Naples Today Logo Naples Today

Friday, May 9th, 2025

SHARE

Good morning, Naples. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 9th of May.

ACCIDENTS NEWS

  • A 32-acre brush fire that burned in North Naples on Wednesday evening is fully contained with no injuries, evacuations, or threatened structures — cleanup crews began work Thursday morning as wildfire season continues.  News-Press

CRIME NEWS

  • Authorities are investigating an attempted kidnapping when a juvenile fled on his bicycle after two men in a black SUV lunged at him at a bus stop on Northeast 41st Street and Andalusia Boulevard on May 7 — police urge anyone with tips to come forward.  News-Press
  • A Naples man, Donald Peyton-Lee Russell Jr., 42, intentionally drove his car into the St. Matthews House Naples Flagship Thrift Store and injured six people before pleading not guilty to aggravated battery and mischief charges — he was arrested on April 10 — and he will appear in court on June 12.  News-Press
  • Lee Circuit Judge Branning sentenced Baldomero Alanis Jr. — involved in a cocaine smuggling scheme — to 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine and sentenced Kevin Joseph Jaimes — convicted on charges including trafficking cocaine and fentanyl — to 50 years in prison and a $1.9 million fine after NETFORCE investigations.  News-Press

EDUCATION NEWS

  • The Naples Players Academy of Dramatic Arts will open as a new full-day school for grades 6–12 that offers high school diplomas aligned with Florida Virtual School academics and arts training, set to start at the expanded Sugden Theatre on Sept. 2—blending professional performance practice with classroom learning. An open house is scheduled for May 20 at 7 p.m. at the Sugden Theatre, with a small first-year class and tuition set at $18,000 annually, as the academy seeks to partner with local public and independent schools.  The Naples Press

ENVIRONMENT NEWS

  • The latest drought monitor shows Southwest Florida is experiencing its worst extreme drought in 24 years—nearly every county has a 4 to 6 inch rainfall deficit this year, and many areas are 7 to 10 inches below average since Oct. 15. Tropical moisture is expected to bring 2 to 3 inches of rain Monday and Tuesday while burn bans remain in effect statewide.  ABC7

EVENTS

SUBMIT EVENT
  • Jim Norton: Now You Know Live

    6 PM — Off The Hook Comedy Club — Ticket prices vary — Experience the sharp wit of Jim Norton in an intimate comedy setting.

    Sat, 5/10/25

    View event
  • Mother's Day Dinner Celebration

    2-9 p.m. — Giuseppe and the Lion — Happy Hour food and drinks — Make Mother’s Day memorable with dinner specials and a festive atmosphere.

    Sun, 5/11/25

    View event
  • GGCC ASA W/S Week 18

    3-6 p.m. — Golden Gate Community Center — Registration required — A fun and safe environment for kids with sports, arts, and homework assistance.

    Mon, 5/12/25

    View event
  • Naples Historical Society’s Talk of the Town!

    2-3 p.m. — Collier Museum at Government Center — Free entry — Discover the captivating history of Naples and the events that shaped the community.

    Tue, 5/13/25

    View event
  • ELCP Kobudo Training

    7:00 PM - 7:30 PM — Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Community Park — Cost varies (uniform/testing fees) — Enhance your Karate skills with Kobudo to improve dexterity and coordination.

    Wed, 5/14/25

    View event
  • Naples Ballet - The Sleeping Beauty

    7-8:30 p.m. — Artis—Naples — Tickets available — Experience Tchaikovsky's enchanting ballet masterpiece that has captivated audiences for over 130 years.

    Thu, 5/15/25

    View event
  • Aerosmith and Loverboy Tribute Concert

    8-9:30 p.m. — South Street - Founders Square — Legendary food and drinks — Experience high-energy tributes to America's greatest rock bands.

    Fri, 5/16/25

    View event
  • Survival Skills Family Day

    11 AM – 2 PM — Collier Museum at Government Center — Free entry — Learn essential survival skills while having fun in the great outdoors.

    Sat, 5/17/25

    View event
  • Grand Opening of Local Financial Branch

    7-8 p.m. — 5003 Tamiami Trl E, Naples, FL — Free entry — Celebrate with music, games, and financial education at this community-focused event.

    Sun, 5/18/25

    View event
  • GGCC After School Program Week 19

    3-6 p.m. — Golden Gate Community Center — N/A — A safe and fun environment for kids ages 5-12 featuring sports, arts, crafts, and homework time.

    Mon, 5/19/25

    View event

REAL ESTATE

SUBMIT LISTING

No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.

JOB BOARD

SUBMIT JOB

No new job posts today. You can submit one here.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SUBMIT

No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.

TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it.

~ Salvador Dali

About Naples Today

Welcome to the Naples Today, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Naples, Florida community. If you like the Naples Today, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Naples.

Advertising Opportunities

Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Naples and across Florida. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.

Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.

Community, delivered

Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.

You can unsubscribe at any time.

Subscribe to Naples Today

A free Naples community newsletter.

Daily local news
We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
6AM City
A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.

© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here