JROTC cadets prepare for Cape Coral Veterans Day ParadeWalmart truck involved in Fort Myers crash, blocking EB lanes on Palm Beach Blvd. at Dixie Lane
CAPE CORAL JROTC cadets prepare for Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade Cape Coral High School JROTC students will march to honor our veterans.
FORT MYERS Walmart truck involved in Fort Myers crash, blocking EB lanes on Palm Beach Blvd. at Dixie Lane A Walmart truck has been involved in a crash in Fort Myers on Monday afternoon.
Nonprofit provides office space to local businesses displaced by hurricanes The staff of Valerie’s House knows what it’s like to be without a place of its own. After learning about some local businesses’ offices being destroyed by recent hurricanes, the nonprofit organization that helps grieving children offered space at its Punta Gorda center.
CAPE CORAL NB lanes of Burnt Store Rd. and EB lanes of Embers Pkwy. closed near intersection due to crash Cape Coral Police Department officers are investigating a major crash at Burnt Store Road Embers Parkway.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors frustrated with car noises in Port Charlotte A battle intensifies on Oceanside Avenue in Port Charlotte between neighbors and an endless bombardment of car noises.
Charlotte County provides update on boat ramp closures The Charlotte County Community Services has provided an update regarding the boat ramp closures brought about by hurricanes Milton and Helene.
LEE COUNTY Man found guilty of 1st-degree murder in fentanyl-overdose death of Lee County woman A man has been convicted of first-degree murder of unlawful distribution of fentanyl for the overdose death of a Lee County woman.
SANIBEL Sanibel to celebrate 50th anniversary of city’s incorporation The City of Sanibel announced its 50th-anniversary celebration of the city’s incorporation to prevent overdevelopment.
the weather authority Tropical Depression 18 forms; expected to become Tropical Storm Rafael The Weather Authority meteorologists are monitoring the Caribbean as Tropical Depression 18 is forecast to become Tropical Storm Rafael.
The Weather Authority Warm and breezy with a few showers for your Monday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a warm start to the workweek with breezy conditions and a chance of showers this afternoon.
Know where your voting precinct is in Southwest Florida Election Day is only one day away, so it is important to know where to go and if you qualify to vote in Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Humane Society of Naples looking to give homes to 2 dogs Two months ago, WINK News introduced you to Yogi, a pup who had been at the Humane Society of Naples for 797 days due to his shyness.
Democrats and Republicans preparing for Presidential Election The 2024 Presidential Election is on Tuesday. Now that early voting has ended, Southwest Florida political parties are making their final push to voters to vote.
southwest florida WINK Neighborhood Watch: fatal shooting, criminal mischief, and a drug sting This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a fatal shooting, criminal mischief and a drug sting.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral firefighters rescue dog from canal, reunited with owner Firefighters with Engine 3 of the Cape Coral Fire Department rescued a dog from a canal early Sunday morning but have yet to locate its owner.
CAPE CORAL JROTC cadets prepare for Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade Cape Coral High School JROTC students will march to honor our veterans.
FORT MYERS Walmart truck involved in Fort Myers crash, blocking EB lanes on Palm Beach Blvd. at Dixie Lane A Walmart truck has been involved in a crash in Fort Myers on Monday afternoon.
Nonprofit provides office space to local businesses displaced by hurricanes The staff of Valerie’s House knows what it’s like to be without a place of its own. After learning about some local businesses’ offices being destroyed by recent hurricanes, the nonprofit organization that helps grieving children offered space at its Punta Gorda center.
CAPE CORAL NB lanes of Burnt Store Rd. and EB lanes of Embers Pkwy. closed near intersection due to crash Cape Coral Police Department officers are investigating a major crash at Burnt Store Road Embers Parkway.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors frustrated with car noises in Port Charlotte A battle intensifies on Oceanside Avenue in Port Charlotte between neighbors and an endless bombardment of car noises.
Charlotte County provides update on boat ramp closures The Charlotte County Community Services has provided an update regarding the boat ramp closures brought about by hurricanes Milton and Helene.
LEE COUNTY Man found guilty of 1st-degree murder in fentanyl-overdose death of Lee County woman A man has been convicted of first-degree murder of unlawful distribution of fentanyl for the overdose death of a Lee County woman.
SANIBEL Sanibel to celebrate 50th anniversary of city’s incorporation The City of Sanibel announced its 50th-anniversary celebration of the city’s incorporation to prevent overdevelopment.
the weather authority Tropical Depression 18 forms; expected to become Tropical Storm Rafael The Weather Authority meteorologists are monitoring the Caribbean as Tropical Depression 18 is forecast to become Tropical Storm Rafael.
The Weather Authority Warm and breezy with a few showers for your Monday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a warm start to the workweek with breezy conditions and a chance of showers this afternoon.
Know where your voting precinct is in Southwest Florida Election Day is only one day away, so it is important to know where to go and if you qualify to vote in Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Humane Society of Naples looking to give homes to 2 dogs Two months ago, WINK News introduced you to Yogi, a pup who had been at the Humane Society of Naples for 797 days due to his shyness.
Democrats and Republicans preparing for Presidential Election The 2024 Presidential Election is on Tuesday. Now that early voting has ended, Southwest Florida political parties are making their final push to voters to vote.
southwest florida WINK Neighborhood Watch: fatal shooting, criminal mischief, and a drug sting This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a fatal shooting, criminal mischief and a drug sting.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral firefighters rescue dog from canal, reunited with owner Firefighters with Engine 3 of the Cape Coral Fire Department rescued a dog from a canal early Sunday morning but have yet to locate its owner.
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.