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N O V. 1 - 7, 2024
3A | BACKS OUT
3B | MAESTRO!
3A | MILTON'S WRATH
St. George & The Dragon property
with Naples Philharmonic
in damages from Hurricane Milton
Developer sells its interest in the former
Tim Aten Knows Tim Aten
Mexican restaurant forced to change name
Collier sustains more than $280 million
Shelley starts season
SECURITY PLANS IN PLACE FOR ELECTION DAY
Q: Do you know La Santa is now Kandela located at Tarpon Bay Naples? Have you written an article on the new Kandela yet? Sounds unusual to just change the name for no other reason. New owners? New management? New menus? Did the previous name belong to another company? — Josephine Scheidemann, Naples A: La Santa Tacos & Tequila in North Naples was forced to change its name by another user of the La Santa name, said co-owner Pedro Aguirre. “No big deal. It’s just a name,” Aguirre messaged, noting that La Santa is now Kandela Tacos & Tequila. “La Santa has been reborn with a new name. Welcome to Kandela! Same great food, same great vibes, just a new name to spice things up,” the restaurant posted on its social media. “La Santa Tacos & Tequilas in North Naples evolved this summer by introducing a new name after much thought and inspiration.” It wasn’t exactly a light bulb moment, though; it was more like an illuminating flame. Kandela is Spanish for candle. “The name reflects our passion for creating a vibrant, warm and unforgettable atmosphere much like the glow of a candle that lights up a room. Kandela represents our fiery dedication to exceptional Latin and Mexican cuisine and hospitality,” the restaurant posted on its social media. A search for “La Santa” in the See ATEN KNOWS, Page 6A
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ABOVE: Staff from the Collier County Supervisor of Elections Office prepare equipment in the Norris Center the weekend before early voting begins. Staff members are, from left, Franco DiCarlo, Jake Pirosseno and Frank Tuya. BELOW: A secure ballot intake station in the Norris Center. Photos by Liz Gorman
Casting your ballot
By Aisling Swift
When voters head to Collier County’s 66 polling places Tuesday, they can rest assured security has been heightened in light of the national political climate. It might not be obvious to the casual observer, but a team of staff and election volunteers will be watching to ensure no disruptions take place and to quell them if they happen. “We have met with and are actively in touch with our partners in law enforcement,” said Collier County Elections Supervisor Melissa Blazier’s spokeswoman Trish Robertson. She declined to provide specific details, adding, “But we are in active communication, and they are a part of the response process.”
There were no incidents during the 2020 presidential election, Robertson said, but in-person turnout was comparatively low then, due in part to the coronavirus pandemic. “Turnout has been high, and we expect high turnout to continue overall,” she said, adding that 200 people will work during early voting and 600-700 workers — possibly more — will be at polling places on Election Day. As of Oct. 25, 53,546 county residents had already voted by mail, while 45,201 went to early voting locations to cast ballots. Early voting continues from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and ends Saturday, Nov. 2; anyone with a vote-by-mail ballot must ensure they will arrive at the elections office by Election Day or deliver them in person by 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. See ELECTION, Page 7A
AUTISM CHARTER SCHOOL SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN AUGUST By Therese McDevitt terry.mcdevitt@naplespress.com
Parents of students on the autism spectrum will have a new educational option to consider when Autism Collier Charter School opens in August of next year, following approval in early October by the Collier County Public School Board. According to a late October press release, the
K-12 charter school was approved by Superintendent Leslie Ricciardelli under her “delegated authority” as part of the consent agenda for the Oct. 8 regular meeting of the school board, which was canceled as Hurricane Milton approached before making landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast on Oct. 9. A location for the new school has not been announced but is expected to be revealed within the next couple of months, according to ACCS board chair Jen Mitchell, who said the board is
negotiating with two existing locations that are “centrally located” and with “fantastic facilities.” In a phone interview, Mitchell and ACCS Principal Emily Kafle — who are co-founders of the school along with ACCS board member Stephanie Nordin — discussed goals for the new school, which they describe as a “much-needed specialized environment for students with auSee CHARTER, Page 8A
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Zach Maloch
Matt Devitt