DOH-Collier cautions of blue-green algae at Lake AvalonCity, Naples Beach Club to preserve green space in perpetuity
COLLIER COUNTY DOH-Collier cautions of blue-green algae at Lake Avalon The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) wants to caution the public of the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Avalon.
City, Naples Beach Club to preserve green space in perpetuity More than 104 acres of recreation and open space at the former Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club’s golf course will be forever preserved.
FORT MYERS The 52nd annual Fort Myers Boat Show begins An annual Fort Myers tradition has returned as the region’s premier display of boats and boating products, which will be on full display for enthusiasts to enjoy.
the weather authority Tracking Tropical Depression 19, expected to become Tropical Storm Sara The Weather Authority is tracking Tropical Depression 19, which is forecast to strengthen into Tropical Storm Sara in the Caribbean later this Thursday afternoon.
the weather authority Gorgeous Thursday afternoon with highs in the mid 80s The Weather Authority is tracking pleasant afternoon conditions with temperatures in the mid-80s this Thursday.
SANIBEL Failed air quality tests push back reopening date for The Sanibel School The tentative reopening of The Sanibel School has been pushed back once again after being closed since Hurricane Milton.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Police respond to rollover crash; driver flees scene The Fort Myers Police Department responded to a rollover, single-vehicle on Colonial Gardens Circle and Colonial Boulevard.
FORT MYERS West End residents frustrated by security failures, lack of response A nearly $64 million luxury apartment complex that close to 500 people call home, but somehow, security seems to fall through the cracks.
NAPLES Collier County nearly doubles tourism budget On Tuesday, Collier County Commissioners approved a nearly $12 million budget for a tourism marketing campaign.
Florida policyholders urged to contact OIR if policies are canceled or nonrenewed If your insurance has been canceled or is not being renewed due to this year’s storms, the state of Florida wants you to reach out to the Office of Insurance Regulation.
BAREFOOT BEACH Woman thinks QR code got hacked A Fort Myers woman says a fraudulent QR code at Barefoot Beach caused her credit card to be hacked. She’s on a mission to warn others.
CAPE CORAL Sticker shock: Cape Coral residents hit with unexpected property tax hikes This is the time of year when people start paying their property taxes, but what happens when you get your bill and it’s more than you expected?
SANIBEL Sanibel workshop teaches residents benefits of elevating homes and businesses With each hurricane that brings damage to our area, many people rush to be more resilient. On Sanibel, more than 300 people have RSVP’d to learn about raising their homes and businesses.
SANIBEL Sanibel Causeway construction causing confusion and costing local business Repairing the Sanibel Causeway after recent storms has caused more than just traffic back-ups.
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS Speakeasy in downtown Fort Myers honors local historic figures Everything inside the Escondido Lounge whispers an authentic speakeasy, from the dim red lights to the fancy vintage glasses.
COLLIER COUNTY DOH-Collier cautions of blue-green algae at Lake Avalon The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) wants to caution the public of the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Avalon.
City, Naples Beach Club to preserve green space in perpetuity More than 104 acres of recreation and open space at the former Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club’s golf course will be forever preserved.
FORT MYERS The 52nd annual Fort Myers Boat Show begins An annual Fort Myers tradition has returned as the region’s premier display of boats and boating products, which will be on full display for enthusiasts to enjoy.
the weather authority Tracking Tropical Depression 19, expected to become Tropical Storm Sara The Weather Authority is tracking Tropical Depression 19, which is forecast to strengthen into Tropical Storm Sara in the Caribbean later this Thursday afternoon.
the weather authority Gorgeous Thursday afternoon with highs in the mid 80s The Weather Authority is tracking pleasant afternoon conditions with temperatures in the mid-80s this Thursday.
SANIBEL Failed air quality tests push back reopening date for The Sanibel School The tentative reopening of The Sanibel School has been pushed back once again after being closed since Hurricane Milton.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Police respond to rollover crash; driver flees scene The Fort Myers Police Department responded to a rollover, single-vehicle on Colonial Gardens Circle and Colonial Boulevard.
FORT MYERS West End residents frustrated by security failures, lack of response A nearly $64 million luxury apartment complex that close to 500 people call home, but somehow, security seems to fall through the cracks.
NAPLES Collier County nearly doubles tourism budget On Tuesday, Collier County Commissioners approved a nearly $12 million budget for a tourism marketing campaign.
