Damas family killings

Full gallery »Dieu-Damas family photos

  • Photos from the funeral program of Guerline Dieu Damas and her five children - Meshach, 9, Maven, 6, Marven, 5, Megan, 3, and Morgan 19 months.
  • Photos from the funeral program of Guerline Dieu Damas and her five children - Meshach, 9, Maven, 6, Marven, 5, Megan, 3, and Morgan 19 months.
  • Photos from the funeral program of Guerline Dieu Damas and her five children - Meshach, 9, Maven, 6, Marven, 5, Megan, 3, and Morgan 19 months.
  • Photos from the funeral program of Guerline Dieu Damas and her five children - Meshach, 9, Maven, 6, Marven, 5, Megan, 3, and Morgan 19 months.
  • Photos from the funeral program of Guerline Dieu Damas and her five children - Meshach, 9, Maven, 6, Marven, 5, Megan, 3, and Morgan 19 months.
  • Photos from the funeral program of Guerline Dieu Damas and her five children - Meshach, 9, Maven, 6, Marven, 5, Megan, 3, and Morgan 19 months.

Photos from the funeral program of Guerline Dieu Damas and her five children - Meshach, 9, Maven, 6, Marven, 5, Megan, 3, and Morgan 19 months. The family was buried Saturday, October 3, 2009 at Palm Royal Cemetery & Mausoleum in North Naples.



Full gallery »Funeral for Damas family

  • Martineau Fleury, right, holds his wife, Netty Fleury, who is mourning for her sister, Guerline Dieu Damas and her five children, Zack, 9; Maven, 6; Marven, 5; Megan, 3; and Morgan, 19 months, as their coffins were being lowered into the ground Saturday at Palm Royale Cemetery & Mausoleum in Naples. Michel Fortier/Staff
  • Mackindy Dieu, left, and Netty Fleury, center, relatives of the Damas family, mourn as the coffins for the five family members slain two weeks ago, 32-year-old Guerline Dieu Damas, and her children, Zack, 9; Maven, 6; Marven, 5; Megan, 3; and Morgan, 19 months, were lowered in the ground Saturday at Palm Royale Cemetery & Mausoleum in Naples. Michel Fortier/Staff
  • Damas family relatives held funeral and burial services for the five family members slain two weeks ago, 32-year-old Guerline Dieu Damas, and her children, Zack, 9; Maven, 6; Marven, 5; Megan, 3; and Morgan, 19 months, Saturday at Palm Royale Cemetery & Mausoleum in Naples. Michel Fortier/Staff
  • Damas family relatives held funeral and burial services for the five family members slain two weeks ago, 32-year-old Guerline Dieu Damas, and her children, Zack, 9; Maven, 6; Marven, 5; Megan, 3; and Morgan, 19 months, Saturday at Palm Royale Cemetery & Mausoleum in Naples. Guerline's sister, Netty Fleury, center, tries to get one last look at the grave site before family members ushered her away from the burial site. Michel Fortier/Staff
  • Damas family relatives held funeral and burial services for the five family members slain two weeks ago, 32-year-old Guerline Dieu Damas, and her children, Zack, 9; Maven, 6; Marven, 5; Megan, 3; and Morgan, 19 months, Saturday at Palm Royale Cemetery & Mausoleum in Naples. Michel Fortier/Staff
  • Martineau Fleury, right, holds his wife, Netty Fleury, who is mourning for her sister, Guerline Dieu Damas and her five children, Zack, 9; Maven, 6; Marven, 5; Megan, 3; and Morgan, 19 months, as their coffins were being lowered into the ground Saturday at Palm Royale Cemetery & Mausoleum in Naples. Michel Fortier/Staff

The viewing and funeral service for Guerline Damas and her five children, Meshach, 9, Maven, 6, Marven, 5, Megan, 3, and Morgan, 19 months, at First Baptist Church of Naples followed by a burial at Palm Royale Cemetery in North Naples on Oct. 3, 2009. The six family members were found killed more than two weeks ago. The husband, Mesac Damas, is charged with six counts of first degree murder.



