Naples City Council discusses future of Fourth of July parade, fireworks

With Independence Day less than a month away, Naples City Council and staff are discussing the future of the city’s annual parade and fireworks show. Parks, Recreation and Facilities Director Chad Merritt spoke to Council Monday about how the Fourth of July parade has become a struggle to organize and publicize compared to the city’s […]

Backyard Social food truck park plans for August opening in south Fort Myers

Backyard Social, a new food truck concept planned for south Fort Myers, is heading toward the home stretch of final construction and should open by the end of August.   The 9,000-square-foot structure at 16371 Corporate Commerce Way, near the northwest corner of Alico Road and Ben Hill Griffin Parkway, will have eight food trucks, said […]

Southwest Florida food truck industry experiences successes, speed bumps

A vacationer walks up and down the green carpet, beholding the scene in front of him. There are four food options flanking the north and five flanking the south side of Celebration Park in Naples, a pioneer in the burgeoning Southwest Florida food truck scene. These are restaurants on wheels, and Tony Murgo—wearing a T-shirt, […]

Alchemist Kava set to open this month in East Naples

New kava and kratom bar Alchemist Kava is set to open this month at Patriots Square off Tamiami Trail East in East Naples. Local teacher and skincare business owner Ashley Giannone, a Naples native, was inspired to open her own kava bar after experiencing the social, tight-knit kava community while pursuing her master’s degree.  “You’ll […]

Lee County Tax Collector plans new office for Miromar Outlets in Estero

With thousands of new homes off Corkscrew Road planned or already built, the Lee County Tax Collector needed more office space to accommodate the growing tax base.   Entering 2024, it will get just that. About 10,500 square feet of empty storefronts at the southwest corner of Miromar Outlets in Estero will be converted into a […]

Campaign Central

Mike Pence files paperwork launching 2024 presidential bid

Former Vice President Mike Pence filed paperwork on Monday declaring his campaign for president in 2024, setting up a challenge to his former boss, Donald Trump, just two years after their time in the White House ended with an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and Pence fleeing for his life.

Investigations

Hurricane Ian victims still waiting for insurance checks in Florida

Three different homeowners are having the same problem with the same insurance company. They can’t get their homes back to normal after Hurricane Ian because their insurance company hasn’t sent over their checks. It’s a problem many Southwest Floridians are still dealing with almost eight months after the storm.

Health and Medical

The Environment

State

Appeals court urged to reverse Florida education ruling

Arguing that the measure has violated speech rights and led to discrimination, attorneys for students, parents, and teachers are urging a federal appeals court to revive a challenge to a 2022 Florida law that restricts instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation in schools.