Restaurant scammed by propane delivery driver Why it’s important to check deliveries By Renee Stoll Story Created: Mar 18, 2010 at 12:26 AM EDT Story Updated: Mar 18, 2010 at 12:26 AM EDT MARCO ISLAND, FL. – A tough economy is forcing thieves to get creative. Deputies say an Amerigas employee in Naples tried stealing pounds of propane from restaurants and selling it back to them on the side for cash. Denis Meurgue has been in the restaurant business for many years. He knows during the busy season he may spend about $500 a month to have Amerigas fill up his tank with propane to keep his kitchen going at Bistro Soleil. So, when he started running out he got a little curious and talked to his supplier. “He asked me if I wanted the next day he would come back, and instead of paying the full price I would pay half price basically,” Meurgue tells me. Meurgue says Amerigas driver Lazaro Albejas offered to sell him gas on the side, but not for the $1.60 Amerigas was charging. Instead, he just wanted to charge a dollar per pound, cash. It dawned on Meurgue that something was up, “Since I was out of gas I said you know what maybe he’s doing a scam on some other people, and me too in the past. And maybe that’s why I was running out of gas!” With Amerigas’ help, Marco Island Police investigated and found out Albejas was actually shorting customers pounds of propane, without them knowing, and then selling it back to them and pocketing the cash. “To rob me and then try and rob me a second time, he shouldn’t have done that,” Meurgue says. This restaurant owner is concerned other businesses could be scammed in the same way and urges them to check their gas gage before and after a supplier leaves. He tells me it’s something he always took for granted, that the delivery driver was giving him what he paid for. Amerigas did not return my call, but tell police they plan to prosecute Albejas. He is being charged with grand theft. Previous article St. Patty’s Day, Bonitian style Next article WINK talks to fire victim rescued by neighbors
March 18, 2010 | Posted in
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NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump isn’t firing “The Celebrity Apprentice,” but he’s bringing back the regular edition of the show with 14 ordinary job-hunters plagued by the economic crisis. NBC and Trump said Wednesday they want to put America back to work with the show, which is expected to air this fall. The original civilian version of “The Apprentice” premiered in 2004, then two years ago was replaced by the “Celebrity Apprentice” format. “But since the economy went down the tubes, people have been saying, ‘Would it be possible to bring back the original?” Trump said. “In a way, it’s more important now than when we first did it.” Trump’s revived “Apprentice” will recruit candidates who have lost their jobs, are stuck with jobs they don’t like just to get by or have finished college with no offers in sight. The only common denominator: “Everybody has to be smart,” Trump said. “They all have to have brain power.” Taping begins this summer. The winner will land a position with one of Trump’s companies, as in the original. But there will be an added twist each week for every candidate who hears Trump’s dreaded words “You’re fired” in the board room. “Instead of just sending them off in a cab, I’m going to sit and talk to them about their future – give them a little advice,” Trump said. The current season of “The Celebrity Apprentice” premiered Sunday and is expected back for another run in spring 2011. — NBC is owned by General Electric. — On the Net: http://www.nbc.com
March 17, 2010 | Posted in
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Lee County to consider cap on “booting” cars By Jeremiah Jacobsen Story Created: Mar 16, 2010 at 10:15 PM EDT Story Updated: Mar 16, 2010 at 10:15 PM EDT LEE COUNTY, Fla. – Lee County could soon follow Collier County’s lead in stopping high fees for “booting” cars. The county attorney’s office says some companies are taking advantage of a loophole in Lee County’s towing laws, charging high fees to remove immobilizing boots from a car. One man who used to apply those boots for a living agrees. “They started me booting, I became very good at it, finding cars that some of the other booters never did see out there,” said Ernest Aviles, who left his job with a security company last month. “I felt very uncomfortable because it became very normal to boot cars that weren’t directly in the rules and regulations to boot cars for,” Aviles said. Aviles says he would be asked to boot cars for breaking rules in private communities, but also for expired license tags, often at a cost of $160 or more to get it removed. “Probably 15, 25, 30 cars a month,” Aviles said. “Every time someone forgets to get their tags renewed.” Next week, Lee County commissioners will consider capping boot-removal fees at $50. Late last year, Collier County set a similar cap at 25 dollars, after receiving complaints about fees topping $200. Aviles says a lower fee is only fair, especially in the economy right now. “I’ve seen people wake up in the morning, they couldn’t take their kids to school, they couldn’t go to work, they didn’t have 160 dollars cash in their pocket to get that boot taken off,” Aviles said. Collier County is considering raising its cap to $75 after some housing communities said security companies stopped enforcing rules altogether at the lower rate. Previous article Suspicious racing boat reported in Robert’s Bay Next article Man arrested for growing marijuana asks public for money
