Purple Heart Army veteran receives new home thanks to charityRain doesn’t stop crowds at 40th Annual Cape Coral Arts Festival
Purple Heart Army veteran receives new home thanks to charity A Purple Heart Army veteran and his family entered their new accessible home on Saturday, thanks to the charity “Homes for Our Troops.”
CAPE CORAL Rain doesn’t stop crowds at 40th Annual Cape Coral Arts Festival For 40 years, the Cape Coral Arts Festival has drawn crowds from across Southwest Florida, showcasing a blend of small businesses from the region.
CAPE CORAL Sports trading card collecting going through “a generational reboot” The hobby of sports trading card collecting has been on the rise since 2020, especially in Southwest Florida with more card shows.
PUNTA GORDA 11th annual short film festival coming to Punta Gorda The Punta Gorda Englewood Beach Visitor Convention Bureau will host its 11th annual short film festival.
the weather authority Mild, breezy day on tap with more clouds than sun The Weather Authority says a brief line of showers, associated with a cold front, is moving through Southwest Florida Saturday morning.
ESTERO 1 injured after shooting at Coconut Point Mall According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, one person has been injured after a shooting at the Coconut Point Mall on Friday.
CAPE CORAL CCPD cruiser damaged after officer involved crash An officer-involved crash leaves a Cape Coral police cruiser smashed.
PORT CHARLOTTE Sweet’s Diner in Port Charlotte reopens After months of fundraising and rebuilding, this diner, which had a car fly-through it, is back open.
FWC pushing to protect Florida’s endangered manatees Florida Fish and Wildlife is pushing to protect endangered manatees. One danger that animals face is when boats bash into them, leaving deep scars across their backs.
FORT MYERS The Fort Myers Fire Department looks towards new year Fighting fires is always top of mind for the Fort Myers Fire Department. The Fort Myers Fire Department leads the way when it comes to protecting your property when a fire breaks out.
WINK NEWS Palisades Wildfire devastates SWFL family Just hours after evacuating their Malibu home, the Wohl family learned they would never go back.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral expands with development The Cove at 47th The Cove sits in south Cape Coral between Cape Coral Parkway and Southeast 47th Terrace right next to Cork Soakers.
FORT MYERS ‘Operation Ghost Buster’: 16 arrested in Fort Myers drug operation The Fort Myers Police Department Narcotics Unit conducted an operation targeting drug traffickers and individuals unlawfully selling and possessing firearms in Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS ‘A Distinctive Honor’: Bank of America award benefits FSW Nursing Program Bank of America has been awarded Florida Southwestern State College the 2024 Neighborhood Champion Award.
CAPTIVA One step closer to decision on South Seas building density After hearing arguments from both sides, the judge said he stood by his earlier decision in favor of the Captiva Civic Association.
Purple Heart Army veteran receives new home thanks to charity A Purple Heart Army veteran and his family entered their new accessible home on Saturday, thanks to the charity “Homes for Our Troops.”
CAPE CORAL Rain doesn’t stop crowds at 40th Annual Cape Coral Arts Festival For 40 years, the Cape Coral Arts Festival has drawn crowds from across Southwest Florida, showcasing a blend of small businesses from the region.
CAPE CORAL Sports trading card collecting going through “a generational reboot” The hobby of sports trading card collecting has been on the rise since 2020, especially in Southwest Florida with more card shows.
PUNTA GORDA 11th annual short film festival coming to Punta Gorda The Punta Gorda Englewood Beach Visitor Convention Bureau will host its 11th annual short film festival.
the weather authority Mild, breezy day on tap with more clouds than sun The Weather Authority says a brief line of showers, associated with a cold front, is moving through Southwest Florida Saturday morning.
ESTERO 1 injured after shooting at Coconut Point Mall According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, one person has been injured after a shooting at the Coconut Point Mall on Friday.
CAPE CORAL CCPD cruiser damaged after officer involved crash An officer-involved crash leaves a Cape Coral police cruiser smashed.
PORT CHARLOTTE Sweet’s Diner in Port Charlotte reopens After months of fundraising and rebuilding, this diner, which had a car fly-through it, is back open.
FWC pushing to protect Florida’s endangered manatees Florida Fish and Wildlife is pushing to protect endangered manatees. One danger that animals face is when boats bash into them, leaving deep scars across their backs.
FORT MYERS The Fort Myers Fire Department looks towards new year Fighting fires is always top of mind for the Fort Myers Fire Department. The Fort Myers Fire Department leads the way when it comes to protecting your property when a fire breaks out.
