Bruno’s of Brooklyn opens new downtown Fort Myers locationFEMA deadline looms for Lee County: flood insurance discounts at risk
Bruno’s of Brooklyn opens new downtown Fort Myers location The new Bruno’s of Brooklyn Italian Eatery opens the evening of Nov. 18 at 2149 First St. in Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS BEACH FEMA deadline looms for Lee County: flood insurance discounts at risk FEMA will soon announce whether homeowners in five different areas of Lee County will keep that 25% discount on their flood insurance policies long term.
NORTH FORT MYERS Man wanted for grand theft at North Fort Myers Dollar Tree SWFL Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man wanted for committing grand theft at a Dollar Tree in North Fort Myers last week.
WINK NEWS 1 dead from e-coli outbreak due to carrots sold in popular grocery stores The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating an outbreak of e-coli linked to tainted carrots.
FORT MYERS Lee County Library System announces annual Fandom Fest The Lee County Library System is inviting people of all ages to bring cosplay and pop culture fun to its annual Fandom Fest.
FORT MYERS Lee County opens Royal Palms Avenue parking lot for downtown Fort Myers workers Lee County has announced the opening of the Royal Palms Avenue parking lot, which will be used by downtown workers and become paid public parking on nights and weekends.
NAPLES Naples sculptor makes memorable busts for 9 locations You may notice some new, massive statues that have been placed in popular areas around Naples, like Waterside Shops and Maserati Naples.
the weather authority Seasonal Monday with highs in the mid 80s The Weather Authority is tracking seasonal temperatures with an approaching cold front that is expected to bring rain and cooler conditions during the middle of the week.
Volunteers gather for 20th annual Turkey Drop event in Collier County The 20th annual Capital Wealth Advisors Turkey Drop event is set to begin as organizers seek to mark this milestone anniversary with the goal of over 7,000 turkeys donated.
FORT MYERS BEACH FMB residents raise concerns over removal of business trailers Residents and business owners on Fort Myers Beach are raising concerns after FEMA called for the removal of temporary structures off the island.
Driver arrested after failing to stop in Lehigh Acres According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a driver was arrested after he failed to stop for troopers on State Road 82 and Blackstone Drive in Lehigh Acres on Saturday Night.
WINK Neighborhood Watch: burglary, aggravated battery and cockfighting This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a burglary spree, aggravated battery with a vehicle and a man arrested for cockfighting.
NAPLES Deputies investigating death at Collier house party The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a death that happened at a house party.
southwest florida Beautiful Sunday on tap with temperatures reaching the low 80s this afternoon It will be another seasonal day with sun and clouds across Southwest Florida with temperatures reaching yet again topping out in the low 80s.
NAPLES Community raises funds for family of elementary school choking victim Staff and students from Laurel Oak Elementary School gathered at a Naples Culver’s to raise money for the family of Benjamin Cronin, an 11-year-old boy who died after choking at school.
Bruno’s of Brooklyn opens new downtown Fort Myers location The new Bruno’s of Brooklyn Italian Eatery opens the evening of Nov. 18 at 2149 First St. in Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS BEACH FEMA deadline looms for Lee County: flood insurance discounts at risk FEMA will soon announce whether homeowners in five different areas of Lee County will keep that 25% discount on their flood insurance policies long term.
NORTH FORT MYERS Man wanted for grand theft at North Fort Myers Dollar Tree SWFL Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man wanted for committing grand theft at a Dollar Tree in North Fort Myers last week.
WINK NEWS 1 dead from e-coli outbreak due to carrots sold in popular grocery stores The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating an outbreak of e-coli linked to tainted carrots.
FORT MYERS Lee County Library System announces annual Fandom Fest The Lee County Library System is inviting people of all ages to bring cosplay and pop culture fun to its annual Fandom Fest.
FORT MYERS Lee County opens Royal Palms Avenue parking lot for downtown Fort Myers workers Lee County has announced the opening of the Royal Palms Avenue parking lot, which will be used by downtown workers and become paid public parking on nights and weekends.
