Captiva Current

CEPD readdresses assessment letters, tax bills

The Captiva Erosion Prevention District recently reported that it recognizes there has been some confusion due to Hurricane Ian regarding the logistics of the recent beach nourishment assessment.

To provide additional time for clarification to Captiva property owners, it extended the due date for payment in full to the CEPD offices to Dec. 20. The date to pay an assessment in full has passed. The CEPD reported that all payments that have been received have been reported to the Lee County Tax Collector, and they are processing the requests. Owners whose tax bill has been amended and remains unpaid will receive an updated bill. Owners who have paid both the CEPD and tax collector will receive a refund for any overpayment of the amended line item provided by the tax collector.

Any payments received after the due date will be returned to the sender.

The CEPD encouraged owners to pay their tax bill early and in full to take advantage of the discounts available. To look up one's tax bill, visit https:// lee.county-taxes.com/public/search/property_ tax.

The CEPD added that after the first round of amortized payments, owners will retain the ability — upon request — to coordinate an early payoff of the remaining balance of their assessment.

The Lee County Library System, which includes the Captiva Memorial Library, is offering the following free virtual programming:

CAPTIVA CRUISES/SUGARSHACK PRODUCTIONS

Captiva Cruises reopens with limited cruise schedule

Captiva Cruises has reopened to the public after a temporary closure due to Hurricane Ian.

Operating out of McCarthy's Marina on Captiva, the family owned and operated cruise excursion service is offering a limited cruise schedule traveling to Cabbage Key, along with sunset and wildlife cruises. There are also cruises from Boca Grande to Cabbage Key and dolphin sightseeing cruises. The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting on Jan. 12 at 10 a.m. at the marina, at 11401 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, to celebrate the reopening of Captiva Cruises.

“We’re excited to share our love of Sanibel and Captiva Islands with the community once again, ” Brad Junghans, coowner with wife Leslie and partners Bob and Jenny Rando,

See CAPTIVA CRUISES, page 7

County library system offering virtual programs

Adult programs

∫ Today, Jan. 11: Online English Cafe at 6 p.m.

The session will provide adult learners an opportunity to practice speaking English with native speakers. Topics will include everyday situations, current events and cultural areas. Program presented in partnership with the School District of Lee County's Adult & Career Education Program. ∫ Jan. 17: Online Wellness Book Club at 12:30 p.m.

The Online Wellness Book Club will feature a variety of books on this month's topic, “Healthy Habits. ” Guest panelists will share their expertise and participate in the book discussion. Participants are invited to share books that they have read related to the topic. Advance registration required before Jan. 17 at 12:30 p.m.

For more information or to register, visit leelibrary.librarymarket.com.

Questions can also be directed to 239479-INFO (4636).

Download books, stream video and other online content at www.leelibrary.net.

The Captiva Memorial Library is currently closed due to Hurricane Ian.

The Captiva library is at 11560 Chapin Lane, Captiva.

Most Lee County administrative operations will be closed on Jan. 16 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The county’s holiday schedule adjustments are as follows:

Domestic animal services

Animal Services, at 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers, will be closed on Jan. 16 and will resume regular business hours on Jan. 17.

LeeTran

There will be no change to LeeTran’s regular bus, trolley and paratransit service on Jan. 16. Route schedules and maps are available at www.rideleetran.com.

Libraries

All library locations will be closed on Jan. 16. Each branch will resume regular operating hours on Jan. 17. The Lakes Regional Library, which is serving as a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, and Captiva Memorial Library remain closed post-Hurricane Ian. The online library is at www.leelibrary.net/online.

Recreation centers and administrative offices will be closed on Jan. 16 and will reopen on Jan. 17. Some boat ramps, parks and preserves will be open; for the list of open locations, visit www.leeparks.org. All beach parks remain closed due to damage from Ian.

Solid waste

There will be no change to collection schedules on Jan. 16. The Resource Recovery Facility on Buckingham Road will be open for regular hours from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lee County Solid Waste offices and the Household Chemical Waste Collection Facility, at 6441 Topaz Court, Fort Myers, will be closed on Jan. 16 and will reopen on Jan. 17.

Captiva Cruises From page 6

Santiva catamaran

CAPTIVA CRUISES said.

“We have been inspired by the resiliency of our island community and encouraged by the progress that has been made, yet we know there is still a long way to go. As we reopen, we remain committed to leading guests in enjoying some much-needed fun while respecting the important work being done to help our islands and waterways recover. ”

In the months following the storm, Captiva Cruises focused on helping staff clear debris from their homes and served as a ferry service to support the recovery. It has been transporting food and supplies to Captiva, along with relief workers and employees who are helping hotels and businesses reopen.

“We moved to Southwest Florida in the early '90s and have worked on Sanibel and Captiva for the entirety of our adult lives, ” Bob Rando said. “We were employees at Captiva Cruises and learned from the best, founder Paul McCarthy, who guided us through Hurricane Charley in 2004 and continued to pay us as employees, even when we couldn’t operate. He did it for us, and we have been proud to carry on his legacy of caring for our staff during this challenging time while supporting our island community in moving toward recovery. ”

Captiva Cruises is running cruises from its 45-foot catamarans, Playtime and Santiva. Its 65-foot flagship boat, Lady Chadwick, was damaged during the hurricane and will undergo repairs.

All of the cruises are led by U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captains, guiding passengers in encountering Southwest Florida and providing educational insights on the local ecosystems and native wildlife.

For more information, visit CaptivaCruises.com or call (239) 472-5300.

Deadline extended for student art contest

Keep Lee County Beautiful recently announced that it has extended the submission deadline for the 2023 “Leave the Scene Clean” art contest for local youth. The new deadline for entries is Jan. 31.

Open to K-12, Lee County students are to visualize a correct environmental action and transfer that mental picture into a work of art. Possible ways of expanding on the theme could include: litter prevention, clean-up campaigns, beautification efforts such as landscaping and tree planting, protecting the environment, and recycling.

For the contest, the four overall winning illustrations will be enlarged and appear on the side of a Lee County Waste Pro truck and printed on reusable tote bags. The overall winning and honorable mention artwork will be on display in April in honor of Earth Month. All winners will also receive a certificate and prize pack.

For more information, visit https://www.klcb.org/get-involved/leavethe-scene-clean-art-contest/.

Lee Health is seeking blood donations to help replenish supply levels.

Blood and blood products are not only used in the trauma center, but also to treat cancer patients, premature babies, anemia and a variety of other conditions. Lee Health’s blood centers are the sole supplier of all products for the health system. About 800 units of blood are needed per week, and the blood centers rely on life to saving donations from the community to maintain inventory levels.

The Lee Health Blood Mobile will be at the following locations: ∫ Jan. 13: Scanlon Auto Group, at 14200 S Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ∫ Jan. 15: New Hope Baptist Fellowship Church, at 431 Nicholas Parkway, Cape Coral, from 8:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. ∫ Jan. 15: St. Michael Lutheran Church, at 3595 Broadway, Fort Myers, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ∫ Jan. 18: Florida Southwestern State College, at 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers, from 10 a.m. 3 p.m.; bus will be parked in Lot 12, behind the S building ∫ Jan. 18: Lee County Sheriff’s Office, at 14750 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers, from noon to 5 p.m.

All blood donated at Lee Health stays within the system to care for patients in Southwest Florida. If unable to attend a drive, donations can also be made at one of Lee Health’s blood centers.

For more information on how and where to donate, visit https://www.leehealth.org/our-services/blood-centers.

Report your news to THE CAPTIVA CURRENT: captivasanibel.com

Lee Health seeks blood donations