Collier County

Two Southwest Florida counties on Tuesday decided against mandating face masks. Their decisions come after several major cities in Florida started requiring residents to wear masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Charlotte County commissioners decided against a mandate, instead encouraging businesses to set their own rules. Collier County commissioners also decided not to […]

**UPDATE** A suspect has been arrested in connection with an arson fire that claimed the life of one person at a home in Golden Gate early Tuesday. According to Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Marc Boileau, 17 was arrested on Tuesday after it was determined he was the suspect involved in starting the fire in Golden […]

With the state reopening and more testing in the state, we have seen an increase in reported COVID-19 cases. Florida has now reported over 100,000 coronavirus cases, and thousands have no idea how they contracted the virus. The spread began with travel, then contact with travelers. Now, many are not able to trace how they […]

Some students in Southwest Florida will be back in the classroom for summer school, but some wonder if it’s too soon. A mother we spoke to said her kids hope to return to the classroom, and a health expert said it’s feasible, but guidelines must be in place and followed. Collier County Public Schools said […]

In the last week alone, Florida broke records four times for the number of people who tested positive for the coronavirus. Southwest Florida accounts for nearly 9% of all the positive cases in the state and more than 10% of all the deaths. Florida joined California, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Illinois and Massachusetts with […]

Despite the rising number of coronavirus cases across Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis remains firm masks in the sunshine state are optional. This comes as more evidence suggests wearing masks could help slow the spread. And local businesses are stuck in the middle of these changing and conflicting reports. Monday, we heard from a former FDA […]

Cases of COVID-19 have been rising in Collier County, with more than 3,200 recorded as of Monday morning. This comes after the state began its “phase one” reopening plan. According to CDC reports, the most effective way to slow the spread of the coronavirus is by wearing masks, and on Monday, Collier County leaders were […]

FBI special agent Nymphgamey Scott in Fort Myers says scammers are trying to take advantage of others with fake shipping charges, new fees and new laws. “It’s a new scam. It’s a fraudulent scheme in which fraudsters are targeting online customers in the shipping industry,” Scott said. “And they are citing fake COVID-19 laws in […]

Florida residents are being urged to use caution when answering a call from someone who says they are doing COVID-19 contact tracing. State Attorney General Ashley Moody said scammers are now using this ruse to get personnel information from the people they call. “Unfortunately, we can’t trust the voice on the other end of the […]

You might have to wear your mask while walking around Naples streets if the city decides to enforce a mask mandate. Local doctors are on board with this type of requirement to work against the number of cases on the rise. Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann said the city is considering the mask mandate Friday because […]