Photos by TRISTAN SPINSKI

  • Following a break in thunderstorms, an alligator lies in the shallow waters east of U.S. 41 in eastern Collier County on Tuesday afternoon. A series of heavy thunderstorms brought several inches of rain to Collier County on Tuesday afternoon, prompting the National Weather Service in Miami to issue a flood advisory for parts of Collier County on Tuesday evening. Tristan Spinski/Staff
  • Brien Spina, co-owner of Captain Brien's Off the Hook Comedy Club in Marco Island, expanded his seafood restaurant five years ago into a comedy club. Now it has become one of the premier destinations for comedians in southwest Florida - drawing in national acts like Tom Green, Lynne Koplitz, Jo Koy and Jackie Mason. Photo by Tristan Spinski
  • Captain Brien's Off the Hook Comedy Club in Marco Island on Friday, Jan. 29, 2010. The owners, Brien Spina and his father, Santo Spina, expanded their seafood restaurant five years ago into a comedy club. Now it has become one of the premier destinations for comedians in southwest Florida - drawing in national acts like Tom Green, Jo Koy and Jackie Mason. Photo by Tristan Spinski
  • Captain Brien's Off the Hook Comedy Club in Marco Island, expanded their seafood restaurant five years ago into a comedy club. Now it has become one of the premier destinations for comedians in southwest Florida - drawing in national acts like Tom Green, Lynne Koplitz, Jo Koy and Jackie Mason. Photo by Tristan Spinski
  • Santo Spina, left, and his son Brien Spina, co-owners of Captain Brien's Off the Hook Comedy Club in Marco Island, expanded their seafood restaurant five years ago into a comedy club. Now it has become one of the premier destinations for comedians in southwest Florida - drawing in national acts like Tom Green, Lynne Koplitz, Jo Koy and Jackie Mason. Photo by Tristan Spinski
  • Jo Koy performs at Captain Brien's Off the Hook Comedy Club in Marco Island on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010. Photo by Tristan Spinski
  • Crowds enjoy comedian Jo Koy's performance at Captain Brien's Off the Hook Comedy Club in Marco Island on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010. Photo by Tristan Spinski
  • People wait to be seated for the show at Captain Brien's Off the Hook Comedy Club in Marco Island on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010. Photo by Tristan Spinski
  • Brenda Cante, right, a server at Captain Brien's Off the Hook Comedy Club drops off drinks to customers before the show on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010. Photo by Tristan Spinski
  • Jo Koy performs at Captain Brien's Off the Hook Comedy Club in Marco Island on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010. Photo by Tristan Spinski
  • Jacquee Cabral, center, and her husband Corey Cabral, right, of Red Lodge, Mont., enjoy comedian Thai Rivera's performance as he opens up for Jo Koy at Captain Brien's Off the Hook Comedy Club in Marco Island on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010. Photo by Tristan Spinski
  • Bernice Ciaffone, right, and Alexandra Tors, both of Bonita Springs, examine a photographic display of the historic E.P. Nutting House during the grand opening of the Storter Art Collection, hosted by the Bonita Springs Historical Society at the Liles Hotel in Bonita Springs on Friday evening. The Storter Collection is comprised of a group of painting depicting the early history of Collier County. it will be on display at the Liles Hotel in Riverside Park in Bonita Springs through February of 2007. Tristan Spinski/Staff
  • Zachery Whittington, 9, of Bonita Springs, spent his Sunday afternoon fishing for snook on the docks behind the Liles Hotel in Riverside Park in Bonita Springs. The Bonita Springs City Council is considering approving its first lease for the Liles Hotel on September 6 - giving the Historical Society the only long-term, low-rent agreement. Tristan Spinski/Staff
  • Bernice Ciaffone, right, and Alexandra Tors, both of Bonita Springs, examine a photographic display of the historic E.P. Nutting House during the grand opening of the Storter Art Collection, hosted by the Bonita Springs Historical Society at the Liles Hotel in Bonita Springs on Friday evening. The Storter Collection is comprised of a group of painting depicting the early history of Collier County. it will be on display at the Liles Hotel in Riverside Park in Bonita Springs through February of 2007. Tristan Spinski/Staff
  • Zachery Whittington, 9, of Bonita Springs, spent his Sunday afternoon fishing for snook on the docks behind the Liles Hotel in Riverside Park in Bonita Springs. The Bonita Springs City Council is considering approving its first lease for the Liles Hotel on September 6 - giving the Historical Society the only long-term, low-rent agreement. Tristan Spinski/Staff
