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.
FWC Officer Julian Keen (Credit: FWC) An officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was shot and killed in LaBelle early Sunday. Authorities said 30-year-old Julian Keen Jr. was off-duty in the area of Nobles Road and Apache Circle when he was shot. This is near the intersection of SR-78. The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office said three people have been detained and are currently being questioned. Keen had been with the FWC since 2014. It is with heavy hearts that we confirm the tragic death of Officer Julian Keen. Our thoughts are with his friends and family during this difficult time. #Officer #Florida #LawEnforcement pic.twitter.com/SJdgwqcQ5S — MyFWC (@MyFWC) June 14, 2020 The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is assisting with the investigation. “This was a heartbreaker. It hit me personally and it hit this community personally,” said Hendry County Sheriff Steve Whidden. “It’s not just the fact that he was law enforcement. It was the fact that he was a friend. and everyone that has ever worked with him came out to pay their respects to their family and of course, the community.” https://twitter.com/RichKolko/status/1272207645546553346 Keen grew up in Southwest Florida, moving from Immokalee to LaBelle when he was a teen. He played football there before going on to play at Webber International University in Babson Park, Florida. The WIU athletics website says Keen transferred there in 2010 from College of the Desert in California. Keen was named 2007 South-Central All-Star Defensive MVP, the site says. Close friends and family of the victim spoke to WINK about the life they believe was cut short. “He had so much heart. So much virtue and integrity,” said Christopher Wills, one of Keen’s close friends. The victim’s cousin, Markease Williams, is “torn apart right now.” Deloris Keen, Julian’s mother, said her son was one of the good ones. “My son was too good for them to even come back here and shoot him.” People in LaBelle seem to agree that Keen brought the community together and that they’re hurt that his life was taken. “He touched this entire town. Anyone and everyone who has ever talked to Julian knows that he is just a ray of sunlight in a dark world,” Wills said. “He never had a problem with anybody. He never hurt nobody. He never did nothing wrong. Everybody loved him. He brung the whole community together,” Williams said. His mom described her son as always being a helper, so she simply can’t believe someone would want to harm him. “If he saw somebody that broke down or something, he would get out of his car and try to help people. That’s all he ever did since he was a little boy and now he’s gone.” “He really was one of the greats. He was the best of us,” Wills said. A vigil has been planned for Keen on Wednesday, June 17, at 8 p.m. at Barron Park in LaBelle. Friends have been flooding Facebook with memories of Keen and messages of shock over his death: “RIP to one of the good ones. A great one. Julian Keen was one of the best humans on the planet. Kind and funny. So generous and sweet. Always ready to help out. You are so loved, by so many. Our hearts are broken. Our thoughts are with your family.” – Danika J. Forenear “The world lost a good friend last night! Julian Keen was great dude, I remember the first time we started talking years ago, I said something about his name because Julian is my son James Mckellar’s name and it was also my Grandpa’s name the original JJ McCoy! He would come out every time I played in Labelle, he always struck me as EVERYONE’S friend! We will miss you my friend R.I.P. Julian.” – JJ McCoy “One of the curses of being from a small town is when we lose one of our own the whole town hurts Julian Keen – you were quite possibly the friendliest person on earth. You did just about anything to get a smile out of someone. My mom loved you so much (probs more than me). For anyone that didn’t know him – he would have been your friend the second you met him. There are a lot of broken hearts this morning.” – Bianca McGinley