NAPLES Grace Place raises more than $1.8 million at gala An organization dedicated to helping children and families just raised a whole lot of money.
NAPLES Naples parking problems frustrating residents Naples has a parking problem, but city leaders are stuck between a rock and a hard place trying to find a solution. The city’s rapid growth makes it harder every day to find a place for everyone to park.
NORTH FORT MYERS LCSO deputies use Taser to de-escalate armed standoff in North Fort Myers Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies de-escalated a dangerous situation by using a Taser to save lives.
Trump’s comments bring hope for Dreamers President-elect Donald Trump said he wants to work out a plan for Dreamers to stay in America.
World War II veteran celebrates 100th birthday A World War II veteran just turned 100 years old and celebrated with his community.
PUNTA GORDA Crews make last sweep for hurricane debris in Punta Gorda Clean-up from Hurricane Milton debris is wrapping up two months after the storm in Punta Gorda.
Charlotte Co. commissioners to review new townhome development, district Charlotte County commissioners will consider Dec. 10 the approval of homebuilder Lennar Home’s preliminary plat plan that proposes several hundred new townhomes in the South County area.
FORT MYERS Beatles tribute, “RAIN,” coming to Barbara B. Mann The Beatles tribute band “RAIN” will bring Beatlemania to Barbara B. Mann in Fort Myers next year, and tickets will be sold later this week.
WINK NEWS Lee County’s 12 Days of Giving begins Starting today, residents can receive Lee County’s e-newsletter and be entered to win one of 12 prize packages.
FORT MYERS Suntex to give update on Yacht Basin makeover The City of Fort Myers has promised that the Yacht Basin downtown will get a makeover, and the company running the show will give an update.
NORTH FORT MYERS Free public transportation available for attendees of state food-assistance event LeeTran will provide free public transportation to the state’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) event.
NAPLES Collier County public meeting to discuss extending Wilson Boulevard Collier County will hold a public meeting to discuss extending Wilson Boulevard, which could ease traffic congestion.
WINK NEWS Sun and clouds with warmer weather for your Monday Warmer temperatures this afternoon in the upper 70s to lower 80s. A cold front will also bring scattered storms on Wednesday.
Driver with 7 suspensions arrested following SR 82 pursuit According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a driver with seven suspensions was arrested by state troopers after a pursuit Sunday morning.
WINK Neighborhood Watch: Drug dealer sentenced, saw-like weapons and sexual assault on Naples Pier This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features an alleged long-time drug dealer being arrested, a man who is accused of assault with a saw-like weapon, and a man sexually assaulting a minor on the Naples Pier.
NAPLES Grace Place raises more than $1.8 million at gala An organization dedicated to helping children and families just raised a whole lot of money.
NAPLES Naples parking problems frustrating residents Naples has a parking problem, but city leaders are stuck between a rock and a hard place trying to find a solution. The city’s rapid growth makes it harder every day to find a place for everyone to park.
NORTH FORT MYERS LCSO deputies use Taser to de-escalate armed standoff in North Fort Myers Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies de-escalated a dangerous situation by using a Taser to save lives.
Trump’s comments bring hope for Dreamers President-elect Donald Trump said he wants to work out a plan for Dreamers to stay in America.
World War II veteran celebrates 100th birthday A World War II veteran just turned 100 years old and celebrated with his community.
PUNTA GORDA Crews make last sweep for hurricane debris in Punta Gorda Clean-up from Hurricane Milton debris is wrapping up two months after the storm in Punta Gorda.
Charlotte Co. commissioners to review new townhome development, district Charlotte County commissioners will consider Dec. 10 the approval of homebuilder Lennar Home’s preliminary plat plan that proposes several hundred new townhomes in the South County area.
FORT MYERS Beatles tribute, “RAIN,” coming to Barbara B. Mann The Beatles tribute band “RAIN” will bring Beatlemania to Barbara B. Mann in Fort Myers next year, and tickets will be sold later this week.
