Bonita Springs residents shocked by random car vandalism spreeFire devastates Lehigh Acres church, community works to help rebuild
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs residents shocked by random car vandalism spree A man is in custody after allegedly vandalizing multiple cars, causing significant damage.
LEHIGH ACRES Fire devastates Lehigh Acres church, community works to help rebuild The investigation into what ignited the devastating fire that tore through this Lehigh Acres church continues. On Monday night, neighbors remembered the landmark that had meant so much to the community.
NORTH FORT MYERS LCSO Deputies save man from burning home A dramatic rescue unfolded in North Fort Myers as deputies from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office saved a disabled man from a burning home.
Stalking charges dropped against Bonita jeweler who had accusations against Marceno A man at the center of accusations against the Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno won’t be charged in a separate case.
SANIBEL Historic Bailey’s Store in Sanibel plans comeback after storms Bailey’s General Store, a beloved Sanibel institution since the 1800s, is making a comeback after suffering significant damage from recent hurricanes.
ENGLEWOOD Lemon Bay High’s programs drive 98% graduation rate Lemon Bay High School in Englewood boasts an impressive 98% graduation rate, surpassing the state’s nearly 90% rate.
FORT MYERS Bishop Verot grad celebrates national title with Ohio State Former Bishop Verot safety Leroy Roker wins the national championship with Ohio State.
DORAL House Republicans focus on Trump agenda at annual retreat in Doral U.S. House Republicans have gathered at Trump National Doral for their annual retreat, known as the “Issues Conference.”
GAINESVILLE UF Title IX investigation into Todd Golden closed Title IX investigation into Florida Gators men’s basketball head coach is closed after the university found “no evidence” of a Title IX violation.
New surgical robot helps patients recover faster Robot-assisted surgeries are transforming the operating room by turning major operations into smaller, less invasive procedures.
TALLAHASSEE Lawmakers cancel special session called by Gov. DeSantis There was some chaos and defiance earlier this morning as a special session got underway in Tallahassee.
Sugarshack Downtown music venue goes live in Bonita Springs Following a series of private invitation-only events, the live music venue with a full-service restaurant and bars launches to the general public Jan. 31 across Old 41 Road from the city’s Riverside Park bandshell. A grand opening celebration is planned in early February.
Foxtail Coffee Co., Eagle Specialty Coffee open in Cape Coral The two coffee shops are almost identical in size, shape and layout. Both rely on drive-thru windows for more than half their business. Both are located off Pine Island Road in Cape Coral, and both are part of relatively small companies when compared to the behemoth that’s located roughly halfway between them.
Jury selection begins for Charlotte County teen accused of murdering his mother Jury selection begins for the 17-year-old accused of killing his mother, who could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted.
PUNTA GORDA Quarter auction to benefit Sgt. Elio Diaz in Punta Gorda There will be a quarterly auction in Punta Gorda to benefit Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz, who died last year while conducting a traffic stop.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs residents shocked by random car vandalism spree A man is in custody after allegedly vandalizing multiple cars, causing significant damage.
LEHIGH ACRES Fire devastates Lehigh Acres church, community works to help rebuild The investigation into what ignited the devastating fire that tore through this Lehigh Acres church continues. On Monday night, neighbors remembered the landmark that had meant so much to the community.
NORTH FORT MYERS LCSO Deputies save man from burning home A dramatic rescue unfolded in North Fort Myers as deputies from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office saved a disabled man from a burning home.
Stalking charges dropped against Bonita jeweler who had accusations against Marceno A man at the center of accusations against the Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno won’t be charged in a separate case.
SANIBEL Historic Bailey’s Store in Sanibel plans comeback after storms Bailey’s General Store, a beloved Sanibel institution since the 1800s, is making a comeback after suffering significant damage from recent hurricanes.
ENGLEWOOD Lemon Bay High’s programs drive 98% graduation rate Lemon Bay High School in Englewood boasts an impressive 98% graduation rate, surpassing the state’s nearly 90% rate.
FORT MYERS Bishop Verot grad celebrates national title with Ohio State Former Bishop Verot safety Leroy Roker wins the national championship with Ohio State.
DORAL House Republicans focus on Trump agenda at annual retreat in Doral U.S. House Republicans have gathered at Trump National Doral for their annual retreat, known as the “Issues Conference.”
GAINESVILLE UF Title IX investigation into Todd Golden closed Title IX investigation into Florida Gators men’s basketball head coach is closed after the university found “no evidence” of a Title IX violation.
New surgical robot helps patients recover faster Robot-assisted surgeries are transforming the operating room by turning major operations into smaller, less invasive procedures.
TALLAHASSEE Lawmakers cancel special session called by Gov. DeSantis There was some chaos and defiance earlier this morning as a special session got underway in Tallahassee.
Sugarshack Downtown music venue goes live in Bonita Springs Following a series of private invitation-only events, the live music venue with a full-service restaurant and bars launches to the general public Jan. 31 across Old 41 Road from the city’s Riverside Park bandshell. A grand opening celebration is planned in early February.
Foxtail Coffee Co., Eagle Specialty Coffee open in Cape Coral The two coffee shops are almost identical in size, shape and layout. Both rely on drive-thru windows for more than half their business. Both are located off Pine Island Road in Cape Coral, and both are part of relatively small companies when compared to the behemoth that’s located roughly halfway between them.
Jury selection begins for Charlotte County teen accused of murdering his mother Jury selection begins for the 17-year-old accused of killing his mother, who could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted.
PUNTA GORDA Quarter auction to benefit Sgt. Elio Diaz in Punta Gorda There will be a quarterly auction in Punta Gorda to benefit Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz, who died last year while conducting a traffic stop.
L.A. Ainger Middle School (CREDIT: WINK News) A student airlifted from school still cannot speak, and the sheriff’s office updated WINK News on his recovery after being picked up and slammed head-first into the ground by another student. Students at LA Ainger Middle in Rotonda West are traumatized by what they saw unfold in the cafeteria. WINK News has learned that the student underwent surgery and is able to open his eyes and move his arms. The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office said doctors are hopeful his condition will improve, but he has a long and hard road to recovery ahead of him. Students said the victim had just moved to their school. “He’s a brand-new kid in school. So, he didn’t know him that well. But he said he was a very, very funny kid. And he didn’t know English very well,” said Brandy Philman, a parent to an eighth-grade student. But he does know what happened at their school shouldn’t happen to anyone. “When my son got home, he told me the story of what happened because he was actually in the lunch room and saw it. And it’s very upsetting,” said Philman. The classmate was airlifted from LA Ainger Middle School Thursday after what deputies said was an unprovoked incident that left the victim with traumatic injuries. “He’s just like, something really, really, really bad happened at school today, Mom,” said Philman. The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office said the student suspect has a ‘disciplinary history.’ “My understanding is the student who was involved in this attack, has had previous incidents at this school. And also my understanding is there’s a video of those incidents,” said Greg Henderson, a parent to a seventh-grade student. Some parents like Michael Jelley said it was hard dropping his child off for school. “I stayed a little longer to make sure she just walked in a little hesitant, but I mean, it’s not likely that something like that is gonna happen two days in a row, but it makes you a little more cautious,” said Jelley, a parent to a sixth-grade student. But parents are agreeing that what happened at the school should not. “It’s not tolerable. You shouldn’t put your hands on another student,” said Jelley. “I didn’t even know these kids and as a parent, you just, if that was my kid, how would I feel? I feel so bad for them. I just hope he’s okay.” The school had mental health crisis teams on campus Friday. The student who was arrested Thursday faces charges of aggravated battery.