33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee CountyCool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther was killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
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 Milton.
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.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther was killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
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 Milton.
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.
Robert Keane had a C-pap mask but it wasn’t helping him deal with his sleep apnea. (CREDIT: WINK News) When we talk about getting a good night’s sleep, having a condition where you stop breathing is not what comes to mind. But around 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, and that’s exactly what happens. It can be serious, even fatal. The gold standard of treatment is a mask that forces continuous oxygen. But not everyone can tolerate it, and the lack of sleep can cause a lack of focus. It was Robert Keane’s first clue that something was wrong. The Naples man was distracted and tired but didn’t suspect sleep apnea was the cause. Doctors suggested a sleep study, and the results were eye-opening. “On a scale of one through 30, you’re 27. So that means you stop breathing 27 times an hour,” said Keane. C-pap machine (CREDIT: WINK News) “Obstructive sleep apnea is when your throat, you know, your internal structures are collapsing,” said Dr. Michael Medina, ENT-otolaryngologist at the Cleveland Clinic Hospital Weston. Medina treated Keane. He said this common condition has the potential to do much more than rob patients of sleep. “Obstructive sleep apnea, it’s like a hidden killer. Your oxygen levels drop down. And because of that, you know, you put your heart and your cardiovascular system at risk,” Medina said. Keane used a C-pap mask that provided continuous pressure to keep his airway open. Dr. Medina said up to 50% of people don’t tolerate it. Keane is one of them; he hated the mask. “Complete torture,” Keane said. “It was awful… I dreaded going to bed every night.” Given the importance of treatment, Keane looked for another solution, considering oral appliances and even surgery to remove tissue in the throat. He ultimately chose to go to the Cleveland Clinic Hospital in Weston to get a tiny device implanted in his chest called the Inspire. Cleveland Clinic Hospital (CREDIT: WINK News) It’s FDA-approved for severe apnea. “It’s like a pacemaker, but for your breathing,” Medina said. Placing it requires two small incisions, one to insert it into the chest, the other under the jaw where a lead meets a nerve that controls the tongue. It’s likened to a pacemaker because it keeps pace with your breathing. “And when you take a breath, it detects that. And then, it will at that time stimulate the nerve to the tongue to move the tongue gently forward and tense the tongue so the tongue doesn’t fall back,” Medina said. Keane activates it at bedtime by taping a controller on his chest. A slight tingling in his tongue confirms it’s stimulating the nerve. “Oh, it’s amazing. It’s great,” Keane said. “I love it. I mean, I’m a different person. It’s totally, totally changed my life.” Not everyone is a candidate for the implant. Patients must have obstructive apnea and have failed to use the mask. It’s not meant for people who are severely obese.