Student athletes are often seen as some of the hardest working ones in a room, especially if they feel they have something to prove, like Pine Ridge High School senior Jordan Buchanan. After what could have been the end of the road for him in football, he turned it into an opportunity.

What You Need To Know

“Summer going into my junior year was probably one of the hardest times I’ve faced in my life,” Buchanan said after he broke his arm during tackle drills at spring practice. “Doctors told me that a couple of days later that I was most likely going to miss my entire junior season, if not, more than that.”

At the time, Jordan had only played four games his sophomore year because of the pandemic and was looking forward to playing his Junior year, but wound up sitting out the whole season.

“I did what I could for my team, I’d be at practice, cheer them on the field, I was there in whatever way I could be,” he said.

It was that push, that responsibility of being a team leader that not only showed the team who he was, but to himself.

“Seeing that those guys looked up to me, even when I wasn’t on the team, that motivated me a lot because it showed me how much they cared for me and that they relied on me and I needed to do everything I could for them,” he said.

Since being a part of the team, there have been five coaches in total for Pine Ridge football, giving him a leader mentality.

“I had to really rely on myself, because a lot of the time I didn’t have a coach, a lot of it was pushing myself and teaching myself what to do,” he said. “Especially during my year off I really had to remind myself of all the hard work I had done years prior and one year in the grand scheme of things wasn’t so bad, but I had to work even harder.”

Jordan says the minute he was cleared to play, he went to work. Drills, the weight room, you name it.

“I really self-assessed myself and knew what I needed to work on having a successful senior year,” he said.

Jordan led the team in tackles on offense and was the second leading receiver as a tight end. While he balled out his senior year, Buchanan has been a stellar student, with a 4.26 GPA. He had multiple scholarship offers, but the young man loves to work and challenge himself.

“I’m going to be a walk on at UCF,” he said.

While it can seem scary, Buchanan says he’s a person that never gives up nor backs down from a challenge.

“With all that I’ve been through, I can get through anything, since I broke my arm, it’s only been up,” he said. “I know the expectations I’m going to have to meet going into that and I’m not nervous about it, I’m just ready for it."

Golf courses nationwide have hit on hard times because the outdoor sport has fallen out of favor with many who would rather get the same thrills from a computer screen.

The popularity decline has forced golf course owners to think out of the box and the new owner of the Pine Ridge Golf Club in Beverly Hills believes he has a way not only to keep his course viable but also bring needed housing to the entire county.

Neil Surati, president/owner of Shanti Golf LLC, pitched a plan to Pine Ridge Property Owners Association members at a special presentation last week.

The idea is to close the 9-hole executive/par course and build the following on the 40-plus acres:

• 25-30 upscale townhomes, from $250,000 to $375,000.

• A recreation center with an office; walking trails, fitness center, indoor pool, tennis and pickleball court.

• Three- to four-story apartments for 55-and-older seniors who would pay rent from $900 to $1,200. There would be four buildings in all.

The ambitious plan still must clear the Pine Ridge Property Owners Association. Nothing has been submitted to the county.

One part of his project has already hit a snag.

Amy Bidwell, senior planner for county land development, said the affordable senior housing component would not fit on the property because it is designated as a golf course.

Bidwell, in a memo to Surati, said he would need to go through the comprehensive plan amendment and also needs an amendment to the Pine Ridge master plan.

Surati is so confident his idea will score a hole-in-one that he already plans to use the proceeds from the housing/recreation investment to improve the remaining 18-hole course.

“That is my goal,” said Surati.

Surati said he is well aware of golf courses closing around this area and he doesn’t want Pine Ridge added to the list. Surati bought the 126-acre Pine Ridge Golf Club in October for $600,000-plus.

“I see a need for housing (in Citrus County),” he said.

Contact Chronicle reporter Michael D. Bates at 352-563-3205 or mbates@chronicleonline.com. To see more of his stories, visit tinyurl.com/y6kb23vv.

