hit southwest Florida ripped the neighborhood to shreds.
NORTH FORT MYERS Drivers react to FDOT project on US 41 in North Fort Myers Drivers are reacting to the traffic being caused by a Florida Department of Transportation project at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Pine Island Road.
FORT MYERS Bishop Verot boys basketball coach celebrates 500 career wins Bishop Verot High School boys basketball head coach Matt Herting celebrates 500 career wins and reflects on 29 years coaching the sport.
NAPLES Shy Wolf Sanctuary to host Wolfstock Music festival Shy Wolf Sanctuary will soon host its 6th annual Wolfstock Music and Brewfest.
More women and younger adults getting cancer Mortality rates for cancer continue to decline. The American Cancer Society’s annual report says there was a 34% decrease in deaths between 1991 and 2022, but the report isn’t all good news.
School board member Chris Patricca speaks during a video chat for an Estero community forum. She faced scrutiny after she made comments about Guatemalan students that were deemed insensitive. Credit: Shared with WINK News. A school board member was speaking during a video chat for a community forum when she was heard making a controversial remark. Lee County School Board member Chris Patricca faces calls for her resignation after she made comments about Lee County students from Guatemala. “The biggest challenge principals have with students from Guatemala is getting them out of the bathroom,” Patricca said during the conference call. Board member Gwyn Gittens told us she hopes the board will talk about Patricca’s comments at the next meeting. She thinks diversity trainings would help every board member become more culturally sensitive. Some member of the Guatemalan community say that is not enough. They want Patricca gone. Patricca made the comment when she was asked about the needs of Guatemalan ESL students during an Estero community meeting. “They’ve never seen running water before,” Patricca said. “They go in there, turn the faucet on and flush toilet and are fascinated by plumbing.” The comments rocked members of the Guatemalan community. “Her perception of the entire country and students that attend our schools was belittling,” school advocate Jacqueline Perez said. “My grandson is half Guatemalan. His mom is Guatemalan. I don’t even want him to hear that.” “To me, it was disrespectful to the Guatemalans and disrespectful to the Hispanic Americans that live in this country,” Yvette Benarroch said. “We should all be demanding for her to resign and like now.” In a statement, Patricca said, “I want to clarify comments I made at a recent community meeting and apologize for being insensitive. I genuinely feel badly that I hurt people’s feelings. I was speaking as an individual, not on behalf of the Lee County School Board or the Florida School Boards Association. Individuals hailing from Guatemala are most certainly valued members of our community. I vow to do better now and in the future.” Patricca leads the school board association concurrently with her role on Lee County School Board. Marta Matias immigrated to the U.S. from Guatemala 30 years ago. She told us migrant children deserve more sensitivity. “More compassion, more understanding because I think anybody that goes to another country will be confused many times,” Matias said. Members of the Guatemalan community are expected to appear at the next school board meeting Tuesday to protest and demand Patricca to resign.