http://naplesnews.com/news/news/?partner=RSSnaplesnews.com Stories: Newsen-usnews/news/news/?partner=RSShttp://naplesnews.com/feeds/headlines/news/2008-11-20T22:39:29.431708Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/immokalee-fire-chief-terminated/?partner=RSSThe Immokalee fire district lost two leaders Thursday when the commission voted to fire its chief and accept the resignation of a fellow commissioner. Commissioner Joseph Matthews made the motion to fire Chief Ray Alvarez, which was seconded by Commissioner Albert Lee. The motioned carried 3 to 1. Matthews declined to comment on why he wanted to fire Alvarez. “I think the chief had no respect for the board,” Lee said. tmiguel@naplesnews.com (TRACY X. MIGUEL)Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:37:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/immokalee-fire-chief-terminated/?partner=RSSlocal1868032008-11-20T22:32:002008-11-20T21:37:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008The Immokalee fire district lost two leaders Thursday when the commission voted to fire its chief and accept the resignation of a fellow commissioner. Commissioner Joseph Matthews made the motion to fire Chief Ray Alvarez, which was seconded by Commissioner Albert Lee. The motioned carried 3 to 1. Matthews declined to comment on why he wanted to fire Alvarez. “I think the chief had no respect for the board,” Lee said.NAPLESTRACY X. MIGUELImmokalee fire commission fires chief, accepts resignation of commissioner naplesnews.comimmokalee-fire-chief-terminatedhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/early-findings-airplane-crash-may-happen-soon-offi/?partner=RSSFederal authorities continue to investigate the cause of a Friday night plane crash in East Naples that injured four people. The plane had been heading north on a runway at the Wing South Airpark, a small private runway in East Naples. Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said an FAA representative had been sent to the site of the crash, just north of the runway in a heavily wooded area. tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:29:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/early-findings-airplane-crash-may-happen-soon-offi/?partner=RSSlocal1868022008-11-20T21:29:002008-11-20T21:29:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Federal authorities continue to investigate the cause of a Friday night plane crash in East Naples that injured four people. The plane had been heading north on a runway at the Wing South Airpark, a small private runway in East Naples. Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said an FAA representative had been sent to the site of the crash, just north of the runway in a heavily wooded area.Bonita Springs, FLEarly findings in airplane crash may happen soon, official saysnaplesnews.comearly-findings-airplane-crash-may-happen-soon-offihttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/fred-coopers-claims-harassment-jailers-dismissed/?partner=RSSAn investigation into claims that Lee County jailers harassed high-profile defendant Fred Cooper dismissed the allegations, although it spurred memos reminding deputies to watch what they say around inmates. Capt. Tom Eberhardt, commander of the Ortiz jail campus, agreed with that assessment, noting: “We’re not there to get involved in their case. Our job is the care and custody of the inmate while they’re in our facility.” sbeardsley@bonitanews.com (STEVEN BEARDSLEY)Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:16:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/fred-coopers-claims-harassment-jailers-dismissed/?partner=RSSbonita_news1868002008-11-20T21:16:002008-11-20T21:16:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008An investigation into claims that Lee County jailers harassed high-profile defendant Fred Cooper dismissed the allegations, although it spurred memos reminding deputies to watch what they say around inmates. Capt. Tom Eberhardt, commander of the Ortiz jail campus, agreed with that assessment, noting: “We’re not there to get involved in their case. Our job is the care and custody of the inmate while they’re in our facility.”BONITA SPRINGSSTEVEN BEARDSLEYFred Cooper’s claims of harassment by jailers dismissednaplesnews.comfred-coopers-claims-harassment-jailers-dismissedhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/national-press-club-visit-naples/?partner=RSSTo commemorate its 100th anniversary, the National Press Club, the world’s leading organization for journalists, has been touring the country to discuss the future of journalism. Choosing Naples as the only Florida stop, the group will gather at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 8 at the Sugden Theater, sponsored by The Naples Press Club. The event is free and open to the public. tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:42:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/national-press-club-visit-naples/?partner=RSSlocal1867972008-11-20T20:42:002008-11-20T20:42:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008To