FORT MYERS Locals house California wildfire victims The effects of the California fires are being felt worldwide as people evacuate some are in southwest Florida.
LOVERS KEY Couple returns to Lovers Key condo post Ian While Hurricane Ian is long gone from Southwest Florida, many are still feeling its impacts.
EVERGLADES Biden signs Water Resources Development Act, its effect on SWFL President Biden recently signed into law the Water Resources Development Act with an aim to improve rivers and harbors across the country and provide for the conservation of water. Southwest Florida was included in that act. Putting the 240-page plan together took a lot of work, not just from state and federal lawmakers, but also […]
Turning business travel into a vacation Would work travel seem a little easier if you could turn it into a vacation? Two professors say they have proof that would help business travel.
The future of biometrics: Safer security or new AI risks? In 2021, the Transportation Service Agency (TSA) launched its new touchless identity solution in the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airport.
CAPE CORAL Pelican Elementary resource officer saves infant A school resource officer at Pelican Elementary saved an infants’ life at a traffic stop in Cape Coral.
FORT MYERS Progress being made on City View Park in Dunbar More promises made by a city that has not kept its promises for the last six years have some neighbors concerned about the future of their community.
COLLIER COUNTY Seacrest hoops player hits a full court buzzer beater Seacrest Country Day School boys basketball player Hayden Fuller hits full court buzzer beater against Aubrey Rogers.
NAPLES Cutting-edge ACL surgery reducing reinjury risk by 80% Known for its game-changing orthopedic repair options, Naples-based Arthrex has done it again.
NAPLES MacStrength FL offers sport and lifestyle training for young athletes In 2025, MacStrength FL is swinging for success with their current players and for a wider reach in its community.
You can appeal FEMA’s decision on your claim – Here’s how Now a week after the deadline for FEMA hurricane assistance has closed, the federal agency says you can appeal their decision on your claim if you don’t agree.
Naples selects city CFO as next city manager, averts national search Naples Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Gary Young will become the next city manager, averting a lengthy, expensive national search for a replacement.
Charlotte County’s Mid-County Regional Library to reopen in 2026 After about $6.9 million in repairs and renovations to Mid-County Regional Library in Port Charlotte, the library is expected to reopen in 2026.
MATLACHA Man accused of deadly Matlacha DUI crash takes plea deal A man accused of driving drunk and crashing into the patio of a Matlacha restaurant, killing a woman and injuring others, has taken a plea deal with the state.
Opera Naples set to make land offer with seven-figure gift A seven-figure gift has provided the base for Opera Naples, Theater in the Garden and the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation to build an international center for the arts.
FORT MYERS Locals house California wildfire victims The effects of the California fires are being felt worldwide as people evacuate some are in southwest Florida.
LOVERS KEY Couple returns to Lovers Key condo post Ian While Hurricane Ian is long gone from Southwest Florida, many are still feeling its impacts.
EVERGLADES Biden signs Water Resources Development Act, its effect on SWFL President Biden recently signed into law the Water Resources Development Act with an aim to improve rivers and harbors across the country and provide for the conservation of water. Southwest Florida was included in that act. Putting the 240-page plan together took a lot of work, not just from state and federal lawmakers, but also […]
Turning business travel into a vacation Would work travel seem a little easier if you could turn it into a vacation? Two professors say they have proof that would help business travel.
The future of biometrics: Safer security or new AI risks? In 2021, the Transportation Service Agency (TSA) launched its new touchless identity solution in the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airport.
CAPE CORAL Pelican Elementary resource officer saves infant A school resource officer at Pelican Elementary saved an infants’ life at a traffic stop in Cape Coral.
FORT MYERS Progress being made on City View Park in Dunbar More promises made by a city that has not kept its promises for the last six years have some neighbors concerned about the future of their community.
COLLIER COUNTY Seacrest hoops player hits a full court buzzer beater Seacrest Country Day School boys basketball player Hayden Fuller hits full court buzzer beater against Aubrey Rogers.
NAPLES Cutting-edge ACL surgery reducing reinjury risk by 80% Known for its game-changing orthopedic repair options, Naples-based Arthrex has done it again.
