Janine Zeitlin

For over 75 years, The Swamp Buggy has been an annual tradition in Naples. Originally designed to help navigate through the hardened terrain, It has evolved into a thrilling competition.

The old style of Florida living is one that is hard to give up. For many who saw generations survive in the boggy wilderness, they grew up as part of the swamp buggy community.

Brother and sister Ray and Cindy Carroll enjoy the generations-deep family tradition of exploring the Everglades in swamp buggies.

For father and son, Roger and Scotty McCandless, swamp buggy racing in Naples, Florida, is a family tradition. Local historians say the unique sport is among the oldest traditions in the Gulf coast town of Naples. The first races were held in 1949.

Two decades ago two young men disappeared in Naples under mysterious circumstances. Terrance Williams and Felipe Santos were both last seen with the same Collier County Sheriff’s deputy, Steven Calkins. They were both men of color in their 20s. And they were both last seen in Deputy Calkins’ patrol car. Deputy Calkins was fired after his story changed when questioned. He denied wrongdoing. He’s the only person of interest in the cases, but law enforcement never found evidence against him.

A nonprofit group that shepherded rebuilding in Harlem Heights after Hurricane Ian inundated the south Fort Myers neighborhood in 2022 recently declared: Mission Accomplished.Adventures in Missions helped residents of 258 homes and partnered to rebuild 176 homes along with hosting more than 5,000 volunteers to support hurricane recovery, said Chris and Sarah Horvath, disaster relief leadership for the interdenominational organization.

Kenneth and Eugene Gavin are part of the legacy of the Gavin and Walker families on Sanibel Island. The two families were among the first Black settlers on the island.

Two decades ago two young men disappeared in Naples under mysterious circumstances. Terrance Williams and Felipe Santos were both last seen with the same Collier County Sheriff’s deputy, Steven Calkins. They were both men of color in their 20s. And they were both last seen in Deputy Calkins’ patrol car. Deputy Calkins was fired after his story changed when questioned. He denied wrongdoing. He’s the only person of interest in the cases, but law enforcement never found evidence against him. This week, on Friday, Jan. 12, it will be 20 years since Terrance went missing.

The documentary unit for WGCU has been interviewing Sanibel residents for a new program coming out next year. Recently, they interviewed Kenneth and Eugene Gavin, who grew up on Sanibel Island and are now in their early 80s. Their grandparents were among the first Black families to settle on Sanibel. Kenneth Gavin described how their grandparents chose the island.

After years of delays and debates, the Margaritaville Beach Resort in Fort Myers Beach opened last week with a promise of driving economic recovery in a town still hurting from the devastation of Hurricane Ian.The 254-room resort with a coastal cool vibe inspired by the late Jimmy Buffett opened for stays Monday after a locals-only weekend.