As the holidays approach, some families worry about providing gifts to their kids and family members. The Salvation Army in Naples, is doing their part to make sure no family in need goes without.

6,000 kids will be receiving gifts this year in Collier County thanks to the Salvation Army, and this isn’t something that just happened over night, or even in the past month.

The process to collect gifts began back in February, and they setup their toy shop in October.

When families come in to the shop, they say how many kids they have, then they are vetted to make sure they are in financial need.

After that they five the Salvation Army a list of what their kids want for Christmas, and volunteers say seeing the kids faces, make it all worth while.

“It just offers a little bit of hope. We understand that a gift isn’t going to solve all the world’s problems, but we do understand that it can bring joy and hope to a family on Christmas,” said Captain Annie Bridges.

The final day to drop off donation is Friday, Dec. 14, and if you do want to drop off any items, gifts for kids aged 10-12 are the most needed.

Distribution of the gifts begins Dec. 17-19.

For the first time since Naples Community Hospital told you that only their doctors can care for you in their new hospital, we are hearing from the man behind the controversial policy.

MORE: NCH patients not happy with new program limiting choices of physicians

Allen Weiss is the president and CEO of NCH and he says his new patient-physician program had good results during pilot tests this summer.

“Patients benefit tremendously by decreasing their chances of having a complication while there in the hospital, so when they spend one day less in the hospital they don’t fall out of bed that last day, they don’t get a pressure sore,” he said. “So helping them get better faster and well and not come back to the hospital is the big benefit and that’s our overall goal.”

The policy allows only NCH “hospitalists” to admit patients, give medical orders or add notes to the patient’s records. One of the concerns some perople in the community have is that they’d have to leave their primary care doctor at the door.

“We’re not shutting out independent doctors were inviting them to come in,” Weiss said. “We want them to come in and work with the hospitalists directly, so I think the idea of getting people working together, partnering, collaborating with the patients interest as the common goal will help everybody.”

Just last week, former board of trustee members told WINK News they feel that Weiss created the new policy for money. We asked Weiss about this claim.

“I’ve gotten mixed reviews, everything from ‘stay the course’ to ‘we’re very concerned and upset,’ but I think as we share this message that we’re getting better care for everyone,” Weiss said. “Everyone will benefit and I think folks when they keep an open mind and see what’s actually happening and look at the objective measures I think we’re going to see that people in this community will get over this communication misunderstanding.”

The hospital says this new policy will reduce length of stay as well as related complications.

Jason Shook has battled cancer and seizures much of his life.

“Commissioners need to understand that a lot of people are in the same situations medical issues that need dispensaries,” Jason said.

Those seizures have prevented Shook from doing every day activities, such as having a conversation with a friend. But his mother, Lee Shook, said medical marijuana changed his life.

“The fact that his cognitive levels were increased greatly his sense of well-being his ability to get those thoughts out and have those conversations,” Lee said, “and to begin enjoy life again.”

At the Collier County Board of Commissioners meeting on Thursday afternoon, they once again debated this issue. Shockingly to Jason, the commissioners voted against the dispensaries, failing to get the super majority needed.

Commissioner Penny Taylor, who is chairman, was among the votes against the measure.

“Until we have the ability to determine where these dispensaries should go,” Taylor said, “I’m going to have to stay with my original vo which is no.”

Jason was convinced Taylor, who represents District 4, would vote ‘yes.’ He arrived at the conclusion because she has previously said she will uphold the Florida constitution, which allows dispensaries.

“Say they’re going to uphold the People’s right,” Jason said, “and it’s very clear that they’re not.”

At the end of the day, Jason said he will continue to fight for what he believes in.

“Believe that it’s probably inevitable and I don’t think it will be up to them anymore,” Jason said.

More than two-years after constituents voted to allow medical marijuana in Florida — it is still not going to happen in Collier County. On Tuesday, the Collier County Board of Commissioners decided against the measure by a vote of three to two.

