16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier CountyNew bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal The city of Cape Coral is seeing two projects that will change the city. One is called one of the most lucrative deals in county history.
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association breaks ground on new Fort Myers headquarters As Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association’s president pointed out, about 1,000 people are still moving to Florida every day, and many of them are finding their way to Southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County drug trafficker sentenced to 10 years A Charlotte County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
lehigh acres ‘How to sign away parental rights?’; Lehigh Acres woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal The city of Cape Coral is seeing two projects that will change the city. One is called one of the most lucrative deals in county history.
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association breaks ground on new Fort Myers headquarters As Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association’s president pointed out, about 1,000 people are still moving to Florida every day, and many of them are finding their way to Southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County drug trafficker sentenced to 10 years A Charlotte County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
lehigh acres ‘How to sign away parental rights?’; Lehigh Acres woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby.
CREDIT: CCSO; Collier Deputy overcome by fentanyl Fentanyl is a killer. There are those who are looking for a high. There are those who might take it without knowing because it is mixed with another illegal drug. Then there are those who are exposed simply because of their profession. That’s where one Collier County Deputy comes in. The Sheriff’s Office shared body camera video with WINK News Anchor Corey Lazar to show just how quickly the deadly drug can bring someone to their knees, or worse. We potentially could have lost at least one deputy so far. Sheriff Kevin Rambosk, Collier County “Is there Fentanyl in that house? Is there Fentanyl in the house?” the deputy asked as he recognized warning signs. “Roll EMS.” CREDIT: Collier County Sheriff’s Office body camera The other deputy quickly ripped open the Narcan from the deputy’s vest. The first deputy starts shaking. Narcan saves Deputy “Can you talk?” “Yeah, I am just not feeling good.” “OK, but stay with me open your eyes. Stay with me and open your eyes.” About two minutes after the first hit of Narcan, the deputy passed out. It took two doses to save his life. Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk knows the danger his deputies face every time they respond to any scene. Related coverage: Powdered, pills, no matter how you slice it – fentanyl kills “If we didn’t have Narcan issued to all of our members, we potentially could have lost at least one deputy so far,” added the Sheriff. He’s also knows the potential danger to the community. “Are you seeing it come from Miami?” Lazar asked.“Oh, absolutely. 75 and 41. We’re directly centered between Miami and Tampa, which are two major metropolitan areas,” explained Rambosk. Rambosk said Collier County has seen more fentanyl pop up in two ways–powder and pill form. “We’re getting pills that are illicit substances made not by a pharmacy,” shared the Sheriff. “We’re also getting now, according to the DEA, pharmaceutical grade medicine, from out of country. They’re warning that that is now being laced with fentanyl.” Which is why he launched the Laced & Lethal Campaign warning kids and adults, whatever they take could be laced with fentanyl. Fentanyl has also changed the way the department can help you. We can no longer do mouth to mouth CPR-style resuscitation. Sheriff Kevin Rambosk, Collier County Departmental considerations Issued bag valve masks to everyone (for CPR) New policies and protocols for responding to a drug call New decontamination process Deputies issued Narcan for their home first aid kits “because it’s that transmissible” CCSO trains businesses on how to administer Narcan and is working to get it placed at every AED, or automated external defibrillator, across the county to save more lives. The deputy who was overcome was back on the force after a few days. Resources from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office DEA: https://www.dea.gov/fentanylawareness CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/basics/fentanyl.html National Institute on Drug Abuse National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare Treatment Options