013125 Cape Coral Weekend Breeze

CROW: Bird flu strain killed cam-star eaglets

By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers com

T h e S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a E a g l e C a m

eaglets died of a strain of the bird flu, according to officials with the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel CROW is watching the adult mated pair to determine whether they have been infected as well

C R O W

necropsies at a news conference Thursday

The eaglets, E24 and E25, tested positive for HPAI, highly pathogenic Avian Influenza, a disease that causes high mortality to susceptible birds, according to Jessica Comolli, research and medical director of CROW

Bayshore Road next to the Pritchett Farm

Myers

The eaglets, E24 and E25, tested positive for HPAI, highly pathogenic Avian Influenza, a disease that causes high mortality to susceptible birds, according to

‘Ground Owl Day’

Cape Coral tradition to take place this weekend

By CJ HADDAD

cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

Afun and quirky Cape Coral tradition takes place this weekend, as the city’s official bird will again serve as the prognosticator of weather to come

The burrowing owl takes center stage as the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife and Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department host the sixth annual “Ground Owl Day” on Sunday, Feb 2, at 10 a m at Pelican Baseball C

Groundhog Day

Burrowing Owl Photo Contest youth winner, Abigail Gallaher, whose photo will be used for the Ground Owl Day Tshirt./PHOTO PROVIDED

What: “Ground Owl Day” When: Sunday, Feb 2, at 10 a m Where: Pelican Baseball Complex, 4128 Pelican Blvd

Will the city’s official bird see its shadow? Only time will tell if the protected species will signal six more weeks of “winter” in Southwest Florida

“This event sort of marks the beginning of the fun season down here in Southwest Florida, and we’re always looking ahead to the Burrowing Owl Festival,” said CCFW spokesperson Janet Windisch “This event is always very special ” Fox 4 reporter Bella Line will serve as the master of ceremonies for the event, which will feature a special appearance from the burrowing owl mascot, Athene Community members are invited to join in the excitement to see if Athene will see her shadow and signal the coming of spring Local leaders and wildlife enthusiasts also will be in attendance to show their support for the conservation of these unique birds

Jessica Comolli, research and medical

director of CROW

“It usually includes poultry but also many wild birds This strain is a highly

which has caused catastrophic losses in

“While waterfowl can shed the virus, others, like birds of prey, are highly susceptible and can succumb rapidly ”

o n w h e n i t c o m e s t

i m m i g r a n t e n f o r c e m e n t i n F l o r i d a T h e r o u n d t a b l e d i s c u s s i o n s w e r e h e l d w i t h l a w e n f o r c e m e n t o f f i c i a l s a n d F l o r i d i a n s i m p a c te d b y i l l e g a l i m m ig r a t i o n T o g e t h e r , t h e y d i s c u s s e d w h a t t h e y s a y i s t h e “ u r g e n t n e e d ” f o r t h e S u n s h i n e S t a t e t o p a s s s t r o n g l e gi s l a t i o n a n d a s s i s t t h e T r u m p A d m i n i s t r a t i o n i n b o r d e r e n f o r c em e n t . I n a p o s t o n “ X ” f o l l o w i n g t h e r o u n d t a b l e s , D e S a n t i s s a i d , “ T o d a y i n T i t u s v i l l e a n d F o r t M y e r s , I w a s j o i n e d b y l a w e n f o r c e m e n t a n d a n a n g e l m o m t o h i g h l i g h t t h e f a i lu r e s o f t h e F l o r i d a L e g i s l a t u r e ’ s w e a k b i l l o n i l l e g a l i m m i g r a t i o n t h a t

GROUND OWLS, page 32 IF YOU GO:

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Gov. DeSantis

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“This allows the younger sibling to be preplaced with the older sibling together in the same school Also, while we have moved to a proximity plan at elementary and middle levels, it allows parents the opportunity to (have) more selection of schools available during Open Enrollment Students enrolled after the Open Enrollment period may not receive their preferred choice school as the school may have no available seats.”

Soretta Ralph, Student Enrollment director

Cape Coral Youth Council Excellence Award

Applications open Feb. 3

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to hold Town Hall on Feb. 15

Jennifer Nelson-

CAPE CORAL BREE ZE

RAYMOND M. ECKENRODE Publisher

VALARIE HARRING, Executive Editor

CHRIS STRINE, Editor

2510 Del Prado Blvd • Cape Coral, FL, 33904

• Phone 239-574-1110 – Fax 239-574-5693

Member Florida Press Association

Flu shots make sense

Didn’t get a flu shot?

You probably still want to get one unless you’re among the thousands who have already have been hammered by one of the three strains against which this year’s shot is intended to protect

The height of the flu season rolled in early this year with Lee Health reporting an uptick in influenza and respiratory illness cases in the last few weeks of December

The last week of 2024 there saw 1,273 cases of influenza in acute care hospitals and ambulatory, the overwhelming majority being cases of influenza A

The week before, 1,244 cases were reported

That may not sound like many but for some context:

In its weekly update on Jan 18, the Center for Disease Control estimated that there had been “at least 16 million illnesses, 190,000 hospitalizations, and 8,300 deaths from flu so far this season” with outpatient reported respiratory illnesses above baseline nationally for the eighth consecutive week

Florida teetered at the top of the CDC’s “high” tier of reported cases as of Jan 18 with most of the southeast in the “very high” range The most recent report posted to FloridaHealth gov for the period from Dec 29-Jan 4 shows increases in both positive ie confirmed cases of flu and well as ER visits for flu-like symptoms statewide

Some good news?

Lee Health officials said Thursday that cases have begun to level off

And the flu, a viral illness, is for many relatively mild

But for those at risk those 65 and older, those with existing medical conditions, children 5 and younger, pregnant women and those who have recently given birth the flu can be deadly

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has the flu vaccine available by appointment Call 239-461-6100

Flu shots and other vaccines are, of course, also available at a number of private providers, from your doctor’s office to local pharmacies

We add our voices to those within the health care community urging flu shots this year for, well, everyone

The last thing anyone needs is an illness as unpleasant as flu, especially when a vaccine is readily available

This week’s poll question:

Previous poll question

Do you support President Trump’s decision to pardon or commute the sentences of those charged in connection with their actions at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021?

∫ Yes 76 6% ∫ No. 21.9% ∫ Don’t care 1 5%

Exciting times for Lee County schools

Dear Lee County Families and Community,

Happy New Year! Exciting New Year

Ahead As we turn the page on a new calendar year, I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season filled with joy, relaxation, and cherished moments with loved ones We’re excited to jump back into the school year and embrace the opportunities that 2025 brings

This is an especially exciting time for our Lee County schools as we welcome a new school board, including two dynamic new members and our newly elected superintendent Together, we are committed to fostering an environment of collaboration, innovation, and excellence in education

We are thrilled to have fresh perspectives and diverse experiences joining our team Each member brings unique strengths and a shared passion for enhancing our educational community. Their enthusiasm will surely inspire positive changes as we work together to elevate our schools

Commentary

We are also proud to announce the election of our new superintendent, who comes to us with a wealth of experience and a vision for nurturing a thriving learning environment Their leadership will be vital in guiding our district towards achieving our shared goals and ensuring that every student reaches their full potential

As we move into 2025, we’re dedicated to:

■ Innovative Educational Practices: We aim to implement new teaching methods that cater to the diverse learning needs of all students.

■ Community Engagement: We believe that collabora-

tion between schools, families, and the community is essential Expect more opportunities to participate in shaping our educational landscape

■ Focus on Student Well-being: Mental and emotional health remain a top priority as we roll out new initiatives designed to support our students.

As a school board member, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on our accomplishments from the past year Although there is much more work to do, we are making strides in enhancing our educational programs, fostering a supportive environment, and strengthening community partnerships

Our graduation rate set a new high for the School District since standards increased in 2022 at 85 8% during the 2023-24 school year This is an increase of 0 7% over last year, exceeding the prepandemic rate of 83 7% for the 2018-19 school year. The 2019-20 graduation rate was artificially inflated because students were exempt from statewide standardized assessment requirements stipulated in state law

Let’s come together to make this an outstanding year for our students and community Your support and involvement are crucial as we embark on this exciting journey Let’s kick off 2025 with enthusiasm and a shared commitment to excellence in education I look forward to working alongside each of you as we continue to shape a bright future for our students Thank you for your support

Melisa W. Giovannelli represents District 2 on the School Board of Lee County

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Kids should not fear school attendance

To the editor:

An Open Letter to Superintendent Carlin, School Board Members and Attorney Bruno,

As leaders of public education in Lee County you must be as concerned as we are about the possibility that ICE will be allowed into our schools to remove “certain” students. Not only will this terrorize all students and their families but will also put all staff and educators in the untenable position of being in the middle of a police action in what is supposed to be a safe place for everyone Even the threat of ICE coming into the schools will keep many, many students at home, missing out on more teaching and learning, further undermining their education and longterm potential for success No parent, guardian or compassionate community member wants students to live in fear while at school

As Lee County’s duly elected officials we call on you to speak directly to the Governor and the Legislators during the upcoming “special” legislative session and afterwards to let them know, with all the power and influence you have, what a disaster ICE coming in to any school building would be for our students, families, educators and staff If students don’t feel safe and protected they can’t learn; if staff and educators don’t feel supported they can’t teach

Thank you for doing all you can to support the freedom of our students, parents, educators and staff to be safe in the Lee County Schools

Respectfully,

New leadership now

To the editor:

Samuel B Stewart, Ed.D Madelon V Stewart, Ed.D Fort Myers

Last Wednesday’s Cape Coral City Council meeting exposed to me that something is awry I must say that since they fired the citizens committees, I feel they have no guidelines of service to the citizens of Cape Coral

Their handling of the parks is the prime example

As states and cities are trying to make parks a retreat

and restful, the city is trying to give residents more places to drink??!! Does this make sense? Parks for profit? What is going on? Compete with paying businesses?

The top of our chain of command does not display competence

Please begin a hunt for a new manager and lawyer NOW

Joan Klockow Cape Coral

Trump has America’s goals

To the editor:

A president should stop crime instead of causing it The actions of Joe Biden with his family and open borders have certainly multiplied crime in this country

Under Joe Biden, more illegal immigrants have been allowed into this country than the population of New York City Many of them are criminals An open door to an affluent country like America is hard to resist for a career criminal. The Mexican cartels have also walked through that open door to set up chapters in many of the major cities

Venezuela is claiming its crime has dropped 70% because they exported a dominant number of their criminals and mental cases into our country, thanks to Joe Biden, Kamala in charge of immigration and Alejandro Mayorkas, cabinet member setting a record for unAmerican border control

The roundup of illegal immigrant criminal element has begun As they arrest these criminals, their arrest history is exposed Many of these illegal criminals have been arrested and released as many as 15 times in our sanctuary cities What possibly can be a city’s motivation? Don’t they care if their citizens are murdered, raped and robbed?

An estimated 600 rapists were given catch-and-release treatment into this country during Biden’s reign and that is a minimum Is anyone happy that as many as 600 sex criminals have been released to prey on our women in this country? Laken Riley lost her life to one of them Other American young women have also been raped and murdered

Melisa W Giovannelli Guest

Let’s make sure Medicare’s latest cost-cutting plan doesn’t backfire

Here's a healthcare puzzle When a doctor administers chemotherapy in their office, Medicare pays one rate When the same doctor performs the same procedure in a hospital's outpatient facility down the street, Medicare often pays more

This disparity is at the heart of a push among some lawmakers for “site-neutral payments,” which would broadly require Medicare to pay the same rate for the same service regardless of where it’s performed A bipartisan framework from Sen Bill Cassidy, R-La , and Sen Maggie Hassan, DN H , estimates that site-neutral payments could save Medicare over $100 billion in the next decade

But in the rush to fix this genuine problem, policymakers risk creating another one Site-neutral payment reforms, as currently proposed, could jeopardize the ability of super-specialty hospitals and their outpatient facilities to deliver the high-quality care they’re renowned for.

Super-specialty hospitals’ outpatient facilities aren't converted doctor’s offices with a hospital logo plastered on the door They’re purpose-built extensions of the main

hospital, offering the same sophisticated care but in more accessible locations

The difference matters for three key reasons

First, super-specialty hospitals’ outpatient facilities are fully integrated with the main hospital to provide the same high-quality diagnosis and treatment of specific conditions They do not provide standard primary care services

Second, these specialty outpatient centers can actually save Medicare and other payers money in the long run, even if individual procedures cost more upfront Studies show that high-volume specialty centers have significantly lower complication rates and longer survival rates across multiple types of procedures Patients avoid the need for repeated procedures and extended hospital stays

Dr Mathias P Bostrom

Guest Commentary

Third, super-specialty hospitals’ outpatient clinics offer patients better access to care

Many super-specialty hospitals are located in urban centers where it may not be possible to build within 250 yards of the main hospital location, as required by CMS to be considered part of the “main campus ” Their outpatient facilities allow them to bring their superior care model closer to patients while maintaining the same rigorous standards their main facilities uphold

Of course, narrowly tailored site-neutral payments make a good deal of sense Medicare’s payment schedule should not incentivize hospitals to engage in regulatory arbitrage by buying up doctor’s offices, declaring them hospital outpatient departments, and then jacking up rates

But applying the same logic to purposebuilt specialty facilities risks undermining a

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

From page 4A

Crime is not limited to illegal immigrants By preemptively pardoning his whole family Biden has offered evidence that his family has criminal issues Even major leaders in his staff have received preemptive pardons such as Milley, the former chief of staff who managed the debacle with Biden’s evacuation from Afghan and Fucci, whose COVID rules damaged America so very much

Hunter Biden’s house in Malibu was thought to be burned down and it had art pieces worth millions of dollars, according to the New York Post If Hunter Biden is clearly innocent, how did he get so rich and why would Biden give out a pardon?

Trump has America’s goals Stop inflation, stop the spiraling debt, close the border and provide only one way to come into America the legal way Bring jobs back to America, provide worldwide leadership that is a deterrent to the Putin’s and Hamas’s of this world Could it be that Biden’s weakness shown in his Afghan debacle opened the door for Putin and Hamas? The world has evil that needs to be stopped in the beginning rather than after it has a foothold

I appeal to those who voted for Biden to stop judging our leadership on emotion but focus on the problems being solved A leader of a company, or a country spends his time seeking ways to cut costs and improve performance while keeping his people safe America needs light bulb moments so we can rise to the occasion

John Benedict

Cape Coral

Help protect the Chosen Company in Ukraine

To the editor:

As we approach the three-year mark of war in Ukraine, I want to provide an opportunity for our community to support the fight by raising funds to provide urgently needed safety equipment to one of the most deeply respected foreign units in the Armed Forces of Ukraine known as Chosen Company

I first learned about Chosen Company from American soldier Jeremy Michael Miller, callsign Tennessee a U S national firefighter from Fort Myers Beach who I am very grateful to report was recently pardoned by President Trump for his participation in the J6 protests.

