Tracking Tropical Storm Sara; likely to dissipate over Central America“Don’t give up. You’re worth it. God sees you.” St. Matthew’s graduates speak out
the weather authority Tracking Tropical Storm Sara; likely to dissipate over Central America The Weather Authority is monitoring Tropical Storm Sara, which is expected to strengthen slightly before dissipation over Central America.
NAPLES “Don’t give up. You’re worth it. God sees you.” St. Matthew’s graduates speak out Susan and Dustin Cheatwood credit the Justin’s Place recovery program for saving their lives and stopping them from becoming a statistic.
ENGLEWOOD EAST FEMA relocation notice shocks mobile home park residents The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued relocation notices to residents living in one of their temporary housing parks in Englewood East.
Six dogs rescued after being left in a box by SR-29 Six dogs, including four puppies and two adult dogs, were found stranded in an empty box on the corner of Experimental Road and State Road 29 in Immokalee.
FORT MYERS Players of the Week: Dunbar’s Ken’Dahrius Green and Jeremy Ware Dunbar High School’s Special Teams unit has shown out these past two weeks, scoring a special teams touchdown in wins over South Fort Myers and Fort Myers.
NAPLES Collier County golfer lands shot on the back of an alligator “Play it safe.” That’s what Greg Irving thought he may be doing when he swung his puck Wednesday morning while golfing with his friend Joe Pack.
PUNTA GORDA Southwest Florida veterans honored during round trip honor flight Veterans from Southwest Florida made a round trip to Washington, DC, and back in honor of their service.
NAPLES Path to freedom: From Cuban prison to NCH operating room It’s rare that a serious heart condition is a blessing, but that was the case for a Naples man. The surgery he received at NCH saved his life in more ways than one.
SANIBEL Changing landscape after hurricanes Many of you know what saltwater surge does to your homes after surviving hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton. It’s highly corrosive and destructive. It also has a similar impact on plants and wildlife, but that’s not all bad news.
Former FGCU basketball player talks Karl Smesko joining WNBA Las Vegas Aces guard Kierstan Bell made a lot of memories playing at FGCU. From winning ASUN championships to playing for one of the winningest coaches in the sport Karl Smesko.
LEHIGH ACRES Suspicious fire sparks at Lehigh Acres church Daycare services at one church are canceled after a small fire at Victory church in Lehigh Acres.
State of Florida sues FEMA for ‘conspiracy to interfere with civil rights’ The State of Florida is suing the Federal Emergency Management Agency for “conspiring to interfere with civil rights,” according to an official complaint filed by Florida Attorney General Ashely Moody.
WINK NEWS Game of the Week: Cape Coral Seahawks vs. Immokalee Indians The Seahawks are undefeated on the road and the Indians have never lost on home turf. Friday night only one will advance to round two.
Disaster assistance available for Charlotte County residents Charlotte County residents affected by hurricanes Ian, Helene or Milton can now apply for disaster assistance from local resources through Community Organizations Active in a Disaster (COAD).
Great Wolf Lodge celebrates grand opening with Rob Gronkowski Pack your trunks. We’re taking you to the grand opening of the Great Wolf Lodge resort in Collier County.
the weather authority Tracking Tropical Storm Sara; likely to dissipate over Central America The Weather Authority is monitoring Tropical Storm Sara, which is expected to strengthen slightly before dissipation over Central America.
NAPLES “Don’t give up. You’re worth it. God sees you.” St. Matthew’s graduates speak out Susan and Dustin Cheatwood credit the Justin’s Place recovery program for saving their lives and stopping them from becoming a statistic.
ENGLEWOOD EAST FEMA relocation notice shocks mobile home park residents The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued relocation notices to residents living in one of their temporary housing parks in Englewood East.
Six dogs rescued after being left in a box by SR-29 Six dogs, including four puppies and two adult dogs, were found stranded in an empty box on the corner of Experimental Road and State Road 29 in Immokalee.
FORT MYERS Players of the Week: Dunbar’s Ken’Dahrius Green and Jeremy Ware Dunbar High School’s Special Teams unit has shown out these past two weeks, scoring a special teams touchdown in wins over South Fort Myers and Fort Myers.
NAPLES Collier County golfer lands shot on the back of an alligator “Play it safe.” That’s what Greg Irving thought he may be doing when he swung his puck Wednesday morning while golfing with his friend Joe Pack.
PUNTA GORDA Southwest Florida veterans honored during round trip honor flight Veterans from Southwest Florida made a round trip to Washington, DC, and back in honor of their service.
NAPLES Path to freedom: From Cuban prison to NCH operating room It’s rare that a serious heart condition is a blessing, but that was the case for a Naples man. The surgery he received at NCH saved his life in more ways than one.
SANIBEL Changing landscape after hurricanes Many of you know what saltwater surge does to your homes after surviving hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton. It’s highly corrosive and destructive. It also has a similar impact on plants and wildlife, but that’s not all bad news.
Former FGCU basketball player talks Karl Smesko joining WNBA Las Vegas Aces guard Kierstan Bell made a lot of memories playing at FGCU. From winning ASUN championships to playing for one of the winningest coaches in the sport Karl Smesko.
LEHIGH ACRES Suspicious fire sparks at Lehigh Acres church Daycare services at one church are canceled after a small fire at Victory church in Lehigh Acres.
State of Florida sues FEMA for ‘conspiracy to interfere with civil rights’ The State of Florida is suing the Federal Emergency Management Agency for “conspiring to interfere with civil rights,” according to an official complaint filed by Florida Attorney General Ashely Moody.
