‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidationHomeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods
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.
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.
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.
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.
Credit: WINK News. In November 2018, Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment that restored voting rights to nearly 1.4 million ex-felons. Republican lawmakers, however, say they want to more narrowly define which ex-inmates are able to cast a ballot, a move critics consider “racist and unconstitutional.” Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has said he plans to sign the S.B. 7066, which would require all financial obligations be paid off before an individual can vote. This includes restitution, as well as court ordered fees and fines. He has until next week to put it on the books. Supporters said it helps properly implement Amendment 4, which gave back voting eligibility to convicted felons “after they complete all terms of their sentence.” It excluded those convicted of murder or sexual offenses. The measure also classifies what types of crimes can be considered a “sexual offense” and defines what would fall under “murder.” Some lawmakers said the amendment’s language was too vague. So, both Republican-controlled chambers passed legislation in what they said is an attempt to clear up any ambiguity. “If it’s not defined, we leave it to the judge, the government to discriminate on a case-by-case basis and I think that’s a recipe for rampant discrimination,” said Rep. James Grant, a Tampa Republican, who championed the bill and is the chairman of the House Criminal Justice Committee. Some critics, however, believe the bill is designed to discourage ex-felons from registering to vote. Myrna Perez, the head of the Brennan Center for Justice’s Voting Rights and Elections project, said Republican lawmakers are “trying to undermine” what 65 percent of voters decided last year. “I think that’s one of the things politicians who are throwing up all these roadblocks are trying to do, which is create this risk. To create this uncertainty for folks who are trying to keep their noses clean and trying to make good on a second chance that they were given,” Perez said. More than 2,000 people with felony convictions added their names to the Florida voting rolls during the first three months of 2019, according to a recent study by the Brennan Center. Of those, the average income was $15,000 less than that of the average Florida voter. Critics said the bill will disproportionately impact low-income individuals who can’t afford to pay their financial obligations after their release, prompting fears of permanent disenfranchisement. Florida is one of a handful of states where fees and fines are the sole source of funding for the courts. “Every state does it, but Florida relies exclusively on fees and fines to fund court operations,” said Ashley Thomas, Florida state director of the Fines and Fees Justice Center. “They are often mandatory, there is no discretion given to a judge to waive them for somebody who is indigent.” Thomas said not every charge has fines, but every charge does have fees. This includes, for example, $50 for applying to have a public defender represent your case. According to the most recent data by the Measures for Justice, the average amount of fines and fees a convicted defendant paid in Florida was $923. The bill does grant a judge the ability to either waive fees and fines completely, such as in exchange for community service. But it doesn’t appear to be so easy. Thomas said the bill does not outline criteria a judge can weigh when deciding to issue a waiver, thus leaving discretion to the courts. The process also presents additional financial barriers. When the House passed its initial version of the bill, 2020 Democratic candidate and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders called it “racist and unconstitutional.” The same day, another presidential hopeful, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker said it amounted to a Jim Crow-era law that forced black people to pay additional fees at voting booths. Grant sharply rebuked claims of voter suppression. He said Democrats were “disingenuous” and using the issue for “politics and self-gain.” “My belief is that the political impact of Amendment 4 is not going to be what Florida Democrats believe,” he said. “They’ve taken a posture that all felons who had their rights restored are automatically Democrats. I just don’t think we should ever be in a place where one political party is suggesting that whoever breaks the law has the propensity to vote one way or another.”