Fort Myers Council explores possible locations for new City HallTim Aten Knows: Plans advance for second Costco store
Fort Myers Council explores possible locations for new City Hall When the city of Fort Myers builds a new City Hall, it’s most likely to remain downtown at then current site.
Tim Aten Knows: Plans advance for second Costco store Costco Wholesale Corp. is moving ahead with plans for a second store in Collier County on the southeast corner of Rattlesnake Hammock Road and Collier Boulevard, immediately north of Physician Regional Medical Center-Collier Boulevard.
naples Naples Winter Wine Festival holds online auction for charity The Naples Winter Wine Festival is set to hold its 10th annual online auction, raising funds for the Naples Children & Education Foundation and donating all proceeds.
the weather authority Clouds and isolated rain for your Friday plans The Weather Authority is tracking isolated rain showers and increased cloud coverage that may impact your Friday afternoon plans.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
Charlotte County Man killed in officer-involved shooting; Charlotte deputies say he pointed gun at them The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deputy-involved shooting, killing a man they said pointed a gun at them.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County hosts first-ever Magnet Fair A first-of-its-kind chance to allow parents and students to choose the school they go to.
PORT CHARLOTTE Daughter believes mother was killed in Port Charlotte house fire A family is holding each other close as they fear for the worst. Loved ones of 70-year-old Roseanne Cantasano told wink new they believe she was killed in this house fire in Port Charlotte on Monday.
Man arrested after multi-county chase stemming from carjacking A man has been arrested after a carjacking turned into a chase that crossed county lines.
PORT CHARLOTTE Nurses protest use of AI in the workplace Nurses are fighting back against artificial intelligence in their place of work. On Thursday, nurses took to the streets to protest.
NAPLES New gym offers safe place to play for kids on the autism spectrum We Rock the Spectrum welcomes kids both on and off the autism spectrum with activities that cater to all kids.
Charlotte County Vulture Infestation in Placida Neighborhood Big birds are taking over a local golf course in Charlotte County, feeding off the fish kill.
FORT MYERS Tempers flare over RSW expansion budget Tensions rose during Thursday’s meeting with the Lee County Port Authority and county commissioners over RSW’s budget.
ENGLEWOOD Promoting good mental health for veterans The tragedy of veteran suicide impacts far too many families.
72-year-old former law enforcement still displaced after Glades County tornado Devastating damage was brought to the Lakeport Community in Glades County on October 2024, after the strongest tornado to ever hit southwest Florida ripped the neighborhood to shreds.
Fort Myers Council explores possible locations for new City Hall When the city of Fort Myers builds a new City Hall, it’s most likely to remain downtown at then current site.
Tim Aten Knows: Plans advance for second Costco store Costco Wholesale Corp. is moving ahead with plans for a second store in Collier County on the southeast corner of Rattlesnake Hammock Road and Collier Boulevard, immediately north of Physician Regional Medical Center-Collier Boulevard.
naples Naples Winter Wine Festival holds online auction for charity The Naples Winter Wine Festival is set to hold its 10th annual online auction, raising funds for the Naples Children & Education Foundation and donating all proceeds.
the weather authority Clouds and isolated rain for your Friday plans The Weather Authority is tracking isolated rain showers and increased cloud coverage that may impact your Friday afternoon plans.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
Charlotte County Man killed in officer-involved shooting; Charlotte deputies say he pointed gun at them The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deputy-involved shooting, killing a man they said pointed a gun at them.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County hosts first-ever Magnet Fair A first-of-its-kind chance to allow parents and students to choose the school they go to.
PORT CHARLOTTE Daughter believes mother was killed in Port Charlotte house fire A family is holding each other close as they fear for the worst. Loved ones of 70-year-old Roseanne Cantasano told wink new they believe she was killed in this house fire in Port Charlotte on Monday.
Man arrested after multi-county chase stemming from carjacking A man has been arrested after a carjacking turned into a chase that crossed county lines.
PORT CHARLOTTE Nurses protest use of AI in the workplace Nurses are fighting back against artificial intelligence in their place of work. On Thursday, nurses took to the streets to protest.
NAPLES New gym offers safe place to play for kids on the autism spectrum We Rock the Spectrum welcomes kids both on and off the autism spectrum with activities that cater to all kids.
Charlotte County Vulture Infestation in Placida Neighborhood Big birds are taking over a local golf course in Charlotte County, feeding off the fish kill.