commemorate its 100th anniversary, the National Press Club, the world’s leading organization for journalists, has been touring the country to discuss the future of journalism. Choosing Naples as the only Florida stop, the group will gather at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 8 at the Sugden Theater, sponsored by The Naples Press Club. The event is free and open to the public.Bonita Springs, FLNational Press Club to visit Naplesnaplesnews.comnational-press-club-visit-napleshttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/collier-school-district-accepting-applications-ove/?partner=RSSVoters lived up to their end, and now it’s up to Collier school district officials to come through on their commitment. District officials had promised to provide oversight for additional funding that schools will receive to operate thanks to the passage of a referendum Nov. 4. During a School Board meeting Thursday, Board member Steve Donovan said the board should honor its commitment to create a separate committee to oversee the spending, and that the committee should report to the district’s operations subcommittee. kalewis@naplesnews.com (KATHERINE LEWIS)Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:27:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/collier-school-district-accepting-applications-ove/?partner=RSSlocal1867962008-11-20T20:27:002008-11-20T20:27:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Voters lived up to their end, and now it’s up to Collier school district officials to come through on their commitment. District officials had promised to provide oversight for additional funding that schools will receive to operate thanks to the passage of a referendum Nov. 4. During a School Board meeting Thursday, Board member Steve Donovan said the board should honor its commitment to create a separate committee to oversee the spending, and that the committee should report to the district’s operations subcommittee. NAPLESKATHERINE LEWISCollier school district accepting applications to oversee referendum spending naplesnews.comcollier-school-district-accepting-applications-ovehttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/poll-collier-school-board-considers--house-vs-outs/?partner=RSSThere is a job vacancy at the Collier County School District. But who should fill it? That is what the Collier County School Board is trying to answer. Board members discussed Thursday afternoon what should be done about the district’s legal counsel. The decision comes one month after the board voted unanimously to release School Board Attorney Richard Withers from his contract. kalewis@naplesnews.com (KATHERINE LEWIS)Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:21:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/poll-collier-school-board-considers--house-vs-outs/?partner=RSSlocal1867952008-11-20T20:21:002008-11-20T20:21:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008There is a job vacancy at the Collier County School District. But who should fill it? That is what the Collier County School Board is trying to answer. Board members discussed Thursday afternoon what should be done about the district’s legal counsel. The decision comes one month after the board voted unanimously to release School Board Attorney Richard Withers from his contract.NAPLESKATHERINE LEWISPOLL: Collier school board considers in-house vs. outside counselnaplesnews.compoll-collier-school-board-considers--house-vs-outshttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/cooper-re-trial-may-clash-super-bowl/?partner=RSSThe high-profile re-trial of Fred Cooper isn’t the only showdown planned for the St. Petersburg area early next year. Super Bowl XLIII, to be held in Tampa, falls on the heels of the trial and could potentially affect the logistics of lodging witnesses, court staff and both parties in the trial. sbeardsley@bonitanews.com (STEVEN BEARDSLEY)Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:01:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/cooper-re-trial-may-clash-super-bowl/?partner=RSSgateway_killings1867942008-11-20T20:01:002008-11-20T20:01:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008The high-profile re-trial of Fred Cooper isn’t the only showdown planned for the St. Petersburg area early next year. Super Bowl XLIII, to be held in Tampa, falls on the heels of the trial and could potentially affect the logistics of lodging witnesses, court staff and both parties in the trial. BONITA SPRINGSSTEVEN BEARDSLEYCooper re-trial may clash with Super Bowlnaplesnews.comcooper-re-trial-may-clash-super-bowlhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/some-against-shortened-rural-growth-plan-review/?partner=RSSOpposition surfaced Thursday to a proposal aimed at smoothing over objections to a shortened