Candidates challenge Punta Gorda incumbents over land, building regulationsHurricane season is one month away
Candidates challenge Punta Gorda incumbents over land, building regulations A growing grassroots movement has united residents seeking to stem high density and restrict building heights, and three are challenging Punta Gorda City Council members who are up for reelection this year.
Hurricane season is one month away The outlook for the 2024 Hurricane Season is for it be active, potentially even hyperactive.
NORTH FORT MYERS 1 dead after crash on SR 31 and Busbee Rd. in North Fort Myers At around noon Wednesday, the Florida Highway Patrol said a PT Cruiser and a car hauler collided on State Road 31 and Busbee Road, near the Lee/Charlotte County line.
Man sentenced to 25 years in prison for molesting Lee County child A Florida man will spend the next 25 years in prison for molesting a child in Lee County.
LEHIGH ACRES Man accused of using stolen credit card from car burglary at Lehigh Acres CVS Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man who allegedly used a stolen credit card at the CVS in Lehigh Acres.
ARCADIA Family of flea market murder victim struggles to find closure The family of a woman who was murdered at an Arcadia flea market continues to seek justice as the accused killer awaits trial.
NAPLES Naples man accused of possessing child porn After an investigation, a Naples man has been arrested after allegedly having child pornography in his home.
CAPE CORAL Arrest report for volunteer softball coach accused of inappropriate behavior released New details have been released about the arrest of a Cape Coral volunteer softball coach accused of sending nude photos and touching a 17-year-old student.
The Weather Authority Isolated storms pop up this afternoon and evening Afternoon of isolated storms in Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach to test hurricane emergency messaging alert The Town of Fort Myers Beach is set to test its CodeRED alert system as hurricane season begins in 31 days.
FORT MYERS Students make goodie bags for kids fighting Cancer A special delivery, straight from the heart, to Galisano’s Children’s Hospital. Three 8th graders from Lexington Middle School delivered 100 goodie bags to bring smiles to kids fighting cancer.
TICE Large police presence seen at park in Tice Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies and K-9s were seen investigating at Schindler Hall Community Park on Palm Beach Boulevard in Tice.
CAPE CORAL Lee County superintendent candidates face off in debate These three people, Denise Carlin, Morgan Wright and Sheridan Chester, are making it clear that they want the job.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA DEA to reclassify Marijuana as Schedule Three drug When you think of marijuana in Florida, You might think of an illegal drug seized by law enforcement. Kim Rivers, the CEO of Florida-based cannabis retailer Trulieve, says when used medicinally, it can help a lot of people.
FORT MYERS Expect more delays on Colonial and Fowler due to intersection project Work on the Colonial Fowler intersection in Fort Myers is underway, and there are many moving parts.
Candidates challenge Punta Gorda incumbents over land, building regulations A growing grassroots movement has united residents seeking to stem high density and restrict building heights, and three are challenging Punta Gorda City Council members who are up for reelection this year.
Hurricane season is one month away The outlook for the 2024 Hurricane Season is for it be active, potentially even hyperactive.
NORTH FORT MYERS 1 dead after crash on SR 31 and Busbee Rd. in North Fort Myers At around noon Wednesday, the Florida Highway Patrol said a PT Cruiser and a car hauler collided on State Road 31 and Busbee Road, near the Lee/Charlotte County line.
Man sentenced to 25 years in prison for molesting Lee County child A Florida man will spend the next 25 years in prison for molesting a child in Lee County.
LEHIGH ACRES Man accused of using stolen credit card from car burglary at Lehigh Acres CVS Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man who allegedly used a stolen credit card at the CVS in Lehigh Acres.
ARCADIA Family of flea market murder victim struggles to find closure The family of a woman who was murdered at an Arcadia flea market continues to seek justice as the accused killer awaits trial.
NAPLES Naples man accused of possessing child porn After an investigation, a Naples man has been arrested after allegedly having child pornography in his home.
