Naples Airport Authority in need of volunteers for Noise Compatibility CommitteeWoman missing following Port Charlotte house fire
NAPLES Naples Airport Authority in need of volunteers for Noise Compatibility Committee The Naples Airport Authority is seeking applications to fill three volunteer positions on its Noise Compatibility Committee (NCC).
Woman missing following Port Charlotte house fire Charlotte County law enforcement and fire rescue are on the scene attending to the ruins of a house in Port Charlotte after a fire destroyed most of it.
the weather authority Cold front brings less humid air this Tuesday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a cold front, which will bring in less humidity and cooler temperatures this Tuesday.
golden gate city Collier County launches pilot program to fend off mosquitoes, diseases The Collier Mosquito Control District is launching a pilot program to use sterilization to target invasive insects in Golden Gate City.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
FORT MYERS Man accused of burglarizing several businesses in Fort Myers A crime spree came to an end Sunday night as deputies arrested a man in a bush.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers cross country runner reflects on state championship Fort Myers High School senior cross country runner Masha Dorofeev reflects on her state championship win and committing to UCF.
CAPE CORAL Coyote kills beloved family pet For 16 years, Sarge and his owner, James Stewart were inseparable.
FORT MYERS Local artist AHZUWOP to hold fashion show at tattoo shop A local artist is throwing a fashion show at a tattoo shop, an event that will also feature music performances and an art exhibition.
NAPLES Identity released of body found in Collier County retention pond According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, a body was found in a retention pond on Sunday. The body was found on Lindsey Lane.
FORT MYERS City leaders looking to improve Fort Myers infrastructure with AI When people think of artificial intelligence (AI), they typically think of online apps like Chat GPT but the City of Fort Myers wants to use it to make a real-world difference.
SAINT JAMES CITY Saint James City neighbors create art from hurricane destruction Many who pass through Saint James City see this as just leftovers from a hundred-year storm but not Floyd Cornett.
FORT MYERS Miracle Moment: Children starting the year cancer free Several youngsters are celebrating starting 2025 cancer-free.
FORT MYERS Flood insurance discount up to 20% in Fort Myers Anyone who lives in the City of Fort Myers will be getting a bigger flood insurance discount.
Message from LCEC raises red flag for customers A push from one of Southwest Florida’s power providers to not use your heater as the temperatures drop has raised a red flag for some customers.
NAPLES Naples Airport Authority in need of volunteers for Noise Compatibility Committee The Naples Airport Authority is seeking applications to fill three volunteer positions on its Noise Compatibility Committee (NCC).
Woman missing following Port Charlotte house fire Charlotte County law enforcement and fire rescue are on the scene attending to the ruins of a house in Port Charlotte after a fire destroyed most of it.
the weather authority Cold front brings less humid air this Tuesday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a cold front, which will bring in less humidity and cooler temperatures this Tuesday.
golden gate city Collier County launches pilot program to fend off mosquitoes, diseases The Collier Mosquito Control District is launching a pilot program to use sterilization to target invasive insects in Golden Gate City.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
FORT MYERS Man accused of burglarizing several businesses in Fort Myers A crime spree came to an end Sunday night as deputies arrested a man in a bush.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers cross country runner reflects on state championship Fort Myers High School senior cross country runner Masha Dorofeev reflects on her state championship win and committing to UCF.
CAPE CORAL Coyote kills beloved family pet For 16 years, Sarge and his owner, James Stewart were inseparable.
FORT MYERS Local artist AHZUWOP to hold fashion show at tattoo shop A local artist is throwing a fashion show at a tattoo shop, an event that will also feature music performances and an art exhibition.
NAPLES Identity released of body found in Collier County retention pond According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, a body was found in a retention pond on Sunday. The body was found on Lindsey Lane.
FORT MYERS City leaders looking to improve Fort Myers infrastructure with AI When people think of artificial intelligence (AI), they typically think of online apps like Chat GPT but the City of Fort Myers wants to use it to make a real-world difference.
SAINT JAMES CITY Saint James City neighbors create art from hurricane destruction Many who pass through Saint James City see this as just leftovers from a hundred-year storm but not Floyd Cornett.
FORT MYERS Miracle Moment: Children starting the year cancer free Several youngsters are celebrating starting 2025 cancer-free.
FORT MYERS Flood insurance discount up to 20% in Fort Myers Anyone who lives in the City of Fort Myers will be getting a bigger flood insurance discount.
Message from LCEC raises red flag for customers A push from one of Southwest Florida’s power providers to not use your heater as the temperatures drop has raised a red flag for some customers.
Charity Morris says she can’t get her kids any gifts this year after missing unemployment benefits and months of struggling to pay the bills. (Photo courtesy of Charity Morris) A Florida mom is struggling to make ends meet at Christmastime thanks to Florida’s unemployment system. Charity Morris of Lawtey, Florida, says she can’t get her kids any gifts this year after missing unemployment benefits and months of struggling to pay the bills. She says she has tried everything she can to get it fixed, and now, it’s affecting her children. “Just trying to keep my lights on and my kids fed. About the best I can do.” Morris says she has started to sell things on eBay just to get by. “You have to basically ask people for help, and I’m not one of those to do that. Never received unemployment in my life. This is the first time, you know. It’s hard.” Out of work since March, she received unemployment benefits for a little while – until they suddenly stopped in August. “They said that it’s under review due to the backdating process. And they see that I’ve done everything I’m supposed to do. I was like, what can we do to fix it?” Despite her efforts, her account still says “suspended.” “The times that you can get through to somebody, they tell you something different every time. Like 48 hours. They just try to get you off the phone.” Missing that $125 a week, her two youngest kids, 5-year-old Emily and 14-year-old Kyle, have also made sacrifices. “My kids haven’t gotten birthday presents. They haven’t gotten any Christmas.” She says her credit is ruined, she has lost her only form of transportation and they’ve shut off her electricity twice. “It’s by the grace of God and good people in my life that I’m even going.” Holding onto the kindness of others when the holiday spirit is hard to find, Morris’ wish this year is for relief. “Fix it, that’s all I can say.” Morris says she used to work for herself, cleaning houses and doing maintenance, and finding a job in the pandemic hasn’t been easy. If you’re struggling because of unemployment issues, email us at tips@winknews.com. For ongoing updates and information on unemployment, follow WINK News Investigative Reporter Sara Girard on Twitter and Facebook. She also updates the WINK News FAQ: Unemployment Resources page as information is received.