Punta Gorda man arrested for death threats against local leadersCape Coral man arrested for stealing Jeep, possessing firearm illegally
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda man arrested for death threats against local leaders A Punta Gorda man has been arrested for sending over thirty threatening emails to senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott and a Punta Gorda police officer.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral man arrested for stealing Jeep, possessing firearm illegally A 39-year-old man was arrested early Saturday morning in Cape Coral after being accused of stealing a Jeep and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
NORTH PORT North Port Firefighters rescue dog, cats during structure fire North Port Fire Rescue crews responded to a structure fire, saving one dog and four cats from a burning home.
CAPE CORAL Runners turn out for 13th annual LCEC 5K for United Way Jim Jeffers Park in Cape Coral transformed into a sea of runners Saturday morning as people laced up their shoes for the 13th annual LCEC 5K for United Way.
the weather authority A cool, comfortable first weekend of 2025 with lots of sunshine The Weather Authority is kicking off the first weekend of 2025 on a chilly note with morning temperatures in the 40s and 50s across Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Locals respond to Surgeon General advisory on alcohol Many think a cancer warning label won’t stop anyone who is planning on having a drink from having one. But at the same time, hearing alcohol could increase their cancer risk did get them thinking about drinking.
New provision to Florida law gives public the authority to sue over homeless camping People now have the power to sue local leaders for not stopping the homeless from camping in public if a report is made.
CAPE CORAL Understanding water restriction in Cape Coral The city of Canals has water problems again!
SANIBEL Future of the Sanibel Pier Sanibel Island is looking much better since Hurricane Ian, but while the lighthouse is standing tall, the pier isn’t doing too well.
downtown fort myers Large crowds expected for Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival Downtown Fort Myers is on higher alert as this weekend’s 4th Annual Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival is expected to draw large crowds.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral neighborhood growing frustrated over debris piles Pounds of trash and debris are blowing through a Cape Coral neighborhood, through the streets, into canals and every which way.
Inside a Lee County special corrections program More than 3,000 bags of trash, 19 interstate projects, nearly 100 citizen requests and over one hundred truckloads of trash—that’s the work done by nonviolent offenders in Lee County, who are doing their part to make our county more beautiful.
FGCU NCAA implements rules for checking pitchers for foreign substances The NCAA will soon send out an instructional video on in-game foreign substance checks for pitchers.
Surgeon General calls for cancer warnings on alcohol In the new year, there’s a new call to warn Americans about the negative effects of alcohol.
Family of Charlotte deputy killed during traffic stop releases statement The family of Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz is breaking their silence.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda man arrested for death threats against local leaders A Punta Gorda man has been arrested for sending over thirty threatening emails to senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott and a Punta Gorda police officer.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral man arrested for stealing Jeep, possessing firearm illegally A 39-year-old man was arrested early Saturday morning in Cape Coral after being accused of stealing a Jeep and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
NORTH PORT North Port Firefighters rescue dog, cats during structure fire North Port Fire Rescue crews responded to a structure fire, saving one dog and four cats from a burning home.
CAPE CORAL Runners turn out for 13th annual LCEC 5K for United Way Jim Jeffers Park in Cape Coral transformed into a sea of runners Saturday morning as people laced up their shoes for the 13th annual LCEC 5K for United Way.
the weather authority A cool, comfortable first weekend of 2025 with lots of sunshine The Weather Authority is kicking off the first weekend of 2025 on a chilly note with morning temperatures in the 40s and 50s across Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Locals respond to Surgeon General advisory on alcohol Many think a cancer warning label won’t stop anyone who is planning on having a drink from having one. But at the same time, hearing alcohol could increase their cancer risk did get them thinking about drinking.
New provision to Florida law gives public the authority to sue over homeless camping People now have the power to sue local leaders for not stopping the homeless from camping in public if a report is made.
CAPE CORAL Understanding water restriction in Cape Coral The city of Canals has water problems again!
