Coastal Breeze News

Collier County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Battalion Chief Walter Kopka is being appointed to the position of Director – EMS Operations. In addition, Mr. Kopka will serve as interim EMS chief until a permanent successor is hired. Current EMS Chief Jeff Page announced his retirement last month after 30 years with the county. Chief Page’s final day at EMS will be August 26. The changes within EMS were announced today by County Manager Leo Ochs. “Battalion Chief Kopka has dedicated more than 25 years of service to Collier County EMS and I am confident that during this transitional period he ... Read More »

On Sunday, August 28, Gilad Shalit will turn twenty-five. It is the sixth birthday he will spend without his family and friends; the sixth birthday he will spend as a captive of Hamas terrorists who kidnapped him in a cross-border raid near Gaza in June 2006. Two Naples synagogues, Temple Shalom and Beth Tikvah, in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Collier County, invite the Jewish community and friends of Israel to mark Gilad Shalit’s twenty-fifth birthday with a unique and important program. On August 28 at 7:00 p.m. at Temple Shalom (4630 Pine Ridge Road, Naples), the acclaimed documentary ... Read More »

Tallahassee, FL – Independent laboratory testing from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shows Florida seafood products are both plentiful and safe to eat. Since last summer, the Florida Department of Agriculture has screened hundreds of seafood samples from the Gulf of Mexico and found Florida seafood products have not been affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Between August 2010 and June 2011, the Agriculture Department’s Division of Food Safety tested nearly 300 seafood samples – including 208 finfish, 38 shrimp, 34 oysters, 15 crabs, two lobsters and one clam for possible oil contamination from polycyclic aromatic ... Read More »

Chief Don Hunter and School Resource Officer Al Schettino would like everyone to take a few moments and consider the following important safety information pertinent to the upcoming school year. The Marco Island Police Department is seeking to make the transition back to school a safe one for the students of Tommie Barfield Elementary (TBE), Marco Island Charter Middle School (MICMS),Marco Island Academy Charter High School (MIACHS), Market Place Mission Learning Center, Island Montessori Academy and all other private pre-schools and educational intuitions. Residential streets surrounding the schools become increasingly congested during the mornings and afternoons (typical times for arrival ... Read More »

For The Island Players production of “A Bad Year For Tomatoes” to be held at Rose History Auditorium, 180 S, Heathwood Drive. Dates are Fridays, Sept 30, Oct 7, 14; Saturdays, Oct 1, 8, 15; Sundays, Oct 2 & 9. Performances are at 7pm, Sunday Matinees at 2pm. Tickets are $18, available at Centennial Bank, 615 E. Elkcam Circle and Marco Island Historical Society Gift Shop, 180 Heathwood Drive. For additional information or questions call 239-394-0080. Read More »

Statistics for Marco Island only properties, from the Marco Island Area Association of Realtors® Multiple Listing Service, continue to show high sales activity during the summer months. Pending listings, all property types, are up in the July 2010 and July 2011 comparison by 46.43%. Total all property types closed (Marco Island only) is up by 60.98% in the year-to-year comparison July 2010 and July 2011. The average sales price was up 27.17% and the medium sales price was up 19.05%. Total sold dollar volume was up 104.71% in the yearly July 2010 and July 2011 comparison. A breakdown of property ... Read More »

By Matt Walthour Do you like to play a little poker or maybe enjoy a nice casual bicycle ride? Well, why not put them both together and have even double the fun? Does this sounds like fun, well it sure is so why not come on out Saturday, September 10 for the 3rd annual Tour De Taverns. The Tour de Taverns is much like a poker run, except on bicycles. The cyclists pedal to each “tavern” pick up a card and then pedal off to the next, all the while enjoying a nice casual ride, with a great group of ... Read More »

Natalie Strom Sometimes in life, I feel like I just don’t count. Don’t get me wrong, I really do love my life. I enjoy my home, my family and friends and even what I do for work. I also, OBVIOUSLY, love where I live. But sometimes it just feels like even after all the things that I have and have done, I just don’t count. I’ve had this creeping feeling for the last year or so especially, and I think I’ve finally figured out the reason why. It’s nothing that I’ve done, or haven’t done for that matter. In fact, ... Read More »

Jim McKay tells the story of his experience with Hurricane Donna – September, 1960  By Joseph Giannone  Hurricanes are terrifying because when one strikes, and the damage finally seen, reality sets in. These storms are a disastrous force of Mother Nature. There have been countless generations of Floridians who have endured the anger of hurricanes. Many hurricanes have passed over our state, but none of them stands out for Jim McKay like Hurricane Donna. On September 10th, 1960, Donna hit Naples, Florida, and the aftermath of that storm caused massive damage to our area. The weather event cost Collier County close ... Read More »

DATE & TIME: 08/11/2011 11:34:00 PM ARRESTED: Cam Scott Alcorn, 15 LOCATION: 1275 San Marco Road, Marco Island Racquet and Tennis Club INCIDENT: Burglary / Theft / Criminal Mischief An Officer on patrol in the area of 1275 San Marco Road observed a vehicle parked in the lot of the City of Marco Racquet and Tennis Club after hours. Due to a recent burglary Officers investigated further. While on scene the Officer observed a subject in the building. The subject, identified as Cam Scott Alcorn was charged with two counts of Burglary to an unoccupied structure, two counts of Theft, ... Read More »

