Times tough on retail scene

Jeff Brodnick and Susan Mogil started their La Charmante Maison home boutique four years ago on First Street in downtown Fort Myers.

Rebounding crocodile reduced to ?threatened? status

Don?t cry any crocodile tears for Crocodylus acutus. The pointy-snouted reptile, which was on the brink of extinction only three decades ago, is rebounding across the southern tip of Florida and the north end of the Florida Keys.

Once-hot Florida home market chills a bit (Reuters)

Reuters - The U.S. housing slump has cast a shadow over the wealthy retirement community of Naples on Florida's sunny Gulf Coast, once one of the hottest real estate markets in the country, but there is little sign the boom has turned to all-out bust.

New on the Scene: The Grillroom Chophouse and Wine Bar

The latest in a string of openings at Coconut Point, The Grillroom is a steakhouse done in the tradition of a Chicago chophouse, though it takes advantage of local influences with regional seafood dishes. For those who don't have time for a lengthy dinner, a full bar and ample outdoor seating with bar ...

Review: Book warns of economic collision course

We have more stuff, we live longer and our houses keep getting bigger. Every second of every day, the world's economic machinery ...

Mercedes' fish-inspired car

When Mercedes-Benz began to contemplate its next generation of high-efficiency small cars, it sought aquatic inspiration.

Bats flying around Bonita

Just after dusk every night, a bridge in downtown Bonita Springs squeaks to life. The high-pitched chirps reveal thousands of residents living relatively unnoticed beneath the Imperial River bridge on Matheson Avenue.

Walk Bonita program to offer a look at city's history

The Bonita Springs Historical Society will host its annual Walk Bonita on Saturday, March 31, in conjunction with the Celebrate Bonita festival on April 1.

Spotlight: Photographer R J Wiley

Bonitan R J Wiley has been taking pictures most of his life, but his professional photography has taken off in the last six years as resident artist at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

Human slinky boggles the mind

Ever seen a human slinky before? You have now. And I'm not entirely sure that's a good thing.

Subprime troubles could still spread pain

The subprime mortgage meltdown, while dramatic, isn't likely to push the U.S. economy into recession.

Living In | Red Hook, Brooklyn: Where Tugboats Chug and Ikea?s Coming

Red Hook?s fan club has a growing membership, for whom all the quirks and quibbles only enhance its status as a uniquely great place to live.

New Interstate 75 interchange now open

A new Interstate 75 interchange at Golden Gate Parkway that is expected to significantly improve traffic flow on Collier County roads opened this afternoon.

Home prices: Don't expect quick rebound

Is the housing slump really that bad? After all, the S&P 500 last week fell more in a single day (3.5 percent) than home prices have fallen in the past year nationally (3.1 percent).

Dirty Car Windows Become Artist's Canvas

SAN MARCOS, Texas (AP) -- Every so often, Scott Wade will drive his Mini Cooper up and down the rough, gravelly road near his Texas Hill Country home....

New on the Scene: Apple

Reason to go: The Coconut Point location is the only retail Apple store in Southwest Florida. Upon entrance of its silver exterior, the inside jumps alive with stations surrounding the store where customers can check out all the latest Apple products such as the iPod shuffle or MacBook.

Toyota May Open Plant in Mississippi

Toyota is expected to pick Tupelo, Miss., as a site for an eighth North American assembly plant.

Bonita Today: Revisiting the value of the Imperial Landing project

With his 44 years spent in Bonita Springs, one might underestimate David Piper. After all, his family has been in the attraction business for a long time ? the Wonder Gardens has been open since 1936, which is 10 years ahead of Walt Disney putting his Disneyland ideas to paper ? and it would be easy ...

Report: In U.S., record numbers are plunged into poverty

The gulf between rich and poor in the United States is yawning wider than ever, and the number of extremely impoverished is ...

Shifting Housing Market Snubs Bad Credit (AP)

Homeowners with troubled credit histories are finding it harder to get mortgages or refinance homes because softening in the housing market is making lenders less likely to handle riskier loans.