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&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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&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=9998&cache=true " alt="The Supreme Court’s Skilling decision may set Samir Cabrera free" class="alignleft" />
LEE COUNTY, Fla. – As a result of the Supreme Court’s Skilling decision, which changed the law in this circuit and rendered the jury instructions erroneous, this court should vacate Cabrera’s convictions and remand all counts for retrial. In August 2008, a jury found Cabrera guilty of executing a “scheme to defraud investors of the intangible right to honest services,” failed to specify whether Cabrera was guilty or not guilty on those counts of executing a “scheme to defraud investors of money,” and found Cabrera guilty of money laundering. On September 18, 2009, the district court sentenced Cabrera to concurrent terms of 10 years imprisonment on each count. On October 6, 2009, the court amended its judgment to include an order that Cabrera pay a total of $2,300,000 in restitution. To read the entire appeal, click here . 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 IT’S YOUR MONEY: New recycling program in Naples
September 2, 2010 | Posted in
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&cat=19&pid=10003&cache=true " alt="Parents arrested for child neglect; 2-month-old has two leg fractures" class="alignleft" />
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. – Charlotte County Sheriff’s detectives arrested the parents of a 2-month old baby girl for Neglect of a Child after Children’s Hospital doctors said she had two fractured leg injuries. Charged were Charlston Heston Duncan, 26, and Shemayah Nicole Duncan, 24, both of? Port Charlotte. On Aug. 31 detectives said the Duncan’s took the baby to her pediatrician and Mr. Duncan asked the doctor to look at her leg. X-rays were taken and discovered a femur fracture on the girls left leg. The Duncan’s then drove the child to the emergency room at the hospital in St. Petersburg. The Department of Children & Families notified CCSO Major Crimes Unit detectives. The detective’s probable cause report from the doctors said, “After completing full skeletal x-rays to the child it was discovered that the baby’s left femur fracture was calcified and there was also a fracture on the right leg that was of a different age to the one on the left leg. This was a Metapheseal corner fracture and the top part of the bone is missing and this specific type of injury is indicative of an abusive injury.” The Duncan’s were advised to return to Charlotte County. CCSO detectives met with the DCF case agent and then the Duncan’s at their apartment Wednesday. The couple was then taken to the Major Crimes Unit office for further questioning, and arrested. They were both transported to the Charlotte County Jail where they remain without bond this morning. 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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LEE COUNTY, Fla – Lee Housing officials have run out of stimulus money to buy up foreclosed homes for low-income families. The county meeting an 18th month deadline to spend $18 million as part of the Neighborhood Stabilization Project. More than 122 single family homes were bought and the average price of each home is $74,000. The homes have all been renovated and include new a kitchen complete with green appliances. The program is being hailed a success by buyers and the county. Housing officials say they expect to get $5 million in October to continue the program. Related Articles Rabies alert in Charlotte County neighborhood Bonita Springs fire officials file complaints against fire board candidate Robert Sharkey Lions, tigers, bears – and a couple hundred homes? Family blames ‘hero’ for sons near drowning
September 2, 2010 | Posted in
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. – Charlotte County animal control is warning one neighborhood about a rabid raccoon. A local dog attacked it and now officers are worried it could have spread to other animals. The rabies alert will last for 30 days. Related Articles Charlotte County Lien Relief Program begins Charlotte County woman arrested for trying to rip-off undercover out of money for drugs Lee County bust recovers more than $100,000 in marijuana Charlotte County man arrested after swallowing 10 Oxycodone pills
September 1, 2010 | Posted in
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. – There are some properties in Charlotte County with liens up to $50,000 – $60,000. That’s a lot of money that some people just can’t afford. Through the Code Enforcement Lien Relief Program, which kicked off September 1st, there’s a way to have those liens reduced. High grass. Outside storage. Expired permits. These are three reasons Code Enforcement is so busy. “We’ve tried everything we could. the amount of liens we have right now are astronomical,” Licensing and Code Enforcement Manager Erin Mullen-Travis said. Rather than chase owners who aren’t paying fines, the county is giving them a chance to wipe the slate clean: PART A gives property owners the opportunity to reduce the amount of liens assessed on their property as long as they ensure that there are no existing code violations. There is a $100 application/processing fee and the reduced amount must be paid within 30 days of notification of the amount. The reduced amount will be based on the date of application for inclusion in the program. Applications dated between Sept. 1, 2010 and Feb. 