Early voting is underway in several states throughout the country.

In Southwest Florida, constituents can let their voices be heard in the midterm elections with early voting through Saturday, Nov. 3 in Lee, Collier, DeSoto counties and Sunday, Nov. 4 in Charlotte County. Otherwise, voters can cast their ballots on election day, which is Tuesday, Nov. 6.

For the former, WINK News has gathered the voting locations for SWFL residents.

The following are the Lee County early voting locations:

• The Cape Coral Branch Office (1039 SE 9TH AVE, CAPE CORAL FL 33990);
• The Lee County Library (921 SW 39TH TER, CAPE CORAL FL 33914);
• The Lee County Elections Center (13180 S CLEVELAND AVE, FORT MYERS FL 33907);
• The North Fort Myers Recreation Center (2000 N RECREATION PARK WAY, NORTH FORT MYERS FL 33903);
• The Northwest Regional Library (519 CHIQUITA BLVD N CAPE CORAL FL 33993);
• The Lee County Elections Bonita Springs Branch Office (25987 S TAMIAMI TRAIL #105, BONITA SPRINGS FL 34134);
• The Veterans Park Recreation Center (55 S HOMESTEAD RD, LEHIGH ACRES FL 33936);
• The Estero Recreation Center (9200 CORKSCREW PALMS BLVD, ESTERO FL 33928); and
• The East County Regional Library (881 GUNNERY RD N,  LEHIGH ACRES FL 33971).

Here are the Collier County early voting locations:

• The Marco Island Library (210 S HEATHWOOD DR. MARCO ISLAND FL 34145);
• The Cambier Park Norris Center (755 8TH AVE S. NAPLES FL 34102);
• The Collier County Government Complex (3311 TAMIAMI TRL E. NAPLES FL 34112);
• Everglades City Hall (102 COPELAND AVE. N. EVERGLADES CITY FL 34139);
• The Golden Gate Community Center (4701 GOLDEN GATE PKWY NAPLES FL 34116);
• The Immokalee Community Park (321 N. 1ST ST. IMMOKALEE FL 34142);
• The Library Headquarters (2385 ORANGE BLOSSOM DR. NAPLES FL 34109);
• The North Collier Regional Park (15000 LIVINGSTON RD. NAPLES FL 34109); and
• The Supervisor of Elections Office (3750 ENTERPRISE AVE. NAPLES FL 34104).

Here are the Charlotte County early voting locations:

• The West County Annex: (6868 SAN CASA DR. ENGLEWOOD FL 34224);
• The Mid County Regional Library (2050 FORREST NELSON BLVD. PORT CHARLOTTE FL 33952); and
• The Charlotte County Historic Courthouse (226 TAYLOR ST. PUNTA GORDA FL 33950).

Here is the Desoto County early voting location:

• Supervisor of Elections Office (201 E. OAK ST. ROOM 104 ARCADIA FL 34266).

These counties have various hours of operation for the early voting period. Lee County will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Collier County has operating hours between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Constituents in Charlotte County can vote from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Constituents in Desoto County can vote from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.

Vote-by-mail ballots

If you would prefer that your ballot be hand-delivered, you or someone you choose may return your ballot to any branch office location (not polling place) no later than 3:00 pm on Election Day.

After 3:00 p.m., but no later than 7:00 pm, on Election Day, Vote-by-Mail ballots may only be returned to the Main Office.

You may not return your Vote-by-Mail ballot to your polling place. However, you may surrender your ballot and vote in person.

Amendments

WINK News has also compiled a voting guide covering the 12 Amendments on the Florida election ballot.

There is a desperate search to find teachers across the state. A school district on the east coast plans to come here to recruit in one week.

The Broward County school district will hold a teacher recruiting event in Naples Thursday, Nov. 8.

Which is why Ava Dagon and her mother Taryn Berk said they would hate to see Ava’s third-grade teacher or any teacher from Osceola Elementary School leave the county.

“I would kinda feel sad because all the teachers here are brilliant and very nice,” Dagon said.

Berk said her daughter loves the school and teachers, and she feels for her daughter having to worry about her beloved teachers leaving the school and the county.

“I know Ava loves this school, we’ve loved all of the teachersm” Berk said. “They work with the families; they work with the students. I would be just as sad as Ava to hear that some of the teachers would be moving on.”

