Featured

UPDATE: STARability Foundation & The Local observe Down Syndrome Awareness Month

The date The Local will donate $1 from weekday lunch meals purchased between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. has been changed to Oct. 15-31.

FDOH urges public to be mindful of sewage system

The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) is urging the public to be mindful of...

DOH-Collier reminds residents and visitors to have a plan

No matter the path of a storm, it’s always important to be prepared and have a plan.

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Hurricane News

Spotting scams after the storm

After disasters sweep through an area, an unfortunate reality usually follows: fraudulent offers of funding...

How to apply for FEMA assistance after Hurricane Ian

You can apply to FEMA for possible temporary housing expenses, basic home repairs or other...

FEMA loans available for counties impacted by Hurricane Ian

ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today the addition of several Florida counties to the disaster declaration for Hurricane Ian …

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Current conditions

Observed from: Fort Myers, Southwest Florida International Airport

, NA °F

Sunny, with a high near 85. North northeast wind around 8 mph. Get the full forecast

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Wildlife & Environment

Brian Lapointe, Ph.D., stands in front of a canal in Cape Coral located in Lee County, Florida. [Photo courtesy FAU]

Water quality woes linked to seeping septic systems

From fecal bacteria to blue-green algae to red tides, Southwest Florida’s water quality has declined as its population has increased …

Nearly half of global septic systems work inadequately

The most common type of septic system includes the tank and a drain field – sometimes called a leach field.

Study shows fertilizer ordinances improve water quality

GAINESVILLE — A new University of Florida study has found that local residential fertilizer ordinances help improve water quality in nearby lakes …

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Agriculture

Researchers find new sugar substitutes in citrus

Finding natural, non-caloric sugar substitutes is desirable but challenging. However, researchers...

Ag safety expert gives advice on making farms safer

Dangers lurk for those working in agriculture – an economic sector that includes farms...

AI-enhanced system detects bruised strawberries

If you’re perusing the produce section, you generally seek fresh, pleasant-looking fruit...

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Coronavirus

- Most of Florida at high risk for COVID-19
  
  Most of Florida is now considered at “high” risk for COVID-19 according to the Centers for Disease Control.
- Palm Beach County at high risk from COVID-19
  
  The COVID-19 virus is spreading again in Florida, according to data shared June 3 by the Florida Department of Health.
- New covid positivity in Florida at 3.8%
  
  TALLAHASSEE – For the week of April 1-7, Florida’s new COVID-19 positivity rate was 3.8%.

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Police/Fire

Robbery victim shot in Felda

On Sept. 19, at approximately 8:30 p.m. Hendry County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the report of a robbery that occurred in Felda.

DEA warns of brightly-colored Fentanyl used to target young American

The Drug Enforcement Administration is advising the public of an alarming emerging trend of colorful fentanyl...

One killed in head-on crash on SR 29

A 27-year-old Lehigh Acres man was killed and three other people were seriously injured in a head-on crash on State Road 29 ....

Collier County Clerk of Court issues jury scam alert

Please be aware that scammers are contacting Florida residents claiming they missed jury duty and requesting residents to pay...

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Sports

Catch a tagged bass and win cash

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) TrophyCatch program is ending another successful season. Any bass caught in Season 10 (Oct. 1, 2021 - Sept. 30, 2022) must be …

Former Immokalee star signs with Los Angeles Chargers

Ave Maria

Former Immokalee Indian J.C. Jackson has signed a 5-year, $82 million deal to play with the Los Angeles Chargers according to a report from ESPN.

LHS baseball team 2-0 after pre-season

Ave Maria

LABELLE -- The LaBelle High School baseball team Cowboys are 2-0 after their games last week.

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Schools

Collier County schools closed Tuesday and Wednesday

IMMOKALEE -- Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) continues to monitor Hurricane Ian very closely. the area is currently under a Tropical Storm Watch with further escalation of watches and warnings …

IHS to hold dedication ceremony for Innovation Center

Immokalee High School will hold a dedication ceremony and tour...

Gov. DeSantis announces initiatives to support teaching workforce

On Aug. 16, Governor Ron DeSantis announced three proposals for the 2023 Legislative Session that will help support...

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Human Interest

Explore the Florida Humanities' African American History Archive

Florida Humanities, the state affliate of the National Endownment for the Humanities, has a diverse and robust collection ...