March 17, 2010 | Posted in
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Lee County to consider cap on “booting” cars By Jeremiah Jacobsen Story Created: Mar 16, 2010 at 10:15 PM EDT Story Updated: Mar 16, 2010 at 10:15 PM EDT LEE COUNTY, Fla. – Lee County could soon follow Collier County’s lead in stopping high fees for “booting” cars. The county attorney’s office says some companies are taking advantage of a loophole in Lee County’s towing laws, charging high fees to remove immobilizing boots from a car. One man who used to apply those boots for a living agrees. “They started me booting, I became very good at it, finding cars that some of the other booters never did see out there,” said Ernest Aviles, who left his job with a security company last month. “I felt very uncomfortable because it became very normal to boot cars that weren’t directly in the rules and regulations to boot cars for,” Aviles said. Aviles says he would be asked to boot cars for breaking rules in private communities, but also for expired license tags, often at a cost of $160 or more to get it removed. “Probably 15, 25, 30 cars a month,” Aviles said. “Every time someone forgets to get their tags renewed.” Next week, Lee County commissioners will consider capping boot-removal fees at $50. Late last year, Collier County set a similar cap at 25 dollars, after receiving complaints about fees topping $200. Aviles says a lower fee is only fair, especially in the economy right now. “I’ve seen people wake up in the morning, they couldn’t take their kids to school, they couldn’t go to work, they didn’t have 160 dollars cash in their pocket to get that boot taken off,” Aviles said. Collier County is considering raising its cap to $75 after some housing communities said security companies stopped enforcing rules altogether at the lower rate. Previous article Suspicious racing boat reported in Robert’s Bay Next article Man arrested for growing marijuana asks public for money
March 17, 2010 | Posted in
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“Operation Winter Snow” gets drug dealers off SWFL streets By WINK News Story Created: Mar 11, 2010 at 8:41 AM EST Story Updated: Mar 11, 2010 at 8:41 AM EST Right now officers with Fort Myers Police Department, Cape Coral Police Department, and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office are wrapping up a joint 6-month drug investigation. The operation is dubbed “Operation Winter Snow” and is aimed at getting cocaine and other drugs off the streets of Lee County. A mobile command post is set up along McGregor Boulevard and Victoria in Fort Myers so that officers can quickly arrest alleged drug offenders. As of 8:40 a.m. already 8 people had been arrested. Next article Economy may drive gas prices up
March 11, 2010 | Posted in
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Economy may drive gas prices up By WINK News Story Created: Mar 11, 2010 at 6:35 AM EST Story Updated: Mar 11, 2010 at 6:35 AM EST Americans haven’t see three-dollar gas since before the recession started… but that may change by Memorial Day. Gas prices typically climb as summer approaches and this year’s… no different. Gas rose about a dime over the last two weeks to a national average of two seventy-three a gallon that’s almost 80 cents more than a year ago. And analysts predict the average could hit three dollars a gallon by next month. But it’s the shaky economy that may keep many Americans OFF the road. So is this spring time surge a preview of what’s to come? While some analysts say gas could reach three twenty-five a gallon by July… prices are expected to fall again as summer winds down. Previous article “Operation Winter Snow” gets drug dealers off SWFL streets Next article Foreclosures up in SWFL 31% from last month
March 11, 2010 | Posted in