Executive Director Jonathan Tuttle with Collier County Education Association said this teacher recruitment problem is not only affecting neighboring counties but the entire state.

“I don’t think it’s a bad tactic,” Tuttle said. “I think Broward County is doing what they can to take care of their kids, and they should. They need to. We all need to.”

WINK News retrieved numbers from the Florida Department of Education, and the average salary for a teacher in the state is around $48,000. In Broward, they’re paying an average of $52,000, while it’s $54,000 in Collier.

Because the cost of living is different, each teacher would have to make the best decision for them and their families.

A parent and students said politics shouldn’t be pushed in the classroom. Inside a band room at a Naples middle school were political posters.

The Collier County school district forced band instructor Kelly Parker to remove political signs from her classroom.

“I don’t think you should be using your platform to encourage just one side,” Isabel Perez said.

Perez said it doesn’t matter what your political views are; teachers should keep it out of the classroom.

“Her opinion is not wrong,” Perez said. “She’s entitled to have an opinion, but I personally wouldn’t want her opinion to be drilled into my kid.”

The school district told WINK News they immediately took the posters down, citing the school board policy on controversial issues.

“It’s good to say what you think,” Robert Richman said. “But when there’s a room full of kids, they’re just kids, so maybe it could sway their opinions.”

Students at Pine Ridge said they know Parker and think she’s very nice, but they think it’s wrong to put politics in what should be a neutral territory.

“It’s for the kids to choose what they want,” Pine Ridge student Brandon Torres said. “And it may persuade their ideas,”

WINK was unable to get ahold of Parker directly but spoke to her husband, who told WINK his wife is extremely patriotic, and she knows what it means to be bi-partisan.

The school board policy on controversial issues said teachers can introduce them if they are relevant to the course. They don’t persuade the students and encourage open mindedness.

Lots of black bears roam the neighborhoods in Golden Gate Estates. One man said a bunch of these animals are his friends, and he’s been feeding them for a long time. Florida Fish and Wildlife said that is a big no.

FWC gave Dave Schwiderson a notice of non-compliance for feeding black bears this month.

“We love the wildlife,” Schwiderson said. “We love to feed them.”

Schwiderson has a special bond with the bears at his home in Golden Gate.

“We know all the bears,” Schwiderson said. ‘We named almost all of them.”

Schwiderson has lived here almost 30 years.

“We don’t just feed the bears,” Schwiderson. “We fed them all year round. There’s always feed for them and water for any of the animals that come on our property.”

Last month, FWC issued a letter to Schwiderson, educating him that his property is attracting bears. They reminded him that people can’t intentionally feed them. The goal is to reduce human-bear conflicts.

“Now we have to chase them off,” Schwiderson said. “We can’t feed them.”

Schwiderson said it makes him sad. He came to the area for wildlife. At the same time, he understands that he must tweak his tradition for safety.

“There’s really nothing you can do about that,” Schwiderson said. “Growth is coming.”

Change is tough, but Schwiderson could receive a $100 fine if caught feeding the bears again.

FWC said to keep bears away from your home. Feed pets indoors. Protect gardens with electrical fencing, and remove fallen fruit from the ground.

Thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts and spectators will take part of the 18th Annul Bikers for Babies Ride on Sunday, Nov. 4.

These motorcycle riders will start at North Collier Regional Park in Naples. They will travel to Seminole Casino Immokalee Hotel.

The event that supports mothers having full-term pregnancies and funds research to address problems that threaten babies, such as premature births. To date, it has raised over $2.2 million.

As of Sunday, the lead fundraiser participant is Michelle Poirier, who has raised $685. The team that has brought in the most donations is Associates & Bruce L. Scheiner with $612.

The opening ceremonies will commence at 10:30 a.m. With “kickstands up,” the ride will begin at 11 a.m.

Registration is $30 per rider and $20 per passenger. The event expects over 1,000 motorcycle riders.

This will be the final year of the March of Dimes Bikers for Babies event in SWFL.

In less than 15 hours, the polls will open for Election Day. More than 5 million Florida voters have already cast their ballots, but the push isn’t over.

WINK News spoke to business owners who are encouraging their employees to head to the polls.

“Not only would I encourage it, I would say that it’s mandatory if you work for me, Melody Bales said.

Bales is the owner of The Lady from Haiti shop on 5th Avenue in Naples. She said she will allow her employees to vote tomorrow during their shifts.

