MARCO ISLAND Marco Island residents fed up with overcrowding by strangers A group in Southwest Florida is complaining that their island has become overcrowded with strangers. Some on Marco Island believe short-term renters are turning their usually quiet island into a party town. To some long-time Marco Island residents, these Indiana vacationers represent the ideal visitors. Shari Fletcher is one of those Indiana visitors. “Pretty much […]
IMMOKALEE Group calls Collier County deputy-involved shooting an ‘outrage’ “Outrage” is the only word being used to describe a deadly deputy-involved shooting in Collier County. A civil rights group says they dispute claims that Nicholas Morales-Bessannia charged at deputies with a gardening tool, and they want to know why it took so long for deputies to pull the K-9 off. The Coalition of Immokalee […]
COLLIER COUNTY Possible side effects from 2nd COVID-19 vaccine dose shouldn’t deter people, doctors say For many, the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is simple, but the second dose presents the real challenge, leaving people to wonder if the shot is worth it. Health care worker Jaime Crossan Debres was ecstatic to get her COVID-19 shot. “I was so anxious and overwhelmingly thankful.” So thankful that she documented the […]
COLLIER COUNTY March to a Million Meals: SWFL community collects enough for 23,000 meals A community in the region went all in to help support families experiencing food insecurity in Southwest Florida. Grey Oaks in Collier County collected nearly 2 tons of food and $9,000 for Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida. The effort was organized by Grey Oaks residents Lee Bewley and Tom Leipzig. “So the feeling […]
MARCO ISLAND Marco Patriots help 96-year-old get a COVID-19 vaccine A 96-year-old woman is referring to the Marco Patriots as her saints. Rita Lachmund had been trying, without luck, to book a vaccine appointment through the Naples Senior Center for weeks. And, she’s been stuck in her Marco Island home for a year. So, when the Marco Patriots heard her story, they knew they had […]
NAPLES A Collier County couple helping others secure COVID-19 vaccine appointments A Naples couple who is below the vaccine age requirement is trying to help neighbors and friends get appointments. Their retirement has now turned into a full-time job. A few times per week Maria and Andrew Mair get up at the crack of dawn. “We’ll be up at 5:30ish, get the computers ready, one on […]
COLLIER COUNTY Lipman Family Farms donates produce to Harry Chapin Food Bank A large Southwest Florida business has a heart for giving and is making sure people who rely on the Harry Chapin Food Bank for food on their tables are getting more than canned goods. Lipman Family Farms has come a long way since Jaime Weisinger’s family started farming decades ago. “My grandfather and his two […]
COLLIER COUNTY Glue traps for pests could hurt SWFL wildlife A device used to battle rodents in Southwest Florida could be hurting the area’s wildlife. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s von Arx Wildlife Hospital has treated three birds stuck to glue traps over the past few weeks. “No matter if it’s a mammal, a bird or a reptile, they all struggle and so they can […]
NAPLES City of Naples may have a solution to parking problems There’s a need to clear up parking issues in Naples. Luckily, the city recently revealed its plan and it could help businesses as well. But, not everyone is on board. Heidi Inman owns Georgie’s in the Naples Design District. “It’s a family business we’ve had it for almost 43 years,” Inman said. She grew up […]
COLLIER COUNTY SWFL residents travel to Miami to get vaccine After traveling hundreds of miles to be one of the first to get a COVID-19 vaccine, some Southwest Florida residents are trying to find a way to get their second dose closer to home. Gail Niccolai and husband George are facing some obstacles in trying to find an appointment for the Pfizer vaccine in Southwest […]