Florida policyholders urged to contact OIR if policies are canceled or nonrenewed If your insurance has been canceled or is not being renewed due to this year’s storms, the state of Florida wants you to reach out to the Office of Insurance Regulation.
BAREFOOT BEACH Woman thinks QR code got hacked A Fort Myers woman says a fraudulent QR code at Barefoot Beach caused her credit card to be hacked. She’s on a mission to warn others.
CAPE CORAL Sticker shock: Cape Coral residents hit with unexpected property tax hikes This is the time of year when people start paying their property taxes, but what happens when you get your bill and it’s more than you expected?
SANIBEL Sanibel workshop teaches residents benefits of elevating homes and businesses With each hurricane that brings damage to our area, many people rush to be more resilient. On Sanibel, more than 300 people have RSVP’d to learn about raising their homes and businesses.
SANIBEL Sanibel Causeway construction causing confusion and costing local business Repairing the Sanibel Causeway after recent storms has caused more than just traffic back-ups.
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS Speakeasy in downtown Fort Myers honors local historic figures Everything inside the Escondido Lounge whispers an authentic speakeasy, from the dim red lights to the fancy vintage glasses.
Many homes are still damaged nearly seven months after Hurricane Ian, with their owners struggling with the claims process so they can be made whole. Now the state hopes a series of insurance villages in Southwest Florida can help bridge that gap. You can put the phone down and stop waiting for an email in order to have a face-to-face talk about your problems with someone from your insurance company. People who visited the insurance village at the Charlotte County Event Center on Monday waited at most an hour and walked away with as many as four checks. Barry Shiflett was one Punta Gorda homeowner who left very happy. “It makes me feel great because now I can close out that claim account,” Shiflett said. Shiflett says his insurance company was great immediately after Ian. But the customer service virtually disappeared once his claim got into the hands of a desk adjuster. “I was not getting anywhere with some of the claims I have filed with my insurance company,” Shiflett said. So he gave this village a shot, hoping that speaking to someone in person would get results. “I came here today with all of my documentation, and I’m walking out with four checks,” Shiflett said. Citizens Property Insurance Spokesman Michael Peltier says there is an on-site claims adjuster to help people through their claims. They can even write checks for additional living expenses. “We can expedite a field adjuster to your house, maybe not today, but sometime this week, “Peltier said. “So we can speed things along. Basically, you have a face-to-face contact with someone from Citizens who has the authority to send your claim where it needs to go.” Shiflett says he was able to do more in one day at the insurance village than he was able to do in months relying on phone calls and emails. I got everything I needed today,” Shiflett said. Maybe not everyone will find Shiflett’s level of satisfaction, but it beats waiting for the phone to ring or the inbox to ping. Monday’s insurance village closes at 5 p.m. But all of these companies will be back in Fort Myers Beach at the DiamondHead Beach Resort on Tuesday. On Wednesday, they will return to the Charlotte County Event Center. Policyholders should bring as much documentation as they can, including: A driver’s license or other form of identification (Passport/State issued ID) Insurance cards and insurance policy information/documentation Pictures or documentation of the property being claimed as a loss resulting from Hurricane Ian Repair estimates Any additional insurance-related information that is readily accessible. NOTE: The insurance villages will exclusively focus on insurance related-issues, and staff from other agencies will not be present to assist with other post-storm benefits. PUNTA GORDA Monday, April 17th Charlotte County Event Center 75 Taylor St. Punta Gorda, Florida 33950 FORT MYERS BEACH Tuesday, April 18th Diamondhead Beach Resort (Ballroom) 2000 Estero Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, Florida 33931 PUNTA GORDA Wednesday, April 19th Charlotte County Event Center 75 Taylor St. Punta Gorda, Florida 33950 The insurance villages will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. Complete list of the entities participating: Allstate Insurance Companies / Castle Key Insurance American Integrity Insurance Company of Florida American Traditions Insurance Company Citizens Property Insurance First Protective Insurance Company / Frontline Florida Peninsula Insurance Company / Edison Insurance Company Heritage P & C Insurance Company Homeowners Choice P & C Insurance Company / TypTap Insurance Monarch National Insurance Company People’s Trust Insurance Company Progressive Insurance / ASI – American Strategic SafePoint Insurance Company State Farm Insurance Companies Tower Hill Insurance Companies Universal P & C Insurance Company National Flood Insurance Program / FEMA Florida Insurance Guarantee Association Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation