North Collier firefighter beats cancer, educates others on safetyMan arrested in connection to brother’s death in Cape Coral
North Collier firefighter beats cancer, educates others on safety He’s a father, son, friend and mentor, but for the last four years, he’s been in a battle for his life.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection to brother’s death in Cape Coral A man wanted for questioning in the death of his brother at his Cape Coral home has been arrested in Pennsylvania.
Candidates challenge Punta Gorda incumbents over land, building regulations A growing grassroots movement has united residents seeking to stem high density and restrict building heights, and three are challenging Punta Gorda City Council members who are up for reelection this year.
Hurricane season is one month away The outlook for the 2024 Hurricane Season is for it be active, potentially even hyperactive.
NORTH FORT MYERS 1 dead after crash on SR 31 and Busbee Rd. in North Fort Myers At around noon Wednesday, the Florida Highway Patrol said a PT Cruiser and a car hauler collided on State Road 31 and Busbee Road, near the Lee/Charlotte County line.
Man sentenced to 25 years in prison for molesting Lee County child A Florida man will spend the next 25 years in prison for molesting a child in Lee County.
LEHIGH ACRES Man accused of using stolen credit card from car burglary at Lehigh Acres CVS Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man who allegedly used a stolen credit card at the CVS in Lehigh Acres.
ARCADIA Family of flea market murder victim struggles to find closure The family of a woman who was murdered at an Arcadia flea market continues to seek justice as the accused killer awaits trial.
NAPLES Naples man accused of possessing child porn After an investigation, a Naples man has been arrested after allegedly having child pornography in his home.
CAPE CORAL Arrest report for volunteer softball coach accused of inappropriate behavior released New details have been released about the arrest of a Cape Coral volunteer softball coach accused of sending nude photos and touching a 17-year-old student.
The Weather Authority Isolated storms pop up this afternoon and evening Afternoon of isolated storms in Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach to test hurricane emergency messaging alert The Town of Fort Myers Beach is set to test its CodeRED alert system as hurricane season begins in 31 days.
FORT MYERS Students make goodie bags for kids fighting Cancer A special delivery, straight from the heart, to Galisano’s Children’s Hospital. Three 8th graders from Lexington Middle School delivered 100 goodie bags to bring smiles to kids fighting cancer.
TICE Deputies respond to shots fired at park in Tice Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies and K-9s were seen investigating at Schindler Hall Community Park on Palm Beach Boulevard in Tice.
CAPE CORAL Lee County superintendent candidates face off in debate These three people, Denise Carlin, Morgan Wright and Sheridan Chester, are making it clear that they want the job.
North Collier firefighter beats cancer, educates others on safety He’s a father, son, friend and mentor, but for the last four years, he’s been in a battle for his life.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection to brother’s death in Cape Coral A man wanted for questioning in the death of his brother at his Cape Coral home has been arrested in Pennsylvania.
Candidates challenge Punta Gorda incumbents over land, building regulations A growing grassroots movement has united residents seeking to stem high density and restrict building heights, and three are challenging Punta Gorda City Council members who are up for reelection this year.
Hurricane season is one month away The outlook for the 2024 Hurricane Season is for it be active, potentially even hyperactive.
NORTH FORT MYERS 1 dead after crash on SR 31 and Busbee Rd. in North Fort Myers At around noon Wednesday, the Florida Highway Patrol said a PT Cruiser and a car hauler collided on State Road 31 and Busbee Road, near the Lee/Charlotte County line.
Man sentenced to 25 years in prison for molesting Lee County child A Florida man will spend the next 25 years in prison for molesting a child in Lee County.
LEHIGH ACRES Man accused of using stolen credit card from car burglary at Lehigh Acres CVS Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man who allegedly used a stolen credit card at the CVS in Lehigh Acres.
ARCADIA Family of flea market murder victim struggles to find closure The family of a woman who was murdered at an Arcadia flea market continues to seek justice as the accused killer awaits trial.
NAPLES Naples man accused of possessing child porn After an investigation, a Naples man has been arrested after allegedly having child pornography in his home.
CAPE CORAL Arrest report for volunteer softball coach accused of inappropriate behavior released New details have been released about the arrest of a Cape Coral volunteer softball coach accused of sending nude photos and touching a 17-year-old student.
The Weather Authority Isolated storms pop up this afternoon and evening Afternoon of isolated storms in Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach to test hurricane emergency messaging alert The Town of Fort Myers Beach is set to test its CodeRED alert system as hurricane season begins in 31 days.
FORT MYERS Students make goodie bags for kids fighting Cancer A special delivery, straight from the heart, to Galisano’s Children’s Hospital. Three 8th graders from Lexington Middle School delivered 100 goodie bags to bring smiles to kids fighting cancer.
TICE Deputies respond to shots fired at park in Tice Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies and K-9s were seen investigating at Schindler Hall Community Park on Palm Beach Boulevard in Tice.
CAPE CORAL Lee County superintendent candidates face off in debate These three people, Denise Carlin, Morgan Wright and Sheridan Chester, are making it clear that they want the job.
