VOLUME 41, NUMBER 6
Mayor calls for new security firm for traffic
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com
Reacting to concerns from a councilmember about traffic over the weekend, Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers called for the town to hire a security firm to address traffic
Though no vote took place on Monday by the councilmembers and no contract was approved, Allers called on the town's operations and compliance director to search out a security firm to be hired to help direct traffic in the area of Crescent
and Fifth Street
A
Monday’s town council meeting after Councilmember Karen Woodson initiated the discussion Woodson said she spent more than an hour in traffic on Sunday
“We are only going to get busier,” Woodson said “I think we need to have, every day, an attendant at Crescent and Fifth (Street). Whether it’s LCSO (Lee County Sheriff’s Office), whether it’s our people or whatever it is It was a dead standstill on Sunday night at 6:45 for an
that’s how it crept along You didn’t move for 15 minutes at a time ”
Fort Myers Beach Mayor
resources need to be better directed
“We’ve seen FHP (Florida
we’ve seen two deputies were down there yesterday from
Pink Shell expansion plans approved
New 4 0-roo m h otel to be co nstructed on b ay sid e
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com
Council gave final approval to the Pink Shell Beach Resort to construct a 40-
across from its existing resort
The project will be built on less than half an acre of bayfront land fronting Estero Boulevard
Council awarded the resort 10 deviations from the local development code, i n c l u d i n g
n ’ s three-story height limit, and setback requirements.
The hotel would replace one of the smaller parking lots currently used by the hotel The Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency had previously voted to recommend denial of the project over concerns over whether the resort was
restricted from building on the lot to protect the view of the bay as part of an agreement the resort had with the town when its current resort was approved
As part of an agreement the owners of the Pink Shell Beach Resort more than 20 years ago with the town to build their current beachfront resort, they agreed not to develop on land they owned across the
street to leave the view of the bay open to the public
The hotel’s owners said at a previous town council hearing that the building restrictions they agreed to involved the parking lot they own directly across from the resort in front of the marina and not the lot on which they will construct the new resort.
O p p o n e n t s w h o l i v e a c r o s s f r o m where the new hotel will be built and who are upset at the prospect of losing their views of the bay, have contended that they believed the intent of the agreement was to preserve that land Former Fort Myers Beach Mayor Ray Murphy, who was on the council at the time of the agreement, said at a hearing last month the intent of the agreement was to preserve that view for the public
“We will agree to disagree,” Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina owner Robert Boykin said
The council voted 4-0 Monday to a p p r o v e a C o m m e r c i a l P l a n n e d Development rezoning of the property and a development agreement to allow the construction of the hotel with Mayor Dan Allers abstaining due to a business relationship he has with the Pink Shell Beach Resort through his golf cart service Allers announced the conflict before the start of the public hearing over which he presided
C o u n c i l m e m b e r K a r e n W o o d s o n , who had voted against the project last month, said she switched her vote after discussing it further with representatives of the resort
The town council granted the hotel owners deviations which include doubling the height from the town’s 30-feet height limit, a small feat compared to the 250-feet high buildings council recently approved for the Seagate Development
directing them to the wrong intersection They are directing traffic at the light when that is already being directed,” Allers said “When they are at Crescent and Fifth, it never stops, people are moving and because cars are continually moving pedestrians are either taking the walkover or waiting for the light ”
School District officials considering temporary facility for Beach Elementary
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com
Lee County School District officials have notified Fort Myers Beach Elementary School parents that students will not be able to return to the school this year though alternative sites are being considered for a temporary facility
An architectural review of the building last month showed two major issues according to a report shared by the school districtwith parents.
The pillars supporting the building are overexposed due to the storm surge from Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, and the school building has extensive termite damage
In a message sent by Lee County School District officials, parents were told that an investigation is currently ongoing into options for returning students to the island at a temporary location
“We will also consider the best repair options and create three sub-committees to provide further input,” the message stated Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt, who has been involved with the ad-hoc committee since Hurricane Ian, said the options include the town hall trailers once the town moves into its new town hall Another option being explored is the Fort Myers Beach Library
Students have been attending San Carlos Park Elementary School since Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton struck the Beach Elementary School this past fall.
This is the second time students at Fort Myers Beach Elementary School have been forced to attend classes at San Carlos Park Elementary Students spent more than a year attending San Carlos Park Elementary after Hurricane Ian
Students have been back at Fort Myers Beach Elementary School since December of 2023 after the district undertook a multimillion dollar restoration of the school
Dan Allers
Children’s book illustrator earns Murphy Award from MERTF
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com
T h e T o w n o f F o r t M y e r s B e a c h M a r i n e a n d
Environmental Resources Task Force has honored Macy Noll with its distinguished Murphy Award for her contributions to the town as the illustrator of the children’s coloring and activity book about nature that the committee published last year
A student at Florida Gulf Coast University, Noll was hired to provide the illustrations inside the well-received book that was spearheaded by MERTF Vice Chair Jennifer Rusk
“She illustrated the very first Fort Myers Beach Children’s Activity Book,” Rusk said “These books are more important than ever to help educate and to environmentally encourage the Community & Visitors to be more involved and responsible This benefits us all,” Rusk said
“Illustrating this environmentally educational activity booklet was such a joy,” Noll said “It was particularly nostalgic because my first artworks were definitely crayon scribbles in a coloring book I’ve always had such an appreciation for the natural world thanks to the nature documentaries my grandparents always put on for me and I would have loved a coloring booklet that also illustrated the ecological concepts that held me so captivated i n t h o s e f i l m s C r e a t i n g e d u c a t i o n a l m a t e r i a l t h a t describes local ecosystems as opposed to general concepts was even more touching as a Florida native who wasn’t taught about the place I lived growing up The opportunity to give Southwest Florida kids the coloring book I never had when I was little has been so precious
Macy Noll, A Florida Gulf Coast University student, was honored by the Fort Myers Beach Marine and Environmental Resources Task Force with its Murphy Award for her illustrations in the town’s children’s activity and nature coloring book
I hope it can inspire the same sense of ecological identity I’ve come to find as an artist and marine biologist in the making ”
Noll, who attended high school in Orlando, is pursuing a dual degree in art and biology “It’s my passion for both subjects and exploring their intersection that has led me into the field of environmental education. Art has endless communicative potential in this arena, and illustrating children’s coloring books is just one avenue for improving environmental appreciation ”
Noll currently works as a research assistant and scientific SCUBA diver for Vester Marine and Environmental Research Field Station Noll said the work inspires her art She is also a muralist and is working on an installation highlighting and advocating for marine conservation “The installation is a collaborative exhibition I’m curating, painting, and assembling for Vester We have an artificial reef five miles offshore in the Gulf where a lot of our research takes place.”
Noll called the MERTF activity booklet “a joy-filled project” and has received a lot of positive feedback “It has been an incredible resource for educators across the island and beyond, and I look forward to similar projects in the future,” Noll said
Rusk said more than 18,000 books have been distributed to local educators, schools, libraries businesses, nonprofits and visitors to Fort Myers Beach
“These children’s activity books were made possible through the efforts of the Marine and Environmental Resource Task Force Committee, the town staff, Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation, Turtle Time Inc., CROW and many others,” Rusk said
PHOTO PROVIDED
Didn’t get a flu shot?
Flu shots make sense Editorial
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
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
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 long-term 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,
Samuel B Stewart, Ed D Madelon V Stewart, Ed.D Fort Myers
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
Letters to the Editor
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
V
dropped 70% because they exported a dominant number of their criminals and mental cases into our country, thanks to Joe Biden, K
Alejandro Mayorkas, cabinet member setting a record for un-American 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 Crime is not limited to illegal immigrants By preemptively pardoning his whole family Biden has offered evidence that his family
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
Observer editorial
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 oppor-
See LETTERS, page 17
HM Restaurant Group donates to Captains for Clean Water
HM Restaurant Group, the parent company of Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, Dixie Fish Company and Bonita Fish Company, raised $3,347 toward improving the health of the Florida Everglades and Florida Bay through sales of the speciality Send it South cocktail, launched in April 2024 The funds, raised $1 at a time through each drink sold, was donated to Captains For Clean Water, a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring and protecting Florida waters for the use and enjoyment of all.
