Coastal Breeze News

The highest level a scout can reach is Eagle Scout. It’s a rite of passage only a handful of scouts achieve. One requirement is to complete a community-oriented project. It must be planned and designed and submitted for approval to the District Eagle Scout Board of Review. Such was the case when Bradley Chute presented plans to Bryan Milk, Community Development Director, for a covered gazebo at Veterans Park. The plans were submitted and unanimously approved by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. As shown, the gazebo will be a 12 ft x 12 ft open sided wood structure anchored ... Read More »

Without a doubt, talent is a necessity on the professional tennis tour. There are so many different examples of junior tennis stars that are unable to make a living at the next level. The primary reason: Lack of weapons or, in other words, a talent deficiency. However, as we delve into the real world, the typical tennis player took up the sport at a later age and has far more realistic goals. As we focus on this particular group of tennis players, it is vital to talk about all the components of winning CTA or USTA league matches. If we ... Read More »

That’s why the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and the Naples Police Department are implementing a database aimed at providing emergency dispatchers with immediate access to more information than ever. The Smart911 database allows citizens to create a secure safety profile of vital personal and household information, including medications, medical conditions and even photographs of each member of the household. Information about family pets can also be entered. The safety profile will be displayed to 911 call takers immediately when that citizen places an emergency call. This safety profile provides much richer information than is currently available on incoming calls and ... Read More »

Three new members have been officially appointed to the Board of Directors at Collier Child Care Resources, Inc. (CCCR).  The organization’s mission is to support the needs of Collier County’s children, families, and early learning professionals by providing high quality education, resources, and childcare services. Niccole Howard, Executive Director of Collier Child Care Resources, Inc. said she is pleased to welcome the new members.  Howard added, “The expansion of the board and their combined talents will strengthen the organization’s goals and mission. Their leadership and direction will support our goal of providing the right environment for our children so they ... Read More »

The Collier County Lodging & Tourism Alliance (CCLTA), a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing regional issues of mutual importance to the tourism industry and the local community, announced the appointment of The Ritz-Carlton, Naples Hotel Manager Jon McGaunn to its Board of Directors. In his role as Hotel Manager, McGaunn is responsible for all day-to-day operations and financials of the luxury beach resort, including The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Naples, seven distinct dining experiences, expansive group function and meeting space, and 450 guest rooms and suites—all while reinforcing the high level of product and personal service excellence for which The Ritz-Carlton is ... Read More »

At 6AM on Sunday 6/24/12 power to the Island failed. The Marco Island Water & Sewer Department has systems and procedures in place to ensure the potable water distribution system pressure is maintained and wastewater is contained in the collection system. The treatment plants have emergency backup generators.  These generators allow the plants to function under full capacity.  The morning of 6/24/12 emergency backup power generators at the North Water Plant (NWP), Reclaimed Water Production Facility, South Water Plant (SWP), and Marco Shores Wastewater Treatment Plant automatically maintained power at the treatment facilities when the normal power source failed.  Utility ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff  In 1995, Collier County realized the need to monitor sea turtle nests more closely along its beaches. As female sea turtles return to their place of birth to nest, monitoring their actions gives a better idea as to the health of the Loggerhead sea turtles along Collier’s coastline. A small crew of dedicated employees and volunteers faithfully count and mark nests during nesting season (May through October). They also track false crawls, nest location compared to sea level, GPS coordinates of each nest and false crawl and compare their results to prior years. Mary Nelson ... Read More »

SOUTHERN SKIES By Mike P. Usher [email protected] Tonight the two brightest, or at least the easiest to find, constellations of the zodiac are riding high in the sky; Sagittarius the Archer or Centaur (actually it’s both) and Scorpius the Scorpion are easy to locate. Sagittarius has the famous teapot asterism that really jumps out of the jumble of stars that fill this region of the sky; and Scorpius is one of the very few constellations that actually look like the thing they are supposed to represent. The teapot asterism consists of eight stars all roughly equally bright; this time of ... Read More »

Gabrielle Cordero, a 2012 graduate from First Baptist Academy in Naples, was the grand prize winner of a one-year lease on a 2012 Kia Soul donated by Airport Kia at this year’s YMCA Project Graduation. The drawing for the car was held June 1 during the Y’s 27th annual drug- and alcohol-free graduation party for Collier County seniors; Cordero’s name was randomly selected from more than 1,000 attendees. “It’s the first time we’ve had a car as the grand prize in five years. Having a car in the raffle obviously raises the excitement level for the graduates at Project Graduation,” ... Read More »

LCEC’s preparation begins long before a hurricane threatens to make landfall in Southwest Florida.  To ensure LCEC has the resources needed for restoration, the organization cultivates relationships with power line and tree-trimming contractors, fuel companies, material vendors, food service vendors, other cooperatives and local agencies for back-up resources. In addition, LCEC’s 400+ employees play a critical role in the restoration plan. Employees put their typical job responsibilities on hold to pitch in during restoration. Restoration Priorities LCEC has a detailed restoration plan that outlines priorities of electric restoration during large power outages. LCEC’s plan first calls for restoration of essential services ... Read More »