Community remembers Clayton Miller after tragic e-bike accidentFlorida lawmakers push for stricter DUI laws amid rising fatalities
NORTH NAPLES Community remembers Clayton Miller after tragic e-bike accident A community is mourning the tragic loss of 14-year-old Clayton Miller, who was killed in an e-bike accident over the weekend.
FORT MYERS Florida lawmakers push for stricter DUI laws amid rising fatalities Florida lawmakers are pushing to strengthen DUI punishments with increased fines and jail time.
FGCU FGCU draws 14-seed and rematch in NCAA Tournament FGCU draws a 14-seed and rematch of last year’s first round with 3-seeded Oklahoma for round one of the NCAA Tournament.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral pushes back on bill to ban community redevelopment agencies The Cape Coral City Council is pushing back against a new bill introduced by their state representative, Mike Giallombardo, which aims to ban Community Redevelopment Agencies.
FORT MYERS BEACH Spring break brings excitement and business boom to Fort Myers Beach Fort Myers Beach is buzzing with excitement as spring breakers from across the country descend on this popular destination.
MARCO ISLAND Seventh Marco Island city councilor sworn in after months of discussion Marco Island’s city council has finally filled its vacant seventh seat after over four months of deliberations.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers council weighs ICE role for local police in immigration tasks The Fort Myers City Council is currently discussing a potential agreement between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Fort Myers Police Department.
FORT MYERS BEACH WINK Investigates: Where is the money for Hurricane Ian victim? WINK News investigates a contractor dispute involving Joe Salvaggio, who paid for home repairs after Hurricane Ian but never saw the work completed.
TALLAHASSEE Barron Collier grad pitches first game for FSU since heart surgeries FSU pitcher Jacob Marlowe, a Barron Collier High School grad, played his first baseball game after two open heart surgeries.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral man arrested for DUI after allegedly threatening police on Del Prado Blvd. A routine sobriety test in Cape Coral quickly escalated when a man became irate with a police officer.
Florida restaurants may lose automatic tips for groups under 6 Lawmakers are currently debating a change that could impact how diners tip in Florida.
FORT MYERS Florida bill aims to ease phone repairs for locals and small businesses A new Florida House bill aims to make do-it-yourself repairs easier for device owners and independent repair providers.
Paddy Murphy’s Irish Pub rolls out food menu on Marco Island Although Paddy Murphy’s Irish Pub launched on Marco Island last St. Patrick’s Day, the bar didn’t roll out its extensive food menu until this year.
Deputies catch 2 unregistered sex offenders in DeSoto County The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office caught two unregistered sex offenders from Missouri last week on Brevard Avenue.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers police investigating body found in house A death investigation is underway at a Fort Myers home.
NORTH NAPLES Community remembers Clayton Miller after tragic e-bike accident A community is mourning the tragic loss of 14-year-old Clayton Miller, who was killed in an e-bike accident over the weekend.
FORT MYERS Florida lawmakers push for stricter DUI laws amid rising fatalities Florida lawmakers are pushing to strengthen DUI punishments with increased fines and jail time.
FGCU FGCU draws 14-seed and rematch in NCAA Tournament FGCU draws a 14-seed and rematch of last year’s first round with 3-seeded Oklahoma for round one of the NCAA Tournament.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral pushes back on bill to ban community redevelopment agencies The Cape Coral City Council is pushing back against a new bill introduced by their state representative, Mike Giallombardo, which aims to ban Community Redevelopment Agencies.
FORT MYERS BEACH Spring break brings excitement and business boom to Fort Myers Beach Fort Myers Beach is buzzing with excitement as spring breakers from across the country descend on this popular destination.
MARCO ISLAND Seventh Marco Island city councilor sworn in after months of discussion Marco Island’s city council has finally filled its vacant seventh seat after over four months of deliberations.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers council weighs ICE role for local police in immigration tasks The Fort Myers City Council is currently discussing a potential agreement between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Fort Myers Police Department.
FORT MYERS BEACH WINK Investigates: Where is the money for Hurricane Ian victim? WINK News investigates a contractor dispute involving Joe Salvaggio, who paid for home repairs after Hurricane Ian but never saw the work completed.
TALLAHASSEE Barron Collier grad pitches first game for FSU since heart surgeries FSU pitcher Jacob Marlowe, a Barron Collier High School grad, played his first baseball game after two open heart surgeries.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral man arrested for DUI after allegedly threatening police on Del Prado Blvd. A routine sobriety test in Cape Coral quickly escalated when a man became irate with a police officer.
Florida restaurants may lose automatic tips for groups under 6 Lawmakers are currently debating a change that could impact how diners tip in Florida.
FORT MYERS Florida bill aims to ease phone repairs for locals and small businesses A new Florida House bill aims to make do-it-yourself repairs easier for device owners and independent repair providers.
Paddy Murphy’s Irish Pub rolls out food menu on Marco Island Although Paddy Murphy’s Irish Pub launched on Marco Island last St. Patrick’s Day, the bar didn’t roll out its extensive food menu until this year.
Deputies catch 2 unregistered sex offenders in DeSoto County The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office caught two unregistered sex offenders from Missouri last week on Brevard Avenue.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers police investigating body found in house A death investigation is underway at a Fort Myers home.
Rep. Ardian Zika, R-Land O’ Lakes, sponsored a bill that could lead to the state moving away from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (Credit: Florida House of Representatives) With Republicans angry about a vaccination rule issued by the federal Occupational and Safety and Health Administration, the Florida House on Wednesday approved a proposal that could lead to the state taking over regulation of worker safety and health issues. The GOP-controlled House voted 76-38 along almost straight party lines to pass a bill (HB 5B) that would direct Gov. Ron DeSantis to develop a plan for the state to move away from OSHA oversight. The Senate also is expected to pass the bill before adjourning a special legislative session that started Monday. House bill sponsor Ardian Zika, R-Land O’ Lakes, pointed to the OSHA vaccination rule, which was issued this month and would apply to employers with 100 or more workers. Those workers would have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or test negative at least once a week and wear masks. DeSantis and other Republicans have argued the rule will lead to workers losing jobs if they don’t comply. “Forced firing of Floridians is not the Florida way,” Zika said. “It is not the role of government to pick and choose which employee is fired.” But Democrats said lawmakers should not have taken up the issue during the special session, as it is not urgent. “This is special session, and this bill ain’t special,” Rep. Ramon Alexander, D-Tallahassee, said. Under the bill, DeSantis would have to report back to the Legislature by Jan. 17 about efforts to put together the plan. Ultimately, the federal government would have to sign off on a state plan before it could move forward. Zika said this week that the process could take two to three years. If the plan moves forward in the future, Florida would join numerous other states that regulate worker safety and health. A House analysis said 21 states and Puerto Rico operate plans that cover private and government employees. Another five states and the U.S. Virgin Islands operate plans that cover government employees, according to the analysis. But the idea emerged in Florida after OSHA issued the vaccination rule, which would take effect Jan. 4. Florida joined Georgia and Alabama in filing a federal-court challenge to the rule. That challenge was consolidated Tuesday with similar cases across the country and will be heard in the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Rep. James Bush, D-Miami, was the only House member to cross party lines on the bill Wednesday, joining Republicans in support. Other Democrats pointed to the political motivations of Republicans. “If you are trying to make a point, congratulations, you did it,” Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, said. But Zika said Florida would be better situated to oversee worker safety and health issues. “Florida knows Florida better than Washington, D.C. will ever know Florida,” he said.