School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: Parent brings weapon to Lehigh Acres school According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, there is probable cause to believe a woman unintentionally brought a firearm to school.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for December 11, 2024 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for Wednesday, December 11, 2024.
Second leading cause of chest pain The leading cause of cardiac chest pain is coronary artery disease, which affects over 18 million adults in the United States.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: Parent brings weapon to Lehigh Acres school According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, there is probable cause to believe a woman unintentionally brought a firearm to school.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for December 11, 2024 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for Wednesday, December 11, 2024.
Second leading cause of chest pain The leading cause of cardiac chest pain is coronary artery disease, which affects over 18 million adults in the United States.
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.”