Isolated rain can impact your Valentine’s Day evening plansGov. DeSantis to hold news conference in Ponte Vedra Beach
the weather authority Isolated rain can impact your Valentine’s Day evening plans The Weather Authority is tracking isolated rain that may impact your Friday or Valentine’s Day outdoor plans.
Ponte Vedra Beach Gov. DeSantis to hold news conference in Ponte Vedra Beach Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Ponte Vedra Beach.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte woman accused of running over ex-boyfriend after condiment vandalism A Port Charlotte woman is accused of vandalizing her ex-boyfriend’s car by throwing eggs and condiments and then running him over with her car.
FORT MYERS Dog rescue in Fort Myers holds fundraiser as founder fights cancer A beloved dog rescue service in Fort Myers is facing uncertainty as its founder, Carey Kendzior, battles cancer.
Woman arrested for stealing $3,400 in goods from Target in Collier County More than 150 items worth thousands of dollars were reportedly stolen from a Target in Collier County. Deputies arrested Kimberly McDonnell, 36, on charges of grand theft.
Egg prices leading to some locals raising their own chickens High egg prices have some people considering raising their own chickens, but it’s not as simple as it sounds.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach Library to reopen following Hurricane Ian The Fort Myers Beach Library plans to reopen its doors to the public on March 16.
FORT MYERS Save This Life pet microchips closes down For many, protecting your pet is as important as keeping your kids safe.
Rosie, dog lost during I-75 crash, back home with family New information has been released about Rosie, the dog that went missing in a car crash last weekend and was found Wednesday.
Gatorama owner loses finger at feeding show The owner of Gatorama in Palmdale was bitten by one of his gators during a feeding show over the weekend and lost a finger.
WWII Veteran hits 100th birthday milestone Hundreds of people came to celebrate WWII veteran Vernon Nelson’s 100th birthday.
FORT MYERS Volunteers boost Harry Chapin Food Bank’s reach The Harry Chapin Food Bank relies heavily on its volunteers to make a significant impact in the community.
SOUTH FORT MYERS Twins’ superfan attends Spring Training for more than two decades Twins’ superfan Neil Pierce lives more than one thousand miles away from Hammond Stadium and never misses a game in Lee County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers gears up for Edison Festival of Light with safety in focus The parade will begin at Fort Myers High School, travel up U.S. Highway 41, and conclude in downtown Fort Myers.
Byron Donalds accused of voter fraud U.S. Congressman Byron Donalds is being accused of voter fraud. A fellow lawmaker on Capitol Hill is making the allegations.
the weather authority Isolated rain can impact your Valentine’s Day evening plans The Weather Authority is tracking isolated rain that may impact your Friday or Valentine’s Day outdoor plans.
Ponte Vedra Beach Gov. DeSantis to hold news conference in Ponte Vedra Beach Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Ponte Vedra Beach.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte woman accused of running over ex-boyfriend after condiment vandalism A Port Charlotte woman is accused of vandalizing her ex-boyfriend’s car by throwing eggs and condiments and then running him over with her car.
FORT MYERS Dog rescue in Fort Myers holds fundraiser as founder fights cancer A beloved dog rescue service in Fort Myers is facing uncertainty as its founder, Carey Kendzior, battles cancer.
Woman arrested for stealing $3,400 in goods from Target in Collier County More than 150 items worth thousands of dollars were reportedly stolen from a Target in Collier County. Deputies arrested Kimberly McDonnell, 36, on charges of grand theft.
Egg prices leading to some locals raising their own chickens High egg prices have some people considering raising their own chickens, but it’s not as simple as it sounds.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach Library to reopen following Hurricane Ian The Fort Myers Beach Library plans to reopen its doors to the public on March 16.
FORT MYERS Save This Life pet microchips closes down For many, protecting your pet is as important as keeping your kids safe.
Rosie, dog lost during I-75 crash, back home with family New information has been released about Rosie, the dog that went missing in a car crash last weekend and was found Wednesday.
Gatorama owner loses finger at feeding show The owner of Gatorama in Palmdale was bitten by one of his gators during a feeding show over the weekend and lost a finger.
WWII Veteran hits 100th birthday milestone Hundreds of people came to celebrate WWII veteran Vernon Nelson’s 100th birthday.
FORT MYERS Volunteers boost Harry Chapin Food Bank’s reach The Harry Chapin Food Bank relies heavily on its volunteers to make a significant impact in the community.
SOUTH FORT MYERS Twins’ superfan attends Spring Training for more than two decades Twins’ superfan Neil Pierce lives more than one thousand miles away from Hammond Stadium and never misses a game in Lee County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers gears up for Edison Festival of Light with safety in focus The parade will begin at Fort Myers High School, travel up U.S. Highway 41, and conclude in downtown Fort Myers.
Byron Donalds accused of voter fraud U.S. Congressman Byron Donalds is being accused of voter fraud. A fellow lawmaker on Capitol Hill is making the allegations.
Interim Fort Myers Police Chief Randall Pepitone It has been recommended that Fort Myers’ top cop be disciplined after a police chase gone wrong. Twelve separate officers were recommended for discipline as a result, including a finalist for the Fort Myers police chief job. It all started during a vehicle pursuit on Dec. 16. Fort Myers Police Department records detail the event. The chase A stolen pickup truck was spotted in the 4900 block of Mars Street, but as detectives approached, the car “quickly fled” the area, speeding down nearby Ortiz Boulevard. At that point, FMPD called for Lee County Sheriff’s Office aid, and a helicopter provided air support. As the stolen truck was tracked from the air, it traveled down Cemetery Road, where it hit an LCSO vehicle and struck an unmarked FMPD car, crashing into a ditch off Cemetery. The two suspects were arrested after a foot chase. But at what risk? FMPD paperwork shows an internal affairs complaint was filed in February. A command staff member was concerned that detectives broke several traffic laws and violated various department policies. According to the ensuing investigation, the concerned officer was right. A review of patrol car data shows detectives broke speed limits in multiple areas and drove recklessly with no sirens or lights. It also found detectives deactivated their in-car and body cameras, although the cars’ automatic cameras did capture some footage. High ranking awareness According to FMPD’s investigation, Interim Police Chief Randall Pepitone “knowingly approved the pursuit report despite being aware that the involved officers allegedly committed various traffic violations, and violated various internal policies.” It also says Pepitone “failed to confirm the accuracy and completeness of the reports.” As a result, Pepitone was recommended counseling and policy review. Captain Victor Medico was also recommended discipline for “failing to confirm the accuracy and completeness of associated documents and reports.” He was recommended counseling and policy review. A police chief candidate’s involvement Medico is currently one of four finalists for the permanent FMPD chief job. City officials have not confirmed whether this discipline will affect that process. In total, more than 40 disciplinary actions were recommended as a result of this investigation against 12 separate officers. Paperwork appears to show a difference in disciplinary tactics as well. Records show Pepitone chose to sustain just nine of the recommended actions, sometimes writing in “corrective measures take prior to the initiation of investigation.” WINK News has requested interviews with Interim Chief Pepitone and Captain Medico, but we have not heard back. We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.