Charlotte County Sheriff to discuss deputy-involved shooting on Eager RoadPlans for Aquarius Hotel receive final design approval in Naples
Charlotte County Sheriff to discuss deputy-involved shooting on Eager Road Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell is set to hold a news conference regarding a deputy-involved shooting on Eager Road.
Plans for Aquarius Hotel receive final design approval in Naples A proposed 18-unit boutique hotel with a restaurant received unanimous final design approval Jan. 22 by the Naples Design Review Board.
What you need to know for FEMA transitional sheltering assistance Many in Southwest Florida are dealing with unlivable conditions after a series of hurricanes hit the area last fall.
FORT MYERS BEACH Suspect wanted for stealing electric bike in Fort Myers Beach Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect who stole an electric bike in Fort Myers Beach.
Kelly’s Roast Beef, Oar & Iron continue SWFL expansion A Massachusetts-based restaurant company is bringing a taste of its home state to Southwest Florida, plus a new surf and turf concept aimed at people who call the region home.
GOLDEN GATE Investigation at Golden Gate Middle School after overnight burglary An overnight burglary at a middle school had deputies rushing to the scene, causing parents to have to wait to drop their children off.
Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann court date rescheduled Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann is set to appear in court after pleading not guilty to her drunk driving charge.
Bonita springs “Cold stunned” evening bat rescued by CROW amid frigid Florida weather The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife rescued an evening bat in Bonita Springs suspected of being “cold-stunned.”
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Morning showers move out for your Wednesday afternoon plans The Weather Authority is tracking Wednesday morning showers, then chillier conditions remain throughout the afternoon.
CAPE CORAL Demolition begins on Bimini East properties Demolition has begun on the Bimini East properties that are part of the city of Cape Coral’s revitalization development.
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.
LEHIGH ACRES Lee County cousins arrested for street racing at 90 mph in Lehigh Acres Lee County deputies arrested two men after witnessing them racing down Lee Boulevard at nearly 90 mph.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers activist reacts to shutdown of government reproductive rights website The website ReproductiveRights.gov, which offered resources on abortion and reproductive rights, is no longer accessible.
2 Southwest Floridians involved in Jan. 6 attack pardoned and commuted by President Trump Two men involved in the January 6th attack are now back in southwest Florida, thanks to a series of pardons from President Trump.
ESTERO Local teen golfer to play at Augusta National One drive at a time, 14-year-old Jesus Bethencourt is doing something most only dream of: playing at Augusta National.
Charlotte County Sheriff to discuss deputy-involved shooting on Eager Road Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell is set to hold a news conference regarding a deputy-involved shooting on Eager Road.
Plans for Aquarius Hotel receive final design approval in Naples A proposed 18-unit boutique hotel with a restaurant received unanimous final design approval Jan. 22 by the Naples Design Review Board.
What you need to know for FEMA transitional sheltering assistance Many in Southwest Florida are dealing with unlivable conditions after a series of hurricanes hit the area last fall.
FORT MYERS BEACH Suspect wanted for stealing electric bike in Fort Myers Beach Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect who stole an electric bike in Fort Myers Beach.
Kelly’s Roast Beef, Oar & Iron continue SWFL expansion A Massachusetts-based restaurant company is bringing a taste of its home state to Southwest Florida, plus a new surf and turf concept aimed at people who call the region home.
GOLDEN GATE Investigation at Golden Gate Middle School after overnight burglary An overnight burglary at a middle school had deputies rushing to the scene, causing parents to have to wait to drop their children off.
Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann court date rescheduled Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann is set to appear in court after pleading not guilty to her drunk driving charge.
Bonita springs “Cold stunned” evening bat rescued by CROW amid frigid Florida weather The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife rescued an evening bat in Bonita Springs suspected of being “cold-stunned.”
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Morning showers move out for your Wednesday afternoon plans The Weather Authority is tracking Wednesday morning showers, then chillier conditions remain throughout the afternoon.
CAPE CORAL Demolition begins on Bimini East properties Demolition has begun on the Bimini East properties that are part of the city of Cape Coral’s revitalization development.
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.
LEHIGH ACRES Lee County cousins arrested for street racing at 90 mph in Lehigh Acres Lee County deputies arrested two men after witnessing them racing down Lee Boulevard at nearly 90 mph.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers activist reacts to shutdown of government reproductive rights website The website ReproductiveRights.gov, which offered resources on abortion and reproductive rights, is no longer accessible.
2 Southwest Floridians involved in Jan. 6 attack pardoned and commuted by President Trump Two men involved in the January 6th attack are now back in southwest Florida, thanks to a series of pardons from President Trump.
ESTERO Local teen golfer to play at Augusta National One drive at a time, 14-year-old Jesus Bethencourt is doing something most only dream of: playing at Augusta National.
Credit: WINK News The school shooting in Parkland, Florida changed the ways schools operate when it comes to security. After that shooting, the Guardian Program was forced to protect students on school campuses by training its current staff to carry firearms at school. Currently, there are 45 counties in Florida that are a part of this program. Lee County could be the next district on the list. The massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018 sparked huge changes in school safety. One of those changes is adding a school resource officer (SRO) to every building on every public school campus. Another change was training and arming school employees and staff to stop a potential school threat. Melisa Giovannelli is a member of the Lee County School Board. “What’s the price of safety? I don’t think we can put a price on it. I think it’s important to enhance our SRO programs,” Giovannelli said. Board member Giovannelli asked for the Lee County School Board to reconsider Florida’s Guardian Program in order to help SROs protect students. She says Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno is on board with this idea. The school district’s safety and security executive director, David Newlan, has concerns about the program. “My big concern of using employees already in a position at district… is… it doesn’t, to me, if you’re going to be a guardian your sole responsibility should be a guardian,” Newlan said. “Just because you passed that initial 144 hours of training, does not make you qualified.” Other school board members say they think the SROs are more than enough. Mary Fischer is a Lee County School Board member. “I’m a lot more comfortable with our professional law enforcement being there and the ones to respond,” Fischer said. Cathleen O’Daniel Morgan is also a school board member. “If we were to explore anything it would be the security people that we have. I’m not frankly, at this point, interested in doing more than that,” Morgan said. The school board rejected the idea directly after the Parkland shooting. The only district in the WINK News viewing area to adopt the Guardian Program is Hendry County Schools. Right now, in Hendry County, they have five trained guardians in buildings, along with SROs. There are also 10 people interested in joining in that county.