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&cat=19&pid=8204&cache=true " alt="Feral hogs cause havoc in Treasure Coast community" class="alignleft" />
STUART, Fla. (AP) – Feral hogs are causing havoc in one Treasure Coast community. Residents in the Woodridge community of Stuart say the pigs have been tearing up their yards in search of food. On Tuesday, they dined on the pineapples one homeowner had been growing for a year. The residents believe the wild hogs are coming from a nearby preserve. One homeowner has even paid for large pits to be dug behind the homes. Brush and fruit have been placed inside, but so far the pigs haven’t fallen for the trap. Florida law permits homeowners to trap or shoot feral hogs on their property. They must follow local and state gun laws. Related Articles New flood maps mean more homeowners will have to buy flood insurance Commerce secretary visits Space Coast Community supporting Gateway family mourning loss of son A Lehigh family goes on a wild ride chasing thieves
August 5, 2010 | Posted in
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PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – A Port Charlotte woman is fighting to stay out of jail, after getting a ticket for riding her bicycle without a driver’s license. “One for driving on a suspended and the other is failure to register a motor vehicle, ” said Linda Hofmann.? She admits she’s made mistakes in the past. “Suspended in Arkansas for DUIs.” So for the past two years, to get to work legally without a car, she’s relied on a bicycle, equipped with a small motor for assistance because of a heart condition. “It is a weedeater, a small weedeater,” Hofmann explained. “I’m? 3 1/2 to four miles from work.? I can’t get there, twice a day, there and back…” Last week, a deputy stopped her on the bike. “He said he didn’t see me pedaling, so he pulled me over.” The ticket says she needed to register as a moped, even though the ticket also labels it as a “Huffy bicycle,” and the deputy allowed her to continue riding it after the ticket. WINK News discovered Florida law says it’s not a moped if it can’t reach speeds of 30 miles per hour.? Bicycles are allowed a helper motor, with travel up to 20 miles per hour. We followed Hofmann on the bike and unofficially clocked her top speed around that 20 mark. “I checked into them,” Hofmann said.? “I went into the DMV, they told me it was considered a bicycle.” Now, Hofmann will have to prove her story to a judge next week, but she’s worried her past will get in the way of trying to do the right thing. “I’ve been in trouble.? I could go to prison,” Hofmann said.? “And this is why I’m riding it, so I can avoid being in trouble.” Learn more about Florida’s motor vehicle laws: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch0316/ch0316.htm
July 6, 2010 | Posted in
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Tickets for texting in Florida? Legislature quickly moving bill to banning text By Renee Stoll Story Created: Mar 10, 2010 at 10:55 PM EST Story Updated: Mar 10, 2010 at 10:55 PM EST FLORIDA – Whether you’re typing out a text or just reading one, Florida law makers are moving quickly to pass a bill that will make it illegal, and so far it’s getting the green light. If the bill passes you’re first offense would be a non-moving violation with a $30 fine plus court costs. Second offense in five years and the fine doubles to $60 plus court costs. If you’re texting causes a crash, you’re looking at six points on your license. The goal is to cut down on lane weaving, but the problem may lie in enforcing this bill if it passes. Reading and writing texts would be considered a secondary offense, which means police would need another reason before they could pull you over and write a ticket for the text. The new bill doesn’t have anything against being parked while reading and writing texts. And, there are exceptions. Those would be for police, firefighters and other emergency rescue workers. Plus, anyone using text to report and emergency or crime would be excused. Next article Punta Gorda 9-1-1 Investigation
March 11, 2010 | Posted in
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A Collier commissioner questions a beach going private Commissioners may decide if beach in front of the Moraya Condos remains private By Renee Stoll Story Created: Mar 2, 2010 at 10:33 PM EST Story Updated: Mar 2, 2010 at 11:12 PM EST NAPLES, FL. – A story you first saw on WINK is stirring up a huge debate in Collier County. On Friday we talked to people who were angry a Collier condo complex made the beach in front of their building private. Now, a Collier commissioner wants action, saying that land belongs to the taxpayers. “It would have been nice if we knew this was going to happen and not drop a bombshell on us.” Commissioner Frank Halas says the private beach is news to him. He says the beach behind Moraya Bay has been public since it belonged to the Vanderbilt Inn years ago. “We were all assured it would remain public when the Vanderbilt Inn was sold,” Mary Lou Smart tells me. She is just one of many beach goers upset over the condo’s actions. Halas, who was on the board at the time the property was rezoned for the condos, remembers it the same way. “We were going to have access to the beaches, so now we have a turn of events.” In fact, the county just spent thousands of tourist tax dollars to create a parking lot for the beach access. “We no sooner get this open and now there’s stipulations that we can’t use the beach,” the commissioner says of the lot. The developer for the Moraya Condos issued a statement to WINK, saying what they did is allowed by Florida law. They plan to continue to ask people to leave their private property. Halas has asked the county attorney to look into the condo’s decision, and at next week’s meeting he says commissioners may decide to take action and force the condo to allow people more access to the beach. If the beach does remain private, Halas believes the boundary won’t be at the high tide mark, but much closer to the building. One thing he says is for sure, “if those people want to privatize the beach and they want beach renourishment, they’re going to have to step up to the plate and pay for it.” Whatever commissioners decide at Tuesday’s meeting could set a precedence for the rest of the condos lining the beach. Next article Census forms arriving in the mail this month
March 3, 2010 | Posted in
