HURRICANE NEWS

- SBA extends deadline to Jan. 12 for businesses and residents
  
  On Nov. 22, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced it will extend its deadline to Jan. 12...
- SBA announces Florida Recovery Centers will close on Sundays
  
  The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced it would discontinue Sunday hours at its Florida Business...
- FEMA extends deadline to apply for federal disaster assistance
  
  FEMA has extended the application deadline to Jan. 12, 2023, for survivors in...

Featured

Health Officials issue red tide alert

The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) has issued a Health Alert for the presence of a red tide bloom...

Guadalupe Center needs mentors for college-bound teens

Guadalupe Center is encouraging business and community leaders, as well as retirees, to consider mentoring teens...

Immokalee Foundation’s Art Exhibition is set for Dec. 3

For the second year, The Immokalee Foundation will provide its community with a platform to share its talent while...

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Hurricane News

FEMA extends deadline to apply for federal disaster assistance

FEMA has extended the application deadline to Jan. 12, 2023, for survivors in...

BBB warns: Watch out for scams after Nicole

Better Business Bureau warns consumers that in the aftermath of Hurricane Nicole...

SBA announces temporary closure of Florida Business Recovery Centers

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is closing its Business Recovery Centers in Florida from...

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Current conditions

Observed from: Fort Myers, Southwest Florida International Airport

Fair, 65 °F

Sunny, with a high near 83. East northeast wind 5 to 9 mph. Get the full forecast

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Wildlife & Environment

The Super Ghost in the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is about 50 feet off the ground in an old grown cypress tree.

Ghost orchid proposed for endangered species protection

Saving a rare and beautiful orchid could help save other endangered species in Florida.

Red tide reported on Gulf Coast

The FWC is closely monitoring Southwest Florida, since Karenia brevis, also known as red tide, was detected in multiple samples in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, and Lee …

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 …

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Agriculture

After Ian, Pine Island producers get UF/IFAS Extension help

Most people probably know about the struggles faced by residents and businesspeople...

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...

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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

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offers one day boating safety class

The class presenters are trained US Coast Guard Auxiliary Members who facilitate sharing experiences...

K9s United encourages community support through K9 Corps

K9s United, a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting law enforcement K-9 units with vital equipment and training...

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...

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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

Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation provides a grant to Immokalee Foundation

The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation has generously supported The Immokalee Foundation’s education...

The Immokalee Foundation receives accolades from Take Stock in Children

And today, Foundation student and Florida SouthWestern State College freshman Crystal Flores is ready to make her mark.

Immokalee Foundation receives a $50,000 grant from The Women’s Foundation

The Immokalee Foundation is pleased to announce it has received a $50,000...

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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.

Hocus Pocus Halloween Fun - Kids Costume Photos

This is a real TREAT for our readers during some tricky times.

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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

Workshop on SR 29 rescheduled

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has rescheduled a workshop for the SR 29...

FDOT hosts meeting about roundabout at SR 82 and SR 29

Ave Maria

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

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Veterans

Veterans Business Owner Outreach receives funding from SBA

On Oct. 14, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced a new funding opportunity for up to $400,000...

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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Million dollar donation helps hurricane survivors recover

The Humana Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM), is donating $1 million towards...

Search and rescue efforts underway for hurricane victims

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — This morning, Governor Ron DeSantis issued updates on Hurricane Ian at the State Emergency Operations Center

Caloosa Belle Independent

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

Gala of the Royal Horses Traveling Horse Performance is Dec. 29 and 30

Naples Therapeutic Riding Center (NTRC), a non-profit organization providing therapeutic horseback riding...

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.

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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 …

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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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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