Decreasing humidity and mostly sunny skies for your ThursdayThe Salvation Army of Collier County launches annual toy drive
the weather authority Decreasing humidity and mostly sunny skies for your Thursday The Weather Authority is tracking a cold front dropping humidity and temperatures on this Thursday afternoon.
The Salvation Army of Collier County launches annual toy drive The annual Toys for Tots donation drive in Collier County has officially begun, aiming to bring Christmas joy through generosity.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral’s new council eliminates stipend on day one People in Cape Coral are getting what they voted for: the new city council members were just sworn in, and they eliminated the stipend.
LEHIGH ACRES Man arrested for fatal hit-and-run crash with motorcyclist in Lehigh Acres A man has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed a motorcyclist on Tuesday night.
Latest details on fatal Alligator Alley crash ; 1 killed According to the arrest report, a man told troopers he got a minivan from a pastor but did not get permission to take it out because he left in the middle of the night
Enforcing state law on street camping in Punta Gorda More than a month since the new state law banning sleeping in public places went into effect the city of Punta Gorda voted on if an ordinance change was needed.
Cape Coral home vandalized; homeowner calls it a “hate crime” A man returned to his unfinished Cape Coral home to find it’s been violated and vandalized. Cape Coral police are searching for the suspect.
SWFL organizations putting donated money to good use 41 Southwest Florida organizations are still in shock about the millions of dollars they received from philanthropist Tom Golisano.
Utility scams awareness day: what you need to know Wednesday is utility scams awareness day. These types of scams target customers by going door-to-door, sending phone calls or texts and using false information online.
NAPLES Salvation Army of Collier County kicks off annual Christmas toy drive The Salvation Army of Collier County has kicked off its annual Christmas toy drive, and you won’t have to travel far to get involved.
Record Store Day Black Friday: Where to go in SWFL Record Store Day Black Friday is approaching quickly, and if you’re not looking for a new TV or a video game console, go to your local record store, as they will have exclusive deals to expand your record collection.
Manasota Key residents concerned over new development on the island Residents of a small island community are expressing their concerns about potential changes to their neighborhood.
FORT MYERS Resident reacts to plan for new Amazon facility in Fort Myers Amazon has paid $66.5M for 143 acres in Fort Myers to build a new warehouse. A resident who lives by the property said she has reservations about the facility.
ESTERO Caught on Camera: Woman accused of stealing from Kate Spade outlet A Cape Coral woman has been arrested for grand theft after she was allegedly caught on camera shoplifting at a Kate Spade store in Estero.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers basketball player returns to the court after two years Fort Myers High School basketball player Karsten Schafer played his first game in two years Tuesday night after having a spinal surgery.
the weather authority Decreasing humidity and mostly sunny skies for your Thursday The Weather Authority is tracking a cold front dropping humidity and temperatures on this Thursday afternoon.
The Salvation Army of Collier County launches annual toy drive The annual Toys for Tots donation drive in Collier County has officially begun, aiming to bring Christmas joy through generosity.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral’s new council eliminates stipend on day one People in Cape Coral are getting what they voted for: the new city council members were just sworn in, and they eliminated the stipend.
LEHIGH ACRES Man arrested for fatal hit-and-run crash with motorcyclist in Lehigh Acres A man has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed a motorcyclist on Tuesday night.
Latest details on fatal Alligator Alley crash ; 1 killed According to the arrest report, a man told troopers he got a minivan from a pastor but did not get permission to take it out because he left in the middle of the night
Enforcing state law on street camping in Punta Gorda More than a month since the new state law banning sleeping in public places went into effect the city of Punta Gorda voted on if an ordinance change was needed.
Cape Coral home vandalized; homeowner calls it a “hate crime” A man returned to his unfinished Cape Coral home to find it’s been violated and vandalized. Cape Coral police are searching for the suspect.
SWFL organizations putting donated money to good use 41 Southwest Florida organizations are still in shock about the millions of dollars they received from philanthropist Tom Golisano.