“It was my honor to uphold the spirit of insurrection, of rebellion, of spitting in the face of tyranny, as our founders would have done,” Tennessee told me

But for his brothers a far darker chapter lay ahead In holding the frontline under nonstop enemy fire, Chosen Company engages in trench warfare with limited tactical resources, which is why I want to help equip them with protective gear Chosen is a storm unit led by Commander Ryan o’ Leary, a U S combat veteran and political figure whose ideas offer insight to a variety of issues such as command, manpower, and transparency in Ukraine’s military, as well as my shared position that arming Ukraine with increased weapons capability is by far the best option to end the war (Which, by the way, out of the estimated $200 billion appropriated, the U S has only provided less than a $40 billion value in artillery and munitions deliveries, a rate which military budget analysts say could easily be tripled)

The Commander’s leadership is a big source of inspiration for me he defends his principles on the world stage, fought in three wars, including GWOT in Afghanistan and Iraq, then with the Kurds against ISIS and Iran, and then briefly ran for Congress before he left to fight against Russia, and in the beginning of the war defended Kyiv where I have family and helped form Chosen Company as an offshoot of the 312th Swedish Volunteer Company, where the bros engaged in historic battles in Pervomaisk as well as Avdiivka in which they gained back territory that was held by Russia since 2014

But now Chosen Company is being politically targeted by the Kremlin, which desperately though unsuccessfully attempts to subvert our international community’s solidarity with this renown military unit Earlier this January, Russia’s terrorist regime issued a warrant for Commander O’ Leary’s arrest on blatantly false charges which paint him as a mercenary and terrorist, almost as if it were one of war criminal Vladimir Putin’s most pressing political priorities amid the heightened tensions of the U S admin shift

It is hard to say what the Chosen derangement syndrome coming out of the Kremlin signals more Russia’s fear, or Chosen’s threat And as with most Russian propaganda, the Kremlin’s delusional fabrications make zero logical sense How can someone be a terrorist, whose lifelong actions have strived to fight war and terror?

Chosen Company are not mercenaries, please do not call them that They are foreign soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who did not need government orders to go to the ends of Earth to defend freedom and humanity

Honestly, seeing the persecution and attacks that Chosen Company constantly endures empowers me to be a stronger person and be more grateful for my peaceful life

Chosen’s Canadian brother Wayne Hallat, callsign Dirty P,

model of care that actually works better for both patients and payers

The solution is targeted exemptions for facilities that meet specific criteria: high volume in their specialty area, superior outcomes, and integrated care delivery systems that extend from their main hospital Such a framework would preserve the cost-saving benefits of site-neutral payments while protecting centers of excellence

Some will argue that any exemption would create loopholes that enterprising hospitals can exploit But we can police potential malfeasance through rigid, data-driven qualification criteria and ongoing performance requirements Site-neutral payment reform is a good idea that needs careful tuning to avoid unintended consequences For super-specialty hospitals and their satellite facilities, paying more for better care isn’t waste it’s wisdom

Mathias P Bostrom, MD, is Associate Surgeon-in-Chief & Director, Quality & Safety at the Hospital for Special Surgery This column originally ran in RealClear

described on Funker530 the horrific execution of U S combat vet and Chosen brother Dalton J Medlin, callsign Gimly, who Dirty P says “was very obviously an American Soldier, he had an American flag patch obviously, you know, Texas patch, and the Russians removed his kit, and executed him ”

The enemy Russian state systemically aims to seed hatred toward Americans, and the combat soldiers are at greatest risk

Gator, another American Chosen brother from Fort Lauderdale who plans to go back to war soon, wrote to me on social media, “We’re all terrorists and criminals in their eyes ” Americans need to be informed because enemy Russia’s targeting of Chosen Company is not just an attack on Americans… it is an attack on all freedom-loving people everywhere

The U S must take a stronger stance against Russia’s brutal mass murder campaign against our Ukrainian allies and our brothers who support them I immediately call on President Trump, Sec Rubio, and Congress to officially designate Russia a state sponsor of terrorism

Chosen Company is incredibly humble, and they would’ve never asked me to write this, in fact, I requested permission from the unit and they told me it would be their honor Thank you Chosen Company for fighting war so our children won’t have to

I know that many of us back home hope and pray for our warriors’ safety and want to stand with Chosen Company, so I’m launching this initiative to help their military gear fund

The goal is to raise $3,000 before springtime to equip at least one of their trucks with an EW system, also known as a “Drone Jammer ”

This portable jamming device is installed on their trucks so as the unit penetrates the frontlines, it drowns out the electromagnetic fields in which enemy drones use to make overhead attacks This non-lethal yet lifesaving equipment should be on every single one of Chosen Company’s trucks!

All donations, small and large, are greatly appreciated and are made directly through the Company Commanders’ military fund athttps://www paypal com/paypalme/ChosenCo2023, where you can also leave a personal note for the guys Locals and organizations who are interested in becoming patron supporters of Chosen Company and wish to talk with me or, permitting availability, a soldier of Chosen Company, can write to me at alexzpublicrelations@gmail com

Thank you for your support

Agree? Disagree? Weigh in! Letters, guest opinions, comments welcome

Alexandra Zakhvatayev Cape Coral

The views expressed on the Opinions pages are just that opinions. These pages are intended to convey a range of viewpoints; opinions printed on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper. Opposing views are welcome. Letters to the editor or guest columns may be e-mailed to vharring@breezenewspapers.com. All letters and guest opinions must be signed and must include a phone number for verification purposes. Readers are also invited to comment on any letter or editorial opinion online at: capecoralbreeze com

Need for more commercial development cited as city of Cape Coral continues to grow

City Manager Mike Ilczyszyn said the idea and concept is that by creating a smart growth city, and utilizing their land use, and zoning, the city can reduce future expenditures on transportation needs, water and sewer, fire and parks and recreation needs.

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Cape Coral Police Department: To maintain level of service, more personnel will be needed over the next decade

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

The takeaway message from the police m a s t e r p l a n d i s c u s s i o n d u r i n g Wednesday’s Cape Coral budget workshop was that to deliver the same level of service, additional personnel must be added to the Cape Coral Police Department over the next 10 years

Police Chief Anthony Sizemore shared information about Project 35, a 10-year comprehensive plan, which provides an opportunity to look a little further ahead than what the department has done in the past

“What I realized is that we were not hitting the gas enough to catch up,” Sizemore said of the interactive growth model

The department took the new initiative project and reverse engineered nine years backwards from what the police department is developing now for 2026

“To keep us on pace to achieve our vision for 2035 that will do exactly what we are doing now, but scaled up for population increases for what is to come,”

Sizemore said “Increasing staffing is no doubt a paradigm shift If you’re not being bold, you will be behind I want to fully d eliv er b ein g th e b es t an d f in es t law enforcement to our city ”

With that said, he said the CCPD will always provide life safety even if all the positions are not funded

“To keep us on pace to achieve our vision for 2035 that will do exactly what we are doing now, but scaled up for population increases for what is to come Increasing staffing is no doubt a paradigm shift If you’re not being bold, you will be behind I want to fully deliver being the best and finest law enforcement to our city.”

Police Chief Anthony Sizemore

The plan will be fully published in a few weeks and available to council, and the public There will be nine subsequent smaller books, as every fiscal year will have a submitting plan to stay on pace

Department is onboarding 10-12 sworn officers a year and two to five professional staff annually The need is to dramatically increase those numbers to keep pace with the population growth

Sizemore said they would need to onboard a minimum of 25 sworn officers a year and five professional staff annually

Currently the CCPD has 320 officers with a vacancy rate of 3% Professional staff sits at 100

“We are virtually full and ready to onboard,” Sizemore said

If the department goes on pace based on the interactive growth model, they will be

between a 570-600 police department to maintain the services offered today.

Councilmember Joe Kilraine said he was very surprised at the staffing increase, but very impressed with his methodology “

w growth, you can definitely turn the faucet slower,” Sizemore said

Mayor John Gunter said it comes down to a very simple question if the same level of service is wanted to move forward, and the population grows, they have no choice but to add additional personnel

“If you keep the same baseline, then there is a reduction in services,” he said “I don’t think any of us want to see a reduction in services ”

Gunter said if you want to continue to have the safest city, it comes with a cost

There was also a discussion about the 911 operators’ recruitment and retention, as there is a problem of keeping these posi-

tions staffed Gunter said they need to look into the root problem to see if they can fix the issue

The presentation also shared proposed police department projects a transition to quadrant-based, four cities model which would mirror the existing geographical quadrants – SE Precinct, SW Precinct, NE Precinct, and NW Precinct

“You create vibrant, accessible areas within each part of the city,” Sizemore said

There will also be special district overlays within the precincts The examples he g a v e w

e , S E Entertainment District and Hudson Creek

“People that go there know the officers, and the officers know the patrons and businesses owners that go there,” he said, adding that officers will be designated for those areas

Sizemore provided an update regarding the remodel of the existing SE precinct, the Chester Street facility The SE precinct is the most pressing to do, but they may have to recalibrate the timing, he said

“The footprint is the best footprint It is owned by the city It’s very limited to what you can do with it,” Sizemore said, adding that the building has to be remediated and elevated due to FEMA’s 50% rule, which requires upgrades to current standards when the 50% threshold is met or exceeded

Cape Coral addresses need for all-inclusive playgrounds

Updates on Jaycee Park, Yacht Club, YMCA-proposed rec center, also presented at workshop

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

Among the discussions of the city of Cape Coral’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan

Wednesday was to add more all-inclusive playgrounds for the growing city

Parks and Recreation Director Joe Petrella said there is a major need for all-inclusive playground, as the Cape needs more places where children who have disabilities can play and be engaged He said he is sure the need will come out with the 2026 Master Plan

“It is a need that our community is looking for,” he said.

Petrella said the all-inclusive playground, which is part of the six-year capital plan, is for Lake Meade Park Jaycee Park also will have inclusive elements

Petrella said the city needs to have something in the north and the south as well

“It’s near and dear to my heart and many in the community,” he said, adding that they need to push the project forward It can “come to fruition with nonprofit groups willing to fundraise to pay for some of this capital improvement ”

Cape Coral City Councilmember Jennifer Nelson-Lastra said at the workshop that while it is wonderful that they will have some equipment at Jaycee Park, they need more than just a few pieces

“Please consider this as we put our budget together It is an important piece as our city grows We should be doing something for our kids,” she said “It is alarming to me, just in the Lee County School District, 11% of children have disabilities ”

City Manager Mike Ilczyszyn also provid-

Jaycee Park’s design phase is completed and now the city is waiting on pending permit approvals Hopefully, the city will get the permits soon and get the construction fully implemented next month, Parks and Recreation Director Joe Petrella said

ed an update regarding the partnership with YMCA of Southwest Florida to bring a parks complex to Cape Coral at Lake Meade Park

He said the plan was for YMCA to fundraise this winter, so they could start putting out bids this spring/summer

“Unfortunately, I was advised last month that their fundraising personnel staff went and left the organization for another nonprofit,” Ilczyszyn said “The key person generating the funds has left ”

The city will bring that project management back in house and amend the design to accommodate a 40,000- to 50,000-squarefoot rec center with a pool

The plan will include some redesign before it goes out to bid

It will have “some redesign and bit it, and construct it, and leave it a pad ready site at a future date,” Ilczyszyn said, adding that the YMCA still is very interested in the site, but they could not proceed at a timeline the city wanted to progress

The presentation highlighted the achievements, and goals met from the 2016 parks master plan, which had facility needs including a beach, small neighborhood parks and nature parks and program needs for special events, adult fitness, wellness, and programs for 50 and older

There was a slew of accomplishments in 2023, with such highlights as the opening of Del Prado Linear, Gator Trails Park, Cultural Park and Sands Park, as well as the opening of Lake Kennedy Racquet Center in 2024

There were also many special events New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, Reindeer Run, Music and Arts Fusion Walk, Culture Fest, Trunk or Treat and Holiday Tree Lighting.

Petrella said they are currently going over evaluation assessments for the value of the park system, as well as seeing if they could obtain sponsor dollars for various amenities and features of a park

There were also updates on projects in process, such as Jaycee Park, Yacht Club and pier, resiliency hub/community center, Cape Coral Sports Complex Expansion, and the new skate park building

Petrella said Jaycee Park’s design phase is completed and now they are waiting on pending permit approvals Hopefully, the city will get the permits soon and get the construction fully implemented next month, he added

As far as the Yacht Club, Petrella said the FDEP permit is anticipated to be issued by Feb 11, while the Army Corps of Engineers permit is anticipated in early April

The pier design is at 60% complete with the completion anticipated for May of this

year

The Cape Coral Sports Complex expansion includes a 13-acre purchase in 2023 at 2327 Trafalgar Parkway He said the city is in the process of purchasing property east of the location for future expansion of the fields and facilities With additional sports fields and improved parking there is a project cost of $17 to $20 million

The Skate Park building replacement has an estimate of $1 7 million in costs The design includes a kitchen and snack bar and classrooms to expand after school programs

The presentation also included a six-year capital plan for expanding neighborhood park offerings, Coral Oaks clubhouse, course and driving range renovations, playground replacements, continuation of Operation Sparkle, Wm Austen Youth Center Expansion and Festival Park phase two

Councilmember Rachel Kaduk asked that the city consider adding basketball courts at neighborhood parks for the young men who constantly utilize the courts at Linear Park

The expansion of docks was also mentioned by Councilmember Bill Steinke as the need is there without the pier open at the Yacht Club

“The ramps at the Yacht Club are being pushed back and there is more pressure on other parks We have to do something with traffic can’t put them in the southeast From a funding perspective, we have to do something to deal with the additional traffic that wasn’t meant to be at the park due to the delay at the Yacht Club,” he said of Horton Park

Cape man charged with lewd or lascivious battery on victim 12-16

By CJ HADAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

A Cape Coral man was arrested for an alleged sex offense on a minor

Guilherme Dos Santos Pereira, 29, has been charged with lewd or lascivious battery on a victim age 12 to 16

D

According to the Cape Coral Police

address in northeast Cape Coral on Jan 28 for an investigation later determined to be a sex offense

Guilherme Dos Santos Pereira sexually

battered a minor,” a release from CCPD states “Dos Santos Pereira was not related to the victim ”

CCPD officials said its Special Victims Unit detectives immediately authored a search warrant from his arrest Members of the United States Marshals Service and Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force Fort Myers Office located and arrested Dos Santos Pereira He was taken to the Lee County Jail where he remained in custody as of late Thursday afternoon. His bond has been set at $50,000 and is set to appear in court on March 3

Cape Coral talks road impact fees vs ‘mobility fees’

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

The city of Cape Coral is looking at whether to replace its road impact fees with another type of levy

Whether the city should replace impact fees with a mobility plan and fee for infrastructure improvements was discussed at Wednesday’s Cape Coral City Council budget workshop

Design & Construction Manager Bill Corbett discussed the multimodal transportation plan, which dives into a comprehensive approach and leads to a mobility plan and fee

“It’s a new methodology in collecting funding for infrastructure improvements,” he said

Corbitt said the mobility plan will identify the projects and make sure the transportation network can sustain growth

“That plan will be the framework for the fee The plan will lead to the fee,” he said

The mobility plan and fee could go toward projects like multi-use/shared paths; greenways; bike lanes; streetscapes and landscapes; traffic calming/low speed streets; roundabouts/traffic circles; micromobility and microtransit; policies, programs, services and studies; green infrastructure; parking structures; mobility hubs; transit vehicles and transit stop enhancements and water taxi stops, vessels

The fee offers more flexibility in what can be done and would fund the growth to the local area, he said

Councilmember Dr Derrick Donnell asked if there has been any conversation with the industry concerning the mobility plan and fee

“We are switching from road impact to

The presentation highlighted six funded traffic signal intersection improvements that could have a potential cost of $12 to $24 million The first one under construction is Averill Boulevard and Del Prado Boulevard North. The anticipated completion is April 2025.

