Former New York officer speaks to students on 9/11President Biden writes letter to Lee County student
Former New York officer speaks to students on 9/11 Master officer for Naples police department Sean Phillips, who at the time was a New York police officer, shared what that day was like for him with students at the community school of Naples.
FORT MYERS President Biden writes letter to Lee County student Every day a student in Lee County carries a very special letter around with him. He likes to show it to anyone he can.
CAPE CORAL Company helping Cape Coral neighbors but not all properties in city For over a month now we’ve told you about the plans by the city of Cape Coral to acquire 19 acres east of Bimini Basin that’s forcing some neighbors to vacate the properties they’re currently renting and living in. Now, we’re hearing from a company offering help for these families to help them relocate.
NAPLES Child still in coma week after car crash It has been a week since a horrific car crash in Naples killed a mother and injured two children.
WINK NEWS Every SWFL football team shares one common enemy this season High temperatures and lightning have defined the Gulf Coast’s high school football season so far this year.
COLLIER COUNTY WINK News Player of the Week: Gulf Coast QB Jace Seyler Gulf Coast QB Jace Seyler is the WINK News Player of the Week after he threw for 300 yards and scored five touchdowns in the win over Lely.
LEHIGH ACRES Veteran speaks out during Suicide Prevention Month September is suicide prevention month. This is the time to remember the heavy toll mental health struggles take on our veterans.
ESTERO Estero home, billboard engulfed by fire Authorities have responded to a house fire in Estero that also burned a billboard.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for September 11, 2024 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for September 11, 2024.
FORT MYERS Suspected puppy thief arrested; puppy still missing The Fort Myers police department has confirmed the arrest of a man suspected of stealing a puppy from a Fort Myers pet store.
Estero planning board approves High 5, Estero Townhomes plans Estero’s planning board approved on Sept. 10 two major projects, a townhouse development along Corkscrew Road and an entertainment center that’s part of the village’s planned entertainment complex.
New hotel planned for Port Charlotte Charlotte County Board of Commissioners gave final site plan approval Sept. 10 for a 63-room hotel on Sandhill Boulevard. The hotel is planned on a 1.28-acre site near the DeSoto County border that is part of the Sandhill Development of Regional Impact.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda honors lives lost on 9/11 On Wednesday, some gathered at Punta Gorda’s Shorepoint Health Hospital for a morning ceremony featuring officers, community members and survivors.
FORT MYERS BEACH LCSO and U.S. Coast Guard commemorate 9/11 victims on Fort Myers Beach The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Coast Guard paid tribute to the innocent lives lost during the 9/11 attacks Tuesday morning.
FORT MYERS SUV crashes into Fort Myers building Crews are cleaning up after an SUV crashed into a building on Fowler Street in Fort Myers.
Former New York officer speaks to students on 9/11 Master officer for Naples police department Sean Phillips, who at the time was a New York police officer, shared what that day was like for him with students at the community school of Naples.
FORT MYERS President Biden writes letter to Lee County student Every day a student in Lee County carries a very special letter around with him. He likes to show it to anyone he can.
CAPE CORAL Company helping Cape Coral neighbors but not all properties in city For over a month now we’ve told you about the plans by the city of Cape Coral to acquire 19 acres east of Bimini Basin that’s forcing some neighbors to vacate the properties they’re currently renting and living in. Now, we’re hearing from a company offering help for these families to help them relocate.
NAPLES Child still in coma week after car crash It has been a week since a horrific car crash in Naples killed a mother and injured two children.
WINK NEWS Every SWFL football team shares one common enemy this season High temperatures and lightning have defined the Gulf Coast’s high school football season so far this year.
COLLIER COUNTY WINK News Player of the Week: Gulf Coast QB Jace Seyler Gulf Coast QB Jace Seyler is the WINK News Player of the Week after he threw for 300 yards and scored five touchdowns in the win over Lely.
LEHIGH ACRES Veteran speaks out during Suicide Prevention Month September is suicide prevention month. This is the time to remember the heavy toll mental health struggles take on our veterans.
ESTERO Estero home, billboard engulfed by fire Authorities have responded to a house fire in Estero that also burned a billboard.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for September 11, 2024 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for September 11, 2024.
FORT MYERS Suspected puppy thief arrested; puppy still missing The Fort Myers police department has confirmed the arrest of a man suspected of stealing a puppy from a Fort Myers pet store.
Estero planning board approves High 5, Estero Townhomes plans Estero’s planning board approved on Sept. 10 two major projects, a townhouse development along Corkscrew Road and an entertainment center that’s part of the village’s planned entertainment complex.
