020725 Cape Coral Weekend Breeze

Late buses drive new school bell times

“We’ve talked about two major priorities improve student safety this accomplishes that It does not allow students to be left alone at a bus stop for it not to come or an hour or two late. It may be OK for a high school student. If I am an 8year-old, I shudder to think what that looks like.”

Dr. Denise Carlin, superintendent

Lee Health sees record number of deliveries

By CJ HADDAD

cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

It has been a busy year in Southwest Florida’s leading healthcare system delivery rooms thus far in 2025.

In fact, it’s been the most bustling start to any year when it comes to newborns for Lee Health

According to officials, 2025 has seen a record-breaking number of deliveries at H

Coral Hospital

In total, Lee Health hospitals have delivered 771 babies among its facilities, which is the most in a single month ever before for the health system

This January at HealthPark Medical Center’s Family Birth Suites, 616 babies were delivered, equaling about a kindergarten class being born every day

k e p a r k i n g h a s m o v e d t o a n e w l o c a t i o n d u b b e d t h e “ T h u n d e r Z o n e ” L o c a t e d o f f

S o u t h e a s t 4 6 t h L a n e , t h i s p r e m i e r p a r k i n g s p o t i n C l u b S q u a r e i s t h e c e n t r a l r a l l y p o i n t w h e r e a l l t h e h o t t e s t r i d e s w i l l b e s h o w c a s e d M o t o r c y c l e p a r k i n g w i l l n o t b e a l l o w e d a l o n g S o u t h e a s t 4 7 t h T e r r a c e b e t w e e n S o u t h e a s t 9 t h P l a c e a n d V i n c e n n e s B o u l e v a r d W h e t h e r y o u ’ r e s h o w i n g o f f y o u r b i k e o r a d m i r i n g o t he r s , t h e T h u n d e r Z o n e w i l l b e a f o c a l p o i n t o f t h e e v e n t ,

IF YOU GO:

What: Cape Coral Bike Night

When: Saturday, Feb 8, starting at 5 p m

Where: Southeast 47th Terrace

More information: For more information, visit www ccbikenight com

In comparison, team members delivered 599 babies in December of 2024, and Cape Coral teams welcomed 130 babies Cape Coral Hospital delivered 147 newborns last month

“We are thrilled to reach this milestone, and I am proud of everyone on our team w

HealthPark Medical Center Chief Nurse Executive Kristie Huff. “This new record

exceptional care to newborns and expecting mothers in our community When patients give birth at one of our hospitals, they know they can expect top-tier and thoughtful services at every stage of the family journey It is an honor to help care for our growing Southwest Florida community ”

Officials said in 2024, there were 8,302 deliveries at Lee Health, which shows a climb from 2023, when 7,871 deliveries occurred.

In 2023, HealthPark Medical Center reached a single-day milestone with 30 babies delivered in one day The previous record was 29 babies born in one

Nurse accused of felony child neglect

B y C J H A D D A D

c j h a d d a d @ b r e e z e n e w s p a p e r s c o m

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School aid accused of lewd conduct with student

Y o u a r e r e c e i v i n g t h i s i m p o r t a n t m e s s a g e i n c o mp l i a n c e w i t h F l o r i d a S t a t u t e 1 0 1 2 7 9 7 , P a r e n t a l N o t i f i c a t i o n o f A r r e s t s o f E m p l o y e e s I m u s t i n f o r m

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Kelly Perrigo

Cape Christian breaks ground for new fellowship center

$1.1 million expansion to better serve the community has been long in the works

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o u r c a m p u s a p l a c e w h e r e t h e e n t i r e c o m m u n i t y c o u l d e n j o y i t ” I t s h i s t o r y i n v o l v e s m a n y m o v i n g p a r t s , g e t t i n g t h e $ 1 . 1 m i l l i o n t o b u i l d t h e c h u r c h a n d a l l o f t h e e f f o r t s i t t o o k t o g r o w w i t h i n t h e c o m m u n i t y i t s e r v e s

L e a d P a s t o r C o r y D e m m e l l e d t h e m a j o r i t y o f t h e c e r e m o n y a n d e x p r e s s e d a p p r e c i a t i o n t o t h e c o m m u n i t y “ W e ’ r e h e r e , a n d m a n y o f o u r c i t y

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

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1 0 0 % i n t h i s c o m m u n i t y ” C a p e C h r i s t i a n w a s f o u n d e d i n 1 9 8 7

Above, the crowd gathers as construction begins for the new fellowship center at Cape Christian.

L e f t , f o u n d i n g p a s t o r D e n n i s

G i n g e r i c h a n d w i f e L i n d a w e r e among those attending the celebration last Sunday The church, founded in 1987 by the couple, is known as the Cape’s “church with a park,” a much-used community amenity

DAKOTAH RAMOS

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Affordable housing complex for seniors breaks ground in North Fort Myers

County officials said projects like Hermosa community are sorely needed

By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers com

The last time an affordable rental community was built in North Fort Myers, Bill Clinton was president and had been 15 years since one was built anywhere in unincorporated Lee County

On Wednesday, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the newest community to come to the area, one that will provide affordable housing for area seniors

All this while work was already starting on the project at 16341 N Cleveland Ave which is set to begin welcoming residents early next year

ReVital Development Group, in collaboration with Birdsong Housing Partners and the Lee County Housing Authority, broke ground on Hermosa, Phase I & II a project marking the first new construction affordable housing rental community in North Fort Myers in more than 30 years

Hermosa, which had been in the works since around 2020, is in response to the desperate need for affordable housing in the area, which has also had to deal with Hurricane Ian in 2022 and hurricanes Helene and Milton this past year The pandemic didn’t help matters either

Michael Allan, president of ReVital, said they are trying to address all demographics in need of affordable and resilient housing

“Two weeks ago, we celebrated the opening of Civitas in Cape Coral for the workforce This one is focused on seniors,” Allan said. “We’re not only looking for safe and affordable housing, but long-term sustainability We have a lot of resilient features ”

Civitas saw a line of hundreds of people for a pre-leasing event before the grand opening, he said

“We had people who stayed overnight at the property Team members worked to make sure everybody in line had an opportunity to talk to them and go through the application process,” Allan said “The need is real and quite significant.”

Among those to speak at the groundbreaking was

“Two weeks ago, we celebrated the opening of Civitas in Cape Coral for the workforce This one is focused on seniors We’re not only looking for safe and affordable housing, but long-term sustainability We have a lot of resilient features.”

Michael Allan, president of ReVital, said they are trying to address all demographics in need of affordable and resilient housing

County Commissioner Brian Hamman, who represents North Fort Myers He said Hermosa is a great opportunity for the area in answer to its lack of affordable housing

“This will be built to a very strong hurricane code, so it will be safe housing for seniors so they can retire and live here with dignity,” Hamman said “We were able to use some of the Community Development Block Grant money we got after Ian to push this over the finish line ”

Hermosa is the first development in Lee County to utilize state and federal recovery funds associated with Hurricane Ian It’s also the first to use benefits under Florida Senate Bill 102, commonly known as the Live Local Act

Hermosa will feature a 160-unit affordable multifamily residential building designed with environmental sustainability in mind

This community, exclusively for seniors aged 62 and older, includes a preference for veterans and provides essential affordable housing opportunities for residents earning 60 percent or less of the area median income

Residents will benefit from a modern clubhouse with a fitness center, business center, and pool, along with free programs like an adult literacy program and assistance with light housekeeping, grocery shopping and laundry

Church to host Valentine’s Day concert of love songs

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, love is in the air, and one of the best ways to show a loved one you care is through song

On Feb 14 at Epiphany Episcopal Church in Cape Coral, an evening of love songs will play throughout the venue, via renowned pianist Robert “Bob” Bahr

The “Let’s Fall in Love” fundraising concert starts at 6:30 p m , featuring classic tunes from the Great American Songbook, as well as favorites from film, pop culture, and more Proceeds from the event will benefit the church

“This specific evening will feature all love songs,” Bahr said “The first half will be from the Great American Songbook from composers such as George Gershwin and Cole Porter ”

Bahr, who comes from a talented musical family in a small farming community in Southern Iowa, said he’ll play tunes such as, “Misty,” “As Time Goes By,” and “My Funny Valentine ”

“These are favorites,” he said “They’re songs everyone will know The second half will feature movie themes, Broadway numbers, songs from Crooners And for the real contemporary, I’ll be doing Elton John, Billy Joel, and The Beatles. It’s a wide variety.”

Bahr’s wife, Anne, is a vocalist who will accompany him for “Fly Me to the Moon,” and “What I Did for Love ”

“Everything is designed around love,” Bahr said “The idea is that you’ll have something people can either hum along to, or tap their toe to That’s what makes for great music ”

Bahr started playing piano and reading music at the age of 4, being taught initially by his grandmother By high school, Bahr was the music director of his church, and performed throughout his high school years, winning a spot on a state-wide talent concert for a regional TV station

“I knew how to read music before I knew the alphabet,” Bahr said. “I always had music around me. My (family) knew I had a passion for music, and encouraged me to go forward ”

Bahr studied piano performance at Coe College in

Renowned pianist Robert “Bob” Bahr to perform at Epiphany Episcopal Church in Cape Coral

Iowa, and obtained his Master’s from Ohio University He was the music director for ballet companies in Ohio, Mississippi and Tennessee Bahr then 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

For Bahr, “music is in everything ”

“Every movie Every TV show The rustling of the leaves The river or brook,” he said “Everything has a

sound Everything is music in one way or another Music fills the soul Whether you’re the listener, or the performer, it fills your soul Whether it’s a love song, or the ‘Star Wars’ theme You can hear the energy You can hear the anger You can hear the passion That’s what the soul is The soul grabs on to these ”

Bahr met his wife, who owned a bed and breakfast in Bar Harbor, Maine. He met Anne while directing a local Gilbert and Sullivan production Bahr has been producer and musical director of Broadway musicals for regional companies Anne has performed in many roles in these productions

“She’s in the arts I’m in the arts We connected through that mutual passion for the arts,” Bahr said

The legacy has continued for Bahr and Anne, who have three sons, all who have taken part in music, either via vocals or instrument

Bahr also serves as the choir director at Epiphany, which he says he enjoys immensely He and Anne first came down to Southwest Florida in 2004, and the two consider Cape Coral home despite running a bed-andbreakfast business up north still

As for what he hopes attendees get out of his show through his playing, Bahr said he doesn’t consider himself a piano player, he considers himself a player of orchestra

“I play the orchestra,” he said “You'll hear the cello You'’l hear the drummer You’ll hear the trumpets and French horns And the melody I hear in my head is either the first violin and the flute, or the vocalist That’s what my brain hears My brain hears the full sound And yeah, it’s just the piano sound, but not to me If I can evoke anything to those that are listening, it’s the sense they are hearing a broad range of sounds to bring out emotion.

“I want to bring people joy It brings me joy "

Tickets for the “Let’s Fall in Love” evening of love songs are $25 and can be obtained by calling 239-2187556

For more information on Epiphany Episcopal Church, visit www epiphanyepiscopalchurch org

Epiphany Episcopal Church is at 2507 Del Prado Blvd S

Sandoval wants city to take over Heydon Lane

Community association says road has become vital for general commerce

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

Although Cape Coral City Council did not support a petition from the Sandoval Community Association to take over one of its roads, the request remains under consideration

The association asked for Council to consider the transfer of Heydon Lane to the city

After lengthy discussion, it was turned over to member of the elected board to further the discussion

City Manager Mike Ilczyszyn said the issue came up about a year ago for the previous council that did not have an appetite for moving forward He said the same information exists the basis for what Heydon Lane was constructed for the developers original intent

If Heydon Lane was not constructed or contemplated when submittal came to the city at the time of the development, Ilczyszyn said additional infrastructure would have been needed

“Rather than all the people coming and going and dumping out on Veterans, what happened is the planner and developer utilized Heydon Lane as an internal capture road

“People coming out of the gate that wanted to utilize the commercial corner, they would be able to take a shortcut It reduced the amount of trips that would have dumped out and required offsite improvements,” he said Ilczyszyn said when city staff looks at these types of requests there are a few ques-

“We have 77.2 miles of private lane miles in the city of Cape Coral. This road may, at best, be half a mile. When you open up that Pandora’s box there will be a lot more individuals that will come here with the same ask that you have For me, I have a little bit of an issue with that ”

Mayor John Gunter

tions asked does it make sense for the community to absorb the cost of long-term maintenance, and does it set a precedent cause for a financial landslide for other developers

City Attorney Aleksandr Boksner said it is never prudent to assume additional liabilities when the city does not have one presently.

He said an inclination to take on the liability would result in a replat and modification of the PDP

“It’s not quite as simplistic,” Boksner said of the transfer “The process may in fact call for a traffic study to identify whether or not us taking it has a traffic impact ”

Sandoval Community Association

President Bill Ciminelli said they were requesting the transfer to the city as Heydon Lane is a vital road for general commerce, and it would be in the best interest for the city to do the transfer.

Ciminelli said Sandoval has maintained Heydon Lane and has removed, repaired, and replaced any damage to the road and landscape

“Heydon Lane lies outside the gates of the Sandoval community east and west on of

the shops of Surfside plaza Heydon Lane has been determined to meet the city of Cape Coral standards as a public road,” he said, adding that the lane serves a broader purpose for motorist, pedestrians, and commercial use for transportation “Heydon Lane serves the Experience of Health and Wellness Center and businesses at Surfside plaza.”

