Apple AirPods lead LCSO to an arrest ; over $100,000 worth of stolen items recoveredHendry County rolls out cameras for new school zone safety program
FORT MYERS Apple AirPods lead LCSO to an arrest ; over $100,000 worth of stolen items recovered Through the use of Apple Airpods, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office was able to locate nearly $100,000 worth of stolen items, leading to an arrest.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for new school zone safety program 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.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral officials approve replacement funding for hurricane-damaged stop signs The Cape Coral City Council has approved funding to replace stop signs damaged during Hurricane Milton, resulting in an emergency purchase.
Holiday events happening in Southwest Florida Southwest Florida is embracing the holiday spirit with a variety of festive events this Christmas season.
Collier man accused of supplying fentanyl-laced pills, enough to kill 531,500 people The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of supplying more than 10,000 fentanyl-laced pills disguised as prescription painkillers.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral council supports construction of I-75 interchange into city The Cape Coral City Council has approved a resolution requesting support from Lee and Charlotte counties to prioritize state and federal funding for the Interstate 75 Interchange at Slater Road.
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther has been killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon After waking up to a cold morning, the Weather Authority is tracking warming conditions to the low 70s this Thursday.
Police release threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
FORT MYERS Apple AirPods lead LCSO to an arrest ; over $100,000 worth of stolen items recovered Through the use of Apple Airpods, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office was able to locate nearly $100,000 worth of stolen items, leading to an arrest.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for new school zone safety program 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.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral officials approve replacement funding for hurricane-damaged stop signs The Cape Coral City Council has approved funding to replace stop signs damaged during Hurricane Milton, resulting in an emergency purchase.
Holiday events happening in Southwest Florida Southwest Florida is embracing the holiday spirit with a variety of festive events this Christmas season.
Collier man accused of supplying fentanyl-laced pills, enough to kill 531,500 people The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of supplying more than 10,000 fentanyl-laced pills disguised as prescription painkillers.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral council supports construction of I-75 interchange into city The Cape Coral City Council has approved a resolution requesting support from Lee and Charlotte counties to prioritize state and federal funding for the Interstate 75 Interchange at Slater Road.
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther has been killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon After waking up to a cold morning, the Weather Authority is tracking warming conditions to the low 70s this Thursday.
Police release threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
Families have complained about poor work quality and enormous cost overages, all before moving into their dream home. One couple is speaking out after building a new house while their contractor battles in court with other customers. Heather Eichenberg still remembers the joy and butterflies that came at the beginning of her family’s new home build. “To just start something new and have all this space to play and run around and be a family,” she recounted with a smile. “It was exciting! It was super exciting.” Paperwork shows they signed a contract for an 18-month build with Zwiercan Homes in May 2021. But 18 months turned into 24 months. Then 30. “Birthdays happened and years happened, and first steps happened, and daycares happened,” Eichenberg said. “Nothing was happening.” WINK News has covered Zwiercan Homes and the owner, Jarek Zwiercan, before. Investigative reporter Peter Fleischer has spoken with about 10 families who have had a variety of issues with the company. From shoddy workmanship to long delays to massive overages right before closing. Every family has a different issue, but all of them have had frustrating experiences. “I probably would’ve walked away a lot sooner or never signed, knowing what I know now,” Eichenberg admitted. All the issues from other homeowners sound familiar to Eichenberg. Her family was forced to pay two mortgages for almost a year when her new home was finished 15 months late. They hired an independent inspector before closing and found several quality issues as well. But the worst part came at closing. “Oh, by the way, you’ve got an overage,” she recalled as she shook her head. “And your heart just pounds and panics, and you don’t know what that number is going to be.” Documents show Zwiercan, the owner of the company, demanded 66 thousand dollars in overages. But when the family asked for receipts, work orders, and itemized receipts to show exactly how those charges had racked up, they say the proof didn’t exist. “He kept saying, I have it all, I have it all,” Eichenberg explained. “But he didn’t provide it.” In the end, the family fought to have their overages cut in half. They eventually paid their balance despite confusion about where the costs came from. “There wasn’t any recourse for poor work or things noticed throughout.” Legal issues They’re finally in their house, done with what they describe as a maddening situation. That’s more than the Norrell family can say. They also built with Zwiercan Homes, but court records show they’ve been locked in a legal dispute with the company since last year, for an amount larger than 100 thousand dollars. When they spoke with WINK News last summer, they summed up their experience simply: “You get lifted up, and then you basically get kicked in the teeth over and over again,” Tim Norrell admitted in 2023. “It’s been really hard. We’ve had to dig deep.” Because of their pending litigation, the Norrells were unable to sit down with me for a new interview. Theirs is one of several ongoing lawsuits with Zwiercan Homes. Despite the legal issues, the company is still busy in Charlotte and Sarasota counties. Property records show the company has opened at least a half dozen new permits for work in both areas across the last calendar year, and have active older projects too. The Eichenbergs want prospective customers to know about their experience. “It doesn’t change that you were wronged, and you can’t go back and change time,” Heather said. “But what you can do is help other people through it.” WINK News has reached out to Zwiercan Homes several times across the last year to ask about these issues. They have declined to comment.