Couple returns to Lovers Key condo post IanBiden signs Water Resources Development Act, its effect on SWFL
LOVERS KEY Couple returns to Lovers Key condo post Ian While Hurricane Ian is long gone from Southwest Florida, many are still feeling its impacts.
EVERGLADES Biden signs Water Resources Development Act, its effect on SWFL President Biden recently signed into law the Water Resources Development Act with an aim to improve rivers and harbors across the country and provide for the conservation of water. Southwest Florida was included in that act. Putting the 240-page plan together took a lot of work, not just from state and federal lawmakers, but also […]
Turning business travel into a vacation Would work travel seem a little easier if you could turn it into a vacation? Two professors say they have proof that would help business travel.
The future of biometrics: Safer security or new AI risks? In 2021, the Transportation Service Agency (TSA) launched its new touchless identity solution in the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airport.
CAPE CORAL Pelican Elementary resource officer saves infant A school resource officer at Pelican Elementary saved an infants’ life at a traffic stop in Cape Coral.
FORT MYERS Progress being made on City View Park in Dunbar More promises made by a city that has not kept its promises for the last six years have some neighbors concerned about the future of their community.
COLLIER COUNTY Seacrest hoops player hits a full court buzzer beater Seacrest Country Day School boys basketball player Hayden Fuller hits full court buzzer beater against Aubrey Rogers.
NAPLES Cutting-edge ACL surgery reducing reinjury risk by 80% Known for its game-changing orthopedic repair options, Naples-based Arthrex has done it again.
NAPLES MacStrength FL offers sport and lifestyle training for young athletes In 2025, MacStrength FL is swinging for success with their current players and for a wider reach in its community.
You can appeal FEMA’s decision on your claim – Here’s how Now a week after the deadline for FEMA hurricane assistance has closed, the federal agency says you can appeal their decision on your claim if you don’t agree.
Naples selects city CFO as next city manager, averts national search Naples Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Gary Young will become the next city manager, averting a lengthy, expensive national search for a replacement.
Charlotte County’s Mid-County Regional Library to reopen in 2026 After about $6.9 million in repairs and renovations to Mid-County Regional Library in Port Charlotte, the library is expected to reopen in 2026.
MATLACHA Man accused of deadly Matlacha DUI crash takes plea deal A man accused of driving drunk and crashing into the patio of a Matlacha restaurant, killing a woman and injuring others, has taken a plea deal with the state.
Opera Naples set to make land offer with seven-figure gift A seven-figure gift has provided the base for Opera Naples, Theater in the Garden and the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation to build an international center for the arts.
ENGLEWOOD Englewood Chamber distributes over $167K in hurricane relief funding The Englewood Chamber of Commerce announced over $167,000 in critical funding has been provided to individuals affected by Helene and Milton.
LOVERS KEY Couple returns to Lovers Key condo post Ian While Hurricane Ian is long gone from Southwest Florida, many are still feeling its impacts.
EVERGLADES Biden signs Water Resources Development Act, its effect on SWFL President Biden recently signed into law the Water Resources Development Act with an aim to improve rivers and harbors across the country and provide for the conservation of water. Southwest Florida was included in that act. Putting the 240-page plan together took a lot of work, not just from state and federal lawmakers, but also […]
Turning business travel into a vacation Would work travel seem a little easier if you could turn it into a vacation? Two professors say they have proof that would help business travel.
The future of biometrics: Safer security or new AI risks? In 2021, the Transportation Service Agency (TSA) launched its new touchless identity solution in the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airport.
CAPE CORAL Pelican Elementary resource officer saves infant A school resource officer at Pelican Elementary saved an infants’ life at a traffic stop in Cape Coral.
FORT MYERS Progress being made on City View Park in Dunbar More promises made by a city that has not kept its promises for the last six years have some neighbors concerned about the future of their community.
COLLIER COUNTY Seacrest hoops player hits a full court buzzer beater Seacrest Country Day School boys basketball player Hayden Fuller hits full court buzzer beater against Aubrey Rogers.
NAPLES Cutting-edge ACL surgery reducing reinjury risk by 80% Known for its game-changing orthopedic repair options, Naples-based Arthrex has done it again.
NAPLES MacStrength FL offers sport and lifestyle training for young athletes In 2025, MacStrength FL is swinging for success with their current players and for a wider reach in its community.
You can appeal FEMA’s decision on your claim – Here’s how Now a week after the deadline for FEMA hurricane assistance has closed, the federal agency says you can appeal their decision on your claim if you don’t agree.
