Neighbors frustrated with car noises in Port CharlotteCharlotte County provides update on boat ramp closures
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors frustrated with car noises in Port Charlotte A battle intensifies on Oceanside Avenue in Port Charlotte between neighbors and an endless bombardment of car noises.
Charlotte County provides update on boat ramp closures The Charlotte County Community Services has provided an update regarding the boat ramp closures brought about by hurricanes Milton and Helene.
LEE COUNTY Man found guilty of 1st-degree murder in fentanyl-overdose death of Lee County woman A man has been convicted of first-degree murder of unlawful distribution of fentanyl for the overdose death of a Lee County woman.
SANIBEL Sanibel to celebrate 50th anniversary of city’s incorporation The City of Sanibel announced its 50th-anniversary celebration of the city’s incorporation to prevent overdevelopment.
the weather authority Tropical Depression 18 forms; expected to become Tropical Storm Rafael The Weather Authority meteorologists are monitoring the Caribbean as Tropical Depression 18 is forecast to become Tropical Storm Rafael.
The Weather Authority Warm and breezy with a few showers for your Monday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a warm start to the workweek with breezy conditions and a chance of showers this afternoon.
Know where your voting precinct is in Southwest Florida Election Day is only one day away, so it is important to know where to go and if you qualify to vote in Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Humane Society of Naples looking to give homes to 2 dogs Two months ago, WINK News introduced you to Yogi, a pup who had been at the Humane Society of Naples for 797 days due to his shyness.
Democrats and Republicans preparing for Presidential Election The 2024 Presidential Election is on Tuesday. Now that early voting has ended, Southwest Florida political parties are making their final push to voters to vote.
southwest florida WINK Neighborhood Watch: fatal shooting, criminal mischief, and a drug sting This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a fatal shooting, criminal mischief and a drug sting.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral firefighters rescue dog from canal, reunited with owner Firefighters with Engine 3 of the Cape Coral Fire Department rescued a dog from a canal early Sunday morning but have yet to locate its owner.
Early voting ends Sunday in Charlotte County; here’s where to cast your ballot Sunday is the final day for early voting if you are a resident of Charlotte County, with just two days to go until the 2024 presidential election.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA The Weather Authority: First cone out for potential Tropical Storm Rafael It’s the final month of hurricane season, and while typically, we start to see things quiet down, the Weather Authority is tracking three areas in the tropics.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Warm, breezy Sunday on tap with rain chances increasing this week The Weather Authority is tracking another warm day with temperatures in the upper 80s.
ENGLEWOOD Englewood Chamber of Commerce donates $88,000 to hurricane relief fund The Englewood Chamber of Commerce announced that they are making a significant donation to the chamber’s community hurricane relief fund.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors frustrated with car noises in Port Charlotte A battle intensifies on Oceanside Avenue in Port Charlotte between neighbors and an endless bombardment of car noises.
Charlotte County provides update on boat ramp closures The Charlotte County Community Services has provided an update regarding the boat ramp closures brought about by hurricanes Milton and Helene.
LEE COUNTY Man found guilty of 1st-degree murder in fentanyl-overdose death of Lee County woman A man has been convicted of first-degree murder of unlawful distribution of fentanyl for the overdose death of a Lee County woman.
SANIBEL Sanibel to celebrate 50th anniversary of city’s incorporation The City of Sanibel announced its 50th-anniversary celebration of the city’s incorporation to prevent overdevelopment.
the weather authority Tropical Depression 18 forms; expected to become Tropical Storm Rafael The Weather Authority meteorologists are monitoring the Caribbean as Tropical Depression 18 is forecast to become Tropical Storm Rafael.
The Weather Authority Warm and breezy with a few showers for your Monday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a warm start to the workweek with breezy conditions and a chance of showers this afternoon.
Know where your voting precinct is in Southwest Florida Election Day is only one day away, so it is important to know where to go and if you qualify to vote in Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Humane Society of Naples looking to give homes to 2 dogs Two months ago, WINK News introduced you to Yogi, a pup who had been at the Humane Society of Naples for 797 days due to his shyness.