“For now, it’s been fairly evident that dispensaries aren’t coming,” William McDaniel said, a commissioner in Collier County representing District 5.

“The state has tied our hands,” Penny Taylor said, a commissioner in Collier County representing District 4. “We cannot decide where we’re going to put these dispensaries.”

Taylor voted the dispensaries down as she said, it is an issue of local control.

“At this point, if the laws not changed no there’s no chance,” Taylor said.

McDaniel voted in support of the dispensaries. But he said, putting the choice in the Board of Commissioners hands, actually makes the measure more difficult to implement.

“I think the legislature put me in a comprising position,” McDaniel said. “I choose to uphold the constitution of the United States and the state of Florida.”

“A little defeated,” Nick Garulay, founder and CEO of My Florida Green, said about the commissioner decision. “A little disappointed.. but life goes on, onward and upward.”

Garulay leads a medical marijuana advocacy group. It helps patients obtain certification for medical marijuana. He said, they will keep on fighting.

“We’re going to facilitate orders for patients,” Garulay said. “The state does allow delivery for the patient. They can pick it up anywhere, which gives it a little bit of a loop hole.”

But commissioners said, it is up to the state.

“What is next,” Taylor said, “we’ll stay tuned to the state of Florida.”

Wednesday morning, Collier County Sheriff’s Office responded to an armed robbery at the post office in Immokalee.

Deputies say that 4 men walked into the post office at 810 North 15^th Street, wearing masks and armed with guns, before making off with an unknown amount of cash.

The U. S. Postal Inspection Service is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects responsible for the robbery.

If you have any information about this incident, please contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455 and ask for Inspector Mark Cavic.

No further details have been released at this time.

While you probably won’t see snow in Southwest Florida, there’s no shortage of holiday events to get you in the spirit. Whether you want to take your kids for a snapshot with Santa or see lights along the water, we’ve picked out the best Southwest Florida has to offer this year!

See the Lights

Holiday Lights at Edison Ford Winter Estates

“Thousands of lights and hundreds of historic decorations,” at this Southwest Florida favorite in downtown Fort Myers. You can get tickets to for the event which runs 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. until December 23 and then picks up again December 26-30.  There is live music, food and beverages, Santa visits, crafts, “Inside the Homes” tours, and more. 2350 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, Fla. 33901. Ticket info HERE.

Holiday Nights at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium

Dec. 7-9 and Dec. 14-16, you can visit the Calusa Nature Center for a decorated nature trail, adorned with twinkling holiday lights, photos with Santa from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., winter crafts, refreshments, and s’mores around a toasty campfire. Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium 3450 Ortiz Avenue, Fort Myers, Fla. 33905. Ticket info HERE. 

Night Lights in the Garden at the Naples Botanical Garden

The Naples Botanical Garden is decked out in lights for the holidays. On select nights, your stroll will include making a wish on a ‘Wishing Tree’ and special holiday performances by Opera Naples and Naples Ballet. Dec.7 -23, Dec. 26-30, & Jan. 1-3, 2019
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 4820 Bayshore Drive Naples, Fla. 34112. Ticket info HERE. 

Festival of Lights at Fisherman’s Village

Take a walk through holiday-themed Christmas decorations and lights throughout Fishermen’s Village mall, resort and marina  Sundays, Wednesdays and Saturdays until Dec. 30. Fishermen’s Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, FL. More info HERE.

Naples Christmas Parade – 5th Avenue South 

The parade runs from 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. Dec. 11. The Naples Christmas Parade will line up on Broad Ave. The floats will turn right onto Third St. South, then right on 5th Ave. South, and end on 8th St. South, Naples. More info HERE.

Holiday on the Bay at the Venetian Village

Head on down to the Venetian Village for artificial snow, lots of lights and photos with Santa. 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 22, and 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Dec. 23 and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Dec. 24. The Village on Venetian Bay, 4200 Gulfshore Blvd. N., Naples. More info HERE. 