Ciminelli said Cape Coral’s growth has transformed Heydon Lane from a private convenience to a critical component of the road network

Councilmember Joe Kilraine, who is a Sandoval resident, is going to work with the community to discuss the possibilities of the petition

“This is the toughest one for me up here I am conflicted because basically I personally tried to do this many years ago It was unsuccessful,” he said “Sitting in this seat now two obligations trying to address the cost of the road and the second liability In a sense, we would be transferring that liability to the greater city ”

Kilraine said there is a dead spot on Heydon Lane and maybe there is a possibility to close of that portion

“Maybe that is the way of doing this thing that satisfies the city’s and Sandoval’s requirement,” he said, adding that it would maintain the status quo of the entrance up until the access that was granted for the chiropractor “I would support it with those types of conditions ”

Ilczyszyn said when the discussion came up last March, some of the ideas that floated was first and foremost, why is the government the solution

“This is private property, private development It makes a lot of sense to have the Sandoval HOA contact the commercial corner it would be a discussion and transfer between those two entities,” he said Councilmember Jennifer Nelson-Lastra said she likes the idea of taking the lane and turning it into a linear park, or a pocket park

“I have no appetite for any alternate solutions provided,” Councilmember Keith Long said

Long was not the only council member who was not in favor of the petition

“We have 77.2 miles of private lane miles in the city of Cape Coral,” Mayor John Gunter said “This road may, at best, be half a mile When you open up that Pandora’s box there will be a lot more individuals that will come here with the same ask that you have For me, I have a little bit of an issue with that ”

He believed the reasoning behind this is the road is coming up on being 20 years old and needs to be repaved, a cost that could be as high as $100,000

City imposes restrictions on ‘public spaces’

New ordinance addresses use of city buildings by individuals who are homeless; recording and video by members of the public

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

Cape Coral City Council passed a new law Wednesday that controls access to cityowned and leased properties

T h e n e w o r d i n a n c e d e f i n e s p u b l i c spaces by category with public restrictions for access in each

The measure addresses how city facilities may be used by members of the public and restricts the public’s ability to video or o

spaces ”

According to the ordinance, the city “seek to discourage and prevent behavior on city-owned, controlled, and leased property which interferes with the designated use of the areas within such city property and to the efficient rendering of public services ”

“This will be addressed inside the buildings and expectations the general public has entering our facilities,” City Manager Mike Ilczyszyn said

City Attorney Aleksandr Boksner said case law has authorized the designation of certain facilities and parking areas by way of designation of public forum, limited public forum and nonpublic forum and what can and cannot be permissible He said in the event an individual conducts themselves inconsistent with the facility

enforcement action that could lead to an arrest

Jay Higgins, a Cape Coral resident, urged the council to take caution before approving the ordinance He said it would limiting First Amendment rights on public property that is owned by the citizens of the city who pay taxes for them

“Slow travel into the gray area of what is allowed and not allowed and what is dictatorship and freedom,” Higgins said

The ordinance states, “Audio and/or video recording anywhere inside of City buildings except during duly noticed public meetings, or as otherwise approved by the City Manager, or their designee Except as otherwise approved by the City Manager, Or their designee, audio and/or video recording may only be conducted within the City Council Chambers, and any room or office within which said activity has been authorized by law Any person found to be conducting audio and/or video recording except as authorized herein, must cease doing s o immediately if any visitor, City employee or City official expresses their desire not to be recorded This rule does not apply to audio and/or video recording by

City Attorney Aleksandr Boksner said case law has authorized the designation of certain facilities and parking areas by way of designation of public forum, limited public forum and nonpublic forum and what can and cannot be permissible He said in the event an individual conducts themselves inconsistent with the facility rules it grants legal authority to take enforcement action that could lead to an arrest.

engaged in the performance of their official duties, nor does this prohibition apply to facility security surveillance video Audio and/or video recording of public meetings must be undertaken in a quiet and orderly manner so as not to interfere with the public meeting, or block any aisle, row, ingress or egress ”

Councilmember Rachel Kaduk said it was her understanding that the measure was more for someone who was using a public facility to camp out in the bathroom

“What is this ordinance accomplishing,” she said

Ilczyszyn said there are different levels of expectations the public has based on the classifications of a nonpublic forum, limited public forum and public forum

An example he gave was if it is cold outside someone could choose to sleep in the lobby or restroom, which would be prohibited with the ordinance in place

“The idea is what is the expectation of the public when they come,” Ilczyszyn said.

Another example was the chamber, and hallway leading up to the council chambers, which is a limited public forum He said those areas are open during a council meeting, but once the meeting concludes it is no longer open

A nonpublic forum area would be anything behind an employee swipe card

Councilmember Laurie Lehmann asked about audio and video recording and gave the example of a family wanting to document the process of permitting or a passport.

Boksner said the ordinance addresses someone coming in and engaging in video and audio recording for harassment or intimidation

Demolition contract for Hector Cafferata approved

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

Honc Destruction, Inc has been award-

Hector A Cafferata Jr Elementary School

The contract approved Tuesday by the

Hurricane Ian funds

The demolition of the 77,249-squarefoot, two story-building was necessitated by damage from Hurricane Ian

Hector A Cafferata was one of the three schools that were part of staging schools across the district in the mid-2000s due to the rapid student growth The district pur-

chased a prefabricated modular concept design to build Hector A Cafferata, which became a permanent campus during a funding shortfall

Ian left a significant amount of damage behind at Hector A Cafferata extensive roof issues, which came off very early in the storm With the roof gone, there was water infiltration into the building and soaked the second and first floor

With the damages, a temporary campus w a s e r e c t e d o n a d j a c

n t C a p e C o r a l Technical College property

The school board approved a new K-8 school in 2023 on vacant property at 214 N W 20th Ave , in Cape Coral

Cape City Council talks budget priorities

UEP, Yacht Club, employee wages and public safety at top of list

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

Expediting the city's Utilities Expansion Project 6 design, the Cape Coral Yacht Club rebuild, making sure city employee wages hit at least the minimum target goal and public safety needs are Cape Coral City Council's top goals for the next budget year

O t h e r p r i o r i t i e s i n c l u d e e x p a n d i n g transportation needs with the multimodal plan, median improvements, sidewalks a

o

well as increasing arts and culture opportunities in the city, according to discussion between city staff and Cape Coral

C i t

budget workshop

“We would like to have a general discussion on some general funding priorities and what you all would like to see moving forward,” City Manager Mike

Ilczyszyn said “It helps us in understanding where to first focus We get two types of new money into the city We have money that comes from the 3% increase in Save Our Homes and new growth money that is meant to pay for keeping up with the growth in the community ”

Understanding the needs and priorities helps the budget process, he said.

Mayor John Gunter was the first to give his priorities, which include meeting

Department and the Cape Coral Police Department to keep up with the pace of the growth of the city

“That is extremely important Public safety has always been a priority for previous councils,” he said, adding that he hopes this council will continue to move in that direction “Police and fire are definitely areas where we have to make sure we keep up with the growth and not find ourselves falling behind ”

Lastra agreed that public safety is very important for service times and response times to stay where they need to be and hopefully improve as the city grows

The design for UEP 6 was also at the forefront in moving forward, as well as accelerating the north water plant

Gunter said he would also like to bring the conversation home regarding getting employees to the 75th percentile of comparable employees in city-benchmarked government positions

“We need to bring it home and finish that discussion General and fire (union) contracts are still negotiating, and the police are getting ready to start any day,”

employees need to be included

Nelson-Lastra said she would love to see the city move past discussions of the 75th percentile. She said she would like

Mariner Middle School’s JROTC program helping to prepare students for their future

By CASEY SHEPHERD news@breezenewspapers com

MarinerMiddle School students have been offered the unique opportunity to go through the JROTC program, an experience typically reserved for high school students

Mariner Middle has the first JROTCsanctioned class at a middle school in the School District of Lee County

J R O T C , o r t h e J u n i o r O f f i c e r s ’ Training Corps is a federal program designed to teach students, referred to as cadets, valuable life skills.

T h e p r o g r a m , l e d b y S g t M a j o r Kimberly Williams, aims to prepare the eighth graders for everyday challenges they will face in high school and in their careers

Williams is no stranger to teaching JROTC In 2022 she received national recognition when she was named the Cadet Command JROTC Army Instructor of the Year

“Middle schools are moving to doing h i g h s c h o o l c r e d i t , ” W i l l i a m s s a i d , “When these kids enter high school, they’ll be a second-year JROTC student ” The program consists of both a classroom component as well as an outdoor component. In the classroom, cadets learn a broad range of skills, including communication between both peers and adults, critical thinking skills and how to be a better learner In the outside component, cadets practice physical fitness and drill

Council-approved benchmark

“How do we get people to the 75th percentile and maintain them there?”

Nelson-Lastra said

She also would like to look at revenuegenerating opportunities, so the city can bring back the Cape Coral Yacht Club, the city's historic park complex, which was razed following Hurricane Ian and is set for up to $150 million in new facilities, according to the most recent estimates

“Amenities is what brings people into our city We seem to be lacking in terms of amenities,” Nelson-Lastra said, adding that she would like to see the Yacht Club expedited

C

nature took its course and “we are where we are ” He said they need to go full speed with the design that was created and use “other people’s money” – a P3, or public-private partnership, to help bring the Yacht Club back to life

Abducted 2-year-old located safe, search for suspect continues

By CJ HADDAD

cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

The search for a missing 2-year-old that was abducted in Fort Myers came to an end Monday night, as police officials said the child had been safely located

An Amber Alert was issued at 4 p m on Monday for Camila Guzman, who Fort Myers Police Department officials said was last seen near the 500 block of Southeast 5th Avenue in Cape Coral, behind Cultural Park Theater

FMPD officials said the child was last in the company of Luis Valentin, 24

cadets through their drill practices

“The biggest thing for them is that they’ll already know what to do as soon as they enter high school,” said Adrielle Costa, a Mariner senior JROTC cadet “I think it’s a key fundamental for a lot of high school students and I wish everyone got to do it,”

“The suspect, Luis Valentin, fled into Cape Coral,” CCPD said via a Facebook post, adding a perimeter was established while actively searching

FMPD officials said the investigation is still ongoing

“I didn’t know we were going to go outside, but I really liked it and did reall y g o o d , ” s a i d e i g h t h g r a d

Goudette

h

Last Friday, the middle school cadets got to interact with their high school counterparts when members of Mariner High School came to instruct the young

So far, the program has been a success, with the young cadets catching on quickly

“These kids have blown me away They want to be here They want this program They wanted something different and everyday their enthusiasm, their passion for this is just a joy,” Williams said

According to police, Valentin was last seen wearing gray shorts with a white or black T-shirt He was possibly wearing slides Valentin, described as a “white Hispanic male, is 6 feet tall, has a brown fade haircut and a brown goatee He has a lion tattoo on one side of his throat and 'Princess' tattooed on the other "

T h e F l o r i d a D e p a r t m e n t o f L a w

Enforcement advises that if spotted, not to approach Anyone with information is asked to call FMPD immediately at 239321-7700

PHOTOS BY CASEY SHEPHERD

A Mariner Middle School cadet leads fellow cadets in drill practice

Classroom study is another part of the JROTC program.

West Zone sees 11 Golden Apple finalists among field of 30

Among the 30 Golden Apple finalists recently recognized, 11 are from schools in Cape Coral or North Fort Myers

The formal announcement by the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools was made Friday, Jan 24, for the 38th Annual Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program

“All of these exemplary professionals represent the outstanding teachers who work, day in and day out, to make sure our community’s greatest asset, our students, achieve at their highest potential Our community is indebted to them,” said Marshall Bower, president and CEO The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools in a prepared statement

2025 Annual Golden Apple Award finalists are:

■ Fatimah Alhassan - Lehigh Elementary

■ Jeffrey Armsworth - Lexington Middle

■ Evalea Barrett - Gateway High

■ Janet Bernard - Harns Marsh Middle

■ Casey Brown-Baker - Island Coast High

■ Chelsea Chase - Bayshore School

■ Paul Chilson - Pinewoods Elementary

■ Brandie Della-Luna - Oak Hammock Middle

■ Kristopher Fisikelli - Caloosa Middle

■ Suzanne Garrett - Veterans Park Academy for the Arts

■ Catherine Griffin - Dunbar High

■ Danielle Hopkins - Hancock Creek Elementary

■ Tina Jacobik - Dunbar High

■ Elizabeth Jimerson - Patriot Elementary

■ Ashley Koehler - Cape Coral High

■ Rachael Mas - South Fort Myers High

■ Lori Mazon - Trafalgar Middle

■ Jamie Miller - Harns Marsh Middle

■ Jennifer Moyet-Nieves - Lehigh Senior High

■ Leanne Olmstead - Ida S Baker High

■ Kelsey Olsen - Edison Park Creative and Expressive Arts

■ Brittany Owen - Trafalgar Elementary

■ Ashley Randall - Veterans Park Academy for the Arts

■ Arial Raulerson - Lehigh Senior High

■ Jennie Rimes - Gateway High

■ Patricia Smith - Lehigh Elementary

■ Laura Trenholm - Edison Park Creative and Expressive Arts

■ Robyn Webber - Pelican Elementary

“All of these exemplary professionals represent the outstanding teachers who work, day in and day out, to make sure our community’s greatest asset, our students, achieve at their highest potential. Our community is indebted to them.”

