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.
Credit: WINK News. The beaches on the coast of Lee County remain closed amid the restrictions set by the state to stop the spread of the coronavirus. And public places, businesses and most areas also remain empty or closed. That’s all positive for what Lee County officials hoped for when they asked residents to stay home over the weekend. The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Monday to approve a resolution adopting measures to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19 to the vulnerable population, limit the gathering of groups of people, limit exposure to people with cold- and flu-like symptoms and provide a means of conducting business for the workforce. The resolution, approved in an emergency meeting, codifies concepts outlined in the Florida Surgeon General’s Public Health Advisory of March 25. The resolution will be posted online at leegov.com. The resolution is not a shelter-in-place order. MORE: Read the Florida Surgeon Generals Advisory here The Board’s resolution supplements communication campaign efforts – both ongoing and previously taken – targeting a reduction in person-to-person contact. Key messages include: social distancing, slow the spread, and stay home. The messaging has been deployed on the county’s website, via social media, at news conferences, in videos, on billboards and other signage such as those outside stadiums. Additionally, the county has conveyed the message to people in Lee County via wireless emergency alerts to cell phones. The messaging is also part of an out-of-area marketing campaign launched through the Visitor & Convention Bureau for prospective visitors to stay home at this time. These efforts have been carried out in tandem with partnering agencies such as the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. The county and LCSO are coordinating and monitoring jointly to identify the effectiveness of the messaging, including LCSO flight videos, deputies on foot, in boats and on all-terrain vehicles. Additionally in last two weeks, the county has shifted many services to online portals, moved much of its workforce out of county buildings and closed libraries, parks facilities, pools, playgrounds, fishing piers, beach parks and restrooms and public lobbies. The county eliminated cash payment on its three tolls bridges and suspended fees for boat-ramp users and LeeTran bus riders. The resolution approved Monday remains in effect until it is repealed or the State of Local Emergency expires. The Lee County Board of Commissioners discussed the state of the virus outbreak and the county and impact it’s having in addition to the resolution. Commissioners said they were happy with the response from community members countywide. Commissioner Frank Mann said Lee County neighbors have done well. Ahead of the meeting, Mann said, “I think the public has done a superb job, but I believe, when we get together tomorrow morning for a meeting, I think we’re going to ask the public to do even more.” Commissioners said there were several options on the table for them to discuss during the meeting, and it was based on on whether or not people here in Lee County are doing a good job social distancing among other guidelines to help lessen the spread of COVID-19. “We have a mandate that we’re going to be entertaining,” Mann said. “We have a resolution, which says strong words” Lee County Sheriff’s Office patrolled and observed the county all weekend to see if people practiced social distancing. If it was positive for good practices, the county could call for further observation before making any further decisions. If deputies gathered negative findings, commissioners could pass a stay-at-home resolution or even a stay-at-home order, which would have more depth. Commissioner Brian Hamman posted on social media this weekend to commend Lee County neighbors for staying at home. “What we’re trying to do is encourage residents to voluntarily stay home and help us limit the spread of COVID-19,” Hamman said. “We think that people have the ability to make good decisions for themselves.” We asked you to stay home and the vast majority listened. Thank you! 🙏 Please keep it up❗ #COVID19 #swfl pic.twitter.com/xnK2bRDuKq — Brian Hamman (@BrianHamman1) March 29, 2020 Commissioner Mann said the main reservations with the stay-at-home order or mandate is enforcement. He said it would be hard for law enforcement to make sure people are abiding by the order. “I don’t know if we’re going to mandate something,” Mann said. “Because, when we mandate, part of the difficulty there is we don’t have a rule book. We don’t have a way for our officers on the street and sheriff deputies out there to be able to determine this car driving in the street, whether they have a legitimate purpose there or not.” Mann said the county will rely on the public to continue to cooperate to make sure everyone stays safe and follows guidelines in place to stop the spread of the coronavirus. “Things that you used to think were so important, they’re not,” Mann said. “This is a matter of life and death we’re talking about”