DOH-Collier cautions of blue-green algae at Lake AvalonCity, Naples Beach Club to preserve green space in perpetuity
COLLIER COUNTY DOH-Collier cautions of blue-green algae at Lake Avalon The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) wants to caution the public of the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Avalon.
City, Naples Beach Club to preserve green space in perpetuity More than 104 acres of recreation and open space at the former Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club’s golf course will be forever preserved.
FORT MYERS The 52nd annual Fort Myers Boat Show begins An annual Fort Myers tradition has returned as the region’s premier display of boats and boating products, which will be on full display for enthusiasts to enjoy.
the weather authority Tracking Tropical Depression 19, expected to become Tropical Storm Sara The Weather Authority is tracking Tropical Depression 19, which is forecast to strengthen into Tropical Storm Sara in the Caribbean later this Thursday afternoon.
the weather authority Gorgeous Thursday afternoon with highs in the mid 80s The Weather Authority is tracking pleasant afternoon conditions with temperatures in the mid-80s this Thursday.
SANIBEL Failed air quality tests push back reopening date for The Sanibel School The tentative reopening of The Sanibel School has been pushed back once again after being closed since Hurricane Milton.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Police respond to rollover crash; driver flees scene The Fort Myers Police Department responded to a rollover, single-vehicle on Colonial Gardens Circle and Colonial Boulevard.
FORT MYERS West End residents frustrated by security failures, lack of response A nearly $64 million luxury apartment complex that close to 500 people call home, but somehow, security seems to fall through the cracks.
NAPLES Collier County nearly doubles tourism budget On Tuesday, Collier County Commissioners approved a nearly $12 million budget for a tourism marketing campaign.
Florida policyholders urged to contact OIR if policies are canceled or nonrenewed If your insurance has been canceled or is not being renewed due to this year’s storms, the state of Florida wants you to reach out to the Office of Insurance Regulation.
BAREFOOT BEACH Woman thinks QR code got hacked A Fort Myers woman says a fraudulent QR code at Barefoot Beach caused her credit card to be hacked. She’s on a mission to warn others.
CAPE CORAL Sticker shock: Cape Coral residents hit with unexpected property tax hikes This is the time of year when people start paying their property taxes, but what happens when you get your bill and it’s more than you expected?
SANIBEL Sanibel workshop teaches residents benefits of elevating homes and businesses With each hurricane that brings damage to our area, many people rush to be more resilient. On Sanibel, more than 300 people have RSVP’d to learn about raising their homes and businesses.
SANIBEL Sanibel Causeway construction causing confusion and costing local business Repairing the Sanibel Causeway after recent storms has caused more than just traffic back-ups.
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS Speakeasy in downtown Fort Myers honors local historic figures Everything inside the Escondido Lounge whispers an authentic speakeasy, from the dim red lights to the fancy vintage glasses.
COLLIER COUNTY DOH-Collier cautions of blue-green algae at Lake Avalon The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) wants to caution the public of the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Avalon.
City, Naples Beach Club to preserve green space in perpetuity More than 104 acres of recreation and open space at the former Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club’s golf course will be forever preserved.
FORT MYERS The 52nd annual Fort Myers Boat Show begins An annual Fort Myers tradition has returned as the region’s premier display of boats and boating products, which will be on full display for enthusiasts to enjoy.
the weather authority Tracking Tropical Depression 19, expected to become Tropical Storm Sara The Weather Authority is tracking Tropical Depression 19, which is forecast to strengthen into Tropical Storm Sara in the Caribbean later this Thursday afternoon.
the weather authority Gorgeous Thursday afternoon with highs in the mid 80s The Weather Authority is tracking pleasant afternoon conditions with temperatures in the mid-80s this Thursday.
SANIBEL Failed air quality tests push back reopening date for The Sanibel School The tentative reopening of The Sanibel School has been pushed back once again after being closed since Hurricane Milton.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Police respond to rollover crash; driver flees scene The Fort Myers Police Department responded to a rollover, single-vehicle on Colonial Gardens Circle and Colonial Boulevard.