review of changes to Collier County’s landmark rural growth plan. The county’s Environmental Advisory Council and Planning Commission have criticized a proposal by large rural landowners to consolidate what was to have been two rounds of reviews by each committee into one review. Landowners say the proposal is designed to save time and avoid duplicative advisory board meetings, but the two committees see the proposal as short-circuiting their reviews. emstaats@naplesnews.com (ERIC STAATS)Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:52:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/some-against-shortened-rural-growth-plan-review/?partner=RSSlocal1867912008-11-20T19:52:002008-11-20T19:52:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Opposition surfaced Thursday to a proposal aimed at smoothing over objections to a shortened review of changes to Collier County’s landmark rural growth plan. The county’s Environmental Advisory Council and Planning Commission have criticized a proposal by large rural landowners to consolidate what was to have been two rounds of reviews by each committee into one review. Landowners say the proposal is designed to save time and avoid duplicative advisory board meetings, but the two committees see the proposal as short-circuiting their reviews. NAPLESERIC STAATS Some against shortened rural growth plan reviewnaplesnews.comsome-against-shortened-rural-growth-plan-reviewhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/collier-county-police-beat-nov-21-2008/?partner=RSS  tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:39:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/collier-county-police-beat-nov-21-2008/?partner=RSSlocal1867902008-11-20T19:39:002008-11-20T19:39:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008 Bonita Springs, FLCollier County Police Beat: Nov. 21, 2008naplesnews.comcollier-county-police-beat-nov-21-2008http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/naples-looks-ban-copper-sulfate/?partner=RSSThe No. 1 weapon in the fight against lake algae would be illegal to use in the city of Naples under a law that has passed a first hurdle at City Hall. The Naples City Council voted unanimously and without comment this week to adopt the law. It would become effective after a second vote set for Dec. 2. The proposed ban on copper sulfate is aimed at cleaning up Naples Bay, but lake management companies say the ban will increase costs to tackle algae-laden lakes around the city. emstaats@naplesnews.com (ERIC STAATS)Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:05:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/naples-looks-ban-copper-sulfate/?partner=RSSlocal1867852008-11-20T19:05:002008-11-20T19:05:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008The No. 1 weapon in the fight against lake algae would be illegal to use in the city of Naples under a law that has passed a first hurdle at City Hall. The Naples City Council voted unanimously and without comment this week to adopt the law. It would become effective after a second vote set for Dec. 2. The proposed ban on copper sulfate is aimed at cleaning up Naples Bay, but lake management companies say the ban will increase costs to tackle algae-laden lakes around the city.NAPLESERIC STAATSNaples looks to ban copper sulfatenaplesnews.comnaples-looks-ban-copper-sulfatehttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/naples-firefighters-resuscitate-homeowners-pet-liz/?partner=RSSYou can call him one lucky lizard. A 3-foot-long Savannah Monitor named Rex can thank Naples firefighters, paramedics and a special oxygen mask for saving his life. Naples firefighters responded to a Royal Harbor home Wednesday afternoon to find a 50-gallon glass container smoldering in a small building behind the home. Rex, a lizard native to sub-Saharan Africa, lives in the container and officials believe a heat lamp keeping him warm fell over and sparked some newspaper in his tank. jmbuzzacco@naplesnews.com (JENNA BUZZACCO)Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:59:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/naples-firefighters-resuscitate-homeowners-pet-liz/?partner=RSSlocal1867832008-11-20T18:59:002008-11-20T18:59:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008You can call him one lucky lizard. A 3-foot-long Savannah Monitor named Rex can thank Naples firefighters, paramedics and a special oxygen mask for saving his life. Naples firefighters responded to a Royal Harbor home Wednesday afternoon to find a 50-gallon glass container smoldering in a small building behind the home. Rex, a lizard native to sub-Saharan Africa, lives in the container and officials believe a heat lamp keeping him warm fell over and sparked some newspaper in his tank. NAPLESJENNA BUZZACCOPHOTOS: Naples firefighters resuscitate homeowner’s pet lizardnaplesnews.comnaples-firefighters-resuscitate-homeowners-pet-lizhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/fgcu-students-struggle-suspension-instructors-accu/?partner=RSSMany