3 family members of teen accused in murder of Kayla Rincon-Miller arrestedDeath investigation in Fort Myers after body is found in truck bed
CAPE CORAL 3 family members of teen accused in murder of Kayla Rincon-Miller arrested New details have emerged surrounding the arrest of a woman whose 16-year-old son is accused of being involved in the murder of Kayla Rincon-Miller, and now her husband and sister are also in jail.
FORT MYERS Death investigation in Fort Myers after body is found in truck bed Fort Myers Police confirm that there is a death investigation at the corner of Market Street and brown street.
NAPLES Naples ‘celebrity bartender’ stirring up new cocktails at LoLa 41 Michael Slabach often researches ideas, finding a new balance of layers, color, texture and selective glassware to turn his drinks into art.
FORT MYERS New affordable housing program in Fort Myers begins Affordable housing is a rare sighting these days, but one city is making it a priority.
NAPLES ‘Live simply and never give up’ – Motto for Naples couple needing a helping hand A husband wants nothing more than to share the world with his wife while she is suffering from an illness determined to keep them separated.
NAPLES Music teacher dilemma at Gulf Coast High School leaves students anxious Parents are outraged, and students are unsure what the future holds after one of their two beloved music teachers was told they will have to transfer.
FORT MYERS Mom celebrates first Mother’s Day with cancer-free daughter We have one of the best weekends ahead, a time to celebrate mothers everywhere, and as any mother knows, celebrating with your family matters most.
Glades County Should commissioners have to live in the District they represent? WINK Investigates why one commissioner doesn’t The Glades District 1 Commissioner was elected while living in that district. He has since moved. What does that mean for his position?
FORT MYERS Boats stuck since Hurricane Ian being removed from Centennial Park area Boats that have been stuck since Hurricane Ian are in the process of being removed from a messy yard next to Centennial Park and Joe’s Crab Shack.
CAPE CORAL Man accused of waving knife at Metro PCS workers in Cape Coral Two women try to help a customer and end up fearing for their lives. One man started waving a seven-inch knife in the faces of two Metro PCS workers.
Overloaded circuit sparks house fire in Jamaica Bay community A Jamaica Bay community home was damaged in a fire sparked by an overloaded circuit, according to the South Trail Fire & Rescue Service District.
LEE COUNTY Could Guardian Caps make their way to high school football games? With the NFL allowing Guardian Caps during regular season games, could we see Guardian Caps during high school football games?
Florida insurer fined $1M over Hurricane Ian claims The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation issued the seven figure fine to Heritage Property and Casualty Insurance Company for violating a number of Florida laws when handling some of its Hurricane Ian- related claims.
New treatment stops essential tremors and shaking More than ten million people experience shakes known as essential tremors, which can make everyday tasks like eating and talking challenging.
NAPLES Ex-wife faces new charges for involvement in near-fatal Naples shooting The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested the ex-wife of a shooting victim who nearly lost his life.
CAPE CORAL 3 family members of teen accused in murder of Kayla Rincon-Miller arrested New details have emerged surrounding the arrest of a woman whose 16-year-old son is accused of being involved in the murder of Kayla Rincon-Miller, and now her husband and sister are also in jail.
FORT MYERS Death investigation in Fort Myers after body is found in truck bed Fort Myers Police confirm that there is a death investigation at the corner of Market Street and brown street.
NAPLES Naples ‘celebrity bartender’ stirring up new cocktails at LoLa 41 Michael Slabach often researches ideas, finding a new balance of layers, color, texture and selective glassware to turn his drinks into art.
FORT MYERS New affordable housing program in Fort Myers begins Affordable housing is a rare sighting these days, but one city is making it a priority.
NAPLES ‘Live simply and never give up’ – Motto for Naples couple needing a helping hand A husband wants nothing more than to share the world with his wife while she is suffering from an illness determined to keep them separated.
NAPLES Music teacher dilemma at Gulf Coast High School leaves students anxious Parents are outraged, and students are unsure what the future holds after one of their two beloved music teachers was told they will have to transfer.
FORT MYERS Mom celebrates first Mother’s Day with cancer-free daughter We have one of the best weekends ahead, a time to celebrate mothers everywhere, and as any mother knows, celebrating with your family matters most.
Glades County Should commissioners have to live in the District they represent? WINK Investigates why one commissioner doesn’t The Glades District 1 Commissioner was elected while living in that district. He has since moved. What does that mean for his position?
