Lee Health Touch-A-Truck event educates families on Trauma AwarenessCDC says bird flu viruses “pose pandemic potential,” cites major knowledge gaps
FORT MYERS Lee Health Touch-A-Truck event educates families on Trauma Awareness On Saturday morning, sirens were ringing to celebrate Lee Health Trauma Center’s 30 years of service and to provide the public with trauma education and prevention methods.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA (CBS) CDC says bird flu viruses “pose pandemic potential,” cites major knowledge gaps Bird flu continues to appear to pose a “low risk to the general public” for now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. But the agency’s scientists ran into roadblocks investigating a human case of this “pandemic potential” virus this year, they said in a new report.
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS Bay Street Yard set to open in late May A new place to hang out in Downtown Fort Myers is opening this spring.
Aetna agrees to settle lawsuit over fertility coverage for LGBTQ+ customers Aetna has agreed to settle a lawsuit that accused the health insurer of discriminating against LGBTQ+ customers in need of fertility treatment.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: Robbery, Pawn Shops, and Child Porn This week’s segment of Wink Neighborhood Watch features an armed robber, fraud at a pawn shop, and possession of child pornography.
Southwest Florida The Weather Authority: Sun, clouds, humidity, rain – it’s all in your weekend forecast Saturday afternoon will be hot and humid, with a mix of sun and clouds.
LEHIGH ACRES Chaotic lake getting fence and security Now, with all the negative attention it has gotten, some think putting up a fence is a great way to keep that bad activity out.
CAPE CORAL What we learned about Cape Coral’s water crisis after a ride along On Friday, WINK News got to ride along to see just what people are doing that could be wasting water.
FORT MYERS Students affected by COVID-19 able to graduate for the first time For many young people, COVID stripped away one of their greatest rites of passage: graduation.
Deadly crash on State Road 29 in Hendry County Authorities are at the scene of a deadly crash on State Road 29 in Hendry County on Friday afternoon.
Celebrating Free Comic Book Day in SWFL JP Sports store manager Jonathan Powell said this is a generational event that brings families together to reminisce on comics and other hobby-related knickknacks.
FORT MYERS Group rescues dogs before getting put down in Lee County Our animal shelters are packed with amazing puppies who have the sole desire to be loved.
FORT MYERS FGCU student beats all odds and is able to graduate Nearly four years ago, Marisa Manning had her heart set on going to Florida Gulf Coast University but never thought she’d find her passion for studying parasites.
FORT MYERS Victim in MLK Blvd. shooting identified as social media influencer The victim of the Martin Luther King Boulevard shooting has been identified as a local social media influencer.
FORT MYERS Could a Ferris wheel in downtown Fort Myers work? Right now, there are talks to bring a Ferris wheel to downtown Fort Myers, but several things are still up in the air.
FORT MYERS Lee Health Touch-A-Truck event educates families on Trauma Awareness On Saturday morning, sirens were ringing to celebrate Lee Health Trauma Center’s 30 years of service and to provide the public with trauma education and prevention methods.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA (CBS) CDC says bird flu viruses “pose pandemic potential,” cites major knowledge gaps Bird flu continues to appear to pose a “low risk to the general public” for now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. But the agency’s scientists ran into roadblocks investigating a human case of this “pandemic potential” virus this year, they said in a new report.
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS Bay Street Yard set to open in late May A new place to hang out in Downtown Fort Myers is opening this spring.
Aetna agrees to settle lawsuit over fertility coverage for LGBTQ+ customers Aetna has agreed to settle a lawsuit that accused the health insurer of discriminating against LGBTQ+ customers in need of fertility treatment.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: Robbery, Pawn Shops, and Child Porn This week’s segment of Wink Neighborhood Watch features an armed robber, fraud at a pawn shop, and possession of child pornography.
Southwest Florida The Weather Authority: Sun, clouds, humidity, rain – it’s all in your weekend forecast Saturday afternoon will be hot and humid, with a mix of sun and clouds.
LEHIGH ACRES Chaotic lake getting fence and security Now, with all the negative attention it has gotten, some think putting up a fence is a great way to keep that bad activity out.
CAPE CORAL What we learned about Cape Coral’s water crisis after a ride along On Friday, WINK News got to ride along to see just what people are doing that could be wasting water.
FORT MYERS Students affected by COVID-19 able to graduate for the first time For many young people, COVID stripped away one of their greatest rites of passage: graduation.
Deadly crash on State Road 29 in Hendry County Authorities are at the scene of a deadly crash on State Road 29 in Hendry County on Friday afternoon.
Celebrating Free Comic Book Day in SWFL JP Sports store manager Jonathan Powell said this is a generational event that brings families together to reminisce on comics and other hobby-related knickknacks.
FORT MYERS Group rescues dogs before getting put down in Lee County Our animal shelters are packed with amazing puppies who have the sole desire to be loved.
FORT MYERS FGCU student beats all odds and is able to graduate Nearly four years ago, Marisa Manning had her heart set on going to Florida Gulf Coast University but never thought she’d find her passion for studying parasites.
FORT MYERS Victim in MLK Blvd. shooting identified as social media influencer The victim of the Martin Luther King Boulevard shooting has been identified as a local social media influencer.
