Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh AcresSchool District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements
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.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for December 11, 2024 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for Wednesday, December 11, 2024.
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.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for December 11, 2024 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for Wednesday, December 11, 2024.
Issues in the City of Fort Myers water system has caused the Department of Health in Lee County to intervene. (CREDIT: WINK News) The State of Florida will provide oversight, which could include potential penalties, after numerous violations have been found in the City of Fort Myers’ water system. A 9-page draft consent order from the Department of Health in Lee County reveals serious problems and explains why the city has struggled to provide quality water and enough water to residents. The consent order, obtained by WINK News, shows violation after violation and it shows how the state will make sure improvements get made. “With or without the consent order, we were going to do these things once it was brought to our attention. What this does is hanging over our heads, it’s kind of like that carrot,” said Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson, adding that, “there’s not an overnight fix.” The consent order is a draft and Anderson said it is expected to be finalized in a month or two. WINK News reached out to the Department of Health in Lee County on Friday. They asked for a list of questions. We will update the story when we hear back. The consent order comes after years of apparent neglect. WINK News has covered the lack of water in the Fort Myers system, but the order shows the system can’t produce enough water to meet daily demand, even when there is enough water to go around. The state said the system hasn’t been maintained properly with some equipment leaking and showing disrepair. “Initially I was very, very disgusted and disappointed and embarrassed when the magnitude of the problem came to light,” Anderson said. Since the water issues came to light this year, the City has turned up its efforts, building two new water wells and buying water from Lee County. It has helped with the water pressure problems across the city. “We’ve been able to ween ourselves off that. The water pressure has been much, much better,” Anderson said. For Tami Adamson, it’s still the same. “If they say change is coming, I can’t wait,” Adamson said. Not all issues have improved. Adamson said she can’t remember the last time her water looked clean. “It’s rust-colored and you feel it on your body and skin so you have to continuously scrub like, ugh, what is on me,” Adamson said. With sink and shower water that can come out discolored and grimy, Adamson and her family are considering leaving Fort Myers. “We’re tired of paying so much money on water and taxes on something that hasn’t been fixed. We know the fix is coming, but it’s a long time coming. We’re just tired of waiting,” she said. The consent order lays out specific deadlines for the City. By December 31, 2023, Fort Myers should finish water system improvements. The city will also have to submit written quarterly updates to the state and pay penalties ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 daily if the city fails to comply with requirements. “We’re talking now just tens of millions but hundreds of millions of dollars it’s going to cost us to get out of this problem,” Anderson said. Anderson said the state and the city have been meeting and he describes the relationship as “cooperative.” “There’s not an overnight fix. We are very comfortable that we’re in a position to serve water pressure to serve current citizens,” Anderson said.