Local church hands out meals to the communityClewiston police officer’s LaBelle home destroyed by fire, 3 pets killed
FORT MYERS Local church hands out meals to the community Mildred’s to-go and Catering on Michigan Ave. is having a giveaway of Thanksgiving meals.
LABELLE Clewiston police officer’s LaBelle home destroyed by fire, 3 pets killed A Clewiston police officer’s LaBelle residence has been destroyed after a fire, killing three of his pets.
WINK NEWS Deadline for small business disaster loans extended The U.S. Small Business Administration has extended the deadline to apply for federal disaster loans to Jan. 7.
naples Gulfshore Life honoree uses her wealth to help women at their lowest As the saying goes, “It’s better to give than receive,” which is what Gulfshore Life honoree Elizabeth Star lives by.
WINK NEWS Last-minute shopping before Thanksgiving day There is only one day left before Thanksgiving, and last-minute shoppers are getting up bright and early to their local grocery store.
Tim Aten Knows: Immokalee Road land cleared for senior housing Land is being cleared on the south side of Immokalee Road east of Logan Boulevard for The Karlyn, a senior housing community with 159 market-rate apartment units.
RSW braces for Thanksgiving travelers; parking at 90% capacity Thanksgiving is one day away, and as many prepare to take to the skies to be reunited with family, travelers are expected to encounter large lines at the airport.
Tice Shooting in Tice neighborhood injures man The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting in a neighborhood in Tice that left a man injured.
Plenty of sunshine for your Wednesday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a sunny Wednesday along with mild afternoon conditions.
port charlotte Port Charlotte to host electronic recycling event Residents of Port Charlotte can free up space in their homes as the city has announced an electronic recycling event.
CAPE CORAL Local non-profit, Family Initiative, has big plans after receiving $5 million from Golisano A multi-million dollar donation is helping people with autism have priceless experiences.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County deputies bust park drug deal after community tip One man’s drug deal in Charlotte County wasn’t exactly a walk in the park.
Dog alerts Lee County woman to home intruder The Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 22-year-old man for burglary and loitering after he broke into a woman’s home and stood inches away from her bed as she slept.
NAPLES Naples business owner accused of rape In 2023, 14,021 domestic violence 911 calls came into Collier County.
manasota key Charlotte County Commissioners vote ‘Yes’ to changes and redevelopment on Manasota Key The Charlotte County Commissioners voted to pass charges that residents on Manasota Key have been dreading.
FORT MYERS Local church hands out meals to the community Mildred’s to-go and Catering on Michigan Ave. is having a giveaway of Thanksgiving meals.
LABELLE Clewiston police officer’s LaBelle home destroyed by fire, 3 pets killed A Clewiston police officer’s LaBelle residence has been destroyed after a fire, killing three of his pets.
WINK NEWS Deadline for small business disaster loans extended The U.S. Small Business Administration has extended the deadline to apply for federal disaster loans to Jan. 7.
naples Gulfshore Life honoree uses her wealth to help women at their lowest As the saying goes, “It’s better to give than receive,” which is what Gulfshore Life honoree Elizabeth Star lives by.
WINK NEWS Last-minute shopping before Thanksgiving day There is only one day left before Thanksgiving, and last-minute shoppers are getting up bright and early to their local grocery store.
Tim Aten Knows: Immokalee Road land cleared for senior housing Land is being cleared on the south side of Immokalee Road east of Logan Boulevard for The Karlyn, a senior housing community with 159 market-rate apartment units.
RSW braces for Thanksgiving travelers; parking at 90% capacity Thanksgiving is one day away, and as many prepare to take to the skies to be reunited with family, travelers are expected to encounter large lines at the airport.
Tice Shooting in Tice neighborhood injures man The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting in a neighborhood in Tice that left a man injured.
Plenty of sunshine for your Wednesday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a sunny Wednesday along with mild afternoon conditions.
port charlotte Port Charlotte to host electronic recycling event Residents of Port Charlotte can free up space in their homes as the city has announced an electronic recycling event.
CAPE CORAL Local non-profit, Family Initiative, has big plans after receiving $5 million from Golisano A multi-million dollar donation is helping people with autism have priceless experiences.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County deputies bust park drug deal after community tip One man’s drug deal in Charlotte County wasn’t exactly a walk in the park.
