JOHANNA SOMERS

• Labor pains: A look at government job cuts in Collier-Lee, by the numbers and a human side Published 09/04/2011 at 6 a.m.

  The Daily News asked government agencies for their 2011 work force numbers and those from three to four years prior. Government agencies are required to report the numbers to federal officials in odd-numbered years. The numbers requested by the Daily ...

• Labor pains: Marco Island not reporting its work force breakdown, feds not reacting Published 09/03/2011 at 4:59 p.m. 13 Comments

  If you want to know the racial breakdown of employees working for the city of Marco Island, don’t ask either the city or the federal agency that’s supposed to monitor it. Marco Island, which employed 225 as of June 19, ...

• 'Tis the tax-holiday season: Retailers hope school shoppers spark sales Published 08/10/2011 at 5:46 p.m.

  The back-to-school sales tax holiday starts at midnight on Friday morning and runs through Sunday. Consumers will be exempt from a 6 percent state sales tax and a local sales tax on clothes under $75 and school supplies under $15.

• Gold prices on the rise, but local investors advise caution Published 08/08/2011 at 8:48 p.m.

  “I wouldn’t take a lot of money out of the bank and buy gold,” said Terry Rand, president of Rand Financial Advisors LLC in Naples. “All those things are bubbles that are likely to burst eventually and could go down ...

• Desde el lunes, los desempleados de la Florida deberán aplicar por desempleo por Internet Published 08/01/2011 at 12:37 p.m.

  Ahora, quienes están sin empleo deberán buscarse una computadora con conexión al Internet para solicitar su compensación por desempleo.

• Lee commissioners to weigh $7 million of incentives for 3 companies Published 07/31/2011 at 5 p.m.

  Lee County commissioners are to keep economic development efforts moving forward when they vote Tuesday on a total of $7 million of incentives for job creation, including one package that could go to Chico’s FAS Inc. One involves initial approval ...

• As of Monday, Florida jobless must file for unemployment online - POLL Published 07/31/2011 at 12:11 p.m.

  Now the jobless must find a computer to file for unemployment compensation. Starting Monday, Floridians are required to file new claims and continued claims over the Internet.

• Handel's opening first Florida ice cream shop in Bonita Springs Published 07/27/2011 at 5:28 p.m.

  A northeast Ohio legend will soon look to scoop up Southwest Florida ice cream customers. Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream and Yogurt plans to open in Bonita Springs in September at 3440 Renaissance Blvd., off U.S. 41. It will be Handel’s ...

• Region's water supplies not prone to tainting like Portland's was by one man's action Published 07/23/2011 at 3 p.m. 2 Comments

  Accidents can happen, as the people of Portland, Ore., know all too well. But overall, Southwest Florida utilities officials are confident in the security of the local drinking water supply.

• Employment experts: A jobless status hurts chances of landing a job Published 07/22/2011 at 8:24 p.m.

  Not having a job is tough enough. But employment recruiters are saying being jobless makes finding another one even tougher.

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