  • Michel Fortier/Staff If you consider Collier County a business, and Jack Wert, executive director of the Collier County Tourist Development Council (TDC), does; expect a lot of business to be transacted over the Memorial Day weekend. Above, seasonal resident Dave Harmon relaxes on the beach at Delnor Wiggins State Park. ; Michel Fortier/Staff If you consider Collier County a business, and Jack Wert, executive director of the Collier County Tourist Development Council (TDC), does; expect a lot of business to be transacted over the Memorial Day weekend. Above, Canton, Ohio residents Mike Hutcheson and his son, Owen Hucheson, 5, play paddle ball on the beach with friends at Delnor Wiggins State Park. ; Lisa Krantz/Staff Jack Wert does, executive director of the Collier County Tourist Development Council (TDC), expects a lot of business to be transacted over the Memorial Day weekend. 'Memorial Day weekend is one of our top holiday weekends for visitation to the destination,' he said. 'We'll get families and couples coming here,' many from feeder markets elsewhere within Florida. 'Traditionally, the hotels are pretty close to full occupancy.' Above, Wert talks with Community Development Administrator Joe Schmitt during a Board of County Commissioners/Tourist Development Council Joint Workshop. ; Lance Shearer/Eagle Correspondent 'Memorial Day is a sellout, and it usually is,' said Bob Pfeffer, sales and marketing director at the Marco Island Marriott. 'We're excited that the demand is still there for leisure in Marco Island. It's a very solid weekend for us.' Above, Pfeffer with his wife Sherrie at a recent Marriott reception. ; Michel Fortier/Staff If you consider Collier County a business, and Jack Wert, executive director of the Collier County Tourist Development Council (TDC), does; expect a lot of business to be transacted over the Memorial Day weekend. Above, seasonal resident Dave Harmon relaxes on the beach at Delnor Wiggins State Park. ; File Jack
  • Firefighters carry an actor out through a mock disaster scene during a Collier County Crisis Response Coordination Exercise at the Naples Municipal Airport on Wednesday morning. The exercise included participants from the City of Naples Airport Authority, the Collier County Sheriff's Office, the Naples Police Department, the Naples Fire Department and multiple local fire departments supporting the Disaster Response Team for Hazardous Materials, the Civil Air Patrol, the Transportation Security Administration, the American Red Cross, Physicians Regional Medical Center, NCH Healthcare System, Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology and the Collier County Health Department's Medical Reserve Corps. Tristan Spinski/Staff
  • Firefighters carry an actor out through a mock disaster scene during a Collier County Crisis Response Coordination Exercise at the Naples Municipal Airport on Wednesday morning. The exercise included participants from the City of Naples Airport Authority, the Collier County Sheriff's Office, the Naples Police Department, the Naples Fire Department and multiple local fire departments supporting the Disaster Response Team for Hazardous Materials, the Civil Air Patrol, the Transportation Security Administration, the American Red Cross, Physicians Regional Medical Center, NCH Healthcare System, Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology and the Collier County Health Department's Medical Reserve Corps. Tristan Spinski/Staff
  • Daily News file Tourists and residents line the beach in front of the Ritz Carlton Naples beach resort. The Collier Community Alliance would like to increase the tourism tax, something many hotels are against.
  • Governor Rick Scott wears his 'governor's boots' to the heavy equipment mechanics program at the Immokalee Technical Center on Friday morning. After talking with students working in the classroom, Scott outlined his seven initiative '2012 job creation and economic growth agenda,' to students, teachers, school district officials and the press. Tristan Spinsk/Staff
  • Jeffery Moretz
  • A crowd of children including Rebekah Kilpatrick, center, 7, of Fort Myers, and Kim Thompson, second from right, 11, of Cape Coral, watch as Olga Surnina, left, and Yoan Quiala, second from left, both with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, demonstrate proper rope climbing technique during pre-show activities. 'The Greatest Show on Earth' returns to Germain Arena Jan. 3-6, 2013
  • Moncerrt Alonso, left, 9, of Bonita Springs, practices balancing a peacock feather on her hand under the supervision of Dean Kelley, right, a clown with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, during pre-show activities at Germain Arena.
