Cape Coral mourns loss of dedicated police volunteerRare right whales spotted near Cape Coral, experts urge caution
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral mourns loss of dedicated police volunteer Stanley Maliszewski, a dedicated volunteer for the Cape Coral Police Department for over 20 years, has passed away.
CAPE CORAL Rare right whales spotted near Cape Coral, experts urge caution Two critically endangered right whales made a rare appearance near Cape Coral, swimming into Southwest Florida waters.
FORT MYERS Storm surge VR from NOAA shows hurricane danger to teach safety NOAA has introduced a groundbreaking virtual reality simulation called “Weather the Storm,” designed to immerse people in the experience of a hurricane’s storm surge safely.
LEHIGH ACRES FWC officers arrest Lee County woman for illegal deer possession The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has arrested a woman after she allegedly mutilated a deer and kept it as a pet.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers City Council unanimously approves ICE, FMPD partnership The Fort Myers City Council reconvened for a special meeting to vote on the Fort Myers Police Department’s partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Port Charlotte Bowland sells, new owner plans upgrade Bowland on Harbor Boulevard in Port Charlotte has been sold to New York-based Bowl 360, which will continue to operate it as a bowling center with plans to upgrade the facility with modern, state-of-the-art technology and entertainment.
Market Trends shift to buyer’s market for Southwest Florida homes The Southwest Florida housing market has shifted, and if you’re thinking about selling, you had better hurry or put it off altogether if you bought after 2020, said Denny Grimes.
NAPLES Naples enhances Vedado Way Beach with ADA upgrades for accessibility Naples is making efforts to enhance accessibility at Vedado Way Beach by adding ADA-compliant amenities set to begin in April.
Animal safety bill passes Florida senate, on pace to governor’s desk Florida lawmakers just passed a major hurdle in the Senate as the push for Trooper’s Law to become ratified continues.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers City Council to reconsider ICE, FMPD partnership The Fort Myers City Council faces a critical decision as they are set to reconvene and vote on whether the Fort Myers Police Department should partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Road closures in Collier County for Sgt. Flanagan’s funeral procession There will be a funeral procession Friday morning for Collier County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Alan Flanagan.
Tim Aten Knows: Prime Social Reserve rooftop restaurant plans October launch in Naples Prime Social Reserve rooftop restaurant and lounge plans an October launch on Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples.
WINK News Photos of the Week (3/14 – 3/20) Welcome to WINK News Photos of the Week, where we highlight memorable moments from Southwest Florida throughout the week.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Cool and sunny for your Friday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a pleasant Friday afternoon with cool and breezy conditions expected.
Edison and Ford Winter Estate to hold historical baseball presentation Baseball enthusiasts in Fort Myers are in for a treat. The Edison and Ford Winter Estates will host a special presentation on Friday.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral mourns loss of dedicated police volunteer Stanley Maliszewski, a dedicated volunteer for the Cape Coral Police Department for over 20 years, has passed away.
CAPE CORAL Rare right whales spotted near Cape Coral, experts urge caution Two critically endangered right whales made a rare appearance near Cape Coral, swimming into Southwest Florida waters.
FORT MYERS Storm surge VR from NOAA shows hurricane danger to teach safety NOAA has introduced a groundbreaking virtual reality simulation called “Weather the Storm,” designed to immerse people in the experience of a hurricane’s storm surge safely.
LEHIGH ACRES FWC officers arrest Lee County woman for illegal deer possession The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has arrested a woman after she allegedly mutilated a deer and kept it as a pet.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers City Council unanimously approves ICE, FMPD partnership The Fort Myers City Council reconvened for a special meeting to vote on the Fort Myers Police Department’s partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Port Charlotte Bowland sells, new owner plans upgrade Bowland on Harbor Boulevard in Port Charlotte has been sold to New York-based Bowl 360, which will continue to operate it as a bowling center with plans to upgrade the facility with modern, state-of-the-art technology and entertainment.
Market Trends shift to buyer’s market for Southwest Florida homes The Southwest Florida housing market has shifted, and if you’re thinking about selling, you had better hurry or put it off altogether if you bought after 2020, said Denny Grimes.
