FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herselfSurrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
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.
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
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.
Three women have come forward saying their night nurse sexually assaulted them. WINK News uncovered he has a criminal history. That raises the question: How did he get hired in the first place? “Like a horrific nightmare more than anything,” said Brianna Hammer. A nightmare Hammer says she relives every single day. “I can’t sleep, I constantly think that somethings going to happen when I lay down at night,” Hammer said. “I can’t sleep in my own bed at night. I can’t be alone anymore. I refuse to go to the hospital.” Because the hospital is where her nightmare started. While WINK News is not showing her face, she agreed for us to use her name and tell her story. She says former nurse Jeovanni Hechavarria sexually assaulted her while she was a patient at Cape Coral Hospital in March 2015. “It’s not an experience that anybody wants to know or live … it’s too much,” Hammer said. And Hammer wasn’t the only victim to speak out about this horrifying abuse inside Cape Coral Hospital. Two other victims say they were also sexually assaulted by the same nurse. Now, Hechavarria is facing new charges after the third victim says he raped them in 2016. Gammer says these victims could’ve been sparred the pain after she alerted authorities, but court documents shoe they didn’t believe her. “All three of them just looked at my face like I was lying to them,” Hammer said. Hammer says she now fears going back. “They have that safe place sign up there for a reason and that’s not a safe place no more,” Hammer said. Wondering how Hechavarria was hired in the first place. Documents reveal his troubled past, showing several domestic violence cases on his record that happened before he was hired at Cape Coral Hospital. The hospital is now catching heat in a federal lawsuit as well. Read the statement provided by Lee Health in its entirety: “Jeovanni Hechavarria was employed at Cape Coral Hospital starting September 6, 2014. Mr. Hechavarria had applied for and received his nursing license from the state of Florida in 2014, a process which involved a review of his background and fitness to practice. Lee Health also performs thorough pre-employment screenings and background checks on all employees in accordance with our policies and applicable federal and state laws. Hechavarria’s pre-employment screening and background check were completely clear. An allegation of sexual assault was made against Hechavarria on July 15, 2016. He was placed on crisis leave while the matter was investigated and was subsequently terminated. There was a prior allegation made in 2015 that was promptly reported to law enforcement. The police found that no crime was committed. The safety and well-being of our patients is our highest priority. When a criminal allegation is made, we promptly respond, report the matter to the appropriate authorities and fully cooperate with law enforcement. Law enforcement was immediately contacted and performed investigations after each alleged incident that was reported to us.”