Police: 15-year-old injured after accidentally shot in the legFGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself
BONITA SPRINGS Police: 15-year-old injured after accidentally shot in the leg Lee County deputies say the teen was accidentally shot in the leg.
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
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.
BONITA SPRINGS Police: 15-year-old injured after accidentally shot in the leg Lee County deputies say the teen was accidentally shot in the leg.
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
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.
Photo via WINK News The number of homeless veterans in Collier County is much higher than previous estimates after its first homeless veteran count. Collier County Commissioner Andy Solis joined volunteers canvassing the county for homeless veterans. It is an effort spearheaded by Wounded Warriors of Collier County after previous counts fell short. “We owe our veterans better than we’re giving them,” Solis said. “Obviously, in the past, with only finding five, the methods that were used in assessing how many there were, were probably not the best ones. Obviously, the way it’s being done now is more effective because we’re getting a better count.” With this focused count revealing a greater need, Solis said the county could start taking action. “Getting them shelter is something that the county can work on with county resources,” Solis said, “and that would be a beginning.” However, shelters are only a part of the solution. Within the last year, Solis initiated a comprehensive countywide mental health plan, which is currently in the works. He will factor this targeted veteran count into that plan. Naples City Council Member Michelle McLeod, who is also a volunteer for the count, sits on that mental health committee. “We have to do something about it,” McLeod said. Gold Star Mom Kim Hayes agrees with the Naples council member that something has to be done. Her volunteer team found several homeless veterans at an east Naples bus station. “I’m just a lady with a clipboard until I pull out my necklace and I shared with him that my son was living kind of couch surfing, having challenges here,” said Hayes about her son, a member on the 82nd Airborne, who saw combat in Afghanistan. Hayes told the veteran that next week will be the third anniversary of her son’s death of an accidental drug overdose. “As soon as I said that the walls started coming down,” Hayes said, “That…made my day.” That veteran, who said he had been in special operations as an Army Ranger, completed the survey. Many others did, which reveals a need Solis said can not be ignored. Commissioner Solis said he expects the county to finalize and adopt the mental health plan by the end of the year. Meantime, the veterans they have located so far will be connected to resources to meet their immediate needs. “This is a really important component of the overall mental health strategic plan we’re working on in the county,” Solis said. “It’s a significant issue. Like I said, we owe our veterans at least a home.” Veteran resources JFCS of the Suncoast/ Veteran Services 941-366-2224, ext 628 Veteran Services of Collier County 239-252-8387 Naples Vet Center 239-403-2377 Veterans Crisis Hotline 800-273-8255 Text 838255 to connect with a VA responder Confidential online Wounded Warriors of Collier County Home Base: Southwest Florida Warrior Health & Fitness National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255 David Lawrence Center 239-455-8500 St. Matthew’s House 239-774-0500 Catholic Charities – Family Resource Center Helps Outreach 239-593-3226 Salvation Army – Family Services Center 239-210-4009