Visit Santa!

Seashells and Santa at Delnor-Wiggins Pass 

Seashells and Santa is a fun and free ticketed event for kids to bring a new unwrapped toy, game, or book for kids in Southwest Florida. Kids can participate in crafts, snacks, and pictures with Santa on the beach. Gifts will be donated to a local charity to be delivered as Christmas presents. Bring your own camera for photos. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park 11135 Gulfshore Dr. Naples Fla. 34108. More info HERE. 

Winter Fest at the Naples Zoo

Zoo guests can meet Santa and one of his elves on Dec. 16 and 17. Meet and greet times will be 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Guests will see animals enjoying holiday-related delicacies with a wild twist. 1590 Goodlette-Frank Rd, Naples, Fla., 34102. More info HERE. 

Santa’s Wonderland in Fort Myers 

This free Christmas event is held at Bass Pro Shops and Fort Myers area families are invited to enjoy their Christmas village with free 4×6 studio-quality photos with Santa and free family holiday activities including fun crafts and games. 10040 Gulf Center Dr. , Fort Myers, Fla. 33913. More info HERE.

Santa at the Shell Factory Holiday House

The Holiday House is open Dec. 11 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Dec. 19, 20 and 23 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers. More info HERE.

Photos with Santa at the Miromar Outlets

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for photos through Dec. 23. 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday. Miromar Outlets, Suite 182, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. More info HERE.

‘Santa Paws’

Get your pup ready for pictures with Santa. You might even find a friend to bring home with adoptable pets from the Humane Society of Naples. 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Village Shops on Venetian Bay, 4200 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples. More info HERE. 

Santa at Zoomers

Santa is making a stop at Zoomers in Fort Myers Dec. 15 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., kids of all ages can get their picture taken with Santa for free. A digital version of the photo will be supplied for attendees to enjoy. 2450 Estero Blvd. Fort Myers Beach 33931, Fla. More info HERE. 

Winter Wonderland at Cape Assembly 

Get in the Christmas Spirit! Come experience a Winter Wonderland and go sledding, play in real snow, take a pic at the family photo booth, meet Santa, Olaf & Elsa! Dec. 16 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Cape Assembly 717 Skyline Blvd Cape Coral, Fla. 33991. More info HERE. 

Santa in the Swamp

Santa and one of his elves are making a special stop at the Babcock Ranch Preserve to visit with our guests and pose for photos! Tours will also be running every half hour between 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and the Gator Shack will be open as well. Make a day of it!! Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 15 and 16, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm each day. Babcock Ranch Eco Tours, 8000 S.R. 31, Punta Gorda, Fla. More info HERE. 

Shows and Concerts

Tuba Christmas

More than 70 musicians ranging in age from 11 to 80 ring in the season on tubas, euphoniums at this annual concert. Dec. 14 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. bring a chair, and your best singing voice and come down to the Sugden Plaza. 701 Fifth Avenue South Naples, Fla. 34102. More info HERE. 

Jane Lynch A Swingin’ Little Christmas
See stars Jane Lynch, Kate Flannery, Tim Davis and The Tony Guerrero Quintet sing from their holiday album, A Swingin’ Little Christmas. Dec. 13, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Southwest Florida Event Center 11515 Bonita Beach Road SE, Bonita Springs, Fla. 34135. Ticket info HERE. 

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)

It’s the holidays! Time for the classics Rudolph, Frosty, Ebenezer Scrooge, the Nutcracker and many more! But maybe not the way we’re accustomed to hearing them. In what can best be called a holiday mash-up, actors with the Laboratory Theater in Fort Myers take beloved stories and traditions from around the world and turn them upside-down and sideways! 1634 Woodford Ave, Fort Myers, Fla. 33901. Ticket info HERE. 

Kenny G., Chris Isaac and more at the Barbara B. Mann 

Kenny G., Chris Issac and Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker all have holiday performances scheduled for December at the Barbara B. Mann Peforming Arts Center. Ticket information HERE. 

