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.
FILE Photo of shooting investigation after deputies had a standoff against 61-year-old Bradley Rundle, who was fatally shot in front of his family’s Englewood home on McKinley Terrace in June 2019. Deputies fatally shot Rundle after he fired toward them. Credit: WINK News. New details from an internal investigation has found two Charlotte County deputies’ use of force justified in a shooting that killed an armed man outside his home. We spoke exclusively to the daughter of the man, who gave her account of the night and shed light on her U.S. Navy veteran father’s struggle with PTSD. And a law enforcement expert explained what he believes caused the man to standoff against deputies. In June, two Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office deputies were placed on administrative leave after shooting and killing armed Bradley Rundle, 61, in front of his Englewood home along McKinley Terrace. A 911 caller reported Rundle was drunk and had a gun. The caller said he fired multiple rounds inside the home while family members and children were present. Rundle came out of the home with a firearm and began walking toward the deputies. He was given several orders to drop his weapon, but deputies say he didn’t comply. Rundle reportedly fired a round toward them, and the two deputies returned fire, fatally shooting him. Deputies reportedly fired 48 rounds with long rifles toward Rundle, hitting him twice. “Something just turned my dad into the man that we just did not recognize,” daughter Mary Rundle explained to WINK News. The internal investigation justifies the actions of the two deputies, who were found to be protecting themselves from Rundle shooting toward them, with a blood alcohol level of more than twice the legal driving limit. Rundle’s family ran say the ran from him the night of the shooting. “It wasn’t my dad that night at all,” Mary said. “He was just like, like the demon just took over him.” She said her father, who was a Navy veteran, suffered from PTSD but was not undergoing treatment the night of the fatal shooting. “I would see some of his outbursts,” Mary said. “But it wasn’t anything like that. Just a lot of sadness and depression.” Dr. David Thomas, an FGCU professor with a Ph.D. in forensic psychology, said it’s clear what Rundle’s motive was the night of the shooting. “This label was clearly suicide by cop,” Thomas said. Thomas believes Rundle understood what he did. “A lot of times what happens is people don’t have it within them to kill themselves,” Thomas said. “And so what they do is facilitate, then force law enforcement to take their lives.” As the Rundle family deals with the aftermath of that tragic night, they want others to seek treatment that can save them from the tragedy that claimed Rundle’s life. “PTSD and mental illness is a real thing,” Mary said. There sheriff’s office has not released the names of the deputies involved in the shooting. They told us their identities are protected by Marsy’s Law. The Rundle family told us they don’t see a reason for CCSO to release the names of the two deputies, explaining the law enforcement officers simply protected themselves during a dangerous situation. The state attorney’s office is leading the review if the internal investigation. MORE: Armed man fatally shot by two Charlotte County deputies