Shingle roofs could phase out in the futureSanibel islanders rally to restore beloved fishing pier after Ian damage
Shingle roofs could phase out in the future Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky recently made comments at the Florida Chamber Insurance Summit about the potential phasing out of shingle roofs in the state.
SANIBEL Sanibel islanders rally to restore beloved fishing pier after Ian damage The Sanibel Fishing Pier, a beloved spot for many, has been in disrepair since Hurricane Ian struck more than two years ago. Now, dedicated fishers are pushing to restore it using private funding.
PUNTA GORDA Gunfire erupts on US 41 bridge in Punta Gorda; bikers arrested A road rage incident escalated into gunfire on the U.S. 41 bridge connecting Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte, causing fear among drivers.
CLEWISTON Clewiston father shoots friend over alleged sexual crime against daughter There is new information about a murder in Clewiston earlier this month.
BONITA SPRINGS San Carlos Estates fights city merger proposal with Bonita Springs Residents of San Carlos Estates in Bonita Springs are fighting to maintain their neighborhood’s independence.
PUNTA GORDA New flight routes at Punta Gorda Airport The Punta Gorda Airport is expanding its offerings, adding new flight options for travelers.
LEE COUNTY Bregman’s arrival and Devers’ denial highlight Red Sox first full squad The addition of Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers’ refusal to change positions highlighted the first full squad workout for the Red Sox.
NORTH FORT MYERS March to a Million Meals: Teaming up to help feed families Feeding a quarter of a million people each month requires a lot of money and help.
Charlotte County residents voice concerns over Burnt Store Road upgrades An emergency meeting was held to address concerns from residents about the development along Burnt Store Road in Charlotte County.
PORT CHARLOTTE Local nonprofit gives back to veterans for their service A military wife has found a heartfelt way to honor veterans and first responders.
Miracle Moment: Ronald McDonald House offers hope to boy battling cancer It’s time for Miracle Moment.
PORT CHARLOTTE Tampa Bay Rays uplift Charlotte County fans post hurricanes Tampa Bay’s full squad reported on Monday and fans were out in full force, with more appreciation than the players might know.
Breakthrough for patients diagnosed with ALS Fewer than 500 people in the United States have a genetic mutation linked to their case of ALS.
EAST NAPLES 1 injured after house fire in East Naples An investigation is underway after a fire in East Naples.
Bonita Springs Council to vote on duplex project near downtown Sagamore Management Co. seeks to build 24 duplexes on 4.6 acres at the northeast corner of Dean Street and Matheson Avenue in Bonita Springs.
Shingle roofs could phase out in the future Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky recently made comments at the Florida Chamber Insurance Summit about the potential phasing out of shingle roofs in the state.
SANIBEL Sanibel islanders rally to restore beloved fishing pier after Ian damage The Sanibel Fishing Pier, a beloved spot for many, has been in disrepair since Hurricane Ian struck more than two years ago. Now, dedicated fishers are pushing to restore it using private funding.
PUNTA GORDA Gunfire erupts on US 41 bridge in Punta Gorda; bikers arrested A road rage incident escalated into gunfire on the U.S. 41 bridge connecting Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte, causing fear among drivers.
CLEWISTON Clewiston father shoots friend over alleged sexual crime against daughter There is new information about a murder in Clewiston earlier this month.
BONITA SPRINGS San Carlos Estates fights city merger proposal with Bonita Springs Residents of San Carlos Estates in Bonita Springs are fighting to maintain their neighborhood’s independence.
PUNTA GORDA New flight routes at Punta Gorda Airport The Punta Gorda Airport is expanding its offerings, adding new flight options for travelers.
LEE COUNTY Bregman’s arrival and Devers’ denial highlight Red Sox first full squad The addition of Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers’ refusal to change positions highlighted the first full squad workout for the Red Sox.
NORTH FORT MYERS March to a Million Meals: Teaming up to help feed families Feeding a quarter of a million people each month requires a lot of money and help.
Charlotte County residents voice concerns over Burnt Store Road upgrades An emergency meeting was held to address concerns from residents about the development along Burnt Store Road in Charlotte County.
PORT CHARLOTTE Local nonprofit gives back to veterans for their service A military wife has found a heartfelt way to honor veterans and first responders.
Miracle Moment: Ronald McDonald House offers hope to boy battling cancer It’s time for Miracle Moment.
PORT CHARLOTTE Tampa Bay Rays uplift Charlotte County fans post hurricanes Tampa Bay’s full squad reported on Monday and fans were out in full force, with more appreciation than the players might know.
Breakthrough for patients diagnosed with ALS Fewer than 500 people in the United States have a genetic mutation linked to their case of ALS.
EAST NAPLES 1 injured after house fire in East Naples An investigation is underway after a fire in East Naples.
Bonita Springs Council to vote on duplex project near downtown Sagamore Management Co. seeks to build 24 duplexes on 4.6 acres at the northeast corner of Dean Street and Matheson Avenue in Bonita Springs.
whiteboard confessional Credit: WINK News This chapter of the pandemic weighs heavily on health care workers. As they continue working to treat the sick, they’re also trying to take care of their own mental health. Some days are worse than others, but working in a hospital during the pandemic can be overwhelming. Jennifer Beer is the unit secretary. “It’s been a tough two years for everyone,” Beer said. Tonya Raldiris is the nursing supervisor. “In OB, usually it’s a very happy place to work. And in the last two years, we’ve seen challenges we’ve never experienced before,” said Raldiris. Karen Paras is a certified nursing assistant (CNA) with Lee Health. “When COVID first hit, it was new to us. A lot of staff was distraught. We were not sure day to day what to do,” Paras said. With all of that pressure, the nurses on the 4th floor of Healthpark Medical Center in Lee County decided to give themselves a break. “Sometimes, you just need to get away from the floor for just a few seconds,” Raldiris said. “You can just go in and shut the door. And just you’re there with your thoughts,” said Beer. They carved out their own sanctuary in some of the most private spaces. It’s a simple whiteboard that makes a statement. In two of the staff bathrooms, the nurses can stop for a moment, catch their breathe and share their thoughts. “Sometimes you go in, and it will lift your spirits and make you laugh. Sometimes you go in, and there’ll be something serious and heartfelt on the board,” said Raldiris. “Someone said they were down. They’re not feeling themselves. So we each put something next to it…” Beer said. “The rest of the staff start writing encouraging words to uplift that person,” said Paras. Even in the OB ward where babies are born, COVID-19 reared its ugly head. “We had a spike in our pregnant patients. And we started to see an OB for the first time, very critical patients. And there were times that we were afraid we might even lose one of our patients,” said Raldiris. While the whiteboard might be a small bandaid, the nurses realized their encouraging thoughts could soothe a heart in need. “Well, I just wrote earlier on the board that it felt good for the sun to hit my face,” said Beer. As they put on their game face and greet what each day has in store, there is one thing these nurses can count on – they won’t go through this alone. “We come in here, you know, every day to take care of our patients. But we also, you know, take care of each other. Through good times and bad times,” Beer said. “We’ve lost family members on our team, we’ve had co-workers that have been sick and hospitalized, and just that just that pulling together as a team and being there for each other has been amazing,” Raldiris said. “It is so rewarding to know that something so small can be such a big impact,” Paras said. This is proof that a few kind words can speak volumes. The nurses hope to spread that love by putting whiteboards in more of the staff bathrooms throughout the hospital.