Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoonStudents react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
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.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
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.
Parents and students question when and if, Fort Myers Beach Elementary School will be rebuilt after Hurricane Ian shut it down. And after the town hall meeting on Monday, still no word on what is happening with the school. Nautilus Earth Management made an offer to clean the school for free. The Nautilus Earth Management website says it specializes in land clearing, excavation, and demolition. Parents brought this up at the town hall meeting, but the board said its decision is not as easy as it appears. Parents explained the school district superintendent has been in contact with the company but, so far, nothing’s been solidified. Monday, at 6 p.m. a town hall discussing the future of the school was hosted by school board member, Chris Patricca. Parents, teachers, and students will all be at the town hall Monday evening. One of the teachers at the meeting was Lori Zamniak, who spoke with WINK News. “We really want our school rebuilt. We want it rebuilt. It’s like they said in the meeting, it’s important for the community,” Zamniak said. “It’s the heart of the community.” Parents and teachers banded together displaying the almost tangible frustration at the Lee County School Board’s lack of action. One of the parents, John Koss, attended the meeting and spoke with WINK News about his thoughts. “We understand that there’s a lot of red tape and a lot of things, you know that our school boards going through, we’re 75 days in, we want our kids to get some sense of normalcy in their lives. And that’s not happening,” Koss said. Patricca and superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier explained due to the school’s historical roots and involvement from insurance companies, their hands are tied for the time being. “Do the finances matter? Yes. The reason we’re sitting here without a decision is because we don’t have all information that we need,” Patricca said. WINK News was at the school board meeting a few weeks ago when those same people showed up in droves. Many attending the last town hall wore matching shirts telling the school board why they think Fort Myers Beach Elementary should be rebuilt. WINK News spoke to grandparent Jane Plummer, who said both of her children and grandchildren thrived at the school. Plummer also said there are many reasons the school should be rebuilt. “It’s what’s going to bring families to the island. Families that buy here want their kids to go to school on the island,” Plummer said. “They don’t want to bus their kindergartener to Bonita or Fort Myers and be on a bus for three hours during season I mean that’s just crazy.” The board explained there are about five different options for the school. The options range from major renovations to the demolition of the school. Issues like raising enrollment numbers are crucial to its future also. “We just hope they look long and hard at just not the numbers, but also what the school means to the community and that their decision is not just for this year. It’s long-term,” Zamniak said. The Lee County School Board is set to discuss the school’s future more in-depth during the next meeting on Dec. 13. Bernier said he hopes it will lead to a decision by some time in January.