Danya Harpster

Current conditions indicate that there will be notable blooming this year of the Southeastern sunflower at the Pepper Ranch in Immokalee. Two photography time periods have been set aside. Reservations can be made beginning September 20.

Environment

Board votes to retroactively OK raiding Conservation Collier funds

Danya Harpster

The decision to raid the funds and then change the ordinance afterward could be challenged in court.

CIG Communities, a family-owned real estate company, broke ground on Aspire Naples, a 233-unit apartment community located along Immokalee Road in North Naples, on Oct. 6.

Public Affairs

Aspire Naples project targets affordable housing for Collier Co.

Danya Harpster

A new apartment complex being built in Collier County will offer 30 percent of its units at below market rates — what could be good news for essential workers like law enforcement officers and teachers who have struggled for years to find rentals they can afford in Collier County.

The Gordon River Greenway, above, is one of 22 preserves in Collier County, paid and supported by tax funds out into the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Program. On the preserve, in the heart of Naples, people can see gopher tortoises, bobcats, and wading birds among other animals. Funding for the land acquisition program could be in jeopardy.

Government & Politics

Did Collier commissioners have authority to raid conservation funds? Quite possibly not

Danya Harpster

In an effort to say they lowered taxes a majority of the board voted to raid $61 million from voter-approved conservation trusts funds

Vanessa, her sister Daniela Leon Rios, and their mom’s long time friend Carmen Ruiz, prepare to walk in with their mom’s casket. The funeral for Antonia Rios, long time farmworker advocate in Immokalee, mother and wife, was held Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. A driver on Ave Maria Boulevard lost control of their car, jumped the curb, drove through brush, then hitting a sign, a tree and the lawn mower Hernandez was on for her landscaping job, killing Rios instantly, According to Florida Highway Patrol.

Human Interest

Tragedy strikes the tight-knit Immokalee community with death of Coalition of Immokalee member

Danya Harpster

In the past six years Antonia Rios had became a face and the voice of calling for change and dignity.

Government & Politics

Unused Collier Conservation funds gutted as commissioners look to fill intentional budget shortfalls

Danya Harpster

In a midnight aimed at reducing government spending at a time of explosive growth, the Collier County Board of County Commissioners voted over night to make near across the board cuts to the county’s general funds and then make up for the intentional budget shortfalls by all but depleting the existing accounts set aside for conservation.

Florida residents can play an important part in conserving gopher tortoises, which are often found living near people in suburban, agricultural and other developed areas. When people get involved in gopher tortoise conservation, it helps ensure tortoises, and the over 350 species tortoises provide shelter for in their burrows, will continue to be found throughout the state in the future. Residents can get involved with conservation of gopher tortoises in several ways:

Top Story

Conservation Collier funding in jeopardy; Board votes Thursday

Danya Harpster

The widely supported land conservation program could have its funding slashed by 40 percent.

This week’s Collier County School Board meeting was a lesson in the perils of showing up unprepared. The district's budget process began in December and there have been meetings and workshops so the members, who are the key decision makers, could familiarize themselves with one of their most important jobs while serving in this elected position. Instead, board members Jerry Rutherford and Tim Moshier admitted there was a bit of a learning curve and therefore they would not be showing solidarity and voting in favor of a new millage rate.

Education

Silence, scolding and tension dominates Collier County school board's discussion of budget

Alexandra McNamee

This is a lesson in what happens for those who don't come prepared

Business/Economy

Lee Commission vote paves way for taller buildings and more visitors on Captiva

Danya Harpster

Commissioner Ruane called for resiliency what he got was more density and intensity

Weather

Residents in travel trailers cautioned about Hurricane Idalia

Danya Harpster

A two- to four-foot storm surge does have the ability to move a travel trailer.

A member of the audience reads a letter from Jay Brown, president of the Captiva Community Panel, during a public meeting Wednesday about proposals on height and changhes being sought.

Business/Economy

Sanibel and Captiva residents still solidly opposed to proposals for changing height and density

Danya Harpster

South Seas Island resort would like to rebuild higher than is currently allowed. It would also like an exception to the county's density rules. These ideas are not sitting well with some residents.