http://naplesnews.com/news/all_local/?partner=RSSnaplesnews.com Stories: Local Newsen-usall_local/news/all_local/?partner=RSShttp://naplesnews.com/feeds/headlines/all_local/2008-12-05T04:26:10.109065Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/naples-orchid-society-recognizes-members/?partner=RSSThree members of the Naples Orchid Society were awarded Certificates for Exceptional Service Thursday night at the annual Christmas potluck meeting. Norman Dolder and Tim and Gayle Nance were recognized for their exemplary service to the Society. Norm Dolder is a fairly recent member of the Society, but has contributed much time and effort in serving as the vice president in charge of programs. He also has participated as co-chairman of the annual orchid show for several years. webninjas@naplesnews.com (VIA PRESS RELEASE )Fri, 05 Dec 2008 04:02:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/naples-orchid-society-recognizes-members/?partner=RSSlocal1878412008-12-04T23:02:002008-12-04T23:02:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Three members of the Naples Orchid Society were awarded Certificates for Exceptional Service Thursday night at the annual Christmas potluck meeting. Norman Dolder and Tim and Gayle Nance were recognized for their exemplary service to the Society. Norm Dolder is a fairly recent member of the Society, but has contributed much time and effort in serving as the vice president in charge of programs. He also has participated as co-chairman of the annual orchid show for several years.Bonita Springs, FLNaples Orchid Society recognizes membersnaplesnews.comnaples-orchid-society-recognizes-membershttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/photos-blackjack-comes-immokalee/?partner=RSSSouthwest Florida’s first legal blackjack games began Thursday morning at the Seminole Immokalee Casino. The Immokalee casino is the third Seminole casino to offer the table game, following the debut in June at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood. At 9 a.m., the casino held a soft opening of blackjack tables in the casino. There was no promotion of Thursday’s opening. Seminole Tribe spokesman Gary Bitner said it’s typically done this way to make sure that everything was functioning property, especially since the holidays are near. TGiratikanon@Naplesnews.com (TOM GIRATIKANON, TRACY X. MIGUEL)Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:01:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/photos-blackjack-comes-immokalee/?partner=RSSlocal1878352008-12-04T22:01:002008-12-04T22:01:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Southwest Florida’s first legal blackjack games began Thursday morning at the Seminole Immokalee Casino. The Immokalee casino is the third Seminole casino to offer the table game, following the debut in June at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood. At 9 a.m., the casino held a soft opening of blackjack tables in the casino. There was no promotion of Thursday’s opening. Seminole Tribe spokesman Gary Bitner said it’s typically done this way to make sure that everything was functioning property, especially since the holidays are near.NAPLESTOM GIRATIKANONTRACY X. MIGUELDouble-down debut: Blackjack comes to Immokaleenaplesnews.comphotos-blackjack-comes-immokaleehttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/collier-residents-eligible-prescription-discount-c/?partner=RSSA new drug discount card is available to all Collier County residents, courtesy of the county’s Housing and Human Services Department. The Collier County Prescription Discount Card program does not replace private insurance but does provide discounts on drugs insurance does not cover. The card is available to anyone in the community. tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:42:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/collier-residents-eligible-prescription-discount-c/?partner=RSSlocal1878322008-12-04T21:42:002008-12-04T21:42:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008A new drug discount card is available to all Collier County residents, courtesy of the county’s Housing and Human Services Department. The Collier County Prescription Discount Card program does not replace private insurance but does provide discounts on drugs insurance does not cover. The card is available to anyone in the community.Bonita Springs, FL Collier residents eligible for prescription discount cardnaplesnews.comcollier-residents-eligible-prescription-discount-chttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/guadalupe-center-seeks-donations/?partner=RSSThe Guadalupe Center of Immokalee’s Holiday Gift Shop are in need of donations. Many children in Immokalee could face the holidays without gifts or a holiday meal. With the economy the way it is, director of client services Tricia Yeggy said, they are concerned that even the 1,100 children signed up for its gift shop will not receive much, let alone the children turned away. tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:41:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/guadalupe-center-seeks-donations/?partner=RSSlocal1878312008-12-04T21:41:002008-12-04T21:41:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008The Guadalupe Center of Immokalee’s Holiday Gift Shop are in need of donations. Many children in Immokalee could face the