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A Collier commissioner questions a beach going private Commissioners may decide if beach in front of the Moraya Condos remains private By Renee Stoll Story Created: Mar 2, 2010 at 10:33 PM EST Story Updated: Mar 2, 2010 at 11:12 PM EST NAPLES, FL. – A story you first saw on WINK is stirring up a huge debate in Collier County. On Friday we talked to people who were angry a Collier condo complex made the beach in front of their building private. Now, a Collier commissioner wants action, saying that land belongs to the taxpayers. “It would have been nice if we knew this was going to happen and not drop a bombshell on us.” Commissioner Frank Halas says the private beach is news to him. He says the beach behind Moraya Bay has been public since it belonged to the Vanderbilt Inn years ago. “We were all assured it would remain public when the Vanderbilt Inn was sold,” Mary Lou Smart tells me. She is just one of many beach goers upset over the condo’s actions. Halas, who was on the board at the time the property was rezoned for the condos, remembers it the same way. “We were going to have access to the beaches, so now we have a turn of events.” In fact, the county just spent thousands of tourist tax dollars to create a parking lot for the beach access. “We no sooner get this open and now there’s stipulations that we can’t use the beach,” the commissioner says of the lot. The developer for the Moraya Condos issued a statement to WINK, saying what they did is allowed by Florida law. They plan to continue to ask people to leave their private property. Halas has asked the county attorney to look into the condo’s decision, and at next week’s meeting he says commissioners may decide to take action and force the condo to allow people more access to the beach. If the beach does remain private, Halas believes the boundary won’t be at the high tide mark, but much closer to the building. One thing he says is for sure, “if those people want to privatize the beach and they want beach renourishment, they’re going to have to step up to the plate and pay for it.” Whatever commissioners decide at Tuesday’s meeting could set a precedence for the rest of the condos lining the beach. Next article Census forms arriving in the mail this month
March 3, 2010 | Posted in
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Making Banks pay HOA dues for Foreclosed Homes By WINK News Story Created: Feb 16, 2010 at 3:50 PM EST Story Updated: Feb 16, 2010 at 3:50 PM EST LEE COUNTY, Fla– If your part of a homeowners association the foreclosure crisis could be causing you to shell out more of your own money. Homeowners associations are raising fees to make up the money they have lost from bank owned homes. Right now Florida law only requires banks to pay fees associated with a bank owned home for sick months Peter Schaeffer is heading a grassroots organization to change that. “The banks are getting away with it all and it needs to be stopped right away,” said Schaeffer. The group is trying to drum up support for a Florida Senate Bill that will require banks to pay all the fees associated with a bank owned home until someone buys the property. Gina Down is another homeowner hoping for change. “Why should the banks not have to pay the same fees that the current owners pay. There are the owners of the property,” said Downs. Although homeowners have come out to support the bill, local lawmakers have not. They hope their message reacher legislators. “Step up to the plate and take care of your voters. Don’t take care of the bankers,” said Downs. Wink News talked to lawmakers from Southwest Florida.They say they have not even heard of the proposed bill yet because it hasn’t even gone to committee. Senate Bill 780 is sponsored by Senator Evelyn Lynn out of Daytona Beach. Previous article Women arrested for stealing money from kids basketball team Next article New Orleans feels good, do you?
February 17, 2010 | Posted in
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BUNNELL, Fla. (AP) — A woman was charged with driving under the influence after showing up at the Flagler County jail and demanding a conjugal visit with a specific inmate. The sheriff’s office reports that a 45-year-old woman had a visitation appointment but was turned away because she was late. Also, the jail does not allow conjugal visits. The woman drove away but reportedly returned a short time later. Jail guards called road patrol, because they suspected the woman had been drinking. Deputies found the woman sitting in her car. She reportedly failed a field sobriety test, and a breath test showed her blood-alcohol content was 0.256 percent. Florida law considers a person impaired at 0.08. The woman was charged with DUI and later released on $500 bail. — Information from: Orlando Sentinel, http://www.orlandosentinel.com
February 16, 2010 | Posted in
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Capital Sexual Battery Arrest By WINK News Story Created: Jan 30, 2010 at 2:26 PM EST Story Updated: Jan 30, 2010 at 2:26 PM EST FORT MYERS, Fla.- A Lehigh Acres man is in the Lee County jail accused of capital sexual battery and lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under the age of 12. On Friday, January 29, 2010, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a possible sex crime. The incident was reported to have occurred at a residence in Lehigh Acres. A deputy completed a preliminary report and notified detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Special Victim’s Unit. The investigation began when a third-party child confided with her mother statements made by the Hispanic female victim who is under the age of 12. The mother notified school officials who in turn called an investigator with the Florida Department of Children and Families. The victim was interviewed at the Child Advocacy Center and described incidents that occurred between December 27, 2009 and January 3, 2010 while in the care of the suspect, identified as 65 year old (d.o.b. 12/31/44) Enriques Ferrer of Lehigh Acres. Witness statements were obtained consistent with the statements of the victim. The incidents included the suspect making sexual contact and touching the victim in violation of Florida law. After questioning, the suspect was taken into custody and charged with one count of capital sexual battery and one count of lewd and lascivious molestation (a life felony). He has been booked into the Lee County Jail.
January 30, 2010 | Posted in
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