Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast UniversityMissing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: Parent brings weapon to Lehigh Acres school According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, there is probable cause to believe a woman unintentionally brought a firearm to school.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: Parent brings weapon to Lehigh Acres school According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, there is probable cause to believe a woman unintentionally brought a firearm to school.
Credit: WINK News Governor Ron DeSantis says he wants to investigate election crimes and wants to create an investigation unit in Florida. The governor has already set aside $5.7M for this unit in the 2022-2023 budget. Local election officials are now sounding off about this new proposal. Tommy Doyle is Lee County’s supervisor of elections and says he’s in favor of anything that reinforces elections security. But there are still a lot of questions about how the unit would work and how dire the need is. If things go Governor DeSantis’ way, there could be an Election and Crime Security Office. “And I guarantee you this the first person that gets caught nobody wants to do it again after that because they know there’s enforcement,” DeSantis said. For now, DeSantis claims, there aren’t enough people in this state that are trained to investigate election crimes. His new budget proposal would change. The plan is to hire 52 people whose job it would be to handle any election fraud cases. “I know local law enforcement, given the climate, is taking this more seriously. Whether it’s needed or not, it remains to be seen,” Doyle said. Why wouldn’t DeSantis’ unit be needed? Officials say voter fraud does happen, but it’s extremely rare. Doyle says the county’s biggest problem is the “misinformation campaigns” that are spreading lies about widespread voter fraud. Doyle says he’s only sent two cases of fraud to law enforcement. “There’s always going to be some fraud coming, but it’s so minor,” he said. Andrew Warren is the Hillborough County State Attorney, and he told the Tampa Bay Times, “What in the world are 52 investigators going to do all year long? Wait for the phone to ring?” Alan Johnson is Palm Beach County’s Chief Assistant State Attorney. He told the Tampa Bay Times that DeSantis’ solution is overkill. He says it’s like “swatting a mosquito with a sledgehammer.” Doyle says he’s not willing to make assumptions like that just yet. “I haven’t seen the bill. Let’s wait till the bill comes out before we comment. If that’s overkill, or not,” he said. Three people who live in The Villages were arrested within the last two weeks for casting more than one ballot in the 2020 election. But Doyle says that shows just how rare it is. “But they have several, probably close to 150 to 200,000 voters,” he said. “And you talking three voters as minor fraud. That’s not… that’s not significant. It’s not going to make a difference.” But, just because it’s not widespread doesn’t mean it’s not important. “Anything that deters voter fraud is, of course, I’m supporting,” said Doyle. Governor DeSantis says, if approved, would create the first election and crime unit in the nation. Lawmakers head back to Tallahassee for the new legislative session on January 11, 2022.