Your PrepZone Photos

Full gallery »Prep Football Week 10: Barron Collier Players Celebrate

  • The Barron Collier Cougars (8-1) won the 3A-12 title Friday by defeating the Lely Trojans 38-27. Barron Collier plays Gulf Coast in the Catfish Bowl next Friday and will play at home Nov. 20 against South Fort Myers in a Class 3A regional quarterfinal. Photo by naplesfrank
  • Jury Paulson and mom are all smiles after Barron Collier's victory over Lely for their 3rd district title in a row. Barron Collier Cougars (8-1) won the 3A-12 title Friday by defeating the Lely Trojans 38-27. Barron Collier plays Gulf Coast in the Catfish Bowl next Friday and will play at home Nov. 20 against South Fort Myers in a Class 3A regional quarterfinal. Photo by naplesfrank
  • The Barron Collier Cougars (8-1) won the 3A-12 title Friday by defeating the Lely Trojans 38-27. Barron Collier plays Gulf Coast in the Catfish Bowl next Friday and will play at home Nov. 20 against South Fort Myers in a Class 3A regional quarterfinal. Photo by naplesfrank
  • The Barron Collier Cougars (8-1) won the 3A-12 title Friday by defeating the Lely Trojans 38-27. Barron Collier plays Gulf Coast in the Catfish Bowl next Friday and will play at home Nov. 20 against South Fort Myers in a Class 3A regional quarterfinal. Photo by naplesfrank
  • The Barron Collier Cougars (8-1) won the 3A-12 title Friday by defeating the Lely Trojans 38-27. Barron Collier plays Gulf Coast in the Catfish Bowl next Friday and will play at home Nov. 20 against South Fort Myers in a Class 3A regional quarterfinal. Photo by naplesfrank
  • The Barron Collier Cougars (8-1) won the 3A-12 title Friday by defeating the Lely Trojans 38-27. Barron Collier plays Gulf Coast in the Catfish Bowl next Friday and will play at home Nov. 20 against South Fort Myers in a Class 3A regional quarterfinal. Photo by naplesfrank

The Barron Collier Cougars (8-1) won the 3A-12 title Friday by defeating the Lely Trojans 38-27. Barron Collier plays Gulf Coast in the Catfish Bowl next Friday and will play at home Nov. 20 against South Fort Myers in a Class 3A regional quarterfinal. Photos by naplesfrank



Full gallery »Prep Football Week 10: Naples & Golden Gate Bands

  • A scene from the Naples vs. Golden Gate high school football game on Nov. 6, 2009. Naples beat Golden Gate on senior night for the Golden Eagles. Photo by Toni Palumbo / via Participate
  • A scene from the Naples vs. Golden Gate high school football game on Nov. 6, 2009. Naples beat Golden Gate on senior night for the Golden Eagles. Photo by Toni Palumbo / via Participate
  • A scene from the Naples vs. Golden Gate high school football game on Nov. 6, 2009. Naples beat Golden Gate on senior night for the Golden Eagles. Photo by Toni Palumbo / via Participate
  • A scene from the Naples vs. Golden Gate high school football game on Nov. 6, 2009. Naples beat Golden Gate on senior night for the Golden Eagles. Photo by Toni Palumbo / via Participate
  • A scene from the Naples vs. Golden Gate high school football game on Nov. 6, 2009. Naples beat Golden Gate on senior night for the Golden Eagles. Photo by Toni Palumbo / via Participate


Amalia Mendoza

Full gallery »The Resurrection of Amalia Mendoza - Day 3

  • Amalia Mendoza, center, talks with family and friends while she waits in the Miami International Airport to fly back home to Colombia after being away for months. Greg Kahn/Staff
  • Amalia Mendoza steps off the airplane in Colombia with her son Antonio by her side. 'I feel normal and happy once more,' Mendoza said. Greg Kahn/Staff
  • Amalia Mendoza is greeted by friends and family after arriving in Colombia. 'When I arrived home there was a crowd of people awaiting me,' Amalia Mendoza said. 'Everyone who knows me was there asking me what had happened. It was very emotional and surprising. They barely recognized me and that made me feel great.' Greg Kahn/Staff
  • Amalia Mendoza, right, laughs with her mother, Rosa Solano, after she saw Mendoza for the first time with her new prosthetic face. 'She is more talkative,' Solano said. 'It definitely did her good. She is more willing to greet people and have conversations.' Greg Kahn/Staff
  • Amalia Mendoza, lower left, hands out gifts to family she bought in America while in her resaurant in Valledupar, Colombia. Greg Kahn/Staff
  • Amalia Mendoza is led around her now closed restaurant by friends as she spent her first day back home by seeing everyone she knew. Greg Kahn/Staff

The story of Amalia Mendoza who lost her face in a car accident in May 2001, and came to Naples, Fla. to have a prosthetic face made for her by David Trainer, one of the world's leading prosthetic makers.