Several highway projects impacting I-75 and other highway congestion areas in Southwest Florida were given timelines in an update Monday by Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez and the Florida Department of Transportation.

Local projects to be funded via the Moving Florida Forward program included more than $700 million in investments for Lee and Collier counties, including expected construction timelines for: I-75 at Pine Ridge Road, I-75 from Golden Gate Parkway to Corkscrew Road, State Road 29 from County Road 846 East to New Market Road, and State Road 29 from New Market Road to State Road 82.

The update by Nunez was made at the SWIFT SunGuide Center at 10041 Daniels Parkway in Fort Myers.

The Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative will accelerate priority infrastructure projects across the state through an allocation of $4 billion starting in the 2023-24 fiscal year. These projects will address congestion, improve safety, ensure a resilient transportation system, enhance the supply chain and economic growth, and address future needs as the state continues to experience rapid growth.

“Every day, more and more families are moving to Florida because of Governor DeSantis’ bold leadership and fiscally sound policies that invest in infrastructure,” Nunez said. “As Florida continues to experience unprecedented growth, the Moving Florida Forward Initiative will relieve congestion, enhance safety across our state, promote economic growth, and provide a more resilient transportation infrastructure that Florida families will be able to rely on for generations to come.”

Interstate 75 (I-75) at Pine Ridge Road Interchange: The I-75 at Pine Ridge Road interchange is one of the four interchanges along I-75 in Collier County. Improvements include the reconstruction of the I-75 interchange to a diverging diamond interchange. Proposed improvements are located within the right-of-way. Construction starts in early 2025.

Interstate 75 (I-75) from Golden Gate Parkway to Corkscrew Road: This project will provide capacity improvements to over 18 miles of I-75 from Golden Gate Parkway to Corkscrew Road. The project will add one additional general-use lane in the northbound and southbound directions (six- to eight- lane widening) and auxiliary lanes as needed. Construction starts in Fall 2027.

State Road (S.R.) 29 from County Road (C.R.) 846 East to New Market Road: This project will construct a new alignment of S.R. 29 as a four-lane divided roadway to serve as a loop around the downtown Immokalee area. The design will have four 12-foot travel lanes with curb and gutter on both sides, a 22-foot median, and 12-foot shared-use paths on both sides for the first mile. For the remainder of the project the design will have a 30-foot median and outside paved shoulders and 12-foot shared-use paths on both sides. The project also includes drainage improvements along the entire length of the corridor. Construction starts in Spring 2027.

State Road (S.R.) 29 from New Market Road to S.R. 82: This project consists of widening an approximately 3-mile-long segment of S.R. 29. The final roadway will consist of two 12-foot travel lanes in each direction with 4-foot paved inside shoulders, 10- foot (5-foot paved) outside shoulders, a 30-foot median, and a shared-use path on each side of the roadway. Intersection improvements are proposed for the intersection of S.R. 29 at New Market Road/Westclox Street. Construction starts in Spring 2027.

"In all my years with FDOT, I've witnessed nothing as groundbreaking as 'Moving Florida Forward,'” said FDOT District One Secretary, L.K. Nandam, P.E.. “It's a historic testament to our visionary spirit, illuminating the path from I-75 to Pine Ridge Road and from Golden Gate Parkway to Corkscrew Road. This initiative champions a future where innovation fortifies our infrastructure, as seen in the resilience of Hurricane Ian, bolstering safety, sustaining a thriving population, securing our supply chains, and nurturing economic prosperity."

With construction soon beginning on projects across the state, motorists are encouraged to always drive with caution and slow down in and around work zones. Let’s get everyone, including our workers, home safely.

For more information on the Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, created in January, including additional project details, please visit https://www.fdot.gov/movingfloridaforward/.

WGCU is your trusted source for news and information in Southwest Florida. We are a nonprofit public service, and your support is more critical than ever. Keep public media strong and donate now. Thank you.

BEVERLY HILLS, Fla. — For many who call the Sunshine State home, it’s also known by another name.

