Man sentenced to 23 years in prison in child pornography caseTropical Storm Alberto approaching landfall on the coast of Mexico
WINK NEWS Man sentenced to 23 years in prison in child pornography case Thomas Deane, a former Canterbury teacher who had been on the run for possessing child pornography, has been sentenced to 23 years in prison.
The Weather Authority Tropical Storm Alberto approaching landfall on the coast of Mexico The Weather Authority continues to monitor the events of Tropical Storm Alberto, the first named storm of the 2024 hurricane season.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY The official start of summer includes isolated storms and breezy conditions The Weather Authority is tracking isolated rain showers and breezy conditions as we officially kick off the first day of Summer.
CAPE CORAL Convicted double-murderer Wade Wilson penalty phase set to begin Convicted double-murderer Wade Wilson is set to return to court for his penalty phase this Thursday morning.
FORT MYERS Hotel fire breaks out at Roadway Inn on Cleveland Avenue The Fort Myers Fire Department responded to a hotel fire at the Roadway Inn on Cleveland Avenue early Thursday morning.
LABELLE People and law enforcement in LaBelle ill from ‘suspicious element’ The Henry County Sheriff’s Office said multiple people are ill, including law enforcement.
CAPE CORAL Lauren Dumolo’s family speaks 4 years after disappearance There have been no arrests, no big leads and no concrete clues about what exactly happened to Dumolo in four years.
SWFL participating in world’s largest swimming lesson A worldwide event to raise awareness about the importance of teaching kids to swim is happening on Thursday.
IMMOKALEE Immokalee Technical College’s logistics program takes education to the next level Immokalee Technical College’s Global Logistics and Supply Chain Technology program gives students the opportunity to get hands-on training like no other.
ESTERO Estero homeowners dealing with permit problems Your home made it through Hurricane Ian, but now you still have to deal with the permitting process for repairs
ESTERO Estero’s response to FEMA’s Hurricane Ian compliance issue We are learning what FEMA said went wrong with the Village of Estero and what the response was.
FORT MYERS Florida is behind the country in recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday While other states are celebrating June 19, known as Juneteenth, with a paid day off from work, Florida is just observing the day with select businesses and governments having the day off.
Charlotte County Schools collaborate with agencies in reunification training Preparing for a school shooting is a necessary precaution in today’s society. On Wednesday, Charlotte County Schools put its plan into practice.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral cracks down on temporary yard signs Cape Coral has begun cracking down on temporary yard signs in the city right-of-way, and a fine could be imposed if they remain.
SOUTH FORT MYERS Community mourns 12-year-old killed in crash A father on his knees, toy in hand, a mother in tears gripping onto family and an older brother sitting on his bike.
WINK NEWS Man sentenced to 23 years in prison in child pornography case Thomas Deane, a former Canterbury teacher who had been on the run for possessing child pornography, has been sentenced to 23 years in prison.
The Weather Authority Tropical Storm Alberto approaching landfall on the coast of Mexico The Weather Authority continues to monitor the events of Tropical Storm Alberto, the first named storm of the 2024 hurricane season.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY The official start of summer includes isolated storms and breezy conditions The Weather Authority is tracking isolated rain showers and breezy conditions as we officially kick off the first day of Summer.
CAPE CORAL Convicted double-murderer Wade Wilson penalty phase set to begin Convicted double-murderer Wade Wilson is set to return to court for his penalty phase this Thursday morning.
FORT MYERS Hotel fire breaks out at Roadway Inn on Cleveland Avenue The Fort Myers Fire Department responded to a hotel fire at the Roadway Inn on Cleveland Avenue early Thursday morning.
LABELLE People and law enforcement in LaBelle ill from ‘suspicious element’ The Henry County Sheriff’s Office said multiple people are ill, including law enforcement.
CAPE CORAL Lauren Dumolo’s family speaks 4 years after disappearance There have been no arrests, no big leads and no concrete clues about what exactly happened to Dumolo in four years.
SWFL participating in world’s largest swimming lesson A worldwide event to raise awareness about the importance of teaching kids to swim is happening on Thursday.
IMMOKALEE Immokalee Technical College’s logistics program takes education to the next level Immokalee Technical College’s Global Logistics and Supply Chain Technology program gives students the opportunity to get hands-on training like no other.
