Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast UniversityMissing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: Parent brings weapon to Lehigh Acres school According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, there is probable cause to believe a woman unintentionally brought a firearm to school.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: Parent brings weapon to Lehigh Acres school According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, there is probable cause to believe a woman unintentionally brought a firearm to school.
Navy veteran and colon cancer survivor Wenora Johnson. Credit: WINK News. Colon cancer patients in the U.S. military health care system have a better chance of survival than the general population. We looked at a situation when cancer survival is connected to the cost of treatment. During her time as a U.S. Navy reservist, Wenora Johnson, took her health seriously, so when asked to do a routine colon cancer screening, she said yes. “It progressed to a colonoscopy and then surgery, and then, waking up from surgery and being told that you have cancer,” Johnson said. “But not only do you have cancer, you have Stage Three B cancer.” Johnson’s chemotherapy bills were another shock. “It was $350,000 for three months. So imagine the copays for that. It’s scary. And in fact, it pushes you to the brink of bankruptcy because you don’t know how you’re going to pay for this,” Johnson said. “A couple of months ago, I received a letter, and it said that we’re going to garnish your wages.” “Colorectal cancer is the second most expensive cancer to treat in the U.S.,” explained Anjee Davis, the president of Fight Colorectal Cancer. “Bills can range based on diagnosis and stage of diagnosis. So you can see bills $40,000 to $80,000 within the first phase of diagnosis.” Cost of care impacts survival rates. According to a new study, colon cancer patients in the military with universal health care and few financial barriers have an 18% lower risk of death and are more likely to be diagnosed in earlier stages of the disease. “Individuals who did get or select the TRICARE, they got better care, better coverage and more of an incentive to stay healthier,” Davis said. “You are ordered to have a physical,” said Jon Hess, the CEO of Athos Health. But Hess says, while civilians can’t access the same coverage, we can access some of the same benefit if we adopt military-like discipline to screenings. “You are violating your orders if you don’t do that in the military,” Hess said. “It’s important to start getting some of these things checked. So that if you do start seeing issues, your doctor will be aware of it and hopefully catch things early.” “It’s an expensive cancer to treat, especially in the later stages of disease,” Davis said. “If we’re not compliant with screening, we’re diagnosing at a later stage. When we diagnose at a later stage, we’re talking about surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, palliative care.” Innovations such as telehealth could help bring down costs for colon cancer patients. Johnson did not have insurance through the military. “They say for the military, there’s victims and casualties of war,” Johnson said. “Sometimes we are those victims and casualties of the health care system.” Johnson’s care saved her life, but it’s also costing her financial future. “In order for me to live, and to be here for my family, then I need to do what I have to do, even if it means having medical bills that I’ll be paying for the rest of my life,” Johnson said.