CHERYL FERRARA

Members of Marco Island's Waterways Advisory Committee saw hopes dwindle Thursday for completing revisions to the city's "seawalls and revetments" ordinance. The group has been working on the document for a number of months. The committee planned to discu

Debbie Roddy told members of her committee "if you don't ask, you won't get." On Wednesday, the Marco Island Beach Advisory Committee learned Roddy asked City Council to fund the group's 2014 initiatives. "It looks like the $4,400 will be ...

City Councilor Larry Sacher asked Marco Island's Code Compliance Board to penalize the owners of 387 Edgewater Court to the fullest extent. The board considered a complaint Tuesday on the property's non-compliant driveway/parking area. Sacher spoke on the

As much as Nancy Richie, Marco Island environmental specialist, loves nature, on Thursday she had to ask the question: Why did it have to be snakes? Richie received a call at 11 a.m. from Mike Gee at Marco Island's Waste ...

Hideaway Beach moved more than sand Thursday to complete its erosion control project. During its funding discussions, the Hideaway Beach's Tax District Board moved $190,898 from reserves to pay expenses as it repairs its north beach.

Marco Island's City Council wants to replace City Manager Jim Riviere quickly and confidentially. On Monday, both possibilities were discussed. Riviere announced his retirement on April 18 after serving the city for more than three years. Councilors voted

A vote Friday to deny changes to storage rules in the C-4 zoning district ran its course. However, earlier during Planning Board's meeting, a vote questioning whether to hear the issue raised considerable debate. The request to extend self-storage to ...

In a decision that stunned the room and brought Thursday's meeting to an abrupt close, the Isles of Capri Fire Advisory board voted 3-2 to reject a consolidation proposal from East Naples. "It was a surprise," said Collier County Commissioner ...

If a series of coincidences sparked Marco Island City Manager Jim Riviere's resignation, Councilor Larry Honig says he did not strike the match. Unfolding events during the week of April 15 may have led some to speculate about the city ...

It's the perfect storm of a narrow creek, swift water and bad boating, law agencies agreed. The combination has resulted in at least four serious boating accidents with some damage to Villa de Marco West's dock, said Ben Farnsworth, the ...

Setting its agenda for next year, Marco Island's Beach Advisory Committee chose enforcing "no live shelling" laws as its primary objective Wednesday. Beach stewards have observed live conchs being pulled from their shells and cut up for bait. On Marco ...

Marco Island's Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee discussed final dates at its Tuesday meeting. The last winter concert at Mackle Park is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 21. The final Farmers Market in Veterans' Park will be held ...

The City of Marco Island declined Wednesday to offer a plan for assuming operating responsibilities for Isles of Capri Fire District. The response answered a letter sent by the Collier County manager's office on March 11 soliciting proposals. Requests wer

Although not part of council's agenda, discussion on repairing or replacing Smokehouse Bridge returned to the fore Monday at Marco Island City Council. Councilor Larry Honig pointed to the bridge as a major capital expense council still needed to address.

Mark and Melissa Burger mounted their bicycles Sunday, looking forward to touring Marco Island for the first time. They drove to the island from Lake Mary, Fla., and stayed at a local hotel to be sure they were up and ...

Queries, volleys, and definitions of what was said and what was meant filled the Isles of Capri Fire Board meeting Thursday. The meeting was held in the Isles of Capri Community Room. In the end, the board and a small ...

Two erosion control and sand replenishment projects on Marco Island's beach are on schedule. Nancy Richie, city environmental specialist, delivered the report as she accompanied the Beach Advisory Committee Tuesday to review progress on the projects. On s

In an act of civil disobedience, Marco Island theater owner Nick Campo refused to renew his grease trap permit. For his failure, Campo was called before the city's Code Compliance Board Tuesday to explain why. His plea to the board ...

Mike Kelly, Sr., whose son owns Progressive Auto Storage, left Planning Board without persuading anyone he should be given conditional use for mini-storage in his son's "car condo." Mario Rizzo, owner of Rizzo Storage and Industrial, was so upset by ...

In a meeting of the minds, Marco Island City Manager Jim Riviere joined the Beautification Advisory Committee Monday to offer understanding and a little guidance. He gave the nod for the group to develop a budget. He fell short of ...

Staging began on Marco Island last week for Hideaway Beach's sand renourishment and erosion control. Dredges and pipes have been placed in the area to prepare for pumping sand. The sand will be placed on the north end of Hideaway ...

In a week when the world celebrated the coming of spring, a team of doctors and nurses "sewed" seeds of hope into the hearts of 10 Haitian children. During a medical mission last week, parents of children ages two to ...

Sidestepping another U.S. Constitutional issue, Marco Island's City Council chose not to consider a draft resolution Wednesday. The document urged the Federal government to withhold voting rights for illegal immigrants. It would have denied the right to v

The Marco Island Beautification Advisory Committee has so many items it wants to complete that on Monday it considered asking for a place in the city's budget. The discussion resulted from a mix of enthusiasm and frustration. It's been a ...

