Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast UniversityMissing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: Parent brings weapon to Lehigh Acres school According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, there is probable cause to believe a woman unintentionally brought a firearm to school.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: Parent brings weapon to Lehigh Acres school According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, there is probable cause to believe a woman unintentionally brought a firearm to school.
Leo, left, and Zelda, right. (Credit: WINK News) Collier County EMS is partnering with Golden PAWS Assistance Dogs, Inc. to provide the county’s first responders with therapy dogs. Studies have proven that therapy dogs help people deal with stress and anxiety. And few people deal with more stress and anxiety than first responders. “One of our paramedics started researching therapy dogs for himself and also saw a need to see how to have therapy dogs for Collier County EMS,” said Noemi Garcia, deputy chief of Collier County EMS. “First responders see a lot of difficult situations, and their level of stress is very high,” said Collier EMS Chief Tabatha Butcher. The department partnered with Golden PAWS to make Zelda and Leo available when times are tough. “Any time we have an incident where a first responder just needs to have counseling, have some stress relief, then we will take the dogs out to visit them at the stations,” Butcher said. “And it’s really cute because now the ring around the agency is that, you know, ‘I need some Zelda time,’ or, ‘I need some Leo time,’ so they’ve really embraced it.” Butcher and Garcia say the program works wonders. And when Garcia puts Zelda’s vest on her, the dog knows it’s time to go to work. “Whenever there’s a bad call, we’ve actually gone out to the stations and visited with the paramedics,” Garcia said. “And she’s given them lots of love and comfort. And you can definitely see the stress go away from the paramedic when they’re petting the dog. It’s something to see.” Their job is to save lives, so of course, there is a lot of stress in their day to day. “The paramedics have a very stressful job. And as our call volume increases, they’re running more calls and running more critical calls. And it’s important for them to be able to have an outlet,” said Garcia. That’s where Leo and Zelda come in. They are Golden PAWS assistance dogs, and the organization recently partnered with Collier County EMS to offer stress relief to first responders. “Since this is a new program, our eventual plan is to have the dog that’s assigned to the field paramedic come to work with him. That hasn’t been established yet. But what he will do is he will bring the dog around to visit other first responders that are on shift when he is off,” said Butcher. Baker and Garcia said this is a first-of-its-kind partnership in Collier County. 8-year-old Zelda. (Credit: WINK News) “Whenever they see Zelda coming, they completely light up, and everyone gets on the floor and starts petting and loving on her. It’s just a very neat and cool interaction to see them just melt. Melt away and just have them see how they react to her,” said Garcia. Garcia said her firefighters and paramedics love the dogs, and the dogs love them. “Whenever Zelda gets in my car to come to work, she’s a little bit happy. But as soon as I’m coming through the gate, she starts panting, and she’s very excited. She wants to put on her vest and come to the office and get petted and just provide that service to our office personnel to our paramedics, and even to the 911 dispatchers.” Golden PAWS Assistance Dogs is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes independence for combat-wounded veterans and children with life-changing disabilities through partnerships with skilled assistance dogs. For more information about the organization, please visit the website or call (239) 775-1660.