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WINKNEWS.com

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Collier County tourist tax rising Jan. 1 for short-term stays

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)—Visitors in Collier County will pay more in taxes on short-term stays starting Jan. 1, 2027. Voters approved a measure to raise the development tax, also known as the bed tax, from 5% to 6%. It passed with 70% of voters' support. The increase will apply...

Collier County, FL · 3d
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WINKNEWS.com

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“A big red flag:” Three Collier County small businesses describe disputes with another small business

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — Several Collier County businesses say they bought advertising after being promised exposure in neighborhood publications, only to later question if the magazines were distributed. The business owners — who say they did not know one another beforehand — became connected through their disputes with...

Collier County, FL · 1d
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jujugurgel.com

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Collier County Holiday Events 2026: Christmas Lights, Parades & Local Fun

Christmas lights on palm trees, snow falling in downtown Naples, and Santa arriving without a snow shovel in sight. Holiday season in Southwest Florida has its own personality, and I’m here for it. If you’re looking for Collier County holiday events, this guide covers Naples, Marco Island, Immokalee, Ave...

Naples, FL · 4d
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The Money Overview

partner publisher · 73.1K followers
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Seniors in Maricopa County, Ariz., Blount County, Tenn., Collier County, Fla. and Huntington, N.Y. can freeze or cut property taxes, with income caps from $38,686 to $63,470

In three counties and one town, homeowners 65 and older can lower the property-tax charge on a primary residence, but the programs work in different ways and cap income at figures from $38,686 in Collier County, Florida, to $63,470 in Blount County, Tennessee. Maricopa County, Arizona, sets its limits at $47,712 for one owner and […] The post Seniors in Maricopa County, Ariz., Blount County, Tenn., Collier County, Fla. and Huntington, N.Y. can freeze or cut property taxes, with income caps from $38,686 to $63,470 appeared first on The Money Overview .

Blount County, TN · 2d

Marconews.com

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Exploring the voter-approved tourist tax increase for Collier County

Voters have approved a penny increase in Collier County's tourist tax. Last year, county commissioners agreed to put the question on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. A simple majority vote — or a vote of more than 50% — was required to approve a sixth penny (by those who showed up at the polls).

Collier County, FL · 23h

Marconews.com

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Citizen engagement survey results; Tigertail snack bar reopening; more

In September the city of Marco Island partnered with OnPointe Insights to develop and implement a citizen engagement survey. It was open for participation from Sept. 24 through Oct. 12 and, according to City Manager Casey Lucius, received 2,471 responses. The full results are now available on the city’s website:...

Marco Island, FL · 1d

WINKNEWS.com

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Collier County parents raise safety concerns over relocated school bus stop on Vanderbilt Beach Road

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — Parents in Collier County are raising concerns about the location of a school bus stop along Vanderbilt Beach Road, saying they worry about their children’s safety. Lexi Markle, a mother of two, said the district moved the stop from the front of her...

Collier County, FL · 2d

USA TODAY

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Miami-Dade district could close 5 more schools. Here's the list

The Miami-Dade Public School District has resumed a process that could potentially close several schools , according to a social media post by Superintendent Rafael Villalobos. The Attendance Boundary Committee released a new list of "targeted" schools — boundary changes are "necessary" for these schools to keep "adequately" accommodating students and programs. Targeted status, according to the committee, "requires" that an attendance boundary recommendation "be developed and implemented for the following school year." Six schools are considered "targeted," five for consolidation and one for conversion: Golden Glades Elementary, which could be consolidated with Carol City Elementary. Myrtle Grove Elementary, which could be consolidated with Carol City Elementary. Carol City Middle, which could be consolidated with Miami Carol City Senior and Lake Stevens Middle. Lorah Park Elementary, which could be consolidated with Earlington Heights Elementary, South Hialeah Elementary and Lincoln Diaz-Balart Hialeah Elementary. Hammocks Middle, which could be consolidated with Felix Varela Senior. Southside Preparatory, which could be converted into a K-12 school. Another 28 schools are listed as "advised," which means that "a boundary change will most probably be required in the upcoming year." Miami-Dade previously paused closure, consolidation process Miami-Dade district Superintendent Rafael Villalobos previously put a temporary pause