  • Barbara Neiss, second from left, with the Shalom Dancers from the Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte counties, dances with Alina Saunders, 4, of Boston, during a group performance in front of several hundred people in the courtyard at Mercato in North Naples in this 2011 file photo. Staff file photo
  • Michel Fortier/Staff If you consider Collier County a business, and Jack Wert, executive director of the Collier County Tourist Development Council (TDC), does; expect a lot of business to be transacted over the Memorial Day weekend. Above, seasonal resident Dave Harmon relaxes on the beach at Delnor Wiggins State Park. ; Michel Fortier/Staff If you consider Collier County a business, and Jack Wert, executive director of the Collier County Tourist Development Council (TDC), does; expect a lot of business to be transacted over the Memorial Day weekend. Above, Canton, Ohio residents Mike Hutcheson and his son, Owen Hucheson, 5, play paddle ball on the beach with friends at Delnor Wiggins State Park. ; Lisa Krantz/Staff Jack Wert does, executive director of the Collier County Tourist Development Council (TDC), expects a lot of business to be transacted over the Memorial Day weekend. "Memorial Day weekend is one of our top holiday weekends for visitation to the destination," he said. "We'll get families and couples coming here," many from feeder markets elsewhere within Florida. "Traditionally, the hotels are pretty close to full occupancy." Above, Wert talks with Community Development Administrator Joe Schmitt during a Board of County Commissioners/Tourist Development Council Joint Workshop. ; Lance Shearer/Eagle Correspondent "Memorial Day is a sellout, and it usually is," said Bob Pfeffer, sales and marketing director at the Marco Island Marriott. "We're excited that the demand is still there for leisure in Marco Island. It's a very solid weekend for us." Above, Pfeffer with his wife Sherrie at a recent Marriott reception. ; Michel Fortier/Staff If you consider Collier County a business, and Jack Wert, executive director of the Collier County Tourist Development Council (TDC), does; expect a lot of business to be transacted over the Memorial Day weekend. Above, seasonal resident Dave Harmon relaxes on the beach at Delnor Wiggins State Park. ; File Jack
  • Michel Fortier/Staff If you consider Collier County a business, and Jack Wert, executive director of the Collier County Tourist Development Council (TDC), does; expect a lot of business to be transacted over the Memorial Day weekend. Above, seasonal resident Dave Harmon relaxes on the beach at Delnor Wiggins State Park. ; Michel Fortier/Staff If you consider Collier County a business, and Jack Wert, executive director of the Collier County Tourist Development Council (TDC), does; expect a lot of business to be transacted over the Memorial Day weekend. Above, Canton, Ohio residents Mike Hutcheson and his son, Owen Hucheson, 5, play paddle ball on the beach with friends at Delnor Wiggins State Park. ; Lisa Krantz/Staff Jack Wert does, executive director of the Collier County Tourist Development Council (TDC), expects a lot of business to be transacted over the Memorial Day weekend. "Memorial Day weekend is one of our top holiday weekends for visitation to the destination," he said. "We'll get families and couples coming here," many from feeder markets elsewhere within Florida. "Traditionally, the hotels are pretty close to full occupancy." Above, Wert talks with Community Development Administrator Joe Schmitt during a Board of County Commissioners/Tourist Development Council Joint Workshop. ; Lance Shearer/Eagle Correspondent "Memorial Day is a sellout, and it usually is," said Bob Pfeffer, sales and marketing director at the Marco Island Marriott. "We're excited that the demand is still there for leisure in Marco Island. It's a very solid weekend for us." Above, Pfeffer with his wife Sherrie at a recent Marriott reception. ; Michel Fortier/Staff If you consider Collier County a business, and Jack Wert, executive director of the Collier County Tourist Development Council (TDC), does; expect a lot of business to be transacted over the Memorial Day weekend. Above, seasonal resident Dave Harmon relaxes on the beach at Delnor Wiggins State Park. ; File Jack
  • File From left, George Poli, of Trenton, N.J., Paige Kinstler, 14, of Naples, Connie Kinstler, of Naples, Jill Kinstler, 10, of Naples, and Natalie Smith, of Naples, don Santa hats as they prepare to greet family at Southwest Florida International Airport in 2011. Travel is up several percentage points versus the same time last year in October and has risen for the past four months.
  • An aerial view of the Ritz-Carleton hotel and resort in Naples on Monday, April 11, 2011. Tristan Spinski/Staff
  • File Throngs of people line the water at Vanderbilt Beach next to the Ritz-Carlton hotel and resort in Naples. Seasonal residents and visitors are on the rise as Southwest Florida prepares and braces for a large population increase.
  • Tristan Spinski/Staff Wally Weatherholt, left, helps David Dukes, center, and Dennis Canfield, right, all of Naples, unload the first catch of stone crab season at Kelly's Fish House in downtown Naples in 2011. Weatherholt had his hand bitten off by an alligator on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 while giving an airboat tour in the Everglades.
  • Tristan Spinski/Staff Wally Weatherholt, left, helps David Dukes, center, and Dennis Canfield, right, all of Naples, unload the first catch of stone crab season at Kelly's Fish House in downtown Naples in 2011. Weatherholt had his hand bitten off by an alligator on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 while giving an airboat tour in the Everglades.
  • Tristan Spinski/Staff Wally Weatherholt, left, helps David Dukes, center, and Dennis Canfield, right, all of Naples, unload the first catch of stone crab season at Kelly's Fish House in downtown Naples in 2011. Weatherholt had his hand bitten off by an alligator on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 while giving an airboat tour in the Everglades.
  • Randy Rimes carries a tagged newborn calf into the high grass on JB Ranch in eastern Collier County on Saturday morning. Rimes and JB Ranch owner, Liesa Priddy, have partnered with researchers from the University of Florida to tag and track newborn calves to determine whether Florida panthers are attacking and killing them. Tristan Spinski/Staff
  • Tristan Spinski/Staff If you consider Collier County a business, and Jack Wert, executive director of the Collier County Tourist Development Council (TDC), does; expect a lot of business to be transacted over the Memorial Day weekend. Above, an aerial view of the Ritz-Carleton hotel and resort in Naples.
  • Tristan Spinski/Staff Scenes from the PACE Center for Girls Christmas luncheon honoring the late Sgt. Linda Pierre on Wednesday afternoon. U.S. Army Sgt. Pierre, of Immokalee, was killed by a suicide bomber last April while helping train Afghan troops in Afghanistan.
  • Jose Chavez, of Stahlman Landscaping in Naples, heads to the backyard to transplant a palm tree at Steve and Kelly Prue's new home on 16th Avenue South in Naples on Friday, Oct. 25, 2011. Tristan Spinski/Staff
  • John Paeno, Calusa Indian enthusiast and Calusa Ghost Tour leader, stands for a portrait near his Bonita Springs Riverside Park artist cottage where he recreates Calusa artifacts.
  • Tristan Spinski/Staff Jim Towey, president of Ave Maria University, holds a press conference in February 2012 at the Hilton hotel in Naples in reaction to President Obama's announcement that the Affordable Care Act will not require religious institutions such as Catholic colleges and hospitals to provide their employees with health insurance coverage for contraception and birth control. 'There's more confusion than ever before,' Towey said about the White House's compromise on the issue, which originally mandated contraception and birth control coverage under the Affordable Care Act but adjusted its stance under heavy pressure from Catholic leaders and politicians.
  • Tristan Spinski/Staff Jim Towey, president of Ave Maria University, holds a press conference on Friday afternoon at the Hilton hotel in Naples in reaction to President Obama's announcement that the Affordable Care Act will not require religious institutions such as Catholic colleges and hospitals to provide their employees with health insurance coverage for contraception and birth control. 'There's more confusion than ever before,' Towey said about the White House's compromise on the issue, which originally mandated contraception and birth control coverage under the Affordable Care Act but adjusted its stance under heavy pressure from Catholic leaders and politicians.