The blueprint for a new building at Mackle Park gave Marco Island City Councilors a lot to chew on Monday. The city's Parks and Recreation Department unveiled a new concept for Mackle Park's community center. Originally, the center adopted in ...

Just like waiting for the mail, Marco Island has been waiting for the return of Walt Willey as Andrew Makepeace Ladd III in A. R. Gurney's "Love Letters." The consummate actor, Willey debuted last year with the Island Theater Company ...

The phrase "buyer beware" could apply to all properties not yet connected to the city's sewer system. Connection is required of Marco Island homeowners one year from notification that their district has been completed. The Code Compliance Board learned Tu

Hoping to take pressure off Marco Island's south beach, the city and Collier County's parks department have teamed up to make Tigertail Beach a drivers' destination. They are hoping new directional signs will do the trick. Joe Irvin, city zoning ...

Watching beach houses on Plum Island, Mass., fall into the sea last week must have hit home for residents in Hideaway Beach's 5000 and 6000 buildings. For years they have seen Marco Island's northern beachhead in front of their condominiums ...

Marco in Bloom, a citywide landscaping contest, is open to those with green thumbs aching to be noticed and proud of it. Linda Colombo is spearheading the event for the Beautification Advisory Committee. She reported Wednesday the contest is wide ...

Appraisals of City Manager Jim Riviere ranged from a low of fair to a high of outstanding during Marco Island's City Council Monday. Even with no failing grades, council refused to approve a pay raise for the city's CEO. The ...

Why boats are anchoring near the Esplanade or in Factory Bay is a question some residents want answered. On Friday, Marco Island's Planning Board attempted to address their concerns. A sailboat anchored in Smokehouse Bay may have a right to ...

One of the oldest continuous businesses on Marco Island, the Marco Eagle, is marking its 45th anniversary with a mini-celebration to thank its patrons and the community. As part of the island's "Thursdays at the Esplanade" music and libations, the ...

Coming on the heels of a unanimous vote for Second Amendment support by Collier County Commissioners, the mood Tuesday night at Marco Island's Second Amendment Town Hall was empowered. The Collier County Commission vote came just one week after a ...

Along with beach renourishment on Marco's south beach, the county plans to build a better restroom facility to replace the "two-holer" in its south beach parking lot. Barry Williams, director of county parks and recreation, made the announcement Thursday

Sand will start flowing in March onto Marco Island's south beach as a $1.57 million project to renourish the beach and repair breakwaters and jetties gets underway. The project will be paid for using Tourist Development Council funds. The preconstruction

Members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee believe lightning detection at city parks is long overdue. Greg West explained at Tuesday's meeting that coaches use handheld lightning detectors for games at Winterberry Park, but their accuracy and

Jane Watt stared through the windshield of her SUV and frowned at the rain. Wet weather meant a temporary work delay for finishing the Marco Island Academy campus by opening day, March 18. Members of the school's construction committee met ...

A tearful plea for Second Amendment support from a victim of armed robbery hushed the crowd as Marco Island's City Council considered its place in history on gun control. When the audience was asked if anyone stood against the Second ...

Councilmen who did not favor the resolution pointed to their oaths of office that require them to uphold the Constitution. They said they found the resolution redundant.

Capri's Community Center was rich with dignitaries Friday as residents of the Isles of Capri Fire Control District continued discussing their future during a public workshop. In attendance were Fire Chiefs Mike Murphy, Kingman Schuldt, Alan McLaughlin and

Members of Marco Island’s Fire/Police Pension Board were “high fiving” Thursday as they reviewed 2012 investment results. Both pensions performed better than expected. That performance could affect the amount the city is req

City Manager Jim Riviere said he wants more transparency in government. That’s why on Wednesday the Beautification Advisory Committee became the first of seven advisory groups to meet in the Community Room where their action

Gun rights supporters rallied Monday at Marco Island’s City Council meeting to bring forward a resolution they hope the city will endorse. Applause and cheers succeeded a reading of a nullification document followed by an ex

Marco Island’s newly seated Planning Board learned Friday that one decision meant to do something right for the island may have resulted in unintended consequences. A parking ban imposed last summer on seven streets leaves n

It’s easy to see why Police Officer Al Schettino works well with small folks. When he smiles, children love him. His teddy bear friendliness wrapped in a blue uniform with badges, multiple two-way radios, a taser and gun are

Division Chief Don Jones said he just does his job, but fellow Marco Island firefighters didn’t agree with him. What they saw was a member of their crew that went far beyond daily requirements. Those actions spoke louder tha

Given his past experience and education, Guillermo Polanco says he’s ready to take on the challenge of serving as finance director for the City of Marco Island. On Friday, he outlined his goals and overriding vision, detaili

County Attorney Jeff Klatzkow used phrases such as “dead on arrival,” “4-1 against” and “commissioners will never allow autonomy” to dissuade Isles of Capri Fire District residents from choosing to draft an ordinance amendme

Hideaway Beach will be seeking $415,000 for erosion control from the county’s general fund. Michael Poff, consultant from Coastal Engineering, determined the amount would support proportionality, a ratio to equate future cos