NAPLES Naples sculptor makes memorable busts for 9 locations You may notice some new, massive statues that have been placed in popular areas around Naples, like Waterside Shops and Maserati Naples.
the weather authority Seasonal Monday with highs in the mid 80s The Weather Authority is tracking seasonal temperatures with an approaching cold front that is expected to bring rain and cooler conditions during the middle of the week.
Volunteers gather for 20th annual Turkey Drop event in Collier County The 20th annual Capital Wealth Advisors Turkey Drop event is set to begin as organizers seek to mark this milestone anniversary with the goal of over 7,000 turkeys donated.
FORT MYERS BEACH FMB residents raise concerns over removal of business trailers Residents and business owners on Fort Myers Beach are raising concerns after FEMA called for the removal of temporary structures off the island.
Driver arrested after failing to stop in Lehigh Acres According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a driver was arrested after he failed to stop for troopers on State Road 82 and Blackstone Drive in Lehigh Acres on Saturday Night.
WINK Neighborhood Watch: burglary, aggravated battery and cockfighting This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a burglary spree, aggravated battery with a vehicle and a man arrested for cockfighting.
NAPLES Deputies investigating death at Collier house party The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a death that happened at a house party.
southwest florida Beautiful Sunday on tap with temperatures reaching the low 80s this afternoon It will be another seasonal day with sun and clouds across Southwest Florida with temperatures reaching yet again topping out in the low 80s.
NAPLES Community raises funds for family of elementary school choking victim Staff and students from Laurel Oak Elementary School gathered at a Naples Culver’s to raise money for the family of Benjamin Cronin, an 11-year-old boy who died after choking at school.
The pandemic left millions of people out of work around the country, and for some of us losing a job meant losing health care too. That’s why, with the insurance marketplace from the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare) opening on Nov. 1, experts expect a surge in enrollment. One Lehigh Acres woman is preparing to find a plan for the first time. Sharon Kudingo, 64, has always had health insurance when she needed it—until now. “I worry every day,” Kudingo said. “I do.” After major surgery in 2019, she took an early retirement. All it took was one trip to the emergency room in September, and her finances got scary. “Here I am trying to stay healthy, but it didn’t turn out too well,” Kudingo said. What she thought was a bug bite turned into a swollen hand, chest pains and at least $4,000 in bills. “I’m just scared that I’m not gonna be able to afford health insurance until I’m 65,” Kudingo said. “And I’m afraid I might have another heart issue, or I might not be able to afford my medications.” But experts like Sabrina Corlette, a research professor at Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms, say there are options. “People might actually be surprised what they will qualify for,” she said. “I study health insurance and help people access affordable comprehensive insurance coverage.” Corlette says about 80% of people shopping in the marketplace in Florida will qualify for some kind of subsidy. Her three pieces of advice to those shopping for the first time: Make sure you’re on HealthCare.gov. “Unfortunately, there are these sort of fake websites that have been created to look a lot like the Obamacare marketplaces,” Corlette said. Look for premium tax credits. “You can actually be eligible for subsidies up to about a little over $100,000 in income per year for a family of four. So the subsidies do get more generous as you go down in income,” she said. If you can’t find a price that works for you, click “find local help“ “Even though the budget has been cut for in-person or one-on-one assistance, Florida actually has some terrific navigators,” she said. “These are folks who are really expert in eligibility and enrollment.” The one caveat for especially low-income folks is an issue called the “Medicaid gap.” “Florida has not expanded Medicaid, which now most states have done under Obamacare,” Corlette said. “And so there is this real sort of inequity in that if you were very low income, you don’t qualify for anything at all. Where slightly higher-income people could get these Obamacare tax credits.” But she says not to let that stop you from trying. Kudingo says she would love to work a part-time job to make things more affordable, but she’s at high risk of serious impacts from coronavirus. “I’m on six different medications,” Kudingo said. “If the coronavirus was not around, I would be working. I’m a workaholic.” Come Nov. 1, she hopes to find a plan for 2021 that will end her health care nightmare. “What else am I supposed to do?” she said, adding she’ll have to pray every day to stay healthy or shop insurance another way. “I have bills to pay.” Corlette says the many people who lost their jobs and health care during the pandemic could even qualify for plans beginning in 2020. Unemployed people should also consider COBRA coverage as another option.