‘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.
(AP Photo/Phil Sears) Florida lawmakers debated a $91.1 billion state budget Friday with bipartisan support for the fiscal year that begins July 1, but must wait until Saturday to put it to a final vote. The Republican-led House and Senate reached an agreement on the spending blueprint earlier this week, but it cannot pass until after a required 72-hour “cooling off” period — which will run until about 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Lawmakers began debate Friday so the only thing remaining is a final vote on the session’s 61st day followed by adjournment on one day of overtime. The budget is the one bill legislators are required to pass. “I think it’s the largest amount of money we have put to work for the people of the state of Florida,” said Sen. Gayle Harrell, a Stuart Republican. The budget has significant Democratic backing, though some criticize its failure once again to give state workers an across-the-board pay raise, meager funding for many historically black universities and other issues. Yet Rep. Kionne McGhee of Cutler Bay, the House Democratic leader, was among many in his party who said they would vote for it. “While this budget is not perfect, we cannot allow for our personal concerns to get in the way,” McGhee said. “We left the politics aside.” Democratic Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith of Winter Park said this year is the first time he will support the budget in the GOP-dominated House. “I see both parties’ input in the budget. And I do see our leaders have listened to our concerns,” Smith said. Public schools, which make up a large chunk of the spending, would see an overall increase of more than $782 million or about 3.7% in the main account compared with last year, according to budget documents. That translates to a little over $242 additionally per student for the coming school year. The agreement calls for $363 million in money that Florida’s 67 school districts can use to give bonuses to the most effective teachers and principals as well as other priorities. It includes more than $5 billion for state universities, $37.6 billion for Medicaid and other health and human services programs and sets aside $3.4 billion for the “rainy day” reserve fund. The legislation includes $220 million for a variety of Hurricane Michael recovery needs in the Florida Panhandle, bringing the state’s total commitment since the Category 5 storm struck in October to more than $1.8 billion. Republican Sen. Rob Bradley of Fleming Island, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the money to help victims of the hurricane drove many other decisions in the spending plan. “As we worked on our state budget, the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Michael was a top consideration,” Bradley said. “I believe we have put forward a solid plan at the state level to ensure long-term sustained recovery for Florida’s Panhandle communities.” A top budget priority for Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis was funding to address Everglades restoration, outbreaks along the coasts of red tide and blue-green algae, protection of freshwater springs and other environmental issues. The Legislature’s budget exceeds his request by approving more than $682 million for water-related issues. It includes $40 million to finish raising Tamiami Trail in South Florida so it will not block Everglades water flow to Florida Bay. One of the most disputed items this year was whether to renew the Visit Florida tourism agency, which the House wanted to let expire as planned under current law in October. House Speaker Jose Oliva, a Miami Lakes Republican, was among those criticizing the agency’s spending practices and contracts. But DeSantis wanted Visit Florida to continue and lawmakers ultimately decided to approve $50 million in funding, extending its life until June 30, 2020. It is less than the $76 million the governor proposed. “We know that tourism marketing has a direct correlation to the number of visitors who come to Florida each year,” said Rep. Loranne Ausley, a Tallahassee Democrat. “I think we should be discussing a full funding for their budget so they can get back to the business of promoting and marketing.” The budget also includes $3.8 million for a new state aircraft for DeSantis, who has been using a hand-me-down plane with mechanical problems that once required an emergency landing. Lawmakers determined the governor needs a dependable plane. Former Gov. Rick Scott, a multimillionaire, sold the previous state aircraft because he had his own.