‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidationHomeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods
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.
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.
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.
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.
A Cape Coral woman is fired up over speeders near a local elementary school. She doesn’t feel that officers are doing enough to protect the children. Clarice Campbell wants Cape Coral police to come to Cape Coral Elementary School and catch speeders before something terrible happens. Cape Coral Elementary School sign. (Credit: WINK News) Speeding, reckless, and distracted drivers are all concerning for many of us, especially when our kids walk to and from school. “I’m concerned about the kids’ safety. People will be doing 40, 50, 60 miles an hour down this road, and it’s a 20-mile-an-hour speed zone,” said Campbell. Campbell emailed WINK News in early November about speeding drivers around Cape Elementary. She told us about when she first noticed the danger. “For me, as soon as my granddaughter started kindergarten, and now she’s in 4th grade,” said Campbell. Campbell lives across the street from the school with her two granddaughters. The girls walk to and from school daily, which is often a stressful experience. “There’s been several times that I have walked them across the crosswalk and literally had to stop cars because they weren’t paying attention to the crossing guard,” Campbell said. Cape Coral Elementary School crossing guard. (Credit: WINK News) The school’s crossing guard confirmed Campbell’s worries. She said not a day goes by that she doesn’t spot speeders. WINK News decided to see how many people sped past the school. Within minutes, we captured four cars speeding through the school zone. One going about 35, two at least 40, and one driver going over 50 miles per hour. WINK News measuring the speed of drivers in front of Cape Coral Elementary School. “It’s a dangerous situation,” said Campbell. Campbell said she had brought her concerns to the Cape Coral Police Department in the past but didn’t feel like enough was done. “I have called the police department a couple times. This year I have not. In the past, I have. They have brought officers out, but I have only seen them write tickets one time,” said Campbell. WINK News contacted the Cape Coral police records division to get data on speeding tickets in the school zone. Between January and October 2022, only one ticket was issued in the school zone during school hours. So, what does Campbell think should be done to protect the kids? “I think part of the solution will be more police presence and actually physically writing tickets, issuing citations and setting that example and letting people know that it is not going to be tolerated.” WINK News took that message right to the Cape Coral Police Department. Public Information Officer Brandon Sancho said they plan to take action and hopefully control the problem for good. “It’s extremely dangerous. Anywhere in Cape Coral, you shouldn’t be speeding, and you should be abiding by our traffic laws,” said Sancho. For now, Sancho said officers would increase their presence in the area. “What we are going to be looking for is speeding, people violating the right of way of people crossing, anything you can possibly think of, just to show our presence and enforce the traffic laws,” Sancho said. Campbell said she hopes people take responsibility for their actions and consider the consequences. “It matters to me because it’s the safety of our children. Not just my grandchildren but everybody’s children. They are all at risk trying to cross the street,” said Campbell. The school zone hours are 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. The consequences of speeding in a school zone are pricey. Speeding drivers face fines of $50 for one to nine miles per hour over the speed limit, $200 for 10-14 miles per hour over the speed limit, $300 for 15-19 miles per hour over the speed limit, and $350 for 20-29 miles over the speed limit. The penalties get larger and larger, but the most significant consequence could be a person’s life. Cape Coral police officers encourage everyone to be smart and slow down. If there’s something you want to be verified, you can email tips@winknews.com.