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1 week ago | 
coastalbreezenews.com | Kelly Farrell
Unpaid code enforcement fines mount on Marco Island. Documents reveal a significant gap in city and building code violations issued versus collected each year. According to a document shared by City of Marco Island Finance Director Guillermo Polanco, in the past year, there were approximately $1.6 million in fines invoiced and approximately $12,000 collected, thus far. City staff explained that the document didn’t reveal the full picture.
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2 weeks ago | 
naplespress.com | Kelly Farrell
Local News
Bursting with life amid invasive plant removal Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is bursting with life this year with the management of invasive plants. During the unusually dry season, wildlife enthusiasts enjoyed roseate spoonbills, alligators, ibis, herons, raccoons and numerous other animals congregating at the remaining watering hole of the Sanctuary located in northeastern Collier County.
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2 weeks ago | 
coastalbreezenews.com | Kelly Farrell
Sitting with Jack Shealy in his home studio in rural Ochopee is a bit like getting a backstage pass to the music and to his culture. The house, filled with keepsakes, family portraits, and mementos, was built by his grandparents in 1979. It overlooks a lake adjacent to his Trail Lakes Campground, which hosts music events like the Everglades Root Festival.
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2 weeks ago | 
coastalbreezenews.com | Kelly Farrell
A proposed rock mine turned water reservoir in the Everglades has people conflicted on what is best for economics and the environment. The proposed public-private partnership - Southland Water Resource Project - is lauded by some as an environmental savior and by others as a detriment. Similarly, some argue it’s an economic disaster for the public while others say it’s a financial boon. “We need the jobs here in the area,” said Janet Taylor, founder of Clewiston-based Glades Lives Matter.
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3 weeks ago | 
coastalbreezenews.com | Kelly Farrell
Noise complaints and differing perspectives on the need to improve wastewater treatment sparked ongoing debates with Marco Island City Council during their meeting on Monday, June 2. Both topics will continue to be discussed at upcoming public hearings, with a noise ordinance being drafted and an upcoming public workshop, scheduled for 1:00 PM on July 7, considering advanced wastewater treatment and to address water quality issues overall.
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1 month ago | 
coastalbreezenews.com | Kelly Farrell
Captain Mitch House maneuvers a small fishing boat through mangrove tunnels as an odor stings the nose and dead fish float upon the surface water in the Western Everglades. He, his wife of 20 years, Janette House, and daughter Kaitlyn House, 19, have just moved from their airboat tour business, located along U.S. 41 just west of Carnestown. Now, they are offering fishing tours out of their hometown of Everglades City instead. “There’s a speed bump,” said Kaitlyn to her dad, helping him navigate.
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1 month ago | 
coastalbreezenews.com | Kelly Farrell
Marco Island City Council chose to move forward with noise restrictions while supporting new electronic signs and staff raises during their meeting on Monday night. City Staff RaisesStaff raises of four percent were approved by Council 6-1 with Chairman Erik Brechnitz opposing. “We would still be below the market in some areas,” Assistant City Manager Casey Lucius said. “We believe this is a fair recommendation,” she added.
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1 month ago | 
coastalbreezenews.com | Kelly Farrell
Marco Island’s bike path advisory committee dissolved on Monday as City staff recommended its compliance with Sunshine Laws. “Some of the issues we wanted to kind of course correct for was compliance with the Sunshine Laws,” said City Clerk Joan Taylor during Monday night’s Council meeting. Just as Taylor presented the changes necessary to bring the longstanding committee into compliance with Sunshine Laws, Council dissolved the Committee instead.
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1 month ago | 
coastalbreezenews.com | Kelly Farrell
Moments after Marco Island received an environmental award Monday night for its exemplary reclaimed water, concerned citizens warned that the reuse water is contaminating canals. City Council is scheduling a workshop and considering purchase of advanced wastewater treatment to reduce pollutants, while also considering whether such an idea will go to a referendum or be decided by Council.
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1 month ago | 
coastalbreezenews.com | Kelly Farrell
Despite efforts to relieve a history of distrust between longtime Everglades residents and the government, an airboat family feels betrayed. "I feel I have been lied to by South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and all the board members,” said Mitchell House, an Everglades City resident and owner of Captain Mitch's Everglades Private Airboat Tours along U.S. 41, just west of Carnestown.
