Downtown Fort Myers post office reopensAccused hitman in Punta Gorda double homicide will be in court for arraignment
downtown fort myers Downtown Fort Myers post office reopens The downtown Fort Myers post office has officially reopened.
PUNTA GORDA Accused hitman in Punta Gorda double homicide will be in court for arraignment An accused hitman involved in a double homicide in Punta Gorda is scheduled to appear in court this morning for his arraignment.
WINK NEWS Poll results reveal more children are drinking caffeine For many, the morning routine is incomplete without a cup of coffee, but do you remember how old you were when you started your caffeine kick?
FORT MYERS Detective returns to work after Christopher Jordan investigation The detective with the Fort Myers Police Department who shot and killed an unarmed black man is set to return to work.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Iran President Ebrahim Raisi, supreme leader’s protégé, dies at 63 in helicopter crash Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, a hard-line protégé of the country’s supreme leader who helped oversee the mass executions of thousands in 1988 and later led the country as it enriched uranium near weapons-grade levels and launched a major drone-and-missile attack on Israel, has died. He was 63.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Not as hot for your Monday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a hot and dry Monday with most of Southwest Florida staying dry; however, isolated storms are expected inland.
FORT MYERS Police investigate homicide in front of Fort Myers beauty salon The Fort Myers Police Department is investigating a homicide after police found a man’s dead body in the parking lot of a Fort Myers beauty salon.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: road rage, domestic violence and camper fire This weeks segment of WINK Neighborhood watch features: An angry driver, a posterior puncture, and a family camper up in flames.
OCALA Memorial held for migrant bus crash victims A memorial was held in Ocala Friday night after a bus crash left eight people dead and 45 injured this past Tuesday.
IMMOKALEE ROAD 3 injured in deadly crash on Immokalee road The Florida Highway Patrol is currently investigating a deadly crash on Immokalee road.
NAPLES Collier deputies investigating car submerged in water The Collier County Sheriffs Office is investigating the scene of a submerged vehicle in Naples.
GAINESVILLE FGCU softball reflects on season and team’s legacy FGCU softball reflects on the historic season following their elimination doubleheader Saturday as well as what made this team special.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA The Weather Authority: Scattered storms in the forecast for your Sunday Expect sun and clouds throughout the day, along with scattered rain. Some of the storms have the potential to become severe.
CAPE CORAL Do we need a federal gun database for mental illness? One family says yes One family is on a mission to create a new national gun database. It would require medical professionals to enter mental health information.
ALVA Three dead in triple drowning near the Franklin Lock in Olga The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is responding to a scene of a water rescue where three people were recovered.
downtown fort myers Downtown Fort Myers post office reopens The downtown Fort Myers post office has officially reopened.
PUNTA GORDA Accused hitman in Punta Gorda double homicide will be in court for arraignment An accused hitman involved in a double homicide in Punta Gorda is scheduled to appear in court this morning for his arraignment.
WINK NEWS Poll results reveal more children are drinking caffeine For many, the morning routine is incomplete without a cup of coffee, but do you remember how old you were when you started your caffeine kick?
FORT MYERS Detective returns to work after Christopher Jordan investigation The detective with the Fort Myers Police Department who shot and killed an unarmed black man is set to return to work.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Iran President Ebrahim Raisi, supreme leader’s protégé, dies at 63 in helicopter crash Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, a hard-line protégé of the country’s supreme leader who helped oversee the mass executions of thousands in 1988 and later led the country as it enriched uranium near weapons-grade levels and launched a major drone-and-missile attack on Israel, has died. He was 63.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Not as hot for your Monday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a hot and dry Monday with most of Southwest Florida staying dry; however, isolated storms are expected inland.
FORT MYERS Police investigate homicide in front of Fort Myers beauty salon The Fort Myers Police Department is investigating a homicide after police found a man’s dead body in the parking lot of a Fort Myers beauty salon.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: road rage, domestic violence and camper fire This weeks segment of WINK Neighborhood watch features: An angry driver, a posterior puncture, and a family camper up in flames.
OCALA Memorial held for migrant bus crash victims A memorial was held in Ocala Friday night after a bus crash left eight people dead and 45 injured this past Tuesday.
IMMOKALEE ROAD 3 injured in deadly crash on Immokalee road The Florida Highway Patrol is currently investigating a deadly crash on Immokalee road.
