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Friday, Oct. 15
COLLIER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DECLINE PLAN FOR FOOD TRUCK PARK IN ISLE OF CAPRI
Collier County commissioners, acting as the Board of Zoning Appeals this week, unanimously overturned a staff recommendation that would have allowed a proposed food truck park to be built on Isles of Capri. The proposed local development on more than 2 acres of land zoned C-3 planned a park off Capri Boulevard with nine food trucks, two bars, outdoor seating, a dance area and amplified music. Commissioner Rock LoCastro made the motion to appeal the case based on what he said were issues regarding safety, noise, traffic, lighting, precedent and cohesion with the surrounding area. “I wouldn’t want to live anywhere near this type of facility,” says Commissioner Burt Saunders, noting that the issue probably will wind up in court. This type of business is not defined yet in the county’s land development code, Commissioner Bill McDaniel said. The commission directed staff to come back with LDC amendments regarding food truck parks in Collier County.
Thursday, Oct. 14
Video courtesy of WINK News
NEW FORT MYERS POLICE STATION PUSHED BACK BY PRICE TAG, COUNCIL DEBATE
Fort Myers was prepared to build a much-needed new police station, but multiple factors—a new mayor, a new city council, a pandemic and, most of all, the price—have led to talk of scrapping that plan. The Fort Myers Police Department demonstrates an urgent need for a new location, which was supposed to be in the former headquarters of the News-Press building at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Fowler Street. New plans would have completely transformed the building, but the cost of renovating it went from about $34 million to more than $80 million. Councilmember Teresa Watkins Brown says the city needs to move ahead with the old News-Press site but thinks some of the money could possibly be made up in the future by moving City Hall to the same place and selling off the current City Hall, an idea Councilmember Liston Bouchette also brought up. Councilmember Fred Burson says he will have a hard time voting for the additional cost, but he might be persuaded, WINK News reports.
Wednesday, Oct. 13
MATILDA JANE CLOTHING OPENS CORPORATE HQ IN FORT MYERS
Matilda Jane Clothing, a girls’ and women’s apparel brand, is opening its new corporate headquarters in Fort Myers, with a ribbon-cutting celebration at 3 p.m. on Friday at 12501 World Plaza Lane, building 51. Donna Noce Colaco is the CEO and executive chairwoman of the business. The Matilda Jane brand, which began in 2005 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, sells clothing for girls and women through its network of independent entrepreneurs known as Trunk Keepers. In addition to its fashion offering, Matilda Jane empowers women to become business owners and support each other through a network of other female entrepreneurs. The brand has given more than 2,000 women (or Trunk Keepers) the foundation to build businesses in their communities.
Tuesday, Oct. 12
SOME SOUTHWEST AIRLINES FLIGHTS STILL CANCELED OR DELAYED MONDAY
Following a weekend where Southwest Airlines canceled 1,800 flights across the country, some cancellations continued Monday at Southwest Florida International Airport, but about half of Southwest’s flights were on time, RSW flight data shows. Of Southwest’s 20 arrivals scheduled Monday to RSW, flights were canceled from Baltimore, Chicago, Pittsburgh and St. Louis. Five other flights were delayed from Baltimore, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Kansas City and Nashville. For Southwest’s 19 departing flights Monday, only two to Houston and Pittsburgh were canceled. Five flights were delayed. According to Southwest Airlines, the cancellations and delays were caused by a combination of air traffic control issues and weather challenges at Florida airports.
Monday, Oct. 11
LEE HEALTH AWARDED $3.2 MILLION TO ADDRESS HEALTH DISPARITIES
The U.S. Health Resource Services Administration (HRSA) has awarded Lee Health $3.2 million to fund efforts by Lee Community Healthcare to address health disparities in the community. Created by Lee Health, Lee Community Healthcare is a community health center that provides primary medical care to the medically uninsured and economically distressed residents of Southwest Florida. The funds from the HRSA grant will be used over the next two years for several initiatives, including to help fund salaries and benefits for staffing of the planned expansion of the Dunbar Lee Community Healthcare office; establish a mobile medicine program in partnership with a local organization; create six telemedicine hubs in facilities serving underserved communities and streamline the referral process for smoking cessation services for Lee Community Healthcare patients.
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