Local non-profit, Family Initiative, has big plans after receiving $5 million from GolisanoCharlotte County deputies bust park drug deal after community tip
CAPE CORAL Local non-profit, Family Initiative, has big plans after receiving $5 million from Golisano A multi-million dollar donation is helping people with autism have priceless experiences.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County deputies bust park drug deal after community tip One man’s drug deal in Charlotte County wasn’t exactly a walk in the park.
Dog alerts Lee County woman to home intruder The Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 22-year-old man for burglary and loitering after he broke into a woman’s home and stood inches away from her bed as she slept.
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CAPE CORAL Local non-profit, Family Initiative, has big plans after receiving $5 million from Golisano A multi-million dollar donation is helping people with autism have priceless experiences.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County deputies bust park drug deal after community tip One man’s drug deal in Charlotte County wasn’t exactly a walk in the park.
Dog alerts Lee County woman to home intruder The Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 22-year-old man for burglary and loitering after he broke into a woman’s home and stood inches away from her bed as she slept.
NAPLES Naples business owner accused of rape In 2023, 14,021 domestic violence 911 calls came into Collier County.
manasota key Charlotte County Commissioners vote ‘Yes’ to changes and redevelopment on Manasota Key The Charlotte County Commissioners voted to pass charges that residents on Manasota Key have been dreading.
The debate over fluoride in Florida’s water The water you drink and use to brush your teeth is fueling a community, state and national conversation.
SANIBEL Phase 2 of Sanibel Beach renourishment project set to begin Eric Jackson, Sanibel’s Public Information Officer, is encouraging residents and visitors to still come to the beach.
NAPLES Riding toward a brighter future for kids: The story of Bikes for Tykes For nearly four decades, Bikes for Tykes has been on a mission to give children and adults in need in Southwest Florida a chance to ride refurbished bicycles.
ENGLEWOOD SWFL agencies bring chaplains on staff to offer support to first responders First responders across the country face the devastating impact of suicide nationwide those numbers are rising.
NORTH FORT MYERS Lee County deputies arrest man for ATV and UTV thefts, fence destruction A North Fort Myers man has been arrested after allegedly stealing a four-wheeler, crashing it into a property fence, and later trying to flee on a second stolen vehicle.
‘I saw God twice:’ Boating accident survivor thanks Lee Health After surviving an unthinkable accident in Matlacha, one woman wants to thank the medical team that saved her.
MATLACHA Blue Dog restaurant in Matlacha thankful for decade of support The Blue Dog Bar & Grill in Matlacha has survived multiple hurricanes over the past decade. Now, they’re thanking the community for supporting them every step of the way.
NAPLES Nominee of Gulfshore Life Men and Women of the year volunteers for STARability Gulfshore Life has nominated Anne Fleming as one of its Men and Women of the Year for volunteering her time to raise money for a new home store for Starability.
WINK NEWS Holiday gift exchange scams targeting social media users During the holiday season, tidings of joy and goodwill can be shrouded by scammers seeking to take advantage of holiday shoppers.
New cancer fighting machinery arrives at Southwest Florida Proton All the pieces are in place now, but it will take about a year of calibrating and fine-tuning before the proton machine is up and running.
One man’s drug deal in Charlotte County wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, Hubert Coggins Jr. sold methamphetamine to an undercover cop twice at Franz Ross Park. Children often go to Franz Ross Park for the playground, which is right by the Shoppes of Port Charlotte and the Publix on Quesada Avenue. WINK News reporter Maddie Herron went to investigate how deputies discovered Coggins’ business at the park. Some of the rules at Franz Ross Park in Port Charlotte are: Wear shoes Read safety signs Stick with an adult Something that doesn’t swing is selling meth. “It became an instant priority, again, because there are children there,” said Chris Hall, the Public Information Officer with CCSO. On November 18th, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office got a Facebook tip about possible drug deals in the park. Within a week, a 28-year-old man went from the monkey bars to behind bars. “Because of her information, we caught a drug dealer,” Hall said. Coggins Jr. was arrested for selling meth at the park after the drugs were found on him on Monday. To catch him in the act detectives pulled a sting by the swings. “Thanks to their undercover work, they were able to set up a meeting and purchase methamphetamine from this individual on two separate occasions,” Hall explained. The double drug trouble was a shock to parents. “That boggles my mind,” said one parent. “Especially in a kid area, you don’t want none of that around here.” Kids like 5-year-old Cole. His favorite things to do at the park: “….Ride that slide!” As Cole runs around carefree, his dad, Paul, watches him carefully, now more than ever. “It’s concerning, and we have to just pay attention to what our kids and who what strangers they try to talk to because kids aren’t as–they’re very easy to speak to, and they’re friendly with a lot of people, so you got to really pay attention,” Paul told WINK. Coggins is still in custody as of Tuesday night, facing a number of charges. Remember, this arrest all started with a phone tip. If you see something suspicious, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office wants you to contact them through social media or their non-emergency line.