NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema prepares for opening at Mercato The newest movie theater in Southwest Florida opens April 29, and it does so with an array of entertainment offerings that go beyond the usual options across the region.
Let’s Waffle opens in Cape Coral Let’s Waffle is one of two businesses the Feix family launched locally, with the FMS Florida Boat Tours and Limousine Service owned and operated by Feix’s husband, Alexander.
Planned Punta Gorda hotel, pub, brewery faces construction delay Kevin Doyle, owner of Celtic Ray Public House Irish pub in downtown Punta Gorda, and his partner, S4 Global Investments, were found in violation of the city’s exposed soils code.
Three Sisters Spring Toast the manatee released by FWC, SeaWorld and Casey DeSantis near Crystal River A manatee named Toast was released back into the Florida waters after a final medical evaluation from wildlife officials.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Man arrested and charged with over 90 counts of fraud The Cape Coral Police Department arrested a man for allegedly stealing items from a business and then pawning them.
Man accused of pulling gun on someone ordering at Collier County Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru A man has been arrested after allegedly pulling a gun on someone ordering at a Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru in Collier County.
League Club of Naples awards record $683K in grants to Collier, Lee nonprofits At a mid-April breakfast event, the 35 area nonprofit agencies—chosen from a record number of applicants—were awarded grants from the women’s volunteer organization in areas ranging from arts education, to fighting hunger and homelessness, to providing bikes and wheelchairs to children in need
Tim Aten Knows: Chick-fil-A drive-thru proposal faces criticism in Naples Chick-fil-A is proposing a drive-thru restaurant at the site of the former Red Lobster restaurant on U.S. 41 in Naples, but the project is facing early criticism.
Judge: man sentenced to life as teen for murder of 17-year-old will stay in jail for life A man who was supposed to be resentenced in a murder he committed as a teenager almost 20 years ago will stay behind bars for life, according to a judge’s ruling.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema prepares for opening at Mercato The newest movie theater in Southwest Florida opens April 29, and it does so with an array of entertainment offerings that go beyond the usual options across the region.
Let’s Waffle opens in Cape Coral Let’s Waffle is one of two businesses the Feix family launched locally, with the FMS Florida Boat Tours and Limousine Service owned and operated by Feix’s husband, Alexander.
Planned Punta Gorda hotel, pub, brewery faces construction delay Kevin Doyle, owner of Celtic Ray Public House Irish pub in downtown Punta Gorda, and his partner, S4 Global Investments, were found in violation of the city’s exposed soils code.
Three Sisters Spring Toast the manatee released by FWC, SeaWorld and Casey DeSantis near Crystal River A manatee named Toast was released back into the Florida waters after a final medical evaluation from wildlife officials.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Man arrested and charged with over 90 counts of fraud The Cape Coral Police Department arrested a man for allegedly stealing items from a business and then pawning them.
Man accused of pulling gun on someone ordering at Collier County Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru A man has been arrested after allegedly pulling a gun on someone ordering at a Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru in Collier County.
League Club of Naples awards record $683K in grants to Collier, Lee nonprofits At a mid-April breakfast event, the 35 area nonprofit agencies—chosen from a record number of applicants—were awarded grants from the women’s volunteer organization in areas ranging from arts education, to fighting hunger and homelessness, to providing bikes and wheelchairs to children in need
Tim Aten Knows: Chick-fil-A drive-thru proposal faces criticism in Naples Chick-fil-A is proposing a drive-thru restaurant at the site of the former Red Lobster restaurant on U.S. 41 in Naples, but the project is facing early criticism.
Judge: man sentenced to life as teen for murder of 17-year-old will stay in jail for life A man who was supposed to be resentenced in a murder he committed as a teenager almost 20 years ago will stay behind bars for life, according to a judge’s ruling.
FORT MYERS, Fla. – A pet owner said Gulf Coast Humane Society burned her dog, after they used a rice sock during a procedure. Deborah Benfield took her 6-year-old chihuahua, Marco, to Gulf Coast Humane Society in August for a routine teeth cleaning. Benfield said when she picked Marco up later that day, she was told he had been burned. “It’s explained that during surgery under anesthesia the body temperature lowers. To prevent them from being cold, they use this sock. It’s microwaved for a few minutes, and then placed on the animal,” Benfield explained. “It was never checked to see how he’s doing, it was left on him for 15 minutes.” Benfield said over three weeks, she took Marco back to GCHS four times. During one visit, they gave her Silver Sulfadiazine Cream, which is commonly used to treat burns. However, the burn was progressively getting worse and had open wounds, and Benfield was fed up. “He’s burnt really bad. It’s very upsetting that I have to do this [apply cream] four times a day for him and he cries.” At one point, Benfield asked GCHS to pay for Marco to see a specialist, but she said they refused. On day 23, Benfield contacted WINK News Call for Action. Reporter Lindsey Sablan contacted the executive director at Gulf Coast Humane Society, Jennifer Galloway. During a phone conversation, Galloway told WINK News they believed Marco had Cushing’s disease and would need to have blood work done. Benfield did not believe that was the case, and she wanted a second opinion. She took Marco to another veterinarian, not associated with GCHS. The veterinarian told Benfield Marco needed to have the burned skin removed immediately, so it could heal. He also noted, Marco did not appear to have Cushing’s disease. Immediately after that consultation, WINK News contacted Ms. Galloway again, and once again asked if GCHS would pay for Marco to see a specialist. An hour later, Galloway responded in an email: “We would be happy to have Marco go to a local specialist-Specialist in Veterinary Medicine (SVS). We will cover the cost of the consult. Our concern is for Marco first and foremost.” The following day, Marco was admitted at SVS. The veterinarian told his owner he would have to remove the damaged skin and close the incision. A day later, Marco was released, and his surgery was a success. At that point, WINK News contacted GCHS to ensure they planned to cover the cost of the entire $1,969.20 surgery. Galloway responded in another email stating: “Of course GCHS will cover the cost and work with SVS to be sure Marco is fully recovered. The use of rice socks is very common in the veterinary world to keep pets warm during procedures, in all my years I have never seen a pet burned by one and we are all sick about it. I wish I had understood from the beginning what happened…[The veterinarian at SVS] gave me suggestions of other warmers to use in the future to ensure this never happens again.” WINK News sent a follow-up email to GCHS asking why they had told us Marco needed further blood work to determine he had Cushing’s disease, when they had already admitted to Benfield that Marco was burned. Galloway’s response is below. “We did have the first vet believe it was not a burn as I explained above. I read you his notes. The second set of notes I could barely read…When I questioned [the vet] later she indicated the comment read he ‘might have had an underlying condition, such as Cushing’s that could lead to heat sensitiveness [sic].’ That is where she recommended follow up blood work.” The email continued: “We take the situation with Marco extremely seriously, we have had meetings, done research and reviewed training to be sure this never happens again.”