SWFL community raise $1600 for family of fallen Charlotte County Sgt.Collier commissioners increase opposition to possible move by Naples Airport
SWFL community raise $1600 for family of fallen Charlotte County Sgt. Southwest Floridians were asked to come out and support the family of fallen Charlotte County Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz, and you showed up.
Collier commissioners increase opposition to possible move by Naples Airport Collier County commissioners increased their opposition to possibly relocating Naples Airport, supporting a resolution against two sites near Ave Maria and rejecting the airport authority’s request for assistance.
PORT CHARLOTTE Georgia man found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with minor in Port Charlotte A Georgia man has been found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with a minor and possessing a firearm as a person with felony convictions.
New recreational marijuana amendment proposed for 2026 Florida ballot Smart & Safe Florida, the political action committee primarily funded by Trulieve – the state’s largest medical marijuana company and fourth largest in the U.S. – this week filed a new proposal to put an amendment on the ballot in Florida in 2026 that would legalize adult recreational use of marijuana.
NAPLES Naples Pride releases statement on city council’s vote Naples Pride has issued a statement on the Naples City Council’s decision to approve this year’s festival but with a caveat.
Punta Gorda scraps plan for new $16M City Hall building Prior to the hurricane in September 2022 causing City Hall’s closure, the previous City Council, including three incumbents who were unseated in the Nov. 5 election, planned to build a new City Hall on its current site at 326 W. Marion Ave.
CAPE CORAL Jaycee Park Renovations — There’s no going back now Where there’s talk of Jaycee Park in Cape Coral Council meetings, there is turmoil.
CAPE CORAL NRG Wrestling slams its way into Cape Coral NRG wrestling is hosting its first live event of 2025 with NRG Fully Charged on Saturday, Jan. 18, at Scotty Bierwerks.
Backlash over new state law banning kids from social media From body image issues to bullying and, even worse, depression and suicide.
orlando Gov. DeSantis appoints Ashley Moody for Florida Senator Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has named Attorney General Ashley Moody the next Florida Senator, replacing Marco Rubio.
sanibel Volunteer Expo to be held at Sanibel Community House; nearly 50 organizations in attendance The City of Sanibel is set to hold its Volunteer Expo, an event with nearly 50 organizations aiming to give back to the community.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
the weather authority Cooler-than-average with a few showers possible this afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cooler-than-average temperatures with a possible afternoon shower this Thursday.
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.
SWFL community raise $1600 for family of fallen Charlotte County Sgt. Southwest Floridians were asked to come out and support the family of fallen Charlotte County Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz, and you showed up.
Collier commissioners increase opposition to possible move by Naples Airport Collier County commissioners increased their opposition to possibly relocating Naples Airport, supporting a resolution against two sites near Ave Maria and rejecting the airport authority’s request for assistance.
PORT CHARLOTTE Georgia man found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with minor in Port Charlotte A Georgia man has been found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with a minor and possessing a firearm as a person with felony convictions.
New recreational marijuana amendment proposed for 2026 Florida ballot Smart & Safe Florida, the political action committee primarily funded by Trulieve – the state’s largest medical marijuana company and fourth largest in the U.S. – this week filed a new proposal to put an amendment on the ballot in Florida in 2026 that would legalize adult recreational use of marijuana.
NAPLES Naples Pride releases statement on city council’s vote Naples Pride has issued a statement on the Naples City Council’s decision to approve this year’s festival but with a caveat.
Punta Gorda scraps plan for new $16M City Hall building Prior to the hurricane in September 2022 causing City Hall’s closure, the previous City Council, including three incumbents who were unseated in the Nov. 5 election, planned to build a new City Hall on its current site at 326 W. Marion Ave.
CAPE CORAL Jaycee Park Renovations — There’s no going back now Where there’s talk of Jaycee Park in Cape Coral Council meetings, there is turmoil.
CAPE CORAL NRG Wrestling slams its way into Cape Coral NRG wrestling is hosting its first live event of 2025 with NRG Fully Charged on Saturday, Jan. 18, at Scotty Bierwerks.
