&cat=7&pid=10008&cache=true">
&cat=19&pid=10008&cache=true " alt="Eye on Education: Class size amendment and your kids" class="alignleft" />
COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. – 1,000 elementary school students could be going to a new school next year if Amendment 8 doesn’t pass on the November ballot.? The vote could give districts more flexibility to deal with the state’s Class Size Amendment. ?It was adopted in 2002 and limits the number of students in each classroom. ?Nine Collier County elementary schools would have to be rezoned. The district held a public meeting about the Class Size Amendment, on Thursday. ? “You don’t want that to happen to any child or family for that matter,” said parent Nick Crane. ? “It’s hard on the child because they have to make new friends again,” said parent Antoinette Mullendore. Collier County school officials tell Wink News they wouldn’t have to switch the kids if Amendment 8 passes on the November Ballot. ?District leaders hope they’ll get out of paying the state massive fines for not complying with the original 2002 Class Size Amendment. “Its up to $7 million for the total fine,” says the district’s Michele LaBute. ?”But, we’ll get 75% back.” ? That totals about $2 million. ? If Amendment 8 doesn’t pass, the school district will also have to hire another 150 teachers. “The new teachers we’d need would cost us anywhere from $14 to $16 million,” said LaBute. But, Wink News spoke with one parent who’s also an out of work teacher. ?Renee Hughes says the Class Size Amendment could help put teachers back to work and help students succeed. “I think they would ultimately enjoy it better with a smaller class, a more intimate setting where they could be one on one with the teacher more,” said Hughes. The district tells Wink, it’s possible Amendment 8 won’t make it on the ballot. ?The Florida Education Association has filed a lawsuit about it, saying the language is misleading. ?A judge is supposed to hear that case on September 8th.? Related Articles FIRST ON WINK: Bad water meters in the Cape charge customers too much New jail opens in Charlotte County Lee County runs out of millions in stimulus dollars to buy up foreclosed homes Rabies alert in Charlotte County neighborhood
September 2, 2010 | Posted in
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LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. – Deputies are on the scene of a death investigation in Lehigh Acres. Deputies say three people are dead – one man, a woman, and a child. It appears to be a double homicide and suicide. WINK News has a crew on scene at East Lake Drive. The man who lives in the home has been arrested before for domestic violence. Details are still developing. Related Articles FIRST ON WINK: Bad water meters in the Cape charge customers too much September suit drive to help job seekers The Salvation Army and Men?s Wearhouse attack ?Mancession? with National Suit Drive ONLY ON WINK: Business owner speaks out after employee makes off with $100,000
September 2, 2010 | Posted in
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CAPE CORAL, Fla. – A Cape Coral veteran is starting a grassroots campaign to help a local soldier. Vietnam vet, Bruce Millier is starting the Get Well Card Project. He’s trying to get as many get well cards and notes of support to send to Corey Kent. Private Kent, is a Cape soldier seriously wounded in Afghanistan earlier this summer. Bruce Miller is asking for the city council’s support and plans on asking for help from the school district. He wants to go in school classrooms so children can write letters of encouragement. “Support is very important. It will help him heal a lot quicker,” Miller said. Hiller plans on talking to Cape Coral City Council next week. He anticipates the whole project taking up to six months. If you want to help or find out more information, email Bruce at facmech666768@aol.com Related Articles FIRST ON WINK: Bad water meters in the Cape charge customers too much New Cape Coral Contractors: A case of who you know? Cape Coral employees will no longer take work cars home Cape Coral soldier will have day named after him
September 2, 2010 | Posted in
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CAPE CORAL, Fla. – It’s a story you saw first on WINK. Cape Coral homeowners said their water bills skyrocketed for no reason. Now WINK News is getting results and those homeowners are getting their money back. Several homeowners along SW 51st Terrace knew something was wrong when their utility bills surged in water usage. Turns out they were right, the water meter was faulty. “I was shocked. I was angry,” said Pam Pearson. Pearson couldn’t believe it when her water bill jumped in price and water consumption. “In those two billing periods we were gone for 23 days. Why would our bill go up? We turned the water off,” she said. Pam knew something had to be wrong, but not on her end. “We just had our pipes re-piped, so we know there were no leaks,” she said. Pam suspected