Trumparilla Boat Parade kicks off in Fort MyersThe Weather Authority: Hot temperatures, rain, and we’re watching the tropics
FORT MYERS Trumparilla Boat Parade kicks off in Fort Myers The Lee County GOP is hosting the Trumparilla Boat Parade in support of the Republican nominee.
Southwest Florida The Weather Authority: Hot temperatures, rain, and we’re watching the tropics Get ready for a typical Southwest Florida weekend. It’s going to feel like the triple digits before rain rolls in and we’re watching the tropics.
ALVA Woodpeckers build home in Alva woman’s house You may have heard of squatters, but this woman is dealing with squawkers. Who needs a rooster to wake up when you have woodpeckers?
FORT MYERS Man claims he was trapped in a high-rise for 5 days A 77-year-old man wants justice after he claims he spent days trapped on the 24th floor of a high-rise apartment building.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte Correctional prisoner charged for death of another inmate State Attorney Amira Fox convened a grand jury, which decided to move forward with a case against a Charlotte Correctional inmate.
SANIBEL Construction near Dairy Queen eagle nest on Sanibel raises concerns While many eagle nests may be a bit difficult to see, one nest has always been a favorite for Sanibel residents and tourists.
The environmental effects of artificial sweeteners Experts are studying how the foods we eat affect the environment, especially after we flush our waste down the toilet.
Victim reacts to man exposing himself to her Ring camera You get a notification on your phone from your ring camera app that someone is at the door, only to find out it is someone exposing themselves. It’s the last thing victim Maria Kivi wanted or expected to see last week.
LEE COUNTY The art of capturing your eye and drawing you in How do you capture young, hip, trendy, fun, movers and shakers, all in a pose? We take you behind the scenes of a Gulfshore Life cover shoot.
FORT MYERS The lives of two SJC Boxers changed in the ring Two SJC Boxers, Mario Nunez and Arbon Kurtishi, help each other in the ring as each of them had their lives changed because of boxing.
FORT MYERS Chlamydia cases rising sharply in Lee County If you think about a crowded space- something with more than 250 people- if it’s in Lee county, statistically one person has chlamydia.
SANIBEL Sanibel resort day passes hope to get more business on the island A pass will allow vacationers to hang out at a Sanibel beach club for a day in hopes of drumming up some business.
Voting equipment tested ahead of Lee County elections Voting equipment is being tested in Lee County. This is to ensure all ballots are printed and counted correctly for the upcoming election.
Collier County teen assaulted after leaving party The teen has been charged and the sheriff’s office said they’re aware that many believe felony charges are in order, but under Florida law, there are very specific criteria that must be met for felony charges to be filed.
WINK weather team watching tropical wave over Atlantic Ocean The Weather Authority is watching a tropical disturbance over the Central Atlantic Ocean.
FORT MYERS Trumparilla Boat Parade kicks off in Fort Myers The Lee County GOP is hosting the Trumparilla Boat Parade in support of the Republican nominee.
Southwest Florida The Weather Authority: Hot temperatures, rain, and we’re watching the tropics Get ready for a typical Southwest Florida weekend. It’s going to feel like the triple digits before rain rolls in and we’re watching the tropics.
ALVA Woodpeckers build home in Alva woman’s house You may have heard of squatters, but this woman is dealing with squawkers. Who needs a rooster to wake up when you have woodpeckers?
FORT MYERS Man claims he was trapped in a high-rise for 5 days A 77-year-old man wants justice after he claims he spent days trapped on the 24th floor of a high-rise apartment building.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte Correctional prisoner charged for death of another inmate State Attorney Amira Fox convened a grand jury, which decided to move forward with a case against a Charlotte Correctional inmate.
SANIBEL Construction near Dairy Queen eagle nest on Sanibel raises concerns While many eagle nests may be a bit difficult to see, one nest has always been a favorite for Sanibel residents and tourists.
The environmental effects of artificial sweeteners Experts are studying how the foods we eat affect the environment, especially after we flush our waste down the toilet.
Victim reacts to man exposing himself to her Ring camera You get a notification on your phone from your ring camera app that someone is at the door, only to find out it is someone exposing themselves. It’s the last thing victim Maria Kivi wanted or expected to see last week.
