12-year-old collecting donations for the needy during the holidaysFort Myers man facing homelessness before the holidays
NAPLES 12-year-old collecting donations for the needy during the holidays A 12-year-old Naples boy isn’t worried about what he’s getting for Christmas. Instead, he’s working on his 6th annual “Holiday Sock Drive.”
Fort Myers man facing homelessness before the holidays A 75-year-old man is on the brink of homelessness despite working over 80 hours a week.
NAPLES Adoptee uses non-profit to provide suitcases for foster children This holiday season, a Naples woman is on a mission to bring foster children something many take for granted: a suitcase filled with dignity.
MARCO ISLAND City of Marco Island discusses lead awareness during city council meeting The city of Marco Island sent out 4900 letters to residents warning them that their pipes could contain plastic or lead.
NAPLES The future of electric planes in Southwest Florida Features of living near an airport include persistent headache-inducing engine rumbles and foul-smelling jet fuel, but electric planes could play a part in the solution.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors awaiting answers on Port Charlotte Beach Park repairs Neighbors said a contractor hired by the Florida Division of Emergency Management mishandled the boats at Port Charlotte Beach Park.
FGCU introduces new technology for cognitive health screenings Ten minutes. That’s all it takes for doctors to assess how well you remember, how quickly you learn things, and how your brain is working overall.
WINK Investigates: Disgraced contractor faces new lawsuits and allegations Paul Beattie, a disgraced home builder is back doing business but legal challenges continue as another one of his businesses gets sued. Former employees of Beattie speak out, only to WINK.
SWFL reacts to UNC hiring Bill Belichick Southwest Florida reacts to North Carolina hiring Bill Belichick as its new head football coach and how that could impact the decisions of local recruits.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Some Floridians want more alone time during the holidays The holidays are all about spending time with family and friends, but nearly half of Americans say they really want more alone time during the holiday.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
Aggressive driving concerns on the rise in Southwest Florida The arrest of a man who, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said, killed a motorcyclist after crashing into him on purpose is raising concerns over aggressive driving in Southwest Florida.
SANIBEL Sanibel School students prepare for community Christmas performance The school that has had to claw and fight its way back more than once to reopen is getting the chance to celebrate.
FORT MYERS Rock For Equality: SWFL music scene to hold benefit concert for Palestine A two-venue, eight-band benefit concert is coming to Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Naples man sentenced in deadly bar shooting A man has been sentenced for a deadly shooting that took place at a Naples bar in March 2021.
NAPLES 12-year-old collecting donations for the needy during the holidays A 12-year-old Naples boy isn’t worried about what he’s getting for Christmas. Instead, he’s working on his 6th annual “Holiday Sock Drive.”
Fort Myers man facing homelessness before the holidays A 75-year-old man is on the brink of homelessness despite working over 80 hours a week.
NAPLES Adoptee uses non-profit to provide suitcases for foster children This holiday season, a Naples woman is on a mission to bring foster children something many take for granted: a suitcase filled with dignity.
MARCO ISLAND City of Marco Island discusses lead awareness during city council meeting The city of Marco Island sent out 4900 letters to residents warning them that their pipes could contain plastic or lead.
NAPLES The future of electric planes in Southwest Florida Features of living near an airport include persistent headache-inducing engine rumbles and foul-smelling jet fuel, but electric planes could play a part in the solution.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors awaiting answers on Port Charlotte Beach Park repairs Neighbors said a contractor hired by the Florida Division of Emergency Management mishandled the boats at Port Charlotte Beach Park.
FGCU introduces new technology for cognitive health screenings Ten minutes. That’s all it takes for doctors to assess how well you remember, how quickly you learn things, and how your brain is working overall.
WINK Investigates: Disgraced contractor faces new lawsuits and allegations Paul Beattie, a disgraced home builder is back doing business but legal challenges continue as another one of his businesses gets sued. Former employees of Beattie speak out, only to WINK.
SWFL reacts to UNC hiring Bill Belichick Southwest Florida reacts to North Carolina hiring Bill Belichick as its new head football coach and how that could impact the decisions of local recruits.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Some Floridians want more alone time during the holidays The holidays are all about spending time with family and friends, but nearly half of Americans say they really want more alone time during the holiday.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
Aggressive driving concerns on the rise in Southwest Florida The arrest of a man who, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said, killed a motorcyclist after crashing into him on purpose is raising concerns over aggressive driving in Southwest Florida.
