American Sand Sculpting Competition returns to Fort Myers BeachEnglewood nonprofit gives hope to residents amid hurricane recovery
FORT MYERS BEACH American Sand Sculpting Competition returns to Fort Myers Beach After a year’s long wait, the American Sand Sculpting Competition on Fort Myers Beach returned on Thursday.
ENGLEWOOD Englewood nonprofit gives hope to residents amid hurricane recovery Many people in Charlotte County were hit hard by storms this hurricane season, but that won’t stop them from giving back to their community.
NAPLES CSN’s Jayvian Tanelus and offensive line erupt in round one Community School of Naples’ offensive line and Jayvian Tanelus put on a show in round one of the playoffs earning them player of the week.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral family opens home up for the holidays A Cape Coral family has gotten over 1,000 interactions on a Facebook post after opening up their home for the holidays.
SANIBEL Sanibel police trained and certified to catch alligators by FWC Pinning an apex predator down with little more than bare hands and tape: That’s what the Sanibel Police Department went through during alligator-catching certification training.
Southwest Florida welcomes first proton beam therapy center This is a big week in cancer care for patients in Southwest Florida and beyond.
PUNTA GORDA Whats next after Punta Gorda city manager’s resignation? Punta Gorda city manager Greg Murray said he resigned Monday but told the council on Wednesday. Now, Melissa Reichert is the interim city manager.
FORT MYERS BEACH 34th annual American Sand Sculpting Championship begins on Fort Myers Beach After a years long wait, the American Sand Sculpting Competition on Fort Myers Beach returned on Thursday.
CAPE CORAL City council members talk about decision to repeal stipend ordinance A vote of 5 to 3 ends the saga over the Cape Coral City Council stipend and new members of the city council are sending a message they’re doing things differently.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers food pantry provides Thanksgiving meals to neighbors Dozens of people stopped by Sunshine Health’s food pantry one week before Thanksgiving. Sunshine Health is delivering hope.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach loses FEMA insurance discount The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has placed Fort Myers Beach (FMB) on probation.
FORT MYERS WINK News Game of the Week: Riverdale at Fort Myers Our WINK News Game of the Week is the regional semifinal matchup between Fort Myers and Riverdale, a rematch from the regular season finale two weeks ago.
NAPLES Hope for the Holidays turkey distribution event in Collier County A Naples nonprofit is expected to feed nearly 2,000 families.
Parts of Lee County to keep FEMA discount According to the Lee County Government, residents in parts of Lee County will keep their FEMA discount.
New blue-light system to be implemented to flag red-light runners Green means go, red means stop and blue means you just ran a red light.
FORT MYERS BEACH American Sand Sculpting Competition returns to Fort Myers Beach After a year’s long wait, the American Sand Sculpting Competition on Fort Myers Beach returned on Thursday.
ENGLEWOOD Englewood nonprofit gives hope to residents amid hurricane recovery Many people in Charlotte County were hit hard by storms this hurricane season, but that won’t stop them from giving back to their community.
NAPLES CSN’s Jayvian Tanelus and offensive line erupt in round one Community School of Naples’ offensive line and Jayvian Tanelus put on a show in round one of the playoffs earning them player of the week.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral family opens home up for the holidays A Cape Coral family has gotten over 1,000 interactions on a Facebook post after opening up their home for the holidays.
SANIBEL Sanibel police trained and certified to catch alligators by FWC Pinning an apex predator down with little more than bare hands and tape: That’s what the Sanibel Police Department went through during alligator-catching certification training.
Southwest Florida welcomes first proton beam therapy center This is a big week in cancer care for patients in Southwest Florida and beyond.
PUNTA GORDA Whats next after Punta Gorda city manager’s resignation? Punta Gorda city manager Greg Murray said he resigned Monday but told the council on Wednesday. Now, Melissa Reichert is the interim city manager.
FORT MYERS BEACH 34th annual American Sand Sculpting Championship begins on Fort Myers Beach After a years long wait, the American Sand Sculpting Competition on Fort Myers Beach returned on Thursday.
CAPE CORAL City council members talk about decision to repeal stipend ordinance A vote of 5 to 3 ends the saga over the Cape Coral City Council stipend and new members of the city council are sending a message they’re doing things differently.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers food pantry provides Thanksgiving meals to neighbors Dozens of people stopped by Sunshine Health’s food pantry one week before Thanksgiving. Sunshine Health is delivering hope.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach loses FEMA insurance discount The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has placed Fort Myers Beach (FMB) on probation.
FORT MYERS WINK News Game of the Week: Riverdale at Fort Myers Our WINK News Game of the Week is the regional semifinal matchup between Fort Myers and Riverdale, a rematch from the regular season finale two weeks ago.
NAPLES Hope for the Holidays turkey distribution event in Collier County A Naples nonprofit is expected to feed nearly 2,000 families.
Parts of Lee County to keep FEMA discount According to the Lee County Government, residents in parts of Lee County will keep their FEMA discount.
New blue-light system to be implemented to flag red-light runners Green means go, red means stop and blue means you just ran a red light.
CREDIT: WINK. From left to right: Commissioner Whidden, Chairman Stanley, Commissioner Taylor, Commissioner Sapp WINK News attended the first Glades County Commissioners meeting since the Florida Department of Law Enforcement released their investigation findings on sitting District 1 Commissioner Tony Whidden. Commissioner Whidden won his seat in 2020 when he lived in a house in District One. Then, in 2022, he moved six miles away to a home in District Four and has been living there ever since. Before the meeting, a small protest took place. RELATED: Protest erupts before Glades Commissioners meeting After the commissioner’s meeting, WINK News Reporter Olivia Jean asked Whidden if he had anything to say to those protesters and others who were upset he still holds his position. He refused to answer and walked out of the commission chambers. Glades District 4 Commissioner Hattie Taylor did talk to WINK News. Whidden lives in her district now. “I don’t think anyone intentionally did anything. I’m new. I’m not a political person. I got involved because they’re Glades County citizens all my life. I care about the county,” Taylor said. She said she leaves these types of decisions up to the County Manager and County Attorney. “I didn’t question (them), and that’s what I would say to those who are upset,” Taylor said. “I do believe that you should live in the county, or excuse me, in the district that you voted for you represent.” Glades District 5 Commissioner and Chairman Tim Stanley said he had nothing to add. “I’d tell them to call Mr. Whidden because it is a personal issue with him. I have nothing to do with it,” Stanley said. WINK News Reporter Olivia Jean responded back with, “But you are the chairman.” He continued to say, “I am the chairman but I can’t hire and fire a commissioner.” Stanley is right. They are elected officials but must live in their district, according to the Florida Constitution. Whidden doesn’t. He moved out of his district in 2022. In the Florida Department of Law Enforcement documents WINK News obtained, the County Attorney, Richard Pringle, told investigators he advised Whidden not to resign but said he “now regrets not referring this matter to the florida attorney general’s office,” for clarification on the law. We asked him about it after the Commissioners meeting. Jean asked, “Do you think you made a mistake?” Pringle replied with a laugh and “Have a good day.” The public hearing Tuesday morning did not comment on Commissioner Whidden living outside of his district. Those at the protest did not go inside the meeting. CREDIT: WINK. From left to right: Commissioner Whidden, Chairman Stanley, Commissioner Taylor, Commissioner Sapp Whidden motioned and seconded several items during the meeting. The meeting lasted more than four hours, which is uncommon for Glades Commissioner meetings. The State Attorney’s office examined the Whidden documents and found he has not committed a crime. The State Attorney said violations of the constitution are not criminal unless the state legislature makes it so.