Cape Coral Weekend Breeze

CCFD marks year of growth & achievement

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

As is customary every year, the Cape Coral Fire Department has released its annual report, detailing the year that 2023 was

The report compiles information regarding the department's mission, vision, values, budget, fire prevention, operations, logistics, emergency management, and other areas

With Cape Coral showing no signs of slowing down its population growth, the city’s first responders are working to be pre-

“We’re

for

Mike

pared for now, and the future CCFD Chief Ryan Lamb, in a message, stated in part, “This year, we strengthen part-

nerships with key stakeholders such as the International Association of Fire Firefighters, Lee County EMS, neighboring fire depart-

By CJ HADDAD

ments, and most importantly, our residents

“Additionally, recovery efforts from Hurricane Ian are still in full swing, with the CCFD’s Division of Emergency Management coordinating these restoration and hardening efforts Recovery from a major disaster like Hurricane Ian will take years, but this meticulous process will result in our City becoming more resilient into the future ”

See CCFD, page 36

Charity focuses on Cape kids

Cape

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

Just because you don’t see a problem day in and day out, doesn’t mean it isn’t there

A Cape Coral based non-profit has been working for more than a decade to lend a hand to children who are homeless in the city, by providing toiletries and scholarship money to help further educational journeys

“Cape Coral for the Children” was started in 2012 and founded by Julie Lombardi after hearing a 17-year-old’s story at a Do the Right Thing recognition The teen lived dayto-day with the help of a friend, and slept at various different homes when possible His father was incarcerated, and his mother deceased Despite his hardships, he maintained a 4 0 GPA while holding a job and was accepted into college

“When they started reading (the young man’s) biography, I just went to pieces,” Lombardi said “I’m sitting there going, ‘This should not be ’ I have four children and three step children, and I’m sitting in the audience crying wanting to take him home. The more me and a few friends investigated, we thought there was more we could do in Cape Coral ”

According to the most recent information from the School District of Lee County, there are a total of 2,419 students identified under “Project ACCESS,” with 493 active in West Zone schools, which encompasses Cape

See CHARITY, page 35

City sets info, input, session on Yacht Club design

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

The city of Cape Coral will hold two public meetings on the redesign of the Yacht Club with the first taking place next Tuesday

The meetings, which are open to the public and do not require registration, will be held at 6 p m Tuesday, April 2, and Tuesday, May 7, at Mercola Market, 125 S W 3rd Place

Those who attend will have the chance to learn more about the project, ask questions and provide their feedback on the design, city officials said in a release issued Thursday

The Kimley Horn design team will provide a presentation during the meeting There will also be breakout sessions where those who attend are able to ask questions located at individual stations

Cape Coral City Council has selected its design preference, which will depict a “coastal vernacular feel,” or Key West vibe, officials said

There were three design options on the table: The preferred option one with its Key West vibe; option two, intended to evoke the design of the current historic structure; and option three, a more modern look that received no support

The revised Community Center floor plan now includes a total of 47,000 square feet, with the majority being on the first floor for 27,250 square feet and the remainder, 19,750, spread out on the second floor The prior square footage was 37,000 square feet 20,000 square feet on the first floor, and 17,000 square feet on the second

The revised first-floor plan includes additional meeting space, storage and a small loading and receiving area on the side of the building There is also more functional space on the pool deck and water

Cape Coral City Council has selected a design preference, which officials say will have a Key West vibe

City looks long-term on CRA infrastructure

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

Plans for the South Cape could include a pedestrian crossover and parking structures

Cape Coral City Council, sitting as the South Cape Community Redevelopment Agency Commission, came to a consensus on some mid- to long-term capital projects for the South Cape Downtown Redevelopment Plan Wednesday

“I don’t think there is enough funds in the CRA to accomplish everything we have in the short term,” said CRA Executive Director Mike Ilczyszyn, who also is Cape Coral’s city manager “It is likely that half of these may not be funded in the first five years, some may be carryovers to stay there ”

The commissioners all agreed that items should be included in the plan as a possibility, as if an item was not added to the plan it could not be done

Some were added to the short-term capital projects and strategic investments as high priority

For the entertainment district those include decorative lighting on Southeast 47th Terrace; commercial trash receptacle to compactor improvements and enclosures and pilot program of the Big Belly Solar compactor

Those added to Club Square for high priority include the pilot program of the solar compactor and commercial trash receptacle to compactor improvements and enclosures

Cape Coral Parkway included mid-block pedestrian crossing/sky bridge and decorative street lighting as a high priority Commissioner John Gunter said they also needed to explore some type of pedestrian crossover for connectivity as the Bimini West project and any future Bimini East Redevelopment takes place.