New hotel planned for Port Charlotte Charlotte County Board of Commissioners gave final site plan approval Sept. 10 for a 63-room hotel on Sandhill Boulevard. The hotel is planned on a 1.28-acre site near the DeSoto County border that is part of the Sandhill Development of Regional Impact.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda honors lives lost on 9/11 On Wednesday, some gathered at Punta Gorda’s Shorepoint Health Hospital for a morning ceremony featuring officers, community members and survivors.
FORT MYERS BEACH LCSO and U.S. Coast Guard commemorate 9/11 victims on Fort Myers Beach The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Coast Guard paid tribute to the innocent lives lost during the 9/11 attacks Tuesday morning.
FORT MYERS SUV crashes into Fort Myers building Crews are cleaning up after an SUV crashed into a building on Fowler Street in Fort Myers.
Beattie Development has been the single most complained about company in our newsroom for the last several months, which is why WINK News has been investigating Paul Beattie for weeks. Several dozens of former Beattie customers have reached out to WINK News, sharing their stories. READ MORE: Beattie Development subcontractors speak out READ MORE: Beattie nowhere to be found but homeowner victims speak out; group chat connects them together One email even started out saying, “I understand you may be listening to stories regarding Paul Beattie of Beattie Development? A builder who stole all of my time and money? Let me know.” Others say “he lied to us,” and their life savings are in the drain. Cape Coral Police confirmed two weeks ago to WINK News that they were investigating Beattie, which brings us to Wednesday, August 7. On Wednesday, Beattie’s downtown Cape Coral office was raided. On the scene, we saw Cape Coral forensics taking boxes in and out of the building. Witnesses sent WINK video of the SWAT team and told us they saw someone being led out of Beattie development in handcuffs. We asked Cape Coral police if the person in handcuffs was Paul Beattie. They have not responded to us. Dozens of people have told WINK News that Beattie took money without finishing work on their homes. Several police reports and lawsuits were obtained by WINK. The WINK News Beattie investigation has been a team effort. We have been tracking several complaints that accuse Beattie of not finishing work on their homes and still taking the money. WINK News anchor Chris Cifatte visited one of the Beattie offices a few weeks back. It was closed, locked up and abandoned and has spoken to ex-Beattie customers. WINK News Reporter Olivia Jean has been talking with people who have lost thousands of dollars, even some with their homes still unfinished after years. WINK News Producer Robin Wolf has been combing through lawsuits and police reports. On Wednesday, we spoke exclusively with one of Beattie’s former customers, Jason Bell. He shared his story of frustration with the contractor. Paul Beattie, founder of Beattie Development, has been building and remodeling homes in the community since January 2009. Bell said he did his “homework.” “We chose them because of the reputation that they had out there. And seemed like a really big company, they had won awards and things like that, so we thought we were in good hands,” Bell said. Bell and several ex. Beattie customers tell WINK they are relieved to see Cape Coral Police take action. “In terms of ultimate justice, I think accountability would be the main thing. So just being accountable to the customers that he has let down,” Bell said. Bell said he signed the contract, which said construction must start 60 days later. Six months go by and finally the work started. He said Beattie hadn’t finished his outdoor kitchen space. “It’s not finished, to a standard that would be from a reputable builder and to a standard that you the standard that we paid to do,” Bell said. Instead of Beattie finishing and fixing it, Bell says he just stopped responding. “I was told by one of the managers in the countertop division that they would have a resolution for us. And then a week after, I was told that no more communication. They completely disappeared, and all calls are being forwarded to an answering service that no messages are returned, no emails are responded to anymore,” Bell said. A couple from California, Mary Ann and John Fitzgerald, spoke with WINK News about Beattie leaving their home unfinished. “Our dream was to retire to Cape Coral. We paid him cash… our entire life savings. We worked very hard,” they said. They share a similar story with others WINK has spoken to. “We have so much left to finish this house that we are both literally getting sick. It’s the most stress we have ever had. We have 4 liens on our house, and in the worst financial disaster we have ever been in. We are in our 60’s and now think I may be working until I’m 90,” the Fitzgerald’s said. The couple added up their loses. From what they paid and what was not done, they lost $309,345.20. “I think he’s done enough to us personally that he should go to jail,” John Fitzgerald said. “For months, he collected this money and people didn’t get any work done. If they got work done, the subs didn’t get paid, and you got liens. It’s like, okay, we all paid. Where’d it go? And I know we probably will never see it, but it’d be nice to know what what happened to it,” John Fitzgerald said. If Beattie left you with unfinished work, email us at investigations@winknews.com