The other lights, which have a start date later this year to next year, include Santa Barbara Boulevard and Tropicana Parkway; Chiquita Boulevard and Embers Parkway; Andalusia Boulevard and Diplomat Parkway and Chiquita Boulevard and Tropicana Parkway

mobility plan,” he said “I would love to have those stakeholders have some conversation, a chance to have input ”

City Manager Mike Ilczyszyn said that is the plan, as they are tasked to put together the mobility plan and fee, as it will replace the traffic impact road fee

“I meet with them quarterly,” he said “They don’t want it to go up That is a given Once the fee is nearing completion bring them together to go over what is going in there ”

Ilczyszyn said road impact fee was for capacity enhancements, only, such as taking four lanes to six lane roads

“You could only do that in so many places in the city When you go to a mobility fee (it is) allowed to include a lot of other mobility options,” he said “We lobby for growth pays for growth Somewhere in the middle is policy There will be discussions with them, and they will have what they need to lobby ”

The presentation highlighted six funded traffic signal intersection improvements that could have a potential cost of $12 to $24 million The first one under construction is Averill Boulevard and Del Prado Boulevard North The anticipated completion is April

2025

The other lights, which have a start date later this year to next year, include Santa Barbara Boulevard and Tropicana Parkway; Chiquita Boulevard and Embers Parkway; Andalusia Boulevard and Diplomat Parkway and Chiquita Boulevard and Tropicana Parkway

Roundabouts were also discussed, as there is a project underway analyzing 20 locations across the city and feasibility

“They do come with significant benefits related to safety and resiliency It does bring down conflict points from 32 to eight, a safety benefit,” Corbett said “If a hurricane was to come the infrastructure in place at roundabout is likely conducive to keep traffic flowing ”

He said they are looking at where the correct locations could be for these treatments

There’s a potential cost of $60 to $100 million

“Talking about the roundabouts and resiliency component, if we are able to magnify that as a purpose would that help those projects get resiliency grant funding,” Councilmember Bill Steinke said “Use money other than ours to get a roundabout at

least in that one, Yacht Club area ”

Donnell said what he heard is positive in terms of roundabouts and traffic signals

“We are continuing to build these developments The problem is there are no additional roads No matter what mitigation we put in, it doesn’t really solve the issue that is huge some kind of way or another, add additional roadways real soon It’s going to get worse before it gets better We have to have additional road space to really get after this issue ”

Corbett said the mobility plan will evaluate the city’s capacity and try to highlight the opportunities for capacity enhancements

Councilmembers also provided their insight on areas of the city that needed improvements

Councilmember Rachel Kaduk asked the city to look at Northeast 10th Lane and Del Prado Boulevard as it has bad, multi-vehicle accidents all the time

“Add that to the list of projects and priorities It is dangerous, very dangerous,” she said

The presentation also highlighted many projects, which included the Cape Coral Parkway six laning, signal retiming and parking study.

Corbett said the city funds the signals entirely and the county operates them and maintains them He said the city is still in full control of the lights, such as time changing

“Risk vs reward when you eliminate certain movements,” Corbett said, adding that they have tasked consultants that everything is on the table to improve traffic along the parkway

The goal is to improve the capacity – Cape Coral Parkway is failing during peak hours into and out of the city

We

1st District Court of Appeals puts city’s quest to recoup fees from ‘three fishermen’ on hold

By VALARIE HARRING vharring@breezenewspapers com

The city of Cape Coral’s quest to recoup legal fees from a trio of residents who challenged the municipality's bid to remove the Chiquita Lock hit a stumbling block Friday morning

The 1st District Court of Appeals has stayed the proceedings and, as a result, the administrative law judge has canceled the final hearing that had been scheduled for Feb 24-28

The proceeding will remain in abeyance until the court determines whether the state's Department of Administration Hearings has jurisdiction to determine whether the challenge to remove the lock filed by "the three fishermen" was frivolous or filed with malicious intent

"The Mayor and the City Council, encouraged by the City Attorney, precipitated this appeal," said attorney J Michael Hannon, who represented Daniel Carney, James Collier and Kevin Sparks in their case contesting the city's bid to remove the

water control device in the South Spreader "The Three Fishermen have been given no choice but to defend themselves against their own government at great personal cost "

The order means the city's fee petition at the Department of Administrative Hearings is stayed until the 1st District Court of Appeals decides whether the DOAH has jurisdiction to proceed with the hearing

The next steps would be for the city to file an opposing brief with the 1st DCA within 15 days

The legal team for the three fishermen then would have 30 days after that to reply

Oral arguments then would be set, probably in Tampa, after which the appeals court would issue an opinion as to whether the DOAH has jurisdiction or not

"If not, the effort to obtain fees by the city is over," Hannon said.

A public records request submitted last year by The Breeze seeking legal fees and recoupable expenses produced a 31-page

document that totaled a little more than $1 97 million expended by the city as of August

Carney, Collier and Sparks have asked the city to stop its pursuit of the legal fees at numerous Cape Coral City Council meetings

They have said that they accepted their loss and the removal of the lock will so happen, but are facing financial jeopardy for doing what they say was their due diligence in fighting for what they believe was the right thing for Cape Coral waters

Collier, a 20-year Cape resident and former chairman of the Waterway Advisory Board, said they wanted the present lock system inoperable since Hurricane Ian replaced with a new, more modern and faster system

Their argument was that the lock provides storm surge and water quality protection

After a five-day hearing late last year, an administrative law judge voted in favor of the city, which has since sought to recoup its legal fees through the same

administrative law judge, Suzanne Van Wyk, with the DOAH's Tallahassee office

The petitioners contend she no longer has jurisdiction in the case

Her recommended order finding for the city in its removal effort was issued without reference to any improper purpose as required by state statutes, contained no findings of frivolousness as required by state statute, did not award fees, and did not reserve any jurisdiction to make any of these findings or award fees later, their petition to the 1st District Court of Appeals states

As per policy, city officials declined comment

"The recovery of the City’s attorneys’ fees and costs remain pending for this Administrative Proceeding As such, the City does not provide comment on pending legal matters," the city's communications office said via email Monday

(Information from a previous report by CJ Haddad is included in this story )

Cracker Day Rodeo attracts three huge crowds

By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers com

The 64th annual Cracker Day Rodeo is the biggest fundraiser for the Lee County Posse Arena

And never were the funds they raised needed more than this year

Hurricane Helene did a number on the grounds It destroyed sections of bleachers and put the event in serious jeopardy

But the posse board and organizers got temporary bleachers, did the other fixes and was able to put on the oldest event in North Fort Myers for three big performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday

And for the first night, it was cold. Maybe the coldest it’s been in years It did warm up as the weekend progressed before Sunday’s matinee performance, which featured clear skies and 75-degree temperatures

Bobbi Harrison, a Lee County Posse Arena board member and its spokesperson, said Helene brought a tornado and wreaked havoc on the grounds

But, unlike in 2018, when Irma forced the rodeo to be cancelled, they were determined to get this one off

“We were very concerned because we lost two sets of bleachers, the end of our pavilion and the entire speaker system and the electric,” Harrison said “We’ve had a lot of work to do since September We worked to the last minute and got a lot of support from local businesspeople and without them, we would not have pulled it off this year ”

T h e r o d e o p r o v i d e s p e o p l e l i k e

Whitney Taylor, 17, the Junior Posse Queen, a place to ride her horses in a safe environment Taylor was in the youth rodeo on Saturday afternoon and rode barrels, poles and goat tying

Klane Lewis takes a spill during the bull riding competition at the 64th Cracker Day Rodeo Saturday at the Lee County Posse Arena. The three-day event attracted a large number of fans each day

“Football players have games and playoffs We have jackpots and small shows and this is our Super Bowl for the small town kids like me,” Taylor said “I’ve grown up riding here my whole life. I was the little kid watching all the girls and now I’m one of the older girls ”

T h e r e w a s a n N F R q u a l i f i e r a t

Saturday’s performance, but it wasn’t

Margo Crowther It was a man named Barry Brown, who made it as a bull rider

in 1974 after nearly being killed in a wreck four years earlier

Brown was selling his autobiography “Bionic Bullrider,” and talking about his time on the rodeo circuit, which he said was much tougher back then “Cowboys today get rich by going to the NFR in Las Vegas I used to compete here at the arena in the 1960s The hardest part was going hungry Broken bones heal But if you’re hungry, you stay hun-

gry,” Brown said

Among the featured performers was rodeo clown Robbie Hodges, who has performed at the PRCA Rodeo here numerous times and said it’s one of his favorite stops

“I love it down here The folks are fun They braved the cold last night It was a good time,” Hodges said “Florida cold is the coldest But tonight, the weather was perfect ”

It is an event the whole family can enjoy Even those who compete In Dione Link’s case, it was his family from Brazil Link was in the bull riding, where he, and all the other riders, got thrown off

E m a n u l l y L i n k , 1 3 , w a t c h e d h e r brother ride She said she had a lot of fun at an American rodeo Rodeo is a big deal in Brazil

“It was a lot of fun I liked the barrel racing with the girls I love this country and I want to live here It’s unbelievable here,” Link said.

Of course, the fans had a blast Ava Northescold, 12, and her family came for the fun They were no strangers t o r o d e o , h a v i n g g o n e t o t h e m i n Minnesota They now live in North Fort Myers

“It was an incredible experience I liked the barrel racing because it’s so intense I like the speed and the strength the horses have,” Ava said “I’ve always wanted to do it ” Her mom, Mandy, had a different take.

“It was awesome My favorite is the bull riding, but I also like bronc riding Rodeos in Minnesota aren’t usually this cold, but they usually hold them in the summer, so we’re usually sweating ”

CHUCK BALLARO

Ham radio club holds winter field day

By CHUCK BALLARO

m e r g e n c y r e s p o n s e a n d d e m o n s t r a t e t h e a b i l i t y t o e s t a b l i s h r e l i a b l e c o m m un i c a t i o n i n l e s s - t h a n - i d e a l s i t u a t i o n s

C a r m i n e V e t r a n o , p r e s i d e n t o f t h e

F o r t M y e r s A m a t e u r R a d i o C l u b , s a i d t h i s e v e n t i s n a t i o n w i d e t o p r e p a r e f o r e m e r g e n c y s e r v i c e s a n d a l s o p a r t c o n -

t e s t “ W e w a n t t o s h o w w e s t i l l h a v e c o mm u n i c a t i o n f r o m t h e f i e l d W e ’ r e r u n -

n i n g w i t h o u t l i v e p o w e r W e e i t h e r h a v e

b a t t e r i e s o r g e n e r a t o r s a n d w e ’ r e t a l k i n g t o p e o p l e t h r o u g h o u t t h e c o u n t r y , ”

V e t r a n o s a i d

L a s t y e a r , t h e s e o p e r a t o r s p u t i n m o r e t h a n 1 , 1 0 0 h o u r s o f s e r v i c e t o t h e L e e

C o u n t y E m e r g e n c y M a n a g e m e n t s e r v i ce s , m o s t l y d u r i n g H u

r o p a g a t i o n g e t s b e t t e r b e c a u s e i t a c t iv a t e s t h e a t m o s p h e r e S o m e t i m e s w e g e t

Toni Sutton, left and John Wells work the 10-meter band to reach out to anyone out there during Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club's annual Winter Field Day on Saturday at North Fort Myers Community Center.

p a r t i c i p a t e i n e v e n t s

E s t a b l i s h e d i n 1 9 5 7 , t h e F o r t M y e r s

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s o l a r s t o r m s a n d t h e y a f f e c t c e l l u l a r c o m m u n i c a t i o n s ” E q u i p m e n t r a n g e s f r o m s i m p l e h a n dh e l d r a d i o s f o r $ 3 5 t o l a r g e r s e t u p s f o r g l o b a l c o m m u n i c a t i o n M a n y h a m o p e ra t o r s j o i n c l u b s t o s h a r e k n o w l e d g e a n d

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WaterWays Science Festival set for Saturday

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4 p m , a t C u l t u r a l P a r k

“The festival offers residents and families a unique opportunity to engage with the community and deepen their understanding of waterrelated issues, This event features educational activities and games that emphasize the significance of our waterways The festival also includes live animals and other interactive exhibits ”

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Lauren Kurkimilis, city spokesperson

c o n s e r v a t i o n a n d t h e c h a l l e n g e s f a c i n g o u r w a t e r s y s t e m s , ” a d d e d K u r k i m i l i s “ T h e e v e n t a i m s t o f o s t e r a g r e a t e r

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a b o u t w a t e r c o n s e r v a t i o n , p o l l u t i o n p r e -

Bahr to perform ‘Let’s Fall in Love, An Evening of Love Songs’

Valentine’s Day at Epiphany Episcopal Church in Cape Coral

“Let's Fall in Love, An Evening of Love Songs," featuring pianist Robert Bahr, will be presented Valentine's Day, Feb 14, at Epiphany Episcopal Church of Cape Coral Bahr, who grew up in a large musical family in a small farming community in southern Iowa, started playing piano and reading music at the age of 4

He was initially taught by his grandmother and by the time he reached high school, he was the music director of his church

H e p e r f o r m e d t h r o u g h o u t h i s h i g h

school years and won a spot on a statewide talent concert for a regional TV station Bahr studied piano performance at Coe College in Iowa with a master’s from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio

He was the music director for ballet c o m p a n i e s i n O h i o , M

Tennessee

He moved to Maine in 1982 where he taught high school choral music for five years

He became executive director of the Bangor Symphony followed by becoming

executive director of the Grand Auditorium in Maine

In 1991 he met his wife, Anne, who owned a bed-and-breakfast in Bar Harbor, Maine Anne was a vocalist and he was directing a local Gilbert and Sullivan production.

