‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidationHomeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Memorial celebrates the life of John Passidomo Hundreds of friends and family gathered for a memorial at Baker Park in Naples.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema prepares for opening at Mercato The newest movie theater in Southwest Florida opens April 29, and it does so with an array of entertainment offerings that go beyond the usual options across the region.
Let’s Waffle opens in Cape Coral Let’s Waffle is one of two businesses the Feix family launched locally, with the FMS Florida Boat Tours and Limousine Service owned and operated by Feix’s husband, Alexander.
Planned Punta Gorda hotel, pub, brewery faces construction delay Kevin Doyle, owner of Celtic Ray Public House Irish pub in downtown Punta Gorda, and his partner, S4 Global Investments, were found in violation of the city’s exposed soils code.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Memorial celebrates the life of John Passidomo Hundreds of friends and family gathered for a memorial at Baker Park in Naples.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema prepares for opening at Mercato The newest movie theater in Southwest Florida opens April 29, and it does so with an array of entertainment offerings that go beyond the usual options across the region.
Let’s Waffle opens in Cape Coral Let’s Waffle is one of two businesses the Feix family launched locally, with the FMS Florida Boat Tours and Limousine Service owned and operated by Feix’s husband, Alexander.
Planned Punta Gorda hotel, pub, brewery faces construction delay Kevin Doyle, owner of Celtic Ray Public House Irish pub in downtown Punta Gorda, and his partner, S4 Global Investments, were found in violation of the city’s exposed soils code.
Michael Alberto Restrepo A man was arrested Tuesday after an investigation that deputies say identified him as responsible for a 2021 DUI crash on Pine Ridge Road that hospitalized him and two other people in Collier County. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a four-vehicle crash was reported on Pine Ridge Road just west of Napa Boulevard at around 6 p.m. on June 3, 2021. Michael Alberto Restrepo, now 36, was driving a 2005 Buick Century west in the inside lefthand lane of Pine Ridge Road approaching the I-75 overpass. A 2018 Volkswagen Jetta was directly in front of the Buick, a 2019 Nissan Rogue was in front of the Volkswagen and a 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 was directly in front of the Nissan, all traveling in the same direction. The three vehicles in front of Restrepo’s Buick were slowing for traffic, going at around 5 mph as they approached a red light at the I-75 junction, but Restrepo was traveling at 45 mph or faster and failed to slow down. He rear-ended the Volkswagen, sending it forward to hit the Nissan, which spun counterclockwise and hit the Dodge. FHP says the resting place of the Dodge, facing the wrong way like the Nissan, shows that the driver tried to avoid the crash before being struck. Restrepo and the man driving the Volkswagen were both med-flighted to Lee Memorial Hospital due to the seriousness of their injuries. The man driving the Nissan was transported to Physician’s Regional Hospital on Pine Ridge Road by his mother who arrived at the scene after the crash. The Ram’s driver declined medical attention. After the crash had been cleared just before 8 p.m., troopers went to Lee Memorial Hospital to make contact with Restrepo and the Volkswagen driver. A social worker and a doctor said Restrepo had a blood alcohol level of .213. During the follow-up investigation, Lee Memorial medical records were obtained for the Volkswagen driver, who sustained a traumatic brain injury, multiple rib fractures, a subarachnoid hemorrhage, an L3 vertebral fracture, and a tiny right pneumothorax (collapsed lung). He was not discharged from Lee Memorial Hospital until two weeks after the collision. Based on the lack of skid marks at the scene of the crash and the information provided by medical staff, troopers believed that Restrepo was impaired when he crashed. A subpoena for medical records was requested through Collier County, but it was denied, and Restrepo was issued a citation for careless driving and adjudicated guilty by Judge Michael J. Brown on March 30, 2022. A follow-up investigation began once FHP learned additional evidence would be needed to seek medical blood. A witness who had spoken to troopers at the scene provided a sworn written statement that Restrepo was the only occupant in the vehicle that was being driven fast and recklessly. She said she stopped to help out and made contact with Restrepo, who was stuck inside the car and yelling for help. The witness said she smelled alcohol coming from the driver’s side window. Based on the new information, a second request for medical records was approved by Collier County, and they showed Restrepo had a BAC of .213. Restrepo was arrested on Tuesday and faces charges of DUI, DUI with serious bodily injury, and four counts of DUI – property damage.