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.
Cyclist group riding 500 miles for charity to pass through LaBelle Thirty-six Fuller Center Bicycle Adventure cyclist members participating in the annual 500-mile Tour de Florida charity ride will be passing through LaBelle next week.
marco island YMCA to break ground on healthy living facility in Marco Island The YMCA of Collier County is set to break ground for a healthy living facility in Marco Island.
NAPLES Naples Airport Authority in need of volunteers for Noise Compatibility Committee The Naples Airport Authority is seeking applicants to fill three volunteer positions on its Noise Compatibility Committee (NCC).
Body found after Port Charlotte house fire Charlotte County deputies have found a body in the ruins of a house in Port Charlotte after a fire destroyed most of it.
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.
Cyclist group riding 500 miles for charity to pass through LaBelle Thirty-six Fuller Center Bicycle Adventure cyclist members participating in the annual 500-mile Tour de Florida charity ride will be passing through LaBelle next week.
marco island YMCA to break ground on healthy living facility in Marco Island The YMCA of Collier County is set to break ground for a healthy living facility in Marco Island.
NAPLES Naples Airport Authority in need of volunteers for Noise Compatibility Committee The Naples Airport Authority is seeking applicants to fill three volunteer positions on its Noise Compatibility Committee (NCC).
Body found after Port Charlotte house fire Charlotte County deputies have found a body in the ruins of a house in Port Charlotte after a fire destroyed most of it.
Joseph Mejia (Credit: CCSO booking photo) A former Collier County teacher was sentenced to 80 years on Monday for exchanging sexually explicit texts and having sex with a 14-year-old student. He’ll serve 40 of those years in prison. Joseph Mejia, 39, of Bonita Springs, was found guilty of four counts of lewd or lascivious battery after a five-day jury trial. He taught at Gulf Coast Charter Academy in Naples and met with the student several times. On Monday, the victim read a nearly 5-minute victim impact statement before sentencing, detailing how Mejia gained her trust before turning their relationship sexual. “Speaking up about Mejia raping me was one of the best choices I’ve ever made. It didn’t always seem that way though,” she said. “He pulled me out of school and tore me away from friends I’d grown to love. Everyone stood by him too. I was a whore. I was the one who’d had sex with a teacher.” On the other side, Mejia’s family told the judge he’s not a Monster. Mejia himself said in a last-minute plea, “Very regretful. I’ve never done anything like this before in my life … I plea for mercy in regards to my sentence,” with his mother adding “God says forgive us! If you want to be forgiven.” Judge Joseph Foster, Collier County Circuit Judge said in response, “Forgiveness is between God and your son and God and the victim and her family and that’s not for me to grant or deny in any way shape or form in this courtroom.” He was sentenced to 20 years on each count, with two to run consecutive and two to run concurrently, leading to a 40-year sentence. Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the number of years to be served in prison.