WINK NEWS Game of the Week: Cape Coral Seahawks vs. Immokalee Indians The Seahawks are undefeated on the road and the Indians have never lost on home turf. Friday night only one will advance to round two.
Disaster assistance available for Charlotte County residents Charlotte County residents affected by hurricanes Ian, Helene or Milton can now apply for disaster assistance from local resources through Community Organizations Active in a Disaster (COAD).
Great Wolf Lodge celebrates grand opening with Rob Gronkowski Pack your trunks. We’re taking you to the grand opening of the Great Wolf Lodge resort in Collier County.
Lee Health holds news conference on latest coronavirus updates. (WINK News) Lee Health held a news conference Saturday afternoon at Gulf Coast Medical Center to provide the community updates on Lee County’s coronavirus (COVID-19) cases. Dr. Larry Antonucci, Lee Health president & CEO, and Dr. Stephanie Stovall, infection prevention, provided information. Lee Health says they were prepared ahead of time to fight the virus and are doing everything they can to be proactive. Since this strain of coronavirus was identified in December, Lee Health has been monitoring the spread and prepared the health system for an eventual case. The established plans and protocols being followed at this time to limit any further infection. The drills conducted with our clinical staff confirm that we have the appropriate training supplies and equipment in place. All of our plans are in effect. Coronavirus is here in our community and Lee Health is prepared to care for our community over the course of the disease. WATCH THE FULL NEWS CONFERENCE BELOW: The Florida Department of Health announced Friday night that one person in Lee County had died from the virus. The governor’s office confirmed to WINK News that the person who died was a woman in her 70s. And it’s confirmed she had returned from a trip to the Dominican Republic. She was brought to the hospital on Wednesday, March 4. Later that evening she was tested and a sample was sent to Miami on Thursday, March 5. That same day, the woman passed away. No one was notified of the death at the time. The woman’s test came back positive for COVID-19 on Friday and the governor’s office was notified at 6 p.m. Friday. Saturday morning, FDOH confirmed another presumptive positive case in the county. Lee Health says that person also came into Gulf Coast Medical Center around noon on Wednesday. They are currently isolated in the ICU and being treated. .@HealthyFla has announced a new presumptive positive Florida #COVID19 case in Lee County: The individual is isolated and being appropriately cared for. For the total case count and more important information, visit https://t.co/e1S8bGG26U @CDCgov — Florida Dept. of Health (@HealthyFla) March 7, 2020 They could not confirm whether or not those two patients had any relationship to each other. They say no one else is presumptive positive in their care at this time. Lee Health also said some of their staff that had been exposed to the virus are being isolated as a precaution and are being monitored closely. They have not shown any signs of infection. Officials said by law, they are not allowed to release the name of the deceased or the patient being treated or any further details, but did say the FDOH is investigating their travel history and opportunities for exposure. In addition, the county is taking extra steps to disinfect public areas such as RSW airport, buses, ambulances, taxis, etc. They will not be activating EOC at this time. Lee Health emphasized that the overall risk of the community is low, but asks people to take simple precautions to remain healthy such as washing your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water. A big questions health professional are looking into at Gulf Coast Medical Center are other patients who came in contact with the two individuals tested presumptive positive for COVID-19. “We have around 30 people who are potential medium or high risk exposures that have all been notified,” said Dr. Stephanie Stovall, a medical director for pediatric infection prevention/epidemiology with Lee Health. Those people are now in self-isolation and receiving daily checkups. Virus in SWFL: NCH and Lee Health implement visitor restrictions In effort to combat coronavirus (COVID-19), NCH Healthcare System and Lee Health, in a joint effort, announced Saturday both Southwest Florida health agencies will implement visitor restrictions at all of its health facilities in the region. Restrictions are as follows: Respiratory symptoms-cough, runny nose, fever will not be allowed to enter the hospitals No one under 12 years of age will be allowed to enter Visitation will be limited to no more than 2 visitors at one time Obstetric/post-partum visitors will be limited to 4 visitors at a time Per the NCH press release, the health leaders they care deeply about the health and wellbeing of everyone in our community. That’s why we are making the decision to avoid additional traffic and to ensure we are focusing on patient care. There is currently one patient confirmed presumptivley positive for COVID-19 at Lee Health facility Gulf Coast Medical Center in south Fort Myers. There are currently no cases at NCH health facilities. Gov. DeSantis directs Divison of Emergency Management to activate Level II response Governor Ron DeSantis directed the Florida Division of Emergency Management to activate to Level II to coordinate the state’s response to COVID-19 and provide critical support to the Florida Department of Health and county health departments. I have directed @FLSERT to activate to Level II to ensure Florida has all the necessary resources engaged as we respond to #COVID19. It is critical that we proactively coordinate all state resources to mitigate and contain #COVID19. — Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 7, 2020 “I have directed the Division of Emergency Management to activate to Level II to ensure our state has all the necessary resources engaged as we respond to COVID-19,” DeSantis said. “It is critical that we proactively coordinate all state resources to mitigate the threat and contain COVID-19. I urge all Floridians to take necessary precautions and follow hygiene guidelines issued by the Surgeon General and Florida Department of Health.” RELATED: Gov. DeSantis requests more money to fight coronavirus in Florida IF YOU FEEL SICK: The Florida Department of Health has opened a 24-hour COVID-19 Call Center at 1-866-779-6121. Questions may also be emailed to covid-19@flhealth.gov. Email responses will be sent during call center hours. http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/