Teen carjacks woman after escaping mental health facilityTeachers union raises issues with Lee County School District after arbitration
FORT MYERS Teen carjacks woman after escaping mental health facility A teenager accused of carjacking a woman in a church parking lot on Friday had just escaped from a facility where he was being held under the Baker Act, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Teachers union raises issues with Lee County School District after arbitration Being a teacher is just like any other profession. Teachers need to take days off, get sick, and sometimes cover for co-workers.
LABELLE LaBelle Animal Shelter hoping to raise money to avoid property being sold The owner of Animal Rescue Inc. in LaBelle is doing everything she can to prevent the shelter from disappearing in a matter of months.
County settlement allows Links of Naples golf course to redevelop into homes Collier County residents are vocalizing their concerns over the commissioner’s decision to develop housing on the Naples Golf Course.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers mayor weighs in on possible city hall relocation With Lee Memorial Hospital scheduled to close in 2027, discussions over what will replace the building are in full swing and whether Fort Myers City Hall is the right choice.
Toys for Tots: A 77-Year tradition of service and holiday cheer Toys for Tots aims to bring gifts to children and their families who may not be able to afford them for the holidays.
Inside the mind of accused CEO gunman WINK News is learning more about the man accused of shooting and killing a health insurance CEO on a New York City sidewalk last week, and breaking down what he may think of himself based on the writings he left behind.
1 dead after crash on Airport-Pulling Road in Collier County The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash involving a sedan and pick-up truck that occurred near Airport Pulling Road.
bonita springs Prostate cancer treatment aims to freeze further development When it comes to cancer treatment, several options come to mind, such as chemotherapy, surgery, and or radiation; however, there is another option that may prove to be as effective.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers man convicted of sexually assaulting teenager A Fort Myers man has been convicted of several charges, including the sexual assault of a 17-year-old teenager.
Red tide advisory issued for Clam Pass and Barefoot Beach The Florida Department of Health issued a red tide advisory after presence of the algae bloom was found near Clam Pass and Barefoot Beach in Collier County.
FORT MYERS RSW offering remote parking for the holidays Southwest Florida International Airport, RSW, is offering passengers RSWRemote, a reserved holiday parking option.
CLEWISTON Clewiston man accused of possessing child pornography A Clewiston man has been arrested after allegedly possessing potentially thousands of photos and videos of child pornography.
FORT MYERS FHP speaks on impaired driving during the holidays Florida Highway Patrol held a news conference regarding National Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Month.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral woman accused of DUI, striking pedestrian A Cape Coral woman has been arrested after allegedly driving under the influence and crashing into a pedestrian last night.
FORT MYERS Teen carjacks woman after escaping mental health facility A teenager accused of carjacking a woman in a church parking lot on Friday had just escaped from a facility where he was being held under the Baker Act, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Teachers union raises issues with Lee County School District after arbitration Being a teacher is just like any other profession. Teachers need to take days off, get sick, and sometimes cover for co-workers.
LABELLE LaBelle Animal Shelter hoping to raise money to avoid property being sold The owner of Animal Rescue Inc. in LaBelle is doing everything she can to prevent the shelter from disappearing in a matter of months.
County settlement allows Links of Naples golf course to redevelop into homes Collier County residents are vocalizing their concerns over the commissioner’s decision to develop housing on the Naples Golf Course.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers mayor weighs in on possible city hall relocation With Lee Memorial Hospital scheduled to close in 2027, discussions over what will replace the building are in full swing and whether Fort Myers City Hall is the right choice.
Toys for Tots: A 77-Year tradition of service and holiday cheer Toys for Tots aims to bring gifts to children and their families who may not be able to afford them for the holidays.
Inside the mind of accused CEO gunman WINK News is learning more about the man accused of shooting and killing a health insurance CEO on a New York City sidewalk last week, and breaking down what he may think of himself based on the writings he left behind.
1 dead after crash on Airport-Pulling Road in Collier County The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash involving a sedan and pick-up truck that occurred near Airport Pulling Road.
bonita springs Prostate cancer treatment aims to freeze further development When it comes to cancer treatment, several options come to mind, such as chemotherapy, surgery, and or radiation; however, there is another option that may prove to be as effective.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers man convicted of sexually assaulting teenager A Fort Myers man has been convicted of several charges, including the sexual assault of a 17-year-old teenager.
Red tide advisory issued for Clam Pass and Barefoot Beach The Florida Department of Health issued a red tide advisory after presence of the algae bloom was found near Clam Pass and Barefoot Beach in Collier County.
FORT MYERS RSW offering remote parking for the holidays Southwest Florida International Airport, RSW, is offering passengers RSWRemote, a reserved holiday parking option.
CLEWISTON Clewiston man accused of possessing child pornography A Clewiston man has been arrested after allegedly possessing potentially thousands of photos and videos of child pornography.
FORT MYERS FHP speaks on impaired driving during the holidays Florida Highway Patrol held a news conference regarding National Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Month.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral woman accused of DUI, striking pedestrian A Cape Coral woman has been arrested after allegedly driving under the influence and crashing into a pedestrian last night.
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.