LCSO: Lehigh Acres shooting investigation underwayRock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for Palestine
lehigh acres LCSO: Lehigh Acres shooting investigation underway The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting in Lehigh Acres early Saturday morning.
Rock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for Palestine A Southwest Florida non-profit hosted a benefit concert on Friday night to help with humanitarian aid in Palestine.
Warm, breezy Saturday with a few showers possible The Weather Authority is forecasting a breezy, warm weekend in store across Southwest Florida, with the chance of a few showers, particularly on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Active investigation underway in South Cape Coral Cape Coral police are investigating at a home on Southwest 49th Terrace in South Cape Coral early Saturday morning.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
lehigh acres LCSO: Lehigh Acres shooting investigation underway The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting in Lehigh Acres early Saturday morning.
Rock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for Palestine A Southwest Florida non-profit hosted a benefit concert on Friday night to help with humanitarian aid in Palestine.
Warm, breezy Saturday with a few showers possible The Weather Authority is forecasting a breezy, warm weekend in store across Southwest Florida, with the chance of a few showers, particularly on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Active investigation underway in South Cape Coral Cape Coral police are investigating at a home on Southwest 49th Terrace in South Cape Coral early Saturday morning.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
Fort Myers High School baseball field. CREDIT: WINK News Families of the Fort Myers High School baseball team are alleging racism and prejudice in the team program and in the school district. They made their voices heard Tuesday night at a public school board meeting. Families are upset because they said the team walkout last week was not even mentioned to the Black kids on the team, and for months their children have been subject to prejudicial behavior in the baseball program. The parents have confided in local advocates and the NAACP. “After that day, he’s lost all respect for Fort Myers,” Maddie Baron, a sister to one of the players said. It all started with a text message. The text, sent by assistant baseball coach Alex Carcioppolo to the Fort Myers High School Baseball program group chat in February, read “Happy Valentines Day,” followed by a racial slur. The incident was reported to the school and the School District of Lee County. As a result, WINK News broke the news that Carcioppolo was removed from his position with the team less than 24 hours after the message was sent. “The baseball team needs more diversity. There’s a systemic practice of racism that has taken place in the district,” NAACP representative James Muwakkil said. That text message, according to an email parents received from the school’s athletic director, sparked a Title VI investigation into the school’s baseball program. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects people from discrimination based on race, color or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. Nearly two months into the investigation, the team’s head coach Kyle Burchfield was removed from his position on Wednesday, April 5. WINK News also broke this news after confirming with LCSD. Frustrations with the baseball program over the last few months, culminating in Burchfield’s removal, led to a boiling point at the team’s most recent game, which happened just hours after Burchfield was removed. The majority of the baseball team walked off the field in the middle of the game in protest of the recent turmoil. Parents, with children who played on the same team, were at war with each other, getting into a shouting match outside the field that had to be de-escalated by law enforcement. Regardless of others wanting to finish the game, the team had to forfeit. WINK News broke the news that this incident was reported to the FHSAA, which has yet to make a ruling on the case. Parents then brought their frustrations and concerns of outright racism to the Lee County School Board on Tuesday night. Some parents believe there has been an overwhelming lack of leadership on the team, in the school and in the district. Others believe the head coach was removed too soon and without explanation. One parent told WINK News that she believes deliberate racism and prejudice led to the team’s derailment over the last few months. “Not one Black team member was told about the walkout. So they weren’t able to participate,” Dee Tucker, the parent of a player said. “It was planned only for two Black kids to be left behind. This is 100% premeditated and malicious.” “This has left me to question the ethics and behavior by peers and adults witnessed by impressionable young men,” Shane Riley, the parent of one of two Black players on the team said. “It’s not about the game anymore. It’s not it’s all political,” Madi Baron, a player’s sister said. Baron’s brother, who is still on the team, wants to transfer schools because of what is taking place. Some parents didn’t want to speak with WINK News on camera, fearing it may jeopardize saving the season. “It’s behavior that he should have put a stop to,” Jacqueline Perez said of the now former Head Coach. “He’s the adult. He’s in charge, he has to set the culture, he has to be the leadership for that team.” Perez is working closely with the families of players on the Fort Myers High School baseball team. She spoke to WINK News amid the investigation into the baseball program. “He should have corrected it. He should have never utilized that language,” Perez also said of Carcioppolo’s racial slur. “I was absolutely shocked to see this. This is not the man that I had known him to be,” former player Jacob Pottinger said of Carcioppolo. WINK News reached out to the school district which said because this is an ongoing investigation, it is “inappropriate to comment at this time.” The team’s game on Wednesday, April 12, was canceled in light of recent events.