Community raises funds for family of elementary school choking victimNB lanes of US 41 at Olympia Ave closed due to traffic investigation
NAPLES Community raises funds for family of elementary school choking victim Staff and students from Laurel Oak Elementary School gathered at a Naples Culver’s to raise money for the family of Benjamin Cronin, an 11-year-old boy who died after choking at school.
NB lanes of US 41 at Olympia Ave closed due to traffic investigation According to the Punta Gorda Police Department, the northbound lane of US 41 at Olympia Avenue and Marion Avenue is closed due to a traffic crash investigation.
NAPLES Swine in the 239: Collier’s pig showdown Over 250 pigs took over the Collier County fairgrounds Saturday morning for Swine in the 239.
immokalee Fatal crash in Immokalee leaves 2 dead, both cars engulfed in flames The Florida Highway Patrol responded to a crash that left one person dead in Immokalee near the intersection of State Road 82 and Gators Slough Road.
NAPLES Motorcyclist dies in crash with pickup truck in Collier County The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly crash on Wilson Boulevard, near 10th Avenue Northeast in Collier County.
southwest florida Plenty of sunshine and less humid air for your Saturday plans The Weather Authority says this weekend is kicking off with some beautiful, less humid weather, perfect for any outdoor plans you may have!
WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Playoffs Round 1 21 Southwest Florida high school football teams were in action in round one of the playoffs trying to keep their state title hopes alive.
CLEWISTON Suspect identified in shooting investigation at Clewiston Walmart According to the Clewiston Police Department, a suspect has been identified in the shooting investigation at a Walmart in Clewiston on Friday night.
WINK Investigates: Everything we know so far about Beattie Development A southwest Florida developer has now surrendered his six different contracting licenses, which include general contracting, plumbing and roofing. Paul Beattie, owner of Beattie Development cannot build homes anymore. It’s not a permanent situation, but part of a settlement agreement with the state says he’d need to pay $300,000 before he could get a new […]
Florida Attorney General speaks out following lawsuit against FEMA Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has spoken out following the filing of a lawsuit alleging that a FEMA supervisor directed aid workers to avoid going to homes in Lake Placid that had yard signs supporting Trump.
FORT MYERS BEACH How to increase odds of getting your hurricane insurance claim paid When Hurricane Helene hit Southwest Florida in September followed by Milton, many people’s lives were affected.
lehigh acres 25 students treated for heat exhaustion on Lehigh Sr. High School football field The Tice Fire Department treated around 25 students for heat exhaustion on the Lehigh Senior High School football field.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda pilots speak out on Allegiant Air strike Allegiant Air pilots said they want a new contract, one that’s amendable, fair and, in their words, what they should be paid.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach couple sues insurance over Hurricane Ian claim In the last two months, southwest Florida experienced a hurricane double punch with Helene and Milton, but for many people out there, it’s still all about Hurricane Ian from 2022.
CAPE CORAL Couple struggling after hurricanes receives $10K from Cape Coral High students A couple who lost everything to Hurricane Milton has received a blessing in more ways than one.
NAPLES Community raises funds for family of elementary school choking victim Staff and students from Laurel Oak Elementary School gathered at a Naples Culver’s to raise money for the family of Benjamin Cronin, an 11-year-old boy who died after choking at school.
NB lanes of US 41 at Olympia Ave closed due to traffic investigation According to the Punta Gorda Police Department, the northbound lane of US 41 at Olympia Avenue and Marion Avenue is closed due to a traffic crash investigation.
NAPLES Swine in the 239: Collier’s pig showdown Over 250 pigs took over the Collier County fairgrounds Saturday morning for Swine in the 239.
immokalee Fatal crash in Immokalee leaves 2 dead, both cars engulfed in flames The Florida Highway Patrol responded to a crash that left one person dead in Immokalee near the intersection of State Road 82 and Gators Slough Road.
NAPLES Motorcyclist dies in crash with pickup truck in Collier County The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly crash on Wilson Boulevard, near 10th Avenue Northeast in Collier County.
southwest florida Plenty of sunshine and less humid air for your Saturday plans The Weather Authority says this weekend is kicking off with some beautiful, less humid weather, perfect for any outdoor plans you may have!
WINK NEWS SWFL Scoreboard: High School Football Playoffs Round 1 21 Southwest Florida high school football teams were in action in round one of the playoffs trying to keep their state title hopes alive.
