Police: 15-year-old injured after accidentally shot in the legCaught on video: Huge gator crosses Immokalee neighborhood
BONITA SPRINGS Police: 15-year-old injured after accidentally shot in the leg Lee County deputies say the teen was accidentally shot in the leg.
IMMOKALEE Caught on video: Huge gator crosses Immokalee neighborhood Fridays in Florida are for gators
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Memorial celebrates the life of John Passidomo Hundreds of friends and family gathered for a memorial at Baker Park in Naples.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
BONITA SPRINGS Police: 15-year-old injured after accidentally shot in the leg Lee County deputies say the teen was accidentally shot in the leg.
IMMOKALEE Caught on video: Huge gator crosses Immokalee neighborhood Fridays in Florida are for gators
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Memorial celebrates the life of John Passidomo Hundreds of friends and family gathered for a memorial at Baker Park in Naples.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
Credit: WINK News. Collier County high school students will soon have their first workouts since the coronavirus pandemic first limited the activities they could perform at school fields. We looked at what it will take for students to be safe and for parents to allow their children to train for their respective sports. For the last few months, high school fields have been empty and silent. “I’ve been waiting to go back to practice for like awhile,” student-athlete Damario Salters said. Students told us they are excited to get back with their teammates. And some parents we spoke to agree it’s time. “I think they should be able to get training again,” said Scott Brewer, a parent in Naples. “I believe we can do it in a safe manner, six feet apart, outside. I don’t think it would be a hard thing to accomplish. I think we can figure it out so they can practice.” Concerns still exist among parents, and students we spoke to acknowledged that. “I think every parent is concerned about their child getting the virus,” student-athlete Jaden Wolner said. And that’s why Collier County Public Schools is taking it slow, starting with phase one. “We have a plan in place, not only for the students but to keep the parents at ease as well,” said Alan Scott, the activities coordinator at Gulf Coast High School. “Because the plan is going to make sure our kids and players are safe and being able to do their workouts in a safe environment.” All summer workouts for Collier County student-athletes are voluntary. Charlotte County has similar guidelines in place. Lee County has since announced its plan. Parents and vulnerable employees are supposed to complete waivers before athletes are allowed to practice. These practices will be held in three stages beginning on Monday, June 15. and the same health checks and temperature screenings are required in Lee County as well. Scott says they will take all precautions necessary, including screenings of the student-athletes, disinfecting all equipment, wearing masks and staying outdoors for workouts and practices. “Our main concern is to get these kids in for an acclimation period,” Scott said. “That’s what phase one is, allows them to feel their way back into a season.” Lee County Schools three-stage Summer Practices Stage One June 15 to June 29 Pre-workout screenings Health checks and temperatures will be taken and recorded before practice. Any student with a positive response will not be allowed to participate Limited gatherings Workouts will be no longer than 60 minutes and conducted in “pods” of students with the same 10-20 people per facility (including coaches) always working out together. Locker rooms will be closed. Facilities cleaning All facilities will be wiped clean before students enter. All weight equipment will be wiped down before an after each individual use. Frequent handwashing will be recommended. Athletic Equipment No equipment (towels, clothing, shoes, etc) shall be shared by students. Balls and other equipment used for drills will be cleaned after each use and the end of practice. Hydration All students should bring their own water bottle and water bottles should not be shared. Hydration stations (water fountains, water troughs, etc.) should not be used. Stage two June 29 to July 9 Includes all the factors of Stage One with the addition of: Workouts will be no longer than 90 minutes Lower Risk Sports and Moderate Risk Sports according to the NFHS training may resume. Maximum lifts can be performed. Spotters should stand at each end of the bar. Stage Three July 9 to July 23 Includes all the factors of Stage One and Stage Two with the addition of: Gatherings sizes of up to 50 individuals in the same “pod”, indoors or outdoors, can resume. Maximum lifts should be limited, and power cages should be used for squats and bench presses. Spotters should stand at each end of the bar. Summer participation in workouts and training sessions is voluntary and may not be used toward team or program selection. The District also reserves the right to halt or regress the Stages if necessary to protect student and staff health and safety. The entire Return to Summer Workouts plan is available in the School Reintroduction section of www.leeschools.net CCPS Athletics Return to Training Guidance https://winknews.com/wp-content/uploads/CCPS-Athletics-Return-to-Training-Guidanc.pdf Charlotte County COVID-19 Athletic Protocols https://winknews.com/wp-content/uploads/Charlotte-County-COVID-19-Athletic-Protocols.pdf