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NEW YORK (AP) — An estimated 41.3 million people saw “The Hurt Locker” top the popular “Avatar” for best picture in the most-watched Academy Awards telecast since 2005. Oscar viewership was up 14 percent over last year, the Nielsen Co. said Monday, keeping with a trend of bigger audiences for major events on broadcast television a month after the Super Bowl set the mark for most-watched telecast ever. In true film fashion, the Oscars built to a big climax when the Iraqi war thriller “The Hurt Locker” and its director, Kathryn Bigelow, topped “Avatar,” directed by her ex-husband James Cameron. Bigelow was the first woman to win the Oscar for best director. The audience was up from the 36.3 million who saw “Slumdog Millionaire” win best picture last year and 32 million – Oscar’s smallest audience on record – in 2008, Nielsen said. The Oscars had just over 42 million watch in 2005, when “Million Dollar Baby” was the big winner. The Oscar ratings fall in line with bigger audiences for awards shows in recent months. The Golden Globes were up 14 percent over the year before, and the performance-heavy Grammys up 36 percent, Nielsen said. The Emmys, the Tonys and the Miss America pageant all saw higher ratings. Analysts say fewer chances for Americans to gather in front of the television set for communal events may help make these events more popular. With a poor economy, more people are staying home, too. The Internet may also help draw viewers; experts say many people are online while the shows are on, and they comment about them to friends. Ratings for the New York market appeared unaffected by a business dispute between Cablevision and ABC’s parent, Walt Disney Co. ABC had been dropped by Cablevision for its 3.1 million subscribers in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut on Sunday, and the network was not restored until 13 minutes after the Academy Awards telecast began. Still, New York ranked No. 13 among among the 56 biggest media markets in the country, Nielsen said. New York’s overnight rating was 11 percent above the average for all of the big markets.
March 8, 2010 | Posted in
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Human bulletin boom By WINK News Story Created: Mar 7, 2010 at 10:32 PM EST Story Updated: Mar 7, 2010 at 10:32 PM EST Human billboards- They’re providing quick work for many in need of a job. They’re also not regulated by code enforcement. Chris Dodson says when he shakes his sign outside the Papa Johns on Del Prado Boulevard, the cars pile in. He says, “It’s actually a good feeling because I can see them do a U turn and come back.” Human billboards- in just the past few years cape resident Chris George says they’ve become extremely popular. He says, “I mean they have people everywhere holding signs now.” Code enforcement officials it started when the economy went south and it’s not just the restaurants looking for business. Cape resident Pete Locascio says, “Gold, buying gold, restaurants, anything you can think of, pool supplies, everything, it’s pretty crazy with the signs.” That’s because at least when attracting some customers – the billboards work. George says, “Sometimes when you’re not thinking about it going batteries, I need batteries, you know I’ll go and pull in because they have a sign out- but I usually don’t make snap decisions because they have a sign out.” While some businesses are counting on those snap decisions- others are just trying to get noticed. “They’re starving for business so they’ve got to get their business somehow, somewhere.” That’s why you’ll find sign holders like Chris Dodson- by the road day after day. “As the economy gets better, I’m sure these jobs will disappear.” Next article Warmth hits spring break on the beach
March 8, 2010 | Posted in
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Warmth hits spring break on the beach By WINK News By Max Turnier Story Created: Mar 7, 2010 at 8:34 PM EST Story Updated: Mar 7, 2010 at 8:35 PM EST FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. – Spring break is well underway and Sunday’s warmer temperatures were certainly welcome. At mid-day, the line of cars stretched all the way back to San Carlos Boulevard. Hundreds of people crowded around a street magic show In Times Square. Many visitors were glad to get out into warm weather. “We were freezing our butts off, but today is the first day it’s been nice,” said Meka Mutino. Spring break crowds are good for business too. Many we talked to today said things are looking up, despite a tough economy. Next article Hooters run for charity
March 8, 2010 | Posted in
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NEW YORK (AP) — The Academy Awards have a tiresome habit of calling the annual Oscar telecast “Hollywood’s biggest night.” This year the Oscarcast could prove to be a pretty big night for television, too. The economy may be wheezing, but advertising time on ABC’s Academy Awards shindig (Sunday at 8:30 p.m. EST) is sold out, with the price tag reportedly $1.5 million per 30-second spot, up from less than $1 million last year. And even in an era defined by eroding TV viewership, several promising signs – including the David-and-Goliath battle between “Hurt Locker” and “Avatar” – suggest Oscar could regain a measure of its past ratings glory. Last year, the Oscarcast attracted 36.3 million