“I think it’s unfair to say that a person has to do it on their own time rather than get a little bit of allocated time from work,” Bales said.

Others said it should be an employee’s right once they start working.

“Just because it’s so many important issues going on right now, especially in Florida,” said Courtney Smith, manager at Tropics Real Estate. “And everyone should be able to go out and decide why they want to do.”

The Florida Department of State said there is no federal law that mandates employers provide their staff time off to cast their ballots, but many states have “time-off-to-vote laws.” States such as Colorado and California allow up to two hours of paid leave, while others such as Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida leave it up to employers.

In Collier County, more than 50 percent of registered voters have already cast their ballot.

If you haven’t voted yet, polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Three Marco Island teenagers hid in a bush to save their lives. They told police, people in a car chased them down and threatened to kill them. Two teenagers were arrested for assault and attempted kidnapping.

Police arrested two teenagers, 14 years old and 16 years old.

The three teens said after a threat was made by one of the teens in the car, the driver turned the car around toward them. Afterward, one teenager left the vehicle and began to chase the three teen victims.

The three teens ran from the teen pursuing them on foot, hiding in bushes and calling 911.

The transcription shared panicked words exchanged during the 911 call, “The kids are back…now.” “You say the kids are back now?” “Yes, they’re back.” “Do you see both vehicles or one?” “One, only one. I need, I need cops asap.”

When police arrived at the scene, they found the teens with the car and arrested them both. Police said the two arrested told officers it was harmless fun and a joke.

“It’s a quiet street,” James Ake said. “I mean I would say only a third of the houses have anybody in them.”

Neighbors WINK News spoke to were in disbelief to hear about this incident. 

“I think it’s horrible I don’t know why somebody would do something like that, and I hope we can get them to a better place,” Stuart Reese said.  

The following is a list of voting locations in Southwest Florida.

Lee County

Collier County

Charlotte County

Hendry County

Desoto County

Glades County

The 12 amendments on the Florida election ballot

For Florida voters, there is considerable pressure to be knowledgeable of the 12 amendments on the Nov. 6 election ballot. But it can be challenging. Some amendments have vague language and others bundle several issues together.

Adding to the complication, this year is different from previous years. The Florida Constitution Revision Commission, which consists of 37-members and meets every 20 years, will add the amendments passed to the Florida Constitution.

For an amendment to pass and be added to the Florida constitution, it has to secure 60 percent of the votes. Here is what voters need to know about the 12 amendments that may affect their wallet and their fellow constituents.

Amendment 1: Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption

Amendment 1 would increase the amount of a home value that is exempt from property taxes. The exemption will be on the portion of assessed home values falling between $100,000 and $125,000. Between the $100,000 and $125,000 is a $25,000 amount of home value that other than school district taxes will be exempt from property taxes.

But the Florida Constitution already provides an exemption, for the first $25,000 of the homes assessed value and for the value between $50,000 to $75,000. A yes vote would raise the property tax exemption by $25,000 for homes worth more than $100,000, exempting the value between $100,000 and $125,000; a no vote and the amount will remain at $50,000.

MORE: A guide to the 2018 midterm elections in Florida

The amount homeowners will save will decrease the amount of funding allocated to essential local services, such as the fire department. The Florida Association of Counties estimates the Homestead Exemption Increase Amendment will take away $750 million in the first year. However, proponents content, if home prices continue to rise, the amendment will pay for itself.

Amendment 2: Limitations on Property Tax Assessments

Amendment 2 would designate a cap of 10 percent on annual non-homestead parcel assessment increases, such as on rental and commercial properties. Otherwise, the cap will expire on Jan 1, 2019. School district taxes are not exempt from the amendment, which was passed in 2008.

Small business owners and renters would be the most affected recipients, should the measure not be passed. For instance, the tax assessment of a $3,500 a month rental apartment in Naples is currently not allowed to increase beyond $350 a year. The restriction is because of the 10 percent cap. The increase would happen even if the market value of the property decreases in value.

Amendment 3: Voter Control of Gambling in Florida

Amendment 3 designates Florida voters the exclusive right to authorize casino gambling within the state. The amendment defines casino gambling: “Any type of games that are typically found in casinos and not horse racing, dog racing or jai alai exhibitions.”

