Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast UniversityMissing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres
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.
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.
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.
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.
Car chase. (Credit: Lee County Sheriff’s Office) Earlier this month, a couple trying to get a head start on traffic ran into what was said to be a street race. Deputies say they were shot by 17-year-old Armando Cruz. The shooting sparked an outcry from the community and made Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno say he was done playing games. Picture from the Lehigh Acres shooting. (Credit: Shared with WINK News) Early last week, he said he was making changes to the pursuit policy, but at the time, no one was 100% sure what that meant until now. Street racing, intersection takeovers; the Lee County Sheriff’s Office says the activities from Sunday, March 19, that led to the shooting in Lehigh Acres was the last straw. A couple who just happened upon an intersection got shot inside their pickup truck at a street race event. The sheriff went on Facebook three days later and said this: “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.” When the sheriff said he was changing the pursuit policy immediately, he did not offer specifics. WINK News asked for copies of the previous policy and the new policy so that we could map out the differences for you. It took until Monday for the sheriff’s office to fulfill our request and a couple of days for us to review them. The previous policy, 41.2.5.2 vehicle pursuit policy, said, “Pursuits are justified only when the deputy knows, or has reasonable belief, the suspect has committed a violent forcible felony.” The new policy adds this: “Or in response to lawless activities that create an unacceptable danger to residents as defined by FS 316.191 related to street racing, ‘Takeovers,’ rioting and traffic infractions. Deputies will not pursue motorcycles involved in street racing relating to infractions of FS 316.191.” WINK News asked Safety and Security Specialist Rich Kolko for his take on the policy change. “Now the sheriff has enabled his deputies to make a decision on the street is the activity that they observe a danger to the citizens of the county. It may not reach the status of a felony, but just being dangerous enough to innocent civilians on the streets, the sheriff is going to give his deputies permission to do it. Permission to chase,” said Kolko. WINK News asked Sheriff Marceno to speak with us about the changes, but his office refused our request. The new pursuit policy has changed what it takes for a deputy to begin a pursuit, so what does that mean for you? “He’s lowered that threshold a little bit to some of this street racing activity, which typically isn’t a felony, but is a significant danger to the public. So what he wants to do is allow his deputies to find a way to chase those people when necessary to stop that street racing and make the citizens of lee county safer,” said Kolko. Kolko said giving deputies more freedom means there may be more high-speed pursuits in Lee County. “Anybody driving a car, just you need to be aware of your circumstances, you know, simple things, don’t have the headphones on, don’t be concentrating on your phone. If you hear a siren, be prepared as you approach an intersection, be prepared, you know, do everything to keep yourself and your family and those around you safe,” Kolko said.