holidays without gifts or a holiday meal. With the economy the way it is, director of client services Tricia Yeggy said, they are concerned that even the 1,100 children signed up for its gift shop will not receive much, let alone the children turned away. Bonita Springs, FL Guadalupe Center seeks donationsnaplesnews.comguadalupe-center-seeks-donationshttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/collier-county-police-beat-dec-5-2008/?partner=RSS  tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:34:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/collier-county-police-beat-dec-5-2008/?partner=RSSlocal1878292008-12-04T21:34:002008-12-04T21:34:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008 Bonita Springs, FLCollier County Police Beat: Dec. 5, 2008naplesnews.comcollier-county-police-beat-dec-5-2008http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/lee-deputies-high-speed-pursuit-jewelry-heist-susp/?partner=RSSLee County deputies are in hot pursuit of suspects in a jewelry store heist at Bell Tower. Deputies were reaching speeds of up to 110 mph as they chased the suspects north on Interstate 75, according to reports on the scanners. tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:20:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/lee-deputies-high-speed-pursuit-jewelry-heist-susp/?partner=RSSlocal1878272008-12-05T00:01:002008-12-04T21:20:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Lee County deputies are in hot pursuit of suspects in a jewelry store heist at Bell Tower. Deputies were reaching speeds of up to 110 mph as they chased the suspects north on Interstate 75, according to reports on the scanners.Bonita Springs, FL4 armed suspects caught after three county high-speed chasenaplesnews.comlee-deputies-high-speed-pursuit-jewelry-heist-susphttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/photos-thousands-head-downtown-naples-enjoy-annual/?partner=RSSWearing a Santa hat, 9-year-old Gabriela Casado gasped when she saw Santa Claus arrive at the foot of a nearly 21-foot Christmas tree. Thousands of residents and visitors filled Fifth Avenue South in Naples to gaze at the 800-pound Colorado blue spruce tree from northern Michigan during the annual Christmas Walk and Festival of Lights on Thursday night. tmiguel@naplesnews.com (TRACY X. MIGUEL)Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:05:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/photos-thousands-head-downtown-naples-enjoy-annual/?partner=RSSlocal1878262008-12-04T21:05:002008-12-04T21:05:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Wearing a Santa hat, 9-year-old Gabriela Casado gasped when she saw Santa Claus arrive at the foot of a nearly 21-foot Christmas tree. Thousands of residents and visitors filled Fifth Avenue South in Naples to gaze at the 800-pound Colorado blue spruce tree from northern Michigan during the annual Christmas Walk and Festival of Lights on Thursday night.NAPLESTRACY X. MIGUELPHOTOS: Thousands head to downtown Naples to enjoy annual Christmas Walk and Festival of Lightsnaplesnews.comphotos-thousands-head-downtown-naples-enjoy-annualhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/first-us-planting-super-citrus-tree-will-be-southw/?partner=RSSYou might call them super trees. Citrus trees designed to combat canker and greening will soon go into the ground in Hendry County. It will be one of the first field tests of its kind in the country. Canker and greening are the most destructive and deadly diseases facing growers in the world today. lllayden@naplesnews.com (LAURA LAYDEN)Fri, 05 Dec 2008 01:05:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/first-us-planting-super-citrus-tree-will-be-southw/?partner=RSSlocal1878252008-12-04T20:05:002008-12-04T20:05:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008You might call them super trees. Citrus trees designed to combat canker and greening will soon go into the ground in Hendry County. It will be one of the first field tests of its kind in the country. Canker and greening are the most destructive and deadly diseases facing growers in the world today. NAPLESLAURA LAYDENFirst U.S. planting of ‘super’ citrus tree will be in Southwest Floridanaplesnews.comfirst-us-planting-super-citrus-tree-will-be-southwhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/marco-collier-leaders-talk-about-money/?partner=RSSA proposal by Marco Island leaders to bring in money for redevelopment of their downtown area was met with some skepticism during a joint meeting between Collier County commissioners and Marco Island City Council Thursday. imstackel@naplesnews.com (I.M. STACKEL)Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:43:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/marco-collier-leaders-talk-about-money/?partner=RSSlocal1878222008-12-04T19:43:002008-12-04T19:43:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008A proposal by Marco Island leaders to bring in money for redevelopment of their downtown area was met with some skepticism during a joint meeting between Collier County commissioners and Marco Island City Council Thursday. NAPLESI.M. STACKELCollier leaders skeptical about Marco Island proposal to raise moneynaplesnews.commarco-collier-leaders-talk-about-moneyhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/gateway-murder-trial-new-discovery-may-contradict-/?partner=RSSSix