1 dead from e-coli outbreak due to carrots sold in popular grocery storesLee County Library System announces annual Fandom Fest
WINK NEWS 1 dead from e-coli outbreak due to carrots sold in popular grocery stores The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating an outbreak of e-coli linked to tainted carrots.
FORT MYERS Lee County Library System announces annual Fandom Fest The Lee County Library System is inviting people of all ages to bring cosplay and pop culture fun to its annual Fandom Fest.
FORT MYERS Lee County opens Royal Palms Avenue parking lot for downtown Fort Myers workers Lee County has announced the opening of the Royal Palms Avenue parking lot, which will be used by downtown workers and become paid public parking on nights and weekends.
NAPLES Naples sculptor makes memorable busts for 8 locations You may be noticing some new massive statues that have been placed in popular areas around Naples, like Waterside Shops and Maserati Naples.
the weather authority Seasonal Monday with highs in the mid 80s The Weather Authority is tracking seasonal temperatures with an approaching cold front that is expected to bring rain and cooler conditions during the midweek.
Volunteers gather for 20th annual Turkey Drop event in Collier County The 20th annual Capital Wealth Advisors Turkey Drop event is set to begin as organizers seek to mark this milestone anniversary with the goal of over 7,000 turkeys donated.
FORT MYERS BEACH FMB residents raise concerns over removal of business trailers Residents and business owners on Fort Myers Beach are raising concerns after FEMA called for the removal of temporary structures off the island.
Driver arrested after failing to stop in Lehigh Acres According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a driver was arrested after he failed to stop for troopers on State Road 82 and Blackstone Drive in Lehigh Acres on Saturday Night.
WINK Neighborhood Watch: burglary, aggravated battery and cockfighting This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a burglary spree, aggravated battery with a vehicle and a man arrested for cockfighting.
NAPLES Deputies investigating death at Collier house party The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a death that happened at a house party.
southwest florida Beautiful Sunday on tap with temperatures reaching the low 80s this afternoon It will be another seasonal day with sun and clouds across Southwest Florida with temperatures reaching yet again topping out in the low 80s.
NAPLES Community raises funds for family of elementary school choking victim Staff and students from Laurel Oak Elementary School gathered at a Naples Culver’s to raise money for the family of Benjamin Cronin, an 11-year-old boy who died after choking at school.
Traffic investigation on US-41 at Olympia Ave. temporarily closes NB lanes The Punta Gorda Police Department responded to a traffic crash that temporarily closed the northbound lanes of US-41 at Olympia and Marion avenues.
NAPLES Swine in the 239: Collier’s pig showdown Over 250 pigs took over the Collier County fairgrounds Saturday morning for Swine in the 239.
immokalee Fatal crash in Immokalee leaves 2 dead, both cars engulfed in flames The Florida Highway Patrol responded to a crash that left one person dead in Immokalee near the intersection of State Road 82 and Gators Slough Road.
WINK NEWS 1 dead from e-coli outbreak due to carrots sold in popular grocery stores The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating an outbreak of e-coli linked to tainted carrots.
FORT MYERS Lee County Library System announces annual Fandom Fest The Lee County Library System is inviting people of all ages to bring cosplay and pop culture fun to its annual Fandom Fest.
FORT MYERS Lee County opens Royal Palms Avenue parking lot for downtown Fort Myers workers Lee County has announced the opening of the Royal Palms Avenue parking lot, which will be used by downtown workers and become paid public parking on nights and weekends.
NAPLES Naples sculptor makes memorable busts for 8 locations You may be noticing some new massive statues that have been placed in popular areas around Naples, like Waterside Shops and Maserati Naples.
the weather authority Seasonal Monday with highs in the mid 80s The Weather Authority is tracking seasonal temperatures with an approaching cold front that is expected to bring rain and cooler conditions during the midweek.
