FEMA’s Operation Blue Roof deadline approaching soon in Charlotte CountyFDA proposes to remove ingredient in medications
FEMA’s Operation Blue Roof deadline approaching soon in Charlotte County The deadline for FEMA’s Operation Blue Roof is rapidly approaching for Charlotte County residents affected by Hurricane Milton.
FDA proposes to remove ingredient in medications The Food & Drug Administration proposes removing one ingredient after new data shows it is less effective than listed.
Riviera Bar and Grill reopens within days of hurricanes Helene, Milton A gargantuan effort from owners and staff allowed the Riviera Bar and Grill to reopen less than a week after two hurricanes flooded the Punta Gorda waterfront restaurant that has been around since the 1950s.
2 men charged in unrelated crimes for deaths related to fentanyl Two men in Charlotte County have been arrested for separate fentanyl-related charges that led to two deaths.
CAPE CORAL Pickup truck crashes into Cape Coral apartment building A pickup truck crashed into a Cape Coral apartment building after what police believe was a head-on collision with another vehicle.
Tim Aten Knows: More new tenants coming to local retail centers Something big is in the works for the long-vacant former Sweetbay Supermarket in Green Tree Center in North Naples.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs house catches on fire 3 times in less than 24 hours A house in Bonita Springs has caught on fire three times in less than 24 hours.
SWFL High School Football Scoreboard Week 12 The regular season finale of high school football in SWFL brings district champions crowned and playoff spots fortified. .
Trash pile on San Carlos Island continues to grow Residents of San Carlos Island have grown tired as garbage and debris from hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton piles up.
Law enforcement presence at Alfie Oakes’ North Naples home and Immokalee packing house Several federal and state law enforcement agencies were at Alfie Oakes’ home and packing house for an investigation that remains undisclosed.
MATLACHA Matlacha restaurant Miceli’s reopens after six weeks Popular Matlacha restaurant Miceli’s has reopened just six weeks after enduring damage from back-to-back storms.
NORTH FORT MYERS Caught on Camera: Accused Dollar General thief arrested A man accused of robbing a Dollar General store is behind bars.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Ward 4 candidate seeks vote recount In the race for Fort Myers city council, Cindy Banyai lost the Ward 4 race to incumbent Liston Bochette by just 77 votes or 1.58% of the vote.
FORT MYERS Lee County considers adding second fixed-base operator to RSW The Lee County Port Authority is officially moving forward with negotiations for a new fixed-base operator at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).
FEMA’s Operation Blue Roof deadline approaching soon in Charlotte County The deadline for FEMA’s Operation Blue Roof is rapidly approaching for Charlotte County residents affected by Hurricane Milton.
FDA proposes to remove ingredient in medications The Food & Drug Administration proposes removing one ingredient after new data shows it is less effective than listed.
Riviera Bar and Grill reopens within days of hurricanes Helene, Milton A gargantuan effort from owners and staff allowed the Riviera Bar and Grill to reopen less than a week after two hurricanes flooded the Punta Gorda waterfront restaurant that has been around since the 1950s.
2 men charged in unrelated crimes for deaths related to fentanyl Two men in Charlotte County have been arrested for separate fentanyl-related charges that led to two deaths.
CAPE CORAL Pickup truck crashes into Cape Coral apartment building A pickup truck crashed into a Cape Coral apartment building after what police believe was a head-on collision with another vehicle.
Tim Aten Knows: More new tenants coming to local retail centers Something big is in the works for the long-vacant former Sweetbay Supermarket in Green Tree Center in North Naples.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs house catches on fire 3 times in less than 24 hours A house in Bonita Springs has caught on fire three times in less than 24 hours.
SWFL High School Football Scoreboard Week 12 The regular season finale of high school football in SWFL brings district champions crowned and playoff spots fortified. .
Trash pile on San Carlos Island continues to grow Residents of San Carlos Island have grown tired as garbage and debris from hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton piles up.
Law enforcement presence at Alfie Oakes’ North Naples home and Immokalee packing house Several federal and state law enforcement agencies were at Alfie Oakes’ home and packing house for an investigation that remains undisclosed.
MATLACHA Matlacha restaurant Miceli’s reopens after six weeks Popular Matlacha restaurant Miceli’s has reopened just six weeks after enduring damage from back-to-back storms.
NORTH FORT MYERS Caught on Camera: Accused Dollar General thief arrested A man accused of robbing a Dollar General store is behind bars.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Ward 4 candidate seeks vote recount In the race for Fort Myers city council, Cindy Banyai lost the Ward 4 race to incumbent Liston Bochette by just 77 votes or 1.58% of the vote.
FORT MYERS Lee County considers adding second fixed-base operator to RSW The Lee County Port Authority is officially moving forward with negotiations for a new fixed-base operator at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).
Front entrance to Vi at Bentley Village in North Naples. Credit: WINK News. Some senior living communities in Southwest Florida must jump through hoops to get their residents vaccinated, and it’s taking a toll. The uncertainty that comes along with it makes it emotional for many people. Vi at Bentley Village in North Naples got 98% of its skilled nursing facility vaccinated in December 2020, and it pushed for independent and assisted living next. Friday, the senior living community hoped to get confirmation on the next date, but it received the opposite instead. “We are frustrated,” Yvonne Tuttle said. “The anxiety is tremendous. The depression is setting in.” Tuttle says she’ll do anything for the vaccine, but her hope is dwindling. “I have a granddaughter who’s getting married the first of March, and I won’t be going to the wedding unless I have both of the shots,” Tuttle explained. “It will break her heart, and it will break my heart, but it’s got to be that way.” Last week, Tuttle and her neighbors at Bentley Village learned other communities assigned to Walgreens got the vaccine well before they did. Bentley is assigned to CVS. “CVS was definitely stuck on the CDC guideline that this is for skilled nursing facilities or long-term care,” said Penny Smith, the executive director of Vi at Bentley Village. Smith says they took matters into their own hands and worked with advocacy group LeadingAge Florida to clear that up with the state and federal agencies. After all the confusion and delays, Smith finally thought Bentley Village had answers this week, and even started sending out consent forms. “The process was a challenge because it changed every day,” Smith said. “You thought you were moving forward and then the brakes would go on.” Friday the brakes were back on. LeadingAge Florida told us the state — while trying to expedite the vaccine process — introduced a third-party vendor, CDR Health, to distribute it. So the tentative date Bentley Village initially received is up in the air again. Smith says they’re not backing down. “You just never give up,” Smith said. “You keep going at it from a different direction until you get the end result of what you needed.” The goal is to get these communities vaccinated by the end of January. That hasn’t changed. But for Tuttle, that could be too late to see her granddaughter walk down the aisle. “I’ve never been in prison, but this has got to be the closest thing there’s been,” Tuttle said. Tuttle said she also tried to get a vaccine through Collier County and NCH without luck. The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) says facilities in Florida already scheduled with CVS or Walgreens on or before January 23 will continue working with their pharmacy partner. LeadingAge Florida told us CDR Health has started contacting communities, and the date for Bentley Village could stay the same, or move earlier or later.