Saturday, July 18, 2026
Naples is getting a medical school
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Ninety degrees with the afternoon sky already loading up — do the beach and errands early, before the storms roll through. The bigger news today: ground just broke on Collier's first medical school, a $200 million bet that our retirement town can mint doctors too.
Today
Clean water, morning-only beach window
FWC's newest samples show no red tide at any Collier beach, Barefoot to Vanderbilt, so the Gulf's clear this weekend — just get out early, because storms are likely again by afternoon.
Stuff a backpack before Monday
The Boys & Girls Club of Collier is filling buses with school supplies for kids heading back July 20 — drop backpacks and supplies at the Naples campus if you want in before the first bell.
Local News
Collier's first medical school breaks ground
The $200 million College of Osteopathic Medicine wants its first class seated by 2028, aimed squarely at the doctor shortage that has locals and snowbirds alike waiting months for an appointment.
We rank 4th in the country for small-business growth
Turns out Naples isn't just where people retire — high business density and a surge of self-employment put us fourth nationally among small metros, quietly changing who's moving here.
Barneys is just the start at Bayfront
The founders behind the Barneys New York relaunch say more upscale brands and restaurants are headed to the Goodlette-Frank center — a sign that long-quiet stretch is finally filling in.
A private beach club rises on Vanderbilt
Paraíso broke ground on Vanderbilt Beach with pools, dining and Gulf-front access, members-only when it opens in late 2027 — in a stretch where public sand is already precious.
Food & Drink
Burger Monger's first drive-thru hits North Naples
The Tampa Bay chain is converting the old Kelly's Roast Beef into its first-ever drive-thru burgers, with a North Naples opening slated between now and September.
The Dock turns 50 on Naples Bay
Through canoe races, hurricanes and changing owners, the old chalkboard-menu spot on Naples Bay has outlasted just about everything — a rare constant worth a summer lunch on the water.