16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier CountyNew bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal The city of Cape Coral is seeing two projects that will change the city. One is called one of the most lucrative deals in county history.
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association breaks ground on new Fort Myers headquarters As Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association’s president pointed out, about 1,000 people are still moving to Florida every day, and many of them are finding their way to Southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County drug trafficker sentenced to 10 years A Charlotte County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
lehigh acres ‘How to sign away parental rights?’; Lehigh Acres woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal The city of Cape Coral is seeing two projects that will change the city. One is called one of the most lucrative deals in county history.
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association breaks ground on new Fort Myers headquarters As Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association’s president pointed out, about 1,000 people are still moving to Florida every day, and many of them are finding their way to Southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County drug trafficker sentenced to 10 years A Charlotte County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
lehigh acres ‘How to sign away parental rights?’; Lehigh Acres woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby.
Fort Myers Police Department (CREDIT: WINK News) The Fort Myers Police Department has terminated two of its officers, one of them for having sex with a woman while on the clock. Brandon Winters was fired on Monday after a woman he knew from the police academy said she had to move away from her Fort Myers apartment because Winters began leaving her notes after she told him she no longer wanted a sexual relationship, according to an internal affairs investigation. The woman is a deputy with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. Also terminated was Joshua Kuhl, who was fired on Tuesday. An internal affairs investigation was not available for Kuhl on Friday. A Fort Myers police spokeswoman declined a request for an interview but issued a statement instead. “At the Fort Myers Police Department, we believe in policing ourselves in the same manner as we police our community. We hold ourselves to the highest possible standard and believe in operating in a transparent and open manner,” said Public Information Officer Kristin Capuzzi. “Last week, Chief Derrick Diggs terminated both officers for engaging in behavior that is not acceptable for a Fort Myers Police Officer. Their actions were contrary to the Code of Ethics, Department Policy, and our high standards.” The woman reported Winters’ conduct to police in May of this year and provided them with text messages between her and the police officer. The 66-page investigation for Winters shows how the relationship between him and the woman was consensual at the beginning but then soured. Winters and the woman met in the police academy in 2019. She told investigators their sexual relationship began in May of 2020 and went through late August or early September of the same year. She then told Winters she didn’t want to continue having sex with him because she wanted a serious relationship. After she said no, Winters continued to text her asking her for sex and on at least two occasions left notes on her car where she lived. The woman told FMPD that she ended up breaking her lease at her apartment to keep Winters from trying to see her again. Even after she moved, she said Winters kept messaging her, asking for her new address. According to the internal affairs investigation, Winters messaged the woman 67 times between Dec. 2020 and May 2021 asking for sex. She finally reported it to the Fort Myers Police Department on May 27. The final action summary for the investigation shows he was terminated for falsifying a number of calls for service in the woman’s neighborhood to be able to stop by her home for sex. In addition, the investigation sustained allegations that Winters was sexting while on duty and that he failed to turn on his body camera during calls for service. “Obviously it’s disappointing anytime the chief feels the need to terminate an officer that the wrongdoing has risen to that level. However, what’s important to recognize here is the message that’s been sent, that the chief is committed to holding his officers responsible for their actions,” Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson said in a statement. “Obviously, it’s not acceptable behavior. And I need to be very clear that this behavior is not reflective of the men and women of the Fort Myers Police Department. An overwhelming majority of them come to work every day dedicated to serving the citizens dedicated and focused on keeping this community safe.” This is not the first time in the last two weeks where an officer has been terminated at the police department. On Nov. 30, Jason Jackson was fired for maintaining a sexual relationship with a former confidential informant and failing to devote time and attention to the service of the city. The Breaking News Authority will update this developing story.