Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concernsStudents benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Memorial celebrates the life of John Passidomo Hundreds of friends and family gathered for a memorial at Baker Park in Naples.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema prepares for opening at Mercato The newest movie theater in Southwest Florida opens April 29, and it does so with an array of entertainment offerings that go beyond the usual options across the region.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Memorial celebrates the life of John Passidomo Hundreds of friends and family gathered for a memorial at Baker Park in Naples.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema prepares for opening at Mercato The newest movie theater in Southwest Florida opens April 29, and it does so with an array of entertainment offerings that go beyond the usual options across the region.
MGN Online LEE COUNTY, Fla.- There are currently more than 1,900 kids in Southwest Florida, under the care of the Department of Children and Families. More than 650 of those kids need foster care. Professionals are worried that number is only going to go up, and there aren’t enough families in the system to keep up with the need. Just last month, WINK News cameras watched 25 children adopted into their forever homes. For 24 of those children, the road to adoption was all too similar. They were taken from homes where parents abused drugs. The CEO of Children’s Network of SWFL Nadereh Salim says sadly those 24 children are not alone, calling the statistics “alarming.” In just the past 14 months, Children’s Network has seen a 41 percent increase in children being removed from their families and placed in foster care. “In all of my years, I’ve not seen an increase this drastic in such a short period of time,” said Salim. The question is, why? “Number one is substance abuse,” said Salim. That’s where Salus Care can help. Salus Care works hand in hand with Children’s Network, providing in-home or outpatient services for those accused of abuse or neglect. “If my primary goal getting out of bed in the morning, is how am I going to get my next usage of an opiate, than probably my paying attention to my child is not my priority,” said Kevin Lewis, CEO of Salus Care. So the next question is, why are seeing the spike in cases involving substance abuse? “These people who have become opiate dependent in their 20s are having children, are parenting, and opiate dependency is a huge driving force for them,” said Lewis. While Salus Care tries to meet the needs of the adults involved, Children’s Network struggles to meet the needs of their kids. “Most importantly, is the need for foster parents,” said Salim. There are currently a total of 297 foster families registered with Children’s Network, with space to house 600 foster children. That number leaves 45 kids in group homes, without a family. For the past five years, Paul and Wendy Vernon have gotten used to a full house. “We saw there was such a great need. It’s been a whole mix of fun, laughter, and sometimes very difficult, very tragic,” said Wendy Vernon. Over that time, they’ve fostered 28 children. Paul Vernon says, “We treat them as our own children.” So if you’re interested in becoming a foster parent, the Vernons say the time and effort is worth it. Wendy says, “To see laughter and acceptance, and the first time that child will give you a hug, is amazing. If we have helped a child, helped a family to be successful, to be a family unit again, or that child to have known and received love, then that’s the biggest thing you could ever want.” Whether you’re a foster parent, work in mental health, or in child welfare, the goal is to find these children a home. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, or adopting a child, you can contact the Children’s Network at 1-855-933-KIDS. To report abuse, call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 800-962-2873.