State lawmakers want to hear your opinion on voting in Lee CountyMigrants entering Florida under controversial parole program
State lawmakers want to hear your opinion on voting in Lee County Right now, everyone votes for or against all five of the Lee Commissioners, but they’re talking about changing the system so that each commissioner represents a specific part of the county.
FORT MYERS Migrants entering Florida under controversial parole program The House Committee on Homeland Security has released documents, which show a surge in migrants entering the United States through a parole program, sparking debate over immigration policies and border security.
North Collier firefighter beats cancer, educates others on safety He’s a father, son, friend and mentor, but for the last four years, he’s been in a battle for his life.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection to brother’s death in Cape Coral A man wanted for questioning in the death of his brother at his Cape Coral home has been arrested in Pennsylvania.
Candidates challenge Punta Gorda incumbents over land, building regulations A growing grassroots movement has united residents seeking to stem high density and restrict building heights, and three are challenging Punta Gorda City Council members who are up for reelection this year.
Hurricane season is one month away The outlook for the 2024 Hurricane Season is for it be active, potentially even hyperactive.
NORTH FORT MYERS 1 dead after crash on SR 31 and Busbee Rd. in North Fort Myers At around noon Wednesday, the Florida Highway Patrol said a PT Cruiser and a car hauler collided on State Road 31 and Busbee Road, near the Lee/Charlotte County line.
Man sentenced to 25 years in prison for molesting Lee County child A Florida man will spend the next 25 years in prison for molesting a child in Lee County.
LEHIGH ACRES Man accused of using stolen credit card from car burglary at Lehigh Acres CVS Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man who allegedly used a stolen credit card at the CVS in Lehigh Acres.
ARCADIA Family of flea market murder victim struggles to find closure The family of a woman who was murdered at an Arcadia flea market continues to seek justice as the accused killer awaits trial.
NAPLES Naples man accused of possessing child porn After an investigation, a Naples man has been arrested after allegedly having child pornography in his home.
CAPE CORAL Arrest report for volunteer softball coach accused of inappropriate behavior released New details have been released about the arrest of a Cape Coral volunteer softball coach accused of sending nude photos and touching a 17-year-old student.
The Weather Authority Isolated storms pop up this afternoon and evening Afternoon of isolated storms in Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach to test hurricane emergency messaging alert The Town of Fort Myers Beach is set to test its CodeRED alert system as hurricane season begins in 31 days.
FORT MYERS Students make goodie bags for kids fighting Cancer A special delivery, straight from the heart, to Galisano’s Children’s Hospital. Three 8th graders from Lexington Middle School delivered 100 goodie bags to bring smiles to kids fighting cancer.
State lawmakers want to hear your opinion on voting in Lee County Right now, everyone votes for or against all five of the Lee Commissioners, but they’re talking about changing the system so that each commissioner represents a specific part of the county.
FORT MYERS Migrants entering Florida under controversial parole program The House Committee on Homeland Security has released documents, which show a surge in migrants entering the United States through a parole program, sparking debate over immigration policies and border security.
North Collier firefighter beats cancer, educates others on safety He’s a father, son, friend and mentor, but for the last four years, he’s been in a battle for his life.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection to brother’s death in Cape Coral A man wanted for questioning in the death of his brother at his Cape Coral home has been arrested in Pennsylvania.
Candidates challenge Punta Gorda incumbents over land, building regulations A growing grassroots movement has united residents seeking to stem high density and restrict building heights, and three are challenging Punta Gorda City Council members who are up for reelection this year.
Hurricane season is one month away The outlook for the 2024 Hurricane Season is for it be active, potentially even hyperactive.
NORTH FORT MYERS 1 dead after crash on SR 31 and Busbee Rd. in North Fort Myers At around noon Wednesday, the Florida Highway Patrol said a PT Cruiser and a car hauler collided on State Road 31 and Busbee Road, near the Lee/Charlotte County line.
Man sentenced to 25 years in prison for molesting Lee County child A Florida man will spend the next 25 years in prison for molesting a child in Lee County.
LEHIGH ACRES Man accused of using stolen credit card from car burglary at Lehigh Acres CVS Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man who allegedly used a stolen credit card at the CVS in Lehigh Acres.
ARCADIA Family of flea market murder victim struggles to find closure The family of a woman who was murdered at an Arcadia flea market continues to seek justice as the accused killer awaits trial.
NAPLES Naples man accused of possessing child porn After an investigation, a Naples man has been arrested after allegedly having child pornography in his home.