Passage of the Voter Approval of Casino Gambling Initiative will prevent Legislature from passing laws expanding gambling within the state. The voters will have total control. But Florida voters who reside in the northern part of the state, for instance, can grant casinos authority to start business in Fort Myers. It can be potentially problematic, according to opposition.

If Amendment 3 is passed, it would not negate the state-tribe compacts. That means casino gambling agreements on Native American tribal lands will not be impacted. However, opposition to the measure, such as Bill Galvano a Florida state senator representing District 21, said its passage will lead to a “monopoly for the Seminole Tribe.”

Amendment 4: Voting Restoration Amendment

Florida citizens who have felony convictions, following the completion of all terms designated in their sentence including probation or parole, would have their voting rights restored. However, the restoration of voting rights will not apply to convicted murderers or sexual offenders, as that power will still reside with the Governor and Cabinet.

Under current law, former felons can ask the Florida Clemency Board to restore their rights following five years after completion of their sentence. Florida is among the four states within the country that disenfranchise people with a felony conviction. If passed, the Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Initiative will impact 1.5 million Floridians.

Amendment 5: Supermajority Vote Required to Impose, Authorize, or Raise State Taxes or Fees

State legislature can raise most taxes with a simple majority. However, Amendment 5 would require a two-thirds vote of each house of the legislature to impose, authorize or raise state taxes or fees. The amendment designates future bill must contain no other subject. If passed, state taxes and fees otherwise prohibited by the constitution, will not be authorized.

“We should always make it much more difficult to raise taxes than it is to cut them,” Richard Corcoran said, Florida house speaker representing District 37. “This amendment will secure and protect that legacy from future legislatures bent on raising taxes.” Among opposition arguments, they claim the amendment does not contain a provision that allows for tax increases when emergencies strike.

Amendment 6: Rights of Crime Victims; Judges

Amendment 6 creates constitutional rights for victims of crime, such as the right to due process, to be reasonably protected from the accused. Also, it prevents the disclosure of information or records, which can be used to locate or harass the victim or his or her family. The victim would have the right to be heard in public proceedings and to be informed, in various circumstances, of the proceedings of the case.

The amendment is bundled with two other rules. The first would raise the mandatory retirement age of state judges and justices. Rather than the current limit of 70-years-old, the retirement age will increase to 75-years-old. Additionally, Amendment 6 will delete the authorization to complete the judicial term if one-half of the term has been served by retirement age for the government employee.

The second bundle in Amendment 6 would make changes to the state’s law regarding judicial deference. State courts can not place more importance to an administrative agency’s interpretation of a law than, for instance, the defendant’s opinion. Therefore, the judge is obligated to perform an individual analysis of how the law applies to the specific case when interpreting statute.

Amendment 7: First Responder and Military Member Survivor Benefits; Public Colleges and Universities

Amendment 7 combines three different issues. It would designate a death benefit allocated by the employing agency to the family of first responders and military members. The death benefit, which includes some educational expenses post-high-school, applies when these government employees are accidentally killed or unlawfully and intentionally killed.

The second issue that pertains to the amendment is a requirement of a supermajority vote by both state university system board of governors — nine affirmative votes out of 13 members — and university trustees — 12 affirmative votes out of 17 members — to increase a college fee. The step would most likely defer monetary increases on students.

The state college system would be reclassified with the passage of Amendment 7. The amendment establishes the state college system in the Florida constitution, which provides an updated governance structure.

Amendment 9: Prohibits Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling; Prohibits Vaping in Enclosed Indoor Workplaces

Amendment 9 covers two drastically different issues. It would ban offshore oil and gas drilling. The amendment would prohibit drilling for the aim of exploration or extracting natural gas and oil beneath all Florida owned waters, including the Florida Everglades, which covers an area that is between the ocean shoreline and the state’s outermost territorial boundaries.

The second issue that the amendment focuses on is expanding the existing smoking ban within indoor workplaces to include vaping. The vapor generating electronic devices, such as the popular JUULpods, would be prohibited in enclosed indoor workplaces with some exceptions. The exceptions primarily apply to electronic device retailers that sell the products.

Amendment 10: State and Local Government Structure and Operation

Amendment 10 will combine four proposals. First, the Department of Veteran Affairs, with passage of the amendment, will be constitutionally required.

Second, the county charter would not be able to abolish certain local offices, such as a sheriff, a tax collector, a property appraiser, a supervisor of elections or a clerk of the circuit court; and the amendment would permanently require an election for these offices.