FORT MYERS Tempers flare over RSW expansion budget Tensions rose during Thursday’s meeting with the Lee County Port Authority and county commissioners over RSW’s budget.
ENGLEWOOD Promoting good mental health for veterans The tragedy of veteran suicide impacts far too many families.
72-year-old former law enforcement still displaced after Glades County tornado Devastating damage was brought to the Lakeport Community in Glades County on October 2024, after the strongest tornado to ever hit southwest Florida ripped the neighborhood to shreds.
MGN WASHINGTON (AP) – Millions of young adults healthy enough to think they don’t need insurance face painful choices this year as the sign-up deadline approaches for President Barack Obama’s health care law. Fines for being uninsured rise sharply in 2016 – averaging nearly $1,000 per household, according to an independent estimate. It’s forcing those in their 20s and 30s to take a hard look and see if they can squeeze in coverage to avoid penalties. Many are trying to establish careers or just make progress in a still-bumpy economy. “There’s only so far one can dwindle a ramen-noodle diet,” said Christopher Rael of Los Angeles. In his late 20s, Rael is pursuing a degree in sociology and working at a children’s center to pay his bills. With open enrollment over after Jan. 31, Rael is hoping his meager income will qualify him for Medi-Cal, the state’s version of Medicaid. “I cannot afford an additional bill,” he said. He paid a fine of about $150 for being uninsured in 2014. The minimum penalty rises to $695 in 2016 for someone uninsured a full 12 months and not eligible for one of the law’s exemptions. That’s more than double the corresponding figure of $325 for 2015. In practice, the fines will be higher for many consumers. That’s because the law sets the penalty as the greater of $695 or 2.5 percent of taxable income this year. A study by the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation estimates the average 2016 penalty at $969 per uninsured household. Fines are collected through the tax returns of uninsured people and in most cases deducted from their tax refunds. The penalty amounts will be increased by a cost-of-living factor in future years. Penalties are the health care law’s nudge to get healthy people into the insurance pool, helping keep premiums manageable for everyone. Until now, the administration has mainly stressed the benefits: subsidized premiums and protection from the costs of unanticipated injury or serious illness. But with concerns that many young and healthy people still aren’t sold, officials are invoking the threat of penalties. “The tax penalty is bringing more young and healthy consumers into the market,” Andy Slavitt, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said in a recent speech. “We are using a large portion of our marketing resources to make sure that consumers are aware of the increasing fee for people that go without insurance.” Slavitt’s agency oversees the health care law. The pressure of rising fines is butting up against the economic situations of uninsured people, nearly half of whom said in a recent Kaiser poll that they’ve tried but coverage is still too expensive. A big sore point has to do with high deductibles for many health-law insurance plans, which can leave consumers with thousands of dollars in medical bills. Christina Loucks of Franklin, Tennessee, a small city near Nashville, says the way she figures it, she might still come out ahead financially by paying a $695 fine. The insurance plans she’s looked at would cost her about $100 a month in premiums, after subsidies. That works out to around $1,200 a year. But the coverage comes with deductibles of several thousand dollars. If she got seriously ill, she would be on the hook for that before her insurance started paying. Normally, she just goes to the doctor for allergy prescriptions. “I still see it as I am keeping $500 in my pocket,” said Loucks. The $500 is the difference between a full year of premiums and fine for being uninsured, and that calculation might work if she stays healthy. In her 30s, Loucks is holding down two jobs as she tries to find a career that aligns with her interest in literature. She’s still dealing with student loans, not to mention rent and car payments. “I don’t see the benefit for me,” she said. Loucks said she may wait until the last minute to make up her mind, but Julian Rostain has decided he’ll take a chance on being fined by the IRS. In his 20s, Rostain works as a cook at a country club. His dream is to open up his own establishment, serving up “American-French bistro food with Asian undertones.” He lives in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, a farming area not too far from Philadelphia. Rostain’s savings in a rainy-day fund wouldn’t allow him to qualify for expanded Medicaid, and he doesn’t think he can cover insurance premiums on his budget. “Do you really think people who can’t afford health care should have to pay a penalty?” asks Rostain. The law does offer a low-income exemption, and he’s checking into it. While rising penalties could boost health care sign-ups this year, that’s not likely to win hearts and minds for Obama’s Affordable Care Act, which remains politically divisive. “We are talking about paying premium prices for underwhelming health care,” said D.J. Byrnes, a sports blogger from Columbus, Ohio, in his 20s and uninsured. “If I want to buy something, I want to make sure it’s quality.”