NAPLES MacStrength FL offers sport and lifestyle training for young athletes In 2025, MacStrength FL is swinging for success with their current players and for a wider reach in its community.
You can appeal FEMA’s decision on your claim – Here’s how Now a week after the deadline for FEMA hurricane assistance has closed, the federal agency says you can appeal their decision on your claim if you don’t agree.
Naples selects city CFO as next city manager, averts national search Naples Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Gary Young will become the next city manager, averting a lengthy, expensive national search for a replacement.
Charlotte County’s Mid-County Regional Library to reopen in 2026 After about $6.9 million in repairs and renovations to Mid-County Regional Library in Port Charlotte, the library is expected to reopen in 2026.
MATLACHA Man accused of deadly Matlacha DUI crash takes plea deal A man accused of driving drunk and crashing into the patio of a Matlacha restaurant, killing a woman and injuring others, has taken a plea deal with the state.
Opera Naples set to make land offer with seven-figure gift A seven-figure gift has provided the base for Opera Naples, Theater in the Garden and the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation to build an international center for the arts.
Fort Myers Police Department. CREDIT: WINK News The City of Fort Myers has sifted through more than 170 applicants for its Chief of Police position. That list is now narrowed to five finalists. Richard Bash: 33 years of law enforcement experience and former Deputy Police Chief at the City of Columbus (OH) Police Department Larry Boone: 33 years of law enforcement experience and former Police Chief at the Norfolk (VA) Police Department Gina Hawkins: 35 years of law enforcement experience and former Police Chief at the City of Fayetteville (NC) Police Department Jason Fields: 23 years of law enforcement experience and current Police Captain/Acting Police Major at the City of Fort Myers Police Department Victor Medico: 23 years of experience and currently Police Captain at the City of Fort Myers Police Department Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson told WINK News he is interested in a chief who has prior experience serving in a similar role, and that was addressed in the finalist list. Two of the three outside candidates who are not currently with FMPD have police chief experience. “This is going to be difficult to narrow it down to a more manageable group. but they did it,” Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson admires. Mayor Anderson also spent more than 20 years at FMPD. He told WINK News weeks ago that he was interested in candidates with police chief experience. Two of the three outside finalists fit that bill. “They’re very impressive. A lot of experience,” Anderson admits. “I’m confident that no matter which one of the five that we select, that we’re going to be in good hands.” But Mayor Anderson has also expressed a soft spot for internal candidates at FMPD. Two of the five finalists – Jason Fields and Victor Medico – are currently on FMPD command staff. “I recruited and hired those guys,” Anderson says with a smile. “To see their careers progress to the point where they’re now candidates for chief, it just elates me.” The search for a new chief is nearing the final stretch but it hasn’t always been smooth. Several sources inside the Fort Myers Police Department tell WINK News they are frustrated with transparency. They feel the department has been left in the dark and they’re unhappy that no members of the police chief search committee have law enforcement experience. Fort Myers city council member Johnny Streets is an FMPD vet and he’s heard the same grumblings. “Where is the community involved with that? Where are perhaps, maybe some officers involved with that? Because I’m getting questions,” Streets admits. “I think something needs to be said to the union, to the officers, to the community.” There might be a reason for the city keeping FMPD staff at arm’s length through the application process. Through a public records request, WINK News uncovered a letter to Mayor Kevin Anderson and the city council. The letter – signed by interim Chief Randal Pepitone and deputy Chief Jeff Meyers – recommends the city promote an internal candidate for the FMPD job. That kind of bias could affect the hiring process. Mayor Anderson is not on the police chief search committee, and couldn’t confirm whether the letter played into how the department has been informed. But he did emphasize just how crucial a detailed, unbiased hiring process will be. “The job of being police chief is so important, not only to the agency but to the community,” Anderson says. Interim Chief Randall Pepitone has been holding down the fort since July 2022, after then-Police Chief Derrick Diggs went out on medical leave. Diggs passed away in February after a 46-year career in law enforcement. Pepitone is not a candidate for the job. City officials confirm that all five finalists will be brought in on June 1 for in-person interviews and to learn more about the Southwest Florida community.