ESTERO Estero homeowners dealing with permit problems Your home made it through Hurricane Ian, but now you still have to deal with the permitting process for repairs
ESTERO Estero’s response to FEMA’s Hurricane Ian compliance issue We are learning what FEMA said went wrong with the Village of Estero and what the response was.
FORT MYERS Florida is behind the country in recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday While other states are celebrating June 19, known as Juneteenth, with a paid day off from work, Florida is just observing the day with select businesses and governments having the day off.
Charlotte County Schools collaborate with agencies in reunification training Preparing for a school shooting is a necessary precaution in today’s society. On Wednesday, Charlotte County Schools put its plan into practice.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral cracks down on temporary yard signs Cape Coral has begun cracking down on temporary yard signs in the city right-of-way, and a fine could be imposed if they remain.
SOUTH FORT MYERS Community mourns 12-year-old killed in crash A father on his knees, toy in hand, a mother in tears gripping onto family and an older brother sitting on his bike.
Collier County Public Schools announced Tuesday more fans will be allowed in the stands during football and volleyball games. CCPS says each football player and cheerleader will be allowed to invite two members from their household to both home and away games, something parents and athletes have been wanting. “I think it’s good our parents can watch us,” said Lee Adragna, a student-athlete at Gulf Coast High School. “It makes it more fun knowing your fam is there supporting you.” Eric Jarbo, a Gulf Coast High School parent of a senior football player and a cheerleader, says this means a lot to his family. “We didn’t miss any games,” Jarbo said. “We made sure we went. We hung out outside the fences, and I have to tell you it is very difficult to watch football that way, but we did it. We were there to support our kids.” Students are also happy to hear masks can be removed in P.E. classes and other outdoor time such as recess. “I think it’s good that they are taking away a little bit of the restrictions because it is hard for students to sit in class with masks at all times,” Adragna said. More people are also allowed inside gyms for volleyball games. Parents of the team currently playing can be inside. CCPS says that inside schools, masks will still be required and social distancing will remain in order.
Community members and visitors can now drink with friends on Sanibel beaches. It’s something that has been prohibited on the island since June. That’s not the only thing changing. Beachgoers won’t get a $50 fine for not wearing a mask. The people we spoke to Tuesday said they’re happy to see restrictions loosen on Sanibel, especially with alcohol on the beaches and mask fines. But they also said, just because the fines are gone, that doesn’t mean we should ditch the masks. A quick trip to Sanibel was a way for Dennis Diaz and his family to escape Miami for a few days. Diaz is happy he can enjoy an adult beverage as well and wants everyone to be responsible. “It’s nice. You know, I’m a father. I have a family, so all I have is one or two,” Diaz said. “But, you know, we’ve gotta be conscious and throw away the bottles and, you know, protect wildlife and people.” Everyone we spoke to is happy to hear their coolers of alcohol are welcome back on the sand. “That’s been nice. Even down at the resort, we’ve had a few cocktails on the beach,” said Alec Connett, visiting from Iowa. Knowing they’ll escape a $50 fine without their mask makes some feel we’re getting back to normal. “It is what it is,” Diaz said. “It’s been a long time like this. There’s no, there doesn’t seem to find a cure for it, so we’ve gotta keep living.” The island also got rid of its $200 parking fine for parking violations. The parking tickets have gone back to $50. “Now that we know a little bit more, and it’s up to people to be responsible to make decisions for themselves but others first,” John Jordan said. “And if they’re capable of doing that, I think it’s a good thing to remove the restrictions especially the penalty of the fine.” But as a COVID-19 survivor, Jordan isn’t completely ready to ditch the mask. He’s keeping it close for his protection and everyone he might pass by. “Out of respect for those others,” Jordan said. “That’s why I have to remind myself it’s not just about me. It’s about those around me and my neighbors and other people that I try to look out after.”