Chair Bill Steinke said with some type of safe passage from each side with development from Bimini Square project and future with Bimini East the CRA should be more accessible without concern of Cape Coral Parkway Commissioner Dan Sheppard said he envisions multiple crossovers and bridges for citizens to go to each side of the parkway walking the entire downtown area going from project to project on elevated walks

“We are not going to be able to slow down the traffic We are going to have to keep it flowing It’s a way for citizens to get from one side to the other,” he said Commissioner Richard Carr, agreed it should be explored

but questioned if pedestrian bridges could be included in the CRA “The distance between the blocks is not significant I don’t know if putting a pedestrian bridge is possible,” he said “Pedestrian bridges could be good I am not sure they are appropriate in that concentrated area in the downtown area ”

Bimini Basin was added to the plan regarding property acquisition of Bimini East as a high priority The golf course, also was added, with acquisition of the old golf course acreage rated as a high priority

Transportation high priority items added include dedicated bike lanes, 4642 Vincennes Boulevard parking lot, 4642 Vincennes Boulevard parking lot EV charging infrastructure, Del Prado Boulevard south median landscaping, Miramar Street sidewalks and Vincennes Street additional on-street parking.

Gunter said although he knows there are several lots that are city- owned identified in the plan for parking structures, he did not see anything as a high priority

“We are very limited on space now and I think one thing we have to make sure that we do, not only making parking structures a high priority, but also evaluating the parking we do have here and maximizing the use that we do have,” he said “We need to try to evaluate what we have there now for on street parking and try to maximize that ”

The utilities network, also added to the plan, for short-term high priority included wastewater system improvements MPS 100, water distribution system improvements for Bimini Square and Southeast 47th Terrace fire department connections

There was also mid- to long-term capital projects and strategic investments added for a medium priority

At Club Square that included Founders’ Park dockage and removal of select on street parking spaces and curb cuts on Cape Coral Parkway

For Bimini Basin that included mooring field planning and implementation and park development at the golf course

The added “medium” priorities added to transportation include 4813 Vincennes Boulevard parking lot; Country Club Boulevard median landscaping; Palm Tree Boulevard median landscaping; traffic signal pole painting; Bimini Square structured parking of 125 spaces; The Cove at 47th Terrace structured parking of 125 spaces; Bimini Basin Mooring Field; 4642 Vincennes Boulevard parking lot and 4813 Vincennes Boulevard parking lot EV charging stations

Hector Cafferata K-8 moves toward construction contract

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

A Lee County School Board action is expected to be made in either April or May regarding a general contractor and team for the new Hector Cafferata K-8 school in Cape Coral Superintendent Dr Christopher Bernier said the school, which will be a new build, is currently in the “cone of silence” phase Information has been sent to procurement to make its final decision on the general contractor and team with the hope it will come before the school board the second meeting in April.

On Feb 14, the release of the invitation to negotiate was made, followed by a mandatory pre-proposal meeting on Feb 28 On March 6 written questions due to the procurement

services department were made and on March 20 proposals were due On March 28 the evaluation committee meeting to review and score the written proposals with optional interviews scheduled on April 4

The new school will be at 214 N W 20th Ave

The former campus at 360 Santa Barbara Blvd N sustained significant damage from Hurricane Ian as the school had torrential rain inside the building for 12 to 15 hours due to severe roof damage The damage far exceeded FEMA’s 50 percent rule, the point at which a rebuild to current codes, elevations and other standards is required

The students, once school resumed, were reassigned among campuses before they were moved to portables on the Cape Coral Technical College campus, where they will remain until their new school, a K-8 facility, is constructed

CAPE CORAL BREE ZE

RAYMOND M. ECKENRODE Publisher VALARIE HARRING, Executive Editor CHRIS STRINE, Editor

2510 Del Prado Blvd • Cape Coral, FL, 33904

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

Member Florida Press Association

Meeting ban policy must be rescinded

The city of Cape Coral is facing its first lawsuit pertaining to punitive policies that give City Council the authority to ban speakers ousted from meetings from attending subsequent sessions

We’re not surprised

We, in fact, questioned Council’s ability to impose prior restraint on free speech when Council in February amended its then-existing policy now challenged to give itself more defined authority to decide if and when speakers deemed to have violated meeting “decorum” rules could attend subsequent public meetings.

We, in fact, pointed out that case law, and even the Florida League of Cities, have found than banning residents from public meetings based on prior actions is not something government bodies may do

Let us reiterate:

“You CANNOT ban persons who have exhibited disruptive behavior from attending or speaking at future meetings

The government cannot prohibit future expressive activity because of past unlawful conduct,” David Cruz, deputy general counsel, Florida League of Cities, Inc , wrote in his “Respectful Public Meetings Memorandum,” dated Jan 1, 2023, well before Mayor John Gunter had a 70-plus-yearold Cape Coral resident opposed to the city’s plans for Jaycee Park escorted out of Council chambers for turning his back to the dais

That resident, Scott Kempe, filed suit against the city in federal court last week, naming the city of Cape Coral, Cape Coral City Council, Mayor Gunter and three police officers as defendants

In his request for injunctive relief with a jury demand, he alleges his constitutional rights were violated last Oct 11 when he was ejected from a Council meeting for turning around in his seat, saying when questioned that he did so

See EDITORIAL, page 7

This week’s poll question:

Do you feel local and state bridges are safe?

∫ Yes

∫ No

Vote at capecoralbreeze com

Previous poll question

Should the city of Cape Coral place a mortatorium on new car washes and self-storage facilities?