What You Need To Know

The state didn't obtain its other nickhame of "Horse Country" without a reason. But perhaps less known is the Citrus County community behind that reputation.

The community of Pine Ridge has always been an equestrian paradise. Only now, as more people begin to discover its secret, it's earning another name— "Little Ocala."

“If you look at her from behind, she has angel wings,” Gail Thomas said.

On her 6-acre property, Thomas takes one of her two horses, Annie, out for a stroll.

“It’s the best kept secret in Florida, I believe,” she said.

That secret Thomas is talking about is the Pine Ridge Estates Equestrian Community. An areas Thomas has been calling home for the last 15 years.

“It was the trails, the amenities, the equestrian center where you can board your horses for a couple of years while you’re building your own place,” said Thomas, who is also president of the Pine Ridge Equestrian Association.

Just a short distance away from Thomas’ property sits the Pine Ridge Equestrian Center. A vast open space for members and their horses.

“I think Pine Ridge is truly becoming like the new Ocala,” said Judy McCoy, a realtor with Century 21 J.W. Morton.

McCoy knows the area all too well. As a realtor, she understands the type of attraction Pine Ridge possesses.

“We have space, we have the Suncoast Parkway coming directly up from Tampa so it’s very easy to get to either Tampa International Airport or Orlando International Airport," McCoy said. "You can have the advantage of being kind of a small town and yet the advantage of being close to big cities, if you need that.”

It’s for this reason that attracted Thomas. Not to mention the extensive trails that run just behind her home.

“We have 28 miles of trails and then, if you want to ride it backwards, you can double that. Add the excess trails, it’s about 60 miles of trails.”

Offering plenty of space for both horse and rider to enjoy.

“I just hope to see people when they move into Pine Ridge to enjoy the wonderful amenities we have," Thomas said. "And to learn about their horses and just enjoy their life with their horses here, in a safe manner.”

An inviting prospect to residents and newcomers alike.

One man in Naples did some research to find out who are the 8 bodies that are buried along the corner of Pine Ridge Road and Goodlette -Frank Road in Naples, Florida.

UPDATE :

As of this morning The Collier County Museum Facilities Maintenance has made a temporary repair to the pillars. At this time the museum is working to permanently repair the pillars.

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Markers for the unknown, along the intersection of Pine Ridge Road and Goodlette-Frank Road in Naples, stand stone pillars for African Americans who resided in Collier County in the 1920s and early 40s. These pillars known as “Plot N” were part of Rosemary Cemetery just one block away. However, due to segregation, and development, the alleged 7 adults and 1 child rest here, along this busy street.

Fred Saunders of Naples did some research finding out who might be buried underneath.

“ I stumbled across this story researching the railroads that used to run down here. The legend was that these were railroad workers that were buried alongside the railroad that now Goodlette-Frank Road. 80, 90, 100 years later it’s just a grass strip with four poles sitting there” said Fred Saunders.

Upset by the damage and lack of care of this sight Saunders says he wants answers.

“But what we do know is there there are pioneers that have been there for almost 100 years, and there is nothing but 4 concrete poles, 2 of them are dilapidated and laying in the bushes now,” said Saunders.

We reached out to Collier County museums for those answers, providing a place map of graves along us 41, they tell us, they are aware of the history that lies beneath.

“ Towards the end of May our staff went to check on Rosemary Cemetery, and drove around the corner and saw that those markers had been damaged, hit by a car a piece of lawn equipment or something,” said Amanda Townsend, Director of Collier County Museums.

Townsend says they have sent staff out to try and repair the damage.

“And what happened is when they went to straighten them, they weren’t just bent over but they were in fact broken off. So they staff laid them to the side until we can figure out the best way to repair them” said Townsend.

Townsend says at this time the land is privately owned and The Collier County Museum is working to gain ownership, but Saunders says, that's not enough, he wants pillars repaired and recognized properly.

“We need to mark this off, this need to be documented, researched, and if we can find out who is there let’s do that, but if nothing else let’s respect them from here on out,” said Fred Saunders.

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