SOCIETY: The Augusta Clothing Company Grand Opening
Jerri Hoffmann opened The Augusta Clothing Company on Fifth Avenue South and Sixth Street South in Naples with a ribbon-cutting on Saturday, March 21. She founded the store in her hometown of Augusta, Missouri, where she met her husband, David Hoffmann, and the two have since built a family empire, calling Naples home.
The ‘purr’-fect shot? Florida panther gives photographer a moment she’ll never forget
COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — A wildlife photographer got a once-in-a-lifetime shot she’ll never forget. Jo Gryniewicz was taking pictures on the boardwalk at the Audubon’s Corkscrew Sanctuary near Naples this weekend, when a very rare visitor showed up out of nowhere: an endangered Florida panther emerged from the bushes...
Police Let Inebriated Driver Go Hours Before Geologist, 96, Killed in Wrong-Way Crash
A Florida woman has been arrested for allegedly driving drunk and killing a 96-year-old geologist in a wrong-way crash, with the incident taking place shortly after a police officer stopped her but let her off with a warning. Genise Taylor has been accused of DUI manslaughter in connection to the death of Arthur...
Collier County deputy who stopped drunk driver before fatal crash ID’d
A relatively new Collier County deputy who stopped a suspected drunken driver for speeding hours before she drove into oncoming traffic, killing a 96-year-old man, knew the woman. Adam Fisher, spokesperson for the Collier County Sheriff's Office, identified the deputy as Eric Pellegrino. Fisher said the internal...
Legendary Naples waterfront restaurant founder dies, began canoe races
A Naples restaurant founder whose popular waterfront restaurant for years held a major community event has died. The Dock posted March 25 on its Facebook that Vin DePasquale passed away. His former wife, Debby Latimer, said he died March 19. “He was such an icon in this town," Latimer said. "And after every...
Nakomis man accused of chasing people with machete near Blind Pass Beach: SCSO
A 38-year-old Nakomis man, John Slodyczka, allegedly chased multiple people at Blind Pass Beach Tuesday night while threatening them with a machete, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office. Deputies detained Slodyczka after he refused to exit his Jeep. He showed signs of impairment and had a half-empty...
CROW’s Opens New Turtle Rehab Facility Reopens
The Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting celebration at the opening of the new $3 million Harkey Sea Turtle Complex on Sanibel. The new facility at 3883 Sanibel Captiva Road replaces the old complex demolished by Hurricane Ian in 2022. “When I speak of the ‘blessings of Ian,’...
📅 Pelican Bay Services Board Meeting Set for April 8
The Pelican Bay Services Division Board will meet on April 8 at 1:30 PM at the Community Center at Pelican Bay, 8960 Hammock Oak Dr., Naples. The board advises the Collier County Commissioners on local issues such as street lighting, water management, beach renourishment, safety, and beautification within the Pelican...
Understanding the Ecology and Function of Estero’s Storm Water Ponds
East Corkscrew became a channel for conveying water because of increased development and stormwater systems and channel runoff through the area, but the tradeoff is increased pollution risk and environmental strain on local waterways. This topic is important because stormwater runoff carries pollutants like...
JW Marriott has a new owner – Resort, properties sell for $835M cash
The iconic JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort on Marco Island is being sold, and the new owners plan major renovations. Barings LLC, the $481 billion asset management arm of insurer MassMutual is selling the luxury hotel operated by Marriott International, along with its Hammock Bay and Rookery golf courses in...
