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Collier Voters Decide Key Races, Local Leadership, Amendments

Tuesday proved a seismic election night, not just for Collier County, but for the nation at large. Nationwide figures suggest a significantly higher turnout overall compared to other midterm election years.

County Approves Two Affordable Housing Projects in East Naples

Rendering of the new apartment complex at 3091 Tamiami Trail East, presented to the Board of County Commissioners at their October 27 meeting.
The Board of County Commissioners approved two new affordable housing projects at its most recent meeting to address the need for homes for people who live and work in Naples....

Schwan Dispute, Resident Concerns Take Center Stage at City Council

Veterans and contributors to Marco Island’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial gather for a Veterans Day proclamation at the Nov. 2 City Council meeting.
A dispute over Councilor Bonita Schwan’s allegations of online harassment dominated portions of the Marco Island City Council’s November 2 meeting, as speakers offered conflicting accounts of a …
Honoring our Veterans
Photos Courtesy of Mica Ramos
Mica Ramos grew up in a small town in Indiana before relocating to Naples at age 10. Returning to Indiana at 18, she started a family and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Indiana University School of Nursing...
More news
Marco Island Code Enforcement Officers at the October 27 Code Enforcement Magistrate hearing. From left: Officers Ed Barrios, Gary Miller, James Muldoon, Patrick Youngkin, Ronald Hofsteadter, Keith Richter, and Attorney for the City of Marco Island, Joseph Natiello.

Stormwater Violations Top Issue on October Code Magistrate Docket

The following are stormwater/illicit discharge violations on the October Code Enforcement Magistrate’s docket...
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Spotlight on the Community

Marco PA Brings Surgical Expertise to Human Fish Hook Removal

Mike Pisano shows a DHUKR® that is specifically designed for kayakers.

Marco Island’s Mike Pisano is an avid outdoorsman and fishing guide. But it’s his 25 years of experience in the emergency room as a physician assistant (PA) that led him to invent DHUKR®, an …

Conquer the Rock Just Around the Corner

Travis Suit and daughter Piper from the 2026 Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis, an 80-mile paddle challenge from Bimini to Lake Worth.

Conquer the Rock, Marco Island’s inaugural premiere paddleboarding event to raise funds and awareness for cystic fibrosis, is a little over two weeks away! As a part of the Piper’s Angels …

Packing Up Polly Opens Arts Center Theatre Season

The cast of Packing Up Polly. From left: pregnant Becca (Carolyn Davis), Lizzy (Cindy Sepich), Caroline (Jean Rowles), and Donna Jo (Betsy Greenblatt) with Director Hyla Crane.

Packing Up Polly is a Southern comedy by Georgia-based Leslie Kimbell, playwright of the hugely successful “Four Old Broads” series and “The Miss Magnolia Senior Citizen Beauty Pageant.” This …

Garden Comes Alive for Día de los Muertos

The dance ensemble from the Ballet Folkloric Jalisciense celebrating Día de los Muertos at the Naples Botanical Garden.
On October 31 and November 1, the Naples Botanical Garden celebrated life beyond the grave with a festive Día de los Muertos! Traditionally, this two-day celebration is a Mexican and Latin American …