Florida Gulf Coast University students are left to deal with the absence of two professors suspended after allegations of sexual harassment. Students studying in the criminal justice department have lost two professors simultaneously. Accused are Jeffrie Jinian, coordinator of internships for students majoring in criminal justice; and David Lounsbury, an associate professor and coordinator of the Criminal Forensics Studies program. Both were suspended on Oct. 31 with pay but students didn’t learn about the fate of the instructors for almost two weeks. Michelle Ellsworth, a senior majoring in criminal justice, feels the university should have notified students earlier. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:53:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/fgcu-students-struggle-suspension-instructors-accu/?partner=RSSeducation1867822008-11-20T18:54:002008-11-20T18:53:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Many Florida Gulf Coast University students are left to deal with the absence of two professors suspended after allegations of sexual harassment. Students studying in the criminal justice department have lost two professors simultaneously. Accused are Jeffrie Jinian, coordinator of internships for students majoring in criminal justice; and David Lounsbury, an associate professor and coordinator of the Criminal Forensics Studies program. Both were suspended on Oct. 31 with pay but students didn’t learn about the fate of the instructors for almost two weeks. Michelle Ellsworth, a senior majoring in criminal justice, feels the university should have notified students earlier.BONITA SPRINGSFGCU students struggle with suspension of instructors accused of sexual harassment naplesnews.comfgcu-students-struggle-suspension-instructors-accuhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/alva-man-charged-second-degree-murder-wifes-death-/?partner=RSSJoseph Shook, an Alva man who is facing a charge of second degree murder in the death of his estranged wife, will face trial in Hendry County. His trial had been scheduled to go forward in Lee County next month. Shook requested a trial in Hendry County in a notice Tuesday. It was his choice -- Lee or Hendry -- because prosecutors couldn't be certain whether the crime Shook is charged with took place in one county or the other. eawright@bonitanews.com (ELIZABETH WRIGHT)Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:09:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/alva-man-charged-second-degree-murder-wifes-death-/?partner=RSSlocal1867722008-11-20T18:09:002008-11-20T18:09:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Joseph Shook, an Alva man who is facing a charge of second degree murder in the death of his estranged wife, will face trial in Hendry County. His trial had been scheduled to go forward in Lee County next month. Shook requested a trial in Hendry County in a notice Tuesday. It was his choice -- Lee or Hendry -- because prosecutors couldn't be certain whether the crime Shook is charged with took place in one county or the other. BONITA SPRINGSELIZABETH WRIGHTAlva man charged with second degree murder for wife’s death faces trial in Hendry Countynaplesnews.comalva-man-charged-second-degree-murder-wifes-death-http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/plane-landing-swfia-reports-smoke-cockpit/?partner=RSSAn airplane departing from Southwest Florida International Airport was forced to turn around and land after smoke entered the cabin, a spokeswoman for the airport said Tuesday evening. sbeardsley@bonitanews.com (STEVEN BEARDSLEY, MATT CLARK)Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:23:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/plane-landing-swfia-reports-smoke-cockpit/?partner=RSSlocal1867692008-11-20T20:23:002008-11-20T17:23:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008An airplane departing from Southwest Florida International Airport was forced to turn around and land after smoke entered the cabin, a spokeswoman for the airport said Tuesday evening.Bonita Springs, FLSTEVEN BEARDSLEYMATT CLARKSmoke-filled plane makes u-turn, lands safely at SW Internationalnaplesnews.complane-landing-swfia-reports-smoke-cockpithttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/gas-prices-break-2-barrier-east-naples/?partner=RSSThis just in: Gas prices break the $2 barrier in East Naples. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:44:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/gas-prices-break-2-barrier-east-naples/?partner=RSSbonita_news1867492008-11-20T14:44:002008-11-20T14:44:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008This just in: Gas prices break the $2 barrier in East Naples.Bonita Springs, FLGas prices break $2 barrier in East Naplesnaplesnews.comgas-prices-break-2-barrier-east-napleshttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/fred-coopers-claims-harassment-jailers-dismissed/?partner=RSSAn investigation into claims that Lee County jailers harassed high-profile defendant Fred Cooper dismissed the allegations, although it spurred memos reminding deputies to watch what they say around inmates. Capt. Tom Eberhardt, commander of the Ortiz jail campus, agreed with that assessment, noting: “We’re not there to get involved in their case. Our job is the care and custody of the inmate while they’re in our facility.” sbeardsley@bonitanews.com (STEVEN BEARDSLEY)Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:16:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/fred-coopers-claims-harassment-jailers-dismissed/?partner=RSSbonita_news1868002008-11-20T21:16:002008-11-20T21:16:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008An investigation into claims that Lee County jailers harassed high-profile defendant Fred Cooper dismissed the allegations, although it spurred memos reminding deputies to watch what they say around inmates. Capt. Tom Eberhardt, commander of the Ortiz jail campus, agreed with that assessment, noting: “We’re not there to get involved in their case. Our job is the care and custody of the inmate while they’re in our facility.”BONITA SPRINGSSTEVEN BEARDSLEYFred Cooper’s claims of harassment by jailers dismissednaplesnews.comfred-coopers-claims-harassment-jailers-dismissedhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/cooper-re-trial-may-clash-super-bowl/?partner=RSSThe high-profile re-trial of Fred Cooper isn’t the only showdown planned for the St. Petersburg area early next year. Super Bowl XLIII, to be held in Tampa, falls on the heels of the trial and could potentially affect the logistics of lodging witnesses, court staff and both parties in the trial. sbeardsley@bonitanews.com (STEVEN BEARDSLEY)Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:01:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/cooper-re-trial-may-clash-super-bowl/?partner=RSSgateway_killings1867942008-11-20T20:01:002008-11-20T20:01:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008The high-profile re-trial of Fred Cooper isn’t the only showdown planned for the St. Petersburg area early next year. Super Bowl XLIII, to be held in Tampa, falls on the heels of the trial and could potentially affect the logistics of lodging witnesses, court staff and both parties in the trial. BONITA SPRINGSSTEVEN BEARDSLEYCooper re-trial may clash with Super Bowlnaplesnews.comcooper-re-trial-may-clash-super-bowlhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/collier-county-police-beat-nov-21-2008/?partner=RSS  tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:39:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/collier-county-police-beat-nov-21-2008/?partner=RSSlocal1867902008-11-20T19:39:002008-11-20T19:39:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008 Bonita Springs, FLCollier County Police Beat: Nov. 21, 2008naplesnews.comcollier-county-police-beat-nov-21-2008http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/lee-county-deputies-asking-publics-help-locate-man/?partner=RSSAccording to a report from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008, at 3:52 p.m., the sheriff’s office received a call about an occupied burglary. The incident occurred near the Waterway Estates community in North Fort Myers. Deputies responded to the scene. tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:18:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/lee-county-deputies-asking-publics-help-locate-man/?partner=RSScrime1867862008-11-20T19:18:002008-11-20T19:18:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008According to a report from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008, at 3:52 p.m., the sheriff’s office received a call about an occupied burglary. The incident occurred near the Waterway Estates community in North Fort Myers. Deputies responded to the scene.Bonita Springs, FLLee County deputies asking for public's help to locate man that attacked Fort Myers woman naplesnews.comlee-county-deputies-asking-publics-help-locate-manhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/early-absentee-voting-pushed-obama-win-fla/?partner=RSSMore Floridians voted for John McCain than Barack Obama on Election Day, but the Democrat sealed his victory in the state by winning more early and absentee votes. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:27:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/early-absentee-voting-pushed-obama-win-fla/?partner=RSSelection1867572008-11-20T15:27:002008-11-20T15:27:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008More Floridians voted for John McCain than Barack Obama on Election Day, but the Democrat sealed his victory in the state by winning more early and absentee votes.MIAMIEarly, absentee voting pushed Obama to win in Fla.naplesnews.comearly-absentee-voting-pushed-obama-win-fla