Fertilizer restrictions are in effect for Lee County residentsHere’s the rundown of traffic following the Caloosahatchee Bridge closure
LEE COUNTY Fertilizer restrictions are in effect for Lee County residents The Lee County government is reminding homeowners and professional landscapers to stop fertilizing for the month of June.
WINK NEWS Here’s the rundown of traffic following the Caloosahatchee Bridge closure Traffic was lighter than expected as motorists rearranged their normal commutes following the Caloosahatchee Bridge closure.
CAPE CORAL Death Investigation at Cape Coral home The Cape Coral Police Department is conducting a death investigation after discovering one dead person and another injured.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Scattered rain and storms for your Monday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a slightly cooler Monday, with scattered rain expected to develop throughout the afternoon and evening.
NORTH FORT MYERS LeeTran closes several bus stops near Caloosahatchee Bridge LeeTran has temporarily closed several bus stops due to the Caloosahatchee Bridge pedestrian walkway project.
CAPE CORAL Trial set to begin for man accused of killing 2 Cape Coral women A man accused of killing two Cape Coral women in 2019 is set to appear in court for trial.
FORT MYERS Navigating your way around the Caloosahatchee Bridge closure this workweek WINK News helps you navigate your way around the Caloosahatchee Bridge closure. It will remain closed through August 11.
Lee County Man accused of pointing a gun toward a juvenile faces several charges Lee County Deputies released new details about Canuto Alvarado’s arrest. He’s accused of pointing a gun at a child.
NAPLES Pursuit ends with man jumping into retention pond; suspect arrested A hot chase with law enforcement ended with a man jumping into a retention pond near the Naples Airport.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA A purrfect companion; June is shelter cat adoption month Cuddle up with the purr-fect companion this summer! June is National Adopt-a-cat Month.
Preparing for hurricane season with Florida sales tax holiday It’s time to shop until you drop, but it’s not your everyday kind of shopping. With the start of the 2024 hurricane season, it’s time to prepare for any upcoming storms.
LEHIGH ACRES Authorities respond to vehicle fire in Lehigh Acres Authorities in Lehigh Acres responded to a vehicle fire Saturday afternoon.
GOLDEN GATE CCSO investigates stabbing in Golden Gate The Collier County Sheriff’s office is investigating a stabbing in Golden Gate.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA The Weather Authority: Some rain makes its way back into the forecast Sun and clouds for your Sunday with an increased chance of rain.
NORTH PORT Interstate 75 reopens after brush fire forces closure North Port brush fire led to evacuations and temporarily closed 75.
LEE COUNTY Fertilizer restrictions are in effect for Lee County residents The Lee County government is reminding homeowners and professional landscapers to stop fertilizing for the month of June.
WINK NEWS Here’s the rundown of traffic following the Caloosahatchee Bridge closure Traffic was lighter than expected as motorists rearranged their normal commutes following the Caloosahatchee Bridge closure.
CAPE CORAL Death Investigation at Cape Coral home The Cape Coral Police Department is conducting a death investigation after discovering one dead person and another injured.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Scattered rain and storms for your Monday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a slightly cooler Monday, with scattered rain expected to develop throughout the afternoon and evening.
NORTH FORT MYERS LeeTran closes several bus stops near Caloosahatchee Bridge LeeTran has temporarily closed several bus stops due to the Caloosahatchee Bridge pedestrian walkway project.
CAPE CORAL Trial set to begin for man accused of killing 2 Cape Coral women A man accused of killing two Cape Coral women in 2019 is set to appear in court for trial.
FORT MYERS Navigating your way around the Caloosahatchee Bridge closure this workweek WINK News helps you navigate your way around the Caloosahatchee Bridge closure. It will remain closed through August 11.
Lee County Man accused of pointing a gun toward a juvenile faces several charges Lee County Deputies released new details about Canuto Alvarado’s arrest. He’s accused of pointing a gun at a child.
NAPLES Pursuit ends with man jumping into retention pond; suspect arrested A hot chase with law enforcement ended with a man jumping into a retention pond near the Naples Airport.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA A purrfect companion; June is shelter cat adoption month Cuddle up with the purr-fect companion this summer! June is National Adopt-a-cat Month.
Preparing for hurricane season with Florida sales tax holiday It’s time to shop until you drop, but it’s not your everyday kind of shopping. With the start of the 2024 hurricane season, it’s time to prepare for any upcoming storms.
LEHIGH ACRES Authorities respond to vehicle fire in Lehigh Acres Authorities in Lehigh Acres responded to a vehicle fire Saturday afternoon.
GOLDEN GATE CCSO investigates stabbing in Golden Gate The Collier County Sheriff’s office is investigating a stabbing in Golden Gate.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA The Weather Authority: Some rain makes its way back into the forecast Sun and clouds for your Sunday with an increased chance of rain.
NORTH PORT Interstate 75 reopens after brush fire forces closure North Port brush fire led to evacuations and temporarily closed 75.
A heartbroken mother who lost her son to suicide doesn’t want other families to go through her same loss. This is Jake’s story. “I sat next to him. I saw all life leave him,” said an emotional Denise Pfeiffer. “No parent wants to be in this club.” November 8, 2021, Jake Pfeiffer took his own life. His mom bravely spoke with WINK News Anchor Lindsey Sablan in the hopes of saving another life. “Our family was a normal, middle class family,” added Pfeiffer. When Denise reflects on the early years, she said there were no warning signs. “Jake did everything. He was fearless,” she recalled. “Nothing was impossible for him.” But when Jake got into high school, she said he started to feel anxious to the point it was all-consuming. Denise got him into the pediatrician and tried to book an appointment with a therapist.That’s where the trouble started. She identified barriers she wanted fixed for other children. First and foremost – preventative care. It’s hard to find a pediatric therapist. “The wait was four to six months,” she said. And that was in 2018. Sablan asked Alyssa Bostwick with Golisano Children’s Hospital and Kids’ Minds Matter if it’s improved. “If a parent calls our Golisano LPG Psychology practice today, you’re looking at probably about a year wait,” explained Bostwick.“A year wait?” asked Sablan.“We have over 500 kids on our waiting list,” answered Bostwick RELATED: Jake’s story: A mother’s mission to share her son’s story and help other young people That reflects the need in Southwest Florida. Golisano is trying to address it. In 2017, the children’s hospital had one psychiatrist. Now, there are more than 40. Another issue – when Jake was Baker Acted after being deemed a danger to himself, Denise said the in-patient facility didn’t communicate with her or his outside doctors who knew him best.But should they? Via Kids’ Minds Matter “Yes,” Bostwick answered. “Does that always happen? No. And what I can say does for sure happen is when we are transferring a patient that has been placed under the Baker Act here and we’re transferring to a facility, that one-on-one conversation with that receiving facility absolutely happens.” Bostwick recommended if you hit roadblocks, pick up the phone and don’t give up. RELATED: Mental health resources to help children “I am at peace, knowing Jake is not hurting anymore. But, I’m not at peace. And, I don’t think I ever will be with the road that he had to travel to get peace and find peace. So, his purpose lives on. Even though he’s not here, his purpose definitely lives on.” Jake also turned 18 in the course of his care. As an adult, his mother was not permitted to be a part of medical discussions or decisions. That’s federal law. But, you can have your child sign a health care proxy form allowing you to be part of those conversations. If you have ideas for change, reach out to Kids’ Minds Matter. A lot of the legislation passed in the Live Healthy Act is because of your advocacy. It included requiring a more comprehensive plan when a person’s released from a Baker Act and incentives to recruit more healthcare professionals.