“We are excited to present this donation to Captains For Clean Water and support its mission of raising awareness and spearheading change that addresses local water quality issues,” said Joe Harrity, a partner with HM Restaurant Group “Clean water and the health of Florida’s waterways are crucial to our unique environment We are thrilled by the success of Send It South in a little over half a year and grateful to our customers who recognize the opportunity to make a difference one dollar at a time ”
Send It South mixes mango and silver rums with blue Curaçao, pineapple and soda water. It’s available at Dixie Fish Company on Fort Myers Beach and Doc Ford’s four locations on Sanibel Island, Fort Myers Beach, and the St Peter Pier and Jungle Terrace in St Petersburg The drink will also be available at Bonita Fish Company later this year
As a locally owned company, HM Restaurant Group sponsors a number of projects benefiting local communities Its successful Hospital Drinks initiative earmarks $1 from select specialty cocktails at Doc Ford’s to Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida and John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St Petersburg The program has raised over $133,000 since its inception.
A grassroots nonprofit, Captains For Clean Water was founded in 2016 by fishing guides concerned about the impact of Florida’s water management practices on estuaries’ unique plant and animal communities The organization opposes the current-day procedure of discharging f r e s h w a t e r f r o m L a k e O k e e c h o b e e t o t h e Caloosahatchee and St Lucie rivers – a practice linked to blue-green algae and red tide plaguing South Florida’s waterways Send It South refers to the group’s awareness campaign advocating a return to the natural southerly flow of critical freshwater through the Everglades and into Florida Bay, a process now impeded by dams, dikes and ditches built over a century ago For more information, visit captainsforcleanwater org
HM Restaurant Group, founded in Sanibel in 2003,
supports F I S H of SANCAP, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Sanibel CARES and other nonprofit organizations Doc Ford’s is the title sponsor of the “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament
E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t O f f i c e i s a p p r o a c h i n g T h e l u n c h e o n e v e n t i s s e t t o t a k e p l a c e o n T h u r s d a y , F e b 6 , a t
B r o a d w a y P a l m D i n n e r T h e a t r e i n F o r t M y e r s T h e m e e t i n g w i l l f e a t u r e a S t a t e o f t h e E c o n o m y p r e s e n t a t i o n r e c a p p i n g t h e g r o w t h L e e C o u n t y s a w i n 2 0 2 4
E x p a n d i n g o n t h e e v e n t ’ s t h e m e , t h e m e e t i n g w i l l h i g h l i g h t t h e r o l e o f i n n ov a t i o n a s a k e y d r i v e r o f e c o n o m i c d e v e l o p m e n t b y f o s t e r i n g n e w c o n n e ct i o n s b e t w e e n c u t t i n g - e d g e i d e a s a n d r e a l - w o r l d o p p o r t u n i t i e s T h i s a p p r o a c h e n c o u r a g e s c o l l a b o r a t i o n a m o n g l o c a l b u s i n e s s e s , i n v e s t o r s a n d i n n o v a t o r s , w h i c h c a n l e a d t o s u s t a i n a b l e g r o w t h a n d e n s u r e t h a t L e e C o u n t y r e m a i n s c o m p e t i t i v e i n a r a p i d l y e v o l v i n g e c o no m y A d d i t i o n a l l y , t h e m e e t i n g w i l l o f f e r a p r e v i e w o f t h e g r o u p s ’ v i s i o n f o r b u s in e s s a n d d e v e l o p m e n t i n 2 0 2 5 , w h i c h w i l l e m p h a s i z e t h e l i n k b e t w e e n c r ea t i v i t y , t a l e n t a n d e c o n o m i c g r o w t h . T h e 2 0 2 5 A n n u a l M e e t i n g w i l l t a k e p l a c e f r o m 1 1 a m t o 1 : 3 0 p m o n T h u r s d a y , F e b 6 , a t B r o a d w a y P a l m D i n n e r T h e a t r e , 1 3 8 0 C o l o n i a l B l v d i n F o r t M y e r s T h e e v e n t i n
A bo ut the Ho ri z o n Fo undati o n
The Horizon Foundation was established in 1995-96 to provide a funding vehicle for businesses to invest in Lee County’s longterm economic development and vitality In 2000, the Horizon Foundation received its IRS ruling as a charitable 501(c)(3) organization The Foundation raises private-sector money to support efforts of the Lee County Economic Development Office and the Horizon Council to improve the area’s business climate For more information, please visit HorizonCouncilFoundation com, or call 239-533-6800
A bo ut the Ho ri z o n Co unc i l T h e H o r i
e s s , a n d e d u c a t i o n o r g a n i z a t i o n s ; a l o n g w i t h v a r i o u s o f f i c e r s a n d a t - l a r g e m e m b e r s T h e H o r i z o n C o u n c i l i s t h e v o i c e o f b u s i n e s s i n L e e C o u n t y . T h e C o u n c i l ’ s m i s s i o n i s t o i m p r o v e L e e C o u n t y ’ s b u s i n e s s e n v i r o n m e n t , r e
which has raised nearly $1 3 million for Sanibel’s J N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge since 2012 The 13th annual tournament takes place May 9
PHOTO PROVIDED
Beach Living
Santini Plaza art bazaar happening in March
STAFF REPORT
The Fort Myers Beach Art Association will hold its first art bazaar since before Hurricane Ian at an event scheduled for March 16 at Santini Marina Plaza on Fort Myers Beach
The bazaar, or clothesline sale, “will raise funds for o u r s t u d e n t p r o g r a m s , ” F o r t M y e r s B e a c h A r t Association member Michele Buelow said “They were held on our lawn (at the old gallery), once on the library lawn, and at Santini Marina Plaza Now that things are getting back to the new normal, we are holding the event at the plaza once again ”
The bazaar will feature works from Fort Myers Beach Art Association artists from 9 a m to 3 p m on the sidewalk in front of the stores at the plaza
Artists will sell original artwork, both framed and unframed, as well as some cards
“Commissions will go to our student programs such as the Student Scholarship Awards given this month to seniors at Cypress Lake Center for the Arts," Buelow said
“This sale will be a great way to replace art that was taken by the hurricane The art will be beautiful any varied.”
Mound House
∫ Calusa Tours
Wednesday-Saturday
11:00 - 11:30 a m , 1 - 1:30 p m
Discover the incredible history of the C
Southwest Florida, on this 30-minute guided outdoor tour at Mound House. Learn how this powerful and innovative Indigenous society thrived across the region for centuries, leaving an enduring legacy still visible today with their shell mounds Explore how the Calusa shaped their environment and uncover the stories r e v e a l e d b y a r c h a e o l o g i s t s t h r o u g h hands-on activities such as an atlatl demonstration The price is free for Mound House Members and $15 for the public Price includes museum admission. No reservations required.
∫ Kayak Tours
Wednesday-Saturday
9 - 11 a m
Discover the natural beauty of Florida on a guided kayaking tour of Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve Visit places only a kayaker can go as you glide over seagrass beds, and paddle through a timeless landscape of native flora and fauna Kayak Tours included two hour guided experience, kayak, paddle, lifejacket, and m u s e u m a d m i s s i o n . S e c u r e f o o t w e a r required, and bottled water strongly recommended Mound House Members:
$ 1 5 , P u b l i c : $ 4 5 R e g i s t e r a t MoundHouse org
∫ Sunset Kayak Tours
Fridays two hours before sunset
Check MoundHouse org for times and availability
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of a guided Sunset Kayak Tour
Mound House Calendar
a past
Paddle through a pristine landscape as golden hour transforms the Estero Bay into a picturesque wonderland Your journey concludes at the historic bayside Mound House, where the sun sets behind the museum, creating a stunning backdrop for an unforgettable evening Kayak Tours included two hour guided experie n c e ,
required, and bottled water strongly recommended. Mound House Members:
$ 1 5 , P
MoundHouse org
∫ Movie on the Mound Friday, Feb 7
7:30 - 9:30 p m
Grab your hats and join us for a
thrilling outdoor movie night at the Mound House! Watch Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark under the stars at our scenic grounds overlooking Estero Bay Relive the daring adventures of everyone’s favorite archaeologist in a setting steeped in history Bring your chairs, blankets, and a sense of adventure! Pre-movie activities start at 6:30 PM, and the movie screening begins at 7:30 PM Admission is free! No reservations are required.