the water meter. Partly because her neighbors also complained of a spike in water usage. One her neighbor’s water consumption jumped to 30,000 gallons in one month. “It seems like everyone has a problem,” Pam said. Pam wrote to the city. She says her first letter got no response. So, she wrote a second one. But when WINK News got involved last Friday, Pam says she finally got results. Her meter was pulled from the ground and tested. The test results didn’t surprise Pam. “The meter is faulty. It was faulty on their side,” she said. Sine then, Pam says her old meter has been taken out and a new digital meter put in the ground. “I am pleased with the out come,” she said. Not only that, Pam’s bill be adjusted from the money she paid on the faulty meter. Her neighbor’s, the ones with a 30,000 gallon bill, will also get an adjustment. The city took out their water meter as well and replaced it with a new one. However, a city spokesperson says the neighbor’s meter may not be faulty. They’re classifying it as “involuntary use”. Pam’s just glad her issue has been resolved and the meter has been replaced. “We want an accurate reading. We want to be charged for what we are using,” she said. If you have concerns, the city say to call them. Related Articles A big ‘get well’ for Cape soldier Corey Kent New Cape Coral Contractors: A case of who you know? Cape Coral employees will no longer take work cars home Cape Coral soldier will have day named after him
September 2, 2010 | Posted in
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&cat=19&pid=9986&cache=true " alt="Reginald McKinnon pleads guilty after daughter dies in hot car" class="alignleft" />
LEE COUNTY, Fla. – Thursday a plea of guilty was entered by defendant Reginald McKinnon in Lee County court for the charge of Leaving a Child Unattended in a Vehicle Causing Great Bodily Injury, a third degree felony. He was sentenced to five years probation and as a condition must serve 20 community service hours. He must use that time to speak to parenting or pre-natal classes about the tragic event. Judge Margaret Steinbeck withheld adjudication as agreed on by the parties. Assistant State Attorney Francine Donnorummo who prosecuted the case said, “Obviously the real punishment to Mr. McKinnon was the loss of his daughter. This resolution and the requirement for Mr. McKinnon to relate this to parents and expecting parents may help prevent similar tragedies in the future.” Related Articles New jail opens in Charlotte County Lee County runs out of millions in stimulus dollars to buy up foreclosed homes Rabies alert in Charlotte County neighborhood Charlotte County Lien Relief Program begins
September 2, 2010 | Posted in
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&cat=19&pid=9990&cache=true " alt="Three arrested for creating fake documents in Bonita Springs" class="alignleft" />
LEE COUNTY, Fla. – In mid March, 2010, members of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit initiated an undercover operation aimed at the manufacturing and selling of fraudulent identification cards and social security cards in Bonita Springs. The nearly six-month-long operation targeted a family living at 27881 New York Street, Trailer 1A, Bonita Springs. Over the past several months, undercover operatives made several purchases of fraudulent documentation from three individuals, identified as Roberto Cruz (DOB 3/13/66), his wife Eva Cruz (DOB 10/10/77) and their son, Alex Cruz Juarez (DOB 10/17/90). Due to the actions of the suspects, along with information obtained through the course of the investigation, all three were arrested on September 1, 2010 (please see attached photos). During the investigation, detectives would go to the Cruz’s home and pay one-hundred to one-hundred and twenty dollars for a resident alien card and a social security card. After a number of visits to the Cruz home for similar transactions, investigators learned of a sophisticated system set up in the family’s garage designed to create fake identification cards and other fraudulent documentation. The cards provided by the Cruz’s would identify the buyer as a Mexican citizen, complete with his or her own social security number. These cards were then believed to be utilized by a number of undocumented citizens in Southwest Florida to obtain work with unsuspecting employers. The incident remains under investigation. In addition to state charges, detectives are currently working with ICE to obtain possible federal indictments against the suspects. The investigation has resulted in the following charges: Eva Cruz – Nine felony charges including; three counts of Possession of Fraudulent or Stolen Identification Cards (322.212-1a), three counts of Selling or Manufacturing Fraudulent or Stolen Identification Cards (322.212-1d) and three counts of Selling, Trading or Giving Away a Driver’s License or Identification Card (322.212-2). Roberto Cruz – Six felony charges including; two counts of Possession of Fraudulent or Stolen Identification Cards (322.212-1a), two counts of Selling or Manufacturing Fraudulent or Stolen Identification Cards (322.212-1d) and two counts of Selling, Trading or Giving Away a Driver’s License or Identification Card (322.212-2). Alex Cruz Juarez – Six felony charges including; two counts of Possession of Fraudulent or Stolen Identification Cards (322.212-1a), two counts of Selling or Manufacturing Fraudulent or Stolen Identification Cards (322.212-1d) and two counts of Selling, Trading or Giving Away a Driver’s License or Identification Card (322.212-2). Related Articles CALL FOR ACTION: Unauthorized cell phone bill charges Unlicensed security officer arrested More arrests made in Bonita Springs double homicide Card skimmer being used at North Naples bank