Philharmonic Holiday Pops

The Naples Philharmonic are bringing their holiday show to the Artis-Naples Dec. 13-16. 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. Ticket information HERE.

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra “Sounds of the Season”

The Symphony will be performing holiday favorites Dec. 16 at the Charlotte Performing Arts Center 701 Carmalita Street, Punta Gorda, Fla.  33950. Ticket information HERE.

On the Water

Cape Coral Holiday Boat Parade

Dec. 15 from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Four Freedoms Park on Cape Coral Pkwy. Bring your own chair and swing by for food, Christmas music, and a visit from Santa Claus along with the boat parade. More info HERE. 

Punta Gorda Boat Parade

The Punta Gorda lighted boat parade is Dec. 22 starting at 6:00 p.m. See parade route map for viewing locations. More info HERE. 

Adventure in Paradise Santa Cruise

Cruise through Pine Island Sound and San Carlos Bay and discover Santa’s secret island hideout! Spend some time with Santa on his island outpost where there will be opportunities for photos. The cruise departs from Port Sanibel Marina. Dec. 24, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. More info HERE.

Holiday Lights Cape Coral Cruises

See lights along Cape Coral’s canals Dec. 13, 14 and 20 starting at 6:30 p.m. Yacht Club Community Park, 5819 Driftwood Parkway, Cape Coral. More info HERE. 

King Fisher Fleet Lighted Canal Cruises Fishermen’s Village

King Fisher Fleet Lighted Canal Cruises offer a waterfront tour of beautifully decorated homes in Punta Gorda Isles. Dec. 1 through Dec. 31 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Fishermen’s Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, Fla. More info HERE.

Matlacha Holiday Boat Parade

Watch the Matlacha Holiday Boat Parade Dec. 15, at Hooked Island Grill. Limited seating is available and seats are first come first serve. Parade starts just after dusk.  4200 Pine Island Road NW, Matlacha, Florida 33993. More info HERE. 

Christmas Eve Service at Lighthouse Beach

Bring a beach chair and find your spot in the sand to attend this annual island tradition. Held every year since 1979, the service is a Lesson in Carols that can be enjoyed by all ages. The service is led by Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ Pastor John Danner. Dec. 24 at dusk. Sanibel Island. More info HERE. 

Creeping through the hallway and flooding this classroom, all to surprise Jody McCarty.

McCarty is one of the five STEM teachers in Collier County, who got the surprise visit from Linda Sapakie, a local woman and her husband looking to give back.

“I know teacher don’t make a lot, I know they spend their own money in the classroom,” Sapakie said. “I think that every little bit we donate helps them out.”

The $2,000 helps McCarty with a very special project. Hurricane Irma made landfall on Marco Island in 2017. McCarty said, a lot of her students were impacted by it.

“Kids are going to brainstorm and put together some ideas of maybe an innovative structural change or improvement that they could make to help our building withstand hurricanes or floods,” McCarty said.

The 5th graders plan to use a 3D printer from the grant money to make prototypes of their ideas. Then, they will test them in a weather simulator.

“This is taking a very very traumatic, difficult, difficult experience last year with the hurricane and trying to help them process it and use their experience in a positive way,” Jody said.

An experience McCarty said, she would not have been able to do without the grant.

The hunt is on for four men who held three Immokalee U.S. Post Office employees at gunpoint and fled with cash Wednesday morning.

“I’m amazed,” Wesley Bird said, who lives in Immokalee. “Me living around here like I don’t like dang… four people come in armed? That’s kinda crazy.”

Wesley Bird lives next door to the Post Office. He is on edge that the suspects are still on the run.

“That’s the only thing I’m worried about,” Bird said. “That’s wild.”

Agents with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service were in Immokalee on Thursday. They have been going door to door, passing out flyers as they ask the community to come forward with any information.

“That may be the key then that may help us break this investigation and bring these folks to justice,” Ivan Ramirez said, of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

New 911 emergency calls, which were released from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, paint a scary scene from the three postal employees who were inside.