∫ Yes 93%

∫ No 7%

* Total votes as of press time: 206 votes

Poll results are not scientific and represent only the opinions of Internet users who

Breaking an ‘insane’ cycle: A constitutional right to clean water

It was former Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah writing in The Breeze about water releases from Lake Okeechobee and noting that “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results,” that reminded me of Bill Murray, in Groundhog Day His character relives the same day over and over until he changes his ways

“Voters repeatedly elect politicians that pay lip service to protecting water quality,” Mr Judah wrote, “while accepting campaign funding from local land statewide PACS that in turn rely on substantial monetary support from Big Sugar ”

Mr Judah, and many others, were saying the same thing in 2016 when I moved to Cape Coral

Joseph Bonasia

In that same issue was an article about local officials opposing state legislation that restricts municipalities from regulating the use of fertilizer “Clean water is of utmost importance,” they said “Multiple forms of pollution, including agricultural run-off, sewage, and industrial waste harm our environment and economy In all cases, preventing pollution

Guest Commentary

is the most cost-effective solution ”

I’ve read nearly identical statements countless times since 2016

When it comes to water quality in Florida, every day is Groundhog Day To break this “insane” cycle, Floridians need to pass the proposed “Right to Clean and Healthy Waters” Constitutional Amendment

Here’s how this commonsense law would work: Because state agencies, such as the DEP, cannot ignore the constitution and our fundamental rights, if they allow harm to Florida waters, they must have a compelling state interest for doing so something more important than clean water Even then, they must do all they reasonably can do to limit that harm to no more than what is necessary If they don’t, we can take them to court and the court can make sure they do

For example, because they harm the Caloosahatchee and other SWFL waters, we could sue the relevant state agencies to stop these massive water releases from Lake Okeechobee The agencies would have to show that these releases meet a com-

See GUEST COMMENTARY, page 7

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Pedestrians, cyclists: Please make sure you are visible in the dark

To the editor:

As a local school bus driver in the Cape, I am constantly amazed at the number of walkers, joggers, and cyclists in the dark morning hours with little or no means of being seen Many are wearing black clothing, earbuds, and oblivious to traffic coming at them

Please wear a reflective vest, carry a flashlight and stay safe We can’t see you otherwise

Dale Arvay Cape Coral

Jaycee Park design needs to find a middle ground

To the editor:

After attending the Jaycee Park plan review open house and listening to the many views of the public I will distill what I heard and add my viewpoint

On the surface there are two sides The first is what the city proposes, and the other is the leave the park alone side We need for the city to listen to the people When speaking with the save the park people they want a place of solitude where one can look out over the river waters and relax in the quiet beauty of the park This would be a classic viewpoint summed up by the famous park designer Fredrick Law Olmsted Olmsted believed parks functioned as the “lungs of the city,” offering spaces that could foster physical and mental wellbeing... he saw the need to restore people’s connection to nature This is what the people are asking for

This park will change So let’s make sure it grows into something that still retains the features that make it a place of relaxation

First to go would be the boat docks One gentleman that lives nearby and watches the river daily mentioned that with the current of the river, the winds and the chop of the water docking a boat into the slips would be very difficult if not impossible in most conditions Let’s also consider if the public wants a view of the river, they don’t want to see boats and a harbor Throw in the cost of maintenance and the potential destruction from a hurricane we should remove it as a design element. What is the cost carve out for the 24 boat slips?

Second to go would be the food trucks and the bistro Not everybody wants the smell of food and the sound of generators overwhelming the smell of vegetation and the sound of the wind rippling through the trees If people want to picnic, they can bring food in Food trucks generate a lot of food

waste (animals) and trash. Very high maintenance and if not picked up diligently, will be a health issue Why do we need food trucks?

The third issue was the removal of the trees As I listened it was more about shade than removing the Australian pines According to some, the trees protect the buildings during hurricanes This may have been true in past years but according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife with their shallow surface roots these trees tend to topple in high winds As the trees age, it’s just a matter of time before they topple The people don’t want these large mature trees removed and replaced with 10foot nothing trees that will take forever to grow This is manageable with other trees that will withstand hurricanes and provide shade. Live oaks can grow 2- to 2-1/2 feet per year. Yes it will take five to 10 years for the tree to develop a nice shade canopy but once established, will last for centuries Other shade producers are gazebos, arbors that are laced with vines and flowers All landscape features that could blend in Parking and traffic and how it will interface with pedestrians were a big concern There will be increased traffic as the park serves more people There are many ways to isolate the pedestrians from cars by using landscape buffers and designated walkways This can be managed with raised berms and layered vegetation

Finally, my personal complaint is the “Band shells ” Sorry, the design shows nothing more than restrooms with an extended roof This is not a “shell” nor is the design conducive to a music performance The presenter told me that this was only a 30% concept and that the directive from the city was for it to look a certain way Sometime you have form and then there is function My tip to the designers is to go to the website https://www archdaily com/889713/how-acoustic-shellswork-and-how-to-design-them-effectively and take notes What is shown is a pavilion It will absolutely not work as a performance platform and deliver quality sound directed at a crowd If one reads the article it will instantly become apparent that this is strictly a looks only building without function Worse yet is that any performers will have to really ramp up the volume for it to project out of this building which will send noise in all directions including towards the residences nearby A shell directs the sound to the audience at minimal volume

Seating benches would be nice for the older folks that can’t sit on the ground Elevation for the spectators is also a must so a hill needs to be created Elevations create visual dimension and retreat spaces

