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Some annual Florida festivals canceled, others go on

The Sugar Festival was canceled. Black Gold Jubilee went on as planned.

Governor Ron DeSantis announces new eligibility guidelines for COVID-19 Vaccinations

On March 25, Governor Ron DeSantis announced new eligibility guidelines for COVID-19 vaccinations in Florida. Beginning Monday, March 29, all individuals age 40...

U.S. Sugar to expand domestic sugar production, acquires sugar refinery in Georgia

U.S. Sugar has reached an agreement to purchase a sugar refinery in Georgia.

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Community

Collier County Airports receive grants for improvements

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Current conditions

Observed from: Fort Myers, Southwest Florida International Airport

Mostly Cloudy, 74 °F

A 20 percent chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Northeast wind around 7 mph. Get the full forecast

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Coronavirus

- More than half of Florida adults vaccinated for COVID-19
  
  With COVID-19 vaccine widely available throughout the state, more than half of the state’s adult population has received at least one dost of …
- Walmart and Sam’s Club now administering walk-up COVID-19 Vaccines
  
  On May 4, Walmart and Sam’s Club announced a new COVID-19 vaccine milestone: Immunizations are now available to customers and associates...
- Health officials encourage COVID-19 vaccinations
  
  With COVID-19 vaccine now widely available in Florida through pharmacies, hospitals and county health departments, Florida Department of Health …

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Police/Fire

Inmate escapes but doesn’t get far

IMMOKALEE- Westley Devon Shaw, 36, a state prison inmate, slipped away from his work detail, in the area of Oil Well Road and State Road 29, on Tuesday, May 11, 2021. But he didn’t get …

FDC celebrates Correctional Employee Week

Governor Ron DeSantis proclaimed the week of May 1-7, 2021, as Florida Correctional Employees Week.

Pair arrested, charged with contracting without a license

A man and a woman were arrested for contracting without a license on Sunday, May 2 by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).

Public gun range to reopen

Out of an abundance of caution, public gun range use was suspended in March of 2020 due to COVID-19.

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Sports

Lake Okeechobee Airboat Association to host Trash Fish Tournament

The 13th Annual Lake Okeechobee Airboat Association Trash Fish Tournament will be held on Saturday, June 12.

Connect to nature and history at Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area

Fisheating Creek snakes its way through 40 miles of cypress swamps, oak hammocks and marsh

Catch a Florida Memory in the prime of springtime

From surf fishing to offshore expeditions, there are opportunities for everyone to catch a Florida memory!

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Schools

The Immokalee Foundation earns highest rating from Charity Navigator

After examining the foundation’s income tax documents, its website, and other data, Charity Navigator awarded the foundation its third consecutive four-star rating.

Immokalee Community School Principal Zulaika Quintero is a Principal Leadership Awards winner

Principal Zulaika Quintero of Immokalee Community School in Collier County is among the nine winners of the Florida TaxWatch 2020-21 Principal Leadership Awards.

IMS implemented a new initiative at the school this year

IMMOKALEE - “It looks easy from a distance. I know; I’ve tried. With a little perseverance, you’ll feel like you can fly.”

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Wildlife & Environment

What you need to know about applying for alligator harvest permits

Now is the time to plan for Florida’s upcoming hunting seasons if you’re interested in applying for the FWC's alligator harvest permits

Them’s fighting birds: Study identifies other species’ influence on territorial aggression

A social behavior known as the “audience effect” has long been reported among humans. From children tussling on a playground...

A sprinkler watering a residential lawn.

Friends, neighbors help influence our irrigation decisions, UF research shows

But irrigation takes on a new context when you consider the potential of peer pressure on outdoor watering habits.

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Agriculture

UF scientists are using AI to cut food waste, loss

If you have ever brought home seemingly fresh produce from the grocery store only to find it wilted and moldering a few days later, Tie Liu feels your pain.

UF/IFAS connects small scale growers with post-Covid-19 digital marketing options

Small-scale grower operations have their advantages despite being challenged by access to large markets and limits on resources.

UF/IFAS hosts English, Spanish COVID-19 safety webinars for farm labor supervisors to protect workers

By popular demand, UF/IFAS experts at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center will hold bilingual webinars later this month titled, ‘Farm Labor Supervisor COVID-19 Safety UPDATES...

