What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area?Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues
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 fiftieth 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.
‘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.
Three Sisters Spring Toast the manatee released by FWC, SeaWorld and Casey DeSantis near Crystal River A manatee named Toast was released back into the Florida waters after a final medical evaluation from wildlife officials.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Man arrested and charged with over 90 counts of fraud The Cape Coral Police Department arrested a man for allegedly stealing items from a business and then pawning them.
Man accused of pulling gun on someone ordering at Collier County Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru A man has been arrested after allegedly pulling a gun on someone ordering at a Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru in Collier County.
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 fiftieth 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.
‘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.
Three Sisters Spring Toast the manatee released by FWC, SeaWorld and Casey DeSantis near Crystal River A manatee named Toast was released back into the Florida waters after a final medical evaluation from wildlife officials.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Man arrested and charged with over 90 counts of fraud The Cape Coral Police Department arrested a man for allegedly stealing items from a business and then pawning them.
Man accused of pulling gun on someone ordering at Collier County Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru A man has been arrested after allegedly pulling a gun on someone ordering at a Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru in Collier County.
Lee County residents are demanding answers on how deputies will deal with dangerous drivers because the safety of their communities is at stake. A double shooting during what deputies call a street race has stirred up concern in Lehigh Acres. That shooting triggered Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno to say he’s had it with the street crime in the county and has changed the pursuit policy as a result. Marceno says he’s pulling out all the toys, helicopters, drones, and stop sticks, to stop street racers. The community is tired of all the talk, though, and wants action now. WINK News has reached out to the sheriff’s office to speak with Sheriff Marceno, and for a second straight day, the sheriff and his public information officers have refused to talk to us or to give to me copies of the old and new pursuit policies. This week, Marceno posted this on Facebook. “I have amended our pursuit policy effective immediately. What that means is that we immediately are utilizing our helicopter, stop sticks, drones, barricades, all hands on deck, everything we have to make certain that we win.” We’ve seen LCSO post on Facebook “winning” many times. “Zero tolerance is zero tolerance. I have promised you since day one,’ said Marceno in a Facebook video. But what does that mean? WINK News has asked the sheriff’s office for copies of its old pursuit policy and the new one so we could give you specifics, and we are not the only ones looking for details. On Thursday, Bill Conley posted on the sheriff’s Facebook page, saying, “I’m tired of our all the talk!” Michael and Teresa said they’ve “Personally asked deputies why they don’t run radar and stop these fast drivers.” A video shot before the policy change shows deputies utilizing a helicopter, which safety and security specialist Rich Kolko said helps keep people on the road safe. “They’re usually not noticed by the people being pursued. And they have the opportunity to, you know, take pictures, find out where the car is going, see how many people are in the car, get vital information for investigators for law enforcement,” said Kolko. So were helicopters part of the previous pursuit policy? How about drones and stop-sticks? Are they in every deputy’s car? Who makes the call to pursue? Who decides when to launch the helicopter or drone or use stop sticks? WINK News has asked the sheriff’s office all these questions and will bring you the answers when the sheriff’s office sends us the old and new pursuit policies. The sheriff’s office is not the only police agency fighting people with a lead foot. “So we’ve been having our officers go out, and if they find street racing, they’re arresting the people responsible, inciting any spectators with non-criminal traffic violations,” said Officer Kyle Martins, with the Fort Myers Police Department. Martins said going after street racers, and the people who watch them is making a difference. “We’ve actually seen a decline in those groups showing up to those locations.” Locations like the Bravo Supermarket parking lot off Palm Beach Boulevard. Those with a need for speed don’t show up there anymore because they know those dangerous drivers will be seen and stopped. “Every officer is equipped with stop sticks in their car. They use them pursuant to policy,” said Martins. Officer Martins said Fort Myers Police policy says for an officer to pursue someone, a supervisor must give his or her approval. Often times LCSO helps them with helicopters, drones, and deputies.