“They were all wearing masks,” the 911 caller said. “They had us lay on the floor and open our safe and give them the money.”

Federal Investigators said information from the public is critical. It is imperative in this instance as the robbers entered the Post Office through the back door, possibly staying out of sight from any cameras.

David Marshall believes his personal rights are being taken away.

“We’re going to fight for this cause,” Marshall said.

Marshall and his neighbors living on Crayton Road, said these signs, which oppose NCH’s proposed new patient physician policy, are getting a lot of attention.

“When the fellas put these signs up yesterday people were honking, waving,” Marshall said. “I’ve had bikes come by waving, thumbs up. There’s a huge support in this community for this cause.”

MORE: NCH CEO responds to concerns from the community about controversial pilot program

These signs are the latest message from people opposing the proposed policy, requiring patients to receive treatment from doctors employed by NCH, if they are admitted to the hospital. Currently, the program is in a pilot phase on certain floors of the hospitals.

NCH said in a statement, “NCH’s hospitalist pilot program is a pilot taking place across three units of NCH’s hospital. Patients can – and do – choose to be admitted and cared for by their primary care physician to a non-pilot floor at either of its hospitals.”

But today, WINK News also confirmed a group of physicians and patients hired an attorney who sent the hospital CEO a letter, which gives them 10 days to respond before they launch legal action.

Dr. Ronald Garry, from Naples Premier Concierge, said his focus is patient rights. He had this response to critics who said the independent doctors are just as concerned with their bottom line as the hospital.

“We want to go to the hospital because we want to take care of our patients,” Dr. Garry said. “Our patients want us in the hospital and if the NCH policy goes through, I actually get a better quality of life. But it’s the wrong thing to do. We want to be there for our patients.”

NCH said it saw an improvement in patient care and hospital stays during a pilot program launched in a limited number of units. The attorneys, who sent the letter to the board, are expecting a response by Dec. 17.

Five email threats were received in Collier County including, one off Pelican Bay Boulevard, one at a restaurant at in Mercato, one in Immokalee at FSU College of Medicine, one at a building off 9th Avenue North and the one at Bayfront Inn hotel.

A bomb threat emailed to Bayfront Inn in Naples Thursday when compared to other emailed threats showed many of the threats have a different chemical name written next to the word bomb and came from different email addresses.

“I printed it out, looked at it, and it was the threat of a hydrogen bomb that was planted somewhere on the premises and a demand of 20,000 Bitcoins,” said Jeffrey Porrecha of Bayfront Inn.

Porrecha was working at the hotel on 5th Avenue in Naples when he received an emailed bomb threat in their marina inbox. It demanded they transfer Bitcoin currency by the end of the day. According to the letter, “If the working day is over and people start leaving, the building explosive will detonate.” This did not happen fortunately to everyone at the hotel or in proximity.

“To be honest, in today’s society, I think we’re almost desensitized to email threats like that,” Porrrecha said.

Hundreds of blackmailing bomb threats caused chaos around the country Thursday. At least a dozen random businesses in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties received threats.

“We just have to find out who is doing this because it’s not funny,” Mily Cancio said.

Cancio saw deputies go up the fourth floor of her building.

“Sometimes a not so real that can become a real threat maybe this is just a warning,” Cancio said.

Law enforcement said all of the emailed threats, local and national, are hoaxes, scammer trying to make money.

“We grew up really in the best of times,” Carolyn Haynes said. “But today in fact we may end our lives in very difficult times I think.”

Haynes believes people valued life much more previously.

“Morality was a much higher priority than it is today,” Haynes said.

Collier County Sheriff’s Office checked all grade schools and said none of the emailed bomb threats were received.

The Blair Foundation was created in memory of long-time Naples residents and philanthropists, John and Dorothy Blair. The Blair family and the Blair Foundation have provided meaningful gifts to communities and organizations that serve to enhance the quality of life for residents of Southwest Florida.