Bahr has been producer and musical director of Broadway musicals for regional companies His wife has performed in many roles in these productions

Bahr, who continues to perform three nights a week at a supper club in Bar

Harbor, “Music is my passion Music fills my soul It is what I breathe It is what I live for ”

Tickets for the performance at Epiphany Episcopal Church are $25 and the concert begins at 6:30 p m , with a wine and cheese reception to follow.

V

information or call the church, which is at 2507 Del Prado Blvd , S , at 239-2187556

COMMUNITY

PHOTO PROVIDED

Garden Club of Cape Coral members working in the Sands Park pollinator garden

Getting to know … the Garden Club of Cape Coral

Bu SYLVIA SWARTZ news@breezenewspapers com

For many years, members of the Garden Club of Cape Coral have been contributing weekly articles on many and varied topics concerning horticultural and environmental matters that concern us here in our Zone 10A climate For a change, I thought I would tell you a little about our history

Did you know that the G a r d e n C l u b o f C a p e C o r a l ( G C C C ) w a s t h e b

GARDEN CLUB OF CAPE CORAL

i n c h i l d o f t h e l a t e Marty Ward and Beverly Ray in 1997? Marty and Beverly invited like-minded friends to form a garden club that would join both the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs (FFGC) and the national organization, National Council of State Garden Clubs - now National Garden Clubs, Inc (NGC) There had been prior garden clubs in Cape Coral but none that committed to membership of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs

Meetings continued in members’ homes, moving briefly to the Italian American Club before landing at F a i t h P r e s b y t e r i a n a n d u l t i m a t e l y , t h e D e l P r a d o Episcopalian Church Our first president was Sherie Bleiler, who remains an active member of the club

In 1999, the city Parks and Recreations Department asked the club to plant the large cement planters that are still in the median of Cape Coral Parkway’s eastern section and the club continued to maintain these for several years until passing it back to the city in the early 2000s

The club had a long relationship with Habitat for Humanity and, annually designs and installed he landscape at its Women’s Build home for a single mother The club has won several FFGC and Deep South Garden Clubs awards for its work with Habitat GCCC maintains four civic gardens, the first of these being the Butterfly Garden at the Southwest Cape Library The idea for this garden was the brainchild in 2001 of Ginny McCarthy (later president in 20042005) The garden has now been recognized by the B u t t e r f l y A s s o c i a t i

Butterfly Garden” and also by FFGC and Deep South Garden Clubs.

In 2008 the club began maintaining the Rose Garden at Cape Coral Museum of History – a tribute garden to the original Waltzing Waters gardens of 40,000 roses built by the Rosen Brothers Our preservation of the

Cape Coral Girl Scout earns Silver Award by championing inclusion

Jocelyn N , an 8th-grade member of Girl Scout Troop 721, has earned the prestigious Girl Scout Silver Award for her project titled “Girl Scouts Is for Everyone ” Jocelyn’s project exemplifies the Girl Scouts’ core values of inclusion by creating tools to support girls with sensoryrelated disorders such as autism and sensory processing disorder (SPD)

The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout Cadette (grades 6–8) can earn It recognizes girls who identify an issue they care about, create a sustainable solution, and make a measurable impact on their communities By earning this award, Jocelyn joins a legacy of Girl Scouts who have demonstrated leadership, innovation and a commitment to improving the world

For her Silver Award, Jocelyn designed and distributed portable sensory bags to troop leaders within her council Each lightweight bag includes fidget toys, sensory items, sunglasses, earplugs and educational resources on SPD, along with instructions for calming techniques To ensure the sustainability of her project, Jocelyn created a website where Girl Scout leaders can learn about sensory challenges and replenish kits as needed

Jocelyn shared that this project is close to her heart because she has experienced sensory challenges herself She believes that Girl Scouts is a place where every girl should feel welcome

“I wanted to help create an environment where all girls can succeed,” she said

The Girl Scouts organization is committed to welcoming girls of all backgrounds and abilities and fostering an inclusive and safe space where every member can thrive To further this mission, Girl Scouts recently expanded tools to support girls with special needs in accessing and achieving the highest awards, such as the Gold Award By creating a formal process for girls to request accommodations while pursuing the Highest Award, Girl Scouts has ensured that no girl will face barriers to her success

The Gold Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout can achieve, is designed with flexibility to meet the individual needs of each girl Advisors can work with Girl Scouts on a case-by-case basis to provide accommodations, ensuring that all girls can accomplish their goals to the best of their ability

Girls needing accommodations while pursuing the Girl Scout Highest Awards can request them through the new Special Factors section of GoGold Online, ensuring they have the tools and support necessary to succeed

Cape Coral Art League’s upcoming classes, programs

The Cape Coral Art League has scheduled the following classes and programs for the months of February and March:

Open Painting

Wednesdays, September through July, from 1-4 p m

Members $3 / Non-members $6

Open to the public

Student Sundays

Sundays, October through June, from 1-4 p m

All materials provided Ages 6 - 14

$20 cash or check only

Open to the public, pre-registration not required, just come 15 minutes before class starts

Februar y shows and events

Wild About Wildlife

February 6-27, 11 a m to 4 p m , Monday-Thursday

Opening reception and presentation of awards on Thursday, Feb 6, 5-6:30 p m

Free parking and entry

239-772-5657

Members Month

February 6-27, 11 a m to 4 p m , Monday-Thursday

Opening reception on Thursday, Feb 6, 5-6:30 p m

Free parking and entry

239-772-5657

March shows and events

Simply Red

March 6 through April 3, 11 a m to 4 p m , MondayThursday

Opening reception and presentation of awards on Thursday, March 6, 5-6:30 p m

Free parking and entry

239-772-5657

Class Act

March 6 through April 3, 11 a m to 4 p m , Monday through Thursday

Opening reception on Thursday, March 6, 5-6:30 p m Free parking and entry 239-772-5657

Februar y and March classes

(See CapeCoralArtLeague org for details and to register)

■ Beginning Acrylic – Mondays, 10 a m to noon

■ Intermediate Acrylic Painting – Mondays, 12:303:30 p m

■ Learn to Draw – Tuesdays, 9 a m to noon

■ Creative Watercolor for the Beginner and Above, Tuesdays, 9 a m to noon

■ Pastel Painting for Beginners – Tuesdays, 12:303:30 p m

■ The Art of Zentangle – Tuesdays, 1-3 p m

■ Oil Painting for All Levels – Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p m

■ Digital Photography & Graphics (Adults 16+) –Wednesdays, 3-5 p m

■ Hooked on Watercolor – Intermediate – Thursdays –9 a m to noon (on hold)

■ Intermediate and Advanced Pastel Painting – 9 a m to noon

Upcoming galler y shows

■ April - Celebrating Color

■ May - Florida Life

The prospectus for an upcoming show can be found in the show description on capecoralartleague.org.

The Cape Coral Art League at 516 Cultural Park Blvd is a 501(c)(3) non-profit It is an independent community of local artists who support, encourage, and inspire each other through classes, workshops, exhibits, and open painting sessions The league is a place to explore your artistic side, learn from exceptional educators, make new, lifelong friends and enjoy fellowship For more information, please visit CapeCoralArtLeague org or phone the Art League at 239-772-5657

PHOTO PROVIDED Cape Girl Scout Jocelyn N with the supplies for the portable sensory bags she created

239 Punk/Ska/Reggae Fest to feature 16 bands

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

A musical festival running more than a decade that was postponed due to Hurricane Milton is set to rock two stages in Cape Coral next weekend

239 Punk/Ska/Reggae Fest will take to Rack'em Spirits & Times for two days of live music, and will feature 16 bands.

The free festival set for Feb 7 & 8 is a highlight of the ever-growing music scene in Southwest Florida and Cape Coral, with roots in the community since 2010

“We’re beyond excited to have this festival return,” said organizer and member of Bargain Bin Heroes Eric Demayo “Getting canceled with the hurricane was a bummer, but we all have a strong adherence to, ‘the show must go on ’”

The festival, geared towards music lovers of all kinds in varying genres in punk, ska, and reggae, will see bands from all across the state come together

“It’s a good time to check out good, regional bands, and we dabble towards the metal zone with some bands,” Demayo said. “It’s just a good plethora of bands in a good area in downtown Cape Coral It’s a great way to experience what your regional music scene has to offer on a local level You get to see almost 20 bands packed into two days ”

Demayo said many of the participating acts were thrilled to see the festival take shape after its postponement, and is something they look forward to each year

“The excitement from the bands is through the roof,” he said “We all look forward to it We have bands from Tampa, Orlando, the west coast and one coming all the way from Tallahassee It’s neat that you’re able to grab these bands from all different sections of the state and have this area to converge on for two nights. Bands even plan small tours around it. It’s a cool feeling that it’s become a destination for some of these groups It’s a great way to network as well Bands from Southwest Florida will hook up with a band from Tampa, and before you know it, they’re playing some shows together ”

The 239 Fest full lineup features:

Friday night, Feb. 7

8 p m - Go read theory (outside)

8:45 - Arcane arcade (inside)

9:15 - Flea Market Politics (outside)

10:00 - Duellona (inside)

IF YOU GO:

What: Punk/Ska/Reggae Fest

When:

Friday, Feb 7, begining at 8 p m Saturday, Feb 8, begining at 5 p m

Where:

Rack’em Spirits & Times, 1011 Southeast 47th Terrace

More information:

For more information, search 239 Fest on Facebook

10:45 - Perfect Sequence (outside)

11:30 - Misfit Cover Set (by Bargain Bin Heroes; inside)

Saturday night, Feb. 8

5 p m - Tonal Annihilation (outside)

5:45 - Rath and the Wise guys (outside)

6:30 - Shakers (inside)

7:15 - Foolish Relics (outside)

8:00 - Abortion Twins (inside)

8:45 - 69 Fingers (outside)

9:15 - Chilled monkey Brains (inside)

10:00 - Wolf Face (outside)

10:45 - Bargain Bin Heroes (inside)

11:30 - Except You (inside)

Demayo said he and Bargain Bin Heroes are looking forward to putting on their cover set of the popular American punk rock band, “Misfits ”

“We’ve always loved the Misfits, and from time to time have covered a song,” he said “We came up with the idea of, ‘Well, why don’t we do a whole tribute set?’

“It’s BBH (along with one other member), but we’re trying to find a way to market this It’ll be the start of something We’re having a lot of fun in practices and playing the songs, that I perceive this becoming its own thing We’re thinking of calling it ‘Crimson Ghost’ (a Misfits song and character). And this will probably be a tribute band we kick around from time to time We’re extremely excited about it ”

Demayo said every band on the two-day lineup is worth checking out, and noted a few participants that either have deep ties to the festival, or are playing for the first time

“Chilled Monkey Brains” from Tallahassee performed at the first 239 Fest, and have been around for well over a decade After a short hiatus, the group is back together and getting after it across the state

“We’ve been doing shows with them, so we invited them down to 239 Fest, and they were beyond excited,” Demayo said “It’s been so long since they’ve played with us, it’s kind of like a reunion.”

One band making its first appearance at 239 Fest and have been making waves in the scene, is “Wolf Face” out of St Petersburg The band performs a-la the 1985 movie “Teen Wolf,” sporting basketball uniforms and wolf masks

“Just their energy is awesome,” Demayo said “They have great stage presence and their schtick adds to their music, the vibe, and their energy

“239 Fest is just a great assortment of music, and a good time The venue is great We’ll alternate from the outside patio stage from inside If you want a non-stop onslaught of music, it’s there Or if you need a break, just stay on the opposite side of where the performances are happening ”

239 Fest is a 21-plus event For more information, search 239 Fest on Facebook Rack’em Spirits & Times is at 1011 Southeast 47th Terrace

C a p e C o r a l B r e e z e w w w . c a p e c o r a l b r e e z e . c o m J a n u a r y 3 1 , 2 0 2 5 ■ P a g e 2 2

Paradise Cove Wave Pool projects ‘early summer’ opening

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a n d a d d i t i o n a l e n t e r t a i n m e n t

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o n e t h a t ’ s c e r t a i n l y b e e n a l o n g t i m e

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Paradise Cove Wave Pool at SunSplash Family Waterpark is predicted to open at some point in the 2025 season Paradise Cove will be 12,000 square feet, and will feature 160,000 gallons of water with zero-depth beach entry and adjustable wave patterns See PARADISE COVE, page 23

c o m i n g , ” M c K e n z i e s a i d “ I n a d d i t i o n t o j u s t a l l o w i n g u s t o m o r e c o m f o r t a b l y h a n d l e m o r e g u e s t s , I t h i n k i t ’ s g o i n g t o b e c o m e t h e n e w f o c a l p o i n t f o r t h e p a r k I n s t e a d o f t h e e p i c e n t e r b e i n g t h e l a z y r i v e r , w h i c h w i l l s t i l l c o n t i n u e t o b e p o pu l a r , I t h i n k t h e e p i c e n t e r w i l l r e a l l y b e t h e w a v e p o o l H a v i n g t h a t s t a g e a n d d i g i t a l s c r e e n r e a l l y a l l o w s u s t o d o e v e n m o r e e l a b o r a t e e v e n t s t h r o u g h o u t t h e y e a r I t h i n k o u r g u e s t s a r e g o i n g t o l o v e b e i n g a b l e t o c o n s u m e S u n S p l a s h i n a n e n t i r e l y d i f f e r e n t w a y t h a n t h e y h a v e t h r o u g h o u t t h e h i s t o r y o f t h e p a r k ”

A d d i t i o n a l r e s t r o o m s a r e b e i n g b u i l t a s w e l l t o a c c o m m o d a t e t h e g r e a t e r n u m b e r

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c a t e r i n g p a v i l i o n a n d s p e e d s l i d e s .

