Jake’s story: A mother’s mission to share her son’s story and help other young peopleOwner bars public from Barefoot Lake, LCSO installs Watch Tower
FORT MYERS Jake’s story: A mother’s mission to share her son’s story and help other young people One Fort Myers mom is turning her pain into purpose after her son, who she refers to as her “heavenly Angel,” took his own life.
LEHIGH ACRES Owner bars public from Barefoot Lake, LCSO installs Watch Tower Every weekend, roughly 200 people go to Barefoot Lake in Lehigh Acres to relax, fish, swim and have a good time.
CAPE CORAL Concern over water shortage in Cape Coral Concern is flowing through Cape Coral as neighbors are seeing their canal levels low and their wells run dry.
FORT MYERS FSW softball swinging for success in the postseason Now their focus shifts to states which means the newbies are looking to the experienced sophomores for advice.
BONITA SPRINGS Young SWFL tennis player competing with professionals You may not know her name now, but you might want remember it because 16-year-old Cookie Jarvis-Tredgett is already competing with professionals.
NORTH NAPLES ‘It’s all about connection,’ Statement Peace makes jewelry with sustainability in mind The brand Statement Peace, once started inside founder Jessica Lee’s home, is now in 2,700 stores across the country
Pine Manor 2 arrested for firing gun at birthday party in Pine Manor A party ended with two people behind bars.
FORT MYERS Shooting investigation on busy Fort Myers street Police are conducting a shooting investigation that involves a traffic crash near Michigan Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard.
FGCU New FGCU athletic director Colin Hargis ready to build on department’s success New FGCU athletic director Colin Hargis talks about the department’s future amid the age of NIL and the transfer portal.
FORT MYERS More middle-aged women being treated for acne You probably thought you broke up with it after high school, but acne is rearing it’s ugly blackheads in adult women.
Lee County student ran up and hit teacher in head, report shows The report says a 13-year-old student ran up and smacked a teacher in the head because multiple classmates offered him money to do so.
NAPLES Collier Planning Commission continues discussion for apartments near Fiddler’s Creek The developer of Fiddler’s Creek wants to build hundreds of luxury apartments on a slice of a 600 acre-plus property known as section 29.
CAPE CORAL Fatigue sets in for third day of FEMA hearings Flying several hours to come to a FEMA code compliance hearing in Cape Coral is the reality for John Gasparini from Maryland.
Prescription drug shortages lead to higher prices There are currently more than 250 medications on the nation’s drug shortage list, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. The organization says 2023 marked the worst year for shortages in about a decade.
Mental health resources to help children Here are some resources to help you navigate the mental health system when it comes to help for children. Park Royal Park Royal does not have in-patient options for youth; however, the facility’s launched a new intensive outpatient program for 14 to 17-year-olds. It typically last several weeks or months, and offers three to five […]
FORT MYERS Jake’s story: A mother’s mission to share her son’s story and help other young people One Fort Myers mom is turning her pain into purpose after her son, who she refers to as her “heavenly Angel,” took his own life.
LEHIGH ACRES Owner bars public from Barefoot Lake, LCSO installs Watch Tower Every weekend, roughly 200 people go to Barefoot Lake in Lehigh Acres to relax, fish, swim and have a good time.
CAPE CORAL Concern over water shortage in Cape Coral Concern is flowing through Cape Coral as neighbors are seeing their canal levels low and their wells run dry.
FORT MYERS FSW softball swinging for success in the postseason Now their focus shifts to states which means the newbies are looking to the experienced sophomores for advice.
BONITA SPRINGS Young SWFL tennis player competing with professionals You may not know her name now, but you might want remember it because 16-year-old Cookie Jarvis-Tredgett is already competing with professionals.
NORTH NAPLES ‘It’s all about connection,’ Statement Peace makes jewelry with sustainability in mind The brand Statement Peace, once started inside founder Jessica Lee’s home, is now in 2,700 stores across the country
Pine Manor 2 arrested for firing gun at birthday party in Pine Manor A party ended with two people behind bars.
FORT MYERS Shooting investigation on busy Fort Myers street Police are conducting a shooting investigation that involves a traffic crash near Michigan Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard.
FGCU New FGCU athletic director Colin Hargis ready to build on department’s success New FGCU athletic director Colin Hargis talks about the department’s future amid the age of NIL and the transfer portal.
