Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forwardPort Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court
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.
Let’s Waffle opens in Cape Coral Let’s Waffle is one of two businesses the Feix family launched locally, with the FMS Florida Boat Tours and Limousine Service owned and operated by Feix’s husband, Alexander.
Planned Punta Gorda hotel, pub, brewery faces construction delay Kevin Doyle, owner of Celtic Ray Public House Irish pub in downtown Punta Gorda, and his partner, S4 Global Investments, were found in violation of the city’s exposed soils code.
Three Sisters Spring Toast the manatee released by FWC, SeaWorld and Casey DeSantis near Crystal River A manatee named Toast was released back into the Florida waters after a final medical evaluation from wildlife officials.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Man arrested and charged with over 90 counts of fraud The Cape Coral Police Department arrested a man for allegedly stealing items from a business and then pawning them.
Man accused of pulling gun on someone ordering at Collier County Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru A man has been arrested after allegedly pulling a gun on someone ordering at a Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru in Collier County.
League Club of Naples awards record $683K in grants to Collier, Lee nonprofits At a mid-April breakfast event, the 35 area nonprofit agencies—chosen from a record number of applicants—were awarded grants from the women’s volunteer organization in areas ranging from arts education, to fighting hunger and homelessness, to providing bikes and wheelchairs to children in need
Tim Aten Knows: Chick-fil-A drive-thru proposal faces criticism in Naples Chick-fil-A is proposing a drive-thru restaurant at the site of the former Red Lobster restaurant on U.S. 41 in Naples, but the project is facing early criticism.
Man convicted for murder of 17-year-old girl will be in court for resentencing A convicted man will be in court for resentencing for a murder that he committed as a teenager almost 20 years ago.
NAPLES Friday’s Furry Friends: Holly, Slim For this week’s Friday’s Furry Friends, WINK visits the Collier County Domestic Animal Services to showcase two adorable animals ready to be adopted.
FORT MYERS Caught on Camera: Dust Devil spotted spiraling in Fort Myers A dust devil was spotted and recorded by a WINK News viewer on Hanson Street in Fort Myers.
Warm, dry and breezy Friday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a comfortable Friday morning start with dry and breezy afternoon conditions expected.
NAPLES Event held in Naples for National Crime Victims Week The City of Naples and Project HELP held an event in Baker Park for National Crime Victims Week.
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.
Let’s Waffle opens in Cape Coral Let’s Waffle is one of two businesses the Feix family launched locally, with the FMS Florida Boat Tours and Limousine Service owned and operated by Feix’s husband, Alexander.
Planned Punta Gorda hotel, pub, brewery faces construction delay Kevin Doyle, owner of Celtic Ray Public House Irish pub in downtown Punta Gorda, and his partner, S4 Global Investments, were found in violation of the city’s exposed soils code.
Three Sisters Spring Toast the manatee released by FWC, SeaWorld and Casey DeSantis near Crystal River A manatee named Toast was released back into the Florida waters after a final medical evaluation from wildlife officials.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Man arrested and charged with over 90 counts of fraud The Cape Coral Police Department arrested a man for allegedly stealing items from a business and then pawning them.
Man accused of pulling gun on someone ordering at Collier County Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru A man has been arrested after allegedly pulling a gun on someone ordering at a Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru in Collier County.
League Club of Naples awards record $683K in grants to Collier, Lee nonprofits At a mid-April breakfast event, the 35 area nonprofit agencies—chosen from a record number of applicants—were awarded grants from the women’s volunteer organization in areas ranging from arts education, to fighting hunger and homelessness, to providing bikes and wheelchairs to children in need
Tim Aten Knows: Chick-fil-A drive-thru proposal faces criticism in Naples Chick-fil-A is proposing a drive-thru restaurant at the site of the former Red Lobster restaurant on U.S. 41 in Naples, but the project is facing early criticism.
Man convicted for murder of 17-year-old girl will be in court for resentencing A convicted man will be in court for resentencing for a murder that he committed as a teenager almost 20 years ago.