Fashion House of Betty the Mouse Exhibit at Art Center

Local artist Vera Ripley with Betty the Mouse in Paris, part of an exhibit at La Petite Galerie through December 1, 2026.
Vera Ripley, a Marco Island artist, is known for her whimsical paintings of mice that evoke a sense of playfulness and curiosity, creating an intimate connection with people. The Fashion House of …
Rangers and Big Cypress Preserve staff gather to pose with several animal hides.
S.W.A.M.P. Wander Celebrates 25 Years of Submerging Students in the Everglades
Music and laughter rose over the swamp on Saturday, October 24,   as dozens arrived at Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery for a chance to dip their toes into the marsh. The atmosphere …
Best costume winners: JoAnn Brandau, Annette Mennella, Maureen Gold, and Liz Knapp.
Mini Golf Brings Mega Fun
Sixty Newcomers and Just Friends members participated in the second annual mini golf tournament on October 29 at Marco Golf and Garden. Afterward, the ladies enjoyed a splendid brunch at La Tavola …
Veterans Day Ceremony
The American Legion Post 404 invites you to attend this year’s Veterans Day Ceremony at Veterans Community Park on November 11th at 11:11 AM. This family-friendly event is open to the public, …
Obituaries
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Marya Repko
There were only two of us, and Marya was five years my senior. It wasn’t until she moved to England in the 60s that I missed her. After a few years working for Cambridge University Press, she …
Jack Kenneth Shelton
Jack Kenneth Shelton passed away peacefully in July 2026, in Naples, Florida, at the age of 96. Born in 1929 in Jackson, Michigan, Jack lived a life defined by integrity, humility, and a deep …
Eileen Carlsen
Eileen Carlsen, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of love, friendship, and cherished memories. …
Ray Kane
Ray Kane
Ray Kane, 81, passed away on Sunday, October 18, 2026, in Naples, Florida. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Raymond H. and Martha M. Kane. Ray grew up in Seaford, Long Island, and graduated from …
Mary Holway
Mary Holway
Mary Holway passed away peacefully on May 3, 2026, at the age of 93. She was the cherished daughter of the late James and Marguerite Purvis. Born in London, Ontario, Canada, Mary moved to …
Opinion
Letters to the Editor

Vote for Jason Bailey for City Council Vote for Jason Bailey for City Council

Marco Island has been part of my life for nearly 40 years. I was born and raised here, spent some time away, and always hoped I would have the chance to come back and raise my own family on this …

Supporting Jason Bailey for City Council

Marco Island is facing serious challenges - water quality, city finances, quality of life concerns, and more. These issues require experienced and thoughtful leadership. That’s why I’m supporting …

Supporting Jason Bailey

Supporting Jason Bailey   As a fellow member of the Marco Island Planning Board, I have had the opportunity to see Jason Bailey’s leadership up close, and I believe he would be an …

My Vote for City Council

In 1960, I came to Marco Island and discovered paradise. When I returned with my wife in 1982, I saw a changed island but still a paradise. We bought a condo. We became full-time residents in 2002 …

Marco’s Future Deserves Seat at the Table

Marco Island is more than a retirement destination. It’s a place to raise families, build businesses, educate children and create a future worth inheriting. As a parent, a daughter of a Marco …

Greed is Good?

"LORD, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz...?” When you look at the contributions to the six City Council Candidates running for office on a 24-square-mile island are you aware enough to …

Endorsing Residents First Candidates

I am writing to endorse the Residents First candidates for Marco Island City Council: Teri Sommerfeld, Rick Woodworth, and Dennis Bartolucci. Public trust in Marco Island’s City …

Commit to AWT Now

For years, Marco Island’s water testing data appeared to show gradual nitrogen improvement in our canals. Clean Marco Waters questioned that narrative — because …

Please Join Me in Voting Residents First

Marco Island is a place we call home. We want it to remain a safe, peaceful community where residents can enjoy the quality of life that brought us here. That is why I am voting for Teri Sommerfeld, …

Vote for Chris Ricci

I would like to voice my support for my friend and Marco Island City Council candidate Chris Ricci. I’m extremely glad he is running for City Council as he is exactly the type of person we need. He …

Guest Commentary

Marco Police Foundation Rates 2026 City Council Candidates

As Marco Island begins voting for who will fill its 2026 City Council seats, the Marco Police Foundation reviewed the candidates and rated them on local public safety and law enforcement issues.

The More You Know, The More You Vote NO

I n this time of ever-increasing prices and declining affordability, it is tempting to latch onto any legislation that promises tax relief. Amendment 3 to the Florida Constitution is an example of …

It's Time for Florida to Go Hands-Free

Every day, Floridians witness the same dangerous scene: a driver looking down at a phone instead of the road ahead. They're texting, scrolling social media, reading emails, selecting a playlist, or …

Flock Caution

A tale of caution and HORROR of how not only Flock but emerging technologies such as Axon can be utilized warrantlessly and abused against law-abiding citizens to stampede over their Fourth Amendment …

How Much More Growth Can Marco Island Really Handle?

If Marco Island feels more crowded than it used to, there is a reason. Traffic is heavier, parking is more difficult, our beaches and waterways are busier, and our roads, bridges, utilities, police, …
Our columnists
Ashley Alting

Mom's on Purpose

As a single mom, I sometimes grieve the life I imagined I would have. Growing up, I dreamed of getting married, buying a house with a white picket fence and a dog in the backyard, having a few kids, and living happily ever after...