Marshall Bower, president and CEO The Foundation for Lee

■ Valerie Wieman Starling - Mariner High

■ Tiffany Wilke - Challenger Middle

Finalists from the West Zone

Cape Coral and Nor th For t Myers

schools

Casey Brown-Baker, Island Coast High School

“Being named as one of the Golden Apple Finalists is a deeply meaningful recognition,” said Casey Brown-Baker, AICE Global Perspectives teacher at Island Coast High School “It signifies that my hard work, dedication, and passion for teaching has been seen It shows the difference I have made in the lives of my students ”

The recognition also reminds her that teaching is about impact – cultivating curiosity, empowering students, and inspiring growth

“It’s an opportunity to reflect on my journey as an educator and to share my passion with others, while also motivating me to continue making a difference,” Brown-Baker said. “I am very honored and shocked to have been selected as a

Golden Apple Finalist Teachers everywhere deserve this recognition ”

She began working at Island Coast right after graduating from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2012 – her first job

“I started in the library as a paraprofessional and just waited for a social studies job to open up,” Brown-Baker said

That was spring of 2014

“I have been teaching in the same room and pretty much the same subject ever since ”

The finalist teaches AICE Global Perspectives, a requirement to earn the AICE diploma, and 10th grade honors and regular Pre-AICE World History.

“What I enjoy most about teaching is the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on student’s lives,” Brown-Baker said “There’s something incredibly rewarding about witnessing those 'aha' moments when a concept clicks for a student,

County Public Schools

or when they realize their potential and grow in confidence ”

Relationships that are built in the classroom are also rewarding moments

“Getting to know students as individuals – their interests, strengths, and challenges – and helping them navigate their learning journey is a privilege. Every day is different, and the energy, curiosity, and creativity that students bring make teaching endlessly inspiring,” she said

The ability to set a standard and stick to it is how the finalist keeps students engaged

“Kids crave routine and peace even if they don’t show it,” Brown-Baker said “I try to keep students engaged by building relationships with them and help them see the value in learning ”

Chelsea Chase, Bayshore Elementary School

“Being named a Golden Apple Finalist for the second year in a row is truly an honor,” Bayshore Elementary School kindergarten teacher Chelsea Chase said “It’s a thrilling recognition, and I am deeply grateful for the support and encouragement I’ve received from my school, students, and friends and family Their belief in me has made this achievement even more meaningful ”

The finalist attended Gulf Elementary School, Gulf Middle School and graduated from Mariner High School Her entire teaching career has been spent at Bayshore Elementary School, with this year marking her 11th

“I have the joy and privilege of teaching kindergarten, where I get to lay the foundation for young learners’ academic journeys and foster a love for learning from the very beginning,” Chase said

Student growth in such a short period of time is what Chase enjoys the most about teaching

“It's truly rewarding to see them develop both academically and personally Beyond that, I deeply value the relationSee GOLDEN APPLE, page 16

Golden Apple: Lee County School District teachers named as finalists

From page 15

ships I build with my students, their families, and my colleagues These connections create a supportive and nurturing environment that enhances the learning experience for everyone,” she said

The engagement of her students is met through activities that spark excitement and enthusiasm

“One of my favorite strategies is themed learning, where I transform the classroom into an immersive environment that brings our lessons to life I decorate the room to match the theme and even dress up to make the experience more interactive and fun, ensuring my students are always eager to discover something new each day,” Chase said “I truly love being a teacher it’s not just a job for me, it’s my passion Every day, I have the privilege of shaping young minds, sparking curiosity, and helping students realize their potential The joy I feel when I see my students grow, both academically and personally, is unmatched Teaching allows me to make a meaningful impact on their lives, and there's nothing more fulfilling than knowing I’m contributing to their future success ” Kristopher Fisikelli, Caloosa Middle School

“As an electives teacher it sometimes feels like the core classes – math, science, language arts, and social studies, gar-

ner all the attention,” said Kristopher Fisikelli, the head of the fire arts department at Caloosa Middle School “To be recognized by my students and their parents as a nominee, and then to be selected as a finalist by the committee, is an incredible honor and I hope that I can continue to prove how impactful our elective teachers and their classes can be ”

He also wanted to thank all those around him

“I would not be anywhere near a Golden Apple finalist if not for the amazing team at my school, from the administration to the custodial staff Caloosa Middle is an amazing place to work, and our students are just as awesome I also couldn’t do any of this without my incredible wife Allison, who is the organization to my chaos and always the strength I need,” Fisikelli said

He has spent the last six years, out of the 21 years of teaching, in Lee County As the head of the fire arts department, he teaches three courses – drawing, painting and photography, digital art and design and art in world culture

Fisikelli enjoys watching his students accomplish goals

“Watching students, especially those who firmly believed they could not do something, accomplish their goals is always amazing Seeing students awaken their creative minds every day is at the top of the list as well,” he said

The engagement comes from Fisikelli helping his students find something in the work that speaks to them and their cre-

ativity

“Whether it’s from challenging them with something, making it competitive, or just showing them something in a way they hadn’t seen or considered before, students can find themselves in any subject, even the ones that they think of as boring,” he said

Elizabeth Jimerson, Patriot Elementary School

“Being named a Golden Apple finalist means I get to welcome 12 members of the community into my classroom to learn about my amazing students We are such a different population than what they would normally see in the school setting. Most people don’t even know this class exists because my students are intellectually disabled, and many are medically fragile We eat through g-tubes or pureed food, wear diapers, are nonvocal, and most are in wheelchairs Being a finalist means I can bring awareness to this population and expose more people to my kids,” Patriot Elementary School ESE teacher Elizabeth Jimerson said

She has taught 11 years at Patriot Elementary, and 12 years in Lee County Jimerson has a self-contained classroom named functional skills where her students learn pre-academic skills such as sitting up, using a spoon to feed themself, and/or cause and effect Each student in her class needs one-

See GOLDEN APPLE, page 17

Lori Mazon, Trafalgar Middle School

Elizabeth Jimerson Patriot Elementary School

Chelsea Chase, Bayshore Elementary

Kristopher Fisikelli Caloosa Middle School

Casey Brown-Baker, Island Coast High School

Golden Apple: Lee County School District finalists put students first

From page 16

on-one engagement to learn the skills in their individualized education plan

Lori Mazon, Trafalgar Middle School

“It is very humbling to be named a Golden Apple finalist,” Trafalgar Middle School Gifted Math teacher Lori Mazon said. “There are so many amazing educators that I work or have worked with in the past that deserve this honor as well I am trying to enjoy the process and learn from other great educators while navigating the Golden Apple process ”

She began teaching in the Lee County School District at the elementary level 29 years ago

“Teaching students to love math is my passion and for the student to recognize that math is everywhere in their daily lives,” Mazon said of teaching gifted math “Math isn’t just about computation, but mostly about critical thinking and applying concepts ”

The light bulb moment is a favorite for this finalist – that sudden gasp, or the sound of excitement when a student understands something they did not before

“These are the best moments of teaching,” Mazon said

The students are engaged through a variety of methods

“You'll see students partnering up to help each other, working on whiteboards, some students standing, activities

built for excitement, and if they finish early, many math challenges and even a classroom puzzle,” she said

Leanne Olmstead: Ida S Baker High School

“Being named a finalist is exciting and daunting It’s quite the responsibility to be a representative for all the amazing educators in Lee County The process is stressful and challenging, but getting to interact with members of the Foundation, other finalists, and members of the selection committee make it worth it,” Ida S Baker High School teacher

Leanne Olmstead said

Her teaching career began in 2001 in her home state of North Dakota. She moved to Southwest Florida in 2016 and has been at Ida S Baker High School ever since

“I am a licensed high school English teacher, but for the first time ever in my career, I am not teaching ELA Rather, I’m teaching two different AICE classes that are part of the Cambridge program,” Olmstead said

The kids are the best part of teaching

“I love getting to know them and forming meaningful relationships Everyone remembers a teacher who made an impact on them, and I strive to be that person in my students’ lives,” she said

Engaging students can be a challenge

“I try to make lessons fun and rewarding. I encourage col-

laboration and friendly competition Because I genuinely get excited for the work my students produce and their growth, they’re usually eager to get to work to show me what they’re capable of,” Olmstead said

Brittany Owen, Trafalgar Elementary School

“Being named one of the Golden Apple finalist means that I have the opportunity to represent all of the amazing educators in our country,” Trafalgar Elementary School first grade teacher Brittany Owen said “I have the opportunity to connect with educators and community members within Lee County through numerous evens It is so important to connect with others within the community as it enhances my teaching in the classroom ”

She taught for two years in Broward County before she moved to Lee County five years ago

The enjoyment of teaching comes from seeing the growth of her students

“It is amazing to see how much they learn and grow within my classroom both academically and socially,” Owen said “I am very grateful to be able to make a difference in a child’s education and I hope to make a positive impact on my students, families, colleagues, and the school district ”

The engagement of her students is done through hands-on

See GOLDEN APPLE, page 18

Tiffany Wilke, Challenger Middle School

Valerie Wieman Starling, Mariner High School

Brittany Owen, Trafalgar Elementary

Robyn Webber, Pelican Elementary School

Leanne Olmstead, Ida S Baker High School

Golden Apple: Program recognizes educators who go above and beyond

learning through real-world experiences

“When students can make connections, physically touch, and move around, they are able to be engaged learners,” she said

Robyn Webber, Pelican Elementary School

“Being named a Golden Apple finalist is a powerful reminder of why I became an educator – to make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of children,” Pelican Elementary School third grade teacher Robyn Webber said “It strengthens my commitment to not only help my students succeed academically but to empower them to realize their full potential This honor is not just about my personal efforts it’s a reflection of the incredible teamwork and dedication of my students, their families, and my colleagues It highlights the transformative power of education and the meaningful connections we create in the classroom every day Above all, it reminds us that when we come together as a community to support our children, we can help them achieve greatness ”

Webber began teaching nine years ago, all of which have been in the School District of Lee County The relationships formed with her students is what she enjoys most

“Watching them grow academically, socially, and emotionally is a privilege I cherish I love seeing their confidence bloom as they overcome challenges and celebrate their successes It’s incredibly rewarding to create an environment where students feel empowered to take risks, learn from their mistakes, and support one another The joy and pride on their faces when they realize their potential is what makes teaching so fulfilling for me,” she said

A safe, inclusive and interactive classroom with hands-on activities, technology, and real-world connections that are relevant and exciting is how she keeps her students engaged

“I also ensure that my lessons are student-centered, allowing them to take ownership of their learning and explore topics in ways that resonate with their interests and experiences Additionally, I make an effort to celebrate each student’s unique strengths, which helps them feel seen and motivated to do their best,” Webber said

This finalist is deeply committed to her students in and out of the classroom, as they have mutual respect for one another that has enabled a true sense of family in the classroom

achievements, supporting one another through challenges, or participating in events outside of school It is an honor to serve as a role model for my students, creating a space where they feel valued and know that their dreams and goals are not only valid but worth pursuing Together, we build the confidence and resilience they need to believe in themselves and their potential to achieve greatness,” Webber said

Valerie Wieman Starling, Mariner High School

“Being named a Golden Apple finalist is an honor, but also a responsibility We have so many wonderful teachers in this county, and I want to represent them well. I also want to live up to the hopes and expectations of my students who took the time to nominate me I want to make them proud, and I am grateful for the opportunity to show why I love teaching the way I do,” said Valerie Wieman Starling, Mariner High School AICE Environmental Management and Environmental Science teacher

She began teaching 17 years ago, all of which have been spent in Lee County Her journey began as an English teacher in middle school before she changed to science

“I teach AICE Environmental Management and Environmental Science When it comes to the future, some of our biggest challenges have to do with the environment I love the fact I get to help students understand how our environment works and encourage them to think critically when learning about complex environmental issues ” Wieman Starling said

The love of teaching stems from teaching her all time favorite subject, science, and watching her students find their own passion in the field

“I’ve always believed if we have high expectations for our students, and provide the right supports, they will not only meet but exceed those expectations I get to watch my students excel in a subject I love, and I can’t imagine a career more fulfilling than that,” she said

Hands-on activities, case students that highlight environmental challenges across the globe, and group discussions are a few ways she engages her students The group discussions encourage students to think critically and back up their arguments with scientific data

“Science is not a solitary activity, so collaboration is a key facet in everything we do,” Wieman Starling said

Tiffany Wilke, Challenger Middle School

“Being named a Golden Apple finalist is still so surreal It's

the ultimate recognition in the education community and an incredible honor It’s humbling to be acknowledged alongside such talented educators who share the same commitment to making a difference in the lives of students,” Challenger Middle School sixth grade Global Perspective teacher Tiffany Wilke said “This recognition motivates me to continue striving for excellence and reminds me of the impact we, as educators, can have on shaping the future ”

She said she is incredibly honored and thankful to be given the opportunity to be a Golden Apple finalist

“I remember growing up and going to McDonald's with my dad and seeing the tray liners with all the finalists each year I was always aspiring to be one of those teachers, and now being here feels like an amazing blessing,” Wilke said

