Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concernsStudents benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
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.
NAPLES Memorial celebrates the life of John Passidomo Hundreds of friends and family gathered for a memorial at Baker Park in Naples.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
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.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
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.
NAPLES Memorial celebrates the life of John Passidomo Hundreds of friends and family gathered for a memorial at Baker Park in Naples.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
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.
MGN Online FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) – The Boston Red Sox are all in on Cuba, with their pursuit of acclaimed prospect Yoan Moncada the latest example. Moncada must pass two days of physicals: one day at the team’s training facility in Fort Myers, followed by a day in Boston according to Moncada’s representative David Hastings. Hastings, said Tuesday he is hopeful the contract with a $31.5 million signing bonus will be finalized by the end of the week. The cost for the Red Sox will double because of the tax for exceeding the international signing bonus pool, a provision in baseball’s collective bargaining agreement. That means $63 million for a 19-year-old, but owner John Henry said he’s not concerned about the risk. “I think we’re more discerning than ever, despite what people might write this week,” Henry said Tuesday at JetBlue Park. “With high-ceiling players, you have to take risks, especially on young players.” General manager Ben Cherington decline to confirm the agreement with Moncada, a switch-hitting, multi-skilled middle infielder who was heavily courted by multiple teams. Moncada’s physical is scheduled for Wednesday in Boston and Florida. Henry was wary, too, of declaring the deal done. Speaking generally, was expressed confidence in the organization’s ability to evaluate Moncada’s talent. “There have been a number of Cuban players who’ve come into the game that have really produced, and there’ve been some that haven’t over the years. But I think we’ve done our homework, and we expect a lot,” Henry said. Moncada has played primarily second base, but he’s considered athletic enough to be moved to shortstop or the outfield, too, as he develops. With speed, an ability to hit for power and contact plus a good glove and a strong arm, Moncada will carry the five-tool label with him into the majors. “There’s been a lot of interest in him and a lot of teams have spent a lot of time on it and it’s been a competitive process,” Cherington said. Including from the New York Yankees, who offered $25 million and told Hastings they would consider it if he countered at $27 million. “We went where we were comfortable going,” general manager Brian Cashman said. “It was an uncomfortable number to put forth, but it still fell short.” In 2002, the Yankees outbid the Red Sox for Cuban pitcher Jose Contreras, prompting president Larry Lucchino to famously call the Yankees the “evil empire.” But under the direction of Cherington, senior vice president of player personnel Allard Baird and director of international scouting Eddie Romero, the Red Sox have tried to stay at the forefront of the Cuban influx. They were outbid by the Chicago White Sox for first baseman Jose Abreu, but they traded last year for outfielder Yeonis Cespedes, whom they later dealt to the Detroit Tigers. Then they signed outfielder Rusney Castillo to a $72.5 million, seven-year contract. “There are $150 million contracts that end up being good values, and there’s $500,000 contracts that end up being bad values, and everything in between,” Cherington said. “So the exercise is to identify the player, identify what you think he’s worth and then see if you can acquire him for that.” Moncada’s bonus will be the most for an international player under 23 who is subject to the signing pool, topping the $8.27 million pitcher Yoan Lopez agreed to in his deal with Arizona last month. Boston already was over its signing pool for the period running through June 15. Because of that, for the signing periods starting on July 2 this summer and in 2016, the Red Sox will be ineligible to give a signing bonus of more than $300,000 to any international players subject to the pool. Hastings said the threat of the 100 percent tax impacted negotiations. “That was mentioned by every team as a hindrance to the contract part,” he said. Baseball’s rules call for Boston to pay the tax by July 30 and for Moncada to receive the entire signing bonus amount by the end of 2018. The tax is to be used “to further the international development of baseball,” according to the labor contract. The hefty price tag on Moncada’s deal increased the chatter about an international draft, which Major League Baseball would like to institute in the labor contract that starts with the 2017 season. Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Smyly said on Twitter he didn’t believe it was “right” that a Cuban 19-year-old can get this kind of money when an American the same age would get far less in a signing bonus after he’s drafted. Smyly clarified in a subsequent tweet that he wasn’t criticizing Moncada or the size of his deal. “I’m all for any player making as much as he can. I only meant every amateur should have same opportunities and guidelines to play MLB regardless where they are from,” Smyly said.