Golf great Gary Player joining SWFL charity tournamentWINK News Game of the Week: Gulf Coast at Immokalee
NORTH PORT Golf great Gary Player joining SWFL charity tournament Career Grand Slam winner Gary Player is participating in the 2nd Heron Creek Charity Pro-Am to benefit Tunnels to Towers.
IMMOKALEE WINK News Game of the Week: Gulf Coast at Immokalee Our WINK News Game of the Week for Week 10 brings us to Immokalee when they host Gulf Coast for the district championship.
NAPLES Naples restaurant servers stage walkout over pay changes Restaurant servers in Naples staged a walkout to protest changes to their pay structure. The heart of the issue is tips.
Innovative ultrasound treatment for liver cancer Tens of thousands of Americans die from liver cancer each year.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs offensive lineman puts in work in the trenches and on a job site Bonita Springs offensive lineman Luis Jimenez is one to put his hand in the dirt both on the line of scrimmage and out on a job site.
Amendment 5: Homestead exemption inflation adjustment Property taxes are not anyone’s favorite words, but they are money that must be paid if you own Florida real estate.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Beach man accused of assaulting Capitol police during Jan. 6 arrested A Fort Myers Beach man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting law enforcement and other charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.
Charlotte Co. approves site plan for marina resort development Charlotte County commissioners approved the final site plan Oct. 22 for a marina resort complex with a hotel, restaurants and condos in Placida near the Boca Grande Causeway.
NAPLES Naples Zoo welcomes critically endangered Mongoose Lemurs The Naples Zoo has incorporated a breeding pair of critically endangered mongoose lemurs into its habitat enclosures.
NORTH FORT MYERS North Fort Myers Fire Department’s newest life-saving upgrade The North Fort Myers Fire Department has a new life-saving upgrade that is used underwater, one that is much needed.
Collier County experiences daily power surge issues due to Hurricane Milton It’s a breath of fresh air now that the storm has passed, and we are slowly picking up the pieces. However, some areas now deal with quick power interruptions almost daily.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers woman wins $2M on scratch-off ticket On Thursday, the Florida Lottery announced that a Fort Myers woman claimed a top prize of $2 million from the Monopoly Secret Vault game.
Affordable housing project planned for North Naples A 150-apartment complex, with nearly half reserved for income-restricted affordable housing, is planned for Vanderbilt Beach Road in North Naples.
FORT MYERS More construction underway for Fort Myers diverging diamond project The Diverging Diamond Interchange at Colonial Boulevard and Interstate 75 is in its final stages.
DeSoto County uses aerial mosquito treatment following Hurricane Milton If you hear airplanes in DeSoto County during the evening and early morning hours, don’t be alarmed. An aerial team is treating the area for mosquitos.
NORTH PORT Golf great Gary Player joining SWFL charity tournament Career Grand Slam winner Gary Player is participating in the 2nd Heron Creek Charity Pro-Am to benefit Tunnels to Towers.
IMMOKALEE WINK News Game of the Week: Gulf Coast at Immokalee Our WINK News Game of the Week for Week 10 brings us to Immokalee when they host Gulf Coast for the district championship.
NAPLES Naples restaurant servers stage walkout over pay changes Restaurant servers in Naples staged a walkout to protest changes to their pay structure. The heart of the issue is tips.
Innovative ultrasound treatment for liver cancer Tens of thousands of Americans die from liver cancer each year.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs offensive lineman puts in work in the trenches and on a job site Bonita Springs offensive lineman Luis Jimenez is one to put his hand in the dirt both on the line of scrimmage and out on a job site.
Amendment 5: Homestead exemption inflation adjustment Property taxes are not anyone’s favorite words, but they are money that must be paid if you own Florida real estate.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Beach man accused of assaulting Capitol police during Jan. 6 arrested A Fort Myers Beach man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting law enforcement and other charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.
Charlotte Co. approves site plan for marina resort development Charlotte County commissioners approved the final site plan Oct. 22 for a marina resort complex with a hotel, restaurants and condos in Placida near the Boca Grande Causeway.
NAPLES Naples Zoo welcomes critically endangered Mongoose Lemurs The Naples Zoo has incorporated a breeding pair of critically endangered mongoose lemurs into its habitat enclosures.
NORTH FORT MYERS North Fort Myers Fire Department’s newest life-saving upgrade The North Fort Myers Fire Department has a new life-saving upgrade that is used underwater, one that is much needed.
Collier County experiences daily power surge issues due to Hurricane Milton It’s a breath of fresh air now that the storm has passed, and we are slowly picking up the pieces. However, some areas now deal with quick power interruptions almost daily.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers woman wins $2M on scratch-off ticket On Thursday, the Florida Lottery announced that a Fort Myers woman claimed a top prize of $2 million from the Monopoly Secret Vault game.
