Digging Deeper: Lee County Sheriff’s Office budget One Lee County Commissioner wants to change how taxpayers view the Lee County Sheriff’s Office budget following a possible federal investigation and a grand jury meeting.
A new way to identify snakes There’s a new tool to identify locations of the slithering beasts overtaking the Everglades and other invasive snakes.
Car crashes into canal in Lehigh Acres Authorities are investigating a crash after a car became fully submerged in a canal Thursday night.
SB lanes on US 27 shut down due to 3 vehicle crash Hendry County Deputies, along with first responders, are currently on the scene of a traffic crash near Sky Valley at the intersection of South US 27 and Bass Road.
FORT MYERS BEACH Times Square clock reinstalled on Fort Myers Beach The famous Times Square clock on Fort Myers Beach returns just in time for the holidays! It was removed before hurricanes Helene and Milton to protect it.
Flag planting debate takes over college football Flag planting at the end of rivalry college football games sparked fighting on the field and debates away from it.
FORT MYERS Daycare burglarized in Fort Myers One business owner is recovering after a burglar broke in and stole from her daycare.
Hurricane debris still lines road in Fort Myers Shores Over 70 feet of memories formed a giant pile of debris at the end of Aruba Avenue in Fort Myers Shores.
FORT MYERS Airline travel and Christmas gifts tips to get you through TSA If you plan to travel this Christmas with gifts for your loved ones, be prepared. Before you buy, make sure you can fly.
WINK NEWS SWFL stars ink with Division I programs during Early Signing Period Several Southwest Florida football standouts are taking their talents to Division I gridirons after signing during the Early Signing Period.
FORT MYERS Travel Safely: protect yourself from mosquito-borne illnesses this holiday season It’s the holiday season and for some, that means traveling.
NAPLES No charges filed in Collier County child abuse case The state attorney’s office will not file charges against a Collier County woman accused of child abuse.
ESTERO Elevate Kava Bar, offering an alternative nightlife experience, to open near FGCU University Village near Florida Gulf Coast University will soon be home to a new kava bar.
Hope Card program protects victims of domestic violence in Lee County Lee County has implemented the Hope Card Program, a new statewide initiative to help victims of domestic violence.
Woman in custody following Charlotte County fatal shooting According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, a woman is in custody after a fatal shooting at a home in Charlotte County.
Digging Deeper: Lee County Sheriff’s Office budget One Lee County Commissioner wants to change how taxpayers view the Lee County Sheriff’s Office budget following a possible federal investigation and a grand jury meeting.
A new way to identify snakes There’s a new tool to identify locations of the slithering beasts overtaking the Everglades and other invasive snakes.
Car crashes into canal in Lehigh Acres Authorities are investigating a crash after a car became fully submerged in a canal Thursday night.
SB lanes on US 27 shut down due to 3 vehicle crash Hendry County Deputies, along with first responders, are currently on the scene of a traffic crash near Sky Valley at the intersection of South US 27 and Bass Road.
FORT MYERS BEACH Times Square clock reinstalled on Fort Myers Beach The famous Times Square clock on Fort Myers Beach returns just in time for the holidays! It was removed before hurricanes Helene and Milton to protect it.
Flag planting debate takes over college football Flag planting at the end of rivalry college football games sparked fighting on the field and debates away from it.
FORT MYERS Daycare burglarized in Fort Myers One business owner is recovering after a burglar broke in and stole from her daycare.
Hurricane debris still lines road in Fort Myers Shores Over 70 feet of memories formed a giant pile of debris at the end of Aruba Avenue in Fort Myers Shores.
FORT MYERS Airline travel and Christmas gifts tips to get you through TSA If you plan to travel this Christmas with gifts for your loved ones, be prepared. Before you buy, make sure you can fly.
WINK NEWS SWFL stars ink with Division I programs during Early Signing Period Several Southwest Florida football standouts are taking their talents to Division I gridirons after signing during the Early Signing Period.
FORT MYERS Travel Safely: protect yourself from mosquito-borne illnesses this holiday season It’s the holiday season and for some, that means traveling.
NAPLES No charges filed in Collier County child abuse case The state attorney’s office will not file charges against a Collier County woman accused of child abuse.
ESTERO Elevate Kava Bar, offering an alternative nightlife experience, to open near FGCU University Village near Florida Gulf Coast University will soon be home to a new kava bar.
Hope Card program protects victims of domestic violence in Lee County Lee County has implemented the Hope Card Program, a new statewide initiative to help victims of domestic violence.
Woman in custody following Charlotte County fatal shooting According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, a woman is in custody after a fatal shooting at a home in Charlotte County.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Carmine Marceno have been under scrutiny since a federal investigation on potential money laundering began. Many have questioned LCSO’s spending, so we broke down the budget. Just this year, the Sheriff’s Office budget received a $39 million increase, which it says will help 80 new hires and will allow them to give pay raises. This year, they have a $315 million budget. Commissioners approved the budget a few months ago. WINK News broke down the current Sheriff’s Office budget, which shows in just four years, LCSO got $100 million more. Below is a graph comparing the fiscal year of 2021-2022 and 2024-2025. The four categories; law enforcement, corrections, courts, and the municipal services taxing unit (which is for school resource officers) are how the budget is split. Sheriff Marceno’s salary has also increased. Below is each of his salaries for the past four years. You’ll see an increase of $90,000 from 2021 to 2024. The Sheriff’s Office writes the budget but the commissioners have the final say. Now, Lee County Commissioner Brian Hamman wants that to change. Hamman wants the sheriff’s office to have its own taxing unit. RELATED: Lee County Commissioners discuss LCSO budget and Sheriff Marceno federal investigation Hamman said the change would bring transparency, fairness, and accountability. It also means the county would no longer be responsible for the sheriff’s budget; the public would be. WINK News reached out to the Sheriff’s Office with a list of questions, trying to account for how the department spends its money. We will update this article when we hear back.