Dog alerts Lee County woman to home intruder The Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 22-year-old man for burglary and loitering after he broke into a woman’s home and stood inches away from her bed as she slept.
NAPLES Naples business owner accused of rape In 2023, 14,021 domestic violence 911 calls came into Collier County.
manasota key Charlotte County Commissioners vote ‘Yes’ to changes and redevelopment on Manasota Key The Charlotte County Commissioners voted to pass charges that residents on Manasota Key have been dreading.
Collier County commissioners approved a site for a future mental health facility next to the David Lawrence Center. (CREDIT: WINK News) Warning: This story discusses the topic of suicide that some people may find disturbing Marine Corps veteran Ben Walker has fought multiple battles. He has fought in a war and battled addiction, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. “I was very suicidal with my drug abuse and alcohol,” Walker said. “I pretty much had no hope.” He was without help and Collier County couldn’t help him. “I kept asking for help here in Collier County and they kept shipping me off to Bay Pines in Tampa,” Walker said. But soon, Collier County will expand its mental health services with a $25 million mental health facility. On Tuesday, Collier County commissioners chose the site of the project. The center will go in an empty lot near the David Lawrence Center. Commissioners chose that spot instead of an area near the Naples Jail Center to avoid stigmatizing those seeking mental health services. It’s a game-changer, said Collier County Commissioner Andy Solis. “That will be a centralized place where whatever services the person requires will then be coordinated,” Solis said. The David Lawrence Center for Behavioral Health CEO Scott Burgess said the issues facing Walker, the veteran, are typical in Collier County. “Our capacity is more than strained,” Burgess said. “And we are having to send literally hundreds of Collier residents out of Collier County.” If not out of the county, then into a Naples jail cell. That’s where many experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis have to turn to. The services at the new center will go beyond just crisis management according to 20th Judicial Circuit Judge Janeice Martin, who oversaw the county’s mental health court for several years. “Crisis happens, but I’m excited about the increase (in) the capacity for prevention, for education, for maintenance of people once we can establish stability,” Martin said. “That’ll be really where the return on investment is the greatest.” Walker thinks the new center will be a great asset for Collier County. He hopes it will keep others from suffering the way he did. If you are struggling or if you know a loved one who is in trouble, there is help and you are not alone. There is free and immediate support available 24/7. Below is a list of important resources: In An Emergency If you or a loved one is in immediate danger calling 911 and talking with police may be necessary. It is important to notify the operator that it is a psychiatric emergency and ask for an officer trained in crisis intervention or trained to assist people experiencing a psychiatric emergency. In A Crisis National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Call 800-273-TALK (8255) If you or someone you know is in crisis—whether they are considering suicide or not—please call the toll-free Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) to speak with a trained crisis counselor 24/7. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline connects you with a crisis center in the Lifeline network closest to your location. Your call will be answered by a trained crisis worker who will listen empathetically and without judgment. The crisis worker will work to ensure that you feel safe and help identify options and information about mental health services in your area. Your call is confidential and free. Crisis Text Line – Text NAMI to 741-741 Connect with a trained crisis counselor to receive free, 24/7 crisis support via text message. National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 800-799-SAFE (7233) Trained expert advocates are available 24/7 to provide confidential support to anyone experiencing domestic violence or seeking resources and information. Help is available in Spanish and other languages. National Sexual Assault Hotline – Call 800-656-HOPE (4673) Connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area that offers access to a range of free services. Crisis chat support is available at Online Hotline. Free help, 24/7. The CDC recommends everyone familiarize themselves with the warning signs of suicide, which may include: A person thinking about or threatening suicide or seeking a way to kill themselves Increased substance abuse Feelings of purposelessness, anxiety, being trapped, or hopeless Withdrawing from people and activities Expressing unusual anger, recklessness, or mood changes To access more tools, you can visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness’s website. This resource list is courtesy of the NAMI support page. If you want to learn more about suicide prevention and awareness or other mental health conditions, Lee Health offers the following resources: Suicide Prevention Lifeline:  https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ National Institutes of Mental Health:  https://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:  https://www.cdc.gov/ National Alliance on Mental Illness:  https://www.nami.org/ Suicide Prevention Resource Center:  http://www.sprc.org/ The Lee Health Behavioral Health Center offers assistance and support. To speak with a team member for an appointment for you or a loved on please call 239-343-9180.