FORT MYERS West End residents frustrated by security failures, lack of response A nearly $64 million luxury apartment complex that close to 500 people call home, but somehow, security seems to fall through the cracks.
NAPLES Collier County nearly doubles tourism budget On Tuesday, Collier County Commissioners approved a nearly $12 million budget for a tourism marketing campaign.
Florida policyholders urged to contact OIR if policies are canceled or nonrenewed If your insurance has been canceled or is not being renewed due to this year’s storms, the state of Florida wants you to reach out to the Office of Insurance Regulation.
BAREFOOT BEACH Woman thinks QR code got hacked A Fort Myers woman says a fraudulent QR code at Barefoot Beach caused her credit card to be hacked. She’s on a mission to warn others.
CAPE CORAL Sticker shock: Cape Coral residents hit with unexpected property tax hikes This is the time of year when people start paying their property taxes, but what happens when you get your bill and it’s more than you expected?
SANIBEL Sanibel workshop teaches residents benefits of elevating homes and businesses With each hurricane that brings damage to our area, many people rush to be more resilient. On Sanibel, more than 300 people have RSVP’d to learn about raising their homes and businesses.
SANIBEL Sanibel Causeway construction causing confusion and costing local business Repairing the Sanibel Causeway after recent storms has caused more than just traffic back-ups.
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS Speakeasy in downtown Fort Myers honors local historic figures Everything inside the Escondido Lounge whispers an authentic speakeasy, from the dim red lights to the fancy vintage glasses.
As we have reported this week, some people have unfinished homes. Some just have a vacant lot. The owner of the vacant lot told WINK News Reporter Olivia Jean he paid $100,000 to Beattie Development, and they never broke ground. The owner explained that he had previously hired Beattie before the pandemic and thought Beattie did a great job. So, when his house needed to be rebuilt after Hurricane Ian, he called Beattie Development. Within 15 days of signing the contract, he sent Beattie Development over $100,000. He then said he was “pulling teeth” to get Beattie to start on his house. Once Beattie asked him to move his permits to a new entity, he realized he needed to terminate his contract. “I’m one of the luckier, unluckier ones,” the owner said due to him not having liens, making his house free and clear to move forward with a new contractor. RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Former Beattie Development project manager speaks out RELATED: Beattie Development at risk of losing BBB accreditation WINK News has talked to several homeowners, but what about those selling the land? Steven LaBoeuf, owner of Florida Gulf Home Realty, said he quickly regretted his recommendation to send three of his clients to work with Beattie Development. He said, “I decided I wasn’t going to recommend anybody again.” He said all three of them have their homes, but they lost thousands of dollars as a result. The first client was completed before “things got out of control.” The second client did a lot themselves to get moved in. The third client was left with an unfinished home by Beattie after paying in full but was able to more or less complete it. LaBoeuf also told us that the Beattie Development owes him $16,000 for commissions on two new construction homes, but he doesn’t expect to ever get that money. He went on to say, “Paul [Beattie] pursued me to sell homes for him because he knew I sold 2-3 new construction per year.” READ MORE: Where’s Beattie? Former customers speak out; connect through group chat READ MORE: Beattie Development subcontractors speak out LaBoeuf was happy to see Cape Coral police take some action when they raided Beattie’s office on Wednesday. “I was thrilled to death. I was on an airplane on Tuesday, and when I landed, my phone was blowing up from everybody that I talked to about the guy. They’re all sending me pictures and videos. And I’m like, yes, because my customers, I’m like, I was begging the one customer in particular that paid over $100,000 in escalation. I go, ‘Dude, you got to get a lawyer.’ Somebody’s got to stand up to this guy. He keeps doing this to everybody,” LaBoeuf said. “I would like to have a picture of Paul Beatty behind bars, or at least with handcuffs on, so I can hang it in my office,” LaBoeuf said. There is still no word from Cape Coral police about the Wednesday raid of the Beattie Development Offices. As for Paul Beattie, WINK News did reach out again on Friday, as we have since Wednesday, and have not heard back. WINK News will keep pushing for answers, but in the meantime, contact us if you have information about Beattie’s development to share.