The future of electric planes in Southwest FloridaNeighbors awaiting answers on Port Charlotte Beach Park repairs
NAPLES The future of electric planes in Southwest Florida Features of living near an airport include persistent headache-inducing engine rumbles and foul-smelling jet fuel, but electric planes could play a part in the solution.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors awaiting answers on Port Charlotte Beach Park repairs Neighbors said a contractor hired by the Florida Division of Emergency Management mishandled the boats at Port Charlotte Beach Park.
FGCU introduces new technology for cognitive health screenings Ten minutes. That’s all it takes for doctors to assess how well you remember, how quickly you learn things, and how your brain is working overall.
WINK Investigates: Disgraced contractor faces new lawsuits and allegations Paul Beattie, a disgraced home builder is back doing business but legal challenges continue as another one of his businesses gets sued. Former employees of Beattie speak out, only to WINK.
SWFL reacts to UNC hiring Bill Belichick Southwest Florida reacts to North Carolina hiring Bill Belichick as its new head football coach and how that could impact the decisions of local recruits.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Some Floridians want more alone time during the holidays The holidays are all about spending time with family and friends, but nearly half of Americans say they really want more alone time during the holiday.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones 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.
Aggressive driving concerns on the rise in Southwest Florida The arrest of a man who, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said, killed a motorcyclist after crashing into him on purpose is raising concerns over aggressive driving in Southwest Florida.
SANIBEL Sanibel School students prepare for community Christmas performance The school that has had to claw and fight its way back more than once to reopen is getting the chance to celebrate.
FORT MYERS Rock For Equality: SWFL music scene to hold benefit concert for Palestine A two-venue, eight-band benefit concert is coming to Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Naples man sentenced in deadly bar shooting A man has been sentenced for a deadly shooting that took place at a Naples bar in March 2021.
New ovarian cancer treatments Ovarian cancer is a problematic disease because of symptoms such as nausea, bloating and diarrhea.
Largest Lee County land deal closes, $100M for 1,745 acres in northwest Cape Coral The most lucrative land deal in Lee County history just closed at a price of $100 million for 1,745 acres in northwest Cape Coral, where building up to 3,500 homes and commercial property to support it has been in the planning stages for almost two years.
CHARLOTTE HARBOR Crash between RV and semi temporarily shuts down NB lanes of U.S. 41 in Charlotte A major collision near Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte County temporarily closed all northbound lanes of U.S. 41, according to the Charlotte County Sherriff’s Office.
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.
NAPLES The future of electric planes in Southwest Florida Features of living near an airport include persistent headache-inducing engine rumbles and foul-smelling jet fuel, but electric planes could play a part in the solution.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors awaiting answers on Port Charlotte Beach Park repairs Neighbors said a contractor hired by the Florida Division of Emergency Management mishandled the boats at Port Charlotte Beach Park.
FGCU introduces new technology for cognitive health screenings Ten minutes. That’s all it takes for doctors to assess how well you remember, how quickly you learn things, and how your brain is working overall.
WINK Investigates: Disgraced contractor faces new lawsuits and allegations Paul Beattie, a disgraced home builder is back doing business but legal challenges continue as another one of his businesses gets sued. Former employees of Beattie speak out, only to WINK.
SWFL reacts to UNC hiring Bill Belichick Southwest Florida reacts to North Carolina hiring Bill Belichick as its new head football coach and how that could impact the decisions of local recruits.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Some Floridians want more alone time during the holidays The holidays are all about spending time with family and friends, but nearly half of Americans say they really want more alone time during the holiday.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones 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.
Aggressive driving concerns on the rise in Southwest Florida The arrest of a man who, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said, killed a motorcyclist after crashing into him on purpose is raising concerns over aggressive driving in Southwest Florida.
SANIBEL Sanibel School students prepare for community Christmas performance The school that has had to claw and fight its way back more than once to reopen is getting the chance to celebrate.
FORT MYERS Rock For Equality: SWFL music scene to hold benefit concert for Palestine A two-venue, eight-band benefit concert is coming to Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Naples man sentenced in deadly bar shooting A man has been sentenced for a deadly shooting that took place at a Naples bar in March 2021.
New ovarian cancer treatments Ovarian cancer is a problematic disease because of symptoms such as nausea, bloating and diarrhea.