She began teaching in the district six years ago, and is currently teaching an advanced reading course that focuses on research and collaboration skills

The opportunity to build meaningful relationships with her students is what stands out the most, as it helps her get to know them as individuals through personalities, strengths, and even the challenges we face

“I love being someone they can trust and rely on, whether they need encouragement, guidance, or just someone to listen Those connections make it possible to inspire them not just academically but personally as well Seeing a student light up when they feel understood or succeed at something they’ve worked hard for is what makes teaching truly special for me,” Wilke said

The engagement is created through an environment that is interactive and relevant to the student’s life through hands-on activities, discussions, and technology integration

“I also make it a priority to connect the content to their interests and real-world applications, so they see the value in what they’re learning Most importantly, I build relationships with my students to understand what motivates them individually, which helps me tailor my approach to keep them curious, challenged, and excited to participate,” she said

Ashley Koehler, a teacher at Cape Coral High School, was also named a finalist

She could not immediately be reached for comment This story will be updated online when more information is available From page 17

“We show up for each other, whether it’s celebrating

COMMUNITY

along the wings

Black swallowtail butterfly

By SHERIE BLEILER

news@breezenewspapers com

After a terribly cold January, I was wondering when the butterflies would show up Low and behold, a black, 4-inch-wide swallowtail butterfly showed up in my front yard this week! It was fluttering above a flower, balancing itself in mid-air Its legs held on long enough for it to sip the nectar from the delicate flower

Black swallowtails are large, about the same size as a monarch butterfly They are mostly black with a line of gold on the edge of their wings with a blue area in the middle On the underside there are some bright orange spots

GARDEN CLUB OF CAPE CORAL

Attract them to your garden with favorite nectar rich plants: flat flowers, such as gaillardias, zinnias and black-eyed susans, as well as cluster flowers such as verbenas and milkweed

Black swallowtails will lay eggs on several plants in the parsley family: celery, carrot, dill and fennel These cultivated plants are found all over the U S and so are the butterflies Before Europeans started gardening here, these butterflies selected the plants in the Zizia family on which to lay their eggs Thus, our native North American plant for growing caterpillars is the Golden Alexander (Zizia aptera) This plant is native to the panhandle, but not to south Florida. To grow these plants here, the seeds must have a cold period Here, we need to put them in the refrigerator in damp sand for 6 weeks before planting them

It is much easier to just grow some parsley, dill or fennel In December, I started some beautiful bronze leafed fennel seeds as well as parsley and dill They made it through our cold weather and will continue to grow until May or so

An herb garden can also function as a butterfly garden! The butterflies are welcome to lay eggs on them Until then, I just pick parsley leaves as I need them Once the caterpillars arrive, the plant may be completely eaten by them. That is the price to pay for welcoming them to your garden It is well worth it!

Caterpillars emerge from their eggs disguised as bird droppings They are bumpy black with a white stripe in the middle Like many insects, caterpillar skin does not grow with them So they need to shed their skin 5 times, and gradually change their appearance In their later stages, these are the most beautiful caterpillars of all, similar to the monarch, with stripes of black and white plus yellow and orange dots Like all swallowtails, they have special defensive scent-horns called osmeteria A pair of orange “horns” can rise up from their forehead to warn predators away with their pungent odor That smell

See BLACK SWALLOWTAIL,

American Legion Post 90 in Cape holds Four Chaplains ceremony

By JOHNATHAN MINEHAN news@breezenewspapers com

American Legion Post 90 in Cape Coral honored the acts of the “Immortal Chaplains” who sacrificed their lives on the USS Dorchester during World War II

On Feb 3, 1943, George Fox (Methodist), Alexander Goode (Jewish), Clark Poling (Dutch Reformed) and John Washington (Roman Catholic) ensured their fellow servicemen had life jackets before they perished after the ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat off Greenland. Their selfless act symbolized unity and interfaith cooperation

The ceremony was held Sunday and included a moment of silence, a prayer, and readings detailing the tragic events and the chaplains' heroism The service emphasized the importance of teaching future generations about selflessness

John Baker, Commander of Post 90, led the service

“Many of those survivors owe their lives to the courage and leadership exhibited by the historic four chaplains who, by sacrificing their lives, created a unique legacy of brotherhood,” Baker said “Since 1951, the Chapel of the Four Chaplains has spread the message of interfaith cooperation and selfless service, touching the lives of thousands of people across this great country ”

Baker mentioned the importance of keeping Southwest Floridians informed on the chaplains and the history of the U.S. military and those who served.

“It is vital for them to understand and put selfless service on behalf of others and their accomplishments,” Baker said

Patty Kelton, the treasurer of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 90, told the history of the attack, which resulted in the single-greatest death toll for a U S convoy during World War II There were 904 aboard; 675 died

“The chaplains talked and listened to the men, soothing their apprehensions, (providing) encouragement and sharing a joke by their concern, their camaraderie with their men and one another,” Kelton said. “It only took 27 minutes before the ship began to slip under the waves ”

The service these men committed was commemorated and forever in the hearts of many

Sherry Baker, the first president of Post 90, shared, “When last seen, they were standing together on the deck, leading the men in prayer, with arms linked in friendship and heads bowed in prayer They sang beneath the waves ”

The readings continued with a summary of each life of the four chaplains and a backstory on their motivations to join the service

George Fox was the oldest of the four and he won a Silver Star for rescuing a wounded soldier from poison gas on the battlefield

Alexander Goode led his high school class in scholarship He planned to follow his father's footsteps steps and become a rabbi, but that didn’t keep him from having a good time.

Clark Polling, the youngest of the four ministers, expressed his desire to serve on the front lines in a letter to his father Despite his father's advice to stay safe, Clark became a chaplain, recognizing the high mortality rate

JOHNATHAN MINEHAN

A member of Legion Post 90 holds a picture of one of the “Immortal Chaplains” during the special ceremony.

among chaplains.

John Washington was always laughing right through his training as a priest and, after he was ordained, he played ball in the streets with the boys from his parish He organized baseball teams and when the war came along, his boys went into the army, and he did, too

A moment of silence was presented after each story, and a symbolic candle was lit in honor of each Chaplain who passed

“The Ceremony of the Empty Chair” took place in which those missing in action are honored

A red ribbon and a slice of lemon serve as reminders of their sacrifice and the bitterness of their fate Salt on the plate symbolizes the endurance of volunteers and families, while an inverted glass and a candle signify the hope for their return

The service finished with a 21-gun salute and a last prayer.

Baker gave a few comments about the future of Post 90 and the events they are planning

“Well, we always participate in the Veterans Day Parade With the city of Cape Coral, we have a law and order program going where we honor Cape Coral's fireman, a policeman and an EMT We'll have a banquet and submit them to our department,” John Baker said

Lisa Arnold, chairperson for the American Legion Post 90 Women's Veteran Community, has plans to give a spotlight on the women who served through her service with Post 90. She plans to have an event March 30.

Southwest Florida Fine Craft Guild 'Expressions' exhibit opens today

The Southwest Florida Fine Craft Guild will present its annual exhibit for 2025, “Expressions,” a captivating exhibition showcasing the fusion of traditional and contemporary fine craft, Feb 7-27 at the Cape Coral Art Center at 4533 Coronado Parkway Hours are 9 a m to 4 p m , Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays

There will be a reception for the exhibitors Friday, Feb 14, from 5-7 p m at the center The reception is free and open to the public

The exhibit will feature the work of guild members, celebrating the innovative use of diverse technical methods and materials to create stunning three-dimensional pieces of art

This event will kick off a weekend of creative exploration, as the exhibition coincides with the Southwest Florida Fine Craft Expo 2025, featuring 10 dynamic workshops

At the reception, you’ll have the chance to meet the artists behind the works, enjoy light refreshments, and experience the vibrant atmosphere of an event that celebrates the power of creativity

The Southwest Florida Fine Craft Guild is a non-profit organization that is committed to the growth and development of local artists and the artistic community Through exhibitions, workshops and scholarships, the guild provides opportunities for both established and emerging artists to share their work and connect with the community

In addition to supporting local artists, the guild is dedicated to fostering youth creativity through initiatives like scholarships for students at Florida Gulf Coast University, Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts, as well as Creative Camp at the Cape Coral Art Center To learn more, please visit www swffcg org

PHOTO PROVIDED

The underside of a black swallowtail butterfly features bright orange spots

HEALTH

HEALTH BRIEFS

County OKs agreement with Family Initiative Inc. for use of proper ty in Cape for emer gency response, relief, recover y

The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to approve an agreement with Family Initiative Inc , in Cape Coral, to use a portion of its property for emergency operations This action aligns with the county’s commitment to the Resilient Lee Recovery & Resilience plan

This agreement approves the use of the Thrive

A c a d e m y c a m p u s a n d a d j o i n i n g l o t s

C h i q u i t a Boulevard South for Cape Coral emergency response, relief and recovery efforts The uses will include staging for emergency response equipment, a point of distribution for essential emergency supplies and other emergency-related needs

There is no cost to the county for the use of the property, however, county staff will be responsible for preparing the site

To receive updates from Lee County Government, s i g n u p

resources/newsletters

13th Annual Preparing for Aging Symposium to retur n to For t Myers

Seniors Blue Book will host the 13th Annual Preparing for Aging Symposium Wednesday, Feb 19, from 8 a m to 1 2 p m , at S t Cecilia Catholic Community, 5632 Sunrise Drive, Fort Myers

This free event provides vital education on aging, featuring expert speakers, interactive panels and a Resource Expo with 70-plus exhibitors covering healthcare, senior housing, finances, legal planning, Medicare, and more

Complimentary breakfast and networking opportunities will also be available

There is no charge to attend but RSVPs are required RSVP by calling 239-776-7353 or visiting Eventbrite (Seniors Blue Book Symposium Fort Myers)

All four Lee Health acute care facilities among Best

50 Hospitals

Out of about 4,500 hospitals in the United States, all four Lee Health acute care hospitals have been named as r e c i p i e n t s o f H e a l t h g r a d e s " A m e r i c a ' s 1 0 0 B e s t Hospitals" award for 2025, with three of them placing among the Best 50 Hospitals

It’s the third time that all four Lee Health hospitals were included among the 100 Best Hospitals in the c o u n t r y a n d t h e f i r s t t i m e C a p e C o r a l H o s p i t a l , HealthPark Medical Center and Lee Memorial Hospital ranked among the 50 Best Hospitals This places Lee Health hospitals in the top 2% of hospitals nationwide by Healthgrades, a leading online resource for information about physicians and hospitals

Lee Health’s hospitals earned these distinctions for consistently displaying comprehensive, quality care across all clinical areas

The Healthgrades list is based on clinical quality outcomes for 31 condition and procedure groups and its analysis is based on more than 45 million Medicare medical claims at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide for the most recent three-year period available No hospital can opt-in or opt-out, nor can they submit their own data

Free autism screening for young children Feb. 21 in For t Myers

Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, in partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Florida, offers a free monthly autism spectrum disorder screening for toddlers 18 months to five years of age

The next screening will be held Friday, Feb 21, from 9 a m to 2 p m , at the Pediatric Specialist Office, 15901 Bass Road, Suite 102, Fort Myers

A physician referral is not required To schedule a screening, please call 239-343-6838 FEBRUARY 7,

Local man shares appreciation for life-saving cardiac care, full recovery

At 70, I pride myself on being healthy, active and prioritizing wellness Overall, I have felt confident in my health But last fall, everything changed

I was experiencing abdominal pain that I thought could be appendicitis I visited the

Coconut Point and a CT scan revealed

answered questions about the sudden stomach pain, but a new level of concern arose when the scans found calcium deposits near my heart

Cardiac testing, all because of that finding, revealed blockages in three arteries

Initially, it looked as if a stent would be in my future But after a heart catheterization at Lee Health’s Gulf Coast Medical Center in late September, I learned a stent would not be my solution I would need a bypass.