Miami-Dade County, FL · 1d

Naples Daily News

partner publisher · 28.0K followers

Voters choose Lauren Melo to replace longtime state senator representing SWFL

Republican Lauren Melo has won the Florida Senate race in District 28. In the race, Melo, a six-year veteran of the Florida Legislature, faced David Silverberg, a first-time Democratic candidate and veteran journalist. She secured 62.2% of the vote — or a total of 142,378 votes. In a Facebook post after her win on Tuesday night, she wrote: "I'm humbled and honored to be your next state senator. Over these past months, I've met so many wonderful people across Collier, Hendry and Lee counties. Whether you opened your door, came out to an event or shared what matters most to your family, every conversation shaped this campaign." She thanked her family for standing by her "every step of the way." District 28 covers all of Collier and Hendry counties, along with eastern parts of Lee County . The new senator will have big shoes to fill, replacing former Sen. Kathleen Passidomo. After serving in the Florida Senate since 2016, Passidomo, R-Naples, reached her term limit this year. She served longer than the eight-year limit because of redistricting. She became the third woman elected Senate President and secured billions of dollars in state funding for Southwest Florida during her tenure in

Florida · 3d

gulfcoastnewsnow.com

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'We have never seen it this bad': Record rain floods Pioneer Plantation properties in Hendry County

HENDRY COUNTY, Fla. — Severe flooding in Pioneer Plantation, Florida, has submerged homes and properties after this weekend's historic rainfall. "My shed, that's my office, it's completely underwater," said Milva Di Lorenzo, whose workspace, garden, and backyard are all submerged. DiLorenzo said the flooding began Sunday after heavy rain...

Hendry County, FL · 1d

gulfcoastnewsnow.com

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Immokalee man mows more than 20 acres of overgrown cemetery for free ahead of Día de los Muertos

IMMOKALEE, Fla. — Steven Trujillo spent five days clearing overgrown grass at Immokalee Cemetery, ensuring families could access graves for Día de los Muertos. "Let's do something, a blessing. Pay it forward," Trujillo said. Trujillo, like many visitors, noticed the cemetery’s overgrown grass. "The grass was about...

Immokalee, FL · 2d

WINKNEWS.com

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‘We’re just stuck’: Hendry County residents face severe flooding after record rain

PIONEER PLANTATION, Fla. (WINK) — Desperate Hendry County homeowners are pleading for help after relentless rainfall swamped properties and turned farmland into lakes, creating flood conditions emergency officials say the area hasn't seen in at least a decade. Heavy rain since Sunday has left several properties near Pioneer Plantation...

Hendry County, FL · 3d

The News-Press

partner publisher · 40.5K followers

Target plans new store in growing eastern Lee County

Target has secured land in eastern Lee County for a new store. Property records show Target Corp. purchased a nearly 21-acre site on the doorstep of Lehigh Acres, along the high-growth State Road 82 and Daniels Parkway corridor. The deal closed on Oct. 28. The price was $9 million for a future location at Creekside Marketplace, one of two shopping centers planned by The Sembler Company, based in St. Petersburg, Florida, in the same booming area. The dual retail centers are near the sister Timber Creek and Daniels Creek communities developed by Lennar, which will have a little over 2,900 homes. "The project represents a vital retail milestone for the rapidly expanding submarket bridging unincorporated Lee County and the western edge of Lehigh Acres. Positioned near the strategic convergence of State Road 82 and Daniels Parkway/Gunnery Road, Creekside Marketplace is designed to address the immense residential influx and rooftop growth that has surged across the corridor in recent years," said Paige Rausch, a commercial real estate and land analyst at Aslan Realty Advisors in Fort Myers. Situated on about 41 acres, Creekside is a planned 250,000-square-foot retail and medical-office destination with 11 outparcels. The planned development reflects Sembler’s longstanding approach:

Lee County, FL · 3d

The Cool Down

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'Affordable' rent in Florida county runs as much as $1,800 a month for single-bedroom apartment

"I live on a fixed income, and it's just not enough for me anymore."