28, 2011 that meet all the requirements of the program will see a reduction of 50% or $2,500 – whichever is less. Applicants after this date will receive a reduction of 25% or $5,000 – whichever is less. PART B gives NEW owners of properties purchased through a foreclosure sale, clerk’s sale or other judicially imposed sale the opportunity to obtain a release of lien for any existing encumbrances for Code Enforcement Liens. There is a $150 application/processing fee and again the property in question must be in compliance with all County Codes before the release will be granted. “That’s so they don’t turn the property over to the next guy and then we have to take a case against that new owner,” Mullen-Travis said. There are currently $3.5 million in outstanding liens in Charlotte County. While the county will get some money back, the main goal is to bring these properties up to compliance and get owners to take pride in their properties. “Everybody’s from someplace else and we all need to realize that this is our town and if we want to prosper, we cant have all these violations,” Mullen-Travis said. Carl Collier takes pride in his home. A lien relief for his neighbor, will be a relief for him. “Wonderful idea,” Collier said. “Anything to help clean up some of the neighborhoods and get things going. That would probably be the best thing that happened to Port Charlotte and Charlotte County. Your property must be in compliance and application fees must be paid in full at the time you apply. The money collected will go towards inspections and future abatement programs. For more information, go to:? www.CharlotteCountyFL.com/BCS Related Articles Rabies alert in Charlotte County neighborhood Charlotte County woman arrested for trying to rip-off undercover out of money for drugs Lee County bust recovers more than $100,000 in marijuana Charlotte County man arrested after swallowing 10 Oxycodone pills
September 1, 2010 | Posted in
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&cat=19&pid=9937&cache=true " alt="Charlotte County woman arrested for trying to rip-off undercover out of money for drugs" class="alignleft" />
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. – Charlotte County Sheriff’s Narcotics detectives arrested a woman this afternoon who was “ripping off” people on various occasions, taking their money in pretense to buy drugs for them. Molly Rae Lefebvre, 18, Port Charlotte, would set up deals to buy drugs at the Punta Gorda Walmart. Once she got their money in the parking lot, she would drive off keeping their cash. Detectives learned of the rip-off scheme and an undercover meeting was set up for Lefebvre to get $300 to buy Oxycodone pills. Lefebvre agreed to meet the Narcotics undercover person in the same Walmart parking lot. She arrived in a Toyota Tercel and approached the waiting undercover person who handed her the money to buy the drugs as agreed. Lefebvre took the money and sped out of the parking lot at a high rate of speed only to be followed by several CCSO unmarked units and a marked Traffic Unit. Lefebvre was stopped and detectives recovered the $300 in marked bills in her bra. She was transported to the Charlotte County Jail and charged with felony Grand Theft. This is her 10th booking into the County Jail. Bond was set at $5,000. Related Articles Lee County bust recovers more than $100,000 in marijuana Charlotte County man arrested after swallowing 10 Oxycodone pills Teens caught stealing satellite dish in Charlotte County Lee County foreclosure filings up in August
September 1, 2010 | Posted in
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COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. – A man is dead after his car went off the ramp for Interstate 75 and sandwiched between two pillars. Florida Highway Patrol tells WINK News they are not sure why the man lost control of his El Camino. They are interviewing drivers who witnessed the accident around 10:30 Tuesday night. He was traveling around a bend of the northbound entrance ramp of the Interstate at exit 105. The ramp will be closed until investigators are through at the scene. However, all lanes of traffic on I75 are open. FHP says the man died on scene. Related Articles Only on WINK: Business owner speaks out after employee makes off with $100,000 Lee County underfire for overstepping state gun laws Love triangle between Lee County deputies out of control Rescued, rehabbed sea turtles returning to Gulf from Collier County
September 1, 2010 | Posted in
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LEE COUNTY, Fla. – Sheriff Mike Scott said a love triangle involving two of his male deputies and a female civilian got out of control, leading to a sergeant being fired. Sergeant Christopher Arey is accused of threatening Deputy Steve Coles after learning the two were dating the same woman. Deputy Coles went to his superiors and reported the threat along with admitting to a lunch break lovemaking session with the woman. That, according to the Sheriff, is a violation of policy even though the deputy was technically on his lunch break. Sergeant Ayre will have to look for another job while Corporal Coles faces a two week suspension with a probationary period to follow. Related Articles Republican leaders mend fences in Fla. with Scott Lee County deputies demoted for botching burglary investigation that ended in civilian death Charlotte County deputy recognized for saving lives Sheriff Cameron: Prescription drugs being dolled out like candy
August 31, 2010 | Posted in
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