The Weather Authority: Scattered storms in the forecast for your SundayDo we need a federal gun database for mental illness? One family says yes
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA The Weather Authority: Scattered storms in the forecast for your Sunday Expect sun and clouds throughout the day, along with scattered rain. Some of the storms have the potential to become severe.
CAPE CORAL Do we need a federal gun database for mental illness? One family says yes One family is on a mission to create a new national gun database. It would require medical professionals to enter mental health information.
ALVA Three dead in triple drowning near the Franklin Lock in Olga The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is responding to a scene of a water rescue where three people were recovered.
PUNTA GORDA The Weather Authority helps you prepare for the hurricane season at the 2024 Charlotte County Hurricane Expo With hurricane season less than two weeks away, it’s important to start preparing.
GAINESVILLE FGCU softball senior balances EMT training and Regional play Ahead of NCAA Regional play, FGCU senior outfielder Riley Oakes started EMT training as she works toward being a trauma surgeon.
PUNTA GORDA Homes For Our Troops grants veteran new home Through all the cheers and a community-wide escort, it’s a ‘welcome to your forever home for army sergeant veteran Brandon Rethmel and his family.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Beat the Heat: Stay safe during extreme weather The Weather Authority has issued a heat advisory for portions of South, Southeast, and Southwest Florida from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday.
FORT MYERS Leaders discuss possibility of shutting down Caloosahatchee Bridge Should residents endure two years of partial lane closures, or fully shut the Caloosahatchee bridge down for 10 weeks?
GAINESVILLE FGCU softball parents cherish NCAA Tournament experience The parents of the FGCU softball team are relishing seeing their daughters play in the NCAA Tournament.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA The Weather Authority: Hot, hot, hot Heat advisory in place for Saturday until 8 p.m.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers teen finds dead body in bed of his truck A 16-year-old in Fort Myers drove to school, drove home, drove to the barbershop and back home again. Then, he noticed a swarm of flies in the back of his truck.
Scottie Scheffler facing felony charges; local attorney reacts The attorney we spoke with told us that, at a minimum, we’d spend the night in jail before having our first appearance and getting bail.
GAINESVILLE FGCU softball falls to No. 4 Florida in NCAA Tournament The FGCU softball team couldn’t keep up with the No. 4 Florida Gators as the Eagles drop their first Regional game 6-0 to the Gators.
Summer Safety: Swim safety tips to know before the summer The pool is warming up to be the hot spot for kids and families this summer. It’s now also the number one leading cause of drowning deaths for children ages 1-4 in the state.
FORT MYERS BEACH ‘The Whale’ restaurant to break ground on new building The Whale is a place that has shown great strength and determination.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA The Weather Authority: Scattered storms in the forecast for your Sunday Expect sun and clouds throughout the day, along with scattered rain. Some of the storms have the potential to become severe.
CAPE CORAL Do we need a federal gun database for mental illness? One family says yes One family is on a mission to create a new national gun database. It would require medical professionals to enter mental health information.
ALVA Three dead in triple drowning near the Franklin Lock in Olga The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is responding to a scene of a water rescue where three people were recovered.
PUNTA GORDA The Weather Authority helps you prepare for the hurricane season at the 2024 Charlotte County Hurricane Expo With hurricane season less than two weeks away, it’s important to start preparing.
GAINESVILLE FGCU softball senior balances EMT training and Regional play Ahead of NCAA Regional play, FGCU senior outfielder Riley Oakes started EMT training as she works toward being a trauma surgeon.
PUNTA GORDA Homes For Our Troops grants veteran new home Through all the cheers and a community-wide escort, it’s a ‘welcome to your forever home for army sergeant veteran Brandon Rethmel and his family.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Beat the Heat: Stay safe during extreme weather The Weather Authority has issued a heat advisory for portions of South, Southeast, and Southwest Florida from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday.
FORT MYERS Leaders discuss possibility of shutting down Caloosahatchee Bridge Should residents endure two years of partial lane closures, or fully shut the Caloosahatchee bridge down for 10 weeks?
