Local News

Collier County School Board member Kathleen Curatolo surprised her fellow Board members Thursday afternoon by proposing that the district add two members to the School Board. The two members would be considered at-large. Full story »

Marco attorney Donald “Dusty” Rhodes starts his first day in a seven month term to the Florida Elections Commission Monday. Rhodes, 67 is one of six members recently appointed by Governor Charlie Crist to the Florida Elections Commission. Full story »

Monday will be a hectic first day for Marco Island’s newest City Manager Steve Thompson. Thompson, the city’s second ever city manager will begin with a budget workshop Monday morning, followed by meetings with the council, department heads and community. Then, he will cap the evening off with his first regular City Council meeting in Marco. That doesn’t intimidate Thompson who will be arriving at his new island home this Saturday. Full story »

Budget workshops begin Monday and the first session will focus on funds that do not use property tax as a funding source. These funds are self-supporting and are not subject to the spending cap, which limits the amount the city can spend by 3 percent plus the cost of living adjustment which is 2.3 percent. Full story »

Raising a child is a precious gift, but it also is a great challenge. Here are 10 tips to help ease the burden of getting your children to adulthood. Full story »

This weeks’ CERT (Citizen Emergency Response Team) session, taught by Team Leader Russ Rainey introduced us to Light Search and Rescue Operations. This consists of a systematic size up of the task and developing a safe, well-orchestrated rescue plan to achieve the most possible in the shortest amount of time. Full story »

They’re throwing a farewell party for teachers Esther Scuderi and Debbie Schlinder May 28 at Tommie Barfield Elementary School, but neither really wants to be there. They will attend, though, no question about that. Full story »

Often people hope a temp job becomes permanent. That isn’t the case for Interim City Manager Dana Souza. Souza said he’s ready to return to his job as director of Parks and Recreation and leave his other temporary title, interim city manager, behind. Full story »

The daughter of Palestinian immigrants, and one of five children in the family, Hawa Itayem chose summer study to cut a year of high school and recently graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University magna cum laude in secondary education. Now, at 19 and about to embark on her master’s degree, Itayem talks about her background, her multi-cultural approach to life and her hopes for her own future as well as that of America. Full story »

Even though it’s just a couple of minutes before going live, it’s quiet and orderly in the Tommie Barfield Elementary television studio. Some of the news team of eight fifth-grade students make final adjustments to their cameras and mixing equipment, while those who will appear on-camera silently practice some of their lines. Yet others ensure the power point scripts for the various presenters are ready to roll, and the sound man does his necessary checks. Full story »

My fifth grade son hates to read. It is that simple. This is extremely frustrating because he has a great memory and loves to learn by watching TV. He doesn’t miss a program about animals, and he knows more about history than me. Full story »

Collier County officials are questioning whether erosion control on a private beach is something that is in the best interest of the public. The Coastal Advisory Committee (CAC) discussed the issue at a meeting on Thursday and the consensus on the board was the Hideaway Beach was an area enjoyed not only by residents of the private beach community but also by residents and tourists visiting the beach by boat. Full story »

Sure a lot has changed in the 50 years since Marco Island resident Bedford Biles, 87, was last in college, but Biles plans to share how some things always remain the same. Biles will deliver the commencement address to the newest round of graduates at the University of Akron School of Law in Ohio May 18. Full story »

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Leadership Marco alumni have made good on a pledge to assist four outstanding students with their university expenses. The money was raised by the recent “Wet Paint Live” event, in which artists spent a day capturing assorted Marco scenes on canvas, and then auctioned the paintings off at a gala evening the same day. Full story »