Neighbors react to Collier County hit-and-run that injured 2 womenDecision on Vandy QB leads to ex-JUCO players gaining eligibility
NAPLES MANOR Neighbors react to Collier County hit-and-run that injured 2 women A tragic start to the new year for neighbors on Texas Avenue in Collier County after two of their own were injured in a hit-and-run.
Decision on Vandy QB leads to ex-JUCO players gaining eligibility A former FSW volleyball player is one of the ex-JUCO student athletes to get an extra season in college following Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia’s injunction.
Little Gasparilla Island looking to rebuild after active hurricane season The 2024 hurricane season did damage to Little Gasparilla Island in Charlotte County. Residents hope the new year will bring revitalization.
SOUTH FORT MYERS “I love you guys very much”; Longtime soccer coach speaks on SWFL teens injured in New Orleans terrorist attack Two graduates of The Canterbury School in South Fort Myers were struck by a truck during a terrorist attack in New Orleans.
TALLAHASSEE New AI-driven emergency alert system launches in Florida The Florida Division of Emergency Management partnered with the University of Florida to launch a program that uses artificial intelligence to send real-time messaging before, during and after a disaster like a hurricane.
NAPLES Intercept Task Force fights online sextortion involving children Online predators are finding ways to lure children into sharing nude images.
Man arrested in Collier for allegedly impersonating CIA officer The Florida Highway Patrol has arrested a man for impersonating a federal officer after conducting a traffic stop in Collier County on a suspicious vehicle.
Local law enforcement’s plan for protection in large crowds The scene of chaos and confusion in New Orleans has filled many with worry and fear of being out in large crowds in busy areas.
PUNTA GORDA The importance of ShorePoint Health in Punta Gorda WINK News is hearing from people who say that the community is losing something it cannot live without.
Improving your sleep as the new year starts Ever felt like a zombie after a bad night’s sleep? You’re not alone. Poor sleep can mess with your health in surprising ways, like causing weight gain and memory problems.
Collier deputy hurt after crash at Santa Barbara Blvd. and Golden Gate Pkwy., intersection closed A Collier County deputy has been transported to the hospital after he was involved in a crash with another vehicle.
NAPLES Investigators move plane that crashed at Naples Airport to Jacksonville Investigators are working to move a plane that crashed at the Naples Airport on New Year’s Day.
(CBS News) Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside Trump Hotel in Las Vegas investigated as possible act of terrorism The Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside the Trump Towers is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism, says to law enforcement.
FORT MYERS Firefighters extinguish box truck fire in front of Fort Myers Wawa The Fort Myers Fire Department responded to a box truck fire, where the vehicle was engulfed in flames in front of a Wawa convenience store.
Southwest Florida International Airport RSW anticipates high travel activity through the weekend Thursday morning, millions of Americans are making their way back home after celebrating the holidays with loved ones.
NAPLES MANOR Neighbors react to Collier County hit-and-run that injured 2 women A tragic start to the new year for neighbors on Texas Avenue in Collier County after two of their own were injured in a hit-and-run.
Decision on Vandy QB leads to ex-JUCO players gaining eligibility A former FSW volleyball player is one of the ex-JUCO student athletes to get an extra season in college following Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia’s injunction.
Little Gasparilla Island looking to rebuild after active hurricane season The 2024 hurricane season did damage to Little Gasparilla Island in Charlotte County. Residents hope the new year will bring revitalization.
SOUTH FORT MYERS “I love you guys very much”; Longtime soccer coach speaks on SWFL teens injured in New Orleans terrorist attack Two graduates of The Canterbury School in South Fort Myers were struck by a truck during a terrorist attack in New Orleans.
TALLAHASSEE New AI-driven emergency alert system launches in Florida The Florida Division of Emergency Management partnered with the University of Florida to launch a program that uses artificial intelligence to send real-time messaging before, during and after a disaster like a hurricane.
NAPLES Intercept Task Force fights online sextortion involving children Online predators are finding ways to lure children into sharing nude images.
Man arrested in Collier for allegedly impersonating CIA officer The Florida Highway Patrol has arrested a man for impersonating a federal officer after conducting a traffic stop in Collier County on a suspicious vehicle.
Local law enforcement’s plan for protection in large crowds The scene of chaos and confusion in New Orleans has filled many with worry and fear of being out in large crowds in busy areas.
PUNTA GORDA The importance of ShorePoint Health in Punta Gorda WINK News is hearing from people who say that the community is losing something it cannot live without.
Improving your sleep as the new year starts Ever felt like a zombie after a bad night’s sleep? You’re not alone. Poor sleep can mess with your health in surprising ways, like causing weight gain and memory problems.
Collier deputy hurt after crash at Santa Barbara Blvd. and Golden Gate Pkwy., intersection closed A Collier County deputy has been transported to the hospital after he was involved in a crash with another vehicle.
NAPLES Investigators move plane that crashed at Naples Airport to Jacksonville Investigators are working to move a plane that crashed at the Naples Airport on New Year’s Day.
(CBS News) Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside Trump Hotel in Las Vegas investigated as possible act of terrorism The Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside the Trump Towers is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism, says to law enforcement.
FORT MYERS Firefighters extinguish box truck fire in front of Fort Myers Wawa The Fort Myers Fire Department responded to a box truck fire, where the vehicle was engulfed in flames in front of a Wawa convenience store.
Southwest Florida International Airport RSW anticipates high travel activity through the weekend Thursday morning, millions of Americans are making their way back home after celebrating the holidays with loved ones.
FILE- In this June 15, 2018, file photo, twenty dollar bills are counted in North Andover, Mass. Default on your federal student loans and the government can take up to 15 percent of each paycheck to satisfy your debt. The Education Department can also withhold federal benefits like tax returns and Social Security payments. Garnishment is an effective tool to recoup unpaid loans, private collection agencies enlisted by the Education Department took in over $841.6 million via wage garnishment in the 2018 fiscal year, but it inflicts serious financial strain on borrowers who are already struggling. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File) As you and your child start a new semester at college on Monday, taking out student loans to pay for school may be unavoidable, but if you’re not careful those loans can turn from a good investment for your future, to an extreme financial burden for years. Mara Michel is a fourth grade teacher in Immokalee, and has had the burden of paying off student loans since graduating from Florida Gulf Coast University, along with a car payment, rent and other adult expenses. “$600 is a lot for a first year person out of college trying to get up and going in their career,” Michel said. Even though you can apply online for financial Aid, meeting your counselor in person is always encouraged because they can help present other options like hidden grants or scholarships. “If you do take out a student loan, only take out what you need,” said Jorge Lopez, who works at FGCU. Even if you have to make small payments before you graduate, the sooner you start paying back your loans the better. Six months after you graduate are when the real payments begin, so start a budget now and stick to it. It can be enticing to put an unsubsidized government loan in deferment, but if you do that for even a year, your loan interest will go up. You can calculate how much your estimated payment will be through the free loan estimator found here.