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Human Interest

Okeechobee's Trail of Hope Rescue has puppies galore

OKEECHOBEE – If you’re in the market for some puppy love, check out the Trail of Hope rescue in Okeechobee.

As Florida enters termite swarm season, UF/IFAS scientists tell consumers what to know

Termites cause $5 billion a year in damage to structures across America

A Natural Treasure: Florida’s Sandhills & Grasslands

A few miles southeast of Lake City, a 439-acre pristine sandhill ecosystem thrives.

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Government

IRS issues guidance on taxability of dependent care assistance programs for 2021, 2022

On May 10, the Internal Revenue Service issued guidance on the taxability of dependent care assistance programs...

Collier County Clerk’s Office to hold “Passport Saturday”

Collier County Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel is pleased to announce that her office will hold a special “Passport Saturday” event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 22...

2 million more Economic Impact Payments disbursed under the American Rescue Plan

On April 22, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service announced they are disbursing nearly 2 million

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Traffic/Road Work

Surge in demand for gas creates localized shortages

TAMPA – The Colonial Pipeline is still down, yet Florida remains well supplied with fuel. While there is not considered to be a gasoline “shortage” in Florida, there are reports of …

No need to panic buy: Gas supply should be restored by end of this week

Long lines at the pump in some Florida cities were reminiscent of hurricane season this week, as some drivers appeared to panic over a potential gasoline shortage.

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Veterans

The Grey Team: Major James Hall, Cary Reichbach, Rep. Al Baldasaro (NH), Dr. Frank Marangos, and David Kirkland.

Local nonprofits joins forces to help veterans R.I.S.E.

The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County is proud to announce its partnership with The Grey Team, a local nonprofit organization whose primary mission is to prevent PTSD-related veteran suicides.

Missing In America Project – Florida coordinator Kathy Church issues statement

Today, February 25, 2021, at 11:00am, MIAP – Florida, in cooperation with Van Orsdel Family Funeral Chapels in Miami-Dade County, and the...

West Palm Beach VA to host Virtual Veteran Town Hall meeting Feb. 26

The West Palm Beach VA Medical Center will host a Virtual Veteran Town Hall Meeting on Friday, Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. using the Microsoft Teams platform...

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Meet the Firefighter: David Sexton strives to be better at his job

Firefighter David Sexton was born in Lakeland, and his parents moved to Naples soon after his birth.

Business

Businesses have trouble finding workers: It's a job-seeker's market

OKEECHOBEE – Recently an Okeechobee resident posted a message on social media wondering which of the local businesses might be hiring

SBA Disaster Recovery Q&A session Thursday

Was your small business affected by Covid-19? Are you looking for small business funding?

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Entertainment

Vibra Urbana Music Festival announces phase one artist lineup

On May 10, Vibra Urbana Music Festival announced its biggest artist lineup to date, bringing a diverse array of Latin music’s brightest stars and respected veterans...

Insomniac CEO confirms plans for 2022 Okeechobee Music Festival

OKEECHOBEE – It’s official. Insomniac plans for Okeechobee Music Festival to return to Sunshine Grove in northeastern Okeechobee County in 2022.

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Weather

Five-day Rainfall Totals from Tropical Storm Eta Across South Florida.

Eta was rare November surprise for South & SW Florida and the Keys

Now that the water has receded and the cleanup is underway, let’s take a closer look at Eta’s track as well as how rare of an event...

National Hurricane Center updates projections for Tropical Storm Eta

MIAMI – The National Hurricane Center has updated the projected path of Tropical Storm Eta.

Floridians now need to brace for Eta

IMMOKALEE — The National Weather Service provided a special briefing Thursday morning about the expected path and strengthening of Tropical Depression Eta toward the Florida peninsula, which …

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State

Nation & World

Beset by virus, Gaza's hospitals now struggle with wounded

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Just weeks ago, the Gaza Strip’s feeble health system was struggling with a runaway surge of coronavirus cases. Authorities cleared out hospital operating rooms, …

Radical rabbi's followers rise in Israel amid new violence

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