New training initiative in Florida helps fight human trafficking

Attorney General Ashley Moody is enlisting more soldiers and creating new tools in the fight to end human trafficking in Florida.

Deputies help man whose bicycle was stolen

Three Collier County Sheriff’s Office deputies took action when an Immokalee man’s bicycle was stolen…

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Government

online exclusive

Mail-in voters have until 5 p.m. Aug. 25 to fix ballots with signature issues

Voters contacted by their county Supervisor of Elections office about signature issues on their vote-by-mail ballot envelopes have until 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25 to …

Collier County Supervisor of Elections office announces Canvassing Board Schedule

The Collier County Supervisor of Elections office has scheduled the Canvassing Board meetings for the 2022 Primary Election.

Voter registration and party change deadline for the 2022 Primary Election

In order to vote in the Primary Election, eligible residents must be registered to vote by Monday, July 25, 2022.

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Traffic/Road Work

FDOT hosts meeting about roundabout at SR 82 and SR 29

FDOT invites you to join us in-person or online for a public meeting regarding the roundabout...

Collier County Road Watch report for the week beginning Sunday, Oct. 10

Ave Maria

Drive carefully in areas where road work is underway ...

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Veterans

Wreaths Across America Radio hosts the last of four roundtable discussions on Veteran Healing

Ave Maria

Wreaths Across America Radio focuses on Veteran Healing through sharing

Collier County SOE 'Calls for Heroes' this Veterans Day

Ave Maria

The Collier County Supervisor of Elections invites the community to nominate local veterans and current service...

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Curfew enacted in Collier County

A mandatory curfew is in place for all of Collier County beginning at 10 p.m. tonight (Wednesday, Sept. 28) and expiring at 6 a.m. tomorrow Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. The purpose of …

Xfinity hot spots open to the public

To help residents and emergency personnel stay connected ahead of Hurricane Ian, Comcast’s network of more than 200,000 public Xfinity WiFi hotspots throughout Alabama, Florida, …

Report price gauging in Florida

There might be people who want to profit off the needs of consumers as they work to recover from the effects of Hurricane Ian. Attorney General Ashley Moody has activated Florida’s …

Business

Opera Naples welcomes Laura Burns as new executive director

Opera Naples, one of Naples’ leading performing arts organizations, is excited to welcome Laura Burns...

Hometown Heroes Housing Program helps home buyers

The last few years have tested frontline workers to the extreme. Working through a pandemic...

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Entertainment

Two Feet returns to the Okeechobee Music Fest, playing a much bigger stage

"It's interesting to see how far the project has come. I only have good memories of this festival," Two Feet said.

Tasty Vibrations brings their eclectic jam band sound to Okeechobee Music Festival

Tasty Vibrations will be bringing their Fort Lauderdale beach sound to the Be Stage this year.

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Weather

Evacuation orders issued for Gulf Coast at Hurricane Ian nears

Florida officials waived toll collections to facilitate evacuations as local officials issued mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders in anticipation of Hurricane Ian.

FILE - In this Sept. 12, 2018 photo provided by NASA, Hurricane Florence churns over the Atlantic Ocean heading for the U.S. east coast as seen from the International Space Station. Astronaut Alexander Gerst, who shot the photo, tweeted: "Ever stared down the gaping eye of a category 4 hurricane? It's chilling, even from space." (Alexander Gerst/ESA/NASA via AP)

FEMA advises Floridians to prepare for a hurricane

WASHINGTON -- President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. approved Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s request for an emergency declaration on Sept. 24, ahead of Tropical Storm Ian. The declaration authorizes …

Take measures to stay safe during flooding

Ave Maria

Heavy rains are predicted to impact our area this weekend. It is important to be prepared for flooding.

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State

Early prescription refills permitted under State of Emergency

Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 22-219, expanding the State of Emergency statewide....

$12 million in down payment assistance awarded to hometown heroes

On July 26, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that since the Hometown Heroes housing assistance program launched...

Boy dies in hot car parked outside Miami area Jewish center

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — A 3-year-old boy died after being left in a car outside a South Florida preschool where both his parents are staff members, police said. The child was one of several …

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Nation & World

Thousands gather to mark Srebrenica massacre, bury victims

SREBRENICA, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — Thousands of people converged on the eastern Bosnian town of Srebrenica Monday to mark the 27th anniversary of Europe’s only acknowledged genocide since the …

New coronavirus mutant raises concerns in India and beyond

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