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.
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