12-year-old collecting donations for the needy during the holidaysFort Myers man facing homelessness before the holidays
NAPLES 12-year-old collecting donations for the needy during the holidays A 12-year-old Naples boy isn’t worried about what he’s getting for Christmas. Instead, he’s working on his 6th annual “Holiday Sock Drive.”
Fort Myers man facing homelessness before the holidays A 75-year-old man is on the brink of homelessness despite working over 80 hours a week.
NAPLES Adoptee uses non-profit to provide suitcases for foster children This holiday season, a Naples woman is on a mission to bring foster children something many take for granted: a suitcase filled with dignity.
MARCO ISLAND City of Marco Island discusses lead awareness during city council meeting The city of Marco Island sent out 4900 letters to residents warning them that their pipes could contain plastic or lead.
NAPLES The future of electric planes in Southwest Florida Features of living near an airport include persistent headache-inducing engine rumbles and foul-smelling jet fuel, but electric planes could play a part in the solution.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors awaiting answers on Port Charlotte Beach Park repairs Neighbors said a contractor hired by the Florida Division of Emergency Management mishandled the boats at Port Charlotte Beach Park.
FGCU introduces new technology for cognitive health screenings Ten minutes. That’s all it takes for doctors to assess how well you remember, how quickly you learn things, and how your brain is working overall.
WINK Investigates: Disgraced contractor faces new lawsuits and allegations Paul Beattie, a disgraced home builder is back doing business but legal challenges continue as another one of his businesses gets sued. Former employees of Beattie speak out, only to WINK.
SWFL reacts to UNC hiring Bill Belichick Southwest Florida reacts to North Carolina hiring Bill Belichick as its new head football coach and how that could impact the decisions of local recruits.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Some Floridians want more alone time during the holidays The holidays are all about spending time with family and friends, but nearly half of Americans say they really want more alone time during the holiday.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
Aggressive driving concerns on the rise in Southwest Florida The arrest of a man who, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said, killed a motorcyclist after crashing into him on purpose is raising concerns over aggressive driving in Southwest Florida.
SANIBEL Sanibel School students prepare for community Christmas performance The school that has had to claw and fight its way back more than once to reopen is getting the chance to celebrate.
FORT MYERS Rock For Equality: SWFL music scene to hold benefit concert for Palestine A two-venue, eight-band benefit concert is coming to Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Naples man sentenced in deadly bar shooting A man has been sentenced for a deadly shooting that took place at a Naples bar in March 2021.
NAPLES 12-year-old collecting donations for the needy during the holidays A 12-year-old Naples boy isn’t worried about what he’s getting for Christmas. Instead, he’s working on his 6th annual “Holiday Sock Drive.”
Fort Myers man facing homelessness before the holidays A 75-year-old man is on the brink of homelessness despite working over 80 hours a week.
NAPLES Adoptee uses non-profit to provide suitcases for foster children This holiday season, a Naples woman is on a mission to bring foster children something many take for granted: a suitcase filled with dignity.
MARCO ISLAND City of Marco Island discusses lead awareness during city council meeting The city of Marco Island sent out 4900 letters to residents warning them that their pipes could contain plastic or lead.
NAPLES The future of electric planes in Southwest Florida Features of living near an airport include persistent headache-inducing engine rumbles and foul-smelling jet fuel, but electric planes could play a part in the solution.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors awaiting answers on Port Charlotte Beach Park repairs Neighbors said a contractor hired by the Florida Division of Emergency Management mishandled the boats at Port Charlotte Beach Park.
FGCU introduces new technology for cognitive health screenings Ten minutes. That’s all it takes for doctors to assess how well you remember, how quickly you learn things, and how your brain is working overall.
WINK Investigates: Disgraced contractor faces new lawsuits and allegations Paul Beattie, a disgraced home builder is back doing business but legal challenges continue as another one of his businesses gets sued. Former employees of Beattie speak out, only to WINK.
SWFL reacts to UNC hiring Bill Belichick Southwest Florida reacts to North Carolina hiring Bill Belichick as its new head football coach and how that could impact the decisions of local recruits.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Some Floridians want more alone time during the holidays The holidays are all about spending time with family and friends, but nearly half of Americans say they really want more alone time during the holiday.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
Aggressive driving concerns on the rise in Southwest Florida The arrest of a man who, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said, killed a motorcyclist after crashing into him on purpose is raising concerns over aggressive driving in Southwest Florida.
SANIBEL Sanibel School students prepare for community Christmas performance The school that has had to claw and fight its way back more than once to reopen is getting the chance to celebrate.
FORT MYERS Rock For Equality: SWFL music scene to hold benefit concert for Palestine A two-venue, eight-band benefit concert is coming to Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Naples man sentenced in deadly bar shooting A man has been sentenced for a deadly shooting that took place at a Naples bar in March 2021.
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.”