∫ Co mmuni ty Co nv e rs ati o nsResilient Southwest Florida: Working Together to Create a Stable Future. Wednesday, Feb 22
6:30 - 8 p m
For millennia, Southwest Florida has
served as a locus for human use and settlement Cultural sites that have survived through this time help provide a link between past use of these areas and mode
Milton, Helene, and Ian had a devastating impact on archaeological sites and cultural resources in Southwest Florida
This talk will provide an overview of the impacts of these storms on the region and offer models of partnership and community engagement that can help us all work together to protect these sites for the future The program is free for Mound House Members, and $5 for the public Register at MoundHouse org
Lisa Grinter attends to a table of art at
Fort Myers Beach Art Association art bazaar. The association will be holding an art bazaar at Santini Marina Plaza on March 16
PHOTO PROVIDED
FILE PHOTO
Shrimp Festival Queen Pageant searching for princesses
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com
The longtime tradition of crowning a Fort M
Saturday, March 8, with the Queen’s Pageant
Spots are still open to enter into the pageant, said pageant organizer Chloe LaForce The Fort Myers Beach Lions Club is looking for princesses to be sponsored to enter the pageant
LaForce said the winning Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival Queen receives a $250 cash prize. The runner-up will receive a $125 prize and the second runner-up wins $75 All contestants also receive scholarship priority for the Fort Myers Beach Lions Club scholarship fund
All participants receive community service hours and the opportunity to network with other island charities for scholarship opportunities The princesses take part in attending the kids shrimp run and attend the Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival Parade in Corvettes
To apply and enter the pageant visit https://fortm
application/
“We’re excited to hold the Shrimp Festival Queen's Pageant again this year to celebrate our local shrimp fleet with the island locals and Lee County locals, to entertain our visitors and bring lots of people into all the small island businesses who are coming back two years after Hurricane Ian and just months after Debby, Helene and Milton,” said pageant co-organizer Tracey Gore Gore said the pageant is an important way to support the festival by helping to raise funds for the Fort Myers Beach Lion’s Club “so they can continue their mission ” Gore said the Lions Club is “truly an amazing nonprofit
For further questions on entering the pageant, contact LaForce at: chloestam1@gmail com
FILE PHOTO
School District of Lee County to host transportation job fair
The School Distric f L
C o u n t y i s s e t t o h
Transportation Job Fair
S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a j o seekers from 3 to 5 p m
o n W e d n e s d a y , F e b
1 2 , a t E
l o c a t e d a t 8 8 1
Gunnery Road N in Lehigh Acres
S c h o o l b u s d r i v e
working with the Dis are responsible for pro safe, timely, efficient a
o
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 t r a i n i n g f o r c a n d i d a t e s w h
n o t already possess a commercial driver’s license (CDL) The District offers flexible hours and a benefits package for full-time employees
Luncheon
Th School District of Lee y is among the largest ool districts in Florida d the United States with a growing enrollm
99,000 students and 116 schools
To register for the event and learn more bout available career p p
Schools net/Careers support or additional
About The School District of Lee County
Lee County Public Schools is the eighth-largest district in Florida and the 33rd largest district in the United States
The District educates more than 99,000 students in grades K-12 and is a model for others in the state and around the nation With approximately 12,000 fulland part-time employees, the District is one of the county’s largest employers
From page 6
A bo ut the Le e Co unty Ec o no mi c D
v e l o pme nt Of f i c e The Lee County Economic Development Office provides business assistance to retain existing businesses, encourage entrepreneurship and attract new business to provide a strong economy and thriving communities The office also works to improve opportuni-
Government Efficiency role
STAFF REPORT
Lee County Clerk and Comptroller Kevin Karnes has announced the creation of a new type of role at the Clerk’s office aimed at saving taxpayer dollars The new Chief of Government Efficiency (also known as CoGE) will focus on identifying cost-saving measures and providing strategic reco
p reduce the office’s budget, streamline operations, and promote a culture of excellence
The position will look at budgets and expenses with a different lens from internal auditors, who traditionally focus on d
Government Efficiency will determine if
Clerk’s Office and make recommendations to the Clerk on whether the expense was a good use of taxpayer dollars
The role will also be responsible for regular research projects that are centered around the Clerk’s cost-saving initiatives and overall performance
“Creating this new role is the right
thing to do for the taxpayer,” Karnes said. “As Lee C
Comptroller, I understand the importance of being a good steward of taxpayer money I hear the sensitivity s
budgets and am committed to doing something about it ” John Bodner, the Clerk’s C
Officer, has been tapped to serve in the CoGE position
joined the agency in 2023 and previously served as the assistant county administrator in Lancaster County, SC He has also worked at the Lee County Tax Collector
Master of Business Administration from Murray State University He serves
Southwest Florida and Estero Forever Foundation
ties for the workforce to advance skills and have access to career ladders Lee EDO has published a Development Activity Story Map that allows the public to explore new private development projects and investment activity in the county Visit LeeCountyBusiness com f
John Bodner
Hazard chemical waste drop-off at town hall
Lee County Solid Waste will hold a household chemical waste drop-off event for residents in the Town of Fort Myers Beach today at the town hall property on 2731 Oak Street
The drop-off event will start at 9 a m1 p.m.
The collection event is for household waste only Business and commercial waste will not be accepted
Town residents are asked to enter through School Street Signs with arrows will be on-site
Household chemical waste includes
d flammable, toxic, corrosive and/or reactive
Lee County Solid Waste provides the following guidelines for determining what
i
acceptable for dropoff and what isn't:
Some examples of household chemical waste:
∫ Aerosols
∫ Antifreeze
∫ Ammunition
∫ Automotive Fluids
∫ Car and Boat Batteries
∫ Cleaning Compounds
∫ Compact Fluorescent
∫ Tubes and Bulbs
∫ Cooking Oil
∫ Diesel Fuel
∫ Drain Openers
∫ Fertilizers
∫ Fiberglass Epoxy
Fire Extinguishers
Flares
Floor Care Products
Freon
Fungicides
Furniture Polish
Gasoline Herbicide (weed killers)
Insecticides ∫ Kerosene
Metal Polish
Moth Balls ∫ Paint (Oil & Latex)
∫ Pesticides
∫ Photochemicals
∫ Poisons
∫ Pool Chemicals
∫ Propane Tanks
∫ Rechargeable batteries
∫ Resins
∫ Smoke Detectors
∫ Solvents ∫ Thermostats w/Mercury
Varnish
Wood Preservatives
Waste?
∫ Empty paint cans and dried paint
∫ Empty automotive fluid containers, etc
∫ Small-engine equipment such as
eaters, etc ∫ S
routers, mice, keyboards, etc
Tires
∫ Small appliances
The items listed above can all be set out with your regular household garbage.
Chemical Waste:
∫ In Dumpsters, compactors, or curbside
∫ In the household garbage for pickup by the garbage company
∫ Down a storm drain or into soil
Fort Myers Beach names new floodplain manager
STAFF REPORT
The Town of Fort Myers Beach announced that Kelli DeFedericis began working as the new Floodplain Manager from Jacobs Group DeFedericis has been in Florida since 2006 where she began her career in the floodplain industry Previously DeFedericis worked with the City of Marco Island as their Floodplain Administrator
“I am looking forward to working with the Town and continuing my passion as the island progresses in their rebuild process,” DeFedericis said DeFedericis will be available for walk-ins at Town Hall or virtual Microsoft Teams meetings She can be reached at KDeFedericis@fmbgov.com.
Community forum scheduled to discuss potential fire district merger
STAFF REPORT
w
A community f
Wednesday, Feb 19 as part of the merger s
Myers Beach Fire
Rescue District
The forum will b held at 5 p m at Margaritaville Reso 251 Crescent St on Fort Myers Beach to gather input from residents about their concerns regarding the proposed merger
T
ly proposed merging the Fort s Beach and Bonita rings fire districts, efore proposing the Iona McGregor and Fort Myers Beach merger
Beach Fire Control
owners are paying or the cost of the
property owners in
, w
c h would require a referendum of residents, was put in motion by State Rep Adam Botana Botana original-
Rescue District
The study was required as part of Botana's bill to initiate the merger The study is meant to determine whether the merger would be operationally and financially beneficial to the taxpayers of both districts
Among the topics to be discussed are community priorities, concerns and whether there is support for the merger
Margaritaville Beach Resort will be offered for the event
For those who choose to attend virtually, it will be broadcasted live
Control District YouTube channel
stream-on-youtube There will be two-way communication so you can submit your questions and receive answers on the spot. For those who cannot attend, you can still send
info@fmbfirefl gov
Boil water notice issued for Bay Beach Lane
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
The Town of Fort Myers Beach issued a precautionary boil water notice for Bay Beach Lane from Waterside I to Dolphin Pointe on the southern end of the island The boil water notice has been in effect since Friday.