Undergoing a triple bypass

In October, Dr Randall Buss performed a successful triple bypass surgery at the Shipley Cardiothoracic Center, part of the Lee Health Heart Institute inside HealthPark Medical Center

The Lee Health Heart Institute is passionate about ensuring optimal heart health for the community, and my time there proved that to be true As the second-largest cardiac surgery program in Florida, I was among the more than 1,500 surgical cases performed each year Thankfully, my experience showed me that I was more than just one of many surgeries. I received personalized attention and coordination from the entire Lee Health team and their support helped make a worrisome and unexpected experience much more bearable

Bypass surgery utilizes a blood vessel from another part of the patient’s body to create a bypass route for blood to skip the blocked artery sections in my case it came from my left leg and keep flowing to the heart muscle For me, it took three of those bypasses to solve the areas of concern

I didn’t experience any pain after the surgery, and I had a quick recovery It was minimally invasive with a relatively small incision, less pain and a minimal length of stay in the hospital In fact, my surgery was performed Tuesday

morning and I was home by Sunday afternoon

Cardiac rehabilitation

Once I recovered from the surgery, I started the cardiac rehab program

It has been essential to my recovery, helping me push myself, regain my strength and get my system back on an even keel after such a heavy-duty surgery

The Cardiac Rehabilitation program at Lee Health helps provide a comprehensive plan for heart patients, including medical expertise, exercise, education and counseling, allowing me to recover from illness and move forward to live a full and active life

This program helped educate me on what I needed to do to get back on track: supporting weight loss, improving my cholesterol, blood sugar and triglycerides, providing direction and guidance on multiple factors of diet as well as increasing my strength and endurance Overall, this surgical follow-up process offers better long-term survival and has improved my quality of life and focus on my health

The nurses, doctors and caregivers from my emergency visit to my surgery and rehab were all fantastic Their friendly support kept me moving forward to improve my health one day at a time

Being there for family

This journey is about more than physical recovery It’s about being there for my children and my seven grandkids. They are my why and I’m grateful to be part of their future thanks to my always improving health

This experience also holds deep personal meaning for me since my father passed away from a cardiac issue in his late 50s The new awareness and knowledge I have will continue to serve me in my continued health journey

Technology and improvements in care have come a long way since the 1960s and I’m thankful for the care and expertise that have allowed me to keep going

If you are experiencing any symptoms, have a family history of heart disease or have any questions about your heart health, please make an appointment with a physician and learn more at www leehealth org

Heart, Body & Mind Home Care earns industry Memory Care Seal of Excellence

Heart, Body & Mind Home Care, a non-clinical, personal home care agency, has earned the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners Memory Care Seal of Excellence

The designation recognizes Heart, Body & Mind Home Care’s commitment to providing exceptional dementia care and advancing industry standards as part of the Memory Care Excellence Network

Heart, Body & Mind Home Care had previously been selected to pilot the credentialing process for NCCDP due to its reputation for dementia care service excellence All of the agency’s staff members are Certified Dementia Practitioners, and two team members are also NCCDP nationally certified trainers In addition, 100% of the agency’s direct care providers have industry-leading Alzheimer’s and specialized dementia training

The MCEN is a selective program designed to identify and support top-tier long-term care organizations that demonstrate the highest standards in dementia care Senior healthcare providers in the network undergo a rigorous evaluation process, including assessments of staff training, operations and ongoing competency in memory care Approved organizations not only meet but exceed the expectations required to provide high-quality, person-centered dementia care

Through Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care certification, trained staff at Heart, Body & Mind Home Care can provide Certified Dementia Practitioner training to employees as well as to health care clinicians, administrators, assisted living and memory care staff and other senior care providers in the community.

Staff trained as Certified Dementia Support Facilitators are qualified to facilitate dementia support groups in assisted living communities, nursing homes, home care agencies, hospices, continuing care retirement communities, adult day care, independent living communities and more Heart, Body & Mind Home Care is an award-winning home care agency specializing in Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s care and other complex health conditions Its mission is to enrich the lives of its clients and their families by providing personal care services individualized to the specific needs of older adults or recovering, disabled, chronically or terminally ill persons needing help during recovery, or with achieving a higher quality of life in the privacy and comfort of their own home It collaborates with hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities and other healthcare providers to improve patient outcomes, reduce incidents of readmissions and achieve high patient

Mike Braun Guest Commentary

School weapon detection system reducing arrests, infractions

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

The School District of Lee County’s weapons detection system is reducing arrests, civil citations and notices to appear the Lee County School Board was told Tuesday Security and Fleet Operations Chief Dave Newlan said there have been questions around OPEN GATE and whether it has reduced law enforcement incidents

In 2023 there were 604 total arrests, notice to appear and civil citations compared to 366 total in 2024 a 39% decrease

“That’s a pretty significant decrease com-

pared to last year,” Newlan said

The Tuesday afternoon presentation also broke down the incident comparison by law enforcement agency

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office in 2023 had a total of 289, compared to 174 in 2024, a 40% decrease. Those numbers include 82 arrests in 2023, compared to 57 in 2024; 173 civil citations in 2023, compared to 116 in 2024 and 34 notice to appear in 2023, compared to 30 in 2024

The Fort Myers Police Department also saw a decrease from 70 to 50 a 29% decrease The department had 27 arrests in 2023, compared to 20 in 2024, 24 civil cita-

tions in 2023, and 35 in 2024, and 19 notice to appear in 2023 compared to eight in 2024

The Cape Coral Police Department saw the largest decrease of 42% 245 incidents in 2023 compared to 142 to 2024 The numbers had 20 arrests in 2023 and 21 in 2024, two civil citations in 2023 and nine in 2024 and 239 notice to appear in 2023, compared to 112 in 2024

“I was happy to see the data,” Newlan said

School Superintendent Dr Denise Carlin said one of her top priorities is safety and security She said she has asked Newlan to provide a safety and security update once a

month at every workshop

“We are thrilled,” she said of the OPEN GATE data, as most areas are experiencing a decline

Newlan said he has raw data that breaks down the information by school site, and type of violation.

“I have seen a decline in all of them Nothing has gone in the opposite direction,” he said

Newlan provided an example of Mariner High School, which had a lot of notices to appear for nicotine, and now has experienced a decline

Bell-to-bell ban on student cell phone use likely for next school year

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com

Students will likely need to put their cells and other devices to rest at school next year

The School Board of Lee County provided direction to district staff Tuesday to put a “bell to bell” policy in the code of conduct regarding cell phones, as well as other electronic/telecommunication devices, for all grades

“After looking at pros and cons, bell to bell for all grade levels,” Chair Sam Fisher said, as their No 1 focus is academic achievement. “I don’t see where the cons outweigh the pros too much distraction ”

The board voiced its concern about making its decision consistent throughout every school, instead of a hodge podge of enforcement

“I’m totally for the phones from first bell to last bell remaining in the backpack,” Board member Armor Persons said “It’s the easiest way to be consistent for elementary, middle,

and high school ”

Student Services Executive Director Dr Jessica Duncan said current legislation states that students cannot use cell phones in the classroom

The district conducted a wireless communication device survey from Jan 13, through Jan 27, which had 5,152 responses as of Jan 24, with 94% respondents being parents

From that survey, 85 3% of respondents agreed with the restriction of wireless communication device use during the instructional day, just as long as they had access to the device in their backpack in case of an emergency

Another question asked if they thought areas would improve without devices during the school day increase in academic performance/engagement, positive social interactions, as well as reduction in bullying incidents, including cyberbullying and peer conflicts. From those selections, 23.8% stated they did not believe any of those would improve

Some of the infractions are for display of weapons or inappropriate messages, pictures, or images on one’s cellular phone or electronic device that cause a disruption to the safe operation of the school, and unauthorized use of an electronic device or camera to record school-related events or activities on campus and/or bus

Board member Melisa Giovannelli said Gateway High School has no tolerance at all for cell phones they do not have them in the hallway or lunchroom

“I ask for data because I believe it would lower infraction without having those phones,” she said Giovannelli said student achievement goes up, student engagement with each other and the lunchroom atmosphere is better without phones

“I’m leaning towards no phone tolerance,” she said “It can be in the backpack for the children to access during an emergency, I guess After speaking to many teachers, the positive outweigh the negative by far The

phones continue to be the distraction ” Duncan said they have talked about including electronic communication devices, so they can have better data on referrals

“With data, that will give us better information,” she said

Other changes, include separating disrespect and insubordination into two infractions, as well as amending the consequences for drug use and possession Duncan said it provides the principals with some additional opportunities for consequences

The biggest change is providing the principal with the option of recommending Success Academy after the second infraction

There was also a proposed change for bullying consequences, by changing it to a level three with an option for Success Academy review meeting and potential placement there

The board is expected to vote on the code of conduct at its March meeting.

SalusCare seeks 20-year lease with the city

Hard-hit by Hurricane Ian, mental health care non-profit also asks for help with unexpected utility-related bill

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

The city’s lease with Cape Coral’s primary provider of mental health care services came before city council Wednesday

City staff said they would work with SalusCare following comments made during public input about SalusCare’s lease with the city and a large bill the provider received for a backflow problem

S a l u s C a r e P r e s i d e n t a n d C h i e f Executive Officer Stacey Cook began her public input by thanking Council for the use of the city-owned building at 1105 Cultural Park Blvd

“We have been able to serve about 6,000 Cape Coral residents a year,” she said Unfortunately, when Hurricane Ian hit, it soaked the building from top to bottom

“I

really would like to take care of the issue SalusCare is very important for the community at large ”

Councilmember Dr Derrick Donnell

“We have spent every week with FEMA and finally arrived at a point to where we are able to obtain the funds to rebuild the building back to the way it was,” she said

SalusCare has a 10-year lease with the city for the building, but requests a 20-year lease, a time-sensitive request as it is tied to requests from FEMA.

“We have limited time to make some decisions,” Cook said

She also brought up a bill for a backflow problem, which has a price tag of $20,000 With SalusCare being a nonprofit, their margins are already in the negative, Cook said

Cook asked Council for its help in reconsidering the bill and paying it another way.

Once public input concluded, many council members shared their desire to

work with SalusCare to come up with a solution

“I really would like to take care of the

Donnell said “SalusCare is very important for the community at large ”

SalusCare has a lease that is expiring

“We have been moving away from leases,” he said “We can do some other arrangement ” As far as the backflow, without having any other information, Ilczyszyn guessed that there was not a backflow certification on file and the city fixed it and billed for the repair

He said after they meet with SalusCare, he will put together an executive summary so the council can have a discussion

Cape Council gives OK to Capital Projects Finance Authority to issue bonds

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com

Cape Coral City Council unanimously approved an interlocal agreement to allow the Capital Projects Finance Authority to issue up to a $30 million bond to Heritage Charter Academy to build a new building

Ken Artin, with Bryant Miller Olive, said before the Capital Projects Finance Authority can finance a project, they must ask the city for permission

“The interlocal agreement being asked is just that,” he said “We are here asking permission to finance the project.”

Artin said the city is not issuing the bonds, nor will be liable for the bonds He

City Attorney Aleksandr Boksner said there will be no impact to the city’s bond rating. He said the city is not expending the $30 million, nor buying the property, but rather granting someone permission.

said the loan payments will come from the charter school to the bond holders directly

City Attorney Aleksandr Boksner said there will be no impact to the city’s bond rating He said the city is not expending the $30 million, nor buying the property, but rather granting someone permission

Councilmember Keith Long asked what the Capital Projects Finance Authority gets “The city of Cape Coral could issue the bond itself,” Artin said adding, that CAFA is the authority of business that does that “We are going to share powers We are going to issue the bonds on the charter schools’ behalf We cannot do that without entering into the interlocal allowing us to share the powers that you otherwise

have, but we take the responsibility of issuing the bonds By law we cannot come into another city and finance a project like this without getting into an interlocal agreement ”

Boksner said there is a component that they do own the property

“This will be for that charter school to build a brand-new structure,” he said Boksner said the approval will expedite the construction and hopefully the departure from the current building, which the city leases to the charter school, before the lease expires in 2026

North’s McNeill, Mariner’s Zunino and Cardenas

among this year’s LCAC Hall of Fame inductees

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

A new crop of athletes and coaches who made their mark on athletics in Lee County are set to be enshrined this April

This past week, the School District of Lee Country announced the 2025 Lee County Athletic Conference Hall of Fame inductees, which features six athletes, two coaches and one contributor

There are two players and one coach that represent West Zone schools that are set to be inducted: George McNeill of North Fort Myers High School, Mike

M

d Martin Cardenas, also of Mariner High School

McNeill was an LCAC All-Conference performer in golf, winning the individual golf championship in 1992 He went on to star on links for Florida State University While at FSU he was first-team All ACC and an All-American He has over 315

Vinh Le receives degree from Geor gia Tech

ATLANTA -- Vinh Le of Cape Coral h a s e

mechanical engineering with high honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta

Le was among approximately 6,400 undergraduate and graduate students to be presented Georgia Tech degrees during the Institute's 267th Commencement exercises Dec 12-14, 2024, at McCamish Pavilion (Ph.D. and bachelor's) and Bobby Dodd

career starts on the PGA Tour with 21 career top 10 finishes

League Baseball veteran, was first-team

All-State in his junior and senior years at Mariner Zunino was the prestigious 5A Gatorade Player of the Year and a finalist for National Player of the Year Zunino was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022 He played Major League baseball with the Mariners, Rays and Guardians

“Mike was a class act from the day he stepped on campus until the day he gradu-

Triton student athlete and was a true leader on and off the field His athletic accomplishments aside, he was a great teammate and led by example and voice He had a

University of Florida and in the MLB ” Cardenas just secured his 500th career

win as head coach of the Mariner High School Boys Soccer Team He has won 15

teams were regional finalists eight times and appeared in two state final fours with one state runner-up Over 30-plus years at Mariner, Cardenas has also coached football, baseball, tennis, golf and bowling “Being inducted into the hall of fame is a great honor for me and my family,” Cardenas said “Joining not only some of Mariner’s finest but the best of the best in Lee County is a big deal Can’t say I ever thought about it until a few years ago when I was invited as a guest to an inau-

name in their speech that I started thinking I might have a shot at it Even though this was never the end goal for me, it is one of the greatest honors anyone could receive My family and I are very grateful for the award especially after all the things we have sacrificed over the years ”

EDUCATION NOTES

Stadium (master's)

The Georgia Institute of Technology, or G

research universities in the U S , offers business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts and sciences degrees, as well as professional development and K-12 programs Its more than 53,000 undergraduate and graduate students represent 54 U S states and territories and more than 143 countries They study at the main campus in Atlanta, at instructional sites around the world, and through distance and online

learning

For additional information, please visit gatech edu

Sweezor named to Dean's List at Central Methodist University

FAYETTE, Mo -- The office of Central Methodist University Provost Rita Gulstad announced recently the students included on the Fall 2024 Dean's List

