LEHIGH ACRES Flames shoot through roof of house in Lehigh Acres Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District said the people inside the house got out okay and no one was injured.
FORT MYERS Lee County making changes to fix bus issues In the past, the Lee County School District struggled to find enough bus drivers.
NAPLES Naples man gets original Bob Ross paintings appraised Bob Ross took this blank canvas in a small studio in Muncie, Indiana, and transformed it into a beautiful masterpiece.
Lee Schools board considers full-day phone bans The biggest talking point in a Lee County School District safety presentation wasn’t about violence or drugs, it was about phones
PORT CHARLOTTE Fallen officer ceremony in Charlotte County commemorates those who lost lives in line of duty The emotional ceremony was held at the William R. Gains Veterans Memorial Park in Port Charlotte.
SAN CARLOS PARK Lee County couple suspected of drugging and sexually abusing child Neighbors say a home in San Carlos Park was just another house before Tuesday.
PINE ISLAND FDOT asking you if bike and pedestrian lanes should be added to busy road The Florida Department of Transportation is asking you if bike and pedestrian lanes should be added to the busy road.
Food drive for mental health awareness While someone may look healthy, they may be fighting a real inner battle.
FORT MYERS Overbilled for overflow of water; Residents stuck with hefty water bill The Moore’s make ends meet living at The Cove for almost a year.
ESTERO Scoreless Eagle up for award at NIL Summit FGCU’s Brandon Dwyer is one of the big time performers in NIL despite having never scored a single point in his entire Eagle career.
What happens after a nuisance alligator is captured? For alligators, the month of May means we are in the heart of mating season in the Sunshine State.
Exclusive: Interview with woman who shares hope of recovery on National Fentanyl Awareness Day Lee County Sheriff’s Office said that in 2020 they seized nearly two thousand grams of fentanyl. In 2023, that number jumped to over 8,000.
ESTERO FGCU star in the circle reflects on historical senior season The Eagles’ ace told WINK News she is focused on making every moment count before she hangs up her cleats for the last time.
NAPLES Pastrami Dan’s reopens in Naples after SUV crash Pastrami Dan’s in Naples welcomed customers once again, with people waiting at the door.
FGCU Two FGCU softball players playing for those who impacted their lives Two FGCU softball players, Riley Oakes and Olivia Black, are playing for friends who impacted their lives in a major way.
LEHIGH ACRES Flames shoot through roof of house in Lehigh Acres Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District said the people inside the house got out okay and no one was injured.
FORT MYERS Lee County making changes to fix bus issues In the past, the Lee County School District struggled to find enough bus drivers.
NAPLES Naples man gets original Bob Ross paintings appraised Bob Ross took this blank canvas in a small studio in Muncie, Indiana, and transformed it into a beautiful masterpiece.
Lee Schools board considers full-day phone bans The biggest talking point in a Lee County School District safety presentation wasn’t about violence or drugs, it was about phones
PORT CHARLOTTE Fallen officer ceremony in Charlotte County commemorates those who lost lives in line of duty The emotional ceremony was held at the William R. Gains Veterans Memorial Park in Port Charlotte.
SAN CARLOS PARK Lee County couple suspected of drugging and sexually abusing child Neighbors say a home in San Carlos Park was just another house before Tuesday.
PINE ISLAND FDOT asking you if bike and pedestrian lanes should be added to busy road The Florida Department of Transportation is asking you if bike and pedestrian lanes should be added to the busy road.
Food drive for mental health awareness While someone may look healthy, they may be fighting a real inner battle.
FORT MYERS Overbilled for overflow of water; Residents stuck with hefty water bill The Moore’s make ends meet living at The Cove for almost a year.
ESTERO Scoreless Eagle up for award at NIL Summit FGCU’s Brandon Dwyer is one of the big time performers in NIL despite having never scored a single point in his entire Eagle career.
What happens after a nuisance alligator is captured? For alligators, the month of May means we are in the heart of mating season in the Sunshine State.
Exclusive: Interview with woman who shares hope of recovery on National Fentanyl Awareness Day Lee County Sheriff’s Office said that in 2020 they seized nearly two thousand grams of fentanyl. In 2023, that number jumped to over 8,000.
ESTERO FGCU star in the circle reflects on historical senior season The Eagles’ ace told WINK News she is focused on making every moment count before she hangs up her cleats for the last time.
NAPLES Pastrami Dan’s reopens in Naples after SUV crash Pastrami Dan’s in Naples welcomed customers once again, with people waiting at the door.
FGCU Two FGCU softball players playing for those who impacted their lives Two FGCU softball players, Riley Oakes and Olivia Black, are playing for friends who impacted their lives in a major way.
Protesters against racial injustice sit outside Fort Myers Police Department headquarters in downtown Fort Myers. Credit: WINK News. All the Fort Myers City Council members are about to spend time reading a book on policing written by a local expert. During the city’s Monday meeting, City Manager Saeed Kazemi confirmed he would order “The State of American Policing” by Dr. David Thomas, a professor at FGCU and retired law enforcement author who has a Ph.D. in forensic psychology. That was one of the recommendations discussed at the end of the regular council meeting, which focused on police reform in Fort Myers. We spoke to Thomas Tuesday who served in police departments across the nation for 20 years. He says the book is based on his own experiences and research. Now, he is hoping it will spark meaningful discussions on reform here in Fort Myers and nationwide. The book started out as a way for Dr. Thomas to speak out about the problems in policing he witnessed. “It was out of my frustration as a trainer and out of my frustration as an officer,” Thomas said. Now, it’s turned into a potential centerpiece for a powerful discussion with the Fort Myers City Council. “I would ask that you purchase this book for each council member,” said Councilman Johnny Streets, who is a retired police officer who has experience with FMPD. Thomas’ book addresses the relationship between minorities and the police and breaks down the decision-making process for law enforcement. It also features an analysis on Fort Myers Police Department’s past. “People are listening,” Thomas said. “So, if they listen and read, then maybe it will help facilitate some discussion and change.” President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday that bans choke holds, except when an officer’s life is at risk. It also establishes a national database of police officers with a history of using excessive force. Members of the community and local law enforcement say it’s a step in the right direction. “I would consider it a step forward, absolutely,” said Chantel Rhodes, who is a peaceful protester in Lee County. “From what I’ve read so far, it appears to be very positive,” said Thomas told us that he thinks defunding the police is not the answer because it could take away important resources such as body cameras and training. In terms of FMPD, he told us he thinks they are on the right track toward resolving internal issues, and he hopes to see them move toward facilitating more conversations with the community. But Thomas says it’s all been said before, and the real change in policing will start with local officers building relationships with the communities they serve. “You really have to have those interactive meetings to kind of figure out where do you go from here,” Thomas said. “Without that, policing stays the same and the community stays the same.”