Residents of Waterside were notified by management Friday of a major repair and that water would be turned off for several hours for Bay Beach Lane No timeline was indicated for the repair or what the repair was for
Town management has not responded to requests as to what caused the boil water notice or the status of water tests to determine when the notice may be lifted Town of Fort Myers Beach Manager Andy Hyatt, who was out of the office on Monday, did not respond to requests for information on the boil water notice A message sent to the town’s spokesperson seeking answers from the town’s utilities director was not responded to
The town had no fewer than half a dozen boil water notices issued last year Some of those were related to accidents involving contractors and three hurricanes
Town says electric bikes still banned on sidewalks
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com
Days after the town's manager of compliance and operations told the town’s Public Safety Committee that a 2018 ordinance banning electric bikes on sidewalks was not being enforced, the town manager’s office issued a statement this past week stating the ordinance was still in effect
On Thursday, a day after the Fort Myers Beach Observer reported on the statement, the town issued a statement through spokesperson Nicole Berzin saying “the ordinance will continue to be enforced by the Towns Neighborhood Services Rangers as written Per the guidance of Town Council, the Public Safety Committee is to discuss any potential changes and bring their recommendations back to Council for approval ”
Berzin had previously responded to questions earlier in the week posed by the Fort Myers Beach Observer to Town Manager Andy Hyatt about the electric bikes on the sidewalk and the ordinance
that prohibits them, by saying “the electric bike ordinance is still under review ”
Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers had proposed last May to make a change to the town’s ordinance to allow electric bikes on the sidewalks and on the beach though there was some pushback from s o m e c o u n c
Mayor Jim Atterholt as well as from Turtle Time to the idea by Allers of allowing the electric bikes on the sidewalks and beach due to safety concerns The town also has an ordinance that prohibits any motorized vehicles on the beach
The proposed changes to the electric bike ordinance had not been raised again at town council meetings since last year and no official actions by the town council were ever taken though apparently there has been a look-the-other-way attitude toward the electric bikes on the sidewalks
Allers, who is the town council's liaison to the Public Safety Committee, said on Saturday by email that he was awaiting more discussions with the public before
weighing in again
“I support the discussion with the public to see if there is a safe solution everyone can live with,” Allers said “We have only had an initial discussion in potentially amending the ordinance, but nothing has been voted on yet. I look forward to the community’s input before I reach any decision ”
F o r t M y
Committee Chair Dawn Thomas has said she is proposing a “vague” joint sidewalk and bike proposal that she has forwarded to town management which would potentially create room for pedestrians and bikers to share the sidewalk
Thomas said she is concerned that bikers are going in both directions on the sidewalks but supports allowing electric bikes on sidewalks
“I think we need to allow them but also it’s an issue where the pedestrian count is high, it is too hard to have both on the sidewalk, so we need to think about doing something,” Thomas said “We are looking at solutions for this especially when
we get busy for season ”
The town's 2018 electric bike ordinance requires all bikes to have lights and bells on them so that pedestrians can know when they are approaching The 2018 ordinance also puts bicycle shops in town on the hook for compliance with the town’s ordinance
The 2018 ordinance calls for a warning on a first offense of the ordinance and fines of up to $50 on subsequent offenses
The ordinance also requires that bicyclists 16 or younger wear helmets
While the town has had a ban on electric bikes on sidewalks and its beach, enforcement has not been a priority for the town especially since Hurricane Ian At the town's recent poinsettia tree lighting ceremony in December, an electric bike rider pedaled across the beach while holding a dog on a leash
Pedestrians can be caught off guard by electric bikes on the sidewalks, which can pass by at high speeds of almost 30 miles per hour
School district open enrollment period underway
By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com
Parents have the opportunity through Feb 28 to choose their school of choice during Open Enrollment for new students to the School District of Lee County, those entering sixth grade and ninth grade
“This allows the younger sibling to be pre-placed 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 s c h o o l s a v a i l a b l e d u r i n g O p e n Enrollment. Students enrolled after the Open Enrollment period may not receive their preferred choice school as the school may have no available seats,” Student Enrollment Director Soretta Ralph said
T h e p r o c e s s c a n b e d o n e t h r o u g h FOCUS
“Parents with children new to the district may visit the Student Enrollment website and select the blue button if they have never been enrolled in Lee County, or the orange button if they are re-enrolling or enrolling from a charter
school The site will guide the parent in creating the FOCUS portal and linking their child to the portal,” she said
Once this step is taken, the parent can then complete the enrollment process
“We are pleased to continue to offer parents the convenience of submitting all their information online through FOCUS Parents with questions are welcome to email studentenrollment@leeschools net L a s t l y , o u r o f f i c e r e m a i n s o p e
n Colonial Boulevard with staff available to assist,” Ralph said
Proximity is in place for both elementary and middle schools, which allows parents to have their child enrolled in a school closer to their residence
“Depending on the residential address, there are at least two middle schools in each zone, some have more,” she said
As far as high school, Ralph said students have the opportunity to select a school in their large zone
“Cape Coral residents select from the schools in the West Zone Students residing in the south select from the schools in the South Zone; this year this includes
Dunbar High The East Zone families select schools in the east zone, including Island Coast,” she said Parents will receive communication
from FOCUS indicating their school of enrollment for the 2025-26 school year the first week of April
Pink Shell From page 1
Group’s multi-building condo project
In their application for the height deviation, the resort pointed to previous votes by town council to grant height deviations for hotels such as Margaritaville and Myerside
Councilmembers gave limited comment as to their reasoning though Vice M a y o r J i m A t t e r h o l t a p p e a r e d t o b e moved by the developer’s arguments that they would be replacing lost hotel and resort inventory in the town lost after Hurricane Ian
“Many of the LPA concerns were addressed,” Atterholt said
The Pink Shell Beach Resort touted its public benefits being offered to the town, including a pledge to continue providing the town its mooring field boat pumpout service a service the town had previously run into difficulty when the current a n d p r e v i o u s t o w n a d m i n i s t r a t i o n s attempted to construct a pumpout station near residential properties
Boykin said the service would be provided to the town in perpetuity as part of the development agreement unless the town were to build its own pumpout station
Several residents who live in a development across from where the new hotel would go, spoke out against the town council bypassing local development code to grant the deviations
The new hotel will block their views of the bay and will lead to more traffic issues, they said
Kathy Schultz said that by allowing the resort owners to build a 78,000-squarefoot hotel with 40 units on less than half an acre, the council was awarding even m o r e d e n s i t y t h a n t h e D i a m o n d H e a d Beach Resort received for its hotel
“If you keep saying yes without discernment, it will be very hard for you to ever say no,” Schultz said to the town council
“We don’t want Miami Beach here,” said Robert Burns, another neighbor who lives across the street Burns said that when he bought his condo unit he was told
“All the sudden after this hurricane you are saying ‘we want to build higher, we want to build taller, we want to build wider.’”
Fort Myers Beach property owner Robert Burns
“If you keep saying yes without discernment, it will be very hard for you to ever say no,”
-Kathy Schultz, who lives across the street from where the new hotel will be built
that the parcel across the street couldn’t be built on
Burns objected to the town council not following the town’s local development code including setback requirements and height
“All the sudden after this hurricane you are saying ‘we want to build higher, we want to build taller, we want to build wider,’” Burns said “It looks to me that there is more people willing to do this for the almighty dollar, for tax base,” Burns said
Burns said he understood council’s desire to increase its commercial tax base but asked “At what expense?”
Amy Thibaut, an attorney representing The Pink Shell Beach Resort, told the town council that “expert testimony” is required to be considered by the council for denying the project
“We certainly understand where members of the public are coming from,” Thibaut said “I get it It’s a hard pill to swallow ”
However, Thibault said “layperson opinion is not sufficient” to challenge whether the project is consistent with the town’s comprehensive plan, or whether it would impact traffic or meets the town’s other approval criteria.
