WINK NEWS Former nurse in SWFL sews face masks for health workers locally, nationwide Brave health care workers are putting their lives on the line to protect us from the worst of the coronavirus pandemic. We’ve told you many hospitals are facing shortages of essential supplies such as face masks and a former nurse in Southwest Florida hopes to change that. We spoke to former nurse Jackie Uecker Thursday, […]
COLLIER COUNTY Collier County will discuss stay-at-home order during next meeting Board of County Commissioners of Collier is expected to discuss and vote on a mandatory stay-at-home directive for Collier County residents and closings of all non-essential businesses due to the coronavirus during its Friday meeting. See our outline below that breaks down what the board looks to discuss as a possibility regarding a proposed stay-at-home […]
WINK NEWS A look at the FEMA fact checking tool and CDC coronavirus self-checker Like much of our daily life right now, FEMA’s fact checking tool is virtual. That means, if you see something fishy on social media, you can click, scroll and check out the facts online too. We met with Robert Hawkes Monday, the director of FGCU’s physician assistant program, and went on a tried FEMA’s fact […]
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Gov’s order: All Florida restaurants must provide takeout and delivery only Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday ordered restaurants close their dining rooms to guests, forcing the businesses to rely on takeout and delivery only. Restaurants are worried about how their employees will make ends meet. “I feel like we knew it was coming; we just didn’t know when and how fast,” said Jasmine Fedoriv, co-owner of […]
WINK NEWS Stores set aside hours for senior citizens to get essential supplies Several stores are now stepping up and setting aside hours only for senior citizens, who are considered the most at risk during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. From Dollar General, Fresh Market, to Target, stores such as those want to make sure seniors can get the items they need while staying healthy. We stopped by a […]
FORT MYERS Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre forced to lay off hundreds of employees The owners of Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre say the coronavirus pandemic is forcing them to lay off hundreds of employees while they suspend operations. The theater says it is letting all food-service employees go for at least three weeks and hope to hire them back. The owner is working to help laid-off employees through the […]
FORT MYERS New White House guidance advises avoiding groups of 10 or more, restaurants and bars President Donald Trump and the White House’s coronavirus task force gave a briefing on the outbreak. President Trump advised the public to avoid groups of 10 or more, including not going to restaurants and bars, and discretionary travel. He also advised all children should be schooled at home. It was further clarified that guidelines of […]
LEE COUNTY ‘She’s with God:’ Mother of Diana Alvarez mourns as her remains are found nearly 4 years after her disappearance After nearly four, long years of searching, 9-year-old Diana Alvarez’s mother, Rita Hernandez, heard Saturday morning that her daughter’s remains were found. At times, she couldn’t speak, as the news about her daughter was so painful. When we spoke, she still hadn’t told Diana’s five brothers and sisters. She said they still held onto the […]
WINK NEWS SWFL families fight for refunds after canceling trips With schools on spring break or about to be on break, many people have trips booked. But, as everything shuts down, people who don’t want to travel right now are having a hard time getting their money back or making changes. All this despite travel companies promising they’re there to help. By midnight Friday, the […]
LEE COUNTY FGCU students react to changes on campus due to coronavirus Life is changing quickly with the spread of the coronavirus. All state universities in Florida are now transitioning to online classes. That includes FGCU. And that’s not the only major disruption. When FGCU notified students effective immediately Wednesday they would be taking online classes due to concerns for spread of coronavirus, students were seen checking […]