NAPLES Veterans hit the water in Naples Every September, a local group of captains and anglers hosts an event to take soldiers on the water. More than 130 troops and 65 captains were at the Naples Take a Soldier Fishing event.
Collier County teachers reach contract agreement Collier County teachers have come to an agreement with the school district in their contract negotiations.
NORTH PORT North Port Police searching for man who struck officer with car The North Port Police Department is on the search for a man who committed battery on an officer, among other charges.
FORT MYERS Victim of childhood sexual abuse speaks out after abuser receives 3 life sentences A survivor of childhood sexual abuse finally feels free after her abuser receives three life sentences.
No bond for Tice man accused of kidnaping and sexual assault A man accused of kidnapping and sexual assault will be held without bond.
CAPE CORAL 13th annual 239 Fest to showcase 16 local punk, ska and reggae bands The 13th edition of 239 Fest is coming next month and will feature 16 local punk, ska and reggae bands.
FORT MYERS BEACH Witnesses react to boat getting stuck under Matanzas Pass Bridge While the boat has since gotten out from underneath the bridge, it’s raised some questions about safety for onlookers.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Splash the otter, the unlikely hero bringing families closure Mike Hadsell has trained many animals in his lifetime, but the newest member of Peace River K9 Search and Rescue dive team, Splash the Asian small-clawed otter, is a first, even for him.
FORT MYERS Scrolling on your cell phone may be bad for your health; FGCU professor weighs in Scrolling through your phone might seem like a fun way to pass the time, but new research shows it can actually make you feel even more bored and unhappy.
WEST PALM BEACH DeSantis launches investigation into 2nd assassination attempt on Trump Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will personally oversee the investigation into the second assassination attempt on former President Trump.
FHP reveals details behind crash that killed 4 young people A mangled car is all that remains from a crash that took the lives of four young people.
FORT MYERS 2 fires in 24 hours displace families in Fort Myers Two vicious fires left families’ homes and lives in ruins. Now, we are learning what help they are getting until their lives can be put back together.
Trump assassination attempt suspect removed serial number from gun Law enforcement is holding a press conference on the attempt of former President Donald Trump’s life at his West Palm Beach golf course.
FORT MYERS BEACH Matanzas Pass Bridge reopens after boat crashes into it, closing it for hours The Matanzas Pass Bridge has reopened to traffic after it was shut down for hours when a boat crashed into it.
MATLACHA Little Pine Island Bridge in Matlacha to temporarily close The Florida Department of Transportation has announced the temporary closure of the Little Pine Island Bridge.
NAPLES Veterans hit the water in Naples Every September, a local group of captains and anglers hosts an event to take soldiers on the water. More than 130 troops and 65 captains were at the Naples Take a Soldier Fishing event.
Collier County teachers reach contract agreement Collier County teachers have come to an agreement with the school district in their contract negotiations.
NORTH PORT North Port Police searching for man who struck officer with car The North Port Police Department is on the search for a man who committed battery on an officer, among other charges.
FORT MYERS Victim of childhood sexual abuse speaks out after abuser receives 3 life sentences A survivor of childhood sexual abuse finally feels free after her abuser receives three life sentences.
No bond for Tice man accused of kidnaping and sexual assault A man accused of kidnapping and sexual assault will be held without bond.
CAPE CORAL 13th annual 239 Fest to showcase 16 local punk, ska and reggae bands The 13th edition of 239 Fest is coming next month and will feature 16 local punk, ska and reggae bands.
FORT MYERS BEACH Witnesses react to boat getting stuck under Matanzas Pass Bridge While the boat has since gotten out from underneath the bridge, it’s raised some questions about safety for onlookers.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Splash the otter, the unlikely hero bringing families closure Mike Hadsell has trained many animals in his lifetime, but the newest member of Peace River K9 Search and Rescue dive team, Splash the Asian small-clawed otter, is a first, even for him.
FORT MYERS Scrolling on your cell phone may be bad for your health; FGCU professor weighs in Scrolling through your phone might seem like a fun way to pass the time, but new research shows it can actually make you feel even more bored and unhappy.
WEST PALM BEACH DeSantis launches investigation into 2nd assassination attempt on Trump Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will personally oversee the investigation into the second assassination attempt on former President Trump.
FHP reveals details behind crash that killed 4 young people A mangled car is all that remains from a crash that took the lives of four young people.
FORT MYERS 2 fires in 24 hours displace families in Fort Myers Two vicious fires left families’ homes and lives in ruins. Now, we are learning what help they are getting until their lives can be put back together.
Trump assassination attempt suspect removed serial number from gun Law enforcement is holding a press conference on the attempt of former President Donald Trump’s life at his West Palm Beach golf course.
FORT MYERS BEACH Matanzas Pass Bridge reopens after boat crashes into it, closing it for hours The Matanzas Pass Bridge has reopened to traffic after it was shut down for hours when a boat crashed into it.
MATLACHA Little Pine Island Bridge in Matlacha to temporarily close The Florida Department of Transportation has announced the temporary closure of the Little Pine Island Bridge.
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.”