weeks following the mistrial in Fred Cooper’s original murder trial, prosecutors are working to buttress their case with new evidence that attempts to contradict Cooper’s original defense, public records show. Cooper, 30, is charged in the slayings of Gateway couple Steven and Michelle Andrews in 2005. His second trial begins in mid-February, four months after the original trial ended in a hung jury. The new trial will be held in St. Petersburg. sbeardsley@bonitanews.com (STEVEN BEARDSLEY)Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:36:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/gateway-murder-trial-new-discovery-may-contradict-/?partner=RSSbonita_news1878212008-12-04T19:36:002008-12-04T19:36:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Six weeks following the mistrial in Fred Cooper’s original murder trial, prosecutors are working to buttress their case with new evidence that attempts to contradict Cooper’s original defense, public records show. Cooper, 30, is charged in the slayings of Gateway couple Steven and Michelle Andrews in 2005. His second trial begins in mid-February, four months after the original trial ended in a hung jury. The new trial will be held in St. Petersburg. BONITA SPRINGSSTEVEN BEARDSLEYGateway Murder trial: New discovery may contradict Cooper’s defensenaplesnews.comgateway-murder-trial-new-discovery-may-contradict-http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/embattled-marco-island-city-manager-will-keep-his-/?partner=RSSIt once again resembled election season outside Marco Island City Hall this week as citizen Joe Granda handed out buttons saying “Give Steve a chance” and “I support Steve Thompson.” Granda said the buttons were made by “concerned citizens” over the weekend when Marco Islanders heard rumors of an attempted “coup” to oust City Manager Steve Thompson upon his six-month performance review by City Council. Thompson’s first day as City Manager was May 19. kelfarrell@yahoo.com (KELLY FARRELL)Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:18:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/embattled-marco-island-city-manager-will-keep-his-/?partner=RSSlocal1878192008-12-04T19:18:002008-12-04T19:18:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008It once again resembled election season outside Marco Island City Hall this week as citizen Joe Granda handed out buttons saying “Give Steve a chance” and “I support Steve Thompson.” Granda said the buttons were made by “concerned citizens” over the weekend when Marco Islanders heard rumors of an attempted “coup” to oust City Manager Steve Thompson upon his six-month performance review by City Council. Thompson’s first day as City Manager was May 19.MARCO ISLANDKELLY FARRELLPOLL: Embattled Marco Island city manager will keep his jobnaplesnews.comembattled-marco-island-city-manager-will-keep-his-http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/what-are-your-top-stories-2008-we-want-know/?partner=RSSIt was a big year for news in 2008, even if much of it wasn’t good. The local housing market continued its downward spiral and foreclosures continued to climb. Elections brought a new sheriff to Collier County and visits from vice presidential candidates Sarah Palin and Joe Biden. tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:58:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/what-are-your-top-stories-2008-we-want-know/?partner=RSSlocal1878182008-12-04T18:58:002008-12-04T18:58:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008It was a big year for news in 2008, even if much of it wasn’t good. The local housing market continued its downward spiral and foreclosures continued to climb. Elections brought a new sheriff to Collier County and visits from vice presidential candidates Sarah Palin and Joe Biden. Bonita Springs, FL What are your top stories of 2008? We want to know.naplesnews.comwhat-are-your-top-stories-2008-we-want-knowhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/childrens-hospital-receives-265000/?partner=RSSThe Naples Children and Education Foundation has awarded a $265,000 grant to the Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida to expand its child advocacy program in Collier County. tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:37:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/childrens-hospital-receives-265000/?partner=RSSlocal1878132008-12-04T18:37:002008-12-04T18:37:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008The Naples Children and Education Foundation has awarded a $265,000 grant to the Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida to expand its child advocacy program in Collier County.NAPLES Children’s hospital receives $265,000naplesnews.comchildrens-hospital-receives-265000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/jrotc-competition-palmetto-ridge-friday-and-saturd/?partner=RSSPalmetto Ridge will resemble a camp this weekend. There will be games, there will be camp fires and there will even be awards. But this isn’t like summer camp. It’s boot camp. tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:28:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/jrotc-competition-palmetto-ridge-friday-and-saturd/?partner=RSSlocal1878122008-12-04T18:28:002008-12-04T18:28:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Palmetto