Lee Commissioners continue commitment to improving county’s transportation networkYoung bobcat injured by car; rehabilitated, released into Naples
Lee Commissioners continue commitment to improving county’s transportation network The Lee Board of County Commissioners continued its commitment to improving the county’s transportation network.
NAPLES Young bobcat injured by car; rehabilitated, released into Naples A previously injured young bobcat has been released back into the wild through the collaborative efforts of several Florida environmental agencies.
Florida house speaker appoints Charlotte County sheriff to state immigration enforcement council Florida House Speaker has appointed Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell to the state immigration enforcement council.
Man sentenced to 15 years for drug trafficking in Southwest Florida A drug trafficker has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine in Southwest Florida.
Craft supplier Joann to shutter 3 SWFL stores, 500 nationwide The big box craft chain based in Hudson, Ohio, is closing its North Naples store at 6424 Naples Blvd., the Estero store at Coconut Point and the Fort Myers store in South Plaza on Cleveland Avenue.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda Police Department Chaplin Rev. Bill Klossner passes away The Punta Gorda Police Department announced the passing of their Chaplin, Reverend Bill Klossner.
Man dies after struck by car while attempting to pick up trash bag on SR-80 The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash involving a pickup truck and a car that hospitalized one man on State Road 80 in Hendry County.
the weather authority Partly cloudy and milder this Tuesday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking increased cloud coverage along with milder conditions this Tuesday afternoon.
WINK NEWS Shell Factory & Nature Park’s final auction begins The Shell Factory & Nature Park has launched its final auction, allowing fans of the now-closed Southwest Florida landmark to take home several valued items.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers to discuss fluoride in water during next city council meeting The debate over fluoride in drinking water has been reignited following an announcement by the Florida surgeon general urging cities to halt fluoride treatment.
ESTERO Gator stuck on Estero porch gives homeowner a wild surprise Sunday night Imagine glancing out your back door and seeing a gator sliding around on your deck. That’s exactly what happened to an Estero homeowner who found an unexpected visitor on their property.
NORTH FORT MYERS North Fort Myers crash leaves motorcyclist with life-threatening injuries A motorcyclist is in critical condition following a collision with a sedan at the intersection of North East Pine Island Road and Judd Creek Boulevard in North Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS BEACH Hurricane Ian recovery delays impact tourism and local businesses Fort Myers Beach is still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, which struck over two years ago.
FORT MYERS Alliance for the Arts hosting Jazz on the Green, celebrating historic music genre Catch Grammy winners and jazz virtuosos at the Jazz on the Green event hosted by the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS Twins host fans for open house and first full squad workout The Minnesota Twins held their first full squad workout of Spring Training as well as hosted fans for an open house.
Lee Commissioners continue commitment to improving county’s transportation network The Lee Board of County Commissioners continued its commitment to improving the county’s transportation network.
NAPLES Young bobcat injured by car; rehabilitated, released into Naples A previously injured young bobcat has been released back into the wild through the collaborative efforts of several Florida environmental agencies.
Florida house speaker appoints Charlotte County sheriff to state immigration enforcement council Florida House Speaker has appointed Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell to the state immigration enforcement council.
Man sentenced to 15 years for drug trafficking in Southwest Florida A drug trafficker has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine in Southwest Florida.
Craft supplier Joann to shutter 3 SWFL stores, 500 nationwide The big box craft chain based in Hudson, Ohio, is closing its North Naples store at 6424 Naples Blvd., the Estero store at Coconut Point and the Fort Myers store in South Plaza on Cleveland Avenue.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda Police Department Chaplin Rev. Bill Klossner passes away The Punta Gorda Police Department announced the passing of their Chaplin, Reverend Bill Klossner.
Man dies after struck by car while attempting to pick up trash bag on SR-80 The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash involving a pickup truck and a car that hospitalized one man on State Road 80 in Hendry County.
the weather authority Partly cloudy and milder this Tuesday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking increased cloud coverage along with milder conditions this Tuesday afternoon.
WINK NEWS Shell Factory & Nature Park’s final auction begins The Shell Factory & Nature Park has launched its final auction, allowing fans of the now-closed Southwest Florida landmark to take home several valued items.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers to discuss fluoride in water during next city council meeting The debate over fluoride in drinking water has been reignited following an announcement by the Florida surgeon general urging cities to halt fluoride treatment.
ESTERO Gator stuck on Estero porch gives homeowner a wild surprise Sunday night Imagine glancing out your back door and seeing a gator sliding around on your deck. That’s exactly what happened to an Estero homeowner who found an unexpected visitor on their property.
NORTH FORT MYERS North Fort Myers crash leaves motorcyclist with life-threatening injuries A motorcyclist is in critical condition following a collision with a sedan at the intersection of North East Pine Island Road and Judd Creek Boulevard in North Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS BEACH Hurricane Ian recovery delays impact tourism and local businesses Fort Myers Beach is still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, which struck over two years ago.
FORT MYERS Alliance for the Arts hosting Jazz on the Green, celebrating historic music genre Catch Grammy winners and jazz virtuosos at the Jazz on the Green event hosted by the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS Twins host fans for open house and first full squad workout The Minnesota Twins held their first full squad workout of Spring Training as well as hosted fans for an open house.
Credit: WINK News. Nonprofit Mental Health America ranked states based on access to behavioral health services. And based on its research the Sunshine State ranks 43 of 51 for most access. So we looked into what a hospital in Southwest Florida is doing to address the issue of access to mental health care in Southwest Florida. And we spoke to someone who is a patient and advocate for adding mental health services in the area. Lehigh Regional Medical Center is undergoing construction to provide mental health services by adding a new behavioral health center in its facility. “Depression is a significant issue affecting the aging population,” CEO Gary Bell said. “Hopefully, we will help those people.” Christina Devault personally knows the toll mental illness can take on an individual. “It runs in my family,” Devault said. Devault is a patient herself. “I’ve been dealing with mental illness for half of my life,” Devault said. Devault advocates for access to mental health care in Southwest Florida. And this is a challenge the hospital in Lehigh is also taking on. “We’re going to dedicate an entire floor of the hospital for that purpose,” CEO Gary Bell said. When the outpatient center is completed, it will have 35 beds and feature group therapy, art therapy and drug and alcohol education. All the services will be provided specifically for people 55 and older. “What we’re noticing is that younger people don’t have the stigma,” said Linda McKinnon, president of Central Florida Behavioral Health Network. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, suicide is the eighth leading cause of death for people 55 to 64 years old. McKinnon is working to get more money for services like the ones coming to Lehigh, especially as views on mental illness evolve. “It is a brain disease,” McKinnon said. “There’s nothing to be ashamed about. We need to fight stigma.” This is something Bell plans on doing once the center is up and running. “We believe there’s a significant need,” Bell said. The plan is to have the center in Lehigh operational by December, and services are not limited to people in Lee County. The hospital said it will take patients from all over Southwest Florida and will also accept Medicare and Medicaid patients. “It’s a serious issue everywhere that you look,” Devault said. “Mental health should be a right, not a privilege.”