Method to treat IBD being used for other health issuesNTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian
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.
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.
Let’s Waffle opens in Cape Coral Let’s Waffle is one of two businesses the Feix family launched locally, with the FMS Florida Boat Tours and Limousine Service owned and operated by Feix’s husband, Alexander.
Planned Punta Gorda hotel, pub, brewery faces construction delay Kevin Doyle, owner of Celtic Ray Public House Irish pub in downtown Punta Gorda, and his partner, S4 Global Investments, were found in violation of the city’s exposed soils code.
Three Sisters Spring Toast the manatee released by FWC, SeaWorld and Casey DeSantis near Crystal River A manatee named Toast was released back into the Florida waters after a final medical evaluation from wildlife officials.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Man arrested and charged with over 90 counts of fraud The Cape Coral Police Department arrested a man for allegedly stealing items from a business and then pawning them.
Man accused of pulling gun on someone ordering at Collier County Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru A man has been arrested after allegedly pulling a gun on someone ordering at a Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru in Collier County.
League Club of Naples awards record $683K in grants to Collier, Lee nonprofits At a mid-April breakfast event, the 35 area nonprofit agencies—chosen from a record number of applicants—were awarded grants from the women’s volunteer organization in areas ranging from arts education, to fighting hunger and homelessness, to providing bikes and wheelchairs to children in need
Tim Aten Knows: Chick-fil-A drive-thru proposal faces criticism in Naples Chick-fil-A is proposing a drive-thru restaurant at the site of the former Red Lobster restaurant on U.S. 41 in Naples, but the project is facing early criticism.
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.
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.
Let’s Waffle opens in Cape Coral Let’s Waffle is one of two businesses the Feix family launched locally, with the FMS Florida Boat Tours and Limousine Service owned and operated by Feix’s husband, Alexander.
Planned Punta Gorda hotel, pub, brewery faces construction delay Kevin Doyle, owner of Celtic Ray Public House Irish pub in downtown Punta Gorda, and his partner, S4 Global Investments, were found in violation of the city’s exposed soils code.
Three Sisters Spring Toast the manatee released by FWC, SeaWorld and Casey DeSantis near Crystal River A manatee named Toast was released back into the Florida waters after a final medical evaluation from wildlife officials.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Man arrested and charged with over 90 counts of fraud The Cape Coral Police Department arrested a man for allegedly stealing items from a business and then pawning them.
Man accused of pulling gun on someone ordering at Collier County Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru A man has been arrested after allegedly pulling a gun on someone ordering at a Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru in Collier County.
League Club of Naples awards record $683K in grants to Collier, Lee nonprofits At a mid-April breakfast event, the 35 area nonprofit agencies—chosen from a record number of applicants—were awarded grants from the women’s volunteer organization in areas ranging from arts education, to fighting hunger and homelessness, to providing bikes and wheelchairs to children in need
Tim Aten Knows: Chick-fil-A drive-thru proposal faces criticism in Naples Chick-fil-A is proposing a drive-thru restaurant at the site of the former Red Lobster restaurant on U.S. 41 in Naples, but the project is facing early criticism.
Bullying, threats, and intimidation, WINK News obtained the results of an investigation that found all of that taking place inside the School District of Lee County. Now, one school board member could face possible sanctions from the governor. WINK News investigative reporter Peter Fleischer takes you through the allegations, the findings, and possible punishment. WINK News broke this story last May when the school board first censured board member Chris Patricca after a whistleblower complaint accused her of creating a hostile work environment. The final report, issued earlier this month but not yet made public, found the whistleblower complaints credible. That means the governor could suspend Patricca. “I think we need to address the complaint that was given to us yesterday,” said Melisa Giovannelli during a school board meeting last May. Lee School Board Attorney Kathy Dupuy-Bruno filed the whistleblower complaint in May 2022. In it, she accuses school board member Chris Patricca of bullying and demeaning behavior. Dupuy-Bruno doubled down, saying Patricca subjected her to unwarranted criticism, threats and intimidation. The report found evidence to support the complaints. “I actually wasn’t very surprised,” said Giovannelli. Board member Melisa Giovannelli is listed as one of the 12 people interviewed as part of the investigation. Giovannelli motioned for the whistleblower complaint to be investigated in the first place. “I need for employees to feel safe. That we’re going to, as a board, make sure that they are. And change the culture of this district. And this is a start,” Giovannelli said. The report finds Patricca directed Dupuy-Bruno to contact a federal investigator to get the status on an investigation into a district vendor, who was also a Patricca campaign donor. Dupuy-Bruno refused. The report also found Patricca “Criticized and undermined” Dupuy-Bruno and the district legal department “Frequently,” citing numerous examples of unwarranted behavior and that Patricca violated anti-bullying regulations. “Finally, someone listened,” said former school board member Gwyn Gittens. Gittens was also among the 12 people interviewed for the report. She revealed to WINK News disturbing behavior she says took place behind closed doors. “For four years when I sat on that board, I was bullied, yelled at, screamed at, and intimidated by Miss Patricca,” said Gittens. The report, which comes nearly eight months after the whistleblower complaint, could lead to the governor getting involved. State law gives Governor Ron DeSantis the power to suspend a school board member for malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, drunkenness, incompetence, permanent inability to perform official duties, or commission of a felony. Again, the board has already censured Patricca, a formal expression of disapproval. “In a perfect world, she would resign because of all of these incidents,” Gittens said. “This board has to decide what we’re doing to do. And I look forward to that opportunity,” said Giovannelli. Giovannelli would not say what the school board might do in addition to censuring Patricca. Sources inside the Lee School district tell WINK News some officials have already begun reaching out to Governor DeSantis’ office to inform him about what is happening in Lee County. We have called his office and reached out to the whistleblower, Kathy Dupuy-Bruno, and Chris Patricca. So far, we have not received comment. During a regularly scheduled school board meeting on Tuesday, 13 members of the public spoke out, some of whom called for Patricca to step down. The speakers included former Lee County school board members Gwyn Gittens and Betsy Vaughn. “When there are a plethora of incidents and bad behavior, when, if ever, will it be addressed,” Gittens asked. “We don’t allow bullying and intimidation by staff at schools, so why is it allowed by adults?” “I can speak very specifically to all of this. I was one of the witnesses, I was one of the people interviewed,” Vaughn added about Patricca’s behavior. “Bullying and demeaning behavior, this is very believable.” The board eventually got to the report about 90 minutes into the meeting. Member Cathleen Morgan, who is also accused of threatening Dupuy-Bruno in the report, casted doubt on the findings. “No material or documentary evidence. Merely allegations, he said, she said,” Morgan stated. “The 12 witnesses providing perceptions and hearsay. The conclusion of the report is that a whistleblower complaint was filed and it had no basis in fact.” After more than 30 minutes of heated back-and-forth, the board voted to accept the report’s findings. Patricca never fully addressed the allegations inside the report, although she voted against accepting its findings. The school board also approved a motion that will require all district staff to take anti-bullying training in the future.