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January 27, 2013

Operation Mario Brothers: The alleged SWFL drug empire of Mario and Tony Vincente

Operation Mario Bros takes down swfl drug trafficking ring FORT MYERS, FL – Local, state and federal law enforcement officers say they have arrested nearly two dozen people in the take down of a major drug trafficking ring in Southwest Florida.

It was called “Operation Mario Brothers,” and targeted the alleged drug empire of Mario and Tony Vincente.

The 18-month operation was a combined effort of the Lee and Collier county sheriff’s offices, along with the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution. The DEA and Broward County Sheriff’s Office also helped in the investigation. (Full Story on MSNBC)

January 26, 2013

Recycling companies co-opt the look of charity for profit

southwest-fl-news-co-opt-recycling-profit

A clothing bin on Fowler Street in Fort Myers. / Photo: Florida Weekly

FORT MYERS, FL – A smattering of donation bins have been appearing like mushrooms in store parking lots or alongside busy South Florida roads. They bear the familiar colors and appearance of charitable organizations such as Goodwill and The Salvation Army, but are actually operated by large commercial recycling companies.

They sell clothes by the pound in the United States and overseas, while offering a small portion of the profits to property owners where the bins are placed. This has prompted complaints by local nonprofits concerned that donors are being misled, and complaints from city officials who call them an eyesore. (Full Story at Florida Weekly)

January 25, 2013

Fort Myers: RSW passenger traffic up nearly 2 percent in December

fort myers airportFORT MYERS, FL – Passenger traffic increased by nearly 2 percent in December at Southwest Florida International Airport.

Last month, 679,672 passengers traveled through the airport — an increase of 1.8 percent compared to December 2011. It’s the sixth consecutive month airport traffic has increased. Overall, passenger traffic is down 2.5 percent from the same period last year.

The traffic leader in December was Delta with 157,448 passengers traveling to and from Fort Myers. Rounding out the top five airlines were AirTran (104,017), JetBlue (73,678), Spirit (62,109) and United (62,050). (Full Story on Naples News)

January 25, 2013

UPDATE: Postal service hiring in Southwest Florida – deadline to apply Sunday Jan 27

Postal service jobs in Southwest FloridaFORT MYERS, FL –

The U.S. Postal Service is hiring in Southwest Florida. It is looking for “City Carrier Assistants.” Those people deliver and collect mail.

Pay starts at $15 an hour. Benefits are included and there are chances for pay raises.

To apply, for the USPS

UPDATE VIA USPS:

Postal Service To Fill Local Jobs

Lee, Collier & Charlotte Counties – The U.S. Postal Service is looking to fill positions. These positions are temporary but could lead to permanent employment.

The position of City Carrier Assistant is a new category of non-career employees. City Carrier Assistants are used to carry mail for routes where the regular carrier is not available.

City Carrier Assistants perform the same duties as regular letter carriers with a few differences. They do not receive full benefits or a pension and there is no set route or guarantee of 40 hours per work week. Salary and benefits include $15 an hour and paid vacation days and eligibility for health care benefits as required by law, or after the first 360-day term.

For years, the U.S. Postal Service has used transitional employees to fill carrier needs. Some transitional employees have been with the postal service for years.

Applicants must be 18 years or older. Applicants must have a valid state driver’s

license, a safe driving record, and at least two years of documented driving experience. Qualified applicants must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening to meet the U.S. Postal Service’s requirement to be drug free. Applicants must also be a U.S.citizen or have permanent resident alien status.

Applicants must apply online. Those who are interested in the position must apply online at www.usps.com/employment by Sunday, January 27.

January 24, 2013

Jan 26th and 27th: Swamp Buggy Races Winter Classic presented by Jets Pizza

swamp buggy races naples florida

PHOTO: Glenn Christopher / Naples News

NAPLES, FL – Jets Pizza presents the 63rd Annual Winter Classic Swamp Buggy Races, at The Florida Sports Park in Naples, January 26th & 27th.

Get your tickets now: http://www.swampbuggy.com/

Follow on Facebook: Swamp Buggy Races

January 23, 2013

Venice: Animal hoarder fined $100 after 263 dogs rescued

HERALD-TRIBUNE ARCHIVE / 2012 / ELAINE LITHERLAND

HERALD-TRIBUNE ARCHIVE / 2012 / ELAINE LITHERLAND

VENICE – Sarasota County’s worst animal hoarder was allowed to plead no contest to a single misdemeanor charge and was fined $100 as part of a plea bargain this month.