NAPLES Collier deputies investigating car submerged in water The Collier County Sheriffs Office is investigating the scene of a submerged vehicle in Naples.
GAINESVILLE FGCU softball reflects on season and team’s legacy FGCU softball reflects on the historic season following their elimination doubleheader Saturday as well as what made this team special.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA The Weather Authority: Scattered storms in the forecast for your Sunday Expect sun and clouds throughout the day, along with scattered rain. Some of the storms have the potential to become severe.
CAPE CORAL Do we need a federal gun database for mental illness? One family says yes One family is on a mission to create a new national gun database. It would require medical professionals to enter mental health information.
ALVA Three dead in triple drowning near the Franklin Lock in Olga The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is responding to a scene of a water rescue where three people were recovered.
Dangerous. Daunting. Demanding. Those are just a few words to describe what it’s like to escape an abusive partner. Survivors of domestic violence often seek an injunction, similar to a restraining order, but for some, it may not be the best option. “We expect them to leave, and that’s not always economically feasible. And, you know, there are all of these barriers,” Kristina Lawrence said. Those brave enough – might seek an injunction for protection. “The injunction for protection is something that can help survivors achieve immediate safety,” she added. Lawrence is the lead managing attorney for Statewide Legal Services with the Injunction for Protection project. She reviewed the numbers with WINK News Anchor Nicole Gabe. In the last year, 675 people requested an injunction for protection in Collier County. In Charlotte County – 1,006. And there were 3,000 requests in Lee County. That’s an incredibly dangerous time for a survivor. Kristina Lawrence, Lead Attorney, Injunction for Protection project While that piece of paper can help, it only offers so much protection. “An injunction for protection is a piece of paper and it can result in different results for different kinds of abusers,” Lawrence explained. “It’s not always the best choice for every single survivor.” Audrey Peterson was murdered. Documents show that in February, Peterson requested a protection order in Pinellas County against her ex, Francis Scoza. “The system really does put all of the onus on the victim, to not only prove the allegations, but also, a lot of times when you compare it to other crimes, particularly, they kind of have to go above and beyond in the proof,” the attorney pointed out. In her petition for protection against stalking, Peterson wrote, “I texted him ‘please leave me alone.’ He replied, ‘Never.'” Another text she claimed Scoza sent said, “You took 20 years of my life. I am not done. Be careful.” Peterson’s request was denied. “All injunctions are difficult to get. There is kind of a myth out there that you can just go file for one in there, you know, they’re handed out or whatever. And that’s not the case,” explained Lawrence. “In this case, she did opt to continue to have a hearing and therefore put him on notice, but there was not a temporary order of protection.” Court records show that on February 9, Scoza was served with a notice of a future hearing. Investigators said that same day, Scoza killed Peterson and himself. “With some abusers being notified of the fact that now the abuse is public, and it is out there and that the victim or the survivor is going to seek protection and kind of let everyone know, that’s an incredibly dangerous time for a survivor,” stated Lawrence. A deadly reality. It’s why Lawrence wants you to know her team is here. “We currently have 72 lawyers across the state who are situated in the domestic violence centers, and they provide free civil legal services to survivors,” she added. Lee Hendry Glades Charlotte Desoto Collier Tama Caldarone is an attorney with the Shelter for Abused Women and Children in Collier County. “Here at the shelter, we have a unique position. The injunction for protection project was created throughout the state to really put attorneys and paralegals in the forefront of that filing of the injunction, to really give the survivor an opportunity to speak to somebody to understand the entire process,” said Caldarone. She works with survivors to create an action plan. So does paralegal Morgan Hawk. “My office is co-located in the courthouse, and I assist survivors with filing injunctions,” added Hawk. She sees between 60 and 70 people who are ready to file a month. “That’s probably the first thing that I talk about. Is it safe?” she questioned. “Because you know, as we know, it is a piece of paper.” And if a survivor is denied, she’s the first to ask what’s next. What is an Injunction? Filing a Petition Once you file Resources “How are we going to support them after this? What do they need to start doing next? You know, do we need to get into services? Does she need to relocate? What programs does the shelter offer for her to move forward in her life? It can be paralyzing,” said Hawk. If a temporary injunction for protection is issued, a hearing is scheduled within 15 days. The person filed against will also be notified. If a petition is denied upon initial review, the abuser will not be notified, and the case will remain confidential.