Gina Tomlinson

As calls to defund police become louder by the day, fewer people are joining the force. That is leaving positions unfilled across the nation. However, two Southwest Florida departments are receiving dozens of applications per month. One retired deputy shows what the agencies look for in an applicant. Steve Loyd says that becoming deputy was […]

Collier County Sheriff’s Office plans to acquire hundreds of new body cams and dash cams over the course of the next few years for its deputies, but it could rise above the cost of the estimated $7 million in tax money previously reported. “A lot of times, people say that the officer attacked me or […]

In some counties, ballots have begun to be counted. In others, they haven’t even been mailed out yet. The discrepancies in protocol come down to where you live. “Starting this year the voting process is a lot more intensive,” said Shirley Henrich, a voter we spoke to outside the Collier County Supervisor of Elections Office. […]

Nonprofits are struggling as fewer donations come in, fundraisers are canceled and more people are in need, but the organizers of one annual Southwest Florida event have found a way. The Naples Winter Wine Festival benefits thousands of children in need and brings in millions of dollars for the Naples Children and Education Foundation. This […]

Nicholas Morales-Bessannia was shot and killed early Thursday by Collier County Deputies. His family still has more questions than answers. “I don’t want to look at him like that, I never want to see him that way,” said Ismael Morales-Diaz, the victim’s nephew. Deputies say Morales came at them with a shovel and gardening shears. […]

A picture now hangs of the Immokalee father with the words ‘Justice for Nicholas’ after he was fatally shot by Collier County deputies. Now, his family from all across the state have come together to grieve their loved one. “I’m coming from Wauchula,” said Franciso Morales-Bessannia, the victim’s brother. “He got killed, they called me, […]

Firefighters never know what their days will bring, and they probably didn’t imagine they’d see a father rushing into Station One from Cambier Park on Sunday. “The father came over and he said he needed a shovel. I said, ‘what’s it for?’” said Eric Baltodano of City of Naples Fire Rescue. “He said his child […]

The actions of law enforcement are being questioned by people in Immokalee after Collier County deputies shot a man last week. The memorial is still erected for the 37-year-old man and father shot and killed by deputies last week. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office says the man was charging at them with a shovel. Now, […]

Southwest Florida is bracing for what could impact the economy further during the pandemic. Red tide impacts beaches and tourism, so a new experiment is in the works at FGCU about how to control the growth of the algae blooms FGCU researchers are studying the impact decaying fish in the water have on the development […]

Collier County Sheriff’s office is investigating a deputy-involved shooting that killed a man, who deputies say came at them with a shovel during early morning hours Thursday in Immokalee. It was also learned the suspect had a sharp-edged weapon as he charged toward deputies. CCSO confirmed Nicholas Morales-Bessannia, 37, of Immokalee was shot by deputies […]