Rental assistance still available in SWFL as evictions loom for some

There are reports that Florida has only distributed just two percent of the money the federal government’s made available for rental and mortgage assistance. But locally, that’s not the case. Some Florida counties are topping a list for areas not getting federal CARES Act rental assistance funds to people facing eviction. Collier County is ranked […]

School zone safety as students return to class

Teachers report back to class Monday, and soon students will, too, so there will be more pedestrians, bicyclists and buses sharing the road with you, and it’s important to be extra careful. Remind your kids, first, to stay at least 5 feet away from the curb while they wait on their school bus. If they […]

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Dozens protest NCH vaccination mandate

On Friday, WINK News first told you about a controversial vaccine mandate at NCH. The local healthcare system has become one of the first hospitals in Florida to require employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Employees must be fully vaccinated by September 16, according to the mandate. On Sunday, demonstrators covered all four corners of […]

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Hear from family of teen found unresponsive inside car

WINK News first told you that two teens had been found unresponsive in a car in a Collier County park last Wednesday. The teens died from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning. Now, the family of one of the teens is speaking about a life that was taken too soon. What was supposed to be a ‘see […]

Collier County parents, your kids are facing longer school days

A Southwest Florida school district is making up for lost time by extending school hours. It’s just a half hour, but parents in Collier County are split on the decision. Some feel more learning time is a plus; others asked if 30 minutes will really make a difference. The Collier County School District thinks it […]

NCH requiring all employees to get COVID-19 vaccine

NCH is now requiring that all its workers be vaccinated by Sept. 16. According to a news release, all leaders, physicians, providers, contract staff and volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment. More than a week ago, the hospital system said it was requiring that new hires be vaccinated, but […]

Collier County students have performed well under pandemic circumstances

The 2020-21 school year was unlike any other thanks to the coronavirus. Some students learned from home, and others were learning in person. During the pandemic, there has been a slight drop in scores in certain areas of the state assessment exams, and there is a plan to help fix the learning loss in that […]

NCH has 90 COVID patients in its hospitals, encourages vaccinations

The Department of Health in Collier County says new cases of COVID-19 have doubled each week in the month of July. NCH as of Thursday afternoon is close to 100 COVID-19 patients across its hospitals. Now, the push for healthy and safety is back strong. “So from around 10 patients at the end of June, […]