Let’s remember that parks need places for older folks not

See LETTERS, page 6

Untreated mental illness – An ignored health crisis

On June 29, 2023, the police arrested Tyler Boone, age 35, for the death of his roommate at an apartment they shared in Fort Myers Tyler was charged with seconddegree murder A psychiatric evaluation found Tyler to be “mentally incompetent at the time” of the fatal beating, and he was transferred to a state mental hospital

Tyler’s childhood was that of an excellent student and outstanding athlete This came to an abrupt halt when he reached middle school and began to struggle with severe depression Tyler lost all interest in sports and his grades declined His mother, Jennifer, took him to a child psychiatrist who provided no diagnosis Tyler continued to struggle throughout high school He became very paranoid and hid in the bathroom for hours Tyler was evaluated by a second psychiatrist Once again, no diagnosis, but the doctor prescribed medication to calm him down

Nevertheless, Tyler’s mental health continued to deteriorate He fluctuated from mania to depression He was hearing voices, believed he was Jesus Christ, and did not sleep His mother took him to the hospital where he was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, a devastating incurable brain disorder He was 23

Tyler was prescribed medications which worked well, but he, like so many struggling

with mental illness was not medication compliant Tragically, for the severely mentally ill, not taking antipsychotic drugs can lead to a multitude of woes relapse, hospitalization, homelessness, and episodes of violence

In December 2021, Tyler’s mother enrolled him in an assisted outpatient treatment program at a behavioral health treatment center in Fort Myers Tyler also began participating in a program that supports adults who have had their lives drastically disrupted by mental illness This is where Tyler met his roommate and the two became good friends

Dottie Pacharis

Guest Commentary

Tyler’s struggle with mental illness accelerated During the period July 2022 – June 2023, he was Baker Acted six times The Baker Act is a Florida law that allows for the temporary detention and examination of people showing evidence of mental illness who are in danger of harming themselves or others It can be initiated by judges, law enforcement, physicians, or mental health profes-

From page 4

just playgrounds Some people like to just get out of doors and enjoy what nature has provided This park design needs to incorporate botanical elements and not make it a giant playpen

So here is my challenge to the city Will you listen to what the people are saying, or just plow ahead and create a highmaintenance space full of architecturally annoying features that the citizens do not want or create a place of tranquility as it stands today?

There is much opposition to this park design Is anybody for the bistro, food trucks and boat slips, other than food truck owners and boat slip builders? Please respond to add balance to this discussion If you respond and are a food truck owner please add a disclaimer

Not every Cape Coral park needs to be an amusement park

J. Caplin Cape Coral

Biden’s accomplishments

To the editor:

President Biden has had a lot of accomplishments and the list is getting longer than expected

Veterans benefits and services for veterans for toxic exposures; Violence against Women Act for resources for assault; Safer Communities Act to help reduce violence in our USA Increasing background checks for gun owners and red flag laws; some student loan forgiveness; signed the Science and Chips Act that provided funding to produce semi conductors in our county; signed the Infrastructure Reduction Act making plans for affordable and lowering the cost of medicine; signed the infrastructure legislation to repair waterways, roads, railways, bridges and supplying high-speed internet to rural communities; addressing climate change to decrease green house emissions and to promote clean energy,

The U S economy is doing very well producing change and progress

Kathleen Callard,

RNBS North Fort Myers

6-week abor tion ban bad for women

To the editor:

I have dreamed of being a Mom since I was 15 years old

When I was 31, my husband and I were thrilled to learn that we were going to have a baby. We were excited to be new parents; we’d waited so long, and it finally happened I was anxious that it might be a false positive, so I took the pregnancy test five times, just to be sure Seven weeks past my last period things took a turn; I was in pain, and I started bleeding When the pain became unbearable, in the middle of the night, we went to the ER An ultrasound was done, and bad news

sionals Individuals who are Baker Acted are transported for involuntary examination to a Baker Act Receiving

Facility Currently, there are only two such facilities in Lee County

Each time Tyler was Baker Acted, he was suicidal and homicidal, making statements about weapons and harming himself Two of the six times, Tyler was released from the hospital because the 72-hour Baker Act hold expired before a bed became available at one of the two Baker Act Receiving Facilities The Florida Highway Patrol once Baker Acted Tyler for running into traffic on I-75 During one Baker Act confinement, Tyler assaulted another person in the unit, yet he was discharged the same day after being given oral medications

On the day of the beating, Tyler’s mother became so concerned that he might hurt someone that she attempted to drive him to the hospital He refused Several hours later, Tyler beat his roommate to death with a base-

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

was written all over the technician’s face My heart sank I was scared and heartbroken The doctor confirmed that my pregnancy was ectopic Something had to be done, and fast Surgery was the only option After surgery, the doctor told me that I had already started to bleed internally into my stomach; if I’d waited longer, I could have died Years later after failed IVF treatments, my husband and I adopted our baby girl from China and later we adopted our son from Russia Words cannot express how much we love our children they are blessings from God. I am thinking of them now as I write this letter I want my children to have the same excellent healthcare that I had I don’t want my daughter to be faced with a heartbreaking critical medical need that she’s unable to get because medical staff is afraid of going to jail This scenario doesn’t bear thinking about; it’s terrifying Government should not be involved in healthcare decisions for women These choices must be made by the woman, her family, and her medical team It’s hard enough to lose a much-wanted baby, but to also face possible arrest, fleeing the state or worse, dying? That’s too much!

