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.
BONITA SPRINGS, Fla.- For the first time, WINK News is hearing directly from Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott on a murder case that’s terrified the community. Dr. Teresa Sievers was brutally killed in her home more than a week ago, and the sheriff’s office has been tight-lipped about the case ever since. Tuesday, Sheriff Scott told WINK News this was not a random crime. “Our detectives are literally working around the clock. This is all hands on deck, no stones unturned, serious stuff.” Scott is finally answering questions the community, and the nation, has about Sievers’ murder. Many residents wonder, are they in danger? Neighbors have criticized the sheriff’s office, claiming Scott is keeping them in the dark when it comes to safety. But the sheriff says the public isn’t in danger. “Based on reason and the evidence we have to this point, and working it exhaustively, I’m very comfortable saying it’s not a random arbitrary situation and I do believe there’s some connectivity here.” Scott says they have leads, but says it would be “irresponsible” to release other information. When we asked if they had any suspects, he said “well I’m not going to speak to that.” We do know from sources, that Sievers was killed with a hammer, but the sheriff would not confirm. “Here we can’t, I the sheriff’s office can’t, it would be reckless to do so, cannot play this thing out play-by-play with each piece of information we get. We will share information as we think it will benefit the case. We are not going to share information simply to solve someone’s curiosity.” Scott did talk about the evidence. “To give you an example of how tenacious we are with this, we physically drove the first batch of priority evidence to the lab. We didn’t wait for FedEx, we physically got in the car and drove it there,” said Scott. That evidence includes the family’s van, as well as a side door. He also said they are using an laboratory outside Lee County to get quicker answers. The sheriff says that’s all he can say for now. “There’s a lot of intricacies in the case. What we have to this point, we have no guarantees, I can’t give you guarantees, even with an arrest. We could arrest somebody today and put them in jail and I can’t guarantee anything,” said Scott. The sheriff also spoke about the fact that the murder happened in a neighborhood not known for crime. Because the victim is a well-respected doctor, the public’s interest in this case has been fueled. Scott adds that the sheriff’s office has some answers in the investigation, but are not prepared to share them. He says he will release further details as he can, but is asking anyone with information to contact the sheriff’s office. As for asking residents to lock their doors? Scott says it’s something he wants you to do every day, whether there is a crime or not. Local defense attorney, Lance Dunford, who is not involved in this case tells WINK News in most local investigations, evidence is sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement which takes time.”They have to get their ducks in a row and figure out where is the evidence even leading,” said Dunford. Dunford also says if the Sheriff’s office released just a small nugget of information prematurely it could unravel their entire case. “If they do have a suspect in mind, well that suspect in mind and they do put that out publicly, well, the suspect is going to be the most interested person in knowing what they have against them,” he said. “We simply have to be mindful of the integrity of the evidence, the investigation and ultimately hopefully a prosecution,” said Sheriff Mike Scott. Trust WINK News to continue to follow the investigation and bring you any new updates.