Concerned with the amount of damage Hurricane Irma inflicted upon the City’s stately trees, the Blair Foundation trustees donated $500,000 to help reforest the City and have their gift serve as a catalyst for additional donations dedicated to planting trees in the City.

The Blair Foundation’s donation is provided in the form of a challenge or matching grant and can only be realized if other community members and organizations donate funds to plant trees in the City of Naples too!

Naples needs trees and you can help by donating the cost of a tree or multiple trees to the City of Naples, your tax-deductible gift will leverage a dollar-for-dollar match from the Blair Foundation Tree Challenge. Your gift will be used to plant trees within public spaces along your neighborhood street, along main roadways or in City parks. City staff will work with residents to plant the right tree in the right place.

Help Reforest Naples by Donating to the Tree Challenge!
The Blair Foundation has generously granted the City three years to raise $500,000 that will be used to match their gift of $500,000. That means, $1,000,000 of trees can be planted in Naples!

The cost per tree ranges between $800 and $5,000 depending upon the species and size of the tree. This cost includes one year of maintenance by the contractor and a one-year warranty. Contact the Naples Community Services Department for more information. Trees will be planted twice per year; winter and late spring. Planting locations and tree species must be approved by the City Arborist.

For More Information Please Contact: The Community Services Department 239-213-7120

The Need for Trees – The City of Naples has long been known as the “Green Jewel” of southwest Florida. The City has also received the “Tree City USA” designation by the National Arbor Day Foundation – for 21 years! The lush canopy trees and tropical palms that grace Naples’ streets and parks are important to residents and the quality of life in our community.

City of Naples Funding – Yes. The City of Naples provides annual funding for tree replacement. For the past two fiscal years, the Naples City Council has provided $300,000 per year for tree planting. Following Hurricane Irma, the City is focused on replanting main roadways first.

Make a Donation – You, your business, your civic organization, your HOA, or your neighborhood association, are all eligible to make tax-deductible donations to help reforest Naples.

Donations to the city will leverage a dollar-for-dollar match from the blair foundation tree challenge.

Individuals – You may donate the cost to replace the tree in front of your home or on your street. This will fund another tree in a park or in one of Naples neighborhoods!

Businesses and Civic Associations – Make a donation that leverages funds from the Blair Foundation Tree Challenge to keep Naples “Green” for generations.

HOA’s and Neighborhood Associations – The Blair Foundation Tree Challenge provides your association the opportunity to solicit member donations and double the tree planting in your neighborhood. These donations, either large or small, can be combined to have a greater impact in your Naples neighborhood.

Benefits – The benefits of planting trees in Naples are numerous. Here are a few!

Trees increase property value
Trees clean the air
Trees cool the City
Trees provide shade
Trees support nature
City staff will work with donors to identify tree planting locations that will benefit Naples. Sorry, no plaques will be installed.

On September 10, 2017, Hurricane Irma made landfall just south of the City of Naples. The storm caused considerable damage to the Naples area and 1,929 City trees were either destroyed or damaged to the extent that they were removed.

Before the storm, there were approximately 2,000 vacant tree locations in the City. This means there are now 4,000 trees that need to be replanted in Naples.

Bears, panthers and deer, oh my!

Video from Collier County released by Florida Department of Transportation shows animals using wildlife crossings to safely make it across the road.

FDOT asks drivers to share the road with wildlife.

Conservancy of Southwest Florida in Naples said it treated 90 shorebirds, and only seven survived.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commision is blaming red tide Friday.

The latest tests show good new for red tide. The conservancy said it is still getting all kinds of sick birds from Marco Island up to Bonita Beach.

“A lot of them are coming up with either wing problems, or they’re not breathing right,” Lucky Wheatley said. “And most of them have lost lungs and stuff.”

Wheatley said there is only one way to describe he has seen lately.

“It’s a bird-pocalypse,” Wheatley said.