Sen Rick Scott is up for re-election in Florida he wants a nationwide ban on all abortion. Let’s send a clear message that legislators need to get out of women’s uteruses and get back doing the people’s work they were sent to do VOTE Scott OUT

Vote for Debbie Mucarsel-Powell for Senate in November Janine Mohl Cape Coral

A modest proposal:

How to balance Florida’s state budget

To the editor:

Revenue, as always, is a continuing concern for our state budget-makers It seems that there is never enough money to take care of all those projects that come to the attention of the legislature Some of the projects are even worthwhile

As a concerned citizen, I have some one-time fixes that may help us, at least in the short term I invite my fellow citizens to add their own suggestions to this list and then forward them to their representatives and senators Here they are:

1 Florida's Chief Financial Officer should be instructed to purchase $100 million worth of Florida State Lottery tickets with our tax money In case he is a little squeamish about doing this, the transaction can be carried on the books as a “Secured Contingent Asset” (Incidentally, calling it a “secured … asset” will help reassure the customers. And, it will keep the Feds off our backs for a while, as we figure out how to pay the taxes on our winnings, if any)

2 Simultaneous negotiations should begin immediately with both the State of Alabama and the State of Georgia for the sale of the Florida Panhandle I mean, the Panhandle is already in the Central Time Zone Besides, the Panhandlers

ball bat while shouting, “Get Out of Here Satan ”

Two mothers lost their sons that day. The following morning, the victim’s mother, Teresa Tiner, told Tyler’s mother, “I don’t blame you for my son’s death I blame mental illness ”

Tyler remains at the State Mental Hospital near Miami where he is being forced to take his meds to restore his competency to stand trial for second-degree murder Once restored, he will be returned to the Lee County Jail and await his new court date

There is something very wrong with our system when we force people with a mental illness to take their meds after they commit a crime, yet we don’t force them to take their meds before they commit the crime Our jails have become our de facto mental health institutions We are incarcerating people who need treatment, not punishment

Florida has a severe shortage of psychiatric beds and psychiatrists, a high bar toward getting into a hospital for treatment, and frequently releases patients before their symptoms have fully stabilized with no plan to coordinate continued care Florida has a mental health care crisis!

Dottie Pacharis, Mental Health Advocate and Author, Mind on the Run, A Bipolar Chronicle

(including the ones who say they live in “Florabama”) have felt for years that they are Florida’s orphan If you take them at their word, they really shouldn’t mind moving on Anyway, if all this is done right, we can get a bidding war going between these two states, and maximize the price we receive

3 Incidentally, along the same line, I had thought about suggesting that we sell Jacksonville to the state of Georgia, but there is no second state contiguous to Jax to get a bidding war going Presumably, the price wouldn’t be so good On balance, then, we should hold onto Jax, non?

4 I had also thought about selling Miami Beach to New York City, since it is so often referred to as “the sixth borough ” I will confess, however, to being teary-eyed-and-sentimental about Miami Beach So I am not putting this option on the table Besides, as we all know, New York City has money problems of its own and might not make an acceptable offer for Miami Beach

5 The state of Florida should sell off its “home rule” powers to the individual counties and cities I mean, we will have willing buyers here, because the counties and cities have been grumbling for years about being dictated to by those so-andso’s in Tallahassee. Here, at last, would be a chance for them to put their money where their mouth is (Keep in mind that Florida has been selling bits and pieces of its birthright to the Feds for years, so “selling down” to the counties and cities shouldn’t be all that hard to do)

6 If this home-rule proposal seems too far-reaching, maybe we could simply sell off the “naming rights” for the individual counties and cities Undoubtedly, we could get a bidding war going here, by also offering these naming rights to interested third parties, in addition to the counties and cities I, for one, would be interested in renaming Lee County as “Gillis County ” (That new name would have a certain je-nesais-quoi, yes?) For that matter, maybe we could get a bidding war going between supporters of Joe Biden and Donald Trump (The thought of a “Biden County” here in Florida will send some of my friends into a coma, for sure)

In conclusion, I have every confidence that my fellow citizens will “belly up to the bar” here, and offer even better suggestions After all, our beloved Florida needs all the help it can get

As always: Live Free or Die

Larry Gillis Cape Coral

PS: It occurs to me that we could sell the city of Naples to the Seminoles They have a long historical connection with Naples, of course, and could fund their purchase with all that really nice money they get from their casino at Immokalee With their sense of ritual, they would treat Sen Rick Scott (a resident of Naples) with a degree of respect that he has not been exposed to for some time I'm sure he could get used to it As above, we could get some serious money out of this transaction, and it would help balance the budget

School District continues efforts to keep buses on time

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

Although the percentages of on-time buses in the morning and afternoon have i m p r o v e d , t h e S c h o o l D i s t r i c t o f L e e County is still battling with a shortage of bus drivers

The goal is to increase the on-time percentage of buses by 3% from 88% to 91% in the morning and from 71% to 74% in the afternoon

