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CHAD GILLIS

Title: Multimedia Journalist
Contact: 239-213-6031 | Send CHAD an email

Recent Work

Bonita Springs pushes to take over ambulance service Published 10/05/2011 at 9:20 p.m.
Lee County handles ambulance services inside the city, but fire officials have been fighting to provide ambulance services themselves.
Lee commissioners reviewing Twins spring training complex Updated 10/04/2011 at 3:03 p.m.
Amid all the hoopla surrounding the $75 million JetBlue Park and the Red Sox facility, Lee County commissioners shifted their attention Tuesday to the team across town.
Lee County looks to crack down on scrap metal sales Published 10/03/2011 at 5:58 p.m.
Thieves banking on stealing air conditioning coils and copper wiring for income may want to scrap their business models if Lee County adopts an ordinance cracking down on scrap metal sales.
Catch of the day: Southwest Florida anglers show off the big ones: Sept. 29, 2011 Published 09/29/2011 at 6 a.m.
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Air conditioner contested as Bonita Springs Council approves $19.5 million budget Published 09/26/2011 at 5:51 p.m.
A $6,000 air conditioning unit was the only contested item during the final adoption of the 2011-12 Bonita Springs budget.
Catch of the day: Southwest Florida anglers show off the big ones: Sept. 22, 2011 Published 09/22/2011 at 6 a.m.
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Bonita Springs wants answers about future of the library Published 09/21/2011 at 2:12 p.m.
City Council voted 5-0 Wednesday in favor of a resolution they hope will force Lee County to either contribute to the library system or let Bonita Springs split off from the county system.
Former ATF agent joins the Bonita Springs mayoral race Published 09/19/2011 at 8:55 p.m.
Grothaus served as the ATF Special Agent in Charge for the state of Wyoming and has a master’s degree in management from Johns Hopkins University. “When I look at our budget it concerns me because we’ve had multiple years where ...
Catch of the day: Southwest Florida anglers show off the big ones: Sept. 15, 2011 Published 09/15/2011 at 6 a.m.
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New Lee redistricting plan appears to make commissioners, public happy Published 09/13/2011 at 7:34 p.m.
The new district boundaries, if approved, would put all of Estero with Bonita Springs, Fort Myers Beach and Punta Rassa — the area to the east of Sanibel Causeway and south of the Caloosahatchee River. San Carlos Park will basically ...
Lee commissioners look to give local companies preference in bidding process Published 09/12/2011 at 7:49 p.m.
“I’m looking for a mechanism that states clearly that we will use local vendors unless required by law,” Commissioner Tammy Hall said. “Our job isn’t to give folks work in Tampa. All things being equal, we should keep all that ...
Bonita fire commissioners approve $16 million budget; 16 leaving through early retirement Published 09/08/2011 at 7:44 p.m.
Chief Phil Kinsey said the district will actually save between $1 million and $1.6 million per year because of the early retirements. “We can’t give you an exact number until September 30,” Kinsey said, referring to the end date for ...
Catch of the day: Southwest Florida anglers show off the big ones: Sept. 8, 2011 Published 09/08/2011 at 10 a.m.
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Catch of the day: Southwest Florida anglers show off the big ones: Sept. 1, 2011 Published 09/01/2011 at 6 a.m.
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Fair or fowl? Lee County opts to not debate chicken ordinance Published 08/30/2011 at 5:28 p.m.
Ever thought about buying a flock of chickens and raising them in your yard as a cheap, ethical and sanitary alternative to buying meat and eggs at the grocery store?
City of Palms, emergency responders, helicopter on Lee County chopping block Published 08/29/2011 at 12:56 p.m.
City of Palms Park, emergency medical positions, mental health and substance abuse dollars and even the county’s back-up rescue helicopter may face the axe this year.
Catch of the day: Southwest Florida anglers show off the big ones: Aug. 25, 2011 Published 08/25/2011 at 6 a.m.