NAPLES Naples enhances Vedado Way Beach with ADA upgrades for accessibility Naples is making efforts to enhance accessibility at Vedado Way Beach by adding ADA-compliant amenities set to begin in April.
Animal safety bill passes Florida senate, on pace to governor’s desk Florida lawmakers just passed a major hurdle in the Senate as the push for Trooper’s Law to become ratified continues.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers City Council to reconsider ICE, FMPD partnership The Fort Myers City Council faces a critical decision as they are set to reconvene and vote on whether the Fort Myers Police Department should partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Road closures in Collier County for Sgt. Flanagan’s funeral procession There will be a funeral procession Friday morning for Collier County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Alan Flanagan.
Tim Aten Knows: Prime Social Reserve rooftop restaurant plans October launch in Naples Prime Social Reserve rooftop restaurant and lounge plans an October launch on Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples.
WINK News Photos of the Week (3/14 – 3/20) Welcome to WINK News Photos of the Week, where we highlight memorable moments from Southwest Florida throughout the week.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Cool and sunny for your Friday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a pleasant Friday afternoon with cool and breezy conditions expected.
Edison and Ford Winter Estate to hold historical baseball presentation Baseball enthusiasts in Fort Myers are in for a treat. The Edison and Ford Winter Estates will host a special presentation on Friday.
Katherine R. Geuther. Credit: Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office UPDATE: The Honey Bee—The Scent Shop website has been taken down. The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of soliciting prostitution at an aroma therapy business in Port Charlotte. Deputies arrested Katherine R. Geuther, 21, following an undercover investigation into a Port Charlotte business that claimed to provide aroma therapy. “I don’t even know what aroma therapy is, to be honest with you,” said Andrew Lebo, who lives across the street from the business. Detectives investigated the business, The Honey Bee—The Scent Shop, after discovering several young women depicted on its website from anonymous tipsters. An undercover detective arranged an appointment at the aroma therapy business to verify the authenticity of the claims. Geuther greeted the detective at the business entrance, led him to a small room with a massage table and a desk, and stated the costs for a 30- or 60-minute appointment. While the detective prepped for the session, Geuther allegedly stepped out for a moment, returning to the room with her clothes removed and attempting to initiate a sexual encounter. The detective declined and headed for the exit. CCSO then returned and arrested Geuther for attempting to solicit prostitution. Geuther was transported to the Charlotte County Jail and has since bonded out. Kourtney Callan, another resident, expressed her disbelief when learning the location of the sting operation. “When I saw the address, I was like, ‘No way,’ because it’s literally right across the street from our house,” said Callan. The building, which was identified as The Honey Bee, is located on Crestview Circle. Despite the suspicious activity, Lebo noted, “There’s been some guys coming in and out, but nothing out of the ordinary, really.” Callan did her own investigation into The Honey Bee and discovered its website openly displayed inappropriate content. “The website was not hiding anything. When we first got on it, and we’re scrolling down it, there were images of half-naked women. It was showing the times that they worked and stuff. So it was in plain sight,” said Callan. Although the website’s images and Port Charlotte address have been removed, two other locations in Fort Myers remain listed. “I don’t even know what’s going on at those locations. I don’t think I want to know,” said Callan. WINK News reporter Maddie Herron visited these locations to gather more information. No one answered the door at the first location. However, at the second location, a group of women was seen leaving with suitcases. Herron called to the women multiple times, identifying herself as a reporter, but they ignored her and took off with suitcases in hand. The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is making things crystal clear, “The people of Charlotte County don’t want it here, and they’re very quick to let us know when they learn about things, and we go in and handle those things quickly,” Chris Hall, the public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office said. Hall went on to say, “If think that there may be something illegal going on, contact your local law enforcement, let them look into it. Over the past few years, Southwest Florida has seen other law enforcement agencies also take action. “This business just pretended to be an aroma therapy business, but obviously what they were doing inside was not aroma therapy,” Hall said. WINK News Reporter Olivia Jean was told mostly men wait in their cars. They then ring the doorbell and wait for a woman to unlock the door. That is a process legal massage parlors don’t follow. “As long as you’re doing everything on the up and up where it’s going to get around, and your business should not be affected by other businesses that are less than legal,” Hall said.