Full gallery »The Resurrection of Amalia Mendoza - Details

  • The original prosthetic worn by Amalia Mendoza since her accident in May 2001. Greg Kahn/Staff
  • A tongue depressor is used as a handle as Dr. David Trainer makes a mold of Amalia Mendoza's face. Greg Kahn/Staff
  • Dr. David Trainer brushes the mold with implants made from Amalia Mendoza's face. Greg Kahn/Staff
  • A wax piece to begin to carve out the face of Amalia Mendoza as old images of her before the accident lay beside. Greg Kahn/Staff
  • Dr. David Trainer checks the look of Amalia's face as he builds the shape with wax. Greg Kahn/Staff
  • Dr. David Trainer blends powder and Silicon together to make the flesh tone for Amalia Mendoza's prosthetic face. Greg Kahn/Staff

Details from the process of making the prosthetic face for Amalia Mendoza, who lost her face in a car accident in May 2001, and came to Naples, Fla. to have a prosthetic face made for her by David Trainer, one of the world's leading prosthetic makers.



Naples Daily News Building

Full gallery »Flag raising ceremony at Naples News Media Group

  • Seventeen-year-old Dalton Chaney, of the Palmetto Ridge High School JROTC, raises a flag over the new Naples Daily News building on Immokalee Road during a ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, in Naples. David Albers/ Staff
  • Publisher Chris Doyle speaks during a flag raising ceremony at the new Naples Daily News building on Immokalee Road on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, in Naples. David Albers/ Staff
  • An American flag commissioned by the U.S. Army to be flown in Iraq flies over the new Naples Daily News building on Immokalee Road during a flag raising ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, in Naples. David Albers/ Staff
  • Naples Daily News editor Phil Lewis speaks during a flag raising ceremony at the new Naples Daily News building on Immokalee Road on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, in Naples. David Albers/ Staff
  • Naples Daily News editor Phil Lewis speaks during a flag raising ceremony at the new Naples Daily News building on Immokalee Road on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, in Naples. David Albers/ Staff
  • Publisher Chris Doyle speaks during a flag raising ceremony at the new Naples Daily News building on Immokalee Road on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, in Naples. David Albers/ Staff

Employees participate in a flag raising ceremony at the new Naples Daily News building on Immokalee Road.



Full gallery »Naples Daily News Building: June 2009

  • Glenn Williams, Naples Daily News' packaging and distribution manager, watches a trial run of the conveyor belt in the mailroom of the new building on June 17, 2009. The Daily News' offices have been in Naples since 1947 doubling its plants size twice since moving to its Central Avenue office in 1969. The new building is 186,503 square feet situated on 18 acres at 1100 Immokalee Road, behind the Granada Shoppes on U.S. 41 North in North Naples. It has 60,000 square feet of office space on two floors, and 120,000 square feet of production and warehouse space. The building is scheduled to open late summer.
  • Papers move down the conveyor belt in the mailroom of the Naples Daily News' new building on June 17, 2009 as the project nears completion. The Daily News offices have been in Naples since 1947 doubling its plants size twice since moving to its Central Avenue office in 1969. The new building is 186,503 square feet situated on 18 acres at 1100 Immokalee Road, behind the Granada Shoppes on U.S. 41 North in North Naples. It has 60,000 square feet of office space on two floors, and 120,000 square feet of production and warehouse space. The building is scheduled to open late summer.
  • Martin Jota cleans one of the pieces of equipment in the mail room where the newspaper and direct mail is packaged at the Naples Daily News' new location on June 17, 2009. The Daily News offices have been in Naples since 1947 doubling its plants size twice since moving to its Central Avenue office in 1969. The new building is 186,503 square feet situated on 18 acres at 1100 Immokalee Road, behind the Granada Shoppes on U.S. 41 North in North Naples. It has 60,000 square feet of office space on two floors, and 120,000 square feet of production and warehouse space. The building is scheduled to open late summer.
  • Jeff Nassiff installs Systems Furniture on the ground floor of the Naples Daily News' new building on June 17, 2009. The new building is 186,503 square feet situated on 18 acres at 1100 Immokalee Road, behind the Granada Shoppes on U.S. 41 North in North Naples. It has 60,000 square feet of office space on two floors, and 120,000 square feet of production and warehouse space. The building is scheduled to open late summer.
  • Martin Jota cleans one of the pieces of equipment in the mail room where the newspaper and direct mail is packaged at the Naples Daily News' new location on June 17, 2009.
  • Test pages lay on a designer's desk as the new press at the Naples Daily News' new building is tested on June 17, 2009.