CAPE CORAL Arrest report for volunteer softball coach accused of inappropriate behavior released New details have been released about the arrest of a Cape Coral volunteer softball coach accused of sending nude photos and touching a 17-year-old student.
The Weather Authority Isolated storms pop up this afternoon and evening Afternoon of isolated storms in Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach to test hurricane emergency messaging alert The Town of Fort Myers Beach is set to test its CodeRED alert system as hurricane season begins in 31 days.
FORT MYERS Students make goodie bags for kids fighting Cancer A special delivery, straight from the heart, to Galisano’s Children’s Hospital. Three 8th graders from Lexington Middle School delivered 100 goodie bags to bring smiles to kids fighting cancer.
A worker nails a board to use on a storefront window as protection against a hurricane. (AP Photo/Collin Reid) Staying healthy, no matter what is happening in our environment, can be challenging particularly if we are stressed by nature in the form of a hurricane. No one can completely predict a hurricane season’s events. What we can and should do is be prepared. Knowing we are ready is comforting. More importantly, preparation will bode well for a better outcome should we be challenged by a hurricane or other disaster. In the aggregate, many stressors can be overwhelming. Breaking down the potential for aggravation and destruction into smaller pieces will be easier to manage. The old metaphor, “You can eat an elephant one bite at a time,” also applies to hurricane stress. With the above in mind, let’s review four major areas for hurricane stress with an eye to controlling the aggravation and anxiety as well as securing a safe outcome. Physical Stress Having a good supply of your regular medications with adequate water and food along with a safe place to sleep—all high and dry—will probably save more lives than any other preparation. Resupply after a hurricane may take at least a few days for common items such as water and food. Prescription drugs may take longer as the supply chain and delivery systems are specific and secure. Southwest Florida’s hurricanes move over our region in hours typically. Injuries happen before the winds start when people hurt themselves while buttoning up their homes and businesses. After the storm, the injury rate and ER visits resume as well-intentioned homeowners exceed their abilities while cleaning up, subsequently causing accidents. At this time people have been worried and sleep-deprived. Even when not stressed, some would not be capable of the work needed. Roof falls, chain-saw accidents and back injuries are all common during clean-up. Mental Stress An underestimated real stress is the mental anxiety and uncertainty caused by a potentially new experience if you are a recent arriver to Southwest Florida. Or even if you have been through hurricanes in the past, you are older now, thus not as tolerant of the hassle and troublesomeness of a change in your daily pattern of life. With modern communications, our media keeps us informed. But watching the developing pattern of an approaching storm, with the added “hype” of trying to get slow or non-responders moving, can have the unwanted and paradoxical effect on normally prepared citizens of “making us crazy.” We can overreact, lose sleep, stop eating or over-eat, and generally be miserable rather than keep a good perspective. A healthy attitude towards preparation and response as well as an optimistic outlook will make a storm experience less formidable. Storm Stress Once the storm is upon us, being with others whom you trust will make a world of difference. Having a like-minded group of prepared folks with you could make riding out the storm almost enjoyable. Really, this is not a party but rather a mutual support system, as no one is as smart, strong, or resilient as all of us together. Having clear communications among the group, a secure nest to hunker down in, and some simple activities to occupy your mind will help you save energy for the recovery post-storm. Healthcare systems across Florida do mock drill for hurricanes. NCH has complete redundancy on both our campuses—Baker and North Naples. We generate our own electricity and stock up pre-storm with medicines and supplies. We also have large walk-in freezers and refrigerators which we fill with food to carry us through at least a few days. We also open our emergency command center which communicates and cooperates directly with the County Emergency Service. Within both hospitals, we have two full teams of nurses, physicians, and support staff. The teams rotate in twelve-hour shifts, always providing a well-rested team to care for patients. We do not perform elective surgery and do try to lower the census before the hurricane to have excess capacity after the storm. However, we deliver babies, stop heart attacks and strokes, and do all other emergency care needed, just like any other normal day. Post Storm First, breathe a sigh of relief; then assess the damage. At this point, unless there is a life-threatening environmental situation, take your time in starting the clean-up and getting back to a normal life. Obviously, follow directions from our hurricane public safety officers to avoid an accident. Everyone will have an interesting story about what just happened. Sharing experiences by talking about the stresses and how we handled ourselves will help everyone recover from the unwanted hurricane experience. Helping a neighbor who might be frail or in need is also the right thing to do at such a time. You can help everyone including yourself live a longer, happier, and healthy life by having the right attitude and being hurricane ready. By NCH Healthcare System