Parents cast their votes for Lee County school superintendentFormer Dollar General employee accused of stealing $7,000 in returns
Parents cast their votes for Lee County school superintendent With just hours now until the election, WINK News wants to highlight a few local races that haven’t gotten as much attention. One of them is the election of Lee County’s next superintendent of schools.
NORTH FORT MYERS Former Dollar General employee accused of stealing $7,000 in returns A woman has been arrested after defrauding a Dollar General in North Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS BEACH The Tropics and Red Tide; what happens if or when they interact? The Tropics are active despite the fact that there’s less than a month left in hurricane season. But how will a system interact with red tide?
CAPE CORAL Police investigate gunfire at Cape Coral rental home The bullet holes left behind by shots heard in a normally quiet Cape Coral neighborhood scared one woman into buying security cameras for her home.
CAPE CORAL Bimini Basin residents face housing challenges Time is running out for the families who live in one Cape Coral community to find places to call home.
Harris and Trump make a furious final push before Election Day A presidential campaign that has careened through a felony trial, an incumbent president being pushed off the ticket and multiple assassination attempts comes down to a final sprint across a handful of states on Election Day eve.
DeSantis working to stop amendments 3 and 4 ahead of Election Day Governor Ron DeSantis is on a mission, and he is willing to spend his own cash to win it.
Using AI to detect pancreatic cancer Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States. That’s due in part to the limited testing available for early detection.
the weather authority Tropical Storm Rafael forms in the Caribbean The Weather Authority meteorologists are monitoring the Caribbean as Tropical Storm Rafael has formed.
CAPE CORAL JROTC cadets prepare for Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade Cape Coral High School JROTC students will march to honor our veterans.
FORT MYERS Walmart truck involved in Fort Myers crash, blocking EB lanes on Palm Beach Blvd. at Dixie Lane A Walmart truck has been involved in a crash in Fort Myers on Monday afternoon.
Nonprofit provides office space to local businesses displaced by hurricanes The staff of Valerie’s House knows what it’s like to be without a place of its own. After learning about some local businesses’ offices being destroyed by recent hurricanes, the nonprofit organization that helps grieving children offered space at its Punta Gorda center.
CAPE CORAL NB lanes of Burnt Store Rd. and EB lanes of Embers Pkwy. closed near intersection due to crash Cape Coral Police Department officers are investigating a major crash at Burnt Store Road Embers Parkway.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors frustrated with car noises in Port Charlotte A battle intensifies on Oceanside Avenue in Port Charlotte between neighbors and an endless bombardment of car noises.
Charlotte County provides update on boat ramp closures The Charlotte County Community Services has provided an update regarding the boat ramp closures brought about by hurricanes Milton and Helene.
Parents cast their votes for Lee County school superintendent With just hours now until the election, WINK News wants to highlight a few local races that haven’t gotten as much attention. One of them is the election of Lee County’s next superintendent of schools.
NORTH FORT MYERS Former Dollar General employee accused of stealing $7,000 in returns A woman has been arrested after defrauding a Dollar General in North Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS BEACH The Tropics and Red Tide; what happens if or when they interact? The Tropics are active despite the fact that there’s less than a month left in hurricane season. But how will a system interact with red tide?
CAPE CORAL Police investigate gunfire at Cape Coral rental home The bullet holes left behind by shots heard in a normally quiet Cape Coral neighborhood scared one woman into buying security cameras for her home.
CAPE CORAL Bimini Basin residents face housing challenges Time is running out for the families who live in one Cape Coral community to find places to call home.
Harris and Trump make a furious final push before Election Day A presidential campaign that has careened through a felony trial, an incumbent president being pushed off the ticket and multiple assassination attempts comes down to a final sprint across a handful of states on Election Day eve.
DeSantis working to stop amendments 3 and 4 ahead of Election Day Governor Ron DeSantis is on a mission, and he is willing to spend his own cash to win it.
Using AI to detect pancreatic cancer Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States. That’s due in part to the limited testing available for early detection.
the weather authority Tropical Storm Rafael forms in the Caribbean The Weather Authority meteorologists are monitoring the Caribbean as Tropical Storm Rafael has formed.
CAPE CORAL JROTC cadets prepare for Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade Cape Coral High School JROTC students will march to honor our veterans.