Photos of the construction of the new Naples Daily News building on June 17, 2009.



NAACP

Full gallery »Naples’ historically black churches

  • Pamela Sooknanan, 51, an elder at Triumph, sings a cappella during a Sunday service. “I communicate with God all the time, but my whole focus when I’m here is him, when I’m speaking and when I’m singing,” says Sooknanan, a member for 17 years.
  • Members clasp hands during a final song and prayer at Macedonia on Third Ave. N. in Naples. This church started in about 1929 near where Crayton Cove is now, a part of town formerly called Ditch Bank. By the ‘50s, Naples’ black families had moved to River Park to make way for development by the Cove. The church’s current home at 1006 Third Ave. N. opened in 1954, after the Watkins family, owners of the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, donated land.
  • Rev. Edward Stewart, left, greets usher Loren Bell, a member for six years. The nationwide church that this congregation belongs to began in 1787, when black members of a Pennsylvania church went to the front to pray and were pulled aside to make way for white members. Today, the Naples congregation welcomes members of all races.
  • Rev. Joseph Williams, 72, speaks from the pulpit with a picture of former pastor, Joseph Foster hanging on the wall of the modestly decorated sanctuary on Fifth Ave. N. in Naples. Williams has been a member of Triumph since 1958, when members met in a wooden building in McDonald’s Quarters in River Park. Now, encouraging young people to join is one of the church’s challenges.”You got to know how to deal with people and most important, show them love,” he says.
  • Rev. Warren Adkins, upper right, who has been a member of Macedonia for 58 years and its pastor for 36, sings The Lords Prayer over Kamora Johnson, 15, as she is held by members of the church, Alma Williams, left, and Barbara Denson during a Sunday service. Kamora’s father recently had heart surgery and she prayed to God to keep him safe, she said, after the service.
  • Sisters Heavenleigh Eugene, 7, left, and Sherleaz Eugene, 8, wait at the front door of Bethel AME to hand out programs for members who arrive for the church’s Black History Month Celebration.

In the 100 years since the founding of the NAACP in 1909, churches have played an important role in the push for equal rights. Today, they keep faith and history alive, providing support and positive role models as well as a place to confront social, religious and personal crises.



Full gallery »Reflect on NAACP's 100-year anniversary

  • Veronica Shoemaker, 79, former Fort Myers City Councilwoman, stands in an area that used to be called 'the bottoms.' The area, just north of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard near the railroad tracks, was where the black community lived in 'shanty homes.' The tracks separated black and white communities. 'There were laws against African Americans going west of the railroad tracks,' she says.
  • Wilson Bradshaw, president of Florida Gulf Coast University, remembers growing up in segregated schools in West Palm Beach. He marvels at how times have changed and how the NAACP has helped in evolution of equality.
  • David Bankston is the chief technology officer and co-founder of Neighborhood America, a technology company based in Naples.
  • Dr. Ann Knight, a former Fort Myers City Councilwoman, sits in an old school desk in the classroom where she attended first grade at the WIlliams Academy Black History Museum. The Williams Academy was the first government-funded school for black students in Fort Myers and now sits on Henderson Avenue just north of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in Fort Myers.
  • Ralph Anthony, a 16-year veteran of the Naples Police department, was the community policing officer for the River Park area in Naples for four years.
  • Oliver Phipps, the principal of Estates Elementary School in Golden Gate Estates, stands with students of every color after he gave a black history presentation. Phipps is the son of teachers. His mother was a third-grade teacher in a school with all black students and his father taught in an all white elementary school.


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