More than 1,000 students across all campuses and online learning met the requirements for placement, including a

Of Cardenas, Larsen said, “He has been a steadying force for soccer and our student athletes for over three decades He produces excellence on the field and in the classroom as a standout art teacher Our athletic department wouldn’t be nearly as successful without the effort and energy he has put into soccer, as well as the multiple other sports he has coached ” Other inductees into the LCAC 2025

Anderson of Dunbar High School, Bernard

School, Krissy Gear of Fort Myers High

Myers High School, Frank Turco of Estero High School and Margaret Sirianni of Fort Myer High School

The inductees will be honored at a

DoubleTree Hotel The banquet will begin at 6 p m and tickets are available for purchase for $30 per person

grade point average of 3 50 or higher for the semester

Skyler Marie Sweezor of Cape Coral was among those who earned recognition by the university

Since its founding in 1854, CMU has evolved into a university that confers master's, bachelor's and associate's degrees through programming on its main campus in Fayette, Mo , and through extension sites and online

F or more about CM U , pleas e vis it www centralmethodist edu

From page 1

n

o n t h e b e s t a n d m o s t a m a z i n g B i k e N i g h t e v e n t i n S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a , ” K i n g s a i d “ T h i s c h a n g e h a s t h e s u p p o r t o f a l l t h e b u s i n e s s e s

Cape

Saturday

o n 4 7 t h T e r r a c e t h a t b e n e f i t d i r e c t l y “ A f t e r 2 0 y e a r s o f o u r r e g u l a r B i k e N i g h t , i t ’ s g o i n g t o f e e l a b i t d i f f e r e n t , b u t a t t h e s a m e t i m e , w e j u s t a s k f o r p a t i e n c e a s o u r n o r m a l a t t e n d e e s w i l l g r o w w i t h u s , a n d w e ’ l l m a k e i t b e t t e r e a c h t i m e ” W h e t h e r y o u o w n a b i k e , o r j u s t l o v e l i v e e n t e r t a i nm e n t , K i n g s a i d C a p e C o r a l B i k e N i g h t i s f o r a l l o f t h e a b o v e a n d i n - b e t w e e n “ M o t o r c y c l e s h a v e a s o c i a l a s p e c t a n d c o n n e c t i o n w i t h o w n e r s a n d p e o p l e t h a t r i d e , ” h e s a i d “ I t ’ s j u s t a g r e a t f e e l i n g t o b e f r e e o

CITY OF CAPE CORAL

From page 1

a c c o m p l i s h e s t h a t , ” C a r l i n s a i d “ I t d o e s n o t a l l o w s t u d e n t s t o b e l e f t a l o n e a t a

b u s s t o p f o r i t n o t t o c o m e o r a n h o u r o r t w o l a t e I t m a y b e O K f o r a h i g h s c h o o l

s t u d e n t I f I a m a n 8 - y e a r - o l d , I s h u d d e r t o t h i n k w h a t t h a t l o o k s l i k e ”

S h e s a i d w i t h h e a r i n g t h e s t a t i s t i c s

8 , 0 0 0 s t u d e n t s l a t e t o s c h o o l e v e r y d a y

i t m a k e s f o r a c o m p e l l i n g “ w h y ” t o m a k e a c h a n g e “ E i g h t t h o u s a n d s p e a k s v e r y l o u d l y t o m e , ” C a r l i n s a i d . C a r l i n s a i d t h e L e e C o u n t y S c h o o l

D i s t r i c t i s n u m b e r n i n e o u t o f t h e 1 0

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

s t u d e n t a c h i e v e m e n t “ I t i s n o t a m y s t e r y a n y l o n g e r w h y w e r e i n t h e p l a c e w e a r e , ” s h e s a i d

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

t i o n a l 4 2 h o u r s o f i n s t r u c t i o n f o r t h e y e a r a t t h e h i g h s c h o o l l e v e l w h a t t h a t

c o u l d d o f o r s t u d e n t s “ I ’ m e x c i t e d a b o u t t h i s p r o p o s a l I t ’ s f i x i n g a r e a l p r o b l e m f o r t h e d i s t r i c t , ” s h e s a i d “ I a m a b o u t s o l v i n g p r o b l e m s a n d n o t l i v i n g i n p r o b l e m s ”

S e c u r i t y a n d F l e e t O p e r a t i o n s C h i e f

D a v i d N e w l a n s a i d t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n i s

b e i n g h a d b e c a u s e t h e y w a n t t o r e s o l v e t h e b u s i n g i s s u e , s a f e t y c o n c e r n s o f y o u n g s t e r s a t b u s s t o p s a n d b e i n g f i s c a ll y r e s p o n s i b l e H i g h s c h o o l s t u d e n t s w i l l h a v e 4 9m i n u t e p e r i o d s , a n d t h e i r s c h o o l d a y w i l l r u n f r o m 7 a m t o 2 p m

Tier 1

Proposed school hours at a glance

All high schools

■ student times: 7 a m to 2 p m – 49-minute period and 30-minute lunch

■ staff times: 6:45 a m to 2:15 p m

All K-8 schools, Skyline Elementary School, Hector A Cafferata Jr Elementary School

■ student times: 7:30 a m to 2 p m – 47-minute period for middle school and 30minute lunch

■ staff times: 7 a m to 2:30 p m

Tier 2

All elementary schools and Young Parent Education Program

■ student times: 8:40 a m to 3:10 p m – 30-minute lunch

■ staff times: 8 a m to 3:30 p m

Tier 3

All middle schools, Success Academy, Buckingham Exceptional Student Center and Royal Palm Exceptional Center

■ student times: 9:45 a m to 4:15 p m – 47-minute period, 30-minute lunch

■ staff times: 9:15 a m to 4:45 p m

A l l K - 8 s c h o o l s , a s w e l l a s S k y l i n e E l e m e n t a r y S c h o o l a n d H e c t o r A

C a f f e r a t a J r E l e m e n t a r y S c h o o l d a y w i l l b e f r o m 7 : 3 0 a m t o 2 p m

A l l m i d d l e s c h o o l s , S u c c e s s A c a d e m y , B u c k i n g h a m E x c e p t i o n a l

S t u d e n t C e n t e r a n d R o y a l P a l m

E x c e p t i o n a l C e n t e r w i l l g o t o s c h o o l f r o m 9 : 4 5 a m t o 4 : 1 5 p m M i d d l e s c h o o l s t u d e n t s w i l l h a v e 4 7m i n u t e

3 0 m i n u t e l u n c h e s T r a n s p o r t a t i o n w a s g

A l l e l e m e n t a r y s c h o o l s , a s w e l l a s t h e Y o u n g P a r e n t E d u c a t i o n P r o g r a m , w i l l h a v e s t u d e n t t i m e s f r o m 8 : 4 0 a m t o

3 : 1 0 p m

Baby boom: Typical day sees 16-17 deliveries;

in January many days

2021. Lee Health officials said a typical day consists of 16-17 deliveries, but in January, staff experienced many days nearing the 30 baby record

B o t h C a p e C o r a l a n d H e

Medical Center hospitals are baby-friendly Hospitals that have implemented the “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding” and are compliant with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes The U S guidelines and evaluation criteria are

From page 1 “Cape Coral Hospital offers a family-centered maternity care experience with single-room suites for mothers, where they stay throughout labor and delivery. The facility features state-of-the-art amenities, including birthing tubs, labor balls, and advanced fetal monitoring that allows mobility during labor. Certified breastfeeding counselors and lactation consultants are also available around the clock for support.”

Lee Health

b a s e d o n t h e g

WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative

Lee Health officials said HealthPark Medical Center features comprehensive OB/GYN services, including an OB emergency room and state-of-the-art Family

Birth Suites

“It has one of the busiest obstetric units

Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, the only children’s hospital in the region,” officials stated.

HealthPark Medical Center is also one of 11 hospitals in Florida to be certified as

a Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Center, which includes high-risk obstetrical care, Level II & III Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) and Neonatal Transport Teams

Health officials said in 2022, Cape Coral Hospital had a first-time cesarean section rate of 13 8%, which is well-below

the national benchmark of 23 6% for pregnant women having their first cesarean section The hospital’s rate was at 31 9% in 2019, decreasing by almost 20 points in 2022

“Cape Coral Hospital offers a familycentered maternity care experience with single-room suites for mothers, where they stay throughout labor and delivery,” Lee Health officials stated “The facility features state-of-the-art amenities, including birthing tubs, labor balls, and advanced fetal monitoring that allows mobility during labor Certified breastfeeding counselors and lactation consultants are also available around the clock for support ”

Medical Center and Cape Coral Hospital, visit www leehealth org

BUSINESS

BUSINESS BRIEFS

RPCRA Cape Coral office to per manently close Feb. 28

Effective Friday, Feb 28, Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association's Cape Coral office will close permanently, and staff will relocate to the temporary office in the Sunrise Office Center at 12381 S Cleveland Ave , Suites 500 and 502, Fort Myers

The Sunrise Office Center will serve as an interim office space during the construction of the association’s new headquarters located at 5265 Summerlin Commons Blvd , Fort Myers

In March 2022, RPCRA Board of Directors recognized a need to improve the association’s overall space, facilities and growth to serve the expanding demographic location of its membership For nearly 3 years, the association researched the most effective way to accommodate membership growth, industry advancements and technology In doing so, the association listed the Cape Coral and Fort Myers office locations for sale last May The Sunrise Office Center has been serving as the interim space since August when the Fort Myers’ Winkler Office and Education Center were sold

The groundbreaking for the new Summerlin building took place in December, and the association anticipates opening the doors to the new building in the spring of 2026 For more about the company, visit rpcra org

Macaroni KID to host second annual Mid-Cape Loves SWFL at Mercola Market

Looking for a fun-filled day the whole family can enjoy? Macaroni KID is hosting its annual Mid-Cape Loves SWFL event Saturday, Feb 15, from 9 a m to 3 p m , at Mercola Market Cape Coral, located at 125 S W 3rd Place

This free event offers a variety of activities, including bounce houses, yard games, live music and delicious food from local food trucks The event will also feature local vendors showcasing unique products and services, making it the perfect opportunity to support small businesses and connect with the community

Macaroni KID is the nation’s largest single publishing platform that provides local activity guides and news for parents and families while also hosting local events and parties to enrich communities and the families within them Interested vendors may register by emailing mackidcapecoral@macaronikid com

F e a t u r e d f r o m 2 - 4 p m w i l l b e R o a s t t h e Competition, a free-to-enter Super Smash Bros charity tournament benefiting St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital

The Mercola Market of Cape Coral is a natural health retail store located in the center of the city at 125 S W 3rd Place. It exclusively offers Dr. Mercola supplements and other premium products for your health, home, pantry, and pet For more information, visit mercolamarketcc com

Greater For t Myers Chamber ‘Talking Baseball’ luncheon Feb. 18

The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce's monthly luncheon Tuesday, Feb 18, from 11:30 a m to 1:15 p m , will focus on all things baseball ahead of Southwest Florida's spring training season

The chamber's "Talking Baseball" program will feature a panel of senior management representatives from the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins, focusing on 2025 spring training and industry insights Jeff M i e l k e , e x e c u t i v e d i r e c t o r o f L e e C o u n t y S p o r t s Development, will emcee the luncheon Attendees will leave with information that they can take back to their businesses to capitalize on spring training crowds

The luncheon will take place at Hammond Stadium, located at 14100 Six Mile Cypress Parkway in Fort Myers Admission is $35 for chamber members and $45 for future members and includes lunch Attendees must register by Feb 14; walk-ins will not be accepted

To learn more or to register, visit FortMyers org or call 239-332-2930 FEBRUARY 7, 2025

Golden Boat Lifts & Marine Systems develops new adjustable bunk system

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

A local business owner with a world-wide reputation will present his new patent-pending adjustable bunk system at the Miami Boat Show this year

The aluminum system “addresses a common challenge in the marine and trailer industries: the time-consuming and often damaging process of drilling holes to install and adjust bunks ”

A bunk is a rail that the boat sits upon on a lift.

