CAPE CORAL Understanding water restriction in Cape Coral The city of Canals has water problems again!
SANIBEL Future of the Sanibel Pier Sanibel Island is looking much better since Hurricane Ian, but while the lighthouse is standing tall, the pier isn’t doing too well.
downtown fort myers Large crowds expected for Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival Downtown Fort Myers is on higher alert as this weekend’s 4th Annual Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival is expected to draw large crowds.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral neighborhood growing frustrated over debris piles Pounds of trash and debris are blowing through a Cape Coral neighborhood, through the streets, into canals and every which way.
Inside a Lee County special corrections program More than 3,000 bags of trash, 19 interstate projects, nearly 100 citizen requests and over one hundred truckloads of trash—that’s the work done by nonviolent offenders in Lee County, who are doing their part to make our county more beautiful.
FGCU NCAA implements rules for checking pitchers for foreign substances The NCAA will soon send out an instructional video on in-game foreign substance checks for pitchers.
Surgeon General calls for cancer warnings on alcohol In the new year, there’s a new call to warn Americans about the negative effects of alcohol.
Family of Charlotte deputy killed during traffic stop releases statement The family of Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz is breaking their silence.
Southwest Florida battles the Flu Flu cases are skyrocketing in Southwest Florida, making this busy season even more challenging.
FORT MYERS SWFL 19-year-old hurt in New Orleans terrorist attack releases statement One of the young women from Fort Myers hurt during the New Orleans New Year’s Eve attack is speaking out for the first time.
Bonita Bill’s to close Jan. 5 prior to pending $5.5M sale HM Restaurant Group, owners the adjacent Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille and Dixie Fish Co. restaurants, has been named as the buyer.
naples Beloved Naples Zoo giant anteater, Dee Gee, passes away The Naples Zoo is mourning the loss of a beloved male giant anteater who had given nearly 10 years of joy to visitors.
Charlotte County Property Appraiser accepting applications for partial property tax refunds The Charlotte County Property Appraiser is now accepting applications for partial 2024 property tax refunds.
FORT MYERS 2 wanted for stealing an e-bike from Fort Myers business parking lot Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying two men who stole an electric bike.
Hurricane Ian damages in Punta Gorda exceed $6M Multiple city-owned properties were either destroyed or damaged by Category 4 winds.
CAPE CORAL Understanding water restriction in Cape Coral The city of Canals has water problems again!
SANIBEL Future of the Sanibel Pier Sanibel Island is looking much better since Hurricane Ian, but while the lighthouse is standing tall, the pier isn’t doing too well.
downtown fort myers Large crowds expected for Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival Downtown Fort Myers is on higher alert as this weekend’s 4th Annual Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival is expected to draw large crowds.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral neighborhood growing frustrated over debris piles Pounds of trash and debris are blowing through a Cape Coral neighborhood, through the streets, into canals and every which way.
Inside a Lee County special corrections program More than 3,000 bags of trash, 19 interstate projects, nearly 100 citizen requests and over one hundred truckloads of trash—that’s the work done by nonviolent offenders in Lee County, who are doing their part to make our county more beautiful.
FGCU NCAA implements rules for checking pitchers for foreign substances The NCAA will soon send out an instructional video on in-game foreign substance checks for pitchers.
Surgeon General calls for cancer warnings on alcohol In the new year, there’s a new call to warn Americans about the negative effects of alcohol.
Family of Charlotte deputy killed during traffic stop releases statement The family of Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz is breaking their silence.
Southwest Florida battles the Flu Flu cases are skyrocketing in Southwest Florida, making this busy season even more challenging.
FORT MYERS SWFL 19-year-old hurt in New Orleans terrorist attack releases statement One of the young women from Fort Myers hurt during the New Orleans New Year’s Eve attack is speaking out for the first time.
Bonita Bill’s to close Jan. 5 prior to pending $5.5M sale HM Restaurant Group, owners the adjacent Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille and Dixie Fish Co. restaurants, has been named as the buyer.
naples Beloved Naples Zoo giant anteater, Dee Gee, passes away The Naples Zoo is mourning the loss of a beloved male giant anteater who had given nearly 10 years of joy to visitors.
Charlotte County Property Appraiser accepting applications for partial property tax refunds The Charlotte County Property Appraiser is now accepting applications for partial 2024 property tax refunds.
FORT MYERS 2 wanted for stealing an e-bike from Fort Myers business parking lot Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying two men who stole an electric bike.
Hurricane Ian damages in Punta Gorda exceed $6M Multiple city-owned properties were either destroyed or damaged by Category 4 winds.
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.