FORT MYERS Boats stuck since Hurricane Ian being removed from Centennial Park area Boats that have been stuck since Hurricane Ian are in the process of being removed from a messy yard next to Centennial Park and Joe’s Crab Shack.
CAPE CORAL Man accused of waving knife at Metro PCS workers in Cape Coral Two women try to help a customer and end up fearing for their lives. One man started waving a seven-inch knife in the faces of two Metro PCS workers.
Overloaded circuit sparks house fire in Jamaica Bay community A Jamaica Bay community home was damaged in a fire sparked by an overloaded circuit, according to the South Trail Fire & Rescue Service District.
LEE COUNTY Could Guardian Caps make their way to high school football games? With the NFL allowing Guardian Caps during regular season games, could we see Guardian Caps during high school football games?
Florida insurer fined $1M over Hurricane Ian claims The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation issued the seven figure fine to Heritage Property and Casualty Insurance Company for violating a number of Florida laws when handling some of its Hurricane Ian- related claims.
New treatment stops essential tremors and shaking More than ten million people experience shakes known as essential tremors, which can make everyday tasks like eating and talking challenging.
NAPLES Ex-wife faces new charges for involvement in near-fatal Naples shooting The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested the ex-wife of a shooting victim who nearly lost his life.
Fort Myers police chief Jason Fields has been on the job less than a week but he’s walking into issues that have been going on for months. WINK News investigative reporter Peter Fleischer got the chance to sit down with Chief Fields to discuss his plan moving forward. He wasn’t involved with any of these problems before, but now, he’ll have to find a way to address them. “I won’t make a knee-jerk reaction without knowing all the facts,” Fields says, discussing the challenges he’ll face during the first few months of his tenure. “I have to have all the information.” In July, a WINK News exclusive revealed the FMPD union called for the removal of internal affairs commander Lesa Breneman. The union sent letters to the interim police chief and every city council member expressing “serious concerns” about “alleged malfeasance, abuse of power and repeated violations of Florida statutes and department policy.” At the time, FMPD released a statement, saying no action would be taken until a new chief was sworn in. Jason Fields is officially sworn in now. He told WINK he won’t rush to make changes. “I have to review if there’s any active investigations that involve internal affairs,” Fields explains. “I also want to make sure I look at the policy. I’m very confident in our policies but it’s always worth a second look.” He says active investigations need to finish, so he can see how the department operates. “If not, I’m doing an injustice and that wouldn’t be fair,” Fields points out. “I don’t want to do anything in haste.” Fort Myers mayor Kevin Anderson was one of the elected officials to get that union letter. As a veteran of FMPD, he’s in favor of examining operations within internal affairs. “I want to see an in-depth analysis and assessment of the process,” Anderson admits. “Let’s make sure that process is working the way it’s meant to work, the way it’s intended to work by statute, by law.” When interim chief Randall Pepitone declined to act on the union’s complaint earlier in the summer, a union board member sent out another responding letter, saying in part: “Morale is now worse than it was prior to the Freeh report,” referencing a 2017 audit critical of the department – a time when Fields was on the force. The letter also stated: “Officers of this agency have zero confidence in your administration,” speaking about Pepitone’s leadership. Chief Fields has seen low moments at FMPD and he’s seen the letter in question, but he disagrees with its criticism. “I think those were very aggressive words,” Fields says. “The short answer? No, I don’t think those words are accurate.” Another WINK News investigation revealed trouble after a car chase gone wrong. More than 40 disciplinary actions were recommended by FMPD internal affairs against 12 officers, including Pepitone. But documents revealed, the interim chief refused to sustain more than 30 of the actions, resisting recommendations from his own IA department. Fields reflected on his former boss’ disciplinary decisions, choosing not to second guess his predecessor’s choices. “I have to, you have to, respect the chief’s decision,” Fields insists. “He’s the ultimate decision-maker when it comes to these internal affairs investigations and we have to respect his decision-making.” He voiced hope for how internal affairs will operate during his tenure, a vision Mayor Anderson agrees with. “There has to be consistency,” Fields says. “Consistency across the board, and I believe strongly in that.” “They [internal affairs] should not be weaponized against someone,” Anderson agrees. “Nor should they be advocating for someone. They should want to identify and present the facts.” Fields used to work in IA, and knows how crucial it is for leadership to be on the same page. He plans to take an active role in helping IA and administration work as one. “Any of the violations that an officer may face, I want to be involved in,” Fields assures. “To make sure we’re operating under the best possible standards.” Chief Fields didn’t provide a timetable for when he expects to make decisions about internal affairs leadership, but WINK News will continue to report the latest information as it becomes available.