GAINESVILLE FGCU softball parents cherish NCAA Tournament experience The parents of the FGCU softball team are relishing seeing their daughters play in the NCAA Tournament.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA The Weather Authority: Hot, hot, hot Heat advisory in place for Saturday until 8 p.m.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers teen finds dead body in bed of his truck A 16-year-old in Fort Myers drove to school, drove home, drove to the barbershop and back home again. Then, he noticed a swarm of flies in the back of his truck.
Scottie Scheffler facing felony charges; local attorney reacts The attorney we spoke with told us that, at a minimum, we’d spend the night in jail before having our first appearance and getting bail.
GAINESVILLE FGCU softball falls to No. 4 Florida in NCAA Tournament The FGCU softball team couldn’t keep up with the No. 4 Florida Gators as the Eagles drop their first Regional game 6-0 to the Gators.
Summer Safety: Swim safety tips to know before the summer The pool is warming up to be the hot spot for kids and families this summer. It’s now also the number one leading cause of drowning deaths for children ages 1-4 in the state.
FORT MYERS BEACH ‘The Whale’ restaurant to break ground on new building The Whale is a place that has shown great strength and determination.
Robert Ward (Credit: LCSO booking photo) A recent court conviction might be the key in exonerating a Fort Myers police officer fired for alleged misconduct and illegal contact with criminals. Robert Ward, of Fort Myers, was recently found guilty of drug trafficking and killing an FBI informant who formed with the Fort Myers Police Department. The murder happened almost a decade ago, but Ward’s conviction last week could finally open up secret information related to the police department. Jason Jackson and three other officers were suspended just before the Freeh report, a critical audit of the department, came out in Feb. 2017. “They did nothing wrong. Period,” said Gulf Coast Police Benevolent Association President Matt Sellers. Sellers said, finally, there is clarity in a case that spanned almost a decade. “The conviction of Robert Ward is the biggest exoneration for not only Jason Jackson but all four officers in their accusations of misconduct,” Sellers said. Officer Jason Jackson (CREDIT: WINK News) Jackson remained on leave for four years while the FBI investigated claims of police corruption. He never faced any criminal charges. But in 2021, Fort Myers police launched an internal affairs investigation into Jackson, speaking with 27 members of the community. One person claimed Jackson warned Ward the police were watching him. The person also claims Ward paid Jackson for information. “There’s never been any evidence, there were never any indictments,” Sellers said. Ward was convicted of orchestrating the death of Kristopher Smith, a Fort Myers man and confidential informant, who was gunned down after dropping off his child at school in 2013. Sellers said Ward’s conviction and Jackson’s complete absence from the trial erased doubt about the former officer. “I testified at the trial. I was never asked any questions under direct or cross-examination about these officers’ involvements. There’s never been a shred of evidence,” Sellers said, adding that, “There was someone that was convicted of this. These officers had no involvement.” Sellers is also in a unique position to say that because he was the lead investigator into Smith’s murder from 2013 to 2016 until he retired. “I was assigned to the case, never once was there an officer’s name or any officer ever came up,” Sellers said. Now that Smith’s murder has been solved, there is hope that the entire Freeh report and all related investigations will be made public. “There’s been a long history here with a lack of transparency. Now we’re here today, there’s still no transparency. We just want to get to the bottom of the truth. Who made these false accusations and what’s going to be done about them,” Sellers said. WINK News reached out to Fort Myers City Councilman Johnny Streets, a former FMPD officer and a family friend of the Jackson family. He said he didn’t know enough of the latest information to do an interview, but then expressed his frustration at the most recent city council meeting. “I can’t answer them because I don’t have the report,” Streets said. “I think it’s incumbent that this council needs the full report, or whatever can be given out. But we haven’t gotten that.” The Fort Myers Police Department continues to decline our request to release the redacted sections of the Freeh report or to talk on camera. Jackson is still appealing FMPD’s decision to terminate his job. He declined a request for an interview. We reached out to the other three officers and did not hear back. As for Ward, his attorney said he cannot comment.