Local News

While leaders of the Marco YMCA maintain the organization is doing well locally, the national YMCA system and international economy is taking its toll.
Cindy Love, executive director of the Greater Marco Family YMCA, said the organization is cutting its budget by 10 percent. Love said the cuts will affect employees, but not services. Full story »

Marco Community Bancorp Inc. launched a private placement offering Thursday for its preferred stock and warrants to purchase its common stock.
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City Manager Steve Thompson shares updates in city government issues including city TV changing from channel 12 to channel 98 on Comcast Dec. 16, the schedule for the forensic audit of the Collier Boulevard project, construction at Mackle Park on ball fields and a state grant for sidewalks to connect the schools, Mackle Park and the YMCA. Full story »

Beginning Wednesday, a trip to the newsstand will require a jingle of quarters in the pockets of some news junkies. The Marco Eagle will be charging $.50 for single copy pick up in vending machines and at participating stores, after having been a free paper for about two years. Home delivery, to both single family homes and condominiums on Marco, Goodland and Isles of Capri, will still be free, said Eagle General Manager Bob Sandy. Full story »

Theft tops Marco Island Police Department cases Full story »

The noble idea to host a community Thanksgiving dinner for families in need and those without relatives in the area appears to have come from humble beginnings. Directors of the civic group, Christmas Island Style, and owners of The Chef’s Express, a restaurant nestled in the Shops of Olde Marco, have joined together to host a Thanksgiving dinner for people in need on Marco Island. Full story »

Former Lely High School football player Sam Baptiste was among four Charleston Southern University football players arrested in North Charleston, S.C., on Monday night, according to the Associated Press.
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The Island community is mourning the loss of father and fisherman, Joseph Nugent, 39, of 360 Capri Boulevard, Isles of Capri. Nugent died Thursday when he lost control of his motorcycle near 1400 19th St. S.W., Golden Gate Estates, according to Collier County Sheriff’s Office reports. Full story »

Hideaway Beach officials and residents may consider giving up the $1.6 million Collier County offered them for beach renourishment due to possible challenges in meeting the county’s condition that the gated community install a public bathroom. A point of concern in installing the bathroom is that it may obstruct the beach view for residents, said Katie Maline, Hideaway’s construction project manager.
“Without the bathroom this deal is null and void. The bathroom is a deal breaker,” said Collier County Commissioner Jim Coletta. Full story »

About two weeks after the general election, the Collier County Supervisor of Elections and Collier County Canvassing Board completed recounts in three local races and released all local final election results Friday. Full story »

Marco Island is serving up a canned food drive and a team tennis match for Thanksgiving this year. Full story »

Have you recently opened your brokerage statement and experienced sticker shock, especially if you own bonds? If so, I’d like to use the following example to help explain a few things about bond prices and valuations.
While generally much less volatile than bonds, determining property values in the residential real estate market is similar to determining bond valuations. Property valuation factors for your home or homes in your neighborhood include: (1) What a seller would like to receive and (2) What a buyer is willing to pay.
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I know you rely upon, “Peak Your Profits” to help you drive: Relationships, results and revenue; as well as, offer an ongoing dose of knowledge and inspiration. Yet, on your journey of growth and prosperity, (especially in challenging times), you can once again benefit from P.I.T. Stops.
A “P.I.T. Stop” is a: Provocative or playful ... Inspirational or informational ... Thought or theory.
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Q: Hey doc, Every time I go to the store it seems like I see more and more different kinds of toothpaste and toothbrushes. I get a toothbrush and sometimes toothpaste at my check-ups, but I want to make sure I’m using the right stuff. Can you help sort this out for me? Full story »

Q: I am a “natural freak” and couldn’t care less about calories, rather I focus on healthy unprocessed foods. I heard you say on a radio show that you didn’t like artificial sweeteners, so would you share natural sweeteners that are better for us?
–Tracy Full story »