The third proposal applies to the annual start date for the legislative session. It would be required to start on the second Tuesday of January, rather than March, in even-numbered years. Lastly, an office of domestic security and counter-terrorism will be created within the department of law enforcement.

Amendment 11: Property Rights; Removal of Obsolete Provision; Criminal Statutes

Amendment 11 bundles three distinct issues. It would repeal a constitutional provision towards persons who are not citizens or nationals of the United States from owning property.

The second issue is a stipulation for high-speed ground transportation systems to no longer be required, effectively repealed. In 2000, 53 percent of Florida voters approved an amendment to provide the development of a high-speed monorail. It would transport citizens from one urban area to another. However, in 2004, the amendment was repealed with 64 percent of the vote. Amendment 11 would remove the text from the state constitution.

Thirdly, a provision would be repealed that forces the state to prosecute suspects of a crime under the law the person was originally charged, regardless if legislature has altered the law since then.

Amendment 12: Lobbying and Abuse of Office by Public Officers

For public officers, Amendment 12 expands current restrictions on lobbying with the intent of earning money for himself or herself. The restrictions apply while in office and six years following, which is a significant increase from the current provisions of two years.

Ethics rules will be expanded for government employees, including judges, and elected officials. The additions to ethics rules under Amendment 12 would place impediments to deter abuse of a public position for personal benefit.

Supporters and opposition argue along the provision of six years from the time in office to becoming a paid lobbyist as a private citizen.  Supporters of Amendment 12 assert, if the six-year time period is too long, maybe “public service” isn’t the person’s best fit. While opposition worries about scaring off top talent because of the new provisions.

Amendment 13: Ends Dog Racing

“The humane treatment of animals is a fundamental value of the people of the State of Florida,” Amendment 13 reads.

The amendment will phase out prohibit pari-mutuel (a form of betting) operations on commercial dog racing, including on greyhounds, by the conclusion of 2020. Wagering on the outcome of live dog races in the State of Florida will also be prohibited. However, the amendment will not have an effect on other gaming activities.

Supports maintain that the amendment will reduce the deplorable conditions it perceives racing dogs tolerate. Opposition to Amendment 13 refute “cruel and inhumane” treatment to Greyhounds. They believe the amendment is government overreach and the animals are born to run.

Three kids say they had to hide in bushes to escape two people who threatened to kill them.

Now the victims are telling their story.

“I started to actually then feel that it was serious so I thought I had to run and get to safety,” said one teenager. “I was just hoping that everyone makes it out okay.”

It was a day that he says he’ll never forget.

He says he was walking with his little brother and a friend near the intersection of Ludlow Road and Newell Terrace in Marco Island when a black BMW pulled up beside him and the teenagers inside of the vehicle began yelling threats.

He says the BMW took off, but then turned back around and the teens continued yelling at the victims, saying they better get into the car before they killed them.

“I was thinking something is definitely up here,” he said. “I started then to feel that it was serious so I thought I had to run and get to safety.”

He says a person inside of the car jumped out and started chasing them.

The three ran and hid in some nearby bushes and called 911. Police were able to track down the driver and the other teen responsible, but the boys’ father says something needs to be done to stop things like this from happening others in the future.

“As I learned some of the details I thought about what if they had gotten in that car,” said Jay Bowerman, the father of two of the victims. “You know, what if they had not taken the step to run like they did and to find shelter. We’re very proud of our boys and we’re glad it’s behind us.”

The two teens in the car are now facing felony charges of attempted kidnapping and assault.

Polls closed at 7 p.m. local time in Southwest Florida and first results are expected to start coming in at 7:15 p.m.. Polls in the Florida Panhandle close at 7 p.m. Central time.

Southwest Florida residents voted to increase property tax in Charlotte County, and sales taxes in Lee and Collier Counties.

“Anytime you say, ‘All right, citizens are going to give up money, out of my pocket, their pocket for something,’ you think it would be a no,” said Naples resident John Neville said.

But in this midterm election, voters challenged Neville’s statement by agreeing to increase their own taxes.

Charlotte and Lee Counties sales tax increase will improve schools. In Collier County, the increase will improve roads and buildings.

“I think people are on board with it because everyone wants to improve out community,” Neville said. “We want to improve where we live. We want to improve how it looks, and that’s one of the things this tax would do.”

