NAPLES Suspected pier pervert arrested in Naples Naples police got several complaints about a man exposing himself. Officers rushed to the scene.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral focusing on evacuation routes for hurricanes The city of Cape Coral is focusing on evacuation routes to make things smooth and safe for residents leaving during severe weather events.
Fort Myers talks about proposed parking lot in Dean Park Residents are trying to stop the warehouse in the Dean Park Historic District from becoming a parking lot for the city’s truck fleet.
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 Family loses everything in Estero house 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.
NAPLES Suspected pier pervert arrested in Naples Naples police got several complaints about a man exposing himself. Officers rushed to the scene.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral focusing on evacuation routes for hurricanes The city of Cape Coral is focusing on evacuation routes to make things smooth and safe for residents leaving during severe weather events.
Fort Myers talks about proposed parking lot in Dean Park Residents are trying to stop the warehouse in the Dean Park Historic District from becoming a parking lot for the city’s truck fleet.
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 Family loses everything in Estero house 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.
For the past eight years, Dave Gammon has served as Charlotte County’s economic development director. Gammon handed in his resignation letter on Aug. 9, which was meant to take effect on Aug. 12, but Gammon left the same day. When WINK News reporter Amy Galo reached out to Gammon to ask why, he told her it was “time to move on” and that he was happy with his accomplishments over the last eight years. As for why the resignation was so sudden, Gammon expressed he had been in contact with a few commissioners beforehand and immediate resignation worked for all. This has now paved the way for Kay Tracy, a 20-year Charlotte County employee who most recently worked as a business recruitment manager, to secure the important role. Deciding who would take over was a no-brainer for the commission. Her name was brought up immediately after the commissioners formally accepted Gammon’s resignation at Monday’s meeting. What took commissioners a while to decide on was whether she should be made interim economic development director (EDD) or just immediately replace Gammon as EDD. “We have a department that is in shambles,” Chairman Bill Truex said as he urged his colleagues to formalize Tracy’s appointment. “We need certainty.” Eventually, the commission decided to appoint Tracy as interim director, so that a contract could be drawn up and her salary negotiated. “I’m honored,” said Kay Tracy right after receiving the news. “I’m really humbled that the commissioners have that much confidence in me. I’ve been here for 20 years, so I think that I can do a really good job.” Tracy’s contract will be presented to commissioners at their second meeting in September. Once approved, Tracy is expected to be the county’s next economic development director. “Economic development is a very complex function of the community, and I think that we have a lot of work to do in certain areas of diversifying our economy,” said Tracy. “And creating job opportunities, good job opportunities, for our constituents, our community.” During Monday’s meeting, commissioners also had a very lengthy discussion over a motion for an emergency ordinance related to economic development. Commissioners expressed the need for more open communication between the EDD and the administrative and legal team, stating that past economic development directors were not effective at this. The commission also brought up the position’s large turnover, having had four directors in the last 15 years. The ordinance was for an amendment that would’ve repealed a 2010 charter amendment, which originally assigned the EDD position to report to the county commission. “Who the economic development director reports to, it was a decision by the community at one time… 15 years ago,” explained Tracy. Had commissioners moved forward with the motion, voters would have again had the power to decide whether the EDD should report to the county administrator instead on the Nov. 5 ballot. Some commissioners thought this ordinance could be the answer to communication and oversight woes, others worried about the timing with the election so close. Ultimately, the motion failed to pass. It needed at least four votes to be adopted. It was defeated 3-2, with Tiseo and Deutsch voting no. As a result, the EDD will continue to report to the commission as it has since 2011. However, commissioners did make it clear to Tracy, they feel there needs to be more transparency between the EDD, administrators and the legal team moving forward. When WINK asked Tracy what her plan is, she said: “I communicate very well with administration right now, and I continue to want to do that.”