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City of Bonita changes employee titles, creates new position Published 08/24/2011 at 6:18 p.m.
Carl Schwing has only been on the job 11 weeks, but Bonita’s city manager has already put his stamp on the organization chart.
Estero planners seek $50,000 from Lee for development 'avalanche' Published 08/23/2011 at 12:21 p.m.
Estero exploded with growth in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and it's ripe for another boom.
Catch of the day: Southwest Florida anglers show off the big ones: Aug. 18, 2011 Published 08/18/2011 at 10:07 a.m.
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Linked by the LinC: Bus riders look forward to Collier/Lee connection Published 08/16/2011 at 6:41 p.m.
The Golden Gate accountant lost his job three years ago and has been unemployed since. Acosta sold his car last month and has been riding the Collier Area Transit system, which he says costs him about $5,000 less annually than ...
Bonita Springs boom: Plans revealed to build hundreds of new homes Published 08/12/2011 at 5:08 p.m.
It’s been nearly five years since a major development broke ground in the Bonita Springs area. That streak may come to an end later this year as Toll Brothers pursues a development order and, soon, building permits that could result ...
Catch of the day: Southwest Florida anglers show off the big ones: Aug. 11, 2011 Published 08/11/2011 at 6 a.m.
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Lee commissioners agree to hike utility rates in split vote Published 08/09/2011 at 8:34 p.m.
Public works director Doug Meurer said much of the money generated from the increase will be used for a $50 million upgrade to the Green Meadows Water Treatment Plant, which is located along Alico Road in south Lee County. “It’s ...
What's fare? Taxi drivers speak out about new Lee County regulations Published 08/09/2011 at 12:05 p.m.
The courthouse podium Tuesday looked like baggage claim at Southwest Florida International Airport during the height of tourism season.
Analyst spells out Lee County's transit problems Published 08/08/2011 at 6:16 p.m.
Lee County taxpayers are spending $12 million a year to supplement the Lee Tran system, and that figure won’t get much better in the next decade.
Catch of the day: Southwest Florida anglers show off the big ones: Aug. 4, 2011 Published 08/04/2011 at 1:02 p.m.
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Bonita Council agrees to continue Lee Tran funding Published 08/03/2011 at 7:56 p.m.
City Council voted 6 -1 in favor of maintaining an agreement for Lee Tran to operate Route 150 in Bonita Springs as well as the Fort Myers Beach Trolley, which runs from Fort Myers Beach to the Center of Bonita ...
Tongue & Chico's: Lee commissioners approve $1M grant for unnamed local company Published 08/02/2011 at 4:49 p.m.
Lee County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to give conditional approval for a $1 million economic grant for a unnamed local company. There has been speculation that company is Chico’s, a women’s clothing retailer based in Fort Myers.
FWC investigates dead black bear dumped in Estates Published 07/29/2011 at 2:39 p.m.
Fish and wildlife investigators are looking for information regarding a black bear that was found dead and wrapped in a tarp in Golden Gate Estates, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission reports.
Catch of the day: Southwest Florida anglers show off the big ones: July 28, 2011 Published 07/27/2011 at 8:35 p.m.
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11 dogs taken from Golden Gate Estates home up for adoption Saturday - PHOTOS Updated 07/27/2011 at 8:44 p.m.
“We’re trying to encourage people to fill out the application ahead of time so they can take the dogs home Saturday,” said DAS director Amanda Townsend.
Game on: Local restaurant owners applaud end to NFL labor dispute Published 07/25/2011 at 10:39 p.m.
“Every NFL Sunday is like a holiday for us volume-wise,” said Bob McCurry, general manager of the Big Al’s City Grill in Bonita Springs. “Obviously it’s the buzz everyone’s talking about. It’s great news for us, and really every restaurant ...
Lee Sheriff Mike Scott says he will run for another term in 2012 Published 07/22/2011 at 7:05 p.m.
Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott said Friday he intends to run for another term in the fall of 2012. He has not filed paperwork with the Lee County Supervisor of Elections, but he did confirm that he is committed to ...
PHOTOS: 49 dogs, including 29 puppies, surrendered during home eviction Published 07/21/2011 at 6:14 p.m.
Dozens of Labradors and golden retrievers filled the hallways and examination rooms of the Naples Humane Society after the dogs were taken during an eviction at a Golden Gate Estates home.
Catch of the day: Southwest Florida anglers show off the big ones: July 21, 2011 Published 07/20/2011 at 4:34 p.m.
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Owners of vacant lots on Marco could face $4,000 fee for sewer, water connections Published 07/18/2011 at 10:27 p.m. 1 Comment
The City Council voted 5-1 on Monday to hold a public hearing on Aug. 15 regarding the charging of vacant lot owners for sewer and water connections.
Law enforcement: Some segments of population still not buckling up Published 07/15/2011 at 8:18 p.m.
Although a 2010 Florida Department of Transportation study ranked Collier County tops in the state with an overall 94 percent seat belt usage rate — when it comes to seat belt usage, some segments of the population are more at ...
Catch of the day: Southwest Florida anglers show off the big ones: July 14, 2011 Published 07/13/2011 at 9:39 p.m.
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Budget squeeze: Bonita fire commissioners express support for millage rate increase Published 07/11/2011 at 11:14 p.m.
Bonita fire district commissioners voted 4 to1 Monday night to proceed with a 2.2353 millage rate for the fiscal year starting October 1. Commissioner Wayne Edsall dissented. The current millage is 1.999, well below the state-mandated max of 3 percent. ...
Catch of the day: Southwest Florida anglers show off the big ones: July 7, 2011 Published 07/07/2011 at 6 a.m.
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Developer seeks extension on massive new Bonita golf course community Published 07/06/2011 at 9:55 p.m.
The Ronto Group filed for the extension with the city of Bonita Springs for two projects well east of Interstate 75 that are permitted for nearly 2,000 housing units as well as a golf course and retirement community.
Naples cupcake baker’s reality show experience brief, but 'awesome' Published 07/05/2011 at 10:59 p.m.
During her prime time debut, Bayah Harrison said she wants “to win Cupcake Wars because I want to prove Naples can bake with the best.”
Two work trucks explode Friday morning within minutes Published 07/01/2011 at 4:03 p.m.
“We do regularly have explosions with these types of vehicles, but it was odd to have these two happen at nearly the same time,” North Naples Fire Assistant Chief James Cunningham said.
Catch of the day: Southwest Florida anglers show off the big ones: June 30, 2011 Published 06/30/2011 at 6 a.m.
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Hundreds turn out to remember FGCU student who drowned in campus lake Published 06/29/2011 at 10:41 p.m.
“When something like this happens, it happens to all of us,” FGCU President Wilson Bradshaw told the crowd. “Joel left an imprint on this university. The people here tonight are a testament to what he meant to Florida Gulf Coast ...
Sheriff’s Office reminds residents to lock up after rash of break-ins, thefts Published 06/27/2011 at 10:46 p.m.
Business in Bonita Springs, vehicles at Bonita Beach and homes and vehicles in San Carlos Park were all burglarized over the weekend according to Sheriff’s Office reports.
Landmark Miccosukee gift store burns, owner suspects faulty wiring Published 06/27/2011 at 10:27 p.m.
The smell of burnt wood hung in the humid afternoon air as Stoney Buster looked over his family’s gift store along the remote section of U.S. 41 East, about midway between Naples and Miami.
Catch of the day: Southwest Florida anglers show off the big ones: June 23, 2011 Published 06/23/2011 at 6 a.m.
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Father, son reunited after being separated for 60 years - PHOTOS Published 06/19/2011 at 6 a.m.
“I’m going to meet my son today for the first time in 60 years,” Tom Burke tells random strangers at Southwest Florida International Airport. They congratulate him. A few even follow to watch. A few minute later a California man ...
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