viewers, with dark horse hit “Slumdog Millionaire” crowned best picture. In 2008, the audience, by Oscar standards, was even paltrier – just 32 million, as the not-for-everyone drama “No Country for Old Men” claimed the big prize. But roll back the clock to 1998, when titanic interest surrounding “Titanic” helped bring an all-time-record of more than 55 million viewers to the show. No big surprise – Oscar audiences are larger when a leading contender also happens to be a worldwide box-office phenomenon, and “Titanic” (with its dreamboat leading man, Leonardo DiCaprio) was a doozie. “Titanic” brought the broadcast added suspense too: Would Oscar give its blessing to a hugely overbudget adventure-history-romance with more bombast than artistry that rose from near-disaster to be moviedom’s biggest and arguably most unlikely smash? Everybody knows the answer to that – director James Cameron emerged that night as Oscar’s King of the World. And now, this year, most everybody knows that Cameron is back and has potentially topped himself with the 3-D sci-fi epic “Avatar.” Even better, his ex-wife – the acclaimed director Kathryn Bigelow – is going toe-to-toe with Cameron in both the Best Director and Best Picture categories for her gritty, nowhere-near-big-budget military masterpiece, “The Hurt Locker.” This sort of faceoff has sporting interest at almost every level: art vs. spectacle, realism vs. fantasy, woman vs. man in an industry where no woman has ever won the best director prize, plus dueling ex-spouses. Who could fail to be caught up in that multifaceted bout? Most of the other major awards seem, well, a little predictable, leaving the suspense to the final minutes of the hours-long Oscar extravaganza. But who can quibble, with such nominees as Sandra Bullock, Meryl Streep, George Clooney and other faves guaranteeing the viewer prime star-gazing along the way, win or lose? There’s even more to put a smile on Oscar’s deadpan face. The Academy Awards hope to capitalize on a heartening upswing in recent months for big-event television. The Grammys earlier this year drew 26 million viewers on CBS, up from 19 million in 2009. Ratings for the Golden Globes on NBC were up 14 percent, while the People’s Choice Awards on CBS got a bump of 15 percent. The Super Bowl followed as the most-watched U.S. TV event of all time, drawing 106 million people to CBS. Most recently, the Olympics on NBC have consistently triumphed in the ratings; the opening ceremony drew 32.6 million viewers. It’s possible that TV has turned the tide, at least with the right show, after years of dwindling ratings. Maybe in an uncertain world and a nervous economy, viewers are eager to embrace opportunities to commune electronically. (They certainly flock to Fox’s “American Idol,” which on certain nights beat the gargantuan Olympics, aired head-to-head.) And there’s a new ingredient in the mix. Social media networks, which facilitate swift, real-time response on sites such as Twitter and Facebook, have helped rally large audiences who share in an unfolding TV show through a corresponding, interactive channel. Go figure: the Internet, which some traditionalists warn will kill old-fashioned TV, can, under the right circumstances, supercharge it. And speaking of old-fashioned, the Oscars are boasting some venerable box-office appeal with its co-hosts: Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin (who hosted solo in 2000 and 2002). While neither of them is young or pretty, at their best they are two of the funniest men alive, with Baldwin blossoming in recent seasons on the NBC comedy “30 Rock.” Furthermore, they are bonded by friendly rivalry as the two champs of “Saturday Night Live” hostmanship: Martin currently has logged 15 host appearances, while Baldwin is runner-up with 14. The curiosity factor of seeing these veteran funnymen join forces for one of TV’s most daunting tasks – keeping an inherently bloated awards show both moving and amusing – could prove to be an audience draw all its own. That is, if you can see it. An added dose of intrigue for this year’s Oscarcast has been inflicted on some 3.1 million New York City area Cablevision subscribers. Cablevision is currently squabbling with ABC in a dispute over how much the network is paid by the cable operator. If that fight isn’t resolved pronto, WABC owner Walt Disney Co. has warned it will pull the station off the cable system after midnight Saturday. Even if that happens, life will go on. A loss of as much as 3.1 million viewers is unlikely to make a crucial ratings difference in a flush Oscar year like this one promises to be. And if ABC does go dark on Cablevision, chances are the message will reach deprived New Yorkers. After all, there’s always radio, texting and Twitter. — ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Co. — On the Net: http://www.abc.com
March 5, 2010 | Posted in
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