Good morning, Naples.

For the Love of Cats will hold its annual fundraiser, The Purr Ball: A Cosmic Night for a Cause, on Saturday, Nov.

7 at the Naples Sailing and Yacht Club. The event features dinner, live entertainment, auctions, and a raffle to support care for local cats (an effort to help approximately 50,000 community cats).

La Pizzeria opened Sept.

1 at 4 p.m. at 304 Tamiami Trail N, serving authentic Italian pizza and classics made with ingredients from Italy and local farms (happy hours offer 50% off food from 4 to 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.).

SCORE is hosting its second annual entrepreneurial pitch competition on Saturday, Sept.

12 at 10 a.m. at the Botanical Gardens, where six local innovators will pitch their ideas for a $5,000 prize + exposure.

Cars on 5th will move next year from its longtime spot on Fifth Avenue South to a new venue on Bayshore Drive after the city rejected its permit.

Jay Leno will host a charity comedy night at Hertz Arena on Feb. 4 with proceeds benefiting the Patty Baker Humane Society.

Cars on 5th will move to Bayshore Drive in East Naples for its 2027 event.

Jay Leno will host a charity comedy night at Hertz Arena on Feb 4 and a car show is set for Feb 6 (ticket sales are limited to improve viewing and benefit the Patty Baker Humane Society).

Gas prices in Florida hit a record high as the statewide average for regular gasoline rose 18 cents to $4.07 a gallon on Sept.

9, with Naples averaging $4.16; experts say prices may remain high despite the season’s usual drop after Labor Day.

Last month, the Board of Collier County Commissioners approved $1 million to buy 18 parcels for Conservation Collier to connect the Dr. Robert H.

Gore III Preserve, Panther Walk Preserve near Golden Gate, and a parcel on Black Burn Road, boosting efforts to link wildlife habitats & secure ecological corridors.

The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season has seen only five brief named storms and no hurricanes today, with 4.4 ACE units recorded.

WeatherTiger’s forecast (showing minimal U.S. impact) predicts continued low activity as the season moves forward.

As hurricane season peaks this week, new homeowners in Florida must check their policies because many exclude flood damage, wear and tear, sinkholes and negligent maintenance+ flood coverage often requires a 30-day wait and can be hard to secure right before storms.

Four Marco Island PD officers who responded on 9/11 recalled their experiences as they prepared for the 25th anniversary this Friday, Sept.

11, at a commemorative event. Their firsthand memories highlight the urgent rescues and lasting impact of that day.

Elisabeth Hartung (87) from Naples is known as Gigi by her 60 grand and great-grandchildren after remarrying and moving to Vi at Bentley Village; she stays connected by always reminding each grandchild she loves them.

Southwest Florida players are on NFL rosters and practice squads as the season begins this week with Cherelus on the Panthers, Martin with the Commanders, and Naples’ Devin Moore on injured reserve for the Cowboys + players like Thompkins join the Raiders practice squad while Jeshaun Jones remains suspended until Sept. 28.