Collier County

Florida environmentalists take fight against ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ to courts

Another powerful group has petitioned to join a federal lawsuit to shut down the Everglades migrant detention camp known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” given that the state has given no end date, and no assurances that this will not become a permanent facility.

Gov. DeSantis appoints Blaise Ingoglia as Florida’s new chief financial officer

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday appointed state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia as Florida’s new chief financial officer, elevating the conservative lawmaker to a powerful cabinet post that oversees state finances, insurance regulation and emergency response operations.

Questions remain over who exactly is being held at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

Just days after lawmakers toured Alligator Alcatraz for the first time, Local 10 News is working to uncover who exactly is being detained at the facility.

Republicans tour Alligator Alcatraz and joke detainees shouted, ‘Vote Trump!’

Florida Sen. Blaise Ingoglia wore a University of Florida golf polo with an alligator icon to a guided tour of Alligator Alcatraz on Saturday in Collier County.

Demonstrators outside Alligator Alcatraz describe scene as ‘heartbreaking’ and ‘sad’

Andrew Closson was among the civilians standing outside the Alligator Alcatraz on Saturday afternoon in Collier County.

Lawmaker doesn’t think Saturday’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ tour will paint true picture of facility

Local 10 News heard from Florida lawmakers Friday who are suing the state for access to the “Alligator Alcatraz” migrant detention facility, just hours before they join fellow Democrats and Republicans on a tour of the controversial center.

Lawsuit filed after Florida lawmakers turned away from ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ facility

South Florida lawmakers are demanding answers about what’s happening inside a controversial migrant detention site some have dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” as concerns mount over the treatment of hundreds being held at the remote Everglades Detention Center.

Attorney says she was denied access to client at Alligator Alcatraz migrant detention site

Roughly 600 people are currently being detained at the migrant detention facility in South Florida known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” authorities told Local 10 News Wednesday.

Environmentalists raise concerns over latest work done at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

Newly-released aerial photos taken over the remote airport site of the state-built migrant detention facility “Alligator Alcatraz” led environmental groups to question whether it contradicted officials’ claims that no new construction would be done at the site.

State lawmakers denied entry to ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ as first migrants arrive at Everglades facility

As the first wave of migrant detainees prepares to arrive, Florida officials are finalizing construction on what critics are now calling “Alligator Alcatraz.”

Trump to visit ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued what it calls a “VIP Movement Notification” for Tuesday in Ochopee, and we know the notification is specific to Air Force One.

DeSantis defends ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ as work continues on Everglades migrant facility

Florida’s familiar logistics of temporary mass housing is well underway at an old air strip in the Florida Everglades, with mass migrant detention the goal.

Florida Panther hit and killed by car on I-75; 10th death of 2025

A tenth Florida Panther has died this year.

Florida officers capture 3 black bears during probe into deaths of man and his dog

A man has died after encountering a bear in Collier County, Gulf Coast News reported Monday.

Endangered Florida panther deaths reported

Two endangered Florida panthers have died, after authorities said they were hit by vehicles.

Woman reports seeing Florida black bear killing dog before her father vanished

A man has died after encountering a bear in Collier County, Gulf Coast News reported Monday.

Miami woman busted after statewide baby formula stealing spree, deputies say

A Miami woman has been arrested after deputies say she went on a statewide stealing spree.

WILD FLORIDA: Couple gets unexpected visit from family of black bears

A southwest Florida couple got a very unexpected visit at their front door.

Everglades airboat crash victims hire attorneys, speak about incident

As an investigation is underway after an airboat collision last week, one of the injured is recalling his terrifying ordeal with Local 10 News.

Investigation underway after at least 24 were injured during Everglades airboat collision

An investigation was underway on Saturday after at least 24 people were injured when two airboats collided in the Florida Everglades grasslands.

16 hospitalized after 2 airboats collide in Ochopee

Sixteen people were hospitalized following a collision between two airboats in Collier County on Friday afternoon, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Florida Humane Society looking to find furry felines their forever homes

The Florida Humane Society works to save animals in Broward and Collier counties.

Python swallows deer whole in Southwest Florida

Scientists from the Conservancy of Southwest Florida found a Burmese python who ate a full-size white-tailed deer.

Stone crab season begins Oct. 15

South Florida, it’s that time of year again. Stone crabs will be back in season beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

Man admits to stealing cash while working as U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer in Florida

A 43-year-old man recently admitted to stealing from airline passengers while he worked as a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer.