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From page 22

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Construction of Paradise Cove Wave Pool at SunSplash Family Waterpark has been ongoing since October of 2024 Paradise Cove will be located towards the back of the park, built near the large catering pavilion and speed slides. SunSplash officials hope the wave pool will be operational in the early summer months of 2025. “

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a n d d i g i t a l s c r e e n r e a l l y a l l o w s u s t o d o e v e n m o r e e l a b o r a t e e v e n t s

t h r o u g h o u t t h e y e a r I t h i n k o u r g u e s t s a r e g o i n g t o l o v e b e i n g a b l e

t o c o n s u m e S u n S p l a s h i n a n e n t i r e l y d i f f e r e n t w a y t h a n t h e y h a v e

t h r o u g h o u t t h e h i s t o r y o f t h e p a r k ”

R o n M c K e n z i e , c h i e f m a r k e t i n g o f f i c e r f o r P r o P a r k s A t t r a c t i o n s G r o u p , w h i c h o p e r a t e s t h e c i t y - o w n e d f a c i l i t y

BUSINESS

BUSINESS BRIEFS

School District of Lee County to host Transpor tation Job Fair Feb. 12

The School District of Lee County is set to host a Transportation Job Fair for Southwest Florida job seekers from 3-5 p m Wednesday, Feb 12 at East County Regional Library, located at 881 Gunnery Road, N , in Lehigh Acres

School bus drivers working with the district are responsible for providing safe, timely, efficient and courteous transportation services for Lee County students Required job qualifications for bus drivers include at least five years of driving experience, a satisfactory driving record and a Social Security card

Starting pay for bus drivers is $18 90 per hour and immediate job openings are available The district provides free training for candidates who do not already possess a commercial driver’s license (CDL) The district offers flexible hours and a benefits package for fulltime employees

To register for the event and learn more about available career opportunities, visit LeeSchools net/Careers

For support or additional questions, please email careers@leeschools net or call 239-337-8676

Achieva Credit Union ear ns

Juntos Avanzamos designation

Achieva Credit Union announced this week it has earned the prestigious Juntos Avanzamos (Together We Advance) designation, a national recognition of its commitment to serving Hispanic and immigrant communities Just three credit unions in Southwest Florida have received this honor

The Juntos Avanzamos designation, awarded by Inclusiv, highlights organizations that prioritize underserved communities, particularly Hispanic and immigrant populations, by providing accessible financial services and fostering economic mobility In the past year alone, Achieva Credit Union has provided $4 3 million in consumer loans to non-U S citizen residents

The credit union also introduced a Spanish-language website and phone line, ensuring access to financial services In addition, Achieva Credit Union expanded on its celebrated "Cash Class" series to include Spanishlanguage webinars and in-person workshops, empowering families and individuals with the tools to achieve financial security.

To mark its new designation, the Achieva Credit Union will host a proclamation ceremony at a later date For more information on Achieva Credit Union and its programs, please visit Achievacu com

Business group to host ‘The Innovation Economy: Connecting Ideas and Oppor tunity’ Thursday

Following another year of business growth and opportunities in Lee County, the Horizon Council, Horizon Foundation and Lee County Economic Development Office will host the 2025 Annual Meeting Thursday, Feb 6

Titled "The Innovation Economy: Connecting Ideas and Opportunity," the 2025 Annual Meeting will feature a state of the economy presentation recapping the tremendous growth Lee County has seen, such as the ongoing expansion of Amazon in Fort Myers, new businesses along Pine Island Road in Cape Coral, Herc Rentals’ continued growth in the region and much more

Expanding on the event’s theme, the meeting will highlight the role of innovation as a key driver of economic development by fostering new connections between cutting-edge ideas and real-world opportunities

The 2025 Annual Meeting will take place from 11 a m to 1:30 p m at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd , in Fort Myers The event includes networking, a buffet lunch, the annual review and a “passing of the gavel” celebration to formally recognize outgoing and incoming leadership

Registration for the event at horizoncouncilfoundation com/annual-meeting-2025/ Tickets are $35 and include lunch

‘The Next Big Thing’

Market Trends 2025 slated for March 20 to explore the future of Southwest Florida’s real

Local real estate experts will convene in Southwest Florida to present Market Trends 2025, Southwest Florida’s largest real estate summit, which will be held from 4-7:30 p m , Thursday, March 20, at Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers

The theme of the annual summit is “The Next Big Thing ” From macroeconomic shifts and geopolitical events to technological advancements and climate impacts, the “next big thing” is around the corner The summit will break down the big things that buyers, sellers and real estate professionals should be focused on strategically, positioning attendees to stay ahead of the curve Expert insights will inform and analyze specific risk factors and opportunities before they come to the forefront with a particular emphasis on the potential real estate game-changers for 2025.

Three of the region’s leading voices in real estate will present the latest market data, research and fact-based analysis for a state-of-the-industry discussion Justin Thibaut, CCIM, president and CEO of LSI Companies, will cover the topic of land, new home sales and development,

estate market

while Denny Grimes, president of Denny Grimes & Team at Keller Williams Realty, will share expertise on residential real estate and Matt Simmons, managing partner of Maxwell, Hendry & Simmons, will present updates on the commercial real estate sector

Market Trends is presented by title sponsor LSI Companies and supported by the Lee Building Industry Association, Collier Building Industry Association and Charlotte Desoto Building Industry Association

A range of sponsorship opportunities are now available at the Gold ($7,500) and Silver ($5,000) levels and include varying levels of recognition in the Market Trends data book, marketing materials, during the event and more For more information, email info@markettrendsswfl com

Tickets for Market Trends 2025 are $75 for general admission and include a comprehensive data book Reserved and VIP tables ranging from $750 to $1,500 are also available for groups of eight to 10 people

To register or for additional information, please visit MarketTrendsSWFL com

Stevens Construction completes Foxtail Coffee Co. in Cape Coral

Stevens Construction has completed construction of Foxtail Coffee Co , located at 2494 Liberty Park Drive in the Liberty Health Park in Cape Coral, announced Joseph Cimilluca, Stevens Construction director of special projects

In approximately 85 days, the Stevens Construction special projects team provided a 1,540-square-foot build-out of a shell space into the fast-growing craft coffee brand’s first Cape Coral location Now open Sunday through Thursday, from 6:30 a m to 8 p m , and Friday and Saturday, from 6:30 a m to 9 p m , the Winter Park-based cozy coffee hangout includes a coffee bar, retail space, Kelly’s Ice Cream, drive-thru and open dining area

The Stevens Construction team included project manager Gio Cardet, superintendent Josh Bishop and project administrator Ana Rodriguez Ahkent Design, LLC, is the architect of record and interior designer

In 2018, Stevens Construction launched a special projects team serving projects under $1 5M The special projects team focuses on renovations, build-outs, additions, repairs and specialty projects with a team of skilled trades-

Alaimo

people who self-perform most scopes of work, benefiting the schedule and cost

With offices in Fort Myers and Orlando, Fla , Stevens Construction specializes in providing construction management, general contracting and consulting services to clients and design professionals. Other services include site and design team selection, budgeting, project scheduling, permitting, cost and quality control and warranty service The company builds healthcare, commercial and hospitality facilities For information, visit www stevensbuilds com or call 239-936-9006

About Foxtail Coffee Co.

Foxtail Coffee Co has been brewing craft coffee since opening its first café and roasting facility in Winter Park, Fla , in 2016 Founded on the principles of roasting and serving smooth coffee in a warm and inviting environment, the business quickly established a loyal following of coffee lover Since then, Foxtail has continued to grow, offering 65 locations in Florida, Georgia, Nevada and Michigan For more information, please visit www foxtailcoffee com

honored for providing pro bono services

The Florida Bar has recognized 21 lawyers for their work on behalf of low-income and disadvantaged clients at a ceremony at the Supreme Court of Florida

intended to encourage lawyers to volunteer free legal services to the poor by recognizing those who make public service commitments and to raise public awareness of the substantial volunteer services provided by Florida lawyers to those who cannot afford legal fees Florida Bar President Roland Sanchez-Medina Jr will present the 2025 awards

The awards recognize pro bono service in each of Florida’s 20 judicial circuits as well as service by one Florida Bar member practicing outside the state of Florida They are presented annually in conjunction with the Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award and other service awards, which are given by the chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court

In the most recent reporting period from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, Florida lawyers provided more than 1 7 million hours of pro bono services to those in need and

$11 6 million to legal aid organizations

The honorees included:

Maria Rita Alaimo, 20th Judicial Circuit (Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties)

Helping those who can’t fully advocate on their own is at the core of the Lee County Legal Aid Society’s mission – and is at the heart of Alaimo’s own personal commitment to the organization and those it serves Most weeks, you can find her staffing the weekly self-help Zoom calls at which both staff attorneys and volunteers provide limited legal advice to the public, as part of a partnership with the Lee County Clerk of Court’s office

Alaimo also serves as vice president of the Lee County Legal Aid Society’s Board of Directors and president of the Lee County Association for Women Lawyers, where she has helped implement one of the most significant efforts in the organization’s history – a coordinated effort to provide free civil legal aid to displaced immigrants under age 18 who are in foster care or require other legal support as a result of being abused, neglected or abandoned

Maria Rita Alaimo

Northwest Regional Library February programs scheduled

Next month’s roster of activities at Northwest Regional Library offers topics for all ages. The following activities are free to the public:

Tech

Adult Programs

Tuesdays: One-on-One Help

2 p m , Tuesday, Feb 4

Need help with a laptop, tablet, e-reader or other device? Are you looking to gain basic technology skills? We can help with a 15-minute, one-on-one technology help session Registration is required

Plant “Prop” Swap

6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4

Share your favorite plants with others Lee County's plant people are invited to share their love of growing plants while browsing books on the subject Bring your favorite plants, cuttings and water propagations to swap with fellow enthusiasts

Knit and Stitch

10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 5, 19

A casual, self-guided group of knitters and crocheters share projects, ideas and techniques Participants are encouraged to bring their own projects and tools. Basic materials and supplies are available for newcomers

Adopt Your Valentine: Dog Adoption Event

10:30 a m , Monday, Feb 10

Join us for a dog adoption event hosted by Lee County Domestic Animal Services Adoption fees will be waived with all approved applications One of our adorable, adoptable dogs is sure to steal your heart Chess at the Library

5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 11

Enjoy chess at the library in a casual environment Chess boards will be provided, but you can also bring your own People of all ages and skill levels are invited

Books & Bagels

10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 12

Do you enjoy robust, engaging book discussions? Join us and share your latest reading recommendations Bagels and coffee will be served

Tabletop Game Time

5 p m , Tuesday, Feb 18

Meet up at the library for a monthly board game night featuring modern tabletop games The library has a rotating collection of light to medium weight games or bring your own games to teach and share New

and experienced players welcome

Adult Crafternoon: Diamond Painting

1 p m , Thursday, Feb 20

Using the concept of paint-by-numbers, diamond painting involves using small rhinestones to create a sparkly, 3D work of art Registration is required

Children’s Programs

Super Fun Saturday

10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 1

Come play with us at the library Activities change monthly and vary from dancing, storytelling, art projects and more Fun for the whole family.

Baby Rhyme Time

10:30 a m , Monday, Feb 3, 10, 17, 24

For babies through age 18 months

Babies and caregivers wiggle and giggle in a supportive environment Space is limited Arrive early and visit the Youth Desk to check in

Toddler Tales

10:30 & 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26

For ages 18 – 36 months and caregivers

Toddlers and caregivers move and groove during this interactive storytime Space is limited to 14 tickets Arrive early and visit the Youth Desk to check in First-come, first-served

Kids Read Down Fines

4:30-5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 5, 12

11 a.m. to Noon Saturday, Feb. 15

Children and teens can earn a $2 credit on overdue fines for every 15 minutes they read in the designated area for a total of $8 in one session Please bring your library card

Preschool Storytime

10:30 & 11:30 a m , Thursday, Feb 6, 13, 20, 27

For ages 3-5 years Children attend this program independently while parents and caregivers wait nearby Space is limited to 14 tickets Arrive early and visit the Youth Desk to check in First-come, first-served

Chess at the Library

5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 11

Enjoy chess at the library in a casual environment Chess boards will be provided, but you can also bring your own People of all ages and skill levels are invited

STEAM Meet-Up

6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 11

Join us for our STEAM monthly meetup During this session we will be howling at and learning about the moon. All supplies provided Dress for dress for mess Registration is required

Family Storytime

10:30 a m , Saturday, Feb 15

For children through age 5 years and caregivers Families with young children enjoy a variety of stories, songs, rhymes and movement

Reading Festival: Creation Stations

1–3 p.m., Monday, Feb. 17

In preparation for the 26th annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival, we will be highlighting authors Kate Hannigan, Molly Idle and Kate Messner with writing and craft stations around the Youth Services area All supplies provided

LEGO Club

1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 22

Drop in for building challenges the whole family will enjoy For all ages All materials are provided

Books and Blankets

6:15 p m , Tuesday, Feb 25

Join us with your blankies and pajamas for this nighttime edition of storytime Your whole family is invited to this enjoyable, all-ages storytime that encourages the development of pre-reading skills through songs, rhymes, fingerplays and stories

Teen Programs

Kids Read Down Fines

4:30–5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 5, 12 11 a.m. to Noon, Saturday, Feb. 15

Children and teens can earn a $2 credit on overdue fines for every 15 minutes they read in the designated area for a total of $8 in one session Please bring your library card

Chess at the Library 5:30 p m , Tuesday, Feb 11

Enjoy chess at the library in a casual environment Chess boards will be provided, but you can also bring your own People of all ages and skill levels are invited

Teen Resist Art

2:15 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 19

Unleash your creativity, using just watercolors and tape to create your own fun, colorful masterpiece All supplies provided while they last For, teens, ages 1218 years

The Northwest Regional Library is located at 519 Chiquita Blvd , N , in Cape Coral For more information about a program or to register, please call the library at 239-533-4700 Check the Lee County Library System’s website at www leelibrary net to find out about programs at other locations Call the host library, or Telephone Reference at 239-479-INFO (4636), for more information about a specific program

Eaglets: CROW will continue to monitor the babies’ parents for symptoms

From page 1

The disease can be transmitted through feces and respiratory secretions of an infected bird It can also be carried by contaminated objects, Comolli said

Humans can contract the disease

“The eaglets likely contracted the disease by eating an infected bird,” Comolli said

The eagles bring food up to the nest for the eaglets, which had just started to feed themselves,

This brings the possibility that M15 and F23 could be infected

They are being monitored closely

Signs of infection include weakness, loss of appetite, breathing difficulty, inability to stand or fly and neurological signs like seizures, Comolli said

If the eagles are sick enough to become grounded, people are asked to contact CROW or the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission

CROW could intervene if necessary

The eaglets died soon after they began exhibiting symptoms.

