Fort Myers Beach, Florida - News and Info From The Beach

POLL: Powerball jackpot draws interest in Southwest Florida

GossipAdmin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:41:38 +0000

It’s a high jackpot. Just like the odds of winning it. At 5 million, the first Florida drawing for the 32-state Powerball jackpot at 10:59 tonight in Orlando is bound to make someone happy, area retailers included. On Sunday, when the new tickets were first issued, sales topped .5 million.

Parking lot dispute leads to battery arrest

GossipAdmin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:37:46 +0000

A 24-year-old man is behind bars after Naples police say he cut off a driver in the Coastland Center mall parking lot, confronted the driver and then punched him in the mouth.

Deputies: 45-year-old stole car from mom

GossipAdmin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:37:45 +0000

A 45-year-old man is facing a felony charge after Collier County sheriff’s deputies say he stole his mother’s car after she told him he wasn’t allowed to drive it anymore. Michael Warren Murphy, who reports say is homeless, was arrested Sunday and charged with grand theft auto.

Citizens committee approves plan for growth in rural Collier County

GossipAdmin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:37:45 +0000

A months-long review of Collier County’s rural growth plan wrapped up Tuesday, but the debate is only getting started. A citizens committee, meeting for the 23rd time since November 2007, voted unanimously to approve a report that could guide growth across 200,000 acres around Immokalee until 2050 and beyond.

Commission approves ‘insane’ housing development

LocalNewsMgr — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:37:39 +0000

Some people would call Lehigh Acres ground zero for the Southwest Florida foreclosure crisis as hundreds of homes there sit vacant. Still, Lee County Commissioners approved a 500-plus home development and the builder is excited about the prospect.

District’s budget shortfall could mean job eliminations

LocalNewsMgr — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:37:38 +0000

Southwest Florida’s largest employer is bracing for massive layoffs. The Lee County School District will soon be short tens of millions of dollars and that could mean the elimination of more than 400 jobs.

New health insurance program benefiting Floridians

LocalNewsMgr — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:37:37 +0000

For a lot of people, it’s easy to walk into the emergency room and get service because they’re insured. But for people without insurance, it’s not easy and it’s expensive. But now, a new statewide, low-cost, insurance program is making it easy - and affordable.

Citizens committee approves plan for growth in rural Collier County

GossipAdmin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:34:05 +0000

AARP survey: Retirees being hit hard by decline in investments

GossipAdmin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:34:05 +0000

One-third of American adults over the age of 45 are concerned about being able to make their mortgage or rent this year.
Fifty-five percent of respondents to a recent AARP survey are concerned about being able to pay their medical bills in the months ahead as the recession continues. From another perspective, 32 percent of respondents who are employed say they have stopped putting money into retirement accounts in the past 12 months, a big increase from 20 percent who said they had stopped two months before in October.

Collier, Lee schools honored for reading

GossipAdmin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:34:04 +0000

The Just Read, Florida! office recognized 13 school districts for being in the top 25 percent of all Reading First districts in the state. The Collier County and Lee County school districts are two of those top performing districts. The districts were honored for increased percentages of students reading at or above grade level and a reduction in the percentage of students with serious reading difficulties.