Quarter three for the 2023-2024 school year is 92% in the morning and 72% in the afternoon, compared to the 2022-2023 school year of 87% for the morning and 70% in the afternoon

C h i e f O p e r a t i o n s O f f i c e r L a r r y Stephens said they continue to deal with a shortage of bus drivers There were 600 bus driver positions for the 2023-2024 school year, with only 543 drivers starting off the school year The district currently has 519 bus drivers, leaving 81 routes open daily

“The transportation department has an additional 22 drivers unavailable to drive because of leave of absence,” Stephens said “In addition to those absences, we average over 40 drivers calling out daily This results in having to provide coverage Each route is responsible for two schools in the morning and two schools in the afternoon ”

The school district runs 548 buses

every day 2,452 daily routes

T h e p r e s e n t a t i o n a l s o h i g h l i g h t e d decreasing preventable accidents There is an accident review committee to determine which accidents preventable vs nonpreventable Stephens said there are 22 accidents that are going to the committee

The Tuesday afternoon School Board meeting also highlighted enrollment numbers over the past five years An example given was for the 2019-2020 school year with 84,328 students enrolled with 85,038 student seats

The compound annual growth rate is 84% students and 3 96% student seats

He said there has been a consistent increase of student population corresponding with the growth of student seats

“The increase has outpaced the student population district wide,” Stephens said, adding that the new growth has been in the East Zone

The presentation also highlighted maintenance and the average days of service request is open In 2023-2024 the average number of days was 94 46, compared to 162 97 in 2022-2023

The district is implementing strategies to increase preventative maintenance to reduce the overall service request that were entered

“The goal is to keep maintenance cost below the state average. As we keep the cost down, we must also invest in facilities

to maximize the useful life of facilities and systems,” Stephens said

C h i e f F i n a n c i a l O f f i c e r D r A m i Desamours went over business impact measures during the Tuesday afternoon meeting with a focus on breakfast and lunch participation in elementary, middle, and high school.

The benchmark for breakfast in elementary and middle school is 35% taking part and the benchmark for high school is 25%

“We are meeting the benchmark as far as the elementary level At the secondary level, we are not necessarily meeting the benchmark,” Desamours said “We are working to find out the reason why ”

Lunch, on the other hand, is at 75% benchmark for elementary school and 65% for high school

“Generally, at elementary and middle are meeting participation. High school level, no,” Desamours said “We will continue to work on the reasons why and making sure we are reaching every student all the time ”

The last presentation touched upon IT P e r f o r m a n c e M a n a g e m e n t , s p e c i f i c a l l y h e l p d e s k , f i e l d s u p p o r t a n d i n - s h o p repairs

C h i e f I n f o r m a t i o n O f f i c e r D w a y n e Alton said their trends are continuing to improve year over year Some of those are due to procedural improvements, better tools, and training programs

T h e c o n v e r s a t i o n s s t e m m e d a r o u n d improvements of tech support and staff development

“We have had a lot of turnovers 60% of school tech people turnover in the last three years, new people in those positions,” Alton said “The challenges we have had with recruiting a lot of our applicants are not coming in with a lot of experience, or credentials ”

To address this, the district is ramping up its training programs for the school level and staff in the district office

“At the school level, all new tech people are assigned with a mentor, and they check on them regularly,” Alton said “It’s a pretty big lift Only 40% of people have credentials of any kind Our goal is to bring that up to where entry level is four within two years ”

He said they currently have internship programs for high school students

“The challenges are some local business partners are very good business partners and offer them more money Of the people in the organization at the school level, and district level, over 30 of them started in one of our internship programs,” Alton said

The district also offers a paid internship program

“In the past six months or so, we’ve seen the retention better. The market conditions are a challenge,” Alton said

Editorial: Policy oversteps constitutional protections for free speech; improperly imposes prior restraint

From page 4

“since the government turned its back on its people, he was turning his back on them ”

The suit filed with the United States District Court Middle District of Florida alleges the city further abridged his rights through its then-policy of banning ousted individuals from attending meetings until Council voted to “allow” their return.

The city then kept him from subsequent meetings although the then-policy only called for a vote to allow readmittance to the same meeting from which the resident was asked to leave, the suit maintains Council changed that policy in February to outline specific penalties for violating decorum rules The amended policy allows Council to impose meeting bans of 30 to 90 days, depending on whether a meeting attendee left when asked, was escorted out, was arrested, or had been previously ousted for a violation of Council rules.

Repeat “offenders” are required to petition Council “stating the reasons why they can attend Meetings without violating these Rules ” Council gets to decide whether that person will again be “allowed” to attend Council workshops and meetings

If you are arrested, as Mr Kempe was after he finally tried to speak at a meeting on Dec 13 as he said he had been advised that “nothing in the (previous) Rule forbids a removed-person from attending future Council meetings?” You’re barred until a final disposition of any criminal charges related to the ouster Then you need to jump through the petition/Council vote hoop

Let us point out that the State Attorney’s Office chose not to file charges against Mr Kempe, citing a lack of sufficient evidence

And let us point out how seriously the courts take protection of free speech rights, even when the symbolic expression is a tad more overt than the “peaceful expression” made by Mr Kempe