A sociologist from Florida Gulf Coast University says the largest demographic in southwest Florida is older, white and conservative, who are generally against raising taxes.

But, he says the ballot language could be the reason the taxes passed.

“They’re very clearly written that there is citizen oversight committees for both of them, there’s a time limit for both of them and individuals can see themselves as benefiting directly from them,” said FGCU sociologist professor Ted Thornhill.

That’s why Naples resident Joe Quartarone says he voted yes.

“I figured if there’s going to be accountability, I think that would be OK,” Quartarone said.

Collier County Commissioner Penny Taylor says she surprised, but pleased the 1 percent sales tax passed.

“We’re known as a non tax county, right? We don’t like taxes and yet when it’s presented in a way that shows there’s a reason, there’s a dedicated source that will go to different issues that are already figured out, it speaks volumes for our voters,” Taylor said.

In Collier County, the next step is to form a public committee to review how the tax money is spent. The county is currently looking to fill seven seats for the public committee.

A teenager who attends Naples High School was arrested after making threats of violence on social media Thursday according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.

The 15-year-old student faces charges of written threats to kill, do bodily injury, or conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism under Florida Statute 836.10, according to CCSO.

This statute was expanded after February’s shooting at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School to include “any person who makes, posts, or transmits a threat in a writing or other record, including an electronic record, to conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism, in any manner that would allow another person to view the threat.”

Police say that if you see something of concern, don’t spread it, but do report it.

Call 911 or the CCSO non-emergency number at (239) 252-9300.

Sunday, Nov. 11 is Veterans Day, and many restaurants in Southwest Florida area are offering deals and discounts to those who have served our country as well as active military.

Take a look at some of the offers below. Keep in mind that some may ask for proof of service, such as a military ID.

*Locations with an asterisk have multiple locations.

Coffee and Doughnuts:

Dunkin’ Donuts: Free doughnut.*

Krispy Kreme: Free doughnut and coffee.*

Starbucks: Free tall coffee for veterans and spouses Sunday and Monday.*

WaWa: Free any size coffee.*

Food:

Applebee’s: Free meal off a select menu.*

BackStreets Sports Bar: Free 12 inch cheese pizza, free drink (915 SE 47th Terrace, Cape Coral)

Buffalo Wild Wings: A free order of small traditional or boneless wings and a side of fries (dine-in only)*

California Pizza Kitchen: Free entree off of a select menu.*

Chili’s: Free meal from a select menu.*

Chipotle Mexican Grill: Buy-one-get-one offer, valid on burritos, bowls, salads and taco orders.*

Ford’s Garage: 20% off an entree.*

Hooters: Free entrée with the purchase of a beverage. Dine-in only, select menu.*

The Lodge: 20% off an entree (2278 First St, Fort Myers)

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt: Free 6-ounce frozen yogurt.*

Mission BBQ: Free sandwich, side and drink (12984 S Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers)

Nevermind Awesome Bar: 50% off burgers (927 Cape Coral Pkwy E, Cape Coral)

Olive Garden: Free meal off of a select menu.*

Rusty’s: $10 ribs, 75 cent wings (Cape Coral, Island Park and Estero)*

Society: 30% off the bill. (13499 Bell Tower Dr E-518, Fort Myers)

Texas Roadhouse: Free lunch 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.*

Red Lobster: A free appetizer or dessert on Nov. 11 and 12.*

Red Robin: Free Red’s Tavern Double burger with Bottomless Steak Fries on Veterans Day, at participating locations.*

The Standard: 10% off everyday for veterans and law enforcement (1520 Broadway, Fort Myers)

TGI Fridays: Free meal up to $12.*

Tijuana Flats: Free Entrée.*

World of Beer: Free select draft beer or $5 off your check.*

Other

Edison and Ford Winter Estates: Free admission + one guest free admission. (2350 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers)

Sponge Spa Car Wash: Free car wash.*

Year after year, brush fires force families to evacuate in Collier County. With the next brush fire season a few months away, Collier County is making sure residents are alerted right away if there is nearby danger.

Kurt Stephens, who runs Gator’s Crossroad in Naples, said he is still making repairs to his building after the past wildfire season and Hurricane Irma.

“We’re finally catching up,” Stephens said. “Insurance really hasn’t helped us too much, and we just have to buck up on our own.”

Brush fires can spark and threaten homes and businesses.

“The fires were right across the street here,” Stephens said. “And that came really, really close, and they actually did some control burns up and down the road.”