Donna Barr Faircloth, 60, who had faced three misdemeanor animal cruelty charges, took the plea deal Jan. 4. In addition to the fine, she must pay $373 in court costs. Faircloth did not return calls seeking comment. [Full Story on Hearld-Tribune]

January 23, 2013

Naples: Rescuers save bald eagle entangled in fishing line, hanging from tree

bald-eagle-naples-fl-news

PHOTO: Bob Bodemann

NAPLES – A bald eagle that was dangling from a tree over the weekend is back in its nest after a team of first responders helped free the bird from a piece of fishing line.

Naples resident Bob Bodemann called local authorities when he noticed the bird Sunday morning in his yard off 14th Avenue South. A mating pair and their two young occupy a nest in a Norfolk Pine. [Full Story on Naples News]

January 22, 2013

Miami: 27 pythons killed so far in Florida’s snake hunt

python hunt florida news

Photo by WILLIAM DESHAZER, Naples Daily News // Buy this photo

MIAMI — University of Florida researchers are examining more than two dozen Burmese pythons harvested as part of the state’s “Python Challenge.”

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Tuesday that 27 of the invasive snakes have been hunted so far in Florida Everglades competition that began Jan. 12.

More than 1,000 people signed up to hunt pythons in the Everglades through Feb. 10 in the hopes of winning cash prizes. Competitors are allowed to keep the python skins, once researchers finish examining the snakes. (Full Story on Naples News)

January 22, 2013

Interview: Esther Maisch Englewood Real Estate Agent

Esther Maisch Englewood Real Estate Agent

Esther Maisch is a local Englewood Real Estate Agent

Interview with Esther Maisch


Esther Maisch took a few minutes out of her day to answer a few questions about her career as a real estate agent in Southwest Florida. Esther is very unique in her offerings for European buyers looking to purchase a second home in Southwest Florida. By conducting business in German, English, French, Spanish and Italian she alleviates some of the pressures associated with doing business in Florida.

Where are you and Andre originally from?
I was born and raised in Switzerland. Switzerland is a neutral country also known for its famous mountains, such as the Matterhorn, for precision watches and for the wonderful chocolate.

Did you always want to work in the Florida real estate market?
After I earned a degree in Economics, I traveled extensively throughout Europe. After our two daughters left the home, my husband and I moved to Florida in 1999. We consider this the best thing we have ever done. We love everything about Florida, the lifestyle, the people and most of all the never ending summers.

When did you start working in real estate in Florida?
Once in the United States, I received my Realtor State License. I love being a Realtor because it means dealing with PEOPLE. My field of expertise is mainly new homes, new construction, condominiums and villas which bring the maintenance and care-free living to owners and investors.

Where do you call home in Southwest Florida?
I work, live and invest in the Englewood Area. From Beach Houses to Riverfront Home sites, from Golf Course Homes to Vacation Condos along the Bay – Englewood is an affordable area offering an excellent long term investment and a laid back way of life unique to this beach side town. From almost anywhere you can access our beautiful Englewood and Boca Grande Beaches, numerous Golf Courses, quality Shopping and Dining within 10 Minutes or less.

What makes you stand out form the other realtors in Southwest Florida?
I speak 5 languages: German, English, Spanish, Italian and French. Being able to communicate in several languages keeps me busy in the real estate business, even in today’s difficult market. Together with a group of professionals, I participate several times each year at special Florida Seminars throughout Europe as speaker for Real Estate in our area. In these road shows through Europe, we introduce prospective buyers to Englewood and the Cape Haze Peninsula. These buyers enjoy the opportunity to make their investments and decisions in their own language.

Do you solely focus on real estate transactions or do you service other markets?
Selling to buyers from overseas, who are here in Florida only for a few weeks every year, leads to my second business Sunny Dreams Factory LLC where I am a vacation home manager. In the meantime I am renting seasonally to tourists; our portfolio consists of 27 homes and condos in Englewood, Cape Haze, Rotonda and Port Charlotte. Sometimes these tourists decide to never leave our area again and they let me help them find a new nest.

What do you do for fun when you aren’t working on a real estate deal?
My husband and I share our home with three great shelter pets: two cats named Cinderella and Cappuccino; as well as our lab-mix named Blanca. We have always an open heart and door for another pet in need of a loving home.

For more information on buying and selling homes in Southwest Florida please visit www.EstherMaisch.com or call (800) 554-0232

January 21, 2013

Naples: Books-A-Million closing at Mercato, turning into Nordstrom Rack

books-a-million-naplesSome of the details have yet to be worked out or revealed, but Books-A-Million is closing at Mercato and has plans to reopen elsewhere in Naples. Effective this fall, the two-story location now occupied by the bookstore will be a Nordstrom Rack store, a retail outlet with designer clothing and accessories 50 to 60 percent off original Nordstrom prices. [Full Story at Naples Daily News]