Golden Boat Lifts & Marine Systems owner and CEO Bill Golden said as people change boats, their bunks need to be adjusted

“The old method was to drill holes,” Golden said “It takes a few hours to replace the bunks ”

This new system uses slotted bunks that utilize carriage bolts for quicker installation With the slotted bunks, it eliminates the common issue of crushing the aluminum bunks from the overtightened bolts

The multi-directional adjustable bunk system uses 6061-T6 marine grade aluminum

The new product was developed to eliminate the need to drill numerous holes for brackets instead having slots in the bunk

“The initial install is much quicker and easier,” Golden said

The North Fort Myers-based Golden Boat Lifts has been building custom, premium lifts for 35 years

They can accommodate the needs of anything from large custom motor yachts and high-performance powerboats to personal watercraft and even seaplanes

Golden said he got his start in the early 1980s when was asked to weld a boat lift

What began as building boat lifts in his backyard soon evolved to multiple buildings across Lee County, as well as providing people around the world with boat lifts

“I never give up I knew one day I would be successful in this business It has taken 43 years now to get to where we are at It’s been a fun journey,” he said

Golden also purchased a boat lift cover company, now Golden Sunshade

The business uses Stokes Marine Construction as its Lee County dealer

All employees of Golden Boat Lifts are certified welders, which is all done in-house so they meet the business standards Golden said they have 20 certified welders in their facility

The business also is ISO certified. He said they are always striving to improve their product, processes and training people

“Every year we are tasked with further improvement,” Golden said

Golden currently has 14 patents pending, or issued, with two more being prepared, which, he said, is what separates him from others

Another component he believes sets him apart is their gear box, which is twice the strength of industry standards

“The reason I did that was years ago we had a boat fill up with water and broke the gears inside the gear box,” Golden said

The gear box is filled with synthetic grease which never needs to be changed, he said

“It’s great to have a product that they cannot overload, misload or sideload It will not break the gear box,” Golden said

Another safety measure they take are the cables, as he will not compromise there

Golden has used the same company for the past 35 years

“We refuse to comprise on the quality on the product we provide,” he said, as salt water is very harsh on everything

The Golden Boat Lifts can be operated with a cordless drill, which enabled them to lower boats off lifts where standard electrical lines were out following hurricanes

“We were able to get boats off the lifts virtually the day after the hurricane Our boat lifts did very well,” he said where the pilings were strong enough

For additional information, visit www GoldenBoat Lifts com, or call 239-337-4141

LCEC’s Dolan named Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral 2024 Board Member of the Year

LCEC Public Relations Specialist Jenell Dolan was recently named the 2024 Board Member of the Year for the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral Dolan joined the chamber board in 2019, with LCEC supporting her role as a board member and her participation in the 12week Cape Coral Chamber Leadership Class in 2018

Over the years, she has actively volunteered at numerous chamber-sponsored events, further strengthening her commitment to the community In addition to her work with the chamber, Dolan has chaired the LCEC 5K for United Way for seven years Her dedication extends beyond this role, as she continues to serve in various volunteer capacities throughout the area

“When I started at LCEC, I was inspired by the sense of stewardship and the organization’s commitment to the cooperative principle of concern for community,” Dolan said “The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral has

allowed me to be involved in the community and support the small businesses LCEC powers It’s an honor to serve on this Board, I’m eternally grateful ”

LCEC encourages and supports employees to be good stewards of the communities they serve, and Dolan’s efforts demonstrate how it makes a difference

LCEC is Southwest Florida’s electric cooperative providing reliable, cost-competitive electricity to members throughout the region The LCEC headquarters are in North Fort Myers, the same location where the cooperative originated in 1940 Approximately 450 skilled employees are positioned throughout the six-county service territory, including Immokalee, Cape Coral, North F o r t M y e r s , S a n i b e l / C a p t i v a , P i n e I s l a n d , U s e p p a , Cabbage Key, Marco Island, Everglades City, Ave Maria and parts of Lehigh Acres For more information, visit https://www lcec net/

PHOTO PROVIDED

The new adjustable bunk system created by Golden Boat Lifts & Marine Systems.

FPRA Southwest Florida Chapter celebrates milestone Anniversary

The Southwest Florida Chapter of the

marked a significant milestone Jan 27

Celebration, honoring four decades of the chapter’s success in advancing public relations and fostering professional growth in Southwest Florida and across the state

Held at Ter-Tinis, the event brought together past and present members, chapter leaders and guests for an evening of recognition, reflection and celebration Special guests included FPRA State President Julie Frey, APR, CPRC, who joined chapter leaders in highlighting the chapter’s legacy

“As the 13th chapter chartered through the state, your impact is truly extraordi-

nary,” said Frey “The Southwest Florida Chapter has set a high standard for excellence in public relations ”

Florida Chapter began with a vision to cultivate a strong network of public relations professionals in the area Over the years, it has grown into a thriving organization committed to professional advancements

includes establishing a student chapter at Florida Gulf Coast University, fostering the next generation of public relations professionals

The evening featured a special video presentation highlighting the chapter’s history, with past presidents sharing their reflections The event also included a read-

ing of the special anniversary proclamation from the Lee County Board of County Commissioners, officially recognizing the chapter’s contributions to the community

Communications Professionals’ Day in Lee County

A highlight of the celebration was the presentation of two honors Lifetime Achievement Award

Lynn Schneider, APR, CPRC, received the prestigious award in recognition of her exceptional contributions to public relations and her decades-long dedication to FPRA A past president at both the chapter and state levels, Schneider’s influence on

countless professionals have left a lasting legacy

Teri Hansen insPiRe Scholarship

In recognition of her enduring impact,

Priority Marketing, was honored with the

Scholarship

The scholarship will be awarded annually to a chapter member and will cover

event for professional development in public relations Hansen’s leadership and commitment to excellence have shaped the chapter and community, inspiring generations of professionals

View the full video of past chapter presidents reflecting on the chapter’s history at https://youtu be/sGsuDQ3ZwDk

For more information about the chapter, including upcoming events and how to

https://www fpraswfl org/

South Cape Cupid’s Pub

Crawl to be held Feb. 15

South Cape Cupid's Pub Crawl will be held Saturday, Feb 15, from 7-11 p m T h e p u b l i c i s i n

Valentine’s Day vibes with a fun-filled evening as we stroll through South Cape, enjoying romantic-themed drink and appetizer samples along the way

Early check in is 6-7:30 p m at Big

(under the front awning) Late check in is at Dolphin Key Resort from 7:30-10 p

Tickets for the Cupid's Pub Crawl are just $25 in advance ($20 for designated drivers) and can be purchased online via Eventbrite Day-of tickets are $30 (if available)

include BackStreets Sports

Dixie Roadhouse, Hooked Island Grill, Monkey Bar,

Place, Rusty's Raw Bar & Grill and Tiki Bar For more about South

Entertainment Association, visit https://southcapeentertainment com/

SPORTS

Trout are biting, but beware red tide

If your eyes are itchy and you aren’t catching fish in a normally productive area, you just might be in a location bothered by a red tide bloom Usually associated with hot weather, red tide blooms can occur any time of year as they are now The FWC reported medium to high concentrations this past week off Lee and Collier counties

Trout are scattered but biting well on traditional cork and live shrimp presentations Casters are scoring using ultra-lites and soft plastic paddle tails If you’re using your snook outfit for trout fishing you are way over equipped A 5 to 6-foot ultra-lite or lite action rod allows you to better enjoy the fight Eight-pound braid and 10 to 15-pound fluorocarbon leaders also allows long casts and nearly invisible retrieves Adding commercial scents like Pro-Cure ups your game Lots of trout reports are coming from the Pirate Harbor area as well as deeper water sections throughout Pine Island Sound Drift around areas off the fishing shacks or Captiva Rocks for action. A killer combo is a float with a 2.5-inch DOA shrimp dangling below With this warm spell upon us, don’t neglect your favorite top-water plug in 4 feet of water or less for big trout as well as suspending twitch baits slowly worked through the water column

Sheepshead are biting on local inshore structures, near shore reefs and oyster bars Shrimp and oyster bits as well as fiddler crabs fished on ultra-sharp hooks get the job done. Use the lightest line you can get away with for more bites in winters clearer waters For fun try walking a plastic fiddler crab around your favorite bridge bottom These larger fakes can often draw strikes from bigger sheepies although hooking can be tricky

Lucky Sarasota Bay anglers are reporting rather large schools of catchable redfish while our local bite consists of mostly scattered rat red-sized specimens around docks and other woody cover when the tide allows Up river anglers are catching not only snook but slot and over-slot redfish in the warmer waters east of the railroad trestle and I-75 bridges Some of the year’s biggest jacks (over 20 pounds) move upriver this time of year and it's not uncommon to see massive schools of these tough-as-nails fighters massed in the shallows just east of the I-75 Bridge If jacks jumped during the fight would they be the ultimate gamefish?

While up river, check out dark mud flats just off mangrove shorelines during sunny day cold snaps to see monster snook belly to the mud absorbing the suns energy Downriver local creek shorelines will also host jumbo females sunning themselves and are often mistaken for downed tree limbs with anglers casting near and around them “looking for a bite” only to be surprised when the

Tritons ride big second half to top Seahawks, 6-0, in soccer regional

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

The Mariner Tritons girls soccer team advanced in the FHSAA State Tournament with a convincing win over Cape Coral Tuesday evening at McKenna Stadium

The No 2 seed Tritons (18-3) exploded for six secondhalf goals to take down the young No 7 Seahawks (10-123) to advance to a 5A Regional Semifinal

Of advancing, Mariner head coach Jami Hagy said, “It's great To come out here, you have played these teams before, but you know they're going to play hard because it's the playoffs The first half, we struggled a little bit, but in the second half, they came out and started executing ”

A scoreless first half saw Mariner possess the ball the majority of the 40 minutes with some unlucky bounces The Tritons hit two crossbars, had a goal called back on an offsides call and failed to finish a few other chances, with Cape Coral holding its own

“They're trying hard, and it just wasn't falling that period,” Hagy said of her team's first half performance “You could see the girls were possessing the ball, moving off the ball, doing everything they needed to It's just soccer, and sometimes you're not meant to score ”

It didn't take long for the Tritons to find the back of the net in the second half, as the levy was broken just three minutes in

Junior Caroline Orth received a pass down the right sideline in space, lined up her shot and struck it by the Seahawks keeper

Just three minutes later, some quick action by Kelsi Longabardi and Kamila Pena added another Triton goal Mariner was awarded a corner kick, and Pena quickly passed it out to Longabardi, who one-touch passed it back to Pena Pena worked through a Seahawks defender, finding herself all alone, and dribbled just inside the corner of the box and fired a shot off of her left boot into the top of the net

Five minutes later, Orth recorded her second of the match, and in minute 55, Pena scored the highlight of the night

From about 30 yards out, Pena, a junior, settled the ball and lined up a deep shot, which sailed over the keeper's head and touched the twine for her second of the match

Mariner did not take its foot off the gas, as one minute

Schwandner, who redirected a shot towards net and over the goal line Schwandner added the sixth and final Triton goal of the match in the 62nd minute, tapping home a beautiful cross to finish the scoring chance

As for what changed in the second half, Hagy gave credit to assistant coach Erwin Quintanilla, who suggested

Wednesday

Boys Basketball

District 5A-11

Fort Myers 48, Cape Coral 47: Despite the loss, the Seahawks (21-4) could still make it into the regional playoffs based on their FHSAA ranking A Port Charlotte win against the 12-13 Green Wave in the district final would boost Cape's chances

Port Charlotte 69, North Fort Myers 36: The Pirates (21-5) will be the home team for Friday's district final North's season ends at 12-15

District 4A-12

Island Coast 62, Lemon Bay 46: With the victory, the Gators (16-10) both tied the school record for wins in a season and earned themselves a shot at a district title and a guaranteed playoff berth.

LaBelle 59, Cypress Lake 38: The Cowboys, the district's top seed, advance to the championship with a record of 20-5

District 3A-10

Bishop Verot 61, Glades Central 54: Jerry Ashley had 14 points and 11 rebounds as the Vikings (17-9) got past 16-5 Glades Central Gavin Williams led Bishop Verot in

MARK CLIFFORD

Mariner ’s Caroline Orth (19) tries to kick the ball between the legs of Cape Coral goalie Payton Jones

a tactical change for the Tritons

“We decided to switch (formations),” Hagy said “He's been with me for six years, and it's just great to have someone to bounce ideas off of Our coaching staff is great, and yeah, he made that change.”

Of Orth's play, Hagy said, “All year she's been great for us I can put her basically anywhere on the field, and she opened it up ”

Hagy also praised Schwandner for the energy she brought to the team in the second half, and senior defender Olivia Hinote's play in the back

As for Pena's two goals, Hagy said, “Those long balls are awesome She's been successful with those all year ” Seahawks head coach Dan Gross said he was pleased

scoring with 21 points and Austin Leslie scored 16 Gateway Charter 73, Oasis 32: Oasis' playoff hopes likely came to an end at 15-12, while the top-seeded Griffins (19-7) will be home against Bishop Verot for the district championship

Girls Basketball

District 3A-10

Bishop Verot 58, Clewiston 20: Caroline Ward scored 22 points and Cameron O'Halloran 21 as the Vikings (187) earned the right to be the home team for the district championship game

Gateway Charter 52, Oasis 14: The Griffins made things tough on the Sharks (15-7), giving Gateway Charter (14-8) a shot at Bishop Verot in Friday's district final Tuesday

Girls Soccer Region 5A-3

North Fort Myers 6, Gulf Coast 1: North, (19-2), the region's top seed, takes on Osceola in Friday's semifinals

Capt George Tunison

Zela voted Breeze’s January Athlete of the Month

The votes are in for the Cape Coral Breeze’s January Athlete of the Month, and the winner is Mariner High School's Neil Zela

It was a memorable Senior Night for Zela, as he recorded a hat-trick in a 6-0 win over Dunbar. At the time, the senior ranked fourth on the team in goals this season with 14, and second on the team in assists with 12

“I felt super excited that I could help my team

win," Zela told The Breeze during his nomination week "I also was glad that we could add another victory to our record I feel that the team is in good shape heading into the post season

We are coming off a loss but that makes us hungrier to get better, improve, and go after another district title I hope that we can play well enough to go deep into the state playoffs ”

The Tritons (22-4) have a regional semifinal

match Friday night versus Osceola

Voting for February's Athlete of the Month will open toward the end of the month Stay up to date with Athlete of the Week selections on capecoralbreeze com

Mariner ’s Neil Zela is the Breeze January Athlete of the Month

Tritons: Mariner girls down rival Seahawks 6-0 in soccer regional

From page 33

with the way his team battled, especially holding the Tritons scoreless in the first half

“I'm proud of our girls,” he said “We're an extremely young team We're mostly a

From page 33

team of ninth and 10th graders This was a rebuilding year, but our goal was to make

against a tough historical opponent, (but we) played really well in the first half We're a little banged up and sick, we just got tired at the end, but I'm proud of how

PREP REPORT

Lakewood Ranch scored twice in the second half to end the Bulldogs' season at 98-2

they played ”

Gross said he's very encouraged with the steps his program took this season, and is looking forward to the future of the Cape Coral girls soccer program

“Our goal was to get better as the season went along, and we played our best soccer at the end of the year,” he said “We'll look to build on that in the future as we'll bring most of the team back.