A neighbor on Marco Island sent pictures to WINK News of dead birds seen Friday morning.

FWC released preliminary results for effects red tide is having on shorebirds. It evaluated five tern species and a species of shorebird that was taken in from a Marco resident’s beach.

“It seems like the state really needs to get a handle on the cause of red tide,” Tom Dougherty said.

Tom and Lynn Dougherty are worried what this means for not only Marco but all of Southwest Florida.

FWC encourages the public to report observations of dead birds to the Wild Bird Mortality reporting page.

After a daring pursuit, where the arresting deputy stated the driver was “a great risk of serious bodily injury or death” to the public, a Fort Myers man has been arrested.

Luis Jose Lopez, 42, faces charges for Flee/Elude With Disregard for the Safety of Persons or Property, Aggravated Assault on LEO, DUI 1st Offense, DUI Property Damage, and Resisting Arrest Without Violence.

On Thursday, a Collier County Sheriff’s Office Deputy responded to a call in regards to a wrong-way driver on Interstate 75. The black Land Rover SUV was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes.

The Deputy approached Lopez at mile marker 99. Lopez made a U-turn, then moving eastbound on the eastbound lanes, traveling at speeds of 20 mph to 25 mph. Lopez was seen straddling the right lane line and the right break down lane. He did not stop as the Deputy drove to his side.

The Deputy pulled ahead of the vehicle, which maneuvered Lopez to stop on the side of the road. The Deputy walked towards the door. When asked how he was doing, Lopez responded, “not good,” per the press release.

Upon command, Lopez put the vehicle in park but did not hand the Deputy his keys. Moments later, Lopez shifted the vehicle into drive as he accelerated rapidly.

The Deputy returned to his vehicle to continue the pursuit of Lopez on I-75.

At this point, Lopez was driving erratically between 40 mph and 50 mph. At times, Lopez would slow down to 10 mph to 12 mph, then proceed to speed up again. The Deputy made the decision that Lopez was “a danger to the public and needed to be stopped as quickly and effectively as possible,” per the press release.

After a failed maneuver to stop the vehicle, Lopez once again made a U-turn in the direction of westbound on the westbound lanes. During the pursuit, Lopez nearly hit other vehicles. A second Deputy maneuvered to stop the vehicle, which once again failed, leading Lopez to make another U-turn on I-75.

The Deputy now believed Lopez was “a great risk of serious bodily injury or death to the general motoring public,” according to the CCSO press release. The Deputy accelerated swiftly. Lopez attempted a U-turn. Despite spinning out of control for moments, Lopez regained control and proceeded the wrong way on I-75.

As the Deputy came to Lopez’s vehicle, he struck the right rear portion, which made Lopez spin. Lopez accelerated and drove back over to the westbound lanes of travel moving westbound. But Lopez would soon lose control of the vehicle, coming to rest on a guardrail barrier with the front wheel straddling it.

His vehicle was stuck despite Lopez’s best attempts to accelerate. He soon crawled out of the vehicle. When Lopez did not respond to verbal commands, a Deputy tasered him but Lopez still tried to resist as he was arrested.

Between his arrest and the arrival of emergency services, Lopez continued his unusual mannerisms, screaming at times and asserting the Deputies were construction workers trying to “get him,” per the press release.

A man was fatally shot on the 300 block of South 2nd St. in Immokalee Sunday morning.

Cornelius Timms, 35, was shot around 3 a.m. and taken to Lee Memorial Hospital. Timms later died at the hospital Monday.

Collier County Sheriff’s Office has released little information into the shooting.

Trust WINK News to provide the latest updates.

A Naples attorney was arrested on Thursday. He was found passed out in his vehicle in the middle lane of a roadway. When the Deputy woke him up, he accelerated and barreled his SUV into a police vehicle.

Mark Edward Adamczyk, 40, faces charges of DUI 1st Offense and DUI Property Damage.