The task force responsible for developing a toll road, the Southwest-Central Florida Connector between Collier and Polk counties, is asking for your concerns. The top issues include the environment and supporting growth in local communities. The land the toll road would go through includes habitats for 12 threatened and endangered species, including the Florida panther. The task force plans to submit a plan to the governor and lawmakers by November. MORE: Draft Task Force Reports Available for Public Comment
For the first time, the Florida Department of Health has released a report on the number of COVID-19 cases in schools across the state. Parents have been asking DOH to release a report like this so they can know how many cases have shown up at their child’s school. But they also want to make sure they are making the most informed decisions for their children. The biggest thing missing from the report are cases from August. Some charter schools with unconfirmed cases may also not be reported. So far, in Southwest Florida, there haven’t been any large outbreaks. There are 48 in Collier County, 66 in Lee, 8 in Charlotte, 8 in DeSoto, 15 in Glades and 7 in Hendry County. MORE: See full data report on COIVD-19 in Florida schools https://winknews.com/wp-content/uploads/schools_latest.pdf
Hendry County Sheriff’s Office responded to a crash on Country Road 78 in Hendry County Tuesday night. According to the HCSO Facebook post, deputies went to the scene of a crash along CR-78 and Caloosa Shores Drive. Florida Highway Patrol also went to the crash. The crash has been cleared.
A baby born at 26 weeks old was hospitalized for nearly two years, and the now-toddler has been allowed to go home. Ryder Taylor has lived for 679 days – 678 of them were spent at Golisano Children’s Hospital. He came into the world early, tiny and with the odds against him, but he proved to be a fighter, who has finally made it home. Ryder is one happy baby. “He smiles. He never cries,” mom Amanda White said. “He only cries if he’s very upset.” So to absolutely no one’s surprise, Ryder was all smiles Monday when he finally got to go home. “I’ve been waiting for this for almost two years,” White said. “We’ve been through a lot.” White gave birth to Ryder 14 weeks premature. He was just 1.9 pounds. The very little boy spent almost two years inside Golisano Children’s Hospital battling infections, undergoing surgeries and even being in a coma. “There were days I didn’t think he was going to make it out alive, and I cried and cried every day and all day long,” White said. Even though Ryder is home with his family, he requires constant care and attention. But mom says her fighter is getting stronger. “He has a high chance of cerebral palsy, so we didn’t even think he could move his legs or any of his limbs,” White said. “We don’t know any extent. We don’t if he can even walk, but he just learned how to roll over. So he just hit huge milestones with that. He’s grabbing things. He’s like a normal baby. He’ll grab your hair and just yank on it.” White said Ryder is happy to be back with his sister, Kaylee. She went to the hospital all the time to be with him. But the pandemic hit, and she wasn’t allowed to see him. Ryder’s return home should give them all the time they need to catch up. Ryder is a smiling, happy baby, who is home at last. “He is a little fighter,” White said. “You always fight.”
In Florida, 5.1 million ballots have been mailed to voters, and some have already been returned prior to the first presidential debate Tuesday night and ahead of the November election. The presidential debate is the first of three meetings between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden. The first debate’s topics include the U.S. Supreme Court, COVID-19, the economy, and race and violence in American cities. We looked at whether the response to the topics by the presidential candidates will sway voters. The polls match what we heard from voters. A large majority have already made up their minds. But some told us it’s still important to watch for educational purposes. Others said they will watch for entertainment. Voters agree on one thing: They’re watching the first presidential debate. “Because I think it’s important to hear what both have to say,” Nina Naranjo said. “I don’t think I’m going to change my mind at this point. But, nonetheless, it’s still important to know the views that both have.” “Just to see what they have to say,” Cheryle Phelps said. “I don’t think it’s really important,” Gary Bateman said. “It’s just that I want to.” Count Bruce Sculthorp among those who won’t bother watching the first debate between Trump and Biden. “I decided several years ago the current guy should not be there,” Sculthorp said. “It’s one debate. I’ve been thinking about this for quite some time.” Voters we spoke to told us about issues at the top of their list. “Definitely climate change, I would put,” Naranjo said. “At the top of the list though, COVID.” “It’s the welfare for the people who are not working,” Phelps said.