Ridge will resemble a camp this weekend. There will be games, there will be camp fires and there will even be awards. But this isn’t like summer camp. It’s boot camp. Bonita Springs, FL JROTC competition at Palmetto Ridge Friday and Saturdaynaplesnews.comjrotc-competition-palmetto-ridge-friday-and-saturdhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/mental-health-center-looks-collier-land-donation/?partner=RSSThe David Lawrence Center is looking to expand its programs someday in Immokalee and a first step is securing the land underneath its Immokalee satellite office. That means convincing the Collier County Commission to donate the land to the nonprofit mental health center with stipulations if the center were to pull its operations out of Immokalee. epfreeman@naplesnews.com (LIZ FREEMAN)Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:37:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/mental-health-center-looks-collier-land-donation/?partner=RSSlocal1878102008-12-04T17:38:002008-12-04T17:37:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008The David Lawrence Center is looking to expand its programs someday in Immokalee and a first step is securing the land underneath its Immokalee satellite office. That means convincing the Collier County Commission to donate the land to the nonprofit mental health center with stipulations if the center were to pull its operations out of Immokalee.NAPLESLIZ FREEMANMental health center looks for Collier land donationnaplesnews.commental-health-center-looks-collier-land-donationhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/collier-county-police-beat-dec-5-2008/?partner=RSS  tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:34:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/collier-county-police-beat-dec-5-2008/?partner=RSSlocal1878292008-12-04T21:34:002008-12-04T21:34:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008 Bonita Springs, FLCollier County Police Beat: Dec. 5, 2008naplesnews.comcollier-county-police-beat-dec-5-2008http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/gateway-murder-trial-new-discovery-may-contradict-/?partner=RSSSix weeks following the mistrial in Fred Cooper’s original murder trial, prosecutors are working to buttress their case with new evidence that attempts to contradict Cooper’s original defense, public records show. Cooper, 30, is charged in the slayings of Gateway couple Steven and Michelle Andrews in 2005. His second trial begins in mid-February, four months after the original trial ended in a hung jury. The new trial will be held in St. Petersburg. sbeardsley@bonitanews.com (STEVEN BEARDSLEY)Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:36:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/gateway-murder-trial-new-discovery-may-contradict-/?partner=RSSbonita_news1878212008-12-04T19:36:002008-12-04T19:36:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Six weeks following the mistrial in Fred Cooper’s original murder trial, prosecutors are working to buttress their case with new evidence that attempts to contradict Cooper’s original defense, public records show. Cooper, 30, is charged in the slayings of Gateway couple Steven and Michelle Andrews in 2005. His second trial begins in mid-February, four months after the original trial ended in a hung jury. The new trial will be held in St. Petersburg. BONITA SPRINGSSTEVEN BEARDSLEYGateway Murder trial: New discovery may contradict Cooper’s defensenaplesnews.comgateway-murder-trial-new-discovery-may-contradict-http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/lee-county-police-briefs-dec-5-2008/?partner=RSS  tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:14:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/lee-county-police-briefs-dec-5-2008/?partner=RSScrime1877972008-12-04T16:14:002008-12-04T16:14:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008 Bonita Springs, FLLee County Police Briefs: Dec. 5, 2008naplesnews.comlee-county-police-briefs-dec-5-2008http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/marco-island-police-briefs-dec-4/?partner=RSSPossession of marijuana Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:29:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/marco-island-police-briefs-dec-4/?partner=RSScrime1877852008-12-04T14:29:002008-12-04T14:29:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Possession of marijuana MARCO ISLANDMarco Island Police Briefs: Dec. 4 naplesnews.commarco-island-police-briefs-dec-4http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/02/soft-money-fails-stop-ray-judahs-re-election-secon/?partner=RSSSo-called soft money failed to take down Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah in 2008. Again. ckwhitehead@naplesnews.com (CHARLIE WHITEHEAD)Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:08:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/02/soft-money-fails-stop-ray-judahs-re-election-secon/?partner=RSSelection1875322008-12-02T00:08:002008-12-02T00:08:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008So-called soft money failed to take down Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah in 2008. Again.Bonita Springs, FLCHARLIE WHITEHEADSoft money fails to stop Ray Judah’s re-election a second timenaplesnews.comsoft-money-fails-stop-ray-judahs-re-election-secon