SANIBEL Future of the Sanibel Pier Sanibel Island is looking much better since Hurricane Ian, but while the lighthouse is standing tall, the pier isn’t doing too well.
downtown fort myers Large crowds expected for Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival Downtown Fort Myers is on higher alert as this weekend’s 4th Annual Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival is expected to draw large crowds.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral neighborhood growing frustrated over debris piles Pounds of trash and debris are blowing through a Cape Coral neighborhood, through the streets, into canals and every which way.
Inside a Lee County special corrections program More than 3,000 bags of trash, 19 interstate projects, nearly 100 citizen requests and over one hundred truckloads of trash—that’s the work done by nonviolent offenders in Lee County, who are doing their part to make our county more beautiful.
FGCU NCAA implements rules for checking pitchers for foreign substances The NCAA will soon send out an instructional video on in-game foreign substance checks for pitchers.
Surgeon General calls for cancer warnings on alcohol In the new year, there’s a new call to warn Americans about the negative effects of alcohol.
Family of Charlotte deputy killed during traffic stop releases statement The family of Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz is breaking their silence.
Patients who see Lee Health and NCH primary care doctors and have Florida Blue’s and Cigna’s Medicare Advantage plans will have to adjust to what could be a costly change. A Lee Health Spokesperson told WINK News that in September, Lee Health and Florida Blue agreed that primary care physicians would no longer be in Florida Blue’s Medicare Advantage plan network. Lee Health hospitals and specialists are still fully covered under the network, and this change affects less than 3,000 patients at Lee Health with Florida Blue. Starting Jan. 1, NCH patients who are part of the Florida Blue Medicare Advantage plan network will no longer have access to their primary care physicians, affecting around 6,000 patients. Like Lee Health, NCH hospitals and specialists are still fully covered under the network. This change affects Florida Blue’s PPO and HMO Medicare Advantage plans. Florida Blue is not the only health insurance company making this change. Cigna is also making the change starting Jan. 1. A Cigna representative spoke with WINK News reporter Sommer Senne, mentioning that the company will discontinue its individual PPO Medicare Advantage plan in Florida while still offering its individual HMO plan. The spokesperson says impacted customers were notified of their options for the upcoming year, and they are providing support that includes considering a Medicare Advantage HMO plan or a Medicare Supplement plan. NCH told WINK News that 600 patients with the Cigna PPO Medicare Advantage plan will be affected. To help those impacted by the change, NCH is hosting an open house for regional insurance brokers and Medicare Advantage members on Nov. 4 at 3 p.m. at the NCH Telford Auditorium in Naples. WINK News is working to determine how many physicians at NCH and Lee Health will become out-of-network due to these changes. NCH responded by saying that 35 doctors will now be out-of-network. We’re also asking Florida Blue and Cigna if patients’ co-pays will increase and by how much if they have to switch plans. Read the full statement from Florida Blue below: We value our relationship with Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH). While their specialists, hospitals, and other facilities will remain in our network for our Medicare Advantage members, Florida Blue Medicare and NCH have mutually agreed that NCH’s primary care physicians will exit our Medicare Advantage network beginning January 1, 2025. Members with Florida Blue Medicare Supplement plans can continue seeing their NCH primary care doctor. Individuals who have Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans based in other states should contact their home plan to verify their coverage. Some plans may include out-of-network benefits that could allow them to access NCH primary care doctors. Florida Blue Medicare will continue to offer Medicare Advantage plans in Collier and surrounding counties. In Collier County, Medicare beneficiaries have the option to choose from five Florida Blue Medicare Advantage plans. NCH and Florida Blue Medicare are working to support those who are impacted through this transition. Members who have questions, concerns, or need help finding a new doctor can call Florida Blue Medicare Member services at 1-800-926- 6565 (TTY: 1-800-955-8770). Correction: an earlier headline said “Florida Blue and Cigna cancelling Medicare Advantage Plans.”