Oh No, A Traffic Stop: Part 1

No matter how good a driver you are, we all can be subject of a law enforcement traffic stop. Those of you who know me know that most Thursday evenings you can find me out at Port of the Isles at the …
Tom Williams

The Call of the Wild 

It was a cold and blustery Thursday when Michael first came to the door. The early November rain was blowing sideways, and the gray skies and chilling drizzle were not promising much in the way of …
Adam English, MBA, AIF, CRPC

From Wall Street Chaos to Investor Protection

The stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression left lasting scars on America. Families lost their savings, businesses failed, unemployment soared, and confidence in the nation’s financial …

A Change In Seasons

It’s that time of year. Less than two months until Christmas and it feels like it showed up overnight. We just turned the clocks back. Summer is gone. For Marco, that means more traffic …

Put Your Best Foot Forward-Fall Prevention and You

Imagine this: it is a beautiful Marco Island morning, and you look forward to the arrival of your long-time friend from up north. A lovely three-day visit is in store and as you tidy up the house, …

Not As Good As It Once Was

I’m sitting on a balcony enjoying another glorious morning with a strong morning coffee overlooking the sapphire blue Mediterranean Sea on the southwest coast of Mallorca, Spain. The only sounds …

Trust in Trusts

Most people agree that avoiding probate is a good thing. Most people also know that a revocable trust can avoid probate. Under modern trust law, a person can be trustee of his or her own trust. …
Sports
Football!

Lely Coaches Find Positives in Winless Season

One of the few miscues for South Ft. Myers came on this fumble.
No one should be surprised that the Lely Trojans finished the season winless. After firing head coach Ben Hammer the day before Winter Break after back-to-back district championships and …
Let's Talk Golf

GOAT or GOTE? The Greatest of All Time? Or the Greatest of Their Era?

Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, and President Gerald Ford Playing Golf at the World Golf Hall of Fame Tournament in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

For those of us who are sports fans, and in our case, particularly golf fans, we love to compare. We love superlatives. We love putting the suffix “est” on just about everyone and everything in …

Fishing and More

A 53-Spotted Redfish Steals Spotlight at Marco Fishing Tournament

Dick Larson and his 53-spot redfish.

Dick Larson has fished the waters around Marco Island for years, but a redfish he caught Wednesday, October 21, during the Marco Sportfishing Club’s Redfish XXI Team Event gave him something he had …

Florida News

FDOT Outlines Major I-75 Expansion

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I-75 will see a major expansion in the coming months, with the addition of three new express lanes and a complete resurfacing from Golden Gate Parkway to Alico Road in Lee County. According to …

Florida pushes publishers to play down climate change in textbooks

How Florida quietly removed climate change content from textbooks “Good morning, class! Please take your seats. I’m your new science teacher, Mr. Ilg. “You’re probably wondering what happened to your old teacher, Ms. Glowasky. She made one factual comment on Facebook about Charlie Kirk, got fired, sued the school board, and collected a […]

FBI arrests Ohio man on charges of threatening to kill Rep. Fine, his family

A 26-year-old Ohio man was in custody after threatening to kill U.S. Rep. Randy Fine and his family, according to the congressman and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI determined there was probable cause to arrest Alex Miller of Columbus after investigators tracked his identity to an email address that sent a message with […]

Like other Florida universities, UNF gets one presidential candidate to consider

One finalist has emerged for the University of North Florida presidency, following a trend of state institutions relying on an “exceptional circumstances” carveout to state policy that otherwise requires three or more finalists. The university received 152 applications, search committee chair and trustee Jack Boyle said, calling it a “clear reflection of UNF’s momentum and […]

Did school vaccines just become a campaign issue?

Mandated vaccines for school attendance—and a parent’s ability to reject those vaccines— may have been injected into the race for Florida governor. With five months left before he’s term limited out of office, the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis Monday released a proposed regulation that would eliminate a number of vaccines required for public and […]

Donalds chooses state Sen. Bryan Avila as his running mate for Florida governor

Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds named Miami-Dade County Sen. Bryan Avila to serve as his running mate Tuesday. The son of Cuban exiles, Avila, of Miami Springs, has served in the Florida Legislature since 2014, when he was first elected to the House of Representatives. He won a seat in the Senate while running unopposed […]