Community grieves as investigation continues into fatal Port Charlotte fireLocal influencer reacts to potential TikTok ban
PORT CHARLOTTE Community grieves as investigation continues into fatal Port Charlotte fire The state fire marshal has yet to confirm whether 70-year-old Roseanne Cantasano was the victim of a devastating house fire on Monday night.
Local influencer reacts to potential TikTok ban TikTok is more than just a place to dance, learn something new or just scroll. For the Manella family, the app is a place where they can be themselves.
Protecting the Florida Panther from urban expansion The endangered Florida Panther is the king of the Everglades but new developments could rip apart their core territory.
Local Rabbi reacts to Israel and Hamas ceasefire agreement While the news of hostages being freed has brought relief, one local rabbi who has been speaking with WINK News since the war broke out expressed mixed feelings
Tiger dams in Collier County new defense system to stop flooding Collier County is now on board with a new defense system to stop flooding.
CAPE CORAL Plans for Cape Coral airport presented to City Council An airport in Cape Coral? The idea was presented to the city council on Wednesday as part of a broader report addressing the city’s rapid growth.
CAPE CORAL Lake Kennedy Racquetball Center gets new name and logo The Lake Kennedy Racquetball Center in Cape Coral is rebranding.
NAPLES Naples Pride Fest gets green light from City Council The Naples City Council voted to approve the permit for Naples Pride Fest at Cambier Park.
Former Lee supervisor of elections candidate calls for Sheriff Marceno to resign More fingers are pointing at Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno.
NORTH FORT MYERS City of Fort Myers wants progress on submerged boats at Old Bridge Marina It has become a headache for many: boats left submerged at the Old Bridge Marina, next to the Edison Bridge.
Dementia risk factors unveiled Eating healthy and staying active can help keep your brain sharp, but did you know your family’s wealth may also affect your dementia risk?
Another chance at FEMA assistance If you applied for FEMA assistance after hurricanes Helene and Milton and are not happy with the answer they gave you, they are giving you another chance.
NAPLES Naples City Council names Gary L. Young as next city manager The Naples City Council unanimously voted to appoint Deputy City Manager and CFO Gary L. Young as the new city manager.
BONITA SPRINGS Sugarshack, a haven for live music, food and community, coming to Bonita Springs Sugarshack, a haven for live music, food and community, coming soon to Downton Bonita Springs.
COLLIER COUNTY FC Naples holds first practice in club history Another first in a year of first for FC Naples as the club held its first practice in its history Wednesday morning.
PORT CHARLOTTE Community grieves as investigation continues into fatal Port Charlotte fire The state fire marshal has yet to confirm whether 70-year-old Roseanne Cantasano was the victim of a devastating house fire on Monday night.
Local influencer reacts to potential TikTok ban TikTok is more than just a place to dance, learn something new or just scroll. For the Manella family, the app is a place where they can be themselves.
Protecting the Florida Panther from urban expansion The endangered Florida Panther is the king of the Everglades but new developments could rip apart their core territory.
Local Rabbi reacts to Israel and Hamas ceasefire agreement While the news of hostages being freed has brought relief, one local rabbi who has been speaking with WINK News since the war broke out expressed mixed feelings
Tiger dams in Collier County new defense system to stop flooding Collier County is now on board with a new defense system to stop flooding.
CAPE CORAL Plans for Cape Coral airport presented to City Council An airport in Cape Coral? The idea was presented to the city council on Wednesday as part of a broader report addressing the city’s rapid growth.
CAPE CORAL Lake Kennedy Racquetball Center gets new name and logo The Lake Kennedy Racquetball Center in Cape Coral is rebranding.
NAPLES Naples Pride Fest gets green light from City Council The Naples City Council voted to approve the permit for Naples Pride Fest at Cambier Park.
Former Lee supervisor of elections candidate calls for Sheriff Marceno to resign More fingers are pointing at Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno.
NORTH FORT MYERS City of Fort Myers wants progress on submerged boats at Old Bridge Marina It has become a headache for many: boats left submerged at the Old Bridge Marina, next to the Edison Bridge.
Dementia risk factors unveiled Eating healthy and staying active can help keep your brain sharp, but did you know your family’s wealth may also affect your dementia risk?
Another chance at FEMA assistance If you applied for FEMA assistance after hurricanes Helene and Milton and are not happy with the answer they gave you, they are giving you another chance.
NAPLES Naples City Council names Gary L. Young as next city manager The Naples City Council unanimously voted to appoint Deputy City Manager and CFO Gary L. Young as the new city manager.
BONITA SPRINGS Sugarshack, a haven for live music, food and community, coming to Bonita Springs Sugarshack, a haven for live music, food and community, coming soon to Downton Bonita Springs.
COLLIER COUNTY FC Naples holds first practice in club history Another first in a year of first for FC Naples as the club held its first practice in its history Wednesday morning.
Cape Coral Hospital. Credit: WINK News. Wait times at the emergency room are increasing as COVID-19 cases are on the rise. Currently, the average wait time at Lee Health Emergency rooms is between four and fives hours. While reporters are not allowed inside the ER, we did get pictures from a WINK News viewer detailing what the emergency room experience is currently like. On Monday, she went to HealthPark Medical Center’s ER with a family member for a non-COVID-19 health issue. She says she wants everyone watching to see what she went through. Credit: Beth Anne Brannigan-Schrotenboer: Credit: Beth Anne Brannigan-Schrotenboer: Credit: Beth Anne Brannigan-Schrotenboer: Credit: Beth Anne Brannigan-Schrotenboer: Long ER lines have patients sitting outside and sleeping on benches as they await care. This is what a surge in ER visits looks like. Dr. Timothy Dougherty is the emergency department director at Cape Coral Hospital. “On top of our normal, expected increased volume, COVID has also increased, and flu this year has also increased our volumes,” said Dr. Dougherty. On Monday, Dr. Dougherty’s ER department saw 259 patients. Gulf Coast Medical Center saw 279 patients in its ER. Lee Memorial Hospital saw 220 patients. And 164 patients were treated at HealthPark. All of these numbers are higher than usual. “Unfortunately, we are seeing patients that are coming purely for testing,” Dr. Dougthery said. He would rather people use urgent care centers for testing, like Coastal Urgent Care, that’s right across the street from his hospital, instead of the ER. But, the demand for tests is higher there too. On Tuesday morning, a line stretched around the parking lot at Coastal Urgent Care as people attempted to avoid going to the hospital. Eddie Schulze lives in Cape Coral. “It’s just easier to come here rather than sit in the hospital for two days to get a test,” Schulze said. “I want people to use common sense at this time and realize that it should be common sense, not convenience, to make that decision who comes to the emergency department and who doesn’t,” Dr. Dougherty said. Again the wait times at Lee Health are between four and five hours. NCH could not put an exact number to its wait times, but it did say they would be hours long. Physicians Regional Hospital says its wait times are down despite the surge in COVID-19 cases, sitting at an average of 30 minutes.