Low canals and dried-up wells: Why does Cape Coral keep building?Woman sees potentially suspicious charge on her account after parking at Fort Myers Beach
Miracle Moment: Kinsley Vitiello Three-year-old Kinsley Vitiello loves to play dolls and dance her heart out with her big sister Aubrey.
CAPE CORAL Low canals and dried-up wells: Why does Cape Coral keep building? In a city with more canals than Venice, Waterfront living isn’t hard to find.
FORT MYERS BEACH Woman sees potentially suspicious charge on her account after parking at Fort Myers Beach Jennifer parked in the parking lot across from Lynn Hall Memorial Park, paid with a QR code and went to visit friends for lunch.
NORTH FORT MYERS North Fort Myers DL balancing spring practice and shot put regionals North Fort Myers defensive lineman James Johnson is balancing spring football practice and going for a regional title in the shot put.
IMMOKALEE Training day for Folds of Honor donors and special guests On Wednesday, high-ranking veterans of the navy seals and other special operations conducted six different training scenarios.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Non-profit makes teddy bears for families of fallen officers Having a loved one in law enforcement means there is always a fear that they may not come home.
CAPE CORAL People fighting to lower the cost of playing pickleball in Cape Coral The price of playing on these courts is putting people in a pickle. The Lake Kennedy Racquet Center has yet to open, but there are a lot of concerns.
NORTH FORT MYERS Parents say their children are still waiting for winnings after Lee County takes over SWFL AG Expo Children in the 4-H program who raise animals say they’re still waiting to receive the money they won in early March.
Southwest Florida Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for May 8, 2024 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for May 8, 2024.
San Carlos Park Man at center of WINK News investigation now charged with drugging, molesting child After a years long WINK investigation, Dwayne Staron was arrested and convicted of grand theft. Now he and his wife, Theresa Staron, are both behind bars.
FORT MYERS Police: Man caught at Clemente Park with AR pistol, ski mask and black latex gloves A 19-year-old man has been arrested after officers found an AR pistol, all-black clothing, a ski mask and black latex gloves in his backpack.
PUNTA GORDA FHP investigating hit-and-run with injuries after crash at mm 170 on I-75 Authorities are investigating a hit-and-run crash with injuries on Interstate 75 southbound at mile marker 170 in Punta Gorda.
ALVA Department of Health warns of blue-green algae in Alva canal If you live on Sebastian Court along the canal in Alva, the Florida Department of Health in Lee County wants you to remain cautious. A blue-green algae bloom has been spotted there.
SAN CARLOS PARK Couple accused of drugging and molesting girl make court appearance A San Carlos Park couple accused of drugging and molesting a girl while covering it up for two years appeared in court.
FORT MYERS Lee County Schools receives over $2M in Juul settlement The Lee County School District has received over $2 million in a settlement with Juul, and now, it’s putting that money to use.
Miracle Moment: Kinsley Vitiello Three-year-old Kinsley Vitiello loves to play dolls and dance her heart out with her big sister Aubrey.
CAPE CORAL Low canals and dried-up wells: Why does Cape Coral keep building? In a city with more canals than Venice, Waterfront living isn’t hard to find.
FORT MYERS BEACH Woman sees potentially suspicious charge on her account after parking at Fort Myers Beach Jennifer parked in the parking lot across from Lynn Hall Memorial Park, paid with a QR code and went to visit friends for lunch.
NORTH FORT MYERS North Fort Myers DL balancing spring practice and shot put regionals North Fort Myers defensive lineman James Johnson is balancing spring football practice and going for a regional title in the shot put.
IMMOKALEE Training day for Folds of Honor donors and special guests On Wednesday, high-ranking veterans of the navy seals and other special operations conducted six different training scenarios.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Non-profit makes teddy bears for families of fallen officers Having a loved one in law enforcement means there is always a fear that they may not come home.
CAPE CORAL People fighting to lower the cost of playing pickleball in Cape Coral The price of playing on these courts is putting people in a pickle. The Lake Kennedy Racquet Center has yet to open, but there are a lot of concerns.
NORTH FORT MYERS Parents say their children are still waiting for winnings after Lee County takes over SWFL AG Expo Children in the 4-H program who raise animals say they’re still waiting to receive the money they won in early March.
Southwest Florida Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for May 8, 2024 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for May 8, 2024.
San Carlos Park Man at center of WINK News investigation now charged with drugging, molesting child After a years long WINK investigation, Dwayne Staron was arrested and convicted of grand theft. Now he and his wife, Theresa Staron, are both behind bars.
FORT MYERS Police: Man caught at Clemente Park with AR pistol, ski mask and black latex gloves A 19-year-old man has been arrested after officers found an AR pistol, all-black clothing, a ski mask and black latex gloves in his backpack.
PUNTA GORDA FHP investigating hit-and-run with injuries after crash at mm 170 on I-75 Authorities are investigating a hit-and-run crash with injuries on Interstate 75 southbound at mile marker 170 in Punta Gorda.
ALVA Department of Health warns of blue-green algae in Alva canal If you live on Sebastian Court along the canal in Alva, the Florida Department of Health in Lee County wants you to remain cautious. A blue-green algae bloom has been spotted there.
SAN CARLOS PARK Couple accused of drugging and molesting girl make court appearance A San Carlos Park couple accused of drugging and molesting a girl while covering it up for two years appeared in court.
FORT MYERS Lee County Schools receives over $2M in Juul settlement The Lee County School District has received over $2 million in a settlement with Juul, and now, it’s putting that money to use.
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.