The case law cited by Mr Cruz is Brown v City of Jacksonville, a 2006 case

In it, District Judge Harvey Schilesinger found that the Jacksonville City Council violated the constitutional rights of a resident who approached the podium dressed in an “Aunt Jemima” outfit to “passionately” discuss what she said was inappropriate conduct by Council members in their assignment of contracts to minority business members

Because her approach “did not observe the Rules of the Council,” the woman was subsequently physically removed, arrested, and then banned from council meetings and workshops for seven “council cycles,” or about three months

In issuing an injunction enjoining the city from banning her, Judge Schilesinger found that her costumed approach was “undoubtably political speech deserving of broad First Amendment protection” and also that banning her from future meetings violated not only the First Amendment but the Fourteenth as the ban was an unlawful prior restraint and unconstitutional censorship on free speech and assembly ”

A couple of things

The Brown v City of Jacksonville case does not impede a government entity from maintaining decorum

Governments do have the right to turn off the microphone of disruptive speakers

Governments may ask disruptive meeting attendees to leave and may have disruptive persons escorted out and/or arrested should they refuse to do so

As we stated on these pages last month when Cape Coral City Council approved its

amended meeting policy without board discussion, free speech is guaranteed

Free-for-alls that disrupt the public’s business are not Reasonable rules to address disruptive behavior are not only allowed, but recommended and supported

We’re hesitant to offer a layman’s guess as to how the court will rule on Mr Kempe’s complaint as it seems that legal precedent has become just text on a chalkboard.

But we will voice an opinion: Mr Kempe’s silent protest was protected speech

The city’s continued lack of action that kept him from attending multiple meetings was wrong

The city’s meeting ban protocol was an abridgement of constitutional rights and it continues to be an abridgement of rights in its amended form

We urge Council to rescind the ban portions of its decorum policy

And we urge a quick resolution of this lawsuit

It is an embarrassing distraction the city neither needs nor can afford Breeze editorial

Guest Commentary: Constitutional amendment would guarantee ‘Right to Clean and Healthy Waters’

From page 4

pelling state interest This they can do, because protecting nearby communities from potentially disastrous flooding is clearly a compelling state interest However, these agencies would also have to show that they have done all they can to limit the harm these releases cause

When a fundamental right is threatened, courts must practice strict scrutiny, which means they must look as deeply into that threat as possible

Upon scrutiny, the court would find that 32 water basins around Lake O do not meet water quality standards, with basin pollution levels being 5 7 to 20 times higher than law allows It would find that hundreds of farm-

ers are not adhering to Best Management Practices and state agencies are not enforcing compliance It would find that most of the water in the storm water treatment areas is sugar industry water, not Lake O water Exceptionally high lake levels would have to stand up to scrutiny, too

What compelling state interest could justify these egregious levels of pollution, lack of enforcement, sugar water in treatment areas, high lake levels, and the threat they pose to our health, environment, and economy?

In the absence of a compelling state interest, the court could order agencies to correct these regulatory failures Agencies would comply because they do not have the discretion to ignore the constitution The result

would be less water released and that water would be significantly cleaner and less harmful than it is now With each passing year it would grow increasingly so.

Some people unnecessarily worry that this amendment will lead to a proliferation of lawsuits That hasn’t happened in states that have had similar amendments for decades

Others believe that taxpayer funded reservoirs, the “holy grail” of Everglades restoration, will solve our water problems Mr Judah, and many other experts, disagree, noting the reservoirs aren’t big enough to do the job

We should, of course, try to vote for the right people into office and to pressure elected officials to do the right thing But these

efforts have too often proven ineffective We need the additional protections that a constitutional right to clean and healthy waters can provide.

Efforts to qualify this amendment for the 2024 ballot came up short last year, so voters must sign the new petition to qualify the amendment for the 2026 ballot Lee County voters who signed last time will soon be receiving new petitions in the mail All other registered voters should go to FloridaRightToCleanWater org and print out, sign, and mail the petition ’

Joseph Bonasia is Operations and Communications director for FloridaRightToCleanWater org

Cape Coral summer camp registrations open Monday

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

Registration for the city of Cape Coral’s summer camps which will run from June through August will open at 7 a m Monday, April 1

“Most of the camp locations are the same The only thing that changes each year are the camp themes, or titles,” city spokesperson Kaityln Mullen said

Locations include Four Freedoms Park, Lake Kennedy Center, Oasis North Elementary, Oasis South Elementary, Rotary Park, Cape Coral Art Center, Oasis High School, Eagle Skate Park, and Frieda B Smith Special Pops Camps will begin the week of June 3-7 and finish the week of Aug 5-9

“Each facility comes up with its own programming,” she said “They keep the topics relevant and add new ideas every year to make it new, fun and exciting.”