Volunteers gather for 20th annual Turkey Drop event in Collier County The 20th annual Capital Wealth Advisors Turkey Drop event is set to begin as organizers seek to mark this milestone anniversary with the goal of over 7,000 turkeys donated.
FORT MYERS BEACH FMB residents raise concerns over removal of business trailers Residents and business owners on Fort Myers Beach are raising concerns after FEMA called for the removal of temporary structures off the island.
Driver arrested after failing to stop in Lehigh Acres According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a driver was arrested after he failed to stop for troopers on State Road 82 and Blackstone Drive in Lehigh Acres on Saturday Night.
WINK Neighborhood Watch: burglary, aggravated battery and cockfighting This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a burglary spree, aggravated battery with a vehicle and a man arrested for cockfighting.
NAPLES Deputies investigating death at Collier house party The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a death that happened at a house party.
southwest florida Beautiful Sunday on tap with temperatures reaching the low 80s this afternoon It will be another seasonal day with sun and clouds across Southwest Florida with temperatures reaching yet again topping out in the low 80s.
NAPLES Community raises funds for family of elementary school choking victim Staff and students from Laurel Oak Elementary School gathered at a Naples Culver’s to raise money for the family of Benjamin Cronin, an 11-year-old boy who died after choking at school.
Traffic investigation on US-41 at Olympia Ave. temporarily closes NB lanes The Punta Gorda Police Department responded to a traffic crash that temporarily closed the northbound lanes of US-41 at Olympia and Marion avenues.
NAPLES Swine in the 239: Collier’s pig showdown Over 250 pigs took over the Collier County fairgrounds Saturday morning for Swine in the 239.
immokalee Fatal crash in Immokalee leaves 2 dead, both cars engulfed in flames The Florida Highway Patrol responded to a crash that left one person dead in Immokalee near the intersection of State Road 82 and Gators Slough Road.
Cristina Johansson. Courtesy photo One Southwest Florida woman is sharing her 20-year journey with bipolar disorder and how she finally got help. Cristina Johansson was in high school when she noticed her sadness was more than teenage angst. “I couldn’t get over being sad,” Johansson said. “Anything that happened was the worst thing that happened ever. It felt so dramatic and it was like the end.” Johansson went on with her adult life struggling with a range of moods and energy levels, though a doctor did diagnose her at one point with bipolar disorder. “I just really didn’t want to be on medication—I really didn’t want to be diagnosed as anything,” Johansson said. “I was either, ‘Go, go, go’ until I couldn’t, or I was sobbing. And by now, it had been 20 years of sobbing and it was, ‘What’s wrong with me?'” That’s when she got help at Elite DNA Therapy Services and received her final diagnosis of bipolar 1 with psychotic features. “Bipolar disorder is contrasted by having low mood but then periods of really, really high mood,” said Mary Curtis, a certified physician’s assistant at Elite DNA Therapy. “What we call sometimes, like, euphoria, maybe a lot of impulsivity, risky behaviors.” Curtis says those high moods of mania are not pleasant. “It’s actually very uncomfortable and scary for a lot of patients,” Curtis said. “They feel really out of control of what’s going on.” “If we have money in the bank, I’m going to spend it all and take out a credit card,” Johansson said. “If I’m driving somewhere, 70 miles on the highway is a suggestion. And it’s not a conscious decision. I’m just… it just is. It’s just, ‘go.'” Johansson now has a hold on her diagnosis and her life, thanks in part to a great support system of family, friends and medical professionals. She hopes her story inspires people who are struggling to get help, too. “If you’re ashamed of something and you hide it, you’re going to feel ashamed as a person, so don’t,” Johansson said. “Talk about it, make sure that you’re open when you need to be, want to be. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.” Johsansson wants to also break the stigma around bipolar disorder. She’s not aggressive and she’s never hurt anyone. With proper treatment, Johansson and the nearly 3% of people in the U.S. diagnosed with bipolar disorder live healthy, normal lives. The National Institute of Mental Health has a lot of information about bipolar disorder, including ways to get help.