Erica Van Buren is a multimedia journalist experienced in shooting and editing video footage and photos.
Column: Has my life changed since I started covering climate change? Yes. Dramatically.
In June, The Augusta Chronicle welcomed me onboard as the new climate change and environment reporter.
To say my life changed would be an understatement.
Prior to covering all things environment related I was no stranger to words like recycle or campaigns dedicated to removing plastic from the ocean like 4Ocean's push to move from plastic to reusable straws.
I did what I felt like was within my reach. I purchased a few recyclable bags. Do I grab them every time I head out for a grocery run? N...
SWFL residents gather in Dunbar to discuss the needs of the community
About 20 residents gathered Thursday at Mount Hermon Church in Dunbar to share their concerns about what is needed to help the people and the community thrive.
The Impact Dunbar On the Table SWFL event was part of a collaborative effort initiated by Charlotte Community Foundation, Collaboratory, and Collier Community Foundation. The goal is to connect while having meaningful conversations that hopefully bring about change.
The Dunbar discussion was one of many On the Table gatherings held thr...
CEO and President of Collaboratory, Sarah Owen, is stepping down
After steering the helm at Collaboratory the last 12 years, Sarah Owen has decided to step down as head of the organization.
Owen said as far as what’s next career wise that will be announced at a later date.
“It'll be up to the new organization to make an announcement about where I'm going next,” said Owen. “But that'll be months to come. I'm going to be here for several more months. I am solely focused on what’s happening and the transition here at Collaboratory.”
Owen joined Collaboratory ...
Hurricane Ian recovery efforts still underway, Lee Health clinic reopens in Dunbar
About 50 Lee Health staff, residents and city officials gathered on Monday to celebrate the opening of the new Lee Community Healthcare’s Dunbar medical office.
The Dunbar clinic, located at 3637 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in the plaza with Next Level Church, will offer primary health care including family medicine as well as behavioral and mental health services for both children and adults. The medical office, which opens its doors to seeing patients on Tuesday at 7am, will be made up...
SWFL nonprofit distributed 17.9 million pounds of food post Hurricane Ian; help wanted
Harry Chapin Food Bank, serving hundreds of food pantries and organizations in five counties throughout Southwest Florida, is in need of volunteers.
Hannah Wilson, volunteer engagement coordinator for the food bank, said volunteers are vital to the organization being able to help families in need.
“We have about 4,500 active volunteers,” said Wilson. “During our off-season we lose about 60% of our volunteers. “Since Hurricane Ian, we’ve distributed almost 18 million pounds of food. We definit...
Amazon debuts film inspired by Christian family's harrowing encounter after Marco visit
Doug White, 70, recalls how a trip in 2009 to Marco Island after his brother's death completely changed not only his life but the life of his wife Terri and their two daughters Maggie and Bailey.
Amazon Prime Video is releasing a “On a Wing and a Prayer” based on a life altering incident of the Archibald, La. residents and featuring actors Dennis Quaid and Heather Graham. The movie release date is April 7.
Q. What happened in 2009?
I only have one sibling, a brother that’s two years younger. ...
SWFL artist unveils public art installation celebrating the faces of Immokalee
Artist Michelle Tricca will unveil a new exhibit, The Face Of Immokalee, a public art installation celebrating the soul of Immokalee, on Sunday.
The 255 photos in the portrait installation celebrate the residents of Immokalee in an effort to honor and put a face to the agricultural community.
All are welcome to attend the outdoor exhibition in Immokalee at 200 E. Main Street from noon until 2pm.
“This project is about the art of photography and addressing the lack of public art in Southwest F...
Retired NFL player Walter Harris will host a free football, leadership camp in Immokalee
Retired professional football player Walter Harris will host a leadership and football camp dedicated to teaching youth about life skills on and off the field.
The free camp will kick off on May 27 at 9 a.m. at Immokalee High School located at 701 Immokalee Drive, wrapping up at 5 pm. Middle and high school age boys are encouraged to come out. Lunch will be provided.
Walter Harris, founder of Official Pro Players, said the goal of his nonprofit is to bring professional athletes together from ...
Countless Florida residents could lose Medicaid health insurance coverage
Countless Florida residents are in jeopardy of being dropped from the Medicaid program, a federally subsidized health insurance designed for low-income individuals and families.
Experts say residents that receive Medicaid insurance should be on the look for an envelope with a yellow stripe or an email seeking information that will be sent 45 days prior to a recipient’s renewal date.
Those whom the state cannot renew because they lack up-to-date income information or because they are deemed in...
Hurricane Ian recovery efforts still underway, Lee Health clinic reopens in Dunbar
About 50 Lee Health staff, residents and city officials gathered on Monday to celebrate the opening of the new Lee Community Healthcare’s Dunbar medical office.
The Dunbar clinic, located at 3637 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in the plaza with Next Level Church, will offer primary health care including family medicine as well as behavioral and mental health services for both children and adults. The medical office, which opens its doors to seeing patients on Tuesday at 7am, will be made up...
'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' actor, children's author to visit FGCU to talk Black achievement
At 6 p.m. Thursday, actor Karyn Parsons, known for her role as Hilary Banks in the '90s sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," will share the stories of unsung historical figures.
The event is open to the public and admission is free at the Cohen Center Ballroom,10501 FGCU Boulevard, on the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University.
Parsons, 56, is the founder and president of Sweet Blackberry, a nonprofit organization that highlights historical figures in a series of children’s books and animat...
Community raises $3,000 via GoFundMe to help longtime produce stand owner rebuild after Ian
Fort Myers resident Kathleen O'Brien and her husband Donald Maki set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for James Stewart, owner of Heights Produce.
“We didn’t know him personally,” said 61-year-old O’Brien. “We’ve driven by many times and noticed after the hurricane (Ian) hit he only had a tent left. He had crates set up to keep his vegetable stand going. Don decided that maybe I should set up a GoFundMe and ask our neighbors all to pitch in.”
The GoFundMe goal was $1,500. As of Monday, 79 pe...
SWFL nonprofit feeds school children in need, combating food insecurity
Blessings in a Backpack of SWFL recently added four more schools to their roster in an effort to continue the fight against food insecurity.
“We're a national organization feeding 100,000 children,” said Cecilia St. Arnold, executive director of Blessings in a Backpack of SWFL. “We supplement the free breakfast, lunch program on weekends. We target Title 1 elementary school students. We are feeding over 6,700 children in four counties. Our biggest is Lee and Collier. We've just entered Henry ...
FGCU, FutureMakers awarded $23 million grant to offer training to untapped workforce
FutureMakers Coalition and Florida Gulf Coast University received $23 million grant to offer training to untapped workforce
The FutureMakers Coalition and Florida Gulf Coast University are united in an effort to help connect workers with the necessary training to attain better careers while meeting the workforce needs of employers.
“FutureMakers is a sub-awardee of the $22.9 million grant,” said Tessa LeSage, FutureMakers Coalition Director at Collaboratory. “We are leveraging our more than 1...
Williams Academy Black History Museum remains a community staple in Dunbar community
The Williams Academy Black History Museum, a staple in the Dunbar community, highlights the accomplishments of historical figures that called Fort Myers home.
“The Williams Academy Black History Museum opened in January 2001,” said Charles Barnes, chairman of the Lee County Black History Society. “The building was an old schoolhouse built in 1912. It was actually the first government building funded to educate Black kids in Lee County. In 1995 the building was slated to be demolished by the L...