33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee CountyCool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther was killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther was killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
Bottles of medication at a pharmacy. (CBS News photo) “I’m almost a month away from homelessness,” said Hope McCrea. She’s in her 70s and lives in Port Charlotte. McCrea has health issues affecting her pancreas. She also lives with arthritis and the medicine she takes is not cheap. “My income is around $1,000 a month. My prescriptions can run as high as $4,000 a month,” she explained. She’s not alone. Maryann Hebert, who is also from Charlotte County, told WINK News, “It’s too high. Too high. Unaffordable for everyone. It’s just ridiculous.” She’s one of about a million people in the U.S. living with multiple sclerosis or M.S. It’s a disease of the central nervous system. Her life-saving medication takes hundreds of dollars out of her pocket every month. Both women keep seeing their costs go up. We first met Hebert in February, and we checked in with her again in March. She said, “It went from $6,600 last month to $7,187 this month.” That’s how much it would cost without Medicare and grant money she has to apply for. At the end of the day, she’s paying $339 for one of her M.S. medications for one month and $277 a month for the other. That adds up to $676 per month for just two medications. In an effort to save some money, Hebert said, “I try to juggle between three grocery stores.” McCrea said she depends on friends for help with basic necessities like food. She explained, “If it wasn’t extra help, I’d be lost!” Until major changes to drug pricing are made, patient advocates like Lora McCann said, “Shop your pharmacies. If you’re looking at an oncological drug, work through your provider’s office. They’re going to be your best resource.” Pharmacies also say there are steps you can take to save money. Ashley Alvarez is a pharmacy technician at San Carlos Pharmacy. She recommended, “Ask the doctor for cheaper generic medications. Sometimes the prices of insurance are cheaper outside of insurance.” If all else fails, she also said to consider an independent pharmacy, because they have more control over pricing to an extent. In the meantime, folks like McCrea are relying on their faith. “I am a Christian. I’m God fearing. I’m going to do what’s right.” She’s going to do what’s right for her health and right for her budget. We checked with Hebert again in April. She said she got another grant for her medications, but she also said, “I’m a little shaky. I just got my new medication.” With the money she’s got to pay for it “at least now I’m at ease. I’m not walking around on pins and needles,” she said. Both McCrea and Hebert say they will be looking into Florida’s new Canadian drug importation program when Governor DeSantis signs it into law. They hope to finder cheaper drugs through Canadian pharmacies once the idea gets going. It was just approved by the Florida House and Senate. We reached out to the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida for advice on saving too. Here’s some tips they offer when it comes to Medicare: • Review your plan every year to make sure it still meets your needs. • Plans, coverage limits, providers and drug formularies can change annually. • SHINE Counselors are an excellent resource for helping you evaluate your Medicare plans. SHINE is a free, unbiased counseling service offered by the Area Agency on Aging for SWFL through the Department of Elder Affairs. • Explore Medicare.gov. It can show you the prices that your prescriptions will cost at different pharmacies. • Don’t procrastinate: there are limited windows when you can change your plans. • Find out if you’re eligible for cost savings programs. • For Medicare beneficiaries on a limited income, there are government-funded programs that may be able to help significantly with the cost of co-pays or deductibles. • For high-cost prescriptions, discount cards, apps and websites can sometimes get you a better deal than your insurance coverage. • If you can pay on-the-spot, ask your pharmacist about the “cash price” for your prescription.You may actually pay less by paying out-of-pocket.