What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area?Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues
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.
‘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.
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.
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.
‘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.
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.
Students are evacuated by police from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on Feb. 14, 2018, after a shooter opened fire on the campus. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP) One year since the Parkland school shooting, schools across Southwest Floriad have undergone extensive changes in regards to security. Hardening Building Security From security cameras to security guards, junior Bridgette Marrero says the change around North Fort Myers High, is noticeable. “I think there’s a been a big improvement now after Parkland.” Her school principal, Debbie Diggs, says immediately after the shooting, her security plans changed. “It’s almost that sense of urgency was incredibly heightened — so it became multiple times a day doing those checks — perimeter checks of the campus,” she said. One of those changes the school district made after Parkland included making schools single entrance and putting fencing around all campuses. “Nearly all of our schools have perimeter fencing — 100 percent perimeter fencing,” said Rick Parfitt, Director of Safety and Security for Lee Schools. “There are still a few that don’t. And we’re working on that.” Along with making physical changes to schools across campus, Parfitt put in other safety measures. “Lacking was the threat assessment piece and I think that was the vital piece missing,” he explained. There is a threat assessment team for each school, made up of a number of people, including mental health professionals, the school resource officer and other staff members. Their job is to gather information about threats or potential threats. All districts in Southwest Florida have threat assessment teams. See Something, Say Something “We need to start training students and staff and everyone in to reporting concerning behavior,” said Parfitt. Making sure kids, students, parents and staff know they are all part of the solution to keeping schools safe, is important. “We hear so many times, Parkland and Santa Fe, after that, and every one before that have all said the same thing. That they missed signs, there were indicators. there were red flags,” he said. “Our key for everything is to train kids to report things,” said Collier County Superintendent Kamela Patton. “…and I will tell you, kids are telling us.” The below are highlights of security measures being taken at public school in Southwest Florida. Lee County All campuses are closed and locked Doors to classrooms are locked during school hours Two-thirds of classroom doors already have red locks (can be locked from inside). New sales tax increase will pay for rest Video entrance systems will be installed in every school by end of the year School Resource Officer (SRO) on every campus, two on larger high school campuses along with trained security guards Law enforcement has live, real-time access to school camera systems Active shooter drills Collier County Electronic visitor/volunteer management in use at all schools with video doorbell access Security cameras Doors to classrooms locked during school day Youth relations Deputy (YRD) at every school Lockdown drills Most school secured by a single point of entry Backpacks or large bags are no longer allowed at sporting events High school students are all required to wear ID badges on campus Charlotte County SRO’s at every school High school have two School Resource Officer’s and a District Security Officer Video doorbell systems Cameras inside and outside every school Electronic visitor/volunteer management in use at all schools with video doorbell access Single entry point with ‘many ways out’ at all schools Lockdown drills Visitors must present a driver’s license to be run through an identification check system no door handles on the outside doors of the schools Agreement with Charlotte Behavioral Mental Health to provide services once a troubled child is identified