“The public benefit is awesome It is really awesome to provide so much public benefit,” Thibaut said
As part of the development agreement, the resort’s owners are required to meet 11 conditions of approval including providing a landscaping plan and planting schedule to the town, as well as a dune restoration plan
“We’re happy,” Boykin said of the council’s approval Monday “It took a lot of work to get to this point,” he said As for a timeline of when construction could begin, Boykin said he was still weighing the economic climate Business in January was slowed by the cold weather that gripped the region, he said Boykin said he would be assessing the resort’s business this season before moving forward after dealing with three hurricanes last year The resort poured millions of dollars into repairs after Hurricane Ian Boykin said he has reservations about beginning work while a dilapidated building on an adjacent parcel owned by another individual was still standing in disrepair
Boykin has said the hotel was also looking to take part in a water ferry service that could potentially reduce some of the vehicle traffic to and from the resort He has also proposed making the marina area more accessible to the public by a walkway nearby that would offer the public more of a chance to enjoy the view of the bay “and maybe get ice cream or a sandwich ”
The Pink Shell Beach Resort holds 195 units on its beachfront property on t h e n o r t h e r n e n d o f t h e i s l a n d , n e a r Bowditch Point Regional Park Boykin acquired the property in 1998 when it was largely cottages The property has since been transformed by several high-rise building projects
“The Pink Shell has been a work in progress,” Boykin said “There is a lot to like about Fort Myers Beach ” Boykin said the new hotel would be supported by
the amenities at the main resort across the street
“A lot of people would like the island to be what it was,” Boykin said “You can’t go backwards ”
The lot where the new hotel will be built was formerly used as a tennis court, Boykin said
The property also includes an osprey nest The Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina used to have an osprey cam which the public could access to watch the osprey that have used the nest and its fledglings though Boykin said the camera has not been in use since Hurricane Ian
Ospreys are protected by the U S Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Florida F i s h a n d W i l d l i f e C o n s e r v a t i o n Commission is responsible for protecting t h e m i n F l o r i d a u n d e r t h e s t a t e ’ s Imperiled Species Management Plan The International Osprey Foundation monitors osprey nests on the island
Boykin said he would be looking to w
Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) if the nest needs to be moved outside of nesting season when construction begins
The resort has earned accolades for its environmental friendly efforts including tinting its windows so that light is not transmitted to the beach from inside the hotel at night to the beach during turtle nesting season The resort was certified as “Sea Turtle Friendly” by the Sea Turtle Conservancy for its turtle-friendly lighting project last year
The resort also provides a number of nature activities for guests
NATHAN MAYBERG
Market Trends 2025 slated for March 20 to explore the future of Southwest Florida’s real estate market
t h e m e o f t h e a n n u a l s u m m i t i s “ T h e N e x t B i g
T h i n g ” F r o m m a c r o e c o n o m i c s h i f t s a n d g e o p o l i t i c a l
e v e n t s t o t e c h n o l o g i c a l a d v a n c e m e n t s a n d c l i m a t e
i m p a c t s , t h e “ n e x t b i g t h i n g ” i s a r o u n d t h e c o r n e r
T h e s u m m i t w i l l b r e a k d o w n t h e b i g t h i n g s t h a t b u y -
e r s , s e l l e r s a n d r e a l e s t a t e p r o f e s s i o n a l s s h o u l d b e f o c u s e d o n s t r a t e g i c a l l y , p o s i t i o n i n g a t t e n d e e s t o s t a y a h e a d o f t h e c u r v e E x p e r t i n s i g h t s w i l l i n f o r m a n d
a n a l y z e s p e c i f i c r i s k f a c t o r s
Traffic
Allers said he believed traffic was being slowed down
Boulevard at Margaritaville by personnel at the intersection “as opposed to letting the traffic signal do what it’s supposed to do
Allers said Florida Department of Transportation has sent personnel to the town to assist with traffic but are not under the proper direction The Florida Department of Transportation has been working on Estero Boulevard for months, cutting off traffic at the intersection from the south Traffic is redirected to Crescent Street as part of a detour Cones are out from the time vehicles cross over to Estero Boulevard off the Matanzas Pas Bridge, with a sidewalk also completely closed off
Thomas Yozzo, who is the operations and compliance manager for the town’s neighborhood resources department, said he has spoken to the Lee County Sheriff’s
Office about covering the intersection at Crescent and Fifth to 9 p m
Allers said he wants a dedicated staff member to also be attending and suggested hiring a security company to alleviate the town’s staff to have a security guard direct traffic Yozzo said they would have to be certified by Florida Department of Transportation
Frank Kropacek, director of Operations, said the cost would be $65 an hour. Allers said that is how much the town pays the Lee County Sheriff’s Office “We can control that person because they work for us,” Allers said Allers said to Kropacek “you have my support, you have my consent to make that happen ”
Safford said that while $65 sounds “like a lot and it is," he believes the funds would help keep business on the island.
“Plus, it’s a bad experience,” Vice Mayor Jim
easily be tripled)
tunity 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
A
Chosen Company
I first learned about Chosen Company from American soldier Jeremy Michael Miller, callsign Tennessee a U S
n a t i o n a
M
s Beach who I am very grateful to report w a s
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
u n d e r n o n s t o p e n e m y f i r e , C h o s e n Company engages in trench warfare with limited tactical resources, which is why I want to help equip them with protective gear
C h o s e n i s a s t o r m u n i t l e d b y 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
The Commander’s leadership is a big source of inspiration for me he defends his principles on the world stage, fought i
n 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
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
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
Russian propaganda, the Kremlin’s delu-
sense How can someone be a terrorist, whose lifelong actions have strived to fight war and terror?
Chosen Company are not mercenaries,
n g t h e e v e n t a n d m o r e F
Atterholt said
Allers said he believes the town could try to bill the Florida Department of Transportation for hiring the personnel. Allers suggested the town use its parking meter revenue to pay for it The town increased its parking meter rates in 2022 to $5 an hour in part to fund a workforce housing program it has since dropped In recent months, Allers has proposed using the town’s parking meter revenue for other expenditures including fireworks
Allers said he believes the security firm should be working traffic from 2 to about 7 p m
The town council did not vote on whether to hire a new security firm or seek out a new firm, or approve issuing a request for proposals The only direction was from Allers to Kropacek that he had “his consent” and support to work on it
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
C
W a y n e
Hallat, callsign Dirty P, 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 G
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 ”
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.”
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 n
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 at https://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 Alexandra Zakhvatayev Cape Coral
WHERE TO GO WHAT TO DO WHO TO SEE
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com
Spring training is back in Lee County beginning Wednesday next week when the Boston Red Sox open up camp at JetBlue Park at Fenway South in F o r t M y e r s T h e T w i n s w i l l f o l l o w t h e n e x t d a y Thursday, Feb 13 at Lee Health Sports Complex in Fort Myers with their camp Both camps are open to the public Pitchers and catchers are due to report to the team’s respective complexes on those dates
The Red Sox will hold their first full squad workouts on Wednesday, Feb. 12, while the Twins will hold their
first full squad workout Feb 17
The Red Sox will play their first game of spring training against the Northeastern Huskies on Friday, Feb 21, at 1:05 inside JetBlue Park Their first home game against a Major League Baseball club will be on Sunday, Feb 23 when they host the Toronto Blue Jays at 1:05 p.m.
The gates open 90 minutes before each game for the Red Sox
The Twins will be playing their first spring training game Feb 22 against the Atlanta Braves at 1:05 p m at Lee Health Sports Complex On game day, parking at Lee Health Sports Complex costs $15
Both teams are exiting similar seasons they would
to improve upon.