WINK NEWS Lee County’s 12 Days of Giving begins Starting today, residents can receive Lee County’s e-newsletter and be entered to win one of 12 prize packages.
FORT MYERS Suntex to give update on Yacht Basin makeover The City of Fort Myers has promised that the Yacht Basin downtown will get a makeover, and the company running the show will give an update.
NORTH FORT MYERS Free public transportation available for attendees of state food-assistance event LeeTran will provide free public transportation to the state’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) event.
NAPLES Collier County public meeting to discuss extending Wilson Boulevard Collier County will hold a public meeting to discuss extending Wilson Boulevard, which could ease traffic congestion.
WINK NEWS Sun and clouds with warmer weather for your Monday Warmer temperatures this afternoon in the upper 70s to lower 80s. A cold front will also bring scattered storms on Wednesday.
Driver with 7 suspensions arrested following SR 82 pursuit According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a driver with seven suspensions was arrested by state troopers after a pursuit Sunday morning.
WINK Neighborhood Watch: Drug dealer sentenced, saw-like weapons and sexual assault on Naples Pier This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features an alleged long-time drug dealer being arrested, a man who is accused of assault with a saw-like weapon, and a man sexually assaulting a minor on the Naples Pier.
John Leeman, 62, opened a savings account at SunTrust Bank (now Truist) in 2020 in Fort Myers so he could deposit two government checks: a tax refund check and a stimulus check, totaling nearly $2,000. When he tried to make a withdrawal soon after, Leeman says the bank told him the checks weren’t good and the account was closed. “I go back a couple of days later, and I asked for money, because I need some money to live, and they said the checks are no good. So I’m like, why is it no good since it comes from the government? So I went back and I just ask them why and they’re not telling me no reasons,” says Leeman. “This bank right here… they don’t care. I don’t think they worry about me at all, being a homeless person. And I told the woman, ‘Ma’am, I’m homeless. I need this money.'” With no car, no computer and unreliable internet access, he couldn’t solve this mystery on his own. He asked a friend to help him write this letter to his local congressman, but nothing changed for nearly a year. That’s when he mailed a letter to WINK News: “I’m just trying to get back what’s mine,” says Leeman. “I don’t ask for a penny more or a penny less. All this time, I’m sitting here and I can’t get my money? I mean, that’s wrong from the bank. They don’t get me the right answer… what I want to understand, what it is.” Leeman says he was relying on that money to buy an old RV, so he could leave his homeless camp and put a roof over his head. “… and instead of staying in the woods over here, I could live in an RV in a campground and go to work every day. But in the meantime, without no money, I’m living over here in the woods,” says Leeman. I went to the bank to talk to the manager. She wouldn’t comment. I reached out to Truist’s corporate headquarters. In an email, the Director of Media Relations Kyle Tarrance wrote, “let us look into this and circle back.” The next day, Truist circled back to Leeman to tell him he could pick up his money. “I got a phone call last night from the bank here saying be here at nine o’clock and get your money.” says Leeman. “I’m like, ‘oh that’s nice.’ I said, ‘Why did you take so long to get it?’ She wouldn’t tell me, but I’ll be here at nine o’clock for sure.” Celine: “How do you feel about that?” Leeman: “I feel good. It took WINK news to go do it.” I went with him to the bank, so we could find out what went wrong for so long. They wouldn’t tell either of us where the money was all this time, and why he was now getting it back. “She won’t tell me why, because she don’t know herself. You know, they do know, but they’re not saying anyway,” says Leeman. Leeman is just relieved to finally have this cash in hand and is ready to move on. I followed up with Truist again and they emailed us this statement: “It is our understanding that you’re now aware of the resolution, but I did want to circle back with you. As I’m sure you’re aware, we can’t discuss or confirm banking relationships to protect the privacy of our clients, but as with all potential client issues, we escalated this matter to the appropriate teams to research and help find a resolution. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.” – Kyle Tarrance, Truist Director of Media Relations In the meantime, if you have something you want me to investigate, email me at celine.mcarthur@winknews.com or investigations@winknews.com.