Just three weeks ago, Marco Island Police were out patrolling the beaches during Labor Day Weekend, making sure people were social distancing and handing out fines to those who weren’t. Now, you can enjoy the sun and sand and there isn’t a cop in sight. “The beach, we really like the beach,” said Dan and Donna Croy. The two first-time visitors are unphased by Florida’s recent Phase Three reopening decision. Why? Because they can no longer get up to $200 fines for not social distancing on the beach. The pair say they are “100% comfortable.” Since ” everybody seems to be distancing pretty well from what I can see. We’ve been out on the beach for three days now. ” Marco Island’s City Manager Mike McNees sincerely hopes that people are following the rules. “We don’t have any legal authority to force good behavior. We will encourage people to act responsibly, McNees said. Now the city has to rely on citizens and visitors taking the virus seriously to keep everyone safe. “We are an older population so there is concern among our residents that they are vulnerable,” said McNees. “So we’ll encourage people to continue to voluntarily be aware of things like social distancing.” The City of Marco Island is also not considering putting restrictions on restaurant capacity. Pinchers’ Manager Megan Outlaw is taking advantage of the lifted restrictions. “We were busy throughout the weekend our customers were excited about being out and we were opened up at 100% capacity,” said Outlaw. Outlaw isn’t easing up on the guidelines for the restaurant, though. Pinchers is still requiring masks, has their partitions up, uses virtual menus and has outdoor seating. These precautions are enough to keep the Croys coming back to Marco Island. “Comfortable out not just the beach but wherever we go,” Dan said. Marco Islands leaders say they didn’t have to fine anyone, even at the height of the pandemic and hope that trend continues.
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 hit me or something like that,” said Desi Calderin in Collier County. Calderin believes the cameras will help reveal the truth, but it comes at a costly price. Storage alone will cost millions of dollars. “Expensive stuff,” Calderin said. The expected dash and body cameras will cost $7 million over a five-year period. Some don’t feel Collier County’s crime rate is high enough to suit up 600 deputies with the technology. Fort Myers officers already use similar cameras. “The camera is on all the time, and it’s recording in a loop,” FMPD Lt. Jason Pate said. Pate says FMPD determines how long they keep video based on the type of the call. “If I have to mute it and talk to a supervisor or something, there’s rules on what I have to say,” Pate said. CCSO is taking privacy concerns into consideration with the future addition of the added cameras, and it is still working on when deputies will start recording and when deputies should stop. “Any agency that is not on board with body cams is falling behind on their duties to — A — protect their officers, protect their citizens,” Pate said.
We hear from the local sheriffs and police chiefs every day, but we don’t hear a lot from the police department at Florida Gulf Coast University – and that’s OK with its chief. WINK News Safety and Security Specialist Rich Kolko spent some time on campus with Chief Steven Moore to find out what the police department does on campus each day. From running traffic to doing investigations, even acting as a mentor or advisor to a very diverse group of students, Moore does it all with a department of just 21 officers. The agency has 750 acres and more than 15,000 students to police. From concerned parents to operating during a pandemic, there’s nothing “small town” about Moore’s police force. “When a father and mother call about their son having a mental breakdown and he’s dangerous, they’re not calling for you to come kill him,” Moore said. He said COVID-19 has been “challenging,” which is something Moore knows all about. He has been a police officer for 37 years, moving to FGCU in 2006 after serving as chief for the Naples Police Department. At a recent shooting on Alico Road, FGCU police officers backed up Lee County sheriff’s deputies, but mostly, they serve on campus. “We’ll help the students change tires, jump their car, do whatever to help them out, so again it’s just more service-oriented at a university,” Moore said. That includes encouraging his officers to have positive contacts. “If there is a soccer game going on or if there is an event on the library lawn, just go be seen.” That’s to build up trust, and one of his goals is to see every officer trained in de-escalation techniques, something they’ve practiced at a few recent small interactions on campus. “We’ve had a couple of times where officers have been yelled at this semester for absolutely no reason, driving by a group of people and say have a good evening and the tirade starts, so, the officers know, keep on moving.” While Moore believes there may be a better way to respond to mental health crises, he feels defunding the police isn’t the answer. “Who should be responding to that mental health crisis? I don’t think a lot of police would complain if they weren’t the ones that responded to it.” His team is out there 24/7. “A campus is a great setting; it’s just a fun place to be,” he said. The department’s jurisdiction is 1,000 feet beyond campus, but they can assist outside that area, if needed. Moore said the biggest difference is that they have their own internal discipline system. Underage alcohol possession, marijuana possession and other similar incidents are handled on campus, keeping students out of the courts in most cases. RELATED LINKS International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IECLEA) International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) University/College Police Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) FGCU Police Dept.