The Red Sox won half their games, going 81-1 and finishing third in the AL East They sat third most of the year after exiting spring training behind the eight-ball when their main pitching acquisition Lucas Giolito was shut down after his first game and needed Tommy John surgery The Red Sox hope to have a healthy Giolito
Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa will be back in spring training in Fort Myers this spring to help lead
Mighty Mussels announce new manager
STAFF REPORT
The Minnesota Twins have announced a new manager for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels this year Seth Feldman will take over the bench of the organization's Single-A affiliate after the Twins promoted manager Brian Meyer to the High-A Cedar Rapids Kernels
Meyer led the Mighty Mussels to four straight winning seasons
The Mighty Mussels went 35-25 last season, finishing second in the FSL West Division, a half game back behind the Lakeland Flying Tigers Feldman takes over the helm of the Mighty Mussels
Spring fever
From page 19
after five seasons of managing Twins’ affiliates at the complex level
“It’s an exciting opportunity,” Feldman said “At the end of the day, it’s all about taking care of the players and making sure we do everything we can to help them and push them forward in their careers. We’re ready to get to work ”
The 32-year-old oversaw the development of many of the Twins’ prospects while working with many current Mussels’ players
Prior to his time in the Minnesota organization, Feldman coached at his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Hitting 358 over a three-year career at UW-La Crosse (D-3), Feldman was hired as an assistant coach and catching instructor upon graduation He remained on staff until he was signed by the Twins prior to the 2019 season
The Mussels’ staff will include three returners from 2024 – hitting coach Luis Reyes, pitching coach Richard Salazar, and strength and conditioning coach Matt Anti Reyes returns to lead the Fort Myers hitters for his third season He led the Mussels’ offense to the secondbest slugging percentage ( 363) in the Florida State League last season In 2023, he helped Fort Myers’ hitters set the franchise record with 103 home runs while leading the Florida State League in slugging percentage ( 388) Responsible for the team’s base running, he guided the Mussels to 173 stolen bases (1 4 SB/G) and an 81 percent success rate
Salazar enters his eighth year as a pitching coach in the Twins’ organization and his third with the Mighty Mussels In 2023, Mussels’ pitchers owned the best opponents’ batting average ( 234) in the Florida State League
The 2025 Mighty Mussels’ coaching staff will introduce five newcomers hitting coach Andrew Parks, pitching coach Anders Dzurak, lead athletic trainer Charysse Berkowski, athletic trainer Thaddeus Hayes and coordinator, baseball technology Jeremy Miranda
The Mussels’ home opener is set for Tuesday, April 8 First pitch against the Tampa Tarpons (NYY) is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
ready to go this year
Then their All-Star slugging third baseman Rafael Devers missed about onethird of the team’s games in the first month of the season due to knee and shoulder soreness. Those injuries would linger later in the year, forcing him to shut his season down early
Despite playing through pain, Devers was an All-Star again last year and the team will need him to have another big season to compete in the AL Central Especially after losing their power-hitting outfielder Tyler O’Neill to the Baltimore Orioles in free agency O’Neill led the team in home runs last year after a trade from the Cardinals before the season and was one of the team’s best trade pickups in years
Another loss for the team last year was shortstop Trevor Story who hit 380 in spring training with three homers before fracturing his shoulder in April and missing most of the season The Red Sox hope Story can regain some of his past All-Star form The team slotted young rookie Ceddanne Rafaela into Story’s place at shortstop for half the year and at centerfield for the other half The 24-year-old showed glimpses of promise in his first season He is expected to return to the outfield and join All-Star Jarren Duran, who switched between centerfield and left field last year
Duran hit 285 with 21 homers, 191 hits and an 834 OPS while stealing 34 bases and leading the majors in doubles
See SPRING FEVER, page 21
FILE PHOTO
The pitching staff of the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels owned the lowest opponent batting average in the Florida State League last year.
NATHAN MAYBERG
The 6'9 towering right-hander Bailey Ober posted the fifth-best WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) in the majors last season for the Minnesota Twins
Spring fever
From page 20
(48) and tying for the lead in triples (14) He also led American League outfielders in assists (12) and double plays turned from centerfield (2)
The Red Sox are set to enter camp with a significant unknown in their pitching rotation as Nick Pivetta remains unsigned as a free agent Last year, the 31-year-old
righthander went 6-12 but ranked high in other stats such as his mark of 10 6 strikeouts per nine innings, which ranked him in the top 10 in the majors for starters
with more than 140 innings The 6’5 starter posted a 4 14 ERA while striking out 172 batters in 145 innings while allowing 7 9 hits per nine innings Pivetta carried a 1 126 WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) while making 26 starts
While the Red Sox struggled at times to keep a full rotation of starters last year, the club was busy this offseason adding arms. They signed Walker Buehler off his gutsy World Series performance in which he shut down the New York Yankees with six scoreless innings including a win in Game 4 and the last three outs of the World Series to get the save in the deciding Game 5 Although his regular season stats weren’t as shiny, Buehler missed time with a hip injury and missed all of 2023 with Tommy John surgery The Red Sox are counting on his postseason form being a return to his All-Star form with the Red Sox in which he twice finished in the top 10 of the National League Cy Young voting
Another big move the Red Sox made in the winter to strengthen their pitching was a trade for Chicago White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet The Red Sox gave up some mid-level prospects in Kyle Teel, Braden Montgomery, Chase Meidroth and Wikelman Gonzalez for Crochet
Crochet finished the year with a 1 07 WHIP, placing him among the top 10 in the majors for starters with more than 140 innings pitched Like Pivetta, he also went 6-12 but with a better ERA at 3 58 and an even better strikeout mark of 209 k’s in 146 innings
NATHAN MAYBERG
Boston Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers will return to Fort Myers this spring off another All-Star season at third base
Twins righty Joe Ryan was having one of the best pitching seasons in the majors last year until a shoulder injury cut his season short
St. Raphael's Episcopal Church
St Raphael's Episcopal Church welcomes the public each Sunday at 10 a.m. for services in its parish hall at 5601 Williams Drive in Fort Myers Beach
For more information regarding services, contact 239463-6057 or email office@straphaelschurch org
Annual Wolfstock Music
Get ready to rock out for a cause! The highly anticipated 6th Annual Wolfstock Music and Brewfest is set to take center stage on Saturday, Feb 8, from 4 to 8 p m at the stunning Paradise Coast Sports Complex on the Great Lawn in Naples, Florida This event promises an unforgettable evening of music, brews, and giving back, all in support of Shy Wolf Sanctuary’s mission to rescue and care for exotic and captive-bred animals
Wolfstock will feature an exciting lineup of bands including Rockadelic and The Pilot and the Peeps.
Tickets include unlimited beer and wine from local breweries including Chubby Mermaid, Swamp Cat B r e w e r y , L a B e l l e B r e w e r y , R i p t i d e B r e w e r y , F L Avenue, 3 Daughters Brewery, TBBC, Fort Myers Brewery, and Copa Di Vino The event also features delicious offerings from local food trucks, raffles, and even a chance to meet a wolfdog ambassador in person!