NAPLES Friday’s Furry Friends: Holly, Slim For this week’s Friday’s Furry Friends, WINK visits the Collier County Domestic Animal Services to showcase two adorable animals ready to be adopted.
FORT MYERS Caught on Camera: Dust Devil spotted spiraling in Fort Myers A dust devil was spotted and recorded by a WINK News viewer on Hanson Street in Fort Myers.
Warm, dry and breezy Friday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a comfortable Friday morning start with dry and breezy afternoon conditions expected.
NAPLES Event held in Naples for National Crime Victims Week The City of Naples and Project HELP held an event in Baker Park for National Crime Victims Week.
Bottles of medication at a pharmacy. (CBS News photo) “I’m almost a month away from homelessness,” said Hope McCrea. She’s in her 70s and lives in Port Charlotte. McCrea has health issues affecting her pancreas. She also lives with arthritis and the medicine she takes is not cheap. “My income is around $1,000 a month. My prescriptions can run as high as $4,000 a month,” she explained. She’s not alone. Maryann Hebert, who is also from Charlotte County, told WINK News, “It’s too high. Too high. Unaffordable for everyone. It’s just ridiculous.” She’s one of about a million people in the U.S. living with multiple sclerosis or M.S. It’s a disease of the central nervous system. Her life-saving medication takes hundreds of dollars out of her pocket every month. Both women keep seeing their costs go up. We first met Hebert in February, and we checked in with her again in March. She said, “It went from $6,600 last month to $7,187 this month.” That’s how much it would cost without Medicare and grant money she has to apply for. At the end of the day, she’s paying $339 for one of her M.S. medications for one month and $277 a month for the other. That adds up to $676 per month for just two medications. In an effort to save some money, Hebert said, “I try to juggle between three grocery stores.” McCrea said she depends on friends for help with basic necessities like food. She explained, “If it wasn’t extra help, I’d be lost!” Until major changes to drug pricing are made, patient advocates like Lora McCann said, “Shop your pharmacies. If you’re looking at an oncological drug, work through your provider’s office. They’re going to be your best resource.” Pharmacies also say there are steps you can take to save money. Ashley Alvarez is a pharmacy technician at San Carlos Pharmacy. She recommended, “Ask the doctor for cheaper generic medications. Sometimes the prices of insurance are cheaper outside of insurance.” If all else fails, she also said to consider an independent pharmacy, because they have more control over pricing to an extent. In the meantime, folks like McCrea are relying on their faith. “I am a Christian. I’m God fearing. I’m going to do what’s right.” She’s going to do what’s right for her health and right for her budget. We checked with Hebert again in April. She said she got another grant for her medications, but she also said, “I’m a little shaky. I just got my new medication.” With the money she’s got to pay for it “at least now I’m at ease. I’m not walking around on pins and needles,” she said. Both McCrea and Hebert say they will be looking into Florida’s new Canadian drug importation program when Governor DeSantis signs it into law. They hope to finder cheaper drugs through Canadian pharmacies once the idea gets going. It was just approved by the Florida House and Senate. We reached out to the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida for advice on saving too. Here’s some tips they offer when it comes to Medicare: • Review your plan every year to make sure it still meets your needs. • Plans, coverage limits, providers and drug formularies can change annually. • SHINE Counselors are an excellent resource for helping you evaluate your Medicare plans. SHINE is a free, unbiased counseling service offered by the Area Agency on Aging for SWFL through the Department of Elder Affairs. • Explore Medicare.gov. It can show you the prices that your prescriptions will cost at different pharmacies. • Don’t procrastinate: there are limited windows when you can change your plans. • Find out if you’re eligible for cost savings programs. • For Medicare beneficiaries on a limited income, there are government-funded programs that may be able to help significantly with the cost of co-pays or deductibles. • For high-cost prescriptions, discount cards, apps and websites can sometimes get you a better deal than your insurance coverage. • If you can pay on-the-spot, ask your pharmacist about the “cash price” for your prescription.You may actually pay less by paying out-of-pocket.