Adamczyk was stopped with his Chevrolet Tahoe still in gear-to-drive on Livingston Rd. near Pine Ridge Rd.

He was asleep at the wheel.

An arriving Deputy parked a police vehicle in front of Adamczyk’s Tahoe while the other Deputy stood at the driver door, observing Adamczyk passed out at the wheel.

Next to Adamczyk was a female passenger also passed out. The music was blasting from the vehicle, according to the CCSO press release, making it difficult to wake up the pair from their slumber.

Upon knocking his flashlight on the window of the Tahoe, Adamczyk woke up. He immediately took his foot off the brake, and according to Deputies, “hit the accelerator.” The SUV traveled forward, propelling into the patrol vehicle parked in front of him.

The Deputy then walked towards the driver, where he collected identifying information. He soon directed Adamczyk to complete exercises as part of a criminal investigation. The result of these exercises lead the Deputy to arrest Adamczyk.

You’ve seen them. They’re hard not to notice — giant steal pipes stick out across beaches in Naples. They dump stormwater from the drain right where people swim, but that may change.

The City of Naples plans to get to get rid of these utility pipes with a new stormwater project hopeful for 2020.

“The whole point of this project to help improve the flooding situation and doing our best possible job to clean up the stormwater before it gets discharged into the Gulf and changing where the discharge occurs where people are swimming,” said Greg Strakal, Naples Streets and Stormwater Department director.

This plan would eliminate the eyesores for frequent beachgoers.

“They’re pretty unsightly actually, especially when the tides out,” John Manion said.

The pipes can often be spotted on Naples Beach multiple times a week.

“I like to sit at the beach and read and just enjoy the sunshine and listen to the waves, the music the waves make,” Manion said.

When Manion goes for long walks, he’s bound to see more than one set of pipes. There are six sections in about a mile span, but they do serve a purpose.

“I guess it would be nice if they removed them, but I think it’s probably a necessary evil,” Manion said.

They collect stormwater and dump it out into the gulf to help drainage along streets like Gulf Shore Boulevard. Often, garbage and bacteria stream out right next to where people swim.

“Obviously it’s not a good thing,” Lisa Venn said. “I’m all for the environment and taking care of our planet.”

Designs for the Naples stormwater project are a long way from completion. The city hopes construction can begin sometime in 2020.

“That sounds like a great idea if they can get that done,” Manion said.

Previously, it cost $60 million to renovate a hotel in Collier County after a fire. This past week, a different issue forced the hotel just months after reopening. The hotel had a water leak that flooded some rooms.

The Hilton on Marco Island is still open and accepting reservations Monday night after dozens of guests were impacted by the flood in the building’s west wing.

Hired contractors fixed the issue on each floor, and guests were relocated to different rooms.

The hotel is also calling guests with later reservations letting them know they can cancel or accommodating them by helping them find another hotel.

Sergeant J.B. Holmes has been working with the Collier County Public School system as a teacher for more than 10 years.

He said, the Troops to Teachers Program is something he believes in because veterans can prove their worth in the classroom.

“They’re already trained and have the right temperament,” Holmes said, who was a Collier County school teacher before working for law enforcement.

Other veterans said, if a dangerous situation were to happen on school grounds, veterans would know how to act.

“We’ve been in the Middle East,” Randy Cash said, an army veteran. “We’ve been in Iraq. I was in Somalia. We understand how to secure a perimeter and that’s an asset the school system could use to help determine the threat assessment.”

Now, the Federal Commission on School Safety, is recommending adding more funding to help retired law enforcement and service members find jobs in both public and charter schools.

Holmes said veterans could help teachers and parents with disruptive students.

“When I worked closely with a student’s parent and I was teaching an alternative education where we had troubled students,” Holmes said, “if I work closely with that student’s parents, I had the greatest success rate.”

The commission agrees. It said, veterans are reliable leaders and are trained in security.

Troops for Teachers began in 1993. Since then, the program has helped more than 20,000 veterans find jobs in schools here in Florida and across the country.