Democrats and Republicans preparing for Presidential Election The 2024 Presidential Election is on Tuesday. Now that early voting has ended, Southwest Florida political parties are making their final push to voters to vote.
southwest florida WINK Neighborhood Watch: fatal shooting, criminal mischief, and a drug sting This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a fatal shooting, criminal mischief and a drug sting.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral firefighters rescue dog from canal, reunited with owner Firefighters with Engine 3 of the Cape Coral Fire Department rescued a dog from a canal early Sunday morning but have yet to locate its owner.
Early voting ends Sunday in Charlotte County; here’s where to cast your ballot Sunday is the final day for early voting if you are a resident of Charlotte County, with just two days to go until the 2024 presidential election.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA The Weather Authority: First cone out for potential Tropical Storm Rafael It’s the final month of hurricane season, and while typically, we start to see things quiet down, the Weather Authority is tracking three areas in the tropics.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Warm, breezy Sunday on tap with rain chances increasing this week The Weather Authority is tracking another warm day with temperatures in the upper 80s.
ENGLEWOOD Englewood Chamber of Commerce donates $88,000 to hurricane relief fund The Englewood Chamber of Commerce announced that they are making a significant donation to the chamber’s community hurricane relief fund.
The aftermath of Hurricane Ian has been devastating for many, and now some are dealing with violations and small fines as they repair their homes. WINK News investigative reporter Peter Fleischer visited a neighborhood where nearly 20 homes have been hit with Lee County code violations. Homeowners say they’re not trying to get away with illegal work; they’re just trying to get their lives back. It’s hard to imagine what some houses were like in Island Park before Hurricane Ian, but the aftermath and how it affected his neighbors break Greg Wieg’s heart. “They were just different individuals. I heard people in the neighborhood saying, ‘I wish I had been one of the people that drowned,'” said Wieg. Greg Wieg. (Credit: WINK News) Wieg and his wife have lived in the Island Park area for 17 years. Their house was hit during Ian, but the damage wasn’t catastrophic. Now, they’re buying their neighbor’s house. She was described as an elderly woman, and she didn’t have the strength or resources to rebuild. “It was just utter devastation. These homes took on almost six feet of water,” Wieg said. Inside the home left destroyed by Ian. (Credit: WINK News) The house is now a skeleton. A church group helped the woman gut her home when they were volunteering in the weeks after Ian. The goal was to prevent further mold and rot damage. Months later, the woman was hit with a Lee County code violation. She didn’t have a permit to remodel her house. “If the house is on fire, do you have to get a permit before you put the house fire out? Of course not,” said Wieg. Records show this house is one of at least 18 that have been hit with code violations in the neighborhood, and 115 violations have been issued in the Island Park zip code, but community members argue it’s not like they’re adding a second floor or digging a lavish pool. Jim Weiss. (Credit: WINK News) Jim Weiss has lived in the Island Park area for 25 years. Records show several homes on his street have been issued code violations since Ian. “I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about insurance,” said Weiss. Weiss worked on small projects around his home, trying to keep his house safe and clean while following county requirements. “You’ve got a group of people that don’t care too much about that. That’s not an important item. It’s dotting the I’s and crossing the t’s is more important.” Even with a livable home, the process and the suffering of his neighbors have taken their toll. “This situation has changed me greatly. It’s very difficult to think about,” Weiss said. As they recover and rebuild, Island Park asks for understanding. “The county and the building department needs to reach out to these people and explain to them the process that needs to occur so they can achieve the end game,” said Wieg. WINK News requested an interview with Lee County Code Enforcement, but they referred us to their website instead. Lee County Code Enforcement is only responsible for unincorporated Lee County. To contact Lee County Code Enforcement, residents can call 239-533-8895 or email complaints to codeenforcement@leegov.com. To look up code enforcement violations, follow the directions below: Go to the Lee County code enforcement database by clicking here. Make sure the “Code Enforcement” tab is selected, and then “Search Applications.” Fill out as much information as possible. There are options for specific types of violations, dates, addresses, etc.