Utility scams awareness day: what you need to know Wednesday is utility scams awareness day. These types of scams target customers by going door-to-door, sending phone calls or texts and using false information online.
NAPLES Salvation Army of Collier County kicks off annual Christmas toy drive The Salvation Army of Collier County has kicked off its annual Christmas toy drive, and you won’t have to travel far to get involved.
Record Store Day Black Friday: Where to go in SWFL Record Store Day Black Friday is approaching quickly, and if you’re not looking for a new TV or a video game console, go to your local record store, as they will have exclusive deals to expand your record collection.
Manasota Key residents concerned over new development on the island Residents of a small island community are expressing their concerns about potential changes to their neighborhood.
FORT MYERS Resident reacts to plan for new Amazon facility in Fort Myers Amazon has paid $66.5M for 143 acres in Fort Myers to build a new warehouse. A resident who lives by the property said she has reservations about the facility.
ESTERO Caught on Camera: Woman accused of stealing from Kate Spade outlet A Cape Coral woman has been arrested for grand theft after she was allegedly caught on camera shoplifting at a Kate Spade store in Estero.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers basketball player returns to the court after two years Fort Myers High School basketball player Karsten Schafer played his first game in two years Tuesday night after having a spinal surgery.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno talking with FBI agent. CREDIT: LCSO An attempted bank robbery turned deadly at the Bank of America near the Bell Tower Shops in Lee County. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that 36-year-old Sterling Ramon Alavache was the attempted bank robbery suspect. During a press conference Tuesday afternoon at the scene, Lee County Sheriff Marceno said a SWAT sniper shot and killed the suspect while he held two hostages at knifepoint. “We tried to negotiate with him continuously,” said Lee Sheriff Carmine Marceno. “At one point of the negotiations, he became physical. He started to put one of the hostages in a headlock, and he had the knife to her throat. Attempted Bank Robbery Rundown The sheriff said deputies quickly entered the bank. “As dozens of people ran out, [deputies] began to secure all other portions of the building while simultaneously hostage negotiations began with our suspect,” said Marceno. Marceno said after the suspect entered the bank, he made a bomb threat and became physical with the hostages, at one point holding the knife to one of their throats. South Fort Myers Bank of America scene. CREDIT: Ben Stephens “SWAT team was in place,” said Marceno. “When he presented deadly force like that, our SWAT sniper shot and killed the suspect … We were in fear for her life and her safety.” Marceno said the SWAT sniper is now on routine administrative leave, as the investigation continues. Witnesses Describe Hostage Scene Marsha Brown told WINK News she was inside the Bank of America when the man ran in saying he had a bomb. “He came running in, and he was screaming, ‘I have a bomb. I have a bomb,'” said Brown. “He [the suspect] said, ‘I have a bomb, and I will use it.'” She said she was able to get out before the violent hostage situation unfolded. “He wasn’t trying to retain us at all. He just said, ‘Get out.’ and we all ran,” said Brown. “I didn’t know that he had hostages. He was young. Foolish, very foolish. No mask.” Jonathan Spellman, a man who works in the building, told WINK News what he saw. “The elevator doors opened quickly, and I saw negotiations between police and someone. I could not see, so I quickly closed the door and went back to my office,” said Spellman. Spellman explained what it sounded like he was overhearing. “Sounded like they were discussing weapons and things like that, I’m not sure, was trying to close the door so fast. [It] became apparent something was not right,” said Spellman. Brett Sands, another building employee, told WINK News a teller was among those taken hostage. “He jumped the counter, and he assumed one of the tellers,” said Sands. “He was using a box cutter or knife and was holding that against her, and that’s what we heard when the sheriff’s department gave the order to remove the culprit.” At 1 p.m., the FBI said the situation had been resolved. The LCSO Command Center and Hazardous Device Unit are still at the scene. We want to share more stories from inside that bank today. If you were there, please reach out to us at tips@winknews.com. Stay tuned to WINKNews.com, WINK News App, streaming, and on air for any new developments on this story.