Greater Pine Island Alliance provides update

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

The weekly meeting of the Greater Pine Island Alliance on Tuesday, Jan 24, was held at the Fishers of Men Lutheran Church According to co-founder and cochair Jay Sanderson, Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane, who has made a priority of coming to every GPIA meeting, was present in addition to various community members

“Commissioner Ruane reported that the state is going to start helping us substantially with reimbursement and funding for shoreline repairs as the state will be voting on their budget soon,” Sanderson said, adding that Ruane has been very proactive in keeping Pine Island on his radar.

FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Bob Fogel, who also meets regularly with the GPIA, Sanderson said, reported working with a few property owners to acquire direct housing In the search for multi-site land use, it’s imperative they work with the county on zoning restrictions, especially waving flood constraints in favor of getting islanders needed temporary housing

“The GPIA is asking that all levels of government communicate more effectively, in that we are able to obtain a broad-sweep waiver for everyone, so each indi-

Hurricane Ian hammers bee population

More than 400,000 hives lost

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

Though Hurricane Ian brought much devastation to infrastructure and property, much of the local wildlife was also greatly impacted by its force

That includes bees According to the University of Florida Entomology Department, up to 400,000 bee hives were lost during Hurricane Ian -- a substantial number that will have impacts on crop pollination nationwide

Mountain Sweet Honey Company, LLC, out of northern Georgia, recently traveled to Southwest Florida to visit beekeepers that were affected, many of whom lost all of their hives due to either flooding or wind. They also brought with them supplies, raised by generous customers, to assist these beekeepers

Mountain Sweet Honey specializes in beekeeping supplies throughout the East Coast and Midwest, and hosts a livestream show titled "Buzz TV " One local beekeeper from the area tuning in commented they had lost all of

See BEE POPULATION, page 5

PHOTO PROVIDED vidual property owner, who wants a trailer on their property doesn’t have to go through the same process that their neighbor did,” Sanderson said

Pine Island resident Uriia Underhill, who lost all 22 of her hives due to Hurricane Ian, smiles with Mountain Sweet Honey Company CEO Ray Civitts The northern Georgiabased supplier traveled to Southwest Florida to visit beekeepers who lost hives due to either flooding or wind, bring with him roughly $12,000 in beekeeping supplies.

Sanderson credits weekly GPIA meetings for the improved communication between administrations, such as, the Florida Department of Emergency Management, FEMA and, of course, Ruane representing Lee County

“All the decision makers from the local governments are there in one room I really want everyone to know that Commissioner Ruane is fighting for us at the state level,” Sanderson said

Eighty-five participants from kindergarten through fifth grade attended or competed in the Junior Olympics event.

Forty-second Annual Pine Island Kiwanis Junior Olympics event held

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

Eighty-five participants from kindergarten through fifth grade attended or competed in the Junior Olympics event Saturday, Jan 21, at Bobby Holloway Memorial Field in Phillips Park

Kiwanis’ main focus is kids, according to Kiwanian Mike Shevlin At every meeting it is emphasized that

See JUNIOR OLYMPICS, page 8