Veteran injured in crash that killed wife WINK News has learned that a veteran’s wife was killed in a crash on Wednesday on State Road 82.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda to repair old city hall building The City of Punta Gorda is scrapping plans to build a new city hall.
SWFL teen injured in New Orleans terror attack released from hospital According to the mom of one of the teens injured in the New Orleans Terror attack on New Year’s Day, she has been released from the hospital.
NAPLES Jay Leno comedy show coming to Southwest Florida One of the most famous comedians in the world is coming to Southwest Florida.
SOUTH NAPLES Collier neighbors anticipating second Costco location Members of a community are waiting for one of the most popular wholesale stores, but there is something standing in the way.
AVE MARIA Caught on camera: Massive gator seen in front of Ave Maria home A massive alligator was seen using a walking path in front of an Ave Maria home, and it was all caught on camera.
NCAA approves plan to pay women’s basketball tournament teams In a historic unanimous vote, the NCAA approves of a plan to pay women’s basketball teams that compete in March Madness.
FORT MYERS City of Fort Myers announces Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival The City of Fort Myers invites the public to the 21st anniversary of the Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival in downtown Fort Myers.
MATLACHA Neighbors protest delay in repairs to Matlacha Pass Bridge People are set to take the streets and protest the delay in repairs to the Matlacha Pass Bridge.
Port Authority postpones talk of RSW’s $346M, four-year delayed terminal expansion Lee County and Port Authority Commissioner Brian Hamman finally had a public forum to get some answers on why a construction project went more than $346 million over budget and will be more than four years behind schedule to complete.
DeSantis responds to question on possible Sheriff Marceno suspension Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed calls for the suspension of Lee County’s sheriff amid an FBI investigation into his office.
Annette’s Beach Book Nook celebrates grand reopening on Fort Myers Beach From 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 18, Annette Stillson finally will be celebrating the grand reopening of the new-look Annette’s Beach Book Nook.
Punta Gorda renowned media artist finds safe haven for work Former businessman and artist David Sussman, known for his photography on canvas and coffee-table photography books, has found a safe, flood-proof homestead after he lost several homes and studios to hurricanes.
Mugshot released of man accused of injuring deputy then leading multi-county chase The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has released the mugshot of Fritzson Paul, the man accused of leading deputies on a multi-county chase stemming from a carjacking.
Veteran injured in crash that killed wife WINK News has learned that a veteran’s wife was killed in a crash on Wednesday on State Road 82.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda to repair old city hall building The City of Punta Gorda is scrapping plans to build a new city hall.
SWFL teen injured in New Orleans terror attack released from hospital According to the mom of one of the teens injured in the New Orleans Terror attack on New Year’s Day, she has been released from the hospital.
NAPLES Jay Leno comedy show coming to Southwest Florida One of the most famous comedians in the world is coming to Southwest Florida.
SOUTH NAPLES Collier neighbors anticipating second Costco location Members of a community are waiting for one of the most popular wholesale stores, but there is something standing in the way.
AVE MARIA Caught on camera: Massive gator seen in front of Ave Maria home A massive alligator was seen using a walking path in front of an Ave Maria home, and it was all caught on camera.
NCAA approves plan to pay women’s basketball tournament teams In a historic unanimous vote, the NCAA approves of a plan to pay women’s basketball teams that compete in March Madness.
FORT MYERS City of Fort Myers announces Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival The City of Fort Myers invites the public to the 21st anniversary of the Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival in downtown Fort Myers.
MATLACHA Neighbors protest delay in repairs to Matlacha Pass Bridge People are set to take the streets and protest the delay in repairs to the Matlacha Pass Bridge.
Port Authority postpones talk of RSW’s $346M, four-year delayed terminal expansion Lee County and Port Authority Commissioner Brian Hamman finally had a public forum to get some answers on why a construction project went more than $346 million over budget and will be more than four years behind schedule to complete.
DeSantis responds to question on possible Sheriff Marceno suspension Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed calls for the suspension of Lee County’s sheriff amid an FBI investigation into his office.
Annette’s Beach Book Nook celebrates grand reopening on Fort Myers Beach From 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 18, Annette Stillson finally will be celebrating the grand reopening of the new-look Annette’s Beach Book Nook.
Punta Gorda renowned media artist finds safe haven for work Former businessman and artist David Sussman, known for his photography on canvas and coffee-table photography books, has found a safe, flood-proof homestead after he lost several homes and studios to hurricanes.
Mugshot released of man accused of injuring deputy then leading multi-county chase The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has released the mugshot of Fritzson Paul, the man accused of leading deputies on a multi-county chase stemming from a carjacking.
Collier County teacher Pamela Rivera and her 15-year-old daughter Sabine, who has Type 1 diabetes. Credit: WINK News A drug-making company uninterested in profit doesn’t seem possible, but that is the concept behind a new organization geared at making your health care more affordable, starting with insulin. One Collier County family shows the impact of making the drug easier to purchase. Between theater and taekwondo, 15-year-old Sabine Rivera keeps busy likes most teens. Unlike most teens, she has to carry around a bag of Skittles wherever she goes. “They see me pull out Skittles and they’re like, ‘Oh, can I have some?’ And I’m like, ‘Sorry, no, this is medical-related,'” Sabine said. Sabine has Type 1 diabetes. She keeps the Skittles on hand because they could save her life if her blood sugar level drops. “Every day when I wake up, I have to check my blood sugar before I eat my breakfast,” Sabine said. “And then, based on that number, I give myself insulin, and then whatever I eat for breakfast, I count the carbohydrates in that and give myself insulin based on how many carbs I’m eating.” That routine for every meal and snack is a lot, and so is the price of staying alive. “It was really eye-opening that one month of supplies to keep my daughter alive was $1,500,” said Pamela Rivera, Sabine’s mother. Pamela works hard as a Collier County teacher, but it’s not easy to keep up with the cost of insulin, even with insurance. Each year, she pays full price until she hits her deductible. Sabine’s medicine alone costs around $200 per month, never mind the cost of syringes, alcohol wipes and devices. “The cost of insulin in the U.S. market is eight to 10 times more than any other country,” said Ned McCoy, CEO of the nonprofit pharmaceutical company Civica. “One out of six folks in the U.S. taking insulin are reporting that they are rationing their insulin because they can’t afford it.” The company’s building a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Virginia where it will produce generic medications no longer under patent, including insulin. Once Civica completes all the federally required testing, it plans to offer insulin for $30 per vial, or $55 for a five-pack of pens. For perspective: Pamela Rivera pays $86.25 for five pens after insurance, and that’s just one of the insulins Sabine uses daily. Civica’s stated goal is to work for the patient. A noble idea, but how does the company pay the bills? “We’re doing the insulin project entirely with donated funds,” McCoy said. “JDRF, that you’re aware of, is one of the donors.” That’s where this story comes full circle: Sabine is active with the local Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the group helping fund Civica’s mission, near North Naples. The group’s office is her second home. In 2019, Sabine spoke in front of Congress, asking lawmakers to make insulin more affordable. While Sabine continues to grow, and her insulin price doesn’t change, she and her mom are not giving up. “This is her fight—this is our fight,” Pamela said. “There are so many people living with Type 1, and they can’t afford it.” JDRF has ways to get help paying for medicine through nonprofits, or you can get a coupon on this website. Eli Lilly cut non-branded insulin, lispro, to $25 per vial. If you don’t have insurance– you can go to this website and download a savings card to get Lilly insulins for no more than $35 per month.