WINK NEWS Palisades Wildfire devastates SWFL family Just hours after evacuating their Malibu home, the Wohl family learned they would never go back.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral expands with development The Cove at 47th The Cove sits in south Cape Coral between Cape Coral Parkway and Southeast 47th Terrace right next to Cork Soakers.
FORT MYERS ‘Operation Ghost Buster’: 16 arrested in Fort Myers drug operation The Fort Myers Police Department Narcotics Unit conducted an operation targeting drug traffickers and individuals unlawfully selling and possessing firearms in Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS ‘A Distinctive Honor’: Bank of America award benefits FSW Nursing Program Bank of America has been awarded Florida Southwestern State College the 2024 Neighborhood Champion Award.
CAPTIVA One step closer to decision on South Seas building density After hearing arguments from both sides, the judge said he stood by his earlier decision in favor of the Captiva Civic Association.
Commissioner Rick LoCastro. Credit: WINK News. The Monroe County State Attorney’s Office issued a warrant for the arrest of Collier County Commissioner Rick LoCastro. LoCastro issued the statement below following the arrest warrant being issued for him on Tuesday. Today, I am saddened to share that the Monroe County State Attorney’s office has pressed charges against me for something I did not do. From the outset, let me be clear: the charges against me are false. They have no merit. I have never done anything to harm any person, physically or otherwise. Four months ago, my date at a social engagement became very intoxicated and fell. Police officers at the scene determined there were no injuries nor any indication of wrongdoing. That evening, she did not blame me or anyone else; she described it as the accident it was. Later, she chose to tell a much different story. I’m grieved that she would falsely accuse me or anyone else. But I am not afraid of the truth or the facts. They will exonerate me. I have fully cooperated at every step of this matter, which should have been closed four months ago. In America, we follow the basic principle of rule of law. It is extremely unfortunate how much damage one false accusation can do to a person’s reputation. But, by the same measure, our legal system is designed to protect everyone and to guarantee a fair hearing. In recognition of these principles, I will continue to cooperate to the full extent of the law. I believe my actions demonstrate my innocence and will accelerate the process toward a speedy resolution. While our legal system supports a presumption of innocence, it is too often the case that the court of public opinion judges prematurely. I urge everyone to give a full and impartial review of the facts. I will share now that there is a substantial amount of evidence that the woman in question continued to communicate with me after this incident, conveying remorse for making false claims, and also sending many messages of a casual and friendly nature—about sporting events, for instance. At no time has she given any of the indications one would expect of a woman who is afraid or has been injured. My entire career has been about service to others, and I do not retreat from that duty now. Our legal system is absolutely vital, and it should never be abused. We will work to ensure the truth is made known according to the due process of law. The case against LoCastro centered around a domestic incident dating back to October 2023. According to the Naples Police Department offense/incident report, LoCastro and his girlfriend got into a dispute at the London Club in the Bellasera Hotel in downtown Naples. They left the club, and she called 911 when they stopped around First Avenue South and 10th St. South in Naples. Officers said LoCastro told them the dispute arose because of the girlfriend’s “high level of intoxication,” and, while attempting to settle the bill, she “grabbed his pants, inadvertently tearing them.” LoCastro also reportedly blamed her bloody nose while inside the club on a deviated septum. Naples PD allowed LoCastro to leave, and the girlfriend left in an Uber. Claims against LoCastro Several days later, on Nov. 3, 2023, the woman filed a report with the Marco Island Police Department about a previous battery involving LoCastro. Investigators said she told them she was too afraid to press charges during the October Naples incident but changed her mind. During a recorded statement with investigators, she told them the two had been dating for four months, and he became upset when she questioned him about texts she received from other women he’d dated. The two left the restaurant together, but she asserted that she asked him to pull over so they could talk. She stated he became upset, pulled over, walked around the vehicle and pulled her out of the vehicle, hit her nose and pushed her into the bushes. That’s when she called 911. She told police she got scared because of LoCastro’s authority as a commissioner. LoCastro Bio: Collier County Commissioner, District 1 – elected Nov. 3, 2020. Colonel, U.S. Air Force (Retired 2012) U.S. Air Force Academy Graduate (1988) Multiple Military Base Commander Worked for two U.S. presidents Air Force One Support Commander Leadership Collier Graduate Naples Business & Healthcare Leader Marco Island Resident The London Club bartender and manager statements listed in the offense/incident report both support the woman’s version of events. The Monroe County State Attorney’s Office will handle the case after being appointed by the governor and to avoid any conflict of interest. When asked for an interview regarding the situation, County Manager Amy Patterson offered this following comment: “On behalf of the County Administration, we are saddened to learn of Commissioner LoCastro’s current situation. We offer him and his family our collective prayers and hope for healing.”