E24 showed signs of distress Sunday evening around 6:41 p m and passed quickly

CROW got state and federal permission to remove the corpse from the nest on Monday for the health and safety of the remaining family, Hussey said

They did not have permission to remove E25, however, since the eaglet showed no signs of illness or stress at the time The eaglet did retreat to the end of the nest, which was when CROW veterinarians left the nest area, Hussey said

Tuesday morning, E25 showed the same symptoms as exhibited by E24 and suffered a seizure before falling out of the nest

CROW officials returned and discovered the eaglet had died

Alison Charney Hussey, executive director at CROW, said this is a devastating loss to the community

“We share with the public the grief over the eaglets and we wanted to make sure everyone knew that we are dedicated to treating the wildlife and telling you what happened,” Hussey said

Dedicated eagle followers created a memorial for the lives of the two eaglets on benches dedicated to the memory of previous eagles, including the original stars of the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam, Ozzie and Harriet.

S

Thursday press conference and said after 13 seasons of the program, this is the worst they have seen having both eaglets die so suddenly

“It’s been heartbreaking for all our viewers and our family who have run the camera,” Pritchett-McSpadden said “We’re so appreciative of CROW and the FWC for providing answers ”

Pritchett-McSpadden said the future of the eagle cam is unknown because of the possibility of the adults being infected

“With the loss of the eaglets we also mourn the potential loss of the Eagle Cam because we are fighting for the future of M15 and F23 We don’t know what this influenza can do We’ll have to wait and see and hope for the best,” Pritchett-McSpadden said

Above: Southwest Florida Eagle Cam followers have set up a memorial in memory of eaglets E24 and E25 at the Church of the Nazarene on Bayshore Road next to the Pritchett Farm where the eagles nest in North Fort Myers.

Left, Jessica Comolli, research and medical director of CROW, and Alison Charney Hussey, executive director at CROW, speak during a press confere n c e h e l d T h u r s d a y a t t h e c h u r c h regarding the bird flu deaths of eaglets E 2 4 a n d E 2 5 i n t h e n e s t o n t h e Pritchett property off Bayshore Road near Eagle Landing

CHUCK BALLARO

Ground owls: Annual celebration a prelude to Burrowing Owl Festival

From page 1

rowing owls are a very unique animal and threatened species,” Windisch said “It’s the only owl that makes its home in the ground There are thousands of these lovely owls that make their home in Cape Coral, and makes the city a really special place This is a fun event to celebrate that There are a lot of owls that have burrows at Pelican Baseball Complex So after the event, you can see the owls staying 10 feet away from the nests and have your picture taken with Athene ” Judy Mitchell, president of Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife, added, “We are excited to bring the community together for this special event, which highlights the beauty of our local wildlife and the importance of preserving it for future generations Don’t miss this chance to join in the fun and celebrate the arrival of spring with your neighbors ”

“We are excited to bring the community together for this special event, which highlights the beauty of our local wildlife and the importance of preserving it for future generations. Don’t miss this chance to join in the fun and celebrate the arrival of spring with your neighbors.”

Judy Mitchell, president of Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife

Other than being a fun way to celebrate the burrowing owl and be an event precursor to the annual Burrowing Owl Festival (Feb 22), Ground Owl Day is a way to become educated on the importance of the burrowing owl, how to preserve their population and the ecotourism dollars they bring to the city

“While it feels like there are many burrowing owls here, they are still a threatened species,” Windisch said “There are not very many throughout the state Nature brings us joy It makes our city special, and we really need to all be aware of how frag-

ile they are, and it takes a whole community to support wildlife For the joy they bring residents, for the visitors that come to Cape Coral to see our wildlife and photograph our owls, it's really important that we come together and support them ”

C C F W h a s r o u g h l y 5 0 0 v o l u n t e e r members, who put in a collective 10,000 hours last year Volunteers mark burrows and report the location to the city They trim vegetation around burrows, as does the city CCFW also helps maintain purple martins and gopher tortoises CCFW has a sister organization, the

CCFW Wildlife Trust, which purchases and acquires land to be held in perpetuity as a wildlife habitat

“The amount of new construction in the city is accelerating,” Windisch said. “Big developments are coming that are going to displace wildlife So, as much as we can do to preserve what land we can for them for residents, if there’s less and less open lots for burrowing owls to live, they can put starter burrows in their yard There’s lots to do to persevere our wildlife ” Special “Ground Owl Day” shirts will be available to purchase at the event The image on the shirt this year comes from the Burrowing Owl Photo Contest youth winner, Abigail Gallagher

For more information on CCFW, starter burrows, and the upcoming Burrowing Owl Festival, visit ccfriendsofwildlife org Pelican Baseball Complex is at 4128 Pelican Blvd

De Santis: Governor holds roundtables in Fort Myers & Titusville

From page 1

“ T h i s i s u n a c c e p t a b l e P r e s i d e n t T r u m p w a s e l e c t e d

w i t h a m a n d a t e t o s t o p i l l e g a l i m m i g r a t i o n a n d d e p o r t i l l e g a l a l i e n s a l r e a d y i n o u r c o u n t r y , a n d i n s t e a d o f

h e l p i n g f u l f i l l t h i s m a n d a t e , F l o r i d a l e g i s l a t o r s a r e w a s t i n g t i m e a n d i n s u l t i n g t h e i r o w n c o n s t i t u e n t s “ T h i s i s n o t a t i m e f o r h a l f - m e a s u r e s ”

D e S a n t i s w a s j o i n e d b y B r e v a r d C o u n t y S h e r i f f

W a y n e I v e y , F l o r i d a H i g h w a y S a f e t y a n d M o t o r

V e h i c l e s E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r D a v e K e r n e r , a n d A n g e l

W i f e N i k k i J o n e s I v e y a n d K e r n e r d i s c u s s e d w h a t t h e y

s a y a r e t h e f a i l u r e s o f t h e l e g i s l a t u r e ’ s n e w l y p a s s e d b i l l t o p r o v i d e s u p p o r t a n d a u t h o r i t y t o l a w e n f o r c e m e n t e n t i t i e s c u r r e n t l y e n g a g e d a n d e q u i p p e d t o e n f o r c e

i m m i g r a t i o n l a w i n F l o r i d a

“ T h e b i l l t h e F l o r i d a L e g i s l a t u r e p a s s e d l a s t n i g h t f a i l s t o h o n o r o u r p r o m i s e s t o v o t e r s , f a i l s t o m e e t t h e

m o m e n t , a n d w o u l d a c t u a l l y w e a k e n s t a t e i m m i g r a t i o n

e n f o r c e m e n t , ” D e S a n t i s s a i d “ W e m u s t h a v e t h e

s t r o n g e s t l a w i n t h e n a t i o n o n i m m i g r a t i o n e n f o r c e m e n t

t h a t w i l l g u a r a n t e e s t a t e a n d l o c a l d e p o r t a t i o n a s s i st a n c e , e n d c a t c h a n d r e l e a s e , e l i m i n a t e m a g n e t s s u c h a s r e m i t t a n c e s , a n d a d o p t s u p p o r t i n g p o l i c i e s t h a t w i l l p r ot e c t F l o r i d i a n s ”

F L H S M V E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r D a v e K e r n e r s a i d , “ T h e l e g i s l a t u r e ’ s b i l l w i l l s t o p F H P a n d F D L E ’ s e f f o r t s t o c o l l a b o r a t e w i t h l o c a l a n d f e d e r a l a g e n c i e s b y f r u s t r a t i n g c o m m u n i c a t i o n r e q u e s t s f o r a s s i s t a n c e a n d i n s t e a d p u t r o a d b l o c k s u p t h a t p e r v e r t t h e e x e c u t i o n a n d e n f o r c e m e n t o f F l o r i d a i m m i g r a t i o n l a w G o v D e S a n t i s u n d e r s t a n d s t h e r o l e o f l a w e n f o r c e m e n t a n d w a n t s t o p r o v i d e t h e s t r o n g e s t i m m i g r a t i o n l a w p o s s i b l e , e m p o w e r i n g l a w e n f o r c e m e n t t o g e t t o w o r k a n d d e p o r t i l l e g a l a l i e n s r e s i d i n g i n t h e s t a t e ”

E a r l i e r t h i s m o n t h , t h e g o v e r n o r c a l l e d a s p e c i a l s e ss i o n o f t h e F l o r i d a l e g i s l a t u r e t o a d d r e s s i l l e g a l i m m ig r a t i o n w h i c h h e s a i d i s a f f e c t i n g c o m m u n i t i e s a c r o s s t h e s t a t e

A c c o r d i n g t o D e S a n t i s ' o f f i c e , h i s p r o p o s a l s i n c l u de d :

■ R e p e a l i n g i n - s t a t e c o l l e g e t u i t i o n f o r i l l e g a l i m m i g r a n t s t u d e n t s ( p a s s e d i n 2 0 1 4 )

■ R e q u i r i n g a l l l a w e n f o r c e m e n t a g e n c i e s t o p a r t i ci p a t e i n t h e 2 8 7 ( g ) p r o g r a m , w h i c h a l l o w s I C E t o p a r t -

n e r w i t h s t a t e a n d l o c a l l a w e n f o r c e m e n t p a r t n e r s t o a r r e s t a n d r e m o v e n o n c i t i z e n s w h o u n d e r m i n e o u r

n a t i o n ’ s s a f e t y

■ E x p a n d i n g t h e U n a u t h o r i z e d A l i e n T r a n s p o r t

P r o g r a m , w h i c h w e u s e d t o s e n d a l i e n s t o s o - c a l l e d “ s a n c t u a r y j u r i s d i c t i o n s , ” t o a l l o w f o r t h e t r a n s p o r t a t i o n

o f i l l e g a l a l i e n s o u t s i d e o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s

■ R e q u i r i n g a p e r s o n r e g i s t e r i n g t o v o t e t o a f f i r m t h a t h e o r s h e i s a U n i t e d S t a t e s c i t i z e n a n d l e g a l r e s i -

d e n t o f F l o r i d a

■ R e q u i r i n g a l i c e n s e e t o v e r i f y t h e i d e n t i t y o f e a c h

s e n d e r o f a f o r e i g n r e m i t t a n c e t r a n s f e r

■ I n c r e a s i n g t h e c r i m e f o r a n u n a u t h o r i z e d a l i e n

w h o f a l s e l y s w e a r s t o a n o a t h o r a f f i r m a t i o n i n c o n n e ct i o n w i t h o r a r i s i n g o u t o f v o t i n g o r e l e c t i o n s t o a f e l o n y

o f t h e s e c o n d d e g r e e

■ I n c r e a s i n g t h e c r i m e f o r a n u n a u t h o r i z e d a l i e n

w h o w i l l f u l l y s u b m i t s a n y f a l s e v o t e r r e g i s t r a t i o n i n f o r -

m a t i o n t o a s e c o n d - d e g r e e f e l o n y .

■ M a k i n g i t a s t a t e c r i m e f o r a l i e n s e n t e r i n g t h e

“After first rejecting my call for a Special Session on combating illegal immigration, the Legislature dismissed our strong proposals and instead tried to sell us a bill of goods which fails to address this crisis I called for legislation to make illegal immigration a state crime, end catchand-release, stop illegals from sending money from Florida back to other countries, prevent illegals from registering to vote, and affirmatively require maximum participation from state and local law enforcement in the federal deportation program. The Legislature’s bill does none of these.

“This is unacceptable. President Trump was elected with a mandate to stop illegal immigration and deport illegal aliens already in our country, and instead of helping fulfill this mandate, Florida legislators are wasting time and insulting their own constituents

U n i t e d S t a t e s i l l e g a l l y , w i t h i n c r e a s i n g p u n i s h m e n t i n t e r v a l s f o r r e p e a t o f f e n d e r s ■ P r e s u m i n g i l l e g a l a l i e n s a r e f l i g h t r i s k s a n d d e n y

Cape

Coral Military Officers Association of America to meet Feb. 8

The Cape Coral Military Officers Association of America will hold its monthly breakfast meeting at 10 a m , Saturday, Feb 8, at the Cape Royal Golf Club, 1460 Royal Tee Circle, Cape Coral Outgoing Florida District 76 Rep Spencer Roach will be the speaker

The breakfast cost is $12 per person and is open to not only Cape Coral MOAA members, but also former and retired U S military officers and senior noncommissioned officers

Reservations are requested by calling Cindy Nolan at

n g s b y e x p a n d i n g t

n c

c e r t a i n V e n e z u e l a n s t r e

Gov Ron DeSantis

SPORTS

PREP REPORT

Wednesday Boys Soccer District 5A-11 Championship

Fort Myers 2, Mariner 1: The Tritons (21-4) were upset by a 9-9-4 Green Wave side in the district final Mariner, ranked eighth in the state and third in the region in Class 5A, are still bound for the Region 5A-3 playoffs as a road team It's possible that the same two teams could face each other in the opening playoff round Fort Myers broke a 1-all tie in the second half Braydon Russell's first goal of the season

Girls Soccer District 3A-11 Championship

Aubrey Rogers 2, Bishop Verot 2 (4-2 PK): The Vikings (14-1-1) suffered their first loss of the year, falling 4-2 on penalty kicks All the goals in regulation were scored after intermission Aubrey Rogers (13-4-1), ranked 13th in Florida Class 3A, will be in the playoffs as a district champion Bishop Verot, fourth in the state and second in Region 3A-3, will likely play the region's lowest-ranked district champ in the first round of the playoffs

Boys Basketball

Palmetto Ridge 89, Mariner 56: Palmetto Ridge (16-8) handed the Tritons their 22nd loss

Ida Baker at Lemon Bay: No report

Girls Basketball

Lemon Bay 48, Ida Baker 37: The Bulldogs' sevengame winning streak came to an end, leaving Ida Baker 9-14 on the year Maia Berdebes led the Bulldogs with 13 points Isabela Beauchamp and J’Kayla Thomas each had 8 points.

Tuesday

Boys Soccer District 6A-12 Semifinals

Charlotte 1, Ida Baker 0: The Bulldogs (9-7-3) came up just short as top-seeded Charlotte (19-3-2) advanced to the district title game

Immokalee 1, Gateway 1 (4-2 PK): The Indians (14-4-1) will face Charlotte in the District 6A-12 final

Boys Basketball

Oasis 60, ECS 55: The Sharks (14-10) rallied in the fourth quarter for the win Oasis snapped a five-game road losing streak

Belen Jesuit 56, Bishop Verot 55: The Miami school (17-8) did just enough to hold off the Vikings (15-9) Austin Leslie led Bishop Verot with 25 points and 9 rebounds Gavin Williams scored 16 points and Jerry Ashley had 11 rebounds

Mariner 57, Ida Baker 56: The Tritons finally broke into the win column after 21 consecutive losses this season Ida Baker had won four out of five coming in, but dropped to 6-16 with the loss The Bulldogs had eked out a 65-64 win over the Tritons on Jan 13

Island Coast 67, Estero 60: SirJoshua Anderson scored 19 points and Izaiah Bacchus had 17 points and 10 rebounds as the Gators improved to 14-10. Jose Bido added 11 points and 10 assists.

