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.
When Larry Gary got his first head coaching job in 1994, being the first Black head football coach in Lee County wasn’t even on his mind. “It didn’t dawn on me. I just was thinking I was ready to be a head football coach, taking on the challenge,” said Larry Gary, the first Black head football coach in Lee County. Gary took over the Lehigh Lightning football program 30 years ago. His success as a head coach paved the way for future Black coaches in southwest Florida. “I’m so proud that they have taken the opportunity to just say I can do it, and let’s see what the challenges are,” said Gary. Gary retired as head coach at Cape Coral in 2017. He didn’t stay off the gridiron long. In 2022, Gary came out of retirement to mentor a former player who wanted to become a head coach. Isaac Harvin played under Gary at Cypress Lake before he graduated from Cape Coral as a standout defensive back in 1995. “Coach Harvin was so talented. We did more cheering and rooting him on than coaching him. He was like Forrest Gump: just run, Forrest, run. He had speed to burn,” said Gary. Harvin played at Kansas State before returning to Lee County to coach. He didn’t plan on doing anything more than assistant coaching, but when his alma mater needed a leader, he put his name in the hat. “They said, ‘We got a good idea. Why don’t you let Gary mentor you for two years and see how you do since you’ve never been a head coach and see how it goes, and he’s gonna pretty much let you run the operation,'” said Harvin. For Harvin, the opportunity to learn hands-on from one of his mentors was a no-brainer. “I’ve got three sisters, a handful of nephews and nieces. He has been in all our lives and has coached all of us, which is crazy, so he’s like my uncle, mentor, brother, all that… I was like, man, let’s do it. Here we go,” said Harvin. After two seasons as interim and associate head coach, Harvin is officially at the helm of the Seahawks. Gary is confident that Harvin is ready. “I’m very proud of him, and we’ve talked before this came about, and I said your only enemy is you. If you want to do something, you have to go out there and do it,” said Gary. And that’s exactly what Harvin did. “At first, I was denying myself, always saying I don’t want to be a head coach. I’m just going to be an assistant cause there’s too many problems, too many things you have to deal with. But now that I’m taking this challenge on, it’s making me feel so proud of myself for stepping out there in faith,” said Harvin. That’s the message Gary has worked to instill in every player he has coached: take on the challenge. Coach Gary isn’t going too far from the gridiron. He will stay on staff as a physical education teacher at Cape Coral.