Naples selects city CFO as next city manager, averts national search Naples Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Gary Young will become the next city manager, averting a lengthy, expensive national search for a replacement.
Charlotte County’s Mid-County Regional Library to reopen in 2026 After about $6.9 million in repairs and renovations to Mid-County Regional Library in Port Charlotte, the library is expected to reopen in 2026.
MATLACHA Man accused of deadly Matlacha DUI crash takes plea deal A man accused of driving drunk and crashing into the patio of a Matlacha restaurant, killing a woman and injuring others, has taken a plea deal with the state.
Opera Naples set to make land offer with seven-figure gift A seven-figure gift has provided the base for Opera Naples, Theater in the Garden and the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation to build an international center for the arts.
ENGLEWOOD Englewood Chamber distributes over $167K in hurricane relief funding The Englewood Chamber of Commerce announced over $167,000 in critical funding has been provided to individuals affected by Helene and Milton.
A COVID-19 testing associate adjusts his personal protective equipment (PPE) at a testing center at Lincoln Park amid the coronavirus pandemic on July 7, 2020 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) As of 2:30 p.m. Thursday, there have been 1,429,722 positive cases of the coronavirus recorded in the state. The case count includes 1,404,374 Florida residents and 25,348 non-Florida residents. There are 22,481 Florida resident deaths reported, 336 non-resident deaths, and 64,704 hospitalizations at some point during illness, according to the Florida Department of Health. According to the CDC, Florida has recorded 22 positive cases of COVID-19 variants as of Thursday. The type of variants are not specified on the table. Florida Department of Health and the CDC were previously investigating the evidence of the first known case of what is known as the UK COVID-19 variant on Dec. 31, 2020. *Numbers are released by the DOH every afternoon. STATEWIDE NUMBERS Total number of recorded cases: 1,429,722 (up from 1,409,906) Florida resident deaths: 22,481 (up from 22,317) Non-resident deaths: 336 (up from 330) Total deaths in state (Fla./non-Fla. residents combined): 22,817 (up from 22,647) 19,816 total new cases reported Thursday 164 new resident deaths reported Thursday 6 new non-resident deaths reported Thursday Percent positive for new cases in Fla. residents: 11.60% This percent is the number of people who test PCR- or antigen-positive for the first time divided by all the people tested that day, excluding people who have previously tested positive. SOUTHWEST FLORIDA NUMBERS Total recorded cases in SWFL: 83,071 (up from 82,155) Deaths: 1,418 (up from 1,408) 916 total new cases reported Thursday 10 new deaths reported Thursday Lee County: 43,871 cases (up from 43,327) – 695 deaths (4 new) Collier County: 23,707 (up from 23,502) – 354 deaths (4 new) Charlotte County: 8,147 (up from 8,029) – 248 deaths (2 new) DeSoto County: 3,047 (up from 3,027) – 58 deaths Glades County: 798 (up from 794) – 11 deaths Hendry County: 3,501 (up from 3,476) – 52 deaths Click HERE* for a case-by-case breakdown – updated daily. *If not linked, the final report has not yet been made available. TESTING DATA Effective Oct. 27, the Florida Department of Health ceased releasing data showing overall testing numbers. Their statement: “The Florida Department of Health is making adjustments to the COVID-19 dashboard and daily report to provide clear, accurate information for Florida families. Moving forward, the daily report will focus on the number of tests reported to the state by day and the corresponding positivity rate by day. The previously reported cumulative number did not reflect the current status of the pandemic in Florida. This change is in line with the CDC recommendation that calculation of percent positivity [is] applied consistently and with clear communication, will allow public health officials to follow magnitude and trends effectively, and the trends will be useful for local public health decision making.” RESOURCES VACCINE IN SWFL: COVID-19 vaccine schedules and information for SWFL VACCINE IN FLORIDA: State of Florida’s COVID-19 vaccine reports NOW HIRING: SWFL companies adding jobs FOOD PANTRIES: Harry Chapin mobile food pantry schedule, week of Jan. 4 REPORT COVID-19 DIAGNOSIS/TEST: International self-reporting system IF YOU FEEL SICK: The Florida Department of Health has a 24-hour COVID-19 Call Center at 1-866-779-6121. Questions may also be emailed to covid-19@flhealth.gov. Email responses will be sent during call center hours. LINK: Florida Department of Health COVID-19 updates *The map is best viewed on a desktop computer. If you don’t see the map above tap HERE for a fullscreen version.