With the next fire season on the horizon, county officials are looking to unveil a new emergency notification service called “Alert Collier.” the system can send specific alerts to certain areas in case of an emergency.

“It would help us tremendously,” Stephens said. “And my customers because I can let them know … this is what’s going on.”

The system can send alerts to cellphones and email addresses with specific information on how to stay safe.

Simon Bailey said he is all for it.

“Absolutely, it could be a lifesaver down here,” Bailey said.

County officials will be giving the new system a test run during the holiday season, but it will also come in handy during the next hurricane season.

People living in Collier will nee to opt-in for the service once it is launched.

The service can also provide mass group calls for emergency crews and allow for them to be in the right place at the right time.

“That’ll be helpful very, very helpful,” bailey said.

If you struggle to park on Marco Island as we enter season, a gift might come a little early. The city has established a moratorium on some parking regulations. If it passes, parking enforcement won’t be doling out parking tickets for those rules.

Marco Island’s Parking Solutions Advisory Committee will vote on a temporary solution to the parking problem Tuesday, Nov. 13.

“Sometimes if you drive around two or three, it’s like oh forget it,” Yvonne Garcia said.

We all know the feeling of crowded roads and no parking during season.

“It’s rather difficult because there’s not really a whole heck of lot of spaces to park in,” Garcia said.

Here is some good news. Marco city council is looking to ease congestion and give friends and family places to park overnight.

Normally, you’re not allowed to block a sidewalk or park in a grassy area in a neighborhood. You’d get slapped with a $95 ticket.

Now councilors are suggesting ease of enforcement. This would let people have more parking leniency during season between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. until Jan.7, 2019.

“The island was set up, and it grew big time,” Dennis Albaugh said. “And there is shortage of parking and unfortunately where else do you park?

Neighbors said this is a good fix for now but not a long-term solution.

“I guess they have to go to layered parking,” Albaugh said. “Maybe some ramps in these public areas.”

Eventually the lack of parking could start to affect businesses. After the rough summer due to red tide, people leaving the island because they can’t find parking would add more insult to injury.

“Another knock on the head,” Garcia said.

The advisory committee continues to look for ways to address the bigger picture parking issues.

In Southwest Florida, ballot recounts by machines will begin as early as tomorrow. The Collier County Supervisor of Elections Office and the operations building, where votes will be tabulated for the recount, are separate from each other. WINK News got to look behind the scenes.

Ballots are kept in locked cages on the second floor of the department building and brought down section-by-section. There is another room with more machines in case any of them malfunction, and the building is prepared with a backup generator in case there is a power outage.

Collier County Supervisor of Election Jennifer Edwards said they will have a meeting at 8 a.m. Monday morning to begin logic and accuracy testing, which is to run the machines to make sure they are working properly before they begin the official recount.

“Everything we do is transparent,” Edwards said. “And we encourage the public to come to the 8 a.m. meeting here on Enterprise Avenue and then we’ll be doing after that meeting, we will begin the actual recount.”

Edwards said the recount will continue to be open to the public during the entire process each day 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. until the second unofficial results are due Thursday, Nov. 15.

Sharon Marel-Lawrence wants drivers to pay more attention when they drive near a bus transporting children to school in Collier County.

“People just need to just slow down,” Marel-Lawrence said, clearly frustrated. “You never know what kids are going to do.”‬

That is a message Marel-Lawrence said every driver needs to hear. Marel-Lawrence has kids in elementary school. She is livid with people ignoring the flashing red lights on the school bus.

‪”If you think they’re going to walk in front of your car, then they’re going to walk in front of your car,” Marel-Lawrence said. “I tell my kids that all the time. Always think the worst because it’s going to happen.”‬

*Story continues below graphic

Nearly 40 children have died from vehicles crashing into school buses from 2006 to 2015, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association. These incidents commonly occur between 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Deputies said if a person is caught passing a school bus with the stop sign out, he or she can expect a fine up to $268. The driver will also have to pass a driving improvement class.

To prevent the “worst from happening,” Collier County Sheriff’s Office has deputies patrolling bus stops all month long. They are on the lookout for distracted and impatient drivers.

‪”This morning on the Golden Gate Parkway route we stopped nine violators on maybe two major stops right there on Livingston Road and nine again received citations,” ‪SGT. Terry Smith‬ of the CCSO Safety Traffic Enforcement.