T i c k e t s a n d V
w w w g i v e b u t t e r c o m / w o l f s t o c k 2 5 V I P t i c k e t s a r e limited and will go quickly Businesses and individuals looking to make an even bigger impact can explore sponsorship opportunities to showcase their support
Don’t miss out on this howl-worthy event! Whether you’re a music enthusiast, a foodie, or an animal lover, Wolfstock Music and Brewfest is the place to be this February
G o s p e l m u s i c l e g e n d , B i l l G a i t h e r t o k i c k o ff ‘ L o v e L i k e I ’ m L e a v i n g ’ To u r F e b . 2 1
Multi-Grammy Award winning recording artist, Bill
G a i t h e r w i l l k i c k o f f t h e 2 0 2 5 “ L o v e L i k e I ’ m Leaving” Tour this Spring, as he brings his multi-award winning group, The Gaither Vocal Band to 16 cities during February, March, April and May The first weekend of stops will take place in multiple cities throughout Florida, including the stop at the First Assembly of God in Ft Myers on Friday, Feb 21
Taking the stage with Gaither and the Gaither Vocal Band during the Spring 2025 “Love Like I’m Leaving” Tour, featuring Wes Hampton, Adam Crabb, Todd
Broadway Palm brings you
‘Buddy: The
Get ready to rock and roll as Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre presents Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, now playing through Feb 15 This electrifying production tells the inspiring story of Buddy Holly’s meteoric rise to fame, celebrating his original sound and remarkable talent
Audiences will be treated to live performances of over 20 of Buddy Holly’s greatest hits, including “Maybe Baby,” “Every Day,” “Peggy Sue,” “That’ll Be The Day,” “Oh Boy,” and “Rave On,” as well as Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” and The Big Boppers’ “Chantilly Lace ” Experience the energy, music, and legacy of a true rock-and-roll legend in this unforgettable musical journey
Buddy Holly Story’
“Actor Hunter Henrickson is an absolute delight to watch on stage from the moment he enters until the moment he exits, as he has mastered Buddy Holly, including the musician's vocal hiccup that became an unforgettable trademark along with his abrupt pitch changes Henrickson's performance gets two thumbs up as he keeps the energy going until the very end, and even then, he gives the audience one more famous song to end with, which brings everyone to their feet clapping and smiling ” Dave Elias – NBC2
Tickets for Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story are on sale now and can be purchased through the Broadway Palm website at BroadwayPalm com, by calling 239278-4422, or in person at the theatre Show and meal
Suttles and Reggie Smith, will be popular female vocalist, Ladye Love Smith, talented male vocalist, Gene McDonald, and newcomer phenom and The Voice winner, Chris Blue, as well as Gaither’s musical entourage, c o m p r i s e d o f K e v i n
Michael Rowsey
Tickets for the 2025 “Love Like I’m Leaving” Tour are on sale now Make plans to join Bill Gaither & The Gaither Vocal Band in Fort Myers at the First Assembly of God on Friday, Feb 21 This exciting evening begins at 7 p m To purchase tickets or obtain additional details visit www gaither com
‘Caught in the Net’ at Broadway Palm through Feb. 23
R u n f o
T
v e r J o h n S m i t h , w h o i s d e s p e r a t e l y t r y i n g t o k e e p h i s t w o s e p a r a t e f a m i l i e s a n d h i s b i g a m y a s e c r e t W h e n h i s t e e n a g e c h i l d r e n f r o m e a c h m a r r i a g e a c c i d e n t a l l y m e e t o n l i n e , c h a o s e r u p t s , l e a d i n g t o a w e b o f h i l a r i t y , m i s t a k e n i d e n t it i e s , a n d f r a n t i c c o v e r - u p s E n j o y a n a f t e r n o o n o r e v e n i n g o f n o n s t o p l a u g h t e r i n t h e c h a r m i n g O f f B r o a d w
y P a l m T h e a t r e G e t y o u r t i c k e t s n o w f o r C a u g h t i n t h e N e
prices start at $85, with show-only options available Group discounts are also offered for parties of 20 or more
About Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre: Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre is the premier destination for live entertainment in Fort Myers, showcasing a variety of productions that entertain and inspire audiences of all ages With delicious dining options and a commitment to high-quality performances, Broadway Palm is dedicated to creating memorable experiences
Show Details
Dates: Jan 14 – Feb 23
Location: 1380 Colonial Blvd , Fort Myers Tickets: Available at BroadwayPalm com or by calling 239-278-4422
Prices: $55 – $70, with special rates for groups of 20+
Have a ‘Yappy Valentine’s Day’ at Lee County Domestic Animal Services
Lee County Domestic Animal Services invites you to have a “Yappy Valentine’s Day” by adopting a devoted dog this February Adoption fees on all adult dogs will be reduced to just $14 from Feb 1 through Feb 28
The reduced adoption fee includes the complete package of services: sterilization, age-appropriate vaccinations, county license, microchip ID, deworming, flea treatment, a heartworm test for dogs, feline AIDS and leukemia test for cats, and a 10-day health guarantee The adoption package is valued at more than $600
The adoption center at Lee County Domestic Animal Services is open 10:30 a m to 3:30 p m Monday-Saturday at 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers, next to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office off Six Mile Cypress Parkway. Available pets can be viewed online at www leelostpets com and adoption applications can be submitted online For more information, call 239-533-7387 (LEE-PETS)
PHOTO PROVIDED
PET PALS
By ISABELLE WELLS Co-founder of
Many years ago my husband and I got all our pets in a pet store not knowing how m a n y d o g s a n d c a t s n e e d e d h o m e s Rescues have been trying to cast awareness that rescuing animals has been one of the most gratifying action you will make in your life.
Who doesn’t want to save a life? It is the best decision you will make and your pet best friend will make an impact in your life forever These days you see rescues and people trying to save dogs from shelters before they get euthanized We call them kill shelters! Yes, there are many of them and at least one in each city They are also called county shelters Thousand of pets are killed every day and many of them are just right here in Fort Myers.
Now this is not an article to condemn shelters They are either well run and try their best to make a difference
This article is about the rescue effort and to show how you can applaud saving lives
puppy: Where do those puppies come from?
Well to produce so many puppies, one i n d
Let’s not kid ourselves
I have been involved for the past few years with saving puppies that didn’t sell Some of these puppies were now 4 or 5 months old and had been staying in cages all their young lives and they didn’t know what grass was
I am having a hard time to not feel sad
We rescue, and believe me, there are many of us that go through a battle every day to save lives
If only there were enough homes for all the ones who are going to be abandoned because it is not convenient to have them in the house, since the children tend to get tired of them. This is mainly because they b
charges are on the rise), and because 14 years is too long to have a pet
Not only this but if they end up in a loving home, their place might not allow pets anymore, on and on
Meanwhile, between backyard breed-
ers and puppy stores, we are not on the right track
Many other states took the stand to help animals but somehow it doesn’t seem to be the case here in Florida Until a dog is an object and a property nothing will change How sad
a few pounds for sure. Call or text
34133
Bruno is a wonderful, handsome standard poodle. He is only 2 years old and gets along with everyone including dogs!!! For more information please contact Isabelle at 239-281-0739
You can also make a donation at www.findahomegiveahome.com using the donation tab using PayPal
Please make sure you do it through “Friends and Family” so there is no fee and all the donation comes to us directly.
Fundraisers coming up soon
We are in need of volunteers to help set up and assist with fundraisers We are planning to have one in February and one in March These will be silent auction and possibly quarter auction also if we have a place big enough All t h
e fundraisers were either destroyed by the hurricanes or have been sold and demolished We are planning to have one in March at the Babcock Ranch and will have a date soon Still looking for a place to hold on the beach or not far off Please contact us ASAP if you are able to help with setting up and or volunteering As always we are in need of wet food and dry plus litter Any donations can be dropped off at Annette’s Book Nook store in the Santini Plaza on south end of Fort Myers Beach There is also a donation jar there for Save Our Strays
Tricia is a torti shell 6-month-old female kitten. She is very playful and keeps busy playing with her littermates Tricia is a dark colored torti with peach thrughout her body
Raven is a silver 7-month-old male kitten with splashes of white who is very playful. He and his sibling Bentley are very bonded and need to be adopted as a pair They enjoy chasing and playing together
Bentley is a brown tabby with light markings. He is a 7-month-old male kitten and needs to be adopted with his sibling Raven
This little guy is at the shelter Frozen in fear and has not willingly moved from the same spot all the time he’s been here He is 4 years old He could lose
Isabelle at 239-281-0739.
The 4th annual Bonita Springs Seafood & Music Festival set
P r e p a r e y o u r t a s t e b u d s a n d t u n e
y o u r e a r s f o r a s p e c t a c u l a r w e e k -
e n d a t t h e 4 t h A n n u a l B o n i t a
S p r i n g s S e a f o o d & M u s i c F e s t i v a l ,
h a p p e n i n g F e b 7 - 9 T h i s m u c h -
a n t i c i p a t e d c e l e b r a t i o n o f f l a v o r
a n d r h y t h m w i l l t a k e p l a c e a t
2 8 0 0 1 O l d 4 1 R o a d ( n e x t t o T h e
P o k e r R o o m , f o r m e r l y t h e D o g
T r a c k )
F e s t i v a l h o u r s :
∫ F r i d a y , F e b 7 , 3 – 9 p m
for Feb. 7 – 9
∫ S a t u r d a y , F e b 8 , 1 1 a m – 9 p m
∫ S u n d a y , F e b 9 , 1 1 a m – 6 p m
A d m i s s i o n i s F R E E , m a k i n g t h i s t h e u l t i m a t e
w e e k e n d o u t i n g f o r f r i e n d s , f a m i l i e s , a n d s e a f o o d
l o v e r s a l i k e !
