Parent upset with bishop, Diocese of Venice mask requirement in Catholic schools

The mask debate in schools is heating up as coronavirus cases continue to rise. Catholic schools have mask mandates in place, but one parent said he isn’t going to comply and plans to have his child remain unmasked. Parent Tom Trombly said his 12-year-old daughter always aims to please. “She’s a wonderful child, a wonderful […]

matthew vance

Collier County deputies arrest man in North Naples armed carjackings

Sunday, Collier County Sheriff’s Office a man in connection with armed carjackings in North Naples. The first carjacking happened Sunday night at a Circle K located at 5606 Tavila Circle, with the rest of the evening’s events beginning around 6 p.m. According to the arrest report, Matthew Vance, 26, stole a 2019 Mercedes convertible from […]

masks in school

Parents concerned about COVID-19 guidelines as cases rise just before school starts

Students will be entering yet another school year during the pandemic, and Southwest Florida school districts are implementing COVID-19 safety protocols to make sure children stay safe this year. Parents are still concerned about the virus and the impact it could have on their children’s education. The constant uncertainty was a challenge for many students […]

NCH doctors: Misinformation fueling COVID surge

Desperate and emotional, doctors with a Southwest Florida health system are pleading for people to come together in a critical moment. “Everybody keeps asking me ‘What can I do? What can I do to help?’ I say just go get the vaccine… we are having people die… and it is getting harder to come to […]

Collier County school district focused on safety for upcoming school year

Teachers are making final preparations to their classrooms for the upcoming school year. Collier County Public Schools is set to start the school year Tuesday with the safety of students, teachers and staff as the top priority. “Preparations in safety, you can’t have enough,” said Superintendent Kamela Patton. “And that constant monitoring to be sure […]

‘People are dying’: NCH doctor’s emotional plea for unity, vaccinations

The CEO of NCH Healthcare System and medical staff delivered a plea to the Southwest Florida community on Friday: Get vaccinated or we’ll pay the consequences. “We need to unify more than ever,” said Paul Hiltz during the update on the increasing number of COVID-19 cases and their plans to respond to the rise in […]

911 calls for COVID-19 increase in Collier; younger patients being admitted into ER

More people are calling 911 about experiencing coronavirus symptoms. First responders say they’ve been getting more calls over the past three to four weeks, and the age group needing the most help is dropping into kids and young adults. An ER physician with NCH Healthcare System said the number of patients he’s seeing coming in […]

Vandals strike 2 businesses on Marco Island

Two business owners on Marco Island are shocked and left with repairs after vandals struck this week. They feel lucky nothing was stolen, but the general manager at Your CBD Store said the door will stay boarded up for a while because of a supply shortage. On top of that, it’s going to cost a […]

Some school districts across Florida could circumvent DeSantis’ ban on mask mandates

Florida continues to break COVID-19 hospitalization records as more than 12,000 people were admitted to hospitals across the state Wednesday. This came on the heels of Gov. Ron DeSantis issuing an executive order preventing school districts from issuing a mask mandate, although there are at least four school districts across that state that are attempting […]

lights for dominick

Son of Collier County Sheriff’s Office employee fights rare cancer

11-year-old Dominick Nino is fighting a rare form of Leukemia at Golisano Children’s Hospital. But, luckily, he’s not fighting alone. Lights from the cruisers of Collier County Sheriff’s deputies and trucks of firefighters showed up at the hospital. This is something Dominick and his family will never forget. The bond between deputies is like the bond […]