  • Tristan Spinski/Staff Jim Towey, president of Ave Maria University, holds a press conference on Friday afternoon at the Hilton hotel in Naples in reaction to President Obama's announcement that the Affordable Care Act will not require religious institutions such as Catholic colleges and hospitals to provide their employees with health insurance coverage for contraception and birth control. 'There's more confusion than ever before,' Towey said about the White House's compromise on the issue, which originally mandated contraception and birth control coverage under the Affordable Care Act but adjusted its stance under heavy pressure from Catholic leaders and politicians.
  • Tristan Spinski/Staff Jim Towey, president of Ave Maria University, holds a press conference on Friday afternoon at the Hilton hotel in Naples in reaction to President Obama's announcement that the Affordable Care Act will not require religious institutions such as Catholic colleges and hospitals to provide their employees with health insurance coverage for contraception and birth control. 'There's more confusion than ever before,' Towey said about the White House's compromise on the issue, which originally mandated contraception and birth control coverage under the Affordable Care Act but adjusted its stance under heavy pressure from Catholic leaders and politicians.
  • Tristan Spinski/Staff Jim Towey, president of Ave Maria University, holds a press conference on Friday afternoon at the Hilton hotel in Naples in reaction to President Obama's announcement that the Affordable Care Act will not require religious institutions such as Catholic colleges and hospitals to provide their employees with health insurance coverage for contraception and birth control. 'There's more confusion than ever before,' Towey said about the White House's compromise on the issue, which originally mandated contraception and birth control coverage under the Affordable Care Act but adjusted its stance under heavy pressure from Catholic leaders and politicians.
  • Tristan Spinski/Staff Jim Towey, president of Ave Maria University, holds a press conference on Friday afternoon at the Hilton hotel in Naples in reaction to President Obama's announcement that the Affordable Care Act will not require religious institutions such as Catholic colleges and hospitals to provide their employees with health insurance coverage for contraception and birth control. 'There's more confusion than ever before,' Towey said about the White House's compromise on the issue, which originally mandated contraception and birth control coverage under the Affordable Care Act but adjusted its stance under heavy pressure from Catholic leaders and politicians.
  • Tristan Spinski/Staff Jim Towey, president of Ave Maria University, holds a press conference on Friday afternoon at the Hilton hotel in Naples in reaction to President Obama's announcement that the Affordable Care Act will not require religious institutions such as Catholic colleges and hospitals to provide their employees with health insurance coverage for contraception and birth control. 'There's more confusion than ever before,' Towey said about the White House's compromise on the issue, which originally mandated contraception and birth control coverage under the Affordable Care Act but adjusted its stance under heavy pressure from Catholic leaders and politicians.
  • Tristan Spinski/Staff Melissa Rhodes, left, an assistant softball coach at Community School of Naples, offers advice to her players following a loss to Lely High School at Community School in Naples on Thursday evening. Rhodes was chosen in August of 2011 to be a contestant on The Food Network's 'Worst Cooks in America' reality TV show. The show premiers on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 9 p.m.
  • Tristan Spinski/Staff Melissa Rhodes, far center, an assistant softball coach at Community School of Naples, joins coaching staff, right, in offering advice to players following a loss to Lely High School at Community School in Naples on Thursday evening. Rhodes was chosen in August of 2011 to be a contestant on The Food Network's 'Worst Cooks in America' reality TV show. The show premiers on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 9 p.m.
  • Tristan Spinski/Staff Melissa Rhodes, left, an assistant softball coach at Community School of Naples, watches the game action against Lely High School at Community School in Naples on Thursday evening. Rhodes was chosen in August of 2011 to be a contestant on The Food Network's 'Worst Cooks in America' reality TV show. The show premiers on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 9 p.m.
  • Tristan Spinski/Staff Melissa Rhodes, left, an assistant softball coach at Community School of Naples, chats with head coach Amy Lovett, right, during a girls softball game against Lely High School at Community School in Naples on Thursday evening. Rhodes was chosen in August of 2011 to be a contestant on The Food Network's 'Worst Cooks in America' reality TV show. The show premiers on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 9 p.m.
  • Tristan Spinski/Staff Melissa Rhodes, right, an assistant softball coach at Community School of Naples, gives pitching advice to her players during a girls softball game against Lely High School at Community School in Naples on Thursday evening. Rhodes was chosen in August of 2011 to be a contestant on The Food Network's 'Worst Cooks in America' reality TV show. The show premiers on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 9 p.m.

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