Largest Lee County land deal closes, $100M for 1,745 acres in northwest Cape Coral The most lucrative land deal in Lee County history just closed at a price of $100 million for 1,745 acres in northwest Cape Coral, where building up to 3,500 homes and commercial property to support it has been in the planning stages for almost two years.
CHARLOTTE HARBOR Crash between RV and semi temporarily shuts down NB lanes of U.S. 41 in Charlotte A major collision near Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte County temporarily closed all northbound lanes of U.S. 41, according to the Charlotte County Sherriff’s Office.
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.
Former Beattie customers are upset that materials they bought for their homes with hard-earned money was on sale without their consent. WINK News has been investigating Beattie Development for collecting money and never finishing the work. Former Beattie customers found out their materials were for sale through Facebook posts saying “Out of Business Sale” at a sale at a Beattie Development warehouse. Some people claim these warehouse sales are a way for Beattie to get rid of evidence. “I would have shown up with a moving truck, and I would have loaded that up and begged them to call the police,” Michael Porter, who lives in California, said. Paul Beattie, owner of Beattie Development, was removed from the Cape Coral Construction Industry Association, and Google says Beattie Development is “permanently closed.” On Tuesday, WINK News Reporter Olivia Jean went to Paul Beattie’s house and knocked on his front door, wondering why former Beattie Development customers’ materials for their home were for sale in a “going out of business” sale. Beattie didn’t answer. His former customers say they need answers after a dozen of them went in and saw the sale themselves. People who were out of town were like, you know, we’ll go find your stuff and get it for you if it’s there,” Kristen Kramer said. “That stuff had names on it and addresses that is possession of stolen property, clear and simple at his warehouse selling it out of there, that’s, that’s just disgusting,” Michael Porter said. The outside of the carboard boxes inside the warehouse had names and addresses of former Beattie customers on them. “The guy that was there is like, look, anything, get your name on it. Just take it sitting if there’s anything you can use,” Stuart Owen said. “I was actually shocked that they still had the names of customers on this, on these items that they were selling, which we paid for,” Michael Garambone said. WINK News went inside the Beattie Development warehouse off of Pondella Road. The huge space was filled with boxes and boxes of home materials like cabinets, doors, flooring and tiles. One male was working in the warehouse at the time and stated he didn’t work for Beattie Development anymore. CREDIT: WINK News “He has several other properties he recently bought, like a couple of other places and warehouses where he would keep his construction assets. It’s all out there,” a former Project Manager for Beattie Development said. Several Beattie Development cars sit at the warehouse, but WINK News saw several Beattie Development cars being towed. The tow driver told me the cars were being resold. CREDIT: WINK News The Attorney General’s office said there have been 15 complaints since January 2024. WINK News has not heard from Paul Beattie and we continue to press Cape Coral Police every day to explain why they raided Beattie Development last Wednesday. The City of Cape Coral sent WINK News the statement below in regards to the recent news of Beattie Development: “Our role is to enforce building codes, issue permits, and ensure that construction in Cape Coral meets the highest standards of safety and compliance. The process of switching permits from private to municipal oversight, especially in cases where a builder has failed to fulfill their obligations, is not instantaneous. It requires due diligence and adherence to strict protocols to protect all parties involved and ensure that the work can continue safely and legally. We understand the frustration and distress that these residents are experiencing, and we are committed to assisting them within the scope of our authority. Our focus remains on supporting our community by upholding the law, protecting homeowners, and ensuring that the integrity of the building process in Cape Coral is maintained. We urge residents to thoroughly vet contractors and to reach out to the City if they have any questions or concerns about the permitting process. Our Development Services Department is here to help guide residents and ensure they have the information they need to make informed decisions.“ Simon Gaugush, who is representing Paul Beattie and Beattie Development Corporation sent WINK News the following statement: “Paul Beattie and Beattie Development Corporation have built or remodeled over 2,800 homes in the Southwest Florida area since 2009. Over the years, they have employed more than 590 local workers on a full-time basis and thousands of local subcontractors. This is a legitimate company that has succeeded in putting over a thousand families into new or renovated homes. We have offered to cooperate in the government’s ongoing investigation regarding the company’s inability to commence or finish a number of building projects. We expect this investigation will conclude with a favorable resolution for Paul Beattie and the company.”