CLEWISTON Suspect identified in shooting investigation at Clewiston Walmart According to the Clewiston Police Department, a suspect has been identified in the shooting investigation at a Walmart in Clewiston on Friday night.
WINK Investigates: Everything we know so far about Beattie Development A southwest Florida developer has now surrendered his six different contracting licenses, which include general contracting, plumbing and roofing. Paul Beattie, owner of Beattie Development cannot build homes anymore. It’s not a permanent situation, but part of a settlement agreement with the state says he’d need to pay $300,000 before he could get a new […]
Florida Attorney General speaks out following lawsuit against FEMA Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has spoken out following the filing of a lawsuit alleging that a FEMA supervisor directed aid workers to avoid going to homes in Lake Placid that had yard signs supporting Trump.
FORT MYERS BEACH How to increase odds of getting your hurricane insurance claim paid When Hurricane Helene hit Southwest Florida in September followed by Milton, many people’s lives were affected.
lehigh acres 25 students treated for heat exhaustion on Lehigh Sr. High School football field The Tice Fire Department treated around 25 students for heat exhaustion on the Lehigh Senior High School football field.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda pilots speak out on Allegiant Air strike Allegiant Air pilots said they want a new contract, one that’s amendable, fair and, in their words, what they should be paid.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach couple sues insurance over Hurricane Ian claim In the last two months, southwest Florida experienced a hurricane double punch with Helene and Milton, but for many people out there, it’s still all about Hurricane Ian from 2022.
CAPE CORAL Couple struggling after hurricanes receives $10K from Cape Coral High students A couple who lost everything to Hurricane Milton has received a blessing in more ways than one.
CREDIT: NCH NCH Healthcare system neurosurgeon Dr. Mark B. Gerber, MD spends his days saving peoples lives in the operating room, creates metal art on the weekends. Ending the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Gerber and his son learned how to weld as a form of bonding. Dr. Gerber learned how to weld by watching YouTube videos, and has created all different types of creatures. “It’s a lot like operating. It’s very meticulous,” said Dr. Gerber “It’s very slow. It’s very controlled.” One project, the biggest Dr. Gerber has ever made, is a several hundred-pound metal bear named “Teddy the Bear.” The bear took six months to make standing around 3 feet tall, made with solid metal inside and out, along with his set of golf clubs. “My favorite time to start is 2 a.m. on Saturdays,” said Gerber “It’s so peaceful outside and with some country music in the background, it’s the perfect time to relax and have some downtime.” According to Dr. Gerber, he uses repurposed hospital operating room equipment that can no longer be used on patients to use for his sculptures. “Most of the fingers for all my monsters are these pieces cut up and re-welded together and I’m working on this piece,” said Gerber “It’s all orthopedic hardware handles from things have broken.” For more than 65 years, philanthropic support has made NCH grow from a small nonprofit 50-bed hospital to a nationally recognized 716-bed, two-hospital healthcare system. The healthcare system just held its “Frosted Masquerade Affair,” collaborating with Jack Nicklaus Childrens Hospital with a few weeks ago. The ball featured “Teddy the Bear” as one of their main auction items. According to CEO-President of NCH, Paul Hiltz MHA FACHE, he said the ball raised more than $3 million towards pediatric care. “Specifically, really working on getting pediatric subspecialties,” says Hiltz, “So that kids can stay closer to their home to be taken care of.” “Teddy the Bear” was auctioned off for $130,000 bought by Jack Nicklaus Children’s Hospital but was donated back to NCH. Read the full statement below from Jack Nicklaus Childrens Hospital: “Teddy the Bear” is a true symbol of the deeply held commitment both NCH and Nicklaus Children’s have to the Collier County community,” said Dr. Saima Aftab, chief strategy officer of Nicklaus Children’s Health System and Neonatologist. “It is such an honor to partner with NCH to enhance care and ensure the children of Collier County have access to world-renowned care right here at home. “Teddy the Bear” not only represents our collaboration, it is a reminder to all of us of the innocence and tenderness of the young lives we will touch today and for generations to come. Dr. Gerber tells WINK News that he would like to continue creating more animals and creatures for other charities in Southwest Florida for children. “Teddy the Bear” will be located at NCH North Naples Hospital, off Immokalee Road. He’ll placed at the facility within the next couple of weeks.