Girls Basketball

Oasis 47, SW Florida Christian 44: Katelynn Jakubowski scored 11 points and Ellye Hinkle 10 for the Sharks (15-5)

Estero 60, Island Coast 36: The Gators are 6-16

Bishop Verot 46, Barron Collier 32: Cameron O'Halloran scored 17 points and Caroline Ward 11 for the Vikings (17-6), who have won their last five games

Ida Baker 44, Mariner 36: Maia Berdebes led the Bulldogs (9-13) with a double-double with 20 points and 16 rebounds. Jocelyn Hernandez added 7 points. The Tritons fall to 2-13.

Estero 60, Island Coast 36: The Gators are 6-16.

JANUARY 31, 2025

North Fort

North girls down Mariner to win 5A District 11 soccer championship

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

A rivalry took center stage Tuesday night, as two familiar foes battled to earn a girls soccer district championship

When all was said and done, it was North Fort Myers that came out on top, taking down Mariner 4-1 en route to a FHSAA 5A District 11 crown.

“I thought we played really well,” said Red Knights head coach Nick Erickson “We finished opportunities in front of the goal We were aggressive taking shots on goal

“In terms of finishing, and being aggressive and taking shots, I thought we really, really did a nice job there ”

The No 1 seeded Red Knights (18-2) opened the score in the eighth minute, as junior standout Hannah Busenbark netted her 50th goal of the year Busenbark received a centering pass on a counterattack, settled the ball and sent it towards the net The ball deflected off of a Mariner defender and found the back of the net

The Tritons (17-3) answered not too long after, as Caroline Orth showed off some great dribbling prowess in the box, evaded a few North defenders and buried her

chance to equalize the game just 15 minutes in North regained the lead in minute 29, as a clearing attempt from Mariner found the boots of Jaelyn Hoefer, who dribbled towards the keeper and found the back of the net inside the right boat with her left foot

The Red Knights extended their lead during stoppage time before the half, as Lexi Neumann took a free kick just outside the box, floating a beautiful shot into the top right corner of the net

The Tritons were unable to muster many chances in the second half, as the Red Knights continued to dominate possession

“Defensively, we played well,” Erickson said, adding that his team gave the Tritons a different look in the second half. “We're fast. We're athletic. For the most part, we're well positioned I think the goal we did give up was a miscommunication type-thing ” Erickson also praised the play of his goalkeeper, Brooke Hankinson

See NORTH GIRLS, page 35

Tritons’ boys soccer coach Cardenas earns 500th win

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

One Cape Coral coach reached a milestone victory last week, recording his 500th win at the helm of a prominent program

Mariner Tritons head soccer coach Martin Cardenas wasn't aware of the number heading into last Friday's match against North Fort Myers After an 8-0 district semifinal win, Cardenas was expecting the usual postgame affairs; a handshake, talking with his team All of a sudden, Mariner Athletic Director Steve Larsen revealed a belt, a la one a boxer or wrestler would adorn

The belt signified Cardenas’ historic achievement: 500 wins as the head coach of the Tritons boys soccer team, a position he's held for 32 years. Cardenas is the only coach at Mariner to ever attain this level of success

“It was a really cool moment,” Cardenas said of the postgame events, adding that he discovered his family kept the secret of his 500th win under wraps for weeks heading into the game “We had just won the game and were heading back into the fieldhouse to talk about (the next day), and I see them coming over, and the boys were gathering around And when I saw it, I said, ‘Oh! OK ’ It was really

CJ HADDAD

The

Myers girls soccer team won the FHSAA 5A District 11 title Tuesday night with a 41 win over long-time rival Mariner

Mariner coach Martin Cardenas, right, and one of his Tritons soccer players show off the 500 wins belt. PHOTO PROVIDED

500th win: Mariner boys soccer coach Cardenas reaches big milestone

From page 34

a surprise I wasn't really thinking of that number at all And I don't dwell on it ”

If Cardenas is one thing, it's consistent, and that's something he tries to pass down to his players When he was hired as the M a r i n e r h e a d c o a c h m o r e t h a n t h r e e decades ago, his commitment has never wavered

“I see that a lot in other sports, like football, there's a high turnover rate of coaches, so it's hard to have consistency in a program,” Cardenas said “I'm not a jumper I'm not a guy that switches, and I've always been that I'm a creature of habit When I got hired at Mariner in 1993, my intentions were not to go anywhere ”

Of the impact Cardenas has had, Larsen said, “The 500 wins are significant not because of the number of wins per se, but the volume of time and energy he has been a b l e t o p o u r i n t o o u r s t u d e n t - a t h l e t e s because of his longevity is what's amazing The impact he has made inside the classroom and out, a number cannot be attached to that ”

T h e y e a r b e f o r e h e w a s h i r e d a t

Mariner, Cardenas had an internship at Estero, which wanted to hire him the following year, as they didn't have a current spot open on the staff

“I drive out to Mariner, walk in the office, (then-principal Mike McNearney) walks out of his office, gives me a hug, walks me around, and introduces me to people,” Cardenas recalled. “I get home and I tell my wife, ‘I just got hired for two jobs I got hired to teach art and coach soccer, and no one ever saw my resume ’”

McNearney told Cardenas he knew what kind of person he was, and was the right fit for the position

M o r e t h a n j u s t c o a c h i n g s o c c e r ,

Cardenas has helped shape the character and minds of hundreds of young men that have come through Mariner His favorite part of being a coach and teacher? The friendships

“To this day, I'm very good friends with guys that I coached back in the early ‘90s,” he said “Just a number of guys, we became friends Not so much through the field, but outside the field. That's probably the best part of what I've done at Mariner, is develop friendships Whether it's here on the soccer field, or if they decide to take up another sport ”

Over 32 seasons and 500 wins, there a r e a f

Cardenas' mind

He remembered one match at Estero where a player broke his collar bone After calling 9-1-1, they were told all of the ambulances in the area were out on call So what do they do? Send a helicopter

“Lee Health sends a helicopter to pick him up in the middle of the field And I was like, ‘Wow A helicopter for a broken collarbone?’”

Other highlights include a trip to the state championship in 2020, and a victory against St Thomas Aquinas in 2003 at home

“That was just a huge moment for our program,” Cardenas said

When asked what about his coaching s t y l e h a s m a d e h i s t e a m s s u c c e s s f u l , Cardenas said the ability to adapt.

“(Former players) would say, ‘You're

such a hard ass,’ or ‘You used to make us run for everything ’ Kids are different nowadays,” Cardenas said “I feel like I have a large number of kids that leave our program because they don't quite get my coaching style I try to do my best to be understanding and adapt And the ones that stick around, I know they have a mental toughness that I like Besides physical toughness, I think being mentally tough is probably the thing that I look for the most I don't care about your soccer background I didn't start playing soccer until I was in seventh grade

“We play every formation Every team is different And I take a lot of input from our players and what they think This year we're playing a four-four-two because our two team captains felt it was the best thing for us -- so let's go for it. Obviously with the formation there's things that must be done ”

Cardenas already has plans for how he's going to display the belt, recalling a story from when he was younger

“I was giving it some thought, and I

remember my uncle hanging a big rattlesnake skin when I was a kid,” he said “We used to work in the fields in Immokalee, and we're going to work, and we're in the back of a pickup truck And he hits the breaks and gets out Next thing you know he throws this (dead) rattlesnake in the back of the truck with us It was massive And he (eventually) put it on this board

“I'm thinking I'll get myself a nice wooden board and engrave it with some tools ”

While Cardenas said he's not making too much of a deal about win 500, he's certainly taken some time to reflect, and has pride in what that number represents

“ I '

accomplished,” Cardenas said “I told the boys it's not me I didn't win 500 games It's my players, my teams I told them they are part of the reason this number happened

“I think it's a milestone for any coach in any sport I'm very happy I got to live to do it I thank God for all of his blessings on me and my family To me, I wish I could coach for another 500 ”

As for what the future holds, Cardenas said it's all about that feeling he gets when he wakes up in the morning

“I've always taken the mental approach that, when I get up in the morning, I go to work, I whistle, I smile, I laugh,” he said “When I go to practice, I put my cleats on every day and want to be out there The day I feel that I don't want to do those things, is probably going to be it Right now, I'm just enjoying it ”

North girls: Red Knights top rival Tritons to win district soccer title

From page 34

“I thought she set the tone for her game on that very first difficult ball that they played in, where she had to dive and catch, and no rebound,” he said “That set the tone Not giving up rebounds and not doing that kind of stuff is what's going to stop the ball from getting into the back of the net ”

Busenbark scored once again, this time in the 43rd minute, to put the game away for North

“It's the greatest offensive season I've seen in (all of my years) doing this,” Erickson said of Busenbark “And there's been a lot of excellent offensive players, and she's certainly in that class But in terms of a want and to score goals -- I

machine when it comes to putting balls in the back of the net She's just a great player ”

Last season, it was Mariner who won the district championship, but then fell to North in the state tournament. These teams are all but destined to meet again in the very near future

Tritons head coach Jami Hagy said, “The game with North is always a competitive game We have been battling injuries all season and the team has stuck together It’s unfortunate we came up short and North played their game and came out on top Caroline Orth really stepped up for us by putting the ball in the back of the net to tie it early on Trishelle Lopez was back

and came up with some big saves Our defense with Bella Resto, Adriana Lopez, Madison Arch and Olivia Hinote I thought did a great job with the offense that North threw at us ”

Erickson said he's immensely encouraged with the way his team is playing at this point in the season heading into the state tournament The Red Knights are looking to punch a ticket once again to the state finals, as they did last year, falling to American Heritage in penalty kicks

“I think if we can stay healthy and we finish opportunities in front of the net that are reasonable, I think we've got a very good chance to advance,” Erickson said “I think we're playing well We're gelling If we play clean and we limit our mis-

takes and we're playing behind the ball moving forward versus chasing and reacting to things, we're going to have a good shot against most teams ”

The Tritons are certainly not out of the picture when it comes to making a deep run, and Hagy has faith in her team to take on adversity and shake off the district loss

“The team is concentrating on one game at a time and practicing hard,” Hagy said “They are resilient and will bounce back They have shined throughout the season and I have confidence they are going to correct what they need going into tournament play ”

The brackets for the FHSAA 5A State Championships will be released soon

Getting to know ... : Garden Club of Cape Coral’s history and

From page 18

Historical Museum’s Rose Garden has

b e e n r e c o g n i z e d s e v e r a l t i m e s w i t h FFGC’s and Deep South Garden Clubs’ Historical Preservation awards

We are also involved in developing, planting and maintaining the city’s new Sands Park pollinator garden (see the photo of our crew working hard in the summer heat )

Many people in the Cape are familiar with “March in the Park” (MIP) The idea for this came from our member Donna Conway, who suggested the club stage a vendor show with the club also selling plants The first MIP in 2009 was staged in the Church of the Epiphany parking lot!

The show is now a juried garden, garden art and plant show with multiple vendors

The venue is moving to Rotary Park this year since our former home, Jaycee Park, is no longer available The proceeds of March in the Park allows the club to give annual

Marty Ward Merit awards to qualified Cape Coral high-school students

The years between 2015 and 2019 were very eventful Our meetings moved briefly to the Art League on Cultural Park Boulevard, we won multiple FFGC and Deep South Awards and in 2017 our first National Garden Clubs award - for the PowerPoint presentation "This is your Garden Club" – and we moved again to the K i w a n i s b u i l d i n g o n S a n t a B a r b a r a Boulevard In 2019, the club’s website redesigned by member Lillian Peterson was recognized by FFGC’s De Palma Silik award and later by National Garden Clubs award You’ll definitely want to check that out!

In 2020, the onset of the COVID years, to honor the Armed Services coinciding with Cape Coral’s 50th Anniversary, we installed a Blue Star Memorial Marker and garden at Eco Park, which we continue to maintain

The club has now returned to its original

meeting place, the Episcopal Church on Del Prado Boulevard We meet on the second Tuesday of the month, September through May, at 5:45 p m What better way to start the new year come join us; make new friends; enjoy educational gardening presentations at every meeting, and monthly special events trips!

more

Happy gardening!

Sylvia Swartz is a member of Garden Club of Cape Coral, Past President of the GCCC and Ways and Means co-chair Visit us at www gardenclubofcape coral com Like us on Facebook/Instagram.

Annual Antique Ford Car Show Saturday

The Edison and Ford Winter Estates will host its annual Antique Ford Car Show from 9 a m to 2 p m this Saturday, Feb 1

Each year, classic car owners exhibit their cars on the Ford estate lawn as a tribute to Henry Ford, the pioneer of the autom o b i l e i n d u s t r y . A n t i q u e M u s t a n g s , Thunderbirds, Model Ts and others will be on display

During the car show, there will be a DJ on site playing music, and food trucks

will have refreshments available for purchase Visitors can also tour the gardens, museum, laboratory and see the historic homes The site includes more than 20 acres of botanical gardens along the Caloosahatchee River with plants and trees from all around the world

This family-friendly event is free for Edison Ford members or $25 for nonmembers Tickets may be purchased on the website at EdisonFord org or at the ticket counter

PHOTO PROVIDED Mariner Tritons head soccer coach Martin Cardenas’ 500 wins belt.

Cape Coral Breeze Athletes

Week of the

(Selected

by the Breeze Sports staff)

Religious

Thanksgiving Novena to St. Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special partonage in time of need. To you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition. In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. St Jude pray for us and all who invoke your aid. Amen. Say three Our Fathers, three Hail Marys, and Glorias. Publication must be promised. This Novena has never been known to fail. I have had my request granted. Publication promised.

Cemetery - Cremation

For Sale: His & Hers crypts, Coral Ridge Cemetary, Memory 2 South inside. Titled, $12000 ea. Call 239-699-4822 Please leave message

Wanted To Buy

Looking to buy 10 residential Lawn Accounts.