CAPE CORAL Arrest report for volunteer softball coach accused of inappropriate behavior released New details have been released about the arrest of a Cape Coral volunteer softball coach accused of sending nude photos and touching a 17-year-old student.
The Weather Authority Isolated storms pop up this afternoon and evening Afternoon of isolated storms in Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach to test hurricane emergency messaging alert The Town of Fort Myers Beach is set to test its CodeRED alert system as hurricane season begins in 31 days.
FORT MYERS Students make goodie bags for kids fighting Cancer A special delivery, straight from the heart, to Galisano’s Children’s Hospital. Three 8th graders from Lexington Middle School delivered 100 goodie bags to bring smiles to kids fighting cancer.
TICE Large police presence seen at park in Tice Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies and K-9s were seen investigating at Schindler Hall Community Park on Palm Beach Boulevard in Tice.
CAPE CORAL Lee County superintendent candidates face off in debate These three people, Denise Carlin, Morgan Wright and Sheridan Chester, are making it clear that they want the job.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA DEA to reclassify Marijuana as Schedule Three drug When you think of marijuana in Florida, You might think of an illegal drug seized by law enforcement. Kim Rivers, the CEO of Florida-based cannabis retailer Trulieve, says when used medicinally, it can help a lot of people.
FORT MYERS Expect more delays on Colonial and Fowler due to intersection project Work on the Colonial Fowler intersection in Fort Myers is underway, and there are many moving parts.
CPAP machine. Credit: WINK News. Possibly get cancer or die in your sleep—that’s the choice some people with Phillips Respironics CPAP machines are struggling with. A recall is now in effect and getting a new machine is not easy. A CPAP machine keeps Richard Wheeler alive through the night. He has sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder that causes his breathing to start and stop several times a night. But his machine is a part of recall. “Right now, it’s the worst of the two evils,” Wheeler said. In June, Philips Respironics issued a recall for some of its machines after receiving several reports of the foam inside degrading, causing black debris to go into the devices’ airways and then into users’ lungs. The FDA says inhaling it can cause other health conditions like asthma or cancer, but pulmonologist Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad recommends talking to your doctor about benefits versus the risk. “It’s a life-threatening disease,” Ahmad said. “Every day people are dying from it, so this is really, really an important disease to treat and manage your health status and improve your quality of your sleep.” Wheeler and his wife Debbie decided he should keep using the machine. “Now, it’s like this little thing in the back of your head all the time, saying, ‘Are we doing the right thing?’“ Debbie Wheeler said. “I don’t know.” Michael Cowell, on the other hand, keeps his machine on the table, not on his nightstand; he’s not using it anymore, even though he has Parkinson’s disease, COPD and sleep apnea. The situation, he says, has left him “hopeless and despondent.” “Some of the symptoms that I can get from the CPAP is carcinogens, particles going into my lungs, which can create many problems,” Cowell said. “More than what I need. I have more than what I can handle now.” Although their machines have been recalled, both Wheeler and Cowell have struggled to get new ones. Medicare says CPAP suppliers are required by law to take those machines back and replace them at no cost, but there is a shortage on replacement machines. “I don’t sleep well to begin with, but it’s even worse now and it affects my Parkinson’s,” Cowell said. “I become less able to handle logistic things, which I was very good at doing… daily functions. Talking, walking… the tremors are worse, and just daily living.” Philips hopes to have all recalled machines fixed by October 2022, but Cowell doesn’t think he’ll live to see that day. “I stop breathing many times a night with my COPD and sleep apnea,” Cowell said. “My husband can die from this,” Debbie Wheeler said. “I just want this fixed so he’s safe.” This recall is for certain BiPaps, CPAPs and ventilators made before April 2021. Philips Respironics says it’s doing its best to contact suppliers in order to get in touch with people who have a recalled machine. Visit the Philips Respironics website to see if you own a machine affected by the recall and how to request a replacement.