Affordable housing project planned for North Naples A 150-apartment complex, with nearly half reserved for income-restricted affordable housing, is planned for Vanderbilt Beach Road in North Naples.
FORT MYERS More construction underway for Fort Myers diverging diamond project The Diverging Diamond Interchange at Colonial Boulevard and Interstate 75 is in its final stages.
DeSoto County uses aerial mosquito treatment following Hurricane Milton If you hear airplanes in DeSoto County during the evening and early morning hours, don’t be alarmed. An aerial team is treating the area for mosquitos.
Healthy Hurricane Preparation The importance of self-care before, during, and after the storm Even if you’ve planned ahead, actually preparing for a storm as it threatens can be hectic and stressful. In the scramble to take care of your family, your home, and even your boat, self-care can be overlooked. And just like damage to property and the community, the mental, physical, and emotional toll of a hurricane can linger long after the storm has passed. So, to maintain your physical and mental health before and after a storm, follow these tips. PRE-STORM CARE Create a checklist Make a checklist of all the things you need to have and do before a hurricane. The disruption of your normal routine caused by the need to evacuate or by simply riding out a storm can be a major source of anxiety. And that stress can alter your sense of control. That’s why doing anything to provide a sense of control, such as making a checklist and sticking to it, can ease feelings of fear and anxiety. Give yourself more time While having two to three days of supplies on hand is recommended, it may not be enough. Instead, strive to have enough to sustain you and your family for as many as seven days. Plan now for any resources you need access to, such as special-needs shelters that support oxygen usage. Make sure to have a week’s supply of bottled water, batteries, and basic pain relievers, as well as a first aid kit and power equipment. Plan for prescriptions Be sure to stock up as feasible to ensure you have ample supplies of the prescription medicines and medical supplies you need. In addition, plan to be able to store them properly. For example, be sure to have extra ice on hand for any medications that require refrigeration. Purchase non-perishable food Stock up on non-perishable food items that won’t spoil and can be eaten without the need to be heated or refrigerated. That includes items such as canned goods, crackers, dried meats, dried fruit, and nuts. And if you’re buying any canned items, make sure to have a manual can opener as part of your hurricane supplies, as well. Focus on yourself Taking care of yourself before a storm will help you be stronger when it strikes. Eat right, get plenty of rest, don’t overexert, and try to stay as connected as possible with any formal or informal support groups you rely on, such as your church, a 12-step program, a therapist, or even your network of friends. Be prepared for stress Even if you do everything needed to prepare, the threat of an impending hurricane will put your body on alert. To ease that tension, do whatever your body needs to release that stress, whether it is crying, taking deep breaths, or simply moving around a bit. Helping your body relax will help you think more clearly and make better decisions. Learn about telehealth Before a hurricane threatens, see if your healthcare provider offers telehealth appointments so that you don’t have to figure it out in the chaos after a storm. Doing so could provide you the option of seeing your physician one-on-one from the comfort of a location you choose while avoiding the need to drive to a potentially crowded, busy office. POST-STORM RECOVERY Understand your emotions As your body recovers from the mental stress caused by its fight-or-flight mode during the hurricane, you may feel mentally drained, irritable, tired, sad, and lonely. That’s normal, as those are all common emotional responses. Remember that you’re allowed to be emotional after a storm, even if you didn’t experience any loss. Denying those emotions can hinder your ability to recover emotionally. Offer support Sometimes the best thing you can do to help is to simply be there for the people in your world who might need help. Just showing up, embracing the discomfort, and listening can provide far more comfort than any physical act. Most importantly, remember that sometimes grief just needs to be witnessed. Avoid trauma triggers While our minds can process that the storm is over and the danger has passed, our bodies may take longer to recover. That recovery can be further slowed by seeing damage or devastation around the neighborhood or across town. By limiting your exposure to those trauma triggers, you can help your body recover faster, feel safe again, and get back to its normal state. Share your thoughts A natural disaster such as a hurricane can remind us how precious life is and cause a change in our priorities. If you’re having trouble focusing after the storm, whether it’s at work or in your everyday life, don’t be shy about sharing those feelings out loud. Sometimes, simply sharing your worries with others is all you need to understand your feelings are normal. Keep moving Just a little bit of exercise, such as jumping jacks or shaking it out to music, can greatly improve your mental health. Doing so helps your body and mind regain the sense of control that may be lost when the trauma response kicks in. Take the time to breathe When your body is in fight-or-flight mode, it can be difficult to slow down long enough to take a deep breath and relax. However, by doing so, you signal to your brain that the threat is gone, and that can help you ease the stress and relax. Remember that help is available It’s only natural to try to contain and compartmentalize your emotions after the trauma of a hurricane. But if your feelings interfere with your social interactions or your job, don’t be shy about asking for help. Check with your healthcare providers about the community support programs they offer, so you’ll know where to turn after the storm.