SANIBEL Sanibel School students prepare for community Christmas performance The school that has had to claw and fight its way back more than once to reopen is getting the chance to celebrate.
FORT MYERS Rock For Equality: SWFL music scene to hold benefit concert for Palestine A two-venue, eight-band benefit concert is coming to Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Naples man sentenced in deadly bar shooting A man has been sentenced for a deadly shooting that took place at a Naples bar in March 2021.
You hear the word fentanyl so often now that you know it is a problem. But when you dive into the deadly drug, it really reveals its magnitude and devastating effects. “Our story is no different than anyone else,” reflected the Leisman’s. The couple recalled a treasured message from their son Josh, “Hi. Love you guys. Miss ya.” But now, that memory is all they have of their son. It is the harsh reality of addiction. Josh Leisman’s mom and dad can attest, fentanyl kills. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine Josh Leisman “That was the hardest day of our life,” said an emotional Kelly Leisman. Their star hockey player son, number 33, was found dead. “The scary thing with fentanyl is they’re not looking, they’re not necessarily looking to have something with fentanyl when that’s what kills them,” explained Edward Leisman. “And that’s what killed our son.” RELATED: Fentanyl fueling fears after Collier deputy overcome by exposure RELATED: Fentanyl arrests surpass heroin arrests for the first time One dose of fentanyl, possibly his first, ended Josh’s life at 28 after half a lifetime battling drug dependence. Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant Special Agent in Charge Shahnaz Varghese said the mindset of, “I’m looking to get as many people addicted as possible,” along with two worldwide drug cartels, made fentanyl a more significant problem than ever. DEA DEA While it’s prescribed for chronic pain like morphine, it is 100 times stronger and can lead to addiction. The fentanyl crisis is believed to be the worst drug epidemic in American history. Sheriff Kevin Rambosk, Collier County Fentanyl’s cheap production and frequent mixing with other illegal drugs makes it stronger and more addictive. The tiniest bit can be lethal, and people often unknowingly consume it. Deadly dose of fentanylCREDIT: DEA “Think of it like a cake mix,” explained WINK News Anchor Chris Cifatte. “If I mix in cinnamon powder but don’t mix it well, part of the cake will have too much. Now, cinnamon won’t hurt you, but that much fentanyl will kill you.” Fentanyl is everywhere DEA seized over 77 million fentanyl pills, 2023 Seven out of ten tested contained a deadly dose DEA Seized nearly 12,000 pounds of fentanyl powder nationwide, 2023 Florida overdose deaths fell slightly Nationwide, the government seized enough fentanyl in 2023 to kill every American “People talk about it like being a warm hug,” explained Dan, who has been sober for 6 years. “Through my experience with it, it started out that heroin was cut with fentanyl. But now, from my observations, it just seems fentanyl is in everything.” This drug does not discriminate. Shahnaz Varghese, DEA We took this to an undercover Fort Myers police officer on the front line against fentanyl. “Fentanyl poses a unique challenge to both parents, community members, and law enforcement because many things like legal drugs, controlled substances, like Xanax, like Oxycodone, may contain fentanyl,” said the officer. DEA Fentanyl killed 112,000 Americans in 2023 “So this drug does not discriminate,” Agent Varghese reflected. “This drug does not care whether you live or die. It is happening to all facets of the American public.” Which brings us to one more number: 33, Josh’s number, now on T-shirts, on angel’s wings. “It can go from not your problem to your problem,” said Josh’s dad. “Yeah, he’s definitely our angel. He’s here with us,” said his mom. Three day before he died, he left them a message. “Hi. Love you guys. Miss ya.” FACT: NALOXONE ONLY LASTS 30-90 MINUTES. ONCE IT WEARS OFF, INDIVIDUALS CAN BE AT RISK OF OVERDOSE AGAIN. YOU MUSTALWAYS CALL 911 IN ADDITION TO USING IT. iSaveFL.com They have a message of their own now for everyone – Make sure your family knows that one dose can change everything in an instant. How to spot an overdose Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils” Falling asleep or losing consciousness Slow, weak, or not breathing Choking or gurgling sounds Cold or clammy skin Discolored skin, especially lips and nails Limp body A person acting in good faith who seeks medical assistance for an individual experiencing a drug-related overdosemay not be charged, prosecuted, or penalized. Florida Statute 893.21 What to do if you suspect an overdose Administer naloxone or narcan, if available Call 911 Try to keep the person awake and breathing Lay the person on their side to prevent choking Get help