Collier County, FL · 3d

WINKNEWS.com

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Naples senior living community hosts blood drive ahead of winter season

NAPLES, Fla. (WINK) — As Collier County prepares to welcome more seasonal residents and visitors, a Naples senior living community held a blood drive to encourage donations for patients who depend on transfusions. The Glenview at Pelican Bay hosted a blood drive with OneBlood on Thursday inviting residents, employees...

Naples, FL · 1d

gulfshorebusiness.com

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Tim Aten Knows: Vet Center, preschool coming to North Naples

Q: Do you know what they are building on Immokalee Road next to Cornerstone Church? – Pete Spagnuolo Jr., Naples. A: Site work began in September for a veterans center and a preschool planned on Immokalee Road lots in front of Cornerstone United Methodist Church, immediately east of Gulf Coast High School in North Naples.

Naples, FL · 1d

Naples Daily News

partner publisher · 28.0K followers

Veterans Day parades, events in Naples, Marco Island, Bonita Springs

This year's Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, Nov. 11, and there are many Southwest Florida parades, ceremonies, concerts and other events happening to mark the national holiday. Here are some of the best ways you can celebrate and honor our US military veterans in Naples, Marco Island, Bonita Springs and the rest of Southwest Florida (both on the holiday and the days before and after): NAPLES VETERANS DAY EVENTS Yellow Ribbon Family Day at Mercato This pre-Veterans Day celebration honors veterans and military families with a Veteran Tribute Speech Contest, games, raffles, a science fair, a bounce house, a martial-arts demonstration and an Honor Wall (where guests can write the name of a loved one or service member). Flags and copies of the U.S. Constitution will be handed out. Noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8. Free. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. The event lawn at Mercato, 9118 Strada Place, North Naples. experiencemercato.com/events/yellowribbonfamilyday Naples Velo Veterans Day Ride This 28-mile bicycle ride honors all those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. If riders are riding in memory or recognition of a veteran, they’re encouraged to display that person’s initials on their arm or on a note pinned

Naples, FL · 2d

miamitimesonline.com

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Recount looms for razor-close CD 27 race as nearby CD 26 clash remains out of range for now

South Florida’s congressional suspense will likely stretch into the weekend. A recount in Florida’s 27th Congressional District cannot begin before Saturday, Nov. 7. The neighboring contest in Florida’s 26th Congressional District remains unresolved, but its current margin exceeds the threshold for an automatic recount. Miami-Dade Supervisor of...

Florida · 1d

WINKNEWS.com

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Fire districts face tough choices after Amendment 3

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. (WINK) — With Amendment 3 approved by Florida voters, independent fire districts across Southwest Florida are preparing for a potential loss of millions of dollars in property tax revenue. Bonita Springs Fire Chief Greg DeWitt says departments will have to find ways to balance their budgets while continuing to respond to emergencies.

Bonita Springs, FL · 1d

Miami Herald

partner publisher · 261.8K followers

Báez-Geller defeats Basabe in Florida House race, returns to public office

Democrat Lucia Báez-Geller defeated incumbent Republican Fabián Basabe for Florida House District 106, returning to elected office after serving on the Miami-Dade County School Board. Báez-Geller taught at Miami Beach Senior High School for 15 years before entering elected public service. “I am honored that our community has once again trusted me to serve, and I am so grateful to my family, friends, volunteers, and supporters,” Báez-Geller said in a statement. “As a mother and an educator, I know how much families are counting on us. I’m proud to return to public service and continue the work that brought me into the classroom and onto the School Board.” Basabe had numerous confrontations outside a Miami Beach polling location during early voting, squaring off with campaign volunteers, a police officer and even the Miami-Dade mayor, records and videos show. Florida House District 106 covers coastal communities in northeastern Miami-Dade County, including Miami Beach, Surfside, Sunny Isles Beach and Aventura.

Miami-Dade County, FL · 3d