Tracking Hurricane Rafael as it heads into the central Gulf of MexicoIsolated storms as Hurricane Rafael moves west this Thursday
the weather authority Tracking Hurricane Rafael as it heads into the central Gulf of Mexico The Weather Authority Meteorologists are tracking Hurricane Rafael as it tracks farther away from Southwest Florida.
the weather authority Isolated storms as Hurricane Rafael moves west this Thursday The Weather Authority is tracking isolated storms due to the outer bands of Hurricane Rafael this Thursday.
NAPLES Early morning building fire investigation in Naples The Greater Naples Fire Rescue District responded to a building fire near Lowdermilk Park on Gulf Shore Boulevard North.
CBS News Donald Trump wins election in historic comeback after 2020 loss, indictments and bruising campaign Donald J. Trump’s projected victory over Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election marks a historic and improbable comeback for the former president
NORTH FORT MYERS Debris dumped on North Fort Myers yard stalls family’s urgent move One woman in North Fort Myers has no idea why her yard has become a dumpster in her neighborhood.
Caught on Camera: Two men break into Lehigh mother’s car A Lehigh mother said she’s afraid after two men tried to break into her car. The entire thing was caught on her security camera, but nothing was taken.
SANIBEL Students could return to The Sanibel School soon The Lee County School District just announced students on Sanibel could return to the school as soon as Monday.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs to hold Veteran’s Day event with 3-star general The City of Bonita Springs will honor those who served in a special ceremony on Veteran’s Day. A three-star Army general will attend the event.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers approves referendum to improve parks and rec areas Fort Myers residents approved a 75 million dollar “Go bond” referendum to improve parks and recreation areas during Tuesday’s general election.
Why does Florida have a super majority vote for constitutional changes? Amendments three and four, marijuana and abortion, failed, despite the majority of voters wanting both amendments to pass. They both didn’t get 60% yes.
Immokalee Traffic fixes proposed for Collier County’s Randall Blvd and Immokalee Rd More lanes, sidewalks and upgrades to street signals could be coming to a road in Collier County.
WEST PALM BEACH What Republicans learned from the Harris and Trump campaigns President Donald Trump has won the election and will be the 47th president of the United States. Now he is doing what he does, making promises.
FORT MYERS SWFL tourism outlook after back-to-back storms How is Southwest Florida tourism doing after we endured two major storms almost back to back?
New Apple AirPod Pros can serve as hearing aids Experts say that addressing hearing deficits is beneficial for our health, and it has become easier in recent years.
NAPLES Player of the Week: Running back Ty Collins A Collier County running back put on a historic show in week 11, enough to earn him our WINK News Player of the Week honor.
the weather authority Tracking Hurricane Rafael as it heads into the central Gulf of Mexico The Weather Authority Meteorologists are tracking Hurricane Rafael as it tracks farther away from Southwest Florida.
the weather authority Isolated storms as Hurricane Rafael moves west this Thursday The Weather Authority is tracking isolated storms due to the outer bands of Hurricane Rafael this Thursday.
NAPLES Early morning building fire investigation in Naples The Greater Naples Fire Rescue District responded to a building fire near Lowdermilk Park on Gulf Shore Boulevard North.
CBS News Donald Trump wins election in historic comeback after 2020 loss, indictments and bruising campaign Donald J. Trump’s projected victory over Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election marks a historic and improbable comeback for the former president
NORTH FORT MYERS Debris dumped on North Fort Myers yard stalls family’s urgent move One woman in North Fort Myers has no idea why her yard has become a dumpster in her neighborhood.
Caught on Camera: Two men break into Lehigh mother’s car A Lehigh mother said she’s afraid after two men tried to break into her car. The entire thing was caught on her security camera, but nothing was taken.
SANIBEL Students could return to The Sanibel School soon The Lee County School District just announced students on Sanibel could return to the school as soon as Monday.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs to hold Veteran’s Day event with 3-star general The City of Bonita Springs will honor those who served in a special ceremony on Veteran’s Day. A three-star Army general will attend the event.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers approves referendum to improve parks and rec areas Fort Myers residents approved a 75 million dollar “Go bond” referendum to improve parks and recreation areas during Tuesday’s general election.
Why does Florida have a super majority vote for constitutional changes? Amendments three and four, marijuana and abortion, failed, despite the majority of voters wanting both amendments to pass. They both didn’t get 60% yes.
Immokalee Traffic fixes proposed for Collier County’s Randall Blvd and Immokalee Rd More lanes, sidewalks and upgrades to street signals could be coming to a road in Collier County.
WEST PALM BEACH What Republicans learned from the Harris and Trump campaigns President Donald Trump has won the election and will be the 47th president of the United States. Now he is doing what he does, making promises.
FORT MYERS SWFL tourism outlook after back-to-back storms How is Southwest Florida tourism doing after we endured two major storms almost back to back?
New Apple AirPod Pros can serve as hearing aids Experts say that addressing hearing deficits is beneficial for our health, and it has become easier in recent years.
NAPLES Player of the Week: Running back Ty Collins A Collier County running back put on a historic show in week 11, enough to earn him our WINK News Player of the Week honor.
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.