Naples New Year’s Day traffic stop turns up large drug stash
The Naples Police Department says a routine traffic stop in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day led to the seizure of a large amount of illegal drugs, including fentanyl.
Historic photos of the Naples Pier show how iconic structure has evolved
The beloved Naples Pier crossed into a new phase of its long history on Monday (Jan. 5). A ground-breaking ceremony was held to mark the rebuild of the iconic structure that was damaged by Hurricane Ian in September 2022. For more than 100 years, the pier has been a place for family gatherings, catching fish,...
Lee County Begins $90.8M Big Carlos Pass Bridge Replacement, Expects Finish by Summer 2026
Lee County kicked off work on a $90.8 million replacement for the Big Carlos Pass Bridge in summer 2023. Superior Construction won the contract. The new span should open by summer 2026, as per the official Big Carlos Bridge Project website. The current drawbridge over Big Carlos Pass will give...
This Garden Makes Winter Feel Like a Celebration of Color, Culture, and Nature
Winter in Southwest Florida blooms differently at Naples Botanical Garden. Trade gray skies for lotus ponds, flamboyant heliconias, and a calendar of cultural festivals that make cooler months feel vibrant. You will wander lagoons, art installations, and kid friendly pathways that feel like a passport without the...
Council Lines up Process to Fill Atterholt Seat
On Monday the Fort Myers Beach Town Council put the process in place to fill the seat of retired Council member Jim Atterholt. The plan is to have the seat filled by the February 17th town council meeting. If you’d like to be considered for the open seat you have...
Officials take action against looming threat to coastal city: ‘Going to be very important’
"A self-perpetuating system." Officials take action against looming threat to coastal city: 'Going to be very important' first appeared on The Cool Down .
Naples Pier rebuild officially begins more than three years after Hurricane Ian
Closed since Hurricane Ian in 2022, the historic landmark’s rebuild officially began this week, with city leaders projecting a reopening next year.
Island Boys rapper arrested for drugs on New Year’s Eve in Immokalee
A member of the Island Boys rap group was arrested on New Year's Eve after he was caught with fentanyl and various other pills, now jailed without bond for the next few weeks. Frank "Franky" Venegas, 24, was arrested on Dec. 31, 2025 after a Collier County Sheriff's Office deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle...
Alligator Found Swimming in Naples Backyard Pool Removed Overnight
A large alligator was safely removed from a residential swimming pool in Naples after homeowners discovered the animal swimming in their backyard late at night.
Officers discover litany of drugs during New Year’s Day traffic stop in Naples
NAPLES, Fla. — A Lakeland man and a Tampa woman are facing numerous drug-related charges after Naples police said they uncovered numerous illegal narcotics during a traffic stop. On the morning of New Year's Day, officers stopped the vehicle for not stopping at a flashing red traffic signal at...