And they are not the only ones. State traffic officials said drivers fly by buses nearly two million times every school year.‬

“We even got people that passed on the right, where the kids get on,” Smith‬ said. “It’s an issue and we randomly do this and we will continue to do this with the Sheriffs department.”

Schools across Florida have beefed up security in the past year: including surveillance cameras, new video door locks and the present of additional law enforcement on campus.

“As of right now, there is not one unlocked door on this campus, until they unlock this front door to let somebody in, “ said Tony Pribble, the district safety specialist and public information officer for Desoto County Public Schools.

The district is the latest in Southwest Florida to install Aiphones, a video phone doorbell system that allows schools to screen people before they come onto campus.

Campuses in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties are also equipped with the same mechanism.

But trespassing incident reports from law enforcement obtained by WINK News, show that it’s not often that trespassing incidents happen in the front office where the added security is in place.

*Don’t see the map? Click HERE to view.

Schools have the ability to issue trespass warnings to anyone making a disturbance or who they feel may be of danger to the health and safety of students. If a person is trespassed and returns, law enforcement can make an arrest.

Reports indicate that schools commonly request arrests of students who had been previously suspended or expelled, who are not supposed to be on school grounds.

At Lorenzo Walker High School a student expelled for making threats against the school showed back up on campus the same day of the Parkland shooting: February 14, 2018.

The student left without incident, but an administrator reported it to law enforcement afterwards and the student was arrested.

“As a district, we choose to utilize our Youth Relations Bureau (YRB) deputies when it relates to school trespass incidents. It is beneficial to have documented reports of such incidents,” said Collier schools spokesperson Jennifer Kupiec in an email.

Reports show that nothing is being taken lightly, either.

For instance, pulling a fire alarm is no longer looked at as a school prank. Cape Police arrested a juvenile who came into Oasis Elementary Charter School and pulled the alarm.

“Things that you used to not have to think about, now you think about more,” said Kimberly Zambito, the principal at Collier Charter Academy.

Zambito has not had any trespass incidents on her campus this year, but said she’s thankful they have a member of the Collier Sheriff’s office on campus as a school resource officer at all times.

In Desoto county, a new partnership with the Arcadia Police Department is allowing officers to patrol all their campuses.

“We have them park their car right in front of the school. 99 times out of 100 that person is not even going to attempt anything if they know there is a law enforcement officer on staff here,” said Pribble.

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas act requires every school in the state to have a sworn school resource officer or guardian on campus.

In Southwest Florida, at least one law enforcement officer is assigned to every campus. At some middle school and high schools, there are two officers.

Neighbors are in shock that someone stole a woman’s bag while she was in the water. People nearby said they could not believe someone would do that.

Collier County Sheriff’s Office reported a few weeks ago two women set their bags down at Barefoot Beach and went into the water. When they came back their bags were gone with nearly $1,000 worth of property in them.

On Friday, deputies arrested Anastasia Baran and Bryan Gomez, both 20 years old. Deputies tracked them down from surveillance video that caught them during a transaction at a pawn shop.

“Just can’t believe people do that to other people,” Kent Hill said. “You know there’s just no call for that.”

Hill knows what it feels like to have thieves steal from you.

“Anytime anybody treats other people terribly like that — I had a house broken into one time — you feel violated,” Hill said.

Larry Lilly was shocked anyone would commit this crime at the beach.

“I got to be candid with you,” Larry Lilly said. “I was very disappointed to hear that because of all the years here I’ve never heard of anyone getting their bag stolen while I was on the beach.”

The police report shows that the two thieves worked together to sell stolen items from the women’s beach bags — two cell phones and a designer bag for $80.

Baran bonded out of jail, and Gomez is still behind bars.

The pawn shop told WINK News they hold things for 30 days before putting them on the shelves and upload everything to a website police can check for stolen items.

“If they’re desperate and they need money and they’re hurting, I don’t know it’s sad,” Brad Snow said. It’s too bad that they had to do that.”

If you are find yourself in a situation where you are part of an active shooter situation, the way you react can make all the difference in whether you make it out of the situation alive.

Collier County Sheriff’s Office wants to make sure you are prepared in an active shooter situation, and they were offering a class for anybody wanting to attend.

The Active Shooter Response for Civilians class took place on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at the South Regional Meeting Room at the South Regional Library.