As Hurricane Irene continues its west northwest track, predicted threats to southwest Florida have diminshed.   It has always been rumored the Calusa knew instinctively our area was somehow protected by its location from these storms.    However, history shows many storms have made their way to our shores. We may have been spared from Hurricane Irene, but we are still in hurricane season. Complete your hurricane plans and emergency kits if you haven’t done so.   Being prepared will lessen the impact of any potential storm to you or your property.    Read More »

Visit the link below to read this on our website. http://www.cityofmarcoisland.com/index.aspx?page=22&recordid=177 The Marco Island Police Department is seeking to make the transition back to school a safe one for the students of Tommie Barfield Elementary (TBE), Marco Island Charter Middle School (MICMS), Marco Island Academy Charter High School (MIACHS), Market Place Mission Learning Center, Island Montessori Academy and all other private pre-schools and educational intuitions. Residential streets surrounding the schools become increasingly congested during the mornings and afternoons (typical times for arrival and dismissal). Creating an organized pattern – a southern corridor for TBE and a northern corridor for MICMS; ... Read More »

By Craig Woodward Collier County’s First Permanent Settler – John J. Weeks Obviously, there were numerous Calusa, Seminole and other Indians who have lived here for centuries, so we need to narrow the question: who was the first permanent white settler of present times, “permanent” meaning someone whose family members still reside in Collier County. The answer is clearly John J. Weeks, who moved to what would later become Collier County in 1862. What brought him here? How did he make a living? Where did he live? If you read the last article published in this column regarding the incident at ... Read More »

By Danielle Dodder  Staples is incorporating Glee cast members into its ‘Most Wonderful Time of the Year’ commercials and summer camps are winding down. On August 22, kids will be welcomed back to area schools. Tommie Barfield Elementary (TBE) has some new changes to announce, and with the school’s help, a snapshot of back-to school by the numbers: Number of registered students at TBE: 600 and counting  Hours to prep a classroom for the first day: “Hundreds,” according to Principal Westberry. “Some teachers have been working at it all summer.”  Percentage of teachers with advanced degrees: 51%  Student to teacher ... Read More »

Each year, Florida has a tax-free weekend. In Collier County, that applies to the 6% retail sales tax. The tax-free event is timed to coincide with the heavy back-to-school shopping parents do to prepare children for the coming school year. The tax-free event runs from 12:01 AM on Friday, August 12th through 11:59 PM on Sunday, August 14th. Tax exempt purchases can include school uniforms, backpacks, hats, jackets, sweaters, shirts, shorts, pants and skirts, shoes, sleepwear and more up to $75 per item. School supplies such as pens, pencils, calculators, crayons, glue, binders, paper, rulers, poster board, scissors, markers, lunch ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff In 2005, the State of Florida required a Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten program to be available for those interested in preparing their children to enter kindergarten, hopefully, creating a better foundation for their educational success. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, has a new pre-k program starting in August. This new program moves St. Mark’s preschool focus to fulfilling the requirement for a voluntary pre-k for four year olds while blending several models of Early Childhood Education and ‘The Totten Method’. Mrs. Peggy Totten is the director and lead teacher. Peggy has a long list of academic credentials and ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom The Marco Island Racquet Center has been a fixture on the island for many years.  Members of the Racquet Club know its benefits, however, what does the average Marco Islander really know about this not-so-hidden treasure? As tennis is such a popular sport in Southwest Florida, tennis players have a large variety of courts to choose from. When such a variety is available, it is easy to pick out the facility that best suits your needs. The Marco Island Racquet Club is quickly becoming that type of facility. And most tennis players on Marco Island would agree. ... Read More »

By John Patterson Everyone has a story, that’s what life is all about from beginning to end. Some stories are more eventful than others. Some have a sad story to relate. Others reveal an exciting one, but everyone has a story. I have always felt that a person’s life is like a pinball machine. Random effects can redirect you in an instant and many times you’re not aware of the impact these moments will have on your life. In the past, I have been privileged to meet some very interesting people living here.  Many have an interesting story to tell. ... Read More »

By Matt Walthour Well it’s that time of year again, the children are heading back to school. The list is ready, new notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, maybe a new back pack, or the latest and greatest lunch box is waiting on the shelf. Do kids still use lunch boxes? Anyway, you’re about ready to send your children off to another year of learning and adventure. There are many ways children head back to school, either by bus, dropped off by car, walking and of course, my favorite, bicycling. So if your children will be bicycling to school at any time ... Read More »

Submitted Want to know what it’s like being in the Big Leagues? Play professional sports? Wonder what it takes? The Greater Marco Family YMCA, through their ‘Sports Celebrity Speaker Series’ is giving you the chance to get answers to those questions from professional athletes. The first in a series of four events will be held Wednesday, August 31st at 11:30 AM at the Marco Island Hilton with special guest Luis Tiant. Luis is a former right-handed starting pitcher for the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees and, among others, will be representing Major League Baseball at this ... Read More »