LEE COUNTY The art of capturing your eye and drawing you in How do you capture young, hip, trendy, fun, movers and shakers, all in a pose? We take you behind the scenes of a Gulfshore Life cover shoot.
FORT MYERS The lives of two SJC Boxers changed in the ring Two SJC Boxers, Mario Nunez and Arbon Kurtishi, help each other in the ring as each of them had their lives changed because of boxing.
FORT MYERS Chlamydia cases rising sharply in Lee County If you think about a crowded space- something with more than 250 people- if it’s in Lee county, statistically one person has chlamydia.
SANIBEL Sanibel resort day passes hope to get more business on the island A pass will allow vacationers to hang out at a Sanibel beach club for a day in hopes of drumming up some business.
Voting equipment tested ahead of Lee County elections Voting equipment is being tested in Lee County. This is to ensure all ballots are printed and counted correctly for the upcoming election.
Collier County teen assaulted after leaving party The teen has been charged and the sheriff’s office said they’re aware that many believe felony charges are in order, but under Florida law, there are very specific criteria that must be met for felony charges to be filed.
WINK weather team watching tropical wave over Atlantic Ocean The Weather Authority is watching a tropical disturbance over the Central Atlantic Ocean.
A powerful synthetic opioid called ISO is increasingly showing up in overdoses and deaths across the country, and it’s also here in Florida and on the radar of law enforcement. Isotonitazene, or ISO, is a derivative of etonitazen. The opioid epidemic is considered a public health emergency, with an average of 136 deaths per day and climbing. Mike Palumbo with White Sands Treatment Center knows the numbers well. He says, “The line between not being sick and overdosing is so close.” He helps addicts recover, but once, he himself was in the same dark place. “In my early 20s, I got introduced to pain pills at the height of the pharmaceutical sales and opioid crisis. And I liked the way it made me feel it,” Palumbo explained. “It’s a brain disorder that hijacks the pleasure sensor, the pleasure center of your brain, and basically tells your brain that the opioids are the most important thing for survival.” Now nine years into his recovery, Palumbo hasn’t seen ISO here yet, but he knows it’s only a matter of time. “This will just continue to increase the problem at hand where opioid deaths will continue to soar,” he added. “And a lot of times with new substances. Going undetected is a huge problem.” Justin Miller is the intelligence chief of the Miami division of the DEA, and he said they’re seeing ISO a little more in Central Florida, and particularly on the Gulf coast. ISO is classified as a Schedule I narcotic. “It’s an illegal narcotic, no medical use,” Miller said. “As you see other synthetic opioids such as ISO, or other compounds as well, that are just as potent – and potentially more so than fentanyl – that it’s going to have a direct correlation within with drug overdoses and fatalities.” Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco says his deputies have seen the illicit synthetic opioid in their jurisdiction, describing it as “a powdery substance.” “It’s automatically assumed that it’s fentanyl, but when they sent it to the lab, the lab report came back from FDLE,” explained Nocco. “It’s actually a new drug that is much stronger. You know, sometimes people say 20 times stronger than fentanyl. Some people say 100 times stronger fentanyl.” Narcotics Anonymous, or Narconon, reports that ISO is being used to replace heroin or other opioids, whether the users know they are taking it or not. It’s not just the user who’s at risk. Miller said, “One of the big dangers with the synthetic opioids is it can come in through nasal passages or through the skin, especially the much more potent elements; compounds such as the one we’re we’re discussing. And yes, It can lead to an overdose for somebody who’s not intentionally ingesting it.” But there is help and hope. Palumbo said he is living proof. “You know I’m able to be a functioning member of society and be a member of this community helping other people in this community.” Another potential danger – Narcan may not work on ISO, or someone may need several doses, which is a very scary thing for parents to hear. If you have something you’d like Peter Fleischer to investigate, email investigations@winknews.com. If you or a loved one is battling addiction, we’ve provided resources below. RESOURCES: White Sands Treatment Center Newsweek ranks “America’s Best Addiction Treatment Centers” Lee Health’s addiction treatment program Lee County Coalition for a Drug-Free Southwest Florida