Since Hurricane Ian, WINK News has been closely monitoring the state-administered Florida Disaster Fund, established in 2004 and reactivated after Hurricane Ian. As of Aug. 11, the entire $63 million raised through the fund has been allocated to service organizations across the state. The Volunteer Florida Foundation administers the Fund, and first lady Casey DeSantis helps oversee it. Where did the money go? The money has reached more than 70 service organizations statewide, including well-known names like Feeding Florida, the Collaboratory, and Bridge a Life. The complete list is provided by the Volunteer Florida Foundation. Adventists Community Services All Faiths Foodbank of Sarasota American National Red Cross Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida Area Agency on Aging of North Florida Better Together Bridge a Life Catholic Charities of Florida Inc. Champions for Learning (Education Foundation of Collier County) Charlotte Community Foundation Charlotte County Long Term Recovery Task Force Charlotte Local Education Foundation Children’s Network of Southwest Florida Collaboratory Collier Community Foundation Communities of Everglades Recovery Group Community Legal Services of Mid Florida DeSoto County Education Foundation DeSoto Hope Education Foundation of Sarasota County Feeding Florida FEPA (Florida Emergency Preparedness Association) Florida Firefighters Charities Fund Florida PBA Heart Fund Florida Sheriffs Association Florida State Lodge FOP Memorial Foundation Good360 Greater Marco LTRG (Collier Disaster Alliance) Greater Pine Island Alliance Hardee Education Foundation Hardee LTRG Harry Chapin Food Bank Hendry and Glades Unmet Needs Coalition Hope Hospice Immokalee Unmet Needs Coalition Impact Foundation Islamic Relief USA LASER Lee BIA Builders Care Lee County LTRG Midwest Food Bank NFP Inc Monroe County Unmet LTRG Mothers Helping Mothers National Guard Northeast Florida Area Agency on Aging, Inc NU-HOPE Elder Care Services, Inc. One More Child Operation BBQ Relief Osceola Council on Aging Osceola REDI, Inc. Putnam LTRG RISE Orlando Safe Children Coalition Samaritan’s Purse Sarasota LTRG Save the Children Seminole HEART Senior Connection Center Senior Friendship Centers Senior Resource Alliance SHRC Program Southern Baptist Team Rubicon The Educational Foundation of The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools The Salvation Army ToolBank USA, Inc. United Way Of Collier And The Keys Inc United Way Of Lee, Hendry, Glades VIND World Renew Disaster Response Services How the fund helped Better Together In the wake of Hurricane Ian, Florida communities dealt with chaos, uncertainty, and stress. Yet, a ray of hope emerged when the Florida Disaster Fund kicked into gear. “We’re incredibly grateful for those funds, and it was great to be able to take those funds and put them to good use for the families that we knew really could benefit from that support,” said Megan Rose, CEO of Better Together. Guided by CEO Megan Rose, Better Together serves as a lifeline for families in need, offering temporary homes for kids as their parents work towards stability. “Better Together works through local churches and volunteers that come alongside families that are going through a temporary hardship,” Rose said. “That could be job loss, they’re seeking treatment for addiction, they’re just struggling and isolated and don’t have that sense of village or community. So we connect helpers to those that are hurting, and we care for their children short-term by providing a hosting to allow them the time to be able to get back on their feet.” After Hurricane Ian, Better Together volunteers jumped into action. They provided physical necessities like food and diapers, and emotional support to families coping with all kinds of loss. “Right after the storm, we quickly realized that this was catastrophic for our community,” Rose said. “There was a significant need, and a lot of families, including our volunteers, and our own team members were impacted by the storm.” The organization’s impact grew, leading to what Rose said was an unforgettable moment. “We got a call out of the blue from the Chief of Staff for the First Lady and they just wanted to know about the work we were doing and the needs we were seeing, and then we were asked to go to Home Depot aisle 10, and we were presented the funds,” Rose said. The Florida Disaster Fund granted $400,000 to support Better Together’s ongoing mission. “I think the mission, what they do and seeing the lives that we’ve changed and the families we’ve helped stay together, I think is the most fulfilling thing I could possibly do,” said Jenn Downes, a dedicated volunteer with Better Together. “So we’ve hosted three children, the three-month-old girl, we had about a two-year-old boy, and then we had another three-year-old boy,” she said. “And seeing how we could help them and then it come full circle to help us, it was good.” The organization’s support came full circle when Downes found herself in need after Hurricane Ian ravaged her life, too. ”I’ve not been the kind to ever reach out for help, but knowing that they were there, it felt good,” Downes said. During a period of uncertainty, Better Together stepped in to help Jenn and her family, ensuring they would enjoy Christmas despite the challenges posed by Ian’s aftermath. “So they gave us funds from the disaster relief funds, and we were able to provide a really good Christmas for my kids…and then a couple months later, when we had walls again in our house, they were able to use some of the funding to help us get appliances,” Downes said. “So, we have a kitchen now because of Better Together.” A kitchen, a home, and a renewed spirit for helping others in need. Thanks to the Florida Disaster Fund, Better Together also recently launched the “Be the Light” campaign, providing solar-powered lights to families in heavily impacted areas. “So we wanted to start a Be the Light campaign to be able to go back into these communities, knock on doors, and make sure they knew that they didn’t have to weather life’s storms alone, whether it was a hurricane, a job loss, or they’re isolated and just need some additional support,” Rose said. Approximately 500 lights have been distributed so far out of the 5,000 ordered. “So we get to give them a physical light that they can use as hurricane preparedness, and it’s something that’s going to last,” Rose said. Better Together understands that many families are still struggling, and their team is looking for people to join their mission. Volunteers can assist by knocking on doors, connecting with families, opening their homes to care for children short-term, mentoring families, and providing job coaching. “There’s so many opportunities that you can give back to this community that we love, and help support families and remind them that they don’t have to weather these storms alone, that they have a community that loves them and cares for them,” Rose said. Additionally, for those facing difficulties, Better Together wants to be a source of support, light, and hope. The organization has resources and dedicated volunteers ready to stand by your side and aid in your recovery efforts. “It’s okay to reach out for help. Nobody is judging you. We are here to love you. We are here to support you,” Rose said.