Good morning, Naples.

This month, 14-year-old Eagle Scout Christian Woodward installed two lifeguard stands at Vanderbilt Beach — a project he proposed in March at a North Collier Fire Rescue meeting — to extend the area monitored for swimmer safety.

The STARability Foundation announced that eight adult ball boys, mainly with autism, Down syndrome or other neurodivergence, will serve at Thursday night high school football JV games, earning $30 per game while proudly wearing their Legends jerseys (no female volunteers have joined so far).

Collaboratory staff presented $90,000 in Arts and Animals grants to 14 local nonprofits this fall to support cultural programs and animal welfare efforts in the area.

Southwest Florida student loan borrowers who got a notice on July 1 must switch from the ended SAVE plan by Sept.

29 to avoid an automatic switch to a plan with higher monthly payments + they may choose income based options like RAP or the tiered standard plan.

Wildlife officials removed a 500-foot illegal gill net from waters off Sanibel Island on Sept.

16 that trapped a live manatee + several dead marine animals. Authorities say the net violated the state ban designed to protect marine life.

Burmese pythons have formed a satellite population in western Charlotte County, north of Naples and Fort Myers, the FWC said.

The invasive snakes that threaten native wildlife are targeted by coordinated state removal efforts.

Tropical Storm Fay reached near-hurricane strength but is weakening and is expected to become a post-tropical cyclone in a couple of days as it remains over open waters + there are no watches or warnings for our area.

The Sunshine Protection Act passed in the House, but the Senate has not yet scheduled a vote, so clocks in Florida will fall back on Nov.

1 and sunrise and sunset will occur an hour earlier (Vern Buchanan of District 16 introduced the Act).

Officials warn that although brain-eating amoeba infections are extremely rare, swimmers in freshwater remain at risk and should use nose clips and boiled water for sinuses.

Florida ranks second in reported cases in the US — residents must follow safety guidelines to reduce exposure.

Nine homes on Lantern Lane were placed under a boil water notice after a main water break disrupted service+ officials later restored the supply and hand-delivered the notice+ to affected residents.

Developer Jon Rubinton from SWJR Naples LLC has proposed a golf course with cottages on a 170-acre tract near the northwestern corner of Picayune Strand State Forest.

Collier County commissioners will review the plan Tuesday as an environmental group opposes the proposed use.