FORT MYERS Walmart truck involved in Fort Myers crash, blocking EB lanes on Palm Beach Blvd. at Dixie Lane A Walmart truck has been involved in a crash in Fort Myers on Monday afternoon.
Nonprofit provides office space to local businesses displaced by hurricanes The staff of Valerie’s House knows what it’s like to be without a place of its own. After learning about some local businesses’ offices being destroyed by recent hurricanes, the nonprofit organization that helps grieving children offered space at its Punta Gorda center.
CAPE CORAL NB lanes of Burnt Store Rd. and EB lanes of Embers Pkwy. closed near intersection due to crash Cape Coral Police Department officers are investigating a major crash at Burnt Store Road Embers Parkway.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors frustrated with car noises in Port Charlotte A battle intensifies on Oceanside Avenue in Port Charlotte between neighbors and an endless bombardment of car noises.
Charlotte County provides update on boat ramp closures The Charlotte County Community Services has provided an update regarding the boat ramp closures brought about by hurricanes Milton and Helene.
Photo of Miniopolis model home, three bedroom, two bathroom 750 sq. ft. Miniopolis Builders, a company with a vision to revolutionize affordable housing, is facing challenges in bringing their innovative concept to life in Lee County. Brian Sodre, the general contractor, shared his passion for creating sustainable, energy-efficient, affordable homes that offer a simple yet fulfilling lifestyle. The company’s plan to develop 80 tiny homes in Lee County reflects its commitment to addressing the critical need for affordable housing. However, despite significant public interest and outreach, Miniopolis has yet to build a model home, a crucial step in showcasing their concept to the community. “You’re like, why aren’t people waving their hands in the air saying, ‘Hey, come build for us,'” said Sodre, “and I think the biggest component of that is not seeing that touching, not feeling it, not living it not understanding it.” CREDIT: Miniopolis Builders One of the major obstacles Miniopolis faces is the need for government assistance and community support, along with zoning and building ordinances. These challenges have delayed the start of construction in Lee County, where the company hopes to establish small communities for affordable housing in Lehigh Acres and North Fort Myers, neat Pondella Rd. Sodre said their homes exceed Florida building code standards and are designed to withstand category-five hurricane winds. Additionally, being Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac approved could lead to lower insurance costs for homeowners, further enhancing affordability. CREDIT: Miniopolis Builders The innovative 3D concrete printing method used by Miniopolis not only ensures stronger homes but promotes energy efficiency, potentially reducing residents’ energy bills. The starting cost for these homes is $145,000, with total costs expected to be less than $225,000, including land, site development, and building costs. Miniopolois offers three different models. A one bedroom, one bathroom that is 500 sq. ft. and can fit two people. A 600 sq. ft. two bedroom, two bathroom model that fits four people and a three bedroom, two bathroom 750 sq. ft. tiny home that can comfortably fit six people. While Miniopolis has already installed one of its homes on the Space Coast, the lack of a model home in Lee County has hindered its progress. CREDIT: Miniopolis Builders Sodre expressed frustration at the challenges faced, noting that the concept has received overwhelming interest but lacks tangible support to move forward. “We need the community support and in terms of being able to believe in our concept and take that leap of faith and say, ‘Hey, I’m interested in beginning the process,'” said Sodre. “We have the lenders to help customers with the lending process to build these homes. We have the team to find the land acquisition and prepare the site to build these houses. Right now, we don’t have any money invested into building a model. We need the community support.” Despite these hurdles, Miniopolis remains committed to its vision, aiming to provide affordable housing solutions for the average workforce. The timeline for their homes’ completion depends on community support and funding, highlighting the need for collaboration and understanding among stakeholders. CREDIT: Miniopolis Builders Miniopolis’ hope is that through continued advocacy and support, its innovative approach to housing can become a reality, offering a promising solution to the affordable housing crisis. A spokesperson with Lee County responded with this statement: “Lee County has established processes and procedures for funding and soliciting affordable housing, such as through the SHIP program and CDBG-DR. Lee County has not received any application from Miniopolis Builders. County staff has made itself available to answer Miniopolis’ process questions.” For more information about the county’s affordable housing funding sources: See links: State Housing Initiatives Partnership (leegov.com) CDBG-DR (leegov.com)