Osceola got past St Petersburg 2-1 on Tuesday

Mariner 6, Cape Coral 0: The Tritons (18-3) move on to the region semifinals, while Cape's season ends at 10-12-3 Next up for Mariner is a match with Braden River, which ousted Fort Myers by a 4-2 score

Boys Soccer Region 5A-3

Mariner 3, St. Petersburg 1: Justin

M e d e r o , G a b r i e l G a r c i a a n d T h o m a s Castano-Rayo scored for the Tritons (224) Gabriel Tarra made two assists and Neil Zela added one. Mariner is home against Osceola on Friday Osceola edged Freedom 1-0

Tampa Jesuit 8, Fort Myers 0 Braden River 3, Golden Gate 2 Region 6A-3

Lakewood Ranch 2, Ida Baker 0:

Parrish Community 2, Charlotte 2 (42 PK)

Mitchell 2, Sickles 0

Immokalee 2, East Lake 1

Girls Basketball District 5A-11 F o r t M y e r s 4 3 , M a r i n

Tritons' season ended at 2-14 The Green Wave faces top seed Port Charlotte on Thursday Cape Coral plays North Fort Myers in Thursday's other semifinal District 4A-12

Island Coast 38, Cypress Lake 34: The Gators dominated the second half to rally from a halftime deficit. Island Coast ( 8 - 1 7 ) a d v a n c e d t o f a c e t o p - s e e d e d

DeSoto County on Thursday

Preseason Baseball

Mariner 11, Avon Park 4

Cape Coral 1, Estero 1

Butterball is a 3 to 5-year-old male

You might not notice it at first, but he is a little different from your typical kitty he's got some unique medical needs, but we promise he is worth the extra care Butterball does require special food and close monitoring to keep him feeling his best But here's the thing: despite his challenges, he is the sweetest cat you’ll ever meet Butterball will shower you with all the love and affection you could ever want

Porky is a 1 to 3-year-old male Porky may be little, but he's got a BIG personality packed into this adorable frame He is a super sweet and spunky guy who loves to bring smiles to everyone he meets

Whether it’s zooming around with his toys, snuggling up for some quality cuddle time, or showing off his playful side, he knows how to keep life fun and full of love

If you are interested in meeting any of the animals available for adoption at The Cape Coral Animal Shelter, visit its website at www capecoralanimalshelter com for additional information

The shelter is located at 325 S W 2nd Ave , Cape Coral, and hours of operation are Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 5 p m , and Friday through Sunday, noon to 4 p m

Please call the CCAS at 239-573-2002 for additional information

The Tritons will now face No 3 Braden River (13-0-5) Friday night at home at 7 p m in a regional semifinal

“We're injured right now, and we're just going to have to keep playing as a team,” Hagy said “Players need to step up, and everybody has a role If everybody plays their role, we'll get through to the next round It's one game at a time right now ”

Tritons forward Natalia Resto, left, steals the ball away from Seahawks defender Bailey Bianchi during the soccer match Tuesday Mariner won the regional contest

MARK CLIFFORD

Trout are biting: Red tide warning

From page 33

log comes to life and swims away Snook have enough trouble surviving the cold water period so it’s best to enjoy the sight of a truly huge specimen and simply leave them alone

If you believe local forecasts for the upcoming weekend weather such as 85 degrees and little to no wind, then make plans to be offshore chasing snapper and grouper Although lane and mangroves have been reported in closer to the coast, you’ll find much bigger specimens out at the 150-foot and beyond mark Quite a few cobia reports by those traveling offshore but of mostly smaller fish and the same

From page 19

will make you back up too!

with sighted tripletail

With a good crappie bite still going on this year, largemouth bass anglers are also ready to get in on the freshwater action as bass are fanning shoreline nests in preparation for their spawn Many saltwater flats anglers taking a day to fish largemouths in local lakes or over at Lake O are surprised to see high tech metalflake bass rockets being propelled through the shallows by push-poles Nothing is quieter or more stealthy than poling

Capt George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide You can contact him at 239-579-0461 or via email at captgeorget3@aol com

To fill your garden with beautiful butterfly plants, don’t miss the “March in the Park” plant sale! The Garden Club of Cape Coral’s biggest community fundraiser will be held Saturday, March 8, at Rotary Park in Cape Coral from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Porky

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

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

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.

Cape, 2104 SW 28th Ter, Sat 2/8 & Sun 2/9, 10a - 3p. Fishing poles, lawn chairs, pictures, Christmas items, Jewelry box & Much More

CaptainsCove AnnualGarageSale

Saturday2/15,8am-1pm Over30Families

Household,Fishing ArtandMore

OnPineIslandtake StringfellownorthtoBoyceDr

CornwallisNeighborhood GarageSale

CornerofCornwallis & DelPradoBlvdS Friday&Saturday 2/7&2/8,8AM-2PM Boating/FishingEquipment, Furniture,Tools,Household Items,Clothes,Toys, Knick-Knackás&MuchMore

Power Boats

Recreation Vehicles

I BUY ALL RV’s I BUY ALL Boat’s PAY CASH I will Come To You To See It Quick & Easy Sale. CASH ON THE SPOT! Vince~941-301-9946~Local

Turn a backyard into your own relaxing respite

Backyards have long been places to unwind and enjoy some peace and quiet surrounded by nature.

forgo traditional vacations in favor of staying home this season. some ways to accomplish that goal.

Incorporate a water featureThe sound of trickling or bubbling water can make surroundings more serene. A low-maintenance water feature can help to create a calming ambiance. A fountain that does not require a collection pond will reduce the chance it becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Locating the fountain out of the sun can keep algae growth at a minimum.

Add lights for ambiance

wired lights on the home itself or accent lighting that draws attention to trees or architectural structures on the property. It have for any outdoor retreat. Lights come in all types and price

decorative planters and then string lights between the posts. This way the lighting can be moved around as desired.

PROPERTY TRANSFERS

Source: Lee County Property Appraiser

PROPERTY TRANSFERS

Source: Lee County Property Appraiser

There’s a buyer for your home at the right price

Before we take a deep dive into this week’s market analysis, we want to be clear that there are still homes being sold in our market and we are still seeing the all-important seasonal interest from out-of-town buyers. Of note, however, an overabundance of new homes and existing home inventory out there for buyers to choose from. So buyers are able to get some really good deals right now if they are ready to make an o er and buy a home.

At the same time, as we show in the numbers below, the seasonal buyer activity is clearly o to a slower start than last year while the number of active listings continues to rise. With fewer buyers and a higher supply of homes for sale on the market, we have what is, at least for now, a growing imbalance in the supply-demand ratios, meaning sellers need to be acutely aware of the weak hand they are holding. Unless we see a rapid intensi cation in buyer activity over the next three months or so, measurable through the number of pending sales and closed home sales, we would expect to see some continued downside pressure on home prices.

Basically, as a seller, if you want to do more than list your home for sale and let it sit on the market unsold with the other 3,400-plus sellers right now in the Cape, you will likely need to be more aggressive with your asking price than you had planned. is is assuming you actually need or want to get your home sold. Similar to what we were advising sellers last year, the sooner you get your price right and attract an o er from an interested, quali ed buyer and go under contract, the higher the price you are likely to receive for your home.

Please do not misinterpret what we are trying to tell you here. e “higher price” we are talking about is probably going to be less than what you were expecting, but more about what you can get for your home today. Because of the glut of homes on the market, the price you can get today may very well be more than you will get three months from now, and three months a er that. Sellers who were quicker to gure this out last year ended up getting a lot more money for their homes than sellers who were slow to react to the so ening market. It is looking like the same thing will be happening again this year. Just look around and you will see sellers who have been in denial about declining values as their homes sit there unsold.

Here is an example of what we are seeing regarding the slower pace of home sales. We are now moving a bit deeper into what has historically been our peak home selling season from January through May when buyer activity ramps up. Fortunately, we are seeing an increase in the number of homes going under contract with buyers as pending sales, which will lead to more closed sales in the next 30 to 45 days and beyond, but so far we are clearly lagging behind last year’s numbers. About 13 months ago back on Jan. 1, 2024, there were 427 pending home sales in the pipeline for Cape Coral single-family homes, and by Jan. 29, 2024, the number of pending home sales had increased by 40.3% to 599 homes under contract. e number of pending home sales continued to accelerate throughout last season, reaching 872 homes under contract with buyers by April 23, 2024, for an increase of 104% from Jan. 1, 2024. is year, on Jan. 1, 2025, there were only 378 pending home sales in the pipeline, or 11.5% fewer than the previous year. By Jan. 29 of this year the pending home sales were up by 31% to 495 homes under contract, but that is 17.4% below the 599 pending sales on Jan. 29, 2024. So our seasonal demand has picked up, but it is running well below the buyer demand we saw a year ago.

ily home market will be coming in about 10% to 11% below the $420,000 posted for the month of January 2024. Looking back at last year, median home sales prices dri ed steadily lower a er spending the rst four months of 2024 in a fairly tight monthly range between $400,000 to $420,000. en from May through December 2024, median sales prices so ened, ranging from a high of $395,000 to a low of $379,450 with the 12-month average median sales price settling in at $396,827. Going back to 2023, median sales prices ranged from $400,000 to $420,000 for eight months of that year, with prices easing just a bit below $400,000 in August, October and November, before dipping to $389,945 in December 2023. e 12-month average median sales price in the overall Cape Coral single-family home market in 2023 came in at $407,158. We are looking like we will begin 2025 with a median sales price of around $375,000 in January, for the lowest January price in the past four years.

By comparison the preliminary median sales price for this January is still up $133,500 or some 55.3% higher than the median sales price of $241,500 posted back in January 2019. By the same token, this January’s median sales price is down $95,000 or 20.2% below the all-time single month high median sales price of $470,000 in the Cape’s overall single-family home market, which was reached in April 2022. is peak in median sales prices just happened to coincide with when the Federal Reserve launched its war on in ation in March 2022, as it started to jack up the Federal Funds Rate, ultimately leading to sharply higher interest rates on home mortgage loans. One could make the argument that there is still some le over froth remaining in our home values that needs to be worked o from the post-COVID market boom years. e hurricane fatigue from Ian, Debby, Helene and Milton is also weighing on our market as a growing number of retirees are wanting to throw in the towel on living in our tropical paradise and sell their homes. So there still seems to be the potential for some downside risk to home prices. For now, the longstanding real estate maxim of “location, location, location,” meaning that a property’s geographical location is considered to be the single most important factor in uencing its value and desirability, is being replaced by the key element in our current market, which is “price, price and price.”

As sellers try to gure out what it will take to get their homes sold, we would point out three things. First, there is a buyer for every home at the right price. Second, a home is only worth what a willing buyer will pay a willing seller and no more. And third, in a di cult market, “price xes everything.”

The sales data for this article was obtained from the Florida Realtors Multiple Listing Service Matrix for Lee County, Fla., as of Jan. 29, 2025, unless otherwise noted. It was compiled -

cally for Cape Coral single-family homes, and does not include condominiums, 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

lived in Cape Coral for over 45 years. Geri has been a full-time Realtor since 2005, and Bob joined with Geri as a full-time Realtor in 2014. Their real estate practice is mainly focused on Cape Coral residential property and vacant lots.

On the other side of this buyer-seller equation, the number of Cape Coral homes being listed for sale this season has also continued to increase. Based on our weekly market surveys, looking back to Jan. 1, 2024, there were 2,442 single-family homes listed for sale in the Cape through the MLS. By Jan. 29 of last year, the active listings rose by 304 homes or 12.4% to 2,746 homes on the market. On Jan. 1 of this year, there were 3,044 active listings for Cape Coral single-family homes through the MLS, which is up 24.7% from Jan. 1, 2024. As of Jan. 29 of this year, the number of active listings had increased to 3,445 homes, up 13.2% since Jan. 1, and equalling 1,003 more homes on the market now versus Jan. 1, 2024, for an increase in listings of 41.1% in the past 13 months. Unless we see a rapid intensi cation in the number of homes going under contract with buyers in the next three months, this imbalance of too much supply and not enough demand is likely to keep additional downward pressure on home values and sales prices. is is something that sellers need to pay close attention to as they try to attract a buyer.

Based on the preliminary numbers for the recently completed month of January, it looks like the median sales price for the overall Cape Coral single-fam-

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