FORT MYERS Could a Ferris wheel in downtown Fort Myers work? Right now, there are talks to bring a Ferris wheel to downtown Fort Myers, but several things are still up in the air.
Florida Department of Health logo. Every county in Southwest Florida now has the COVID-19 vaccine for the general public, and on Wednesday, the final county to get it laid out its plan, filling up all appointment slots in minutes. Gov. Ron DeSantis reminded people Wednesday that there are limited vaccines available – not enough for everyone, for now — and that people should be patient. Collier County was the last Southwest Florida county to get vaccines for public distribution, and it only took minutes for the health department to be all booked up at its three sites. People weren’t happy that appointments went so fast, but by making appointments, the county could avoid the long lines that plagued its neighbor to the north. “They got people sleeping in their cars … that’s not good, right?” said Larry Gardner, a Collier County resident. Vaccinations in Collier will begin Sunday, Jan. 3, and will only be given to high-risk frontline health care workers and people 65 years of age and older. Three hundred people were signed up to get them. Richard Bialeck doesn’t mind waiting until appointments open up again, which will happen once the county receives more doses. “I’m retired. Every day is Saturday!” Bialeck said with a laugh. After he gets his two doses, he plans to reunite with family he hasn’t seen in months in Connecticut and North Carolina. Some also complained the health department was hard to get a hold of. Spokesperson Kristine Hollingsworth said they were busy with calls all day long and received nearly 700 emails. She asks everyone for patience. “We understand that Collier County is a very diverse area and a very diverse community. We also understand that we have many different ages here, and we want to be able to provide everyone the opportunity to get the vaccine,” she said. The county will continue to receive the vaccine in the following weeks and will announce further dates. “We have received 3,500 doses in this initial supply. However, we will be continuously receiving vaccines throughout the vaccine rollout. So this is not the only supply that we have – we will continue to receive vaccines,” Hollingsworth said. Also, note that COVID-19 testing has been canceled for all sites with the exception of Thursday, Jan. 7, at North Collier Regional Park Soccer Fields from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Future appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine will be made via Eventbrite. WINK News will provide updates online and on our app as information is received. Note: Each event listed below is no longer accepting appointments. Jan. 3, 2021, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Florida Department of Health in Collier County, 3339 E. Tamiami Trail, Naples, 34112 Drive-Thru. Appointment made on Eventbrite. Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact and persons 65+. Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact will be asked to provide identification indicating they are healthcare staff. Face masks must be worn while waiting in vehicles. No referral needed. No cost. Clients will be asked to complete a registration form prior to receiving the vaccine. Lightning, heavy rain, or gusty winds can slow operations or shut down the site. Jan. 4, 2021, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: North Collier Regional Park Soccer Fields: 15000 Livingston Road, Naples, 34109 Drive-Thru. Appointment made on Eventbrite. Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact and persons 65+. Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact will be asked to provide identification indicating they are healthcare staff. Face masks must be worn while waiting in vehicles. No referral needed. No cost. Clients will be asked to complete a registration form prior to receiving the vaccine. Lightning, heavy rain, or gusty winds can slow operations or shut down the site. Jan. 5, 2021, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Winn Dixie Mall, 1500 Lake Trafford Road, Immokalee, 34142 Walk-Up. Appointment made on Eventbrite. Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact and persons 65+. Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact will be asked to provide identification indicating they are healthcare staff. Face masks must be worn while waiting. No referral needed. No cost. Clients will be asked to complete a registration form prior to receiving the vaccine. Lightning, heavy rain, or gusty winds can slow operations or shut down the site. Jan. 6, 2021, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: North Collier Regional Park Soccer Fields: 15000 Livingston Road, Naples, 34109 Drive-Thru. Appointment made on Eventbrite. Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact and persons 65+. Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact will be asked to provide identification indicating they are healthcare staff. Face masks must be worn while waiting in vehicles. No referral needed. No cost. Clients will be asked to complete a registration form prior to receiving the vaccine. Lightning, heavy rain, or gusty winds can slow operations or shut down the site. Jan. 7, 2021, HEALTHCARE PERSONNEL WITH DIRECT PATIENT CONTACT ONLY: Florida Department of Health in Collier County, 3339 E. Tamiami Trail, Naples, 34112 Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact by appointment only. Call (239) 252-6220. Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact will be asked to provide identification indicating they are healthcare staff. Face masks must be worn while waiting. No referral needed. No cost. Clients will be asked to complete a registration form prior to receiving the vaccine. Lightning, heavy rain, or gusty winds can slow operations or shut down the site. Jan. 8, 2021, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. North Collier Regional Park Soccer Fields: 15000 Livingston Road, Naples, 34109 Drive-Thru. Appointment made on Eventbrite. Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact and persons 65+. 3 Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact will be asked to provide identification indicating they are healthcare staff. Face masks must be worn while waiting. No referral needed. No cost. Clients will be asked to complete a registration form prior to receiving the vaccine. Lightning, heavy rain, or gusty winds can slow operations or shut down the site The DOH-Collier call center will remain open Monday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The call center can be reached at (239) 252-6220. For more information regarding COVID-19, visit the DOH pandemic website.