Backlash over new state law banning kids from social media From body image issues to bullying and, even worse, depression and suicide.
orlando Gov. DeSantis appoints Ashley Moody for Florida Senator Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has named Attorney General Ashley Moody the next Florida Senator, replacing Marco Rubio.
sanibel Volunteer Expo to be held at Sanibel Community House; nearly 50 organizations in attendance The City of Sanibel is set to hold its Volunteer Expo, an event with nearly 50 organizations aiming to give back to the community.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
the weather authority Cooler-than-average with a few showers possible this afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cooler-than-average temperatures with a possible afternoon shower this Thursday.
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.
Credit: WINK News The Texas school shooting is taking a toll on students in Southwest Florida, and across the country. Mental health experts are stressing the importance of counseling. The mental pain is especially prevalent for the survivors in Uvalde, Texas who will have to live with these memories for the rest of their lives. A moment like that can really affect a child. Two counselors said treatment is critical because if kids do not get counseling right away, their odds of developing mental health issues become far more likely. They said untreated mental illness can result in substance abuse and suicide. Doctors and nurses at Golisano Children’s Hospital care for children and others they send to a mental health center for treatment under the Baker Act. “We have seen a 221% increase in children coming into our hospital under the Baker Act from 2019 to 2021,” said Alyssa Bostwick, the chief nursing and operations executive at Golisano Children’s Hospital. Bostwick said that about the mental health crisis in Southwest Florida last week. Days later, the devastating shooting in Texas left 19 children dead. Two mental health experts explained the impact here in Southwest Florida, nearly 1,400 miles away. “When something like this happens, it’s, you know, it basically-re traumatizes them,” said Caryn Depasquale, a registered mental health counselor intern at Sunshine State Counseling. “Something like this will increase anxiety. We know it folks don’t feel safe. They don’t understand why this happens. Who to trust,” said Nancy Dauphinais, chief operating officer and licensed mental health counselor with the David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health. The National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder estimates that 28% of people who have witnessed a mass shooting develop PTSD. About a third develop acute stress disorder. Add that to what children dealt with during the pandemic, and life in general, and it results in kids who need help, but may not be getting it. “They’re already feeling the trauma of their parents splitting up or their parents fighting over them. And then you throw something like this, in which they feel like they have no control over,” said Depasquale. “Just highlights how important it is that we continue to invest in support our mental health system,” said Dauphinais. It’s like adding an epidemic to the pandemic. The results of the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey for middle school students found that 4,724 middle school students said they were bullied during the year before the survey. More than 1,000 of them were just 12-years-old. Mental health resources in Southwest Florida If you are struggling or if you know a loved one who is in trouble, there is help and you are not alone. There is free and immediate support available 24/7. Below is a list of important resources: In An Emergency If you or a loved one is in immediate danger call 911. It is important to notify the operator that it is a psychiatric emergency and ask for an officer trained in crisis intervention or trained to assist people experiencing a psychiatric emergency. National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) suicidepreventionlifeline.org If you or someone you know is in crisis—whether they are considering suicide or not—please call the toll-free Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) to speak with a trained crisis counselor 24/7. Crisis Text Line – Text NAMI to 741-741 Connect with a trained crisis counselor to receive free, 24/7 crisis support via text message. National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 800-799-SAFE (7233) Trained expert advocates are available 24/7 to provide confidential support to anyone experiencing domestic violence or seeking resources and information. Help is available in Spanish and other languages. National Sexual Assault Hotline – Call 800-656-HOPE (4673) Connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area that offers access to a range of free services. Crisis chat support is available at Online Hotline. Free help, 24/7. Below are mental health resources available to Southwest Floridians at the national and local level. David Lawrence Center (Collier County) (239)455-8500 davidlawrencecenter.org SalusCare (Lee County) (239)275-4242 saluscareflorida.org (NAMI) National Alliance on Mental Illness, Collier County namicollier.org (NAMI) National Alliance on Mental Illness, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry Counties namilee.org The National Alliance for Caregiving offers a free handbook Circle of Care: A Guidebook for Mental Health Caregivers Collier County Mental Health Court ca.cjis20.org/home/collier Lee County Mental Health Court ca.cjis20.org/home/lee Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance convio.net Local Support Groups: Anxiety and Depression Association of America adaa.org U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Mental Health and Addiction Insurance Help) hhs.gov Local veterans resource: Home Base SWFL homebase.org