Please text 239-231-6242

Arts & Crafts

Large Artist Easel, 18.5” wide x 86.5” tall, good condition. Asking $75. Call 239-689-0217

Household Goods

For Sale: Burgundy La-Z-Boy power lift recliner, never used (too large for room). Paid $1800, asking $600 Call 239-898-3073

Musical Instruments

Small standup piano 58” long x 25” wide x 37” tall. Plays well, Free. You must pick up. Call 508-813-9774

CANáT ATTENDSUNDAY @ HIBID.COM

WWW.ALLCOASTAUCTION.COM CoListingAgent: CecileFrost TEXTORCALL 239-233-5281

How

to prepare for a lengthy renovation project r

spaces to make them more accommodating to residents. pr enovation pr e for epar to pr oject a e take can renovations Depending on the scope and scale of a project, home imagined. time spent waiting often is well worth it when the work is that such undertakings are often a lengthy process. But the Homeowners interested in remodeling projects understand day or two for minor a from anywhere manageable.

ough estimate fr Get a r

money away for the project so you’re not caught of labor and building materials. out proper funding. Get detailed estimates that include can budget accordingly

can implement strategies to make conditions at home more months. Homeowners weary of such lengthy undertakings ects may take six to 12 weeks. stallation of appliances. Due to that complexity bathroom have a lot of moving parts, including plumbing lender RenoFi says projects like remodeling a kitchen or cosmetic changes to nine months for a major project. home add A addition can take, such projThe out clutter · Clear later on.

Although it will

Remove any extraneous items from . Then start saving and stash project will go nowhere with A A . om contractors so that you f-guard offf-guardthe room or rooms that will be remodeled.

PROPERTY TRANSFERS

Source: Lee County Property Appraiser

PROPERTY TRANSFERS

Source: Lee County Property Appraiser

2024 condo sales and prices drop, listings up

As we close the books on the Cape Coral condominium market for 2024, the key takeaways were that the total number of closed condo sales were down last year compared to 2023, and the 12-month average median sales price for condos last year also came in lower versus 2023. The new year is bringing an increased inventory of condos for sale on the market and a seasonal increase in the number of condos going under contract with buyers as pending sales. However, the pending condo sales are lagging behind last year’s numbers, while both listing prices and pending sales prices have declined. The details are as follows.

As of Monday, Jan. 27, there were 476 active condo listings in the Cape through the MLS at prices ranging from $129,000 to $1,799,999 with the median list price at $259,900. The number of active condo listings is up 12.8% from 422 on Jan. 1 when there were 422 condos on the market. About one year ago, on Feb. 6, 2024, there were 408 condos listed for sale in the Cape at prices ranging from $157,000 to $3.9 million and the median list price was at $299,450. Back on Jan. 2, 2024, there were 362 active condo listings, and roughly 25 months ago on Jan. 5, 2023, there were only 171 condos on the market in the Cape with a median list price of $320,000.

We currently have 51 pending condo sales in the pipeline ranging in price from $125,000 to $1.67 million, with the median pending sales price at $250,000. The number of pending sales is up 30.8% from Jan. 1 of this year when there were 39 pending condo sales with a median pending sales price of $259,900. Back on Feb. 6, 2024, there were 66 condos under contract with buyers, which was up 57% from the 42 pending sales in the “early season” pipeline on Jan. 2, 2024, when the median pending sales price was $284,000.

Closed condo sales and median sales prices

In the overall Cape condo market there were 33 closed sales in the month of December, which was 10.8% below the 37 condos sold in December 2023, but up 65% from 20 sales in November 2024. In the fourth quarter of 2024, there were 82 closed condo sales, which was down 24.8% compared to the 109 sales in the fourth quarter of 2023, and 1.2% below the 83 sales in the third quarter of 2024. For the year, there were a total of 457 condos sold overall in the Cape during 2024, or 12.6% less than the 523 units sold for the year in all of 2023.

The December median sales price was $253,900 in the overall Cape Coral condo market, which was 4.9% below the $267,000 posted in December 2023, and 12.3% lower than the $289,500 in November 2024. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the median sales price averaged $266,433 per month in the Cape’s overall condo market, down 3.6% from the average of $276,333 per month in the fourth quarter of 2023, but up a fraction from the average of $266,217 per month in the third quarter of 2024. For the year, the median sales price averaged $266,663 per month in our overall condo market during 2024, or 4.9% below the average of $280,355 per month for the year in 2023.

Gulf access canal condos

fourth quarter of 2024, there were 24 closed condo sales in this segment, down 4% versus the 25 sales in the fourth quarter of 2023, but up 33.33% from the 18 sales in the third quarter of 2024. For the year, there were a total of 107 direct sailboat access canal condos sold in the Cape during 2024, which was down 17.1% from the 129 condos sold for the year in all of 2023.

The December median sales price came in at $301,500 for the Cape’s direct sailboat access canal condo segment, which was 11.3% below the $340,000 posted in December 2023, and down 37.2% from $480,000 in November 2024. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the median sales price averaged $380,500 per month in this segment, which was 4.2% lower than the average of $397,083 per month in the fourth quarter of 2023, but 32.2% above the average of $287,917 per month in the third quarter of 2024. For the year, the median sales price in this segment averaged $351,333 per month in 2024, which was 8.8% lower than the average of $385,425 per month for the year in all of 2023.

Dry lot condos

In the Cape Coral dry lot (non-canal) condo segment, there were 16 closed sales in the month of December, which was 11.1% lower than the 18 sales in December 2023, but up 100% from 8 sales in November 2024. In the fourth quarter of 2024, there were 38 closed condo sales in this segment, which was 26.9% below the 52 sales in the fourth quarter of 2023, and 7.3% lower than the 41 sales in the third quarter of 2024. For the year, there were a total of 214 dry lot condos sold in the Cape during 2024, which was down 8.2% versus the 233 condos sold for the year in all of 2023. As a side note, there were 313 sales in 2022.

In the Cape Coral gulf access canal condo segment, which includes all “saltwater” canal condos, there were 15 closed sales in the month of December. This was 11.8% lower than the 17 condos sold in December 2023, but up 50% from 10 sales in November 2024. In the fourth quarter of 2024, there were a total of 39 condo sales in this segment, down 9.3% versus the 43 sales in the fourth quarter of 2023, but 18.2% above the 33 sales in the third quarter of 2024. For the year, there were a total of 187 saltwater canal condos sold in the Cape during 2024, which was 19% less than the 231 units sold for the year in all of 2023.

The December median sales price came in at $298,000 for the Cape’s gulf access canal condo segment, which was 5.4% below the $315,000 posted in December 2023, and 28.3% lower than the $415,500 in November 2024. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the median sales price averaged $347,000 per month in this segment, which was 0.6% lower than the average of $349,167 per month in the fourth quarter of 2023, but 15.6% above the average of $300,300 per month in the third quarter of 2024. For the year, the median sales price for all saltwater gulf access canal condos in the Cape averaged $318,950 per month in 2024, which was 6.9% below the average of $342,722 per month for the year in all of 2023.

Direct sailboat access canal condos

In the Cape Coral direct sailboat access canal condo segment, which is a subgroup of gulf access condos with no bridges in the canal system, there were 12 closed sales in the month of December. This was 7.7% lower than the 13 condos sold in December 2023, but up 140% from the 5 sales in November 2024. In the

The December median sales price came in at $211,000 for the Cape’s dry lot condo segment, which was 4.3% below the $220,500 posted in December 2023, but 10.3% more than the $191,250 in November 2024. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the median sales price averaged $211,833 per month in this segment, which was 3.9% lower than the average of $220,500 per month in the fourth quarter of 2023, but 3.4% above the average of $204,833 per month in the third quarter of 2024. For the year, the median sales price for dry lot condos in the Cape averaged $212,167 per month in 2024, which was 11.6% below the average of $240,099 per month for the year in all of 2023.

The sales data for this article was obtained from the Florida Realtors Multiple Listing Service Matrix for Lee County, Fla., as of Jan. 25, 2025, unless otherwise noted. It was compiled by Bob and Geri Quinn and it includes information

villas, and it does not include any single family homes, short sales or foreclosures. The data and statistics are believed to be reliable, however, they could be updated and revised periodically, and are subject to change without notice. The Quinns are a husband and wife real estate team with the RE/MAX Realty Team

been a full-time Realtor since 2005, and Bob joined Geri as a full-time Realtor property and vacant lots.

Fri 1/31/202512-3pm 14811 Hole In One Cir #307 Ft. Myers

Fri. 1/31/2025 3-6pm 3445 NE 21st Ave Cape Coral

Fri. 1/31/2025 11-3pm 312 Tropicana Pkwy E, Cape Coral, FL 33909

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Fri. 1/31/2025 11-4pm 1110 Lorraine Ct, Cape Coral, FL 33904

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Fri. 1/31/2025 12-5pm 1828 SW 40th Ter, Cape Coral, FL 33914

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Fri. 1/31/2025 10-2pm 3612 SE 21st Place Cape Coral, FL 33904

Fri. 1/31/2025 11-2pm 1318 SE 21st Lane Cape Coral, FL 33990

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Sat. 2/1/2025 12-3pm 1811 Savona Parkway W Cape Coral

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Sat. 2/1/2025 12-3pm 627 Parkshore Lake Ave Cape Coral

Sat. 2/1/2025 12-2pm 3445 NE 21st Ave Cape Coral

Sat. 2/1/2025 12-4pm 2819 El Dorado Parkway W. Cape Coral

Sat. 2/1/2025 12-2pm 2526 SW 25th Ave, Cape Coral, FL 33914

Sat. 2/1/2025 10-1pm 1705 SE 7th St, Cape Coral, FL 33990

Sat. 2/1/2025 11-2pm 3722 SE 12th Ct, Cape Coral, FL 33904

Sat. 2/1/2025 11-4pm 1110 Lorraine Ct, Cape Coral, FL 33904

Sat. 2/1/2025 11-3pm 4815 Triton Ct W, Cape Coral, FL 33904

Sat. 2/1/2025 12-5pm 120 El Dorado Pkwy W, Cape Coral, FL 33914

Sat. 2/1/2025 12-5pm 1828 SW 40th Ter, Cape Coral, FL 33914

Sat. 2/1/2025 12-3pm 5513 Merlyn Ln, Cape Coral, FL 33914

Sat. 2/1/2025 10-12pm 3413 NW 1st Ter, Cape Coral, FL 33993

Sat. 2/1/2025 11-2pm 5409 SW 25th Ct, Cape Coral, FL 33914

Sat. 2/1/2025 12-3pm 6361 Aragon Way Unit #203 Fort Myers, FL 33966

Sat. 2/1/2025 11-3pm 5216 SW 8th PL, Cape Coral, FL 33914

Sat. 2/1/2025 11-1pm 2030 NE 9th Pl, Cape Coral, FL 33909

Sat. 2/1/2025 3-5pm 303 NW 4th St, Cape Coral, FL 33993

Sat. 2/1/2025 11-1pm 6661 Rolland Ct, Fort Myers

Sat. 2/1/2025 11-1pm 4225 Se 8th Ave, Cape Coral

Sun. 2/2/2025 12-2pm 2526 SW 25th Ave, Cape Coral, FL 33914

$299,000 Larry Deberry Coldwell Banker Realty

$499,000 Lindsey Svarczkopf Coldwell Banker Realty

$378,900 Paul Rowe RE MAX Sunshine

$929,000 Anders Mansson Tudor Villas Realty

$1,695,000 Madison Fry Marshall Reddick Real Estate

$1,099,000 Jennifer Palmer Hamilton-Franklin Realty

$1,987,000 Brad Peska Experience Real Estate

$599,500 Ryan Benner Sellstate Priority Realty

$2,499,900 Christopher J DeRupo Re/Max Sunshine

$1,699,000 James Sommers RE MAX Trend

$1,575,000 Brian Majkowski Starlink Realty

$499,000 Kenny Potts BHHS Florida Realty

$439,000 Kenny Potts BHHS Florida Realty

$449,000 Kenny Potts BHHS Florida Realty

$475,000 Larry Deberry Coldwell Banker Realty

$449,000 Penny Lehmann Coldwell Banker Realty

$850,000 Trish Biehl/Jason Knutson Coldwell Banker Realty

$595,999 Vinny Inguaggiato Coldwell Banker Realty

$379,000 Michelle Forneris Coldwell Banker Realty

$499,000 Lindsey Svarczkopf Coldwell Banker Realty

$1,675,000 Ron Curry Coldwell Banker Realty

$1,695,000 Madison Fry Marshall Reddick Real Estate

$439,000 Linda Curtis Florida Complete Realty

$790,000 Betsy Burnham Hamilton-Franklin Realty

$1,987,000 Brad Peska Experience Real Estate

$599,500 Ryan Benner Sellstate Priority Realty

$2,499,900 Christopher J DeRupo Re/Max Sunshine

$1,699,000 James Sommers RE MAX Trend

$1,575,000 Brian Majkowski Starlink Realty

$799,000 Daniela Mitchell RE/MAX Realty Team

$649,900 Kelly Elen-Lavery Experience Real Estate

$245,000 Sandra Scepurek BHHS Florida Realty

$1,599,500 Keith Porter BHHS Florida Realty

$398,000 Fernando Gaitan Legacy Premier Realty

$389,900 Fernando Gaitan Legacy Premier Realty

$399,000 Brandon Burns Integrity 1st Group | EXP Realty

$550,000 Sandy Llenza Integrity 1st Group | EXP Realty

Sun. 2/2/2025 11-2pm 3722 SE 12th Ct, Cape Coral, FL 33904 $790,000 Betsy Burnham Hamilton-Franklin Realty

Sun. 2/2/2025 11-4pm 1110 Lorraine Ct, Cape Coral, FL 33904

Sun. 2/2/2025 12-5pm 120 El Dorado Pkwy W, Cape Coral, FL 33914

Sun. 2/2/2025 11-5pm 1828 SW 40th Ter, Cape Coral, FL 33914

Sun. 2/2/2025 12-3pm 5513 Merlyn Ln, Cape Coral, FL 33914

Sun. 2/2/2025 11-3pm 5216 SW 8th PL, Cape Coral, FL 33914

Sun. 2/2/2025 12-3pm 3612 SE 21st Place Cape Coral, FL 33904

$1,987,000 Brad Peska Experience Real Estate

$2,499,900 Christopher J DeRupo Re/Max Sunshine

$1,699,000 James Sommers RE MAX Trend

$1,575,000 Brian Majkowski Starlink Realty

$1,599,500 Keith Porter BHHS Florida Realty

$499,000 Kenny Potts BHHS Florida Realty

Sun. 2/2/2025 1-3pm 3820 Sawgrass Way Unit #3022 Naples, FL 34112 $374,900

Sun. 2/2/2025 12-4pm 5622 Coronado Ct Cape Coral, FL 33904 $4,400,000

Sun. 2/2/2025 12-3pm 1919 SE 32nd Terrace Cape Coral, FL 33904

Sun. 2/2/2025 1-3pm 4937 Seville