Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-UpExpert at Naples Botanical Garden speaks on prescribed burns
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
NAPLES Expert at Naples Botanical Garden speaks on prescribed burns There’s no need to sound the alarms for this smoke in the air, as Southwest Florida is actually seeing many controlled or ‘prescribed’ fires.
Sawfish caught with fishing wire tied around rostrum and hooks in mouth; removed and released An endangered smalltooth sawfish was not what Mac expected to be at the end of his fishing line after fishing with buddies New Year’s Day.
Florida Power and Light Set to potentially raise prices in 2026 Florida Power and Light has announced their proposal for a need to increase rates from 2026 – 2029.
PORT CHARLOTTE Home of Port Charlotte couple destroyed due to mold from Hurricane Ian A Port Charlotte couple inherited a home after the wife’s parents died. The home is now destroyed because of mold from Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Update on the Naples Pier construction The Naples Pier has been destroyed since Hurricane Ian. Since then, the city has considered ways to restore the pier but questions linger over the work, especially on how long it will take to complete.
FORT MYERS BEACH Pink Shell resort expansion project moves onto final vote The future for the expansion of a Fort Myers Beach staple comes down to one vote.
PUNTA GORDA Fatal crash on Burnt Store Road, all lanes blocked A crash on Burnt Store Road near Charlee Road in Charlotte County has reportedly resulted in a fatality.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral’s school zone safety plan hits a speed bump Thanks to new cameras, speeders in Cape Coral school zones would be facing fines this week, but due to delays in the contractor’s schedule, they will not.
Law enforcement and City of Fort Myers warning residents about QR code scams Law enforcement and the city of Fort Myers are warning you to think twice before scanning QR codes so you can avoid “quishing.”
IMMOKALEE Is the Florida citrus industry on its way out? The orange is the iconic symbol of Florida. While the fruit may be on the state’s license plates, the citrus industry has been on the decline for more than a decade.
Arthrex showcase explores diverse careers for students A chance for young minds to get a crack at being a part of one of the biggest and most innovative companies in the world.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County to host 24th annual boat show The 24th Annual Charlotte County Boat Show is back in Port Charlotte.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for January 8, 2025 This weekly Most Wanted Wednesday WINK News segment features fugitives from justice in Southwest Florida.
ENGLEWOOD Suncoast Humane Society to hold grand opening for new location The Suncoast Humane Society will hold a grand opening for its new location on Thursday following hurricane damage to its previous location.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
NAPLES Expert at Naples Botanical Garden speaks on prescribed burns There’s no need to sound the alarms for this smoke in the air, as Southwest Florida is actually seeing many controlled or ‘prescribed’ fires.
Sawfish caught with fishing wire tied around rostrum and hooks in mouth; removed and released An endangered smalltooth sawfish was not what Mac expected to be at the end of his fishing line after fishing with buddies New Year’s Day.
Florida Power and Light Set to potentially raise prices in 2026 Florida Power and Light has announced their proposal for a need to increase rates from 2026 – 2029.
PORT CHARLOTTE Home of Port Charlotte couple destroyed due to mold from Hurricane Ian A Port Charlotte couple inherited a home after the wife’s parents died. The home is now destroyed because of mold from Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Update on the Naples Pier construction The Naples Pier has been destroyed since Hurricane Ian. Since then, the city has considered ways to restore the pier but questions linger over the work, especially on how long it will take to complete.
FORT MYERS BEACH Pink Shell resort expansion project moves onto final vote The future for the expansion of a Fort Myers Beach staple comes down to one vote.
PUNTA GORDA Fatal crash on Burnt Store Road, all lanes blocked A crash on Burnt Store Road near Charlee Road in Charlotte County has reportedly resulted in a fatality.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral’s school zone safety plan hits a speed bump Thanks to new cameras, speeders in Cape Coral school zones would be facing fines this week, but due to delays in the contractor’s schedule, they will not.
Law enforcement and City of Fort Myers warning residents about QR code scams Law enforcement and the city of Fort Myers are warning you to think twice before scanning QR codes so you can avoid “quishing.”
IMMOKALEE Is the Florida citrus industry on its way out? The orange is the iconic symbol of Florida. While the fruit may be on the state’s license plates, the citrus industry has been on the decline for more than a decade.
Arthrex showcase explores diverse careers for students A chance for young minds to get a crack at being a part of one of the biggest and most innovative companies in the world.
PORT CHARLOTTE Charlotte County to host 24th annual boat show The 24th Annual Charlotte County Boat Show is back in Port Charlotte.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for January 8, 2025 This weekly Most Wanted Wednesday WINK News segment features fugitives from justice in Southwest Florida.
ENGLEWOOD Suncoast Humane Society to hold grand opening for new location The Suncoast Humane Society will hold a grand opening for its new location on Thursday following hurricane damage to its previous location.
As is often the case this time of year, local emergency rooms are filling up, driven in large part by the flu, COVID-19, RSV and other sicknesses that are going around. Lee Health addressed concerns about long wait times and what you need to know to get the quickest medical care. It’s a rite of season. Florida fills up in the winter, and people get sick. Lee Health hospitals are near the breaking point. RELATED: Lee Health experiencing higher influx of patients amid cold and flu season Marcie Stidams, Emergency Department Director of Lee Health, said, “Just yesterday, we had 951 patients visit our emergency departments. Overall, our hospitals are at more than 90% capacity. That demand pushes ER wait times. A WINK News viewer, Ellen Levitt, waited more than an hour when she took her 90-year-old dad to the ER because he had underlying conditions and was very sick. “They took some blood, and that was about three o’clock, and we waited, and we waited, and we waited, and we waited and we waited,” Levitt said. Long waits are leading the health system to offer alternative solutions. The key to being seen quickly is to determine the right location. Lee Health said they have a number of opportunities for care. Lee Health is promoting a ‘symptom checker’ feature on its website. Dr. Iahn Gonsenhauser, Chief Medical Officer at Lee Health, said, “That allows you to input your symptoms on the site and will detail for you where your best environment to head to maybe.” Based on a series of questions, it may direct patients to convenient care, a hospital at home or the ER. It even provides insights as to how busy a facility is in real-time. The biggest bottleneck seems to be the ER, which is not necessarily the fastest solution. “Not all injuries or illnesses require a trip to the ER,” Gonsenhauser said. At the emergency room, patients are triaged and then sorted based on level of need. We asked if someone with the flu might end up waiting longer to be seen because they aren’t considered a severe emergency. “Depending upon the demands in the ER, that’s exactly how that would work,” Gonsenhauser said. The takeaway is to understand the options and know there’s an outlet for everyone. Some of these features may be new to you. Click here for more information. The health system also emphasizes prevention to avoid getting sick. That includes taking whatever vaccines you are comfortable with and using proper hygiene.