September 2, 2010 | Posted in
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) – Preliminary figures show Florida’s population went up slightly in 2009 after a one-year decline broke a steady string of growth dating to the end of World War II. The University of Florida reported Thursday that the state added an estimated 21,000 residents last year. That’s after losing more than 56,000 in 2008. Florida’s total estimated population now is 18,771,768. Stan Smith, director of the university’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research, said while population was up last year it was the smallest increase since the 1940s. Smith said it also didn’t make up for the previous year’s decline. He attributed the growth to a slight improvement in Florida’s economy although it’s still bad. Related Articles Florida Governor’s race shake-up North Fort Myers Fire Dept. taking a hit so they don’t have to increase residents taxes Woman sentenced to 18 years for beating 2 year old step son FWC officer injured in north Florida boat accident
September 2, 2010 | Posted in
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&cat=19&pid=9993&cache=true " alt="Butchered whale found on Fla. beach" class="alignleft" />
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (AP) – Authorities are questioning a man who was allegedly cutting off the tail of a whale on a South Florida beach. It’s unclear whether the man fished the whale out of the water Thursday morning and then began hacking into it or whether the whale was already dead. Delray Beach Ocean Rescue official James Scala said he doesn’t know what kind of whale it is, but said it’s between 10 and 12-feet long. Related Articles Fetus found on South Fla. beach Florida Governor’s race shake-up Beached whale in north Fla. has to be euthanized Palm Beach airport cleared after bomb threat
September 2, 2010 | Posted in
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&cat=19&pid=9995&cache=true " alt="Scott will name running mate" class="alignleft" />
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) – Republican nominee for governor Rick Scott is set to name State Rep. Jennifer Carroll as his running mate. Scott’s campaign said he would announce his choice for lieutenant governor Thursday in Jacksonville. Events in Orlando and the Tampa area will follow. Carroll confirmed in an e-mail to The Associated Press early Thursday that she is Scott’s choice. The 51-year-old Carroll served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years and was elected to the Florida Legislature in 2003. She would become the state’s first black woman to be a candidate for lieutenant governor. Scott beat Bill McCollum for the GOP nomination in the Aug. 24 primary. He’ll face Democrat Alex Sink in the general election Nov. 2. Related Articles Rick Scott picks a running mate while Chiles drops out CALL FOR ACTION: Unauthorized cell phone bill charges Republican leaders mend fences in Fla. with Scott Woman sentenced to 18 years for beating 2 year old step son
September 2, 2010 | Posted in
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NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. -? Fire officials are investigating another fire on Brooks Ct. in North Fort Myers. It broke out just after seven this morning.? Firefighters were able to put the flames out quickly but there is smoke damage to a back bedroom. The investigation is on -going but appears to be suspicious at this time. The home was vacant and the homeowner says he was trying to sell the house. In August, another home on the same street was also set on fire by an alleged group of juveniles but have yet to be caught. That fire didn’t cause any serious damage. Another?house fire?was ruled arson on the same street back in October. Fire investigators say it’s too early in the investigation to determine if they are related but admits it is unusual. If you have any information, you are asked to call the arson tip line at 1-877-662-7766. ? Related Articles Police remove illegal guns from Fort Myers streets Police rescue blind, disabled couple from fire 4 people killed in 2 car crash in north Fla. Card skimmer being used at North Naples bank
September 2, 2010 | Posted in
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