FORT MYERS More middle-aged women being treated for acne You probably thought you broke up with it after high school, but acne is rearing it’s ugly blackheads in adult women.
Lee County student ran up and hit teacher in head, report shows The report says a 13-year-old student ran up and smacked a teacher in the head because multiple classmates offered him money to do so.
NAPLES Collier Planning Commission continues discussion for apartments near Fiddler’s Creek The developer of Fiddler’s Creek wants to build hundreds of luxury apartments on a slice of a 600 acre-plus property known as section 29.
CAPE CORAL Fatigue sets in for third day of FEMA hearings Flying several hours to come to a FEMA code compliance hearing in Cape Coral is the reality for John Gasparini from Maryland.
Prescription drug shortages lead to higher prices There are currently more than 250 medications on the nation’s drug shortage list, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. The organization says 2023 marked the worst year for shortages in about a decade.
Mental health resources to help children Here are some resources to help you navigate the mental health system when it comes to help for children. Park Royal Park Royal does not have in-patient options for youth; however, the facility’s launched a new intensive outpatient program for 14 to 17-year-olds. It typically last several weeks or months, and offers three to five […]
American flags. (Credit: CBS) There is a promise in the military to leave no man behind. Volunteers in Collier County want to make good on that promise to veterans long after they finish their service. More than 50 volunteers, including Collier County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Emergency Medical Services, representatives from the Veteran Administration and several non-profits walked through the woods, along with other areas. Their mission is to reach out to homeless veterans to gather information and give them backpacks filled with supplies to meet their immediate needs. Dale Mullin, president of Wounded Warriors of Collier County, said they need to quantify the homeless veterans and their locations. “Our goal is then to provide services and housing for these homeless veterans,” Mullin said, “through grants in the county as well as the VA.” Mullin spearheaded the count and is working with the Hunger and Homeless Coalition of Collier County, as well as many other non-profits and veterans organizations. “I’m a Vietnam veteran and when I found out there are homeless veterans living in our county that there’s no place for them to sleep, no beds for them in terms of getting their lives restored,” Mullin said, “it really resonated and really touched my heart.” Mullin is a Vietnam veteran and for him and many others, the mission is personal. They have a goal of providing a stable living environment for homeless veterans. “We know that if you provide stable housing for veterans or anybody that’s homeless they can start getting back on their feet, getting jobs, restore their lives,” Mullin said. “Get back into the workplace with jobs and move on in society and support their families and that sort of thing.” It would take years for U.S. Marine Veteran Dayo Felix-Doyle to restore his life after returning from a deployment in Iraq in 2006. He was dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and faced challenges adjusting to civilian life – as many veterans do. “There was this hopelessness in a sense of how do I validate myself, where do I go next,” Felix-Doyle said. “Marine Corp had some programs available for helping you transition. But as far as becoming a civilian that was a hard thing that I think we struggle with.” Felix-Doyle was living in his car when he had an ‘aha moment.’ He remembered a book and words of encouragement he received while deployed in Iraq. “I remember there was a solider; I was standing guard duty with Perkins,” Felix-Doyle said. “He wrote some words in a book for me that were very motivating. And it was all about getting back to the very nature and those ideals brought me into the Marine Corp to help me succeed after the corp. The words in that book, I definitely embraced.” It inspired him to drive to the VA and get housing help though its HUD-VASH program, which is a joint initiative of the government agency and the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. It was a turning point. Now married and raising a toddler, Felix-Doyle is a third-year law student at Ave Maria University. He plans to become an intellectual property attorney. For other veterans who may be struggling, Felix-Doyle has a message of hope. “Understand that even if it’s difficult, even if you might not see a way out – there’s a way out,” Felix-Doyle said. “There are programs and people out there that are willing to help you.” ______ Veteran resources JFCS of the Suncoast/ Veteran Services 941-366-2224, ext 628 Veteran Services of Collier County 239-252-8387 Naples Vet Center 239-403-2377 Veterans Crisis Hotline 800-273-8255 Text 838255 to connect with a VA responder Confidential online Wounded Warriors of Collier County Home Base: Southwest Florida Warrior Health & Fitness National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255 David Lawrence Center 239-455-8500 St. Matthew’s House 239-774-0500 Catholic Charities – Family Resource Center Helps Outreach 239-593-3226 Salvation Army – Family Services Center 239-210-4009 Here is a full list of organizations in Collier County to help veterans