Ochopee News

Doing more with less will be the battle cry of Collier County officials during this budget season.

Photo from the opening ceremony of the Independence Day Celebration in Everglades City on Sunday, July 6. The Sons of Confederate Veterans started it with a blast from their cannon, after which Mayor Sammy ...

Dead panther found in Big Cypress National Preserve By NAPLES DAILY NEWS STAFF Originally published 4:42 p.m., Monday, May 12, 2008 Updated 4:42 p.m., Monday, May 12, 2008 Big Cypress National Preserve 33100 ... via Naples Daily News

“I shoot large photos so you have to get involved, to experience them”

Dangling orchids frame an animated panorama as photographer Clyde Butcher watches from his front window on a bright morning in Ochopee, Fla. via American Profile

“The tour will showcase each of the restaurants that are participating”

By ETC staff 12:00 a.m., Sunday, April 20, 2008 Trashy Beaches: Come out for Bay Days, sponsored by Keep Collier Beautiful, the local chapter of Keep America Beautiful, on April 26. via Naples Daily News

“That means no criminal charges. We're still interested in finding the dogs if possible and there's one dog we're looking into at this point it could be one of the dogs”

Reported by Susie Hassan Posted on: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 COLLIER COUNTY : New details have been released in the death of Carshena Benjamin who was killed by dogs on Jung Boulevard in Golden Gate. via WZVN-TV Fort Myers

Local news Tornado warning in effect for Ochopee area Daily News staff 12:38 p.m., Tuesday, March 11, 2008 A tornado warning is in effect until 1:01 p.m. today for Ochopee, Carnestown and south-central Collier ... via Naples Daily News

“Anytime we can get community organizations to get involved in activities, it is a great deal.”

A group determined to restore a cabin at Jiggs Landing plans to do it one fundraiser at a time. via HeraldTribune.com

An idea was raised to make access easier by doing what? a. constructing bike paths b. providing shuttle bus service c. building additional parking lots 6. The Naples Zoo revealed a 20-year expansion plan which ... via Naples Daily News

“I mailed my gas and electric bill, just so I could say I mailed something from the smallest post office in the United States”

Neapolitan Little attraction Michelle Le 4:15 p.m., Friday, February 22, 2008 Size matters. via Naples Daily News

Collier County police beat By NAPLES DAILY NEWS STAFF 9:28 p.m., Sunday, February 17, 2008 To report a crime or suspicious activity in your neighborhood, call the Naples Police and Emergency Services Department ... via Naples Daily News

The Florida Highway Patrol is working a traffic fatality on U.S. 41 in Collier County. via News Press

“They said they like to reach out to the community”

Saying Collier County government has nearly 200 frozen jobs, Commissioner Frank Halas is canceling his annual town hall meeting because he says he doesn't want to burden an already beleaguered county staff. via Naples Daily News Online

“They didn't differentiate between how many ALS units they need as opposed to how many transport units they need”

Fire districts around Collier County are inching closer to consolidation. By Dec. via BonitaNews.com - Bonita Springs, Florida

“Over the last three decades, Summers has led more than two dozen presidential declared emergencies in emergency response and recovery efforts and has become recognized as a national leader in the field of emergency management”

Collier County Emergency Management director Dan Summers has been honored with the Presidential Citation by the International Association of Emergency Managers. via Marco Eagle

“He has a remarkable facility for seeing the Skunk Ape every time he goes out in his trailer park”

Creature features Here are some creatures Michael Newton describes as being spotted in or near Brevard County in "Florida's Unexpected Wildlife: Exotic Species, Living Fossils, and Mythical Beasts in the ... via FloridaToday.com

At least one person has died in a crash in Ochopee of Collier County this morning. via News Press

“Just a mile or two out of town, it gets pretty wild, pretty fast”

The Skunk Ape is real. David Shealy says this with a straight face. 'It's not a joke,' he says, standing by a hulking concrete ape inside his gift shop. via News Press