WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Week 7 Week seven was action packed for high school football teams all over southwest Florida. WINK News has the highlights and scores.
Baby girl born during Hurricane Helene A stork managed to fly through Hurricane Helen’s strong winds. Baby Addison Grace Hayes was born during the storm’s peak at Health Park Medical Center in Lee County.
SOUTHWEST FLOIRDA Southwest Florida prepares for approaching storms The southwest Florida community took on a lot of water during Hurricane Helene, and the approaching rainmaker this weekend is concerning for many living in flood-prone areas.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Exclusive: Eric Trump speaks to WINK News on father’s attempted assassination Former president Donald Trump is set to return to the site where he nearly lost his life in July and concerns over security are top of mind.
Potential increasing for tropical system to head towards Florida next week According to the Weather Authority, the potential is increasing for a tropical system to head towards Florida next week. The next name is Milton.
NORTH PORT North Port man accuses insurance carrier of fraud A North Port man went on 60 Minutes to accuse his home insurance carrier, Hertigate Insurance of fraud and worse.
PORT CHARLOTTE Concerns over drainage issues in Port Charlotte One community’s concern is about high water and flooding because of a poor drainage system in Port Charlotte.
IMMOKALEE Def Leppard, Brad Paisley and Train to headline Immokalee’s Harvest Nights Music Festival Def Leppard, Brad Paisley, Train and many more bands will be performing at Harvest Nights Music Festival in Immokalee this November.
Cape Coral makes flood preparations ahead of possible tropical system For the past week, many people have been focused on storm recovery, and now, as we go into this weekend, we could see more rain and flooded roadways.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral firefighter’s union works to strike deal First responders put their lives on the line for all of us every day. Now, Cape Coral firefighters are fighting back for better healthcare and pay.
Charlotte County volunteers lend a hand to those affected by Helene As communities clean up after Hurricane Helene and brace for more rain in the forecast, volunteers give much-appreciated help to those in need, showing off the camaraderie of southwest Florida.
Jewish Community in SWFL emotional ahead of Oct. 7 anniversary The one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas is approaching. The Jewish community continues to feel the lasting impact of that tragic day.
FORT MYERS Hurricane Helene causes rental car shortages Hurricane Helene has left a lasting impact on Southwest Florida, including the rental car situation at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).
SANIBEL Sanibel woman says she received divine sign from mother 2 years after Hurricane Ian Two years after Hurricane Ian, a Sanibel woman said she received a divine sign after moving back into her home.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SWFL shares concerns over emergency funding after Helene On the heels of Helene, there’s some anxiety surrounding FEMA. This comes after comments from the Homeland Security secretary, who said the agency can meet immediate needs but does not have enough money to make it through the rest of hurricane season.
WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Week 7 Week seven was action packed for high school football teams all over southwest Florida. WINK News has the highlights and scores.
Baby girl born during Hurricane Helene A stork managed to fly through Hurricane Helen’s strong winds. Baby Addison Grace Hayes was born during the storm’s peak at Health Park Medical Center in Lee County.
SOUTHWEST FLOIRDA Southwest Florida prepares for approaching storms The southwest Florida community took on a lot of water during Hurricane Helene, and the approaching rainmaker this weekend is concerning for many living in flood-prone areas.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Exclusive: Eric Trump speaks to WINK News on father’s attempted assassination Former president Donald Trump is set to return to the site where he nearly lost his life in July and concerns over security are top of mind.
Potential increasing for tropical system to head towards Florida next week According to the Weather Authority, the potential is increasing for a tropical system to head towards Florida next week. The next name is Milton.
NORTH PORT North Port man accuses insurance carrier of fraud A North Port man went on 60 Minutes to accuse his home insurance carrier, Hertigate Insurance of fraud and worse.
PORT CHARLOTTE Concerns over drainage issues in Port Charlotte One community’s concern is about high water and flooding because of a poor drainage system in Port Charlotte.
IMMOKALEE Def Leppard, Brad Paisley and Train to headline Immokalee’s Harvest Nights Music Festival Def Leppard, Brad Paisley, Train and many more bands will be performing at Harvest Nights Music Festival in Immokalee this November.
Cape Coral makes flood preparations ahead of possible tropical system For the past week, many people have been focused on storm recovery, and now, as we go into this weekend, we could see more rain and flooded roadways.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral firefighter’s union works to strike deal First responders put their lives on the line for all of us every day. Now, Cape Coral firefighters are fighting back for better healthcare and pay.
Charlotte County volunteers lend a hand to those affected by Helene As communities clean up after Hurricane Helene and brace for more rain in the forecast, volunteers give much-appreciated help to those in need, showing off the camaraderie of southwest Florida.
Jewish Community in SWFL emotional ahead of Oct. 7 anniversary The one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas is approaching. The Jewish community continues to feel the lasting impact of that tragic day.
FORT MYERS Hurricane Helene causes rental car shortages Hurricane Helene has left a lasting impact on Southwest Florida, including the rental car situation at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).
SANIBEL Sanibel woman says she received divine sign from mother 2 years after Hurricane Ian Two years after Hurricane Ian, a Sanibel woman said she received a divine sign after moving back into her home.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SWFL shares concerns over emergency funding after Helene On the heels of Helene, there’s some anxiety surrounding FEMA. This comes after comments from the Homeland Security secretary, who said the agency can meet immediate needs but does not have enough money to make it through the rest of hurricane season.
Credit: WINK News Florida is leading the nation in COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations. While Gov. Ron DeSantis said he expects these numbers to drop within the next few weeks, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show a rapid rise. More than 11,000 people are in hospitals across the state with COVID-19, a new record high in Florida. Lee Health CEO and President Dr. Larry Antonucci is responding amid the rising COVID-19 rates. Lee Health reported 321 COVID-19 patients in its hospitals Tuesday. That number is up from 298 just a day ago and up from 160 a week ago. Antonucci said he’s afraid numbers will continue to rise and is also worried that many new patients are young and unvaccinated. Last July, COVID-19 cases in Lee Health hospitals peaked at 372. We’re currently at 321 and that number is growing. This is signifying the second wave underway across Lee Health hospitals. “But the mortality is different. Now we’ve got a better way to treat patients, patients tend to be younger now. So they have fewer CO illnesses, other illnesses,” Antonucci said. “So the survival rate is better but the numbers are still there and the numbers are showing these patients are sick enough to be in the hospital in the ICU.” Antonucci said it’s dangerous to think that the mortality rate will not spike again. Deaths are climbing as hospitalizations skyrocket. “Well, it’s showing that this virus continues to spread in our community, primarily in the unvaccinated community. If you look at the patients that are in the hospital right now, about 90% are unvaccinated. And certainly, none of the patients in the ICU have been vaccinated,” Antonucci said. On Tuesday, Lee Health ICUs rose to 95% capacity. The concern is that hospitalizations will continue to rise. “We’re not seeing any evidence of a plateau at this point. The slope of the curve is very steep, and so we’re adding 40 to 50 COVID-19 patients a day,” Antonucci said. Lee Health is not ready to mandate that everyone who works in the hospital get the vaccine. A survey of staff about a month ago showed that 75% of staff are vaccinated or plan to get their shots.