• VIDEO/POLL: Proponents, opponents of Hometown Democracy lay out pros, cons of amendment Published 03/09/2010 at 8:08 p.m.

  Voting for it has been called a move to “put the power back into the people’s hands” and “pulling the pin on a hand grenade for the state of Florida.” Either way, both sides agree — voters need to make ...

• Complaint says Naples Tea Party in violation of election laws Updated 03/09/2010 at 10:49 a.m. 7 Comments

  In the complaint, Naples resident John Lundin argued that the Naples Tea Party is in violation of the Florida Division of Elections laws for not filing as a political committee.

• Collier superintendent calls state bill requiring merit pay for teachers a disaster Updated 03/08/2010 at 7:37 p.m.

  Senate Bill 6, which is co-sponsored by Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, would require school districts to adopt performance pay models for their teachers.

• Oscar party: Naples film fest organizers start off year by hosting fundraiser Published 03/07/2010 at 9:06 p.m.

  The Naples International Film Festival wanted to kick off the 2010 season in a big way. So, it rolled out its own red carpet and, appropriately, held an Oscar party and fundraiser Sunday evening at Absinthe in North Naples.

• Report: Florida, Collier fire more new teachers than national average Published 03/07/2010 at 4:23 p.m.

  Florida’s education system fires more new teachers than the national average, but is slower to fire teachers who have been granted contracts, similar to tenure in other states.

• Helicopter rescues person in Naples Bay, but it was just a Port City drill Published 03/06/2010 at 6:48 p.m.

  The Coast Guard Auxiliary held its 12th annual Port City Day on Saturday at the Naples City Dock. The event promotes the Coast Guard’s work in Southwest Florida.

• After months of preparation, Collier schools ready for upcoming FCAT tests Published 03/05/2010 at 7:15 p.m.

  Collier County students in grades three to 11 will take the Florida Comprehensive Test beginning Tuesday. The scores, which will be released later this year, will determine grades for Collier County schools and will be used to determine whether the ...

• VIDEOS/PHOTOS: 6 Collier teachers surprised with Golden Apple Awards Updated 03/03/2010 at 6:54 p.m. 2 Comments

  Each of the Golden Apple recipients receives $2,000 from the Mary Ingram Fund of the Columbus Foundation, an engraved Golden Apple and other gifts from the community.

• New health care plan will require Collier School District employees to get blood tests Published 02/28/2010 at 6:03 p.m.

  The Collier County School District will roll out its new health care insurance program for employees this week. Officials say the program will make employees healthier and reduce costs but some employees worry that the plan will give the district ...

• Practice makes perfect: Local teen selected for Carnegie Hall Published 02/26/2010 at 9:01 p.m.

  If you ask Adam Zhang how to get to Carnegie Hall, he certainly knows the answer. Practice, practice, practice.

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