I n d u l g e i n a b o u n t y o f f r e s h l y p r e p a r e d s e a f o o d
d i s h e s , a l l c o o k e d t o p e r f e c t i o n b y t a l e n t e d l o c a l
c h e f s . W h i l e s a v o r i n g e v e r y b i t e , e n j o y l i v e p e r -
f o r m a n c e s f r o m s o m e o f t h e b e s t b a n d s a r o u n d , w i t h
a l i n e u p s u r e t o g e t y o u r t o e s t a p p i n g a n d y o u r s p i r -
i t s s o a r i n g
S t r o l l t h r o u g h t h e v i b r a n t A r t s & C r a f t s M a r k e t p l a c e , f e a t u r i n g a n
a r r a y o f h a n d m a d e t r e a s u r e s , f i n e
g o o d s , a n d u n i q u e f i n d s t h a t w i l l
d e l i g h t s h o p p e r s o f a l l t a s t e s M o r e T h a n a F e s t i v a l – I t ’ s a F e a s t f o r A l l Y o u r S e n s e s ! T h i s e v e n t p r o m i s e s m o r e t h a n
r e
b r a t i o n o f c o m m u n i t y , c r e a t i v i t y , a n d c u l t u
Edison and Ford Winter Estates to host annual Spring Garden Festival Feb. 8-9
Edison and Ford Winter Estates will hold its annual Spring Garden Festival, Feb 8 and 9 from 9 a m to 4 p.m. More than 100 garden vendors from around Florida and the Southeastern states will have exotic and native plants and trees for sale The festival takes place outdoors, under large shade trees, where plant vendors will be spread out on several acres of the historic property
Vendors will have many types of plants and trees, including bromeliads, butterfly plants, cacti, fruit trees, herbs, hibiscus, orchids, palms, suc-
c u l e n t s , a n d m a n y h a r d - t o - f i n
species Vendors will also offer garden art, flower pots, and soil amendments Growers will be on site to a
event will also feature live music and several food trucks will be on site
In addition, the Garden Shoppe will be open and offers visitors a large selection of unusual tropical and Florida native plants that thrive in Southwest Florida Ceramic flowerpots, vegetable and flower seeds, garden art, and gardening gift items
Spring fever
Twins
Guests shop for plants at the Edison and Ford Winter
Edison Ford members receive a discount on all Garden Shoppe purchases A limited number of garden carts
encouraged to bring a cart or wagon for transporting plants A designated plant holding tent and loading spot will be offered for anyone needing
From page 21
The Twins went 82-80 to finish in fourth place in the AL Central last season They were one of the least active teams in the majors, quiet even for their own standards
The club will be looking to bring back
l a r g e l y t h e s a m e t e a m n e x t y e a r , anchored by an infield led by All-Star
s h o r t s t o p C a r l o s C o r r e a . C o r r e a w a s named to his first All-Star team since 2021 while posting his best batting average ( 310) since 2017 with the Houston Astros Unfortunately, he missed almost half of the team’s games due to a foot
assistance Parking and admission to the festival is free (tours of the homes, museum and laboratory are not included and require an admission ticket) For more information or to purchase tickets for tours, visit edisonford org Edison and Ford Winter Estates is
Myers
injury that cost him most of the second half of the season
Carlos Santana, whose 23 homers paced the club last season, signed with the Cleveland Guardians in the offseason
Third baseman Royce Lewis hit 16 homers in just half a season and catcher Ryan Jeffers hit 21 homers. The club will be counting on continued improvement from some of its young bats like Trevor Larnach, Matt Wallner, Brooks Lee and Austin Martin
The rotation is led by 6’9 righty Bailey Ober who had a career year posting a 1 00 WHIP, good for fifth-best in
Jesus Christ Superstar to open Feb. 28 at The Laboratory Theater of Florida
The Laboratory Theater of Florida will present the iconic rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar from Feb 28 – March 23
With lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Weber, Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera that has captivated audiences for over 50 years Told from Judas Iscariot’s point of view, the show focuses on the final week of the life of Jesus of Nazareth.
Artistic Director Todd Lyman says, “This production of Jesus Christ Superstar aims to strip away the reverence and present a raw, human story of faith, doubt, and betrayal, exploring the timeless themes of power, celebrity, and the price of revolution through a contemporary lens
Utilizing innovative staging, dynamic choreography, and powerful rock music to delve into the characters’ complexities and the enduring relevance of their struggles to create a visceral and emotionally charged experience that resonates with today’s audiences
This is not a traditional religious spectacle, but an examination of human nature. It is more a reflection on the dangers of blind faith and the importance of critical thinking We invite you to join us on this journey as we rediscover the passion and power of this iconic rock opera
From its electrifying score to its revolutionary storytelling, Jesus Christ Superstar continues to captivate audiences around the globe with its powerful message and unforgettable music Set against the backdrop of Jesus Christ’s final days, this groundbreaking musical takes audiences on a riveting journey through faith, betrayal, and redemption With its dynamic blend of rock, gospel, and contemporary music, Jesus Christ Superstar transcends the boundaries of traditional theater, creating an immersive experience that speaks to audiences of all ages and backgrounds
Directed by Annette Trossbach, with music direction by W Earl Sparrow Jr , and choreography by Erica Fiore, this show features Aseem Upadhyay (Jesus), Cameron Rogers (Judas), Brasheena Kinney (Mary Magdelene), Jonattan Declet (Peter), Daniel Kinney (James and U/S for Jesus), Derek Kemp ( Simon Zealotes ad U/S for James), Dominic Abney (Caiaphas), Brittany Ringsdore (King Herod), Trace Meier (Pontius Pilate), Jency Emo (Annas), Riley Hart (Sould Girl), and Tracy Weaver, Tillman Emo, Christian Rivero, Guineere Bortnicker-Kiniry, Laura Perera, Raul Morales, and Cierra Lindo (ensemble).
This musical is rated for all ages
Jesus Christ Superstar is sponsored by Ella Nayor and Jeffrey Cull
Performance Dates:
∫ Feb 28 at 7:30 pm
∫ March 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22 at 7:30 pm
∫ March 2, 9, 16, 23 at 2 pm
Special Events:
∫ Half-price preview nights: Feb 26, 26 at 7:30 p m
∫ Staging Teen Success Through Theater: March 1 at 7:30 p m
∫ Sensory Friendly Performance: March 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $42 each or $15 for students with valid student IDs There are half-priced previews on June 5th and 6th, and a new Thursday night special ticket price of $37 each for adults For tickets, please call the box office at 239 218 0481 or online at http://www laboratorytheaterflorida com
t h e m a j o r s a m o n g s t a r t e r s w i t h 1 8 0 innings or more He threw to a 3 82 ERA while limiting hitters to just 6 9 hits per nine innings, which also ranked him in the top 10 in the majors Hitters struggled against Ober all year, batting just 208 against him
The team’s best pitcher last year had actually been Joe Ryan before a devastating shoulder injury cut his season short Reports are that Ryan has been throwing b
healthy, ready to return
That would be great news for the Twins, as Ryan had posted a 0 985
WHIP in 135 innings, which would have landed him in the top five in the majors had he pitched a full season Ryan finished the season 7-7 with a 3 60 ERA while striking out 147 batters in 135 innings
Most impressively, Ryan walked just 23 batters for a ratio of 1.5 walks per n i n e
s T h a t w
d h a v e a l s o placed him in the top five in the majors had he sustained that rate through 180 innings
Both teams will have a lot of questions to answer in Fort Myers his spring and will offer fans a lot to look forward to
PHOTO PROVIDED
Estates Garden Festival
Cemetery - Cremation
For Sale: His & Hers crypts, Coral Ridge Cemetary, Memory 2 South inside. Titled, $12000 ea. Call 239-699-4822 Please leave message
Help Wanted
HCCS Healthcare Coding and Consulting Services is looking for Director of European Development, Fort Myers, FL
How to Apply: Submit your resume, cover letter, and references via our careers page: HCCS Careers (https://www.hccscoding.com/ application-for-hccs-employment)
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
Garage Sales
BokeeliaSeptemberEstates
AnnualCarportSale
Saturday,February8th 8am-1pm
HugeSale
EntireNeighborhood StringfellowtoHelenRd
Bokeelia, 16081 Tortuga St, Sat 2/8, 8a-2p. Furniture, Washer/Dryer, 92 Olds Cutlass, Sewing Machine, Acrylic Paints, Collectibles, Florida decor, Vintage & Much More.
CaptainsCove AnnualGarageSale
Saturday2/15,8am-1pm
CornwallisNeighborhood GarageSale C ornerofCornwallis &DelPradoBlvdS
Friday&Saturday 2/7&2/8,8AM-2PM
Boating/FishingEquipment, Furniture,Tools,Household Items,Clothes,Toys, K nick-Knackás&MuchMore
Recreation Vehicles
I BUY ALL RV’s I BUY ALL Boat’s I PAY CASH I will Come To You To See