Flash flood advisory issued for parts of Broward, Miami Dade, Monroe counties

A tornado warning was issued for extreme western Broward County Wednesday morning.

New report details survivors’ escape from I-75 plane crash

A newly-released incident report details the moments before a private jet crashed on Interstate 75 near Naples, killing two pilots from Broward County, and how a flight attendant helped the survivors escape before the plane exploded.

911 calls released from I-75 plane crash that claimed lives of South Florida pilots

Collier County dispatchers were inundated with 911 calls after a private jet crashed on Interstate 75 Friday afternoon, killing two pilots from South Florida. Authorities have now released those phone calls.

Video shows moments plane crashed onto I-75

Newly released video shows the moment a plane crashed onto I-75 and burst into flames on Friday.

Homeowner describes hearing plane crash along I-75

A South Florida homeowner described what he experienced when a small plane crashed behind his home.

Pilot before fatal fiery crash on I-75 near Naples: ‘We are not going to make the runway’

A private jet crashed on Interstate 75 in Collier County Friday afternoon, bursting into flames and killing at least two people, according to authorities.

FHP: Toy-gun-toting Tamarac man leads troopers on 120+ mph chase

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a man from South Florida led troopers on a high-speed chase on Interstate 75 on the state’s west coast Wednesday morning, ending in a PIT maneuver — and handcuffs.

Sen. Rick Scott reports criminals ‘swatted’ his home in Naples

Sen. Rick Scott reported Thursday morning that criminals attempted to “terrorize” his family by making a prank call to emergency services.

Man wins $1 million prize playing Lottery scratch-off game at Florida Publix

A Florida man turned $5 into a $1 million prize after playing the Gold Rush Doubler scratch-off game, Lottery officials confirmed this week.

Wildlife activists raced to rescue raccoon caught in jarring encounter

Wildlife activists rescued an animal that was stuck in a very tight spot in Naples.

Some Florida counties requiring permission from parents before teachers call kids by their nicknames

If a child's birth name is William, but everyone calls him Billy, his teacher cannot call him Billy without getting a permission slip from his parents.

Florida law enforcement searches for 11-month-old baby who vanished in May

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement asked the public for help on Friday night after a baby girl from Collier County vanished.

Cuban authorities accuse pilot who defected in Soviet-era biplane of ‘air piracy’

The Cuban pilot who defected in a Soviet-era biplane was supposed to be working on agricultural spraying work when he fled Friday to the United States, according to a Cuban government agency.

Search, recovery process underway as Hurricane Ian death toll rises in Florida

Evacuation and relief efforts continued in Southwest Florida on Tuesday, as the death toll surpassed 100 from the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian.

Punta Gorda residents waiting for relief after Hurricane Ian rips through city

With many people in the Florida Gulf Coast area still without power, residents in Punta Gorda were working to rebuild the city after homes were badly damaged and boats were pushed by the storm surge of Hurricane Ian.

Gas station stores in Lee, Collier counties become havens amid Hurricane Ian’s havoc

Hurricane Ian’s aftermath in Lee and Collier counties means driving through inundated streets despite a gas shortage, shopping only with cash at the few stores open, staying away from damaged electric poles, and finding boats stuck in unlikely areas.

‘Nightmare’ in Naples: Ian’s storm surge goes over dunes, drags cars, gets into homes

James Spinuzza was overwhelmed on Thursday morning. He found sand, fish, and mud inside his garage and home after Hurricane Ian made landfall north of his home in Naples.

Mother shares videos of Ian’s storm surge after staying in apartment near Naples beach

Hurricane Ian’s storm surge was so high a mother who was with her son, as her police officer husband worked, was prepared to evacuate her second-floor apartment in Naples.

FHP: Cement truck slams into Alligator Alley toll plaza, creating backups

A cement truck slammed into Alligator Alley’s eastbound toll plaza Monday, leading to traffic congestion heading into South Florida, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Felony theft suspects from Collier County located by BSO deputies in Fort Lauderdale

Deputies caught up with the suspects in Fort Lauderdale along West Sunrise Boulevard near the Florida Turnpike.

COPS: Florida woman goes on several Publix shopping sprees with 93-year-old woman’s credit card

A home health aide has been arrested for allegedly stealing from a 93-year-old woman she was hired to care for.

Trapper, wildlife officer hit python jackpot in Big Cypress

A python contractor and a Florida wildlife officer hit the motherlode in Big Cypress National Preserve Monday night, finding two female Burmese pythons, nearly 20 hatchlings and nearly 100 hatched and unhatched eggs amid efforts to rid Florida of the invasive species.