The themes this year include Preschool Summer Camptacular, Youth Center Summer Camp, Dance Camp, Traveling Summer Camp, Super Science Camp, Police Athletic League, Eco-Adventure Nature Camp, Creativity Camp, Tennis Camp, Skate Park Summer Camp, Teen Adventure Camp and Special Populations Summer Camp

The ages run from as young as 4 to 22 years old

Mullen said for the three Youth Center locations Youth Center, Oasis South, and Oasis North there is room for 120 children

Locations include Four Freedoms Park, Lake Kennedy Center, Oasis North Elementary, Oasis South Elementary, Rotary Park, Cape Coral Art Center, Oasis High School, Eagle Skate Park, and Frieda B Smith Special Pops Camps will begin the week of June 3-7 and finish the week of Aug. 5-9.

each, and the Eagle Skate Park has spots for 13 campers

“Each counselor is allowed to supervise up to 25 children,” she said

There was not a number of open slots specified for the remainder of the camps

The guide can be found at https://cld bz/TzTJITu, and registration can be done at www CapeParks com Registration will remain open while there are still camp spots to fill, Mullen said, with the option of waitlists for full camps

“Spots will likely fill quickly, and payments must be made during registration to reserve camp placement for each week,” she said “No registrations prior to 7 a m April 1 will be accepted ”

Youth volunteers sought for cleanup

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

Youth volunteers are being sought to help clean Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve next month as part of Global Youth Service Day

“Youth engagement is a cornerstone of the Keep Lee County Beautiful program Educating our youth on the importance of being good land stewards is crucial to maintaining clean and sustainable communities for generations to come The KLCB Youth Advisory Council leads the Global Youth Service Day event,” said Keep Lee County Beautiful, Inc spokesperson Tisha Bayne said “The Youth Advisory Council is a leadership development program providing high school students from diverse backgrounds across the county an opportunity to act as service-learning ambassadors in their community.”

They have been hosting Global Youth Service Day for eight years

“The event did not take place the last two years due to COVID and the hurricane,” she said “Typically, the event took

place at Lovers Key State Park, and we would have 100 youth attend to learn and participate in environmental learning ”

This year, Global Youth Service Day will be held from 8:30 to 11 a m Saturday, April 20, at the Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve, 2500 S E 24th St , Cape Coral KLCB is looking for youth 12-24 years old to volunteer for the event

“This year the event will be smaller with 3 5 y o u t h s a t t h e F o u r M i l e C o v e Ecological Preserve,” Bayne said

To volunteer, register at www signupgenius com A free lunch will be given to all volunteers after the event to celebrate

“The youth volunteers will be working in small groups on a variety of projects t h r o u g h o u t t h e p a r k s u c h a s c l e a n i n g memorial bricks, revamping the kayak rental area, cleaning the visitor center, and performing a park litter cleanup,” she said

Global Youth Service Day was first established in 1988

For more information about Keep Lee County Beautiful, Inc visit www klcb org, or call (239) 334-3488

Lee GOP to host discussion on state and national politics

Lee County GOP Chairman Michael Thompson will host a discussion on national and state politics on Saturday, April 6, from 1 to 3 p m at Word of Life Church, 6111 South Pointe Blvd , Fort Myers Joining Thompson for a wide-ranging discussion will be UFC Hall of Famer and owner of Tito’s Cantina Tito Ortiz, “infamous political consultant” Roger Stone, former Congressman Madison Cawthorn, constitutional attorney and talk show host

David Pollack, and political reporter Neil McCabe, organizers said

“Registered Republicans are asked to attend to discuss the many issues facing the United States of America and Free State of Florida,” a release from the Lee GOP states

Those interested in attending may reach o u t t o C h a i r m a n T h o m p s o n a t Chair@LeeGOP org

School district sees increase in number of students with disabilities

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

The School District of Lee County continues to see an increase in students who have an identified disability an uneven rise in students they serve

Student Services Executive Director Dr Jessica Duncan said the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is for students 3 to 21 Unlike the 504 plan, IDEA includes an individualized education plan, or IEP, which provide for the specialized instruction and support a student requires in an education environment

Exceptional Student Education Assistant Director Scott Kozlowski said there has been a 4 3% increase of students with disabilities As of last October, there are 11,905 students with disabilities who are served under IDEA

“We are seeing an uneven rise in our students that we serve,” Kozlowski said, adding that 14 7% of the total are students who are on the autism spectrum

There has been an 8% increase in the number of students who have other health impairments; a 49 7% increase in the number of students who have developmental disabilities and a 16 9% increase in the number of student with speech impairments

The district has also seen eligibility areas with increasing populations, one of which is students who have developmental delays, which went from 819 in the fall of 2022 to 1,174 in the fall of 2023

Duncan said two things are happening Last year legislation passed which allows students to keep their eligibility until they are 9; previously it was 6 years old

“We really appreciate the extra years in that area,” Duncan said, adding that it does not account for the entire increase “Additionally, a number of students in pre-K make up the majority and those numbers continue to grow ”

The areas in which the district saw a small decrease are students with specific learning disability, language impaired, emotional/behavioral disability eligibilities, deaf or hard of hearing and orthopedically

impaired

There have also been other eligibilities that have not increased, or decreased by more than 10 students, which include hospital homebound, intellectual disability, dual-sensory impairment, traumatic brain injury and visually impaired.

Kozlowski also touched upon students who have disabilities scoring 3 or higher on state assessments for grades 3 to 10 He said prior to 2022-2023 school year different standards were used for the general and modified assessment

“The gap between the percentage of 3 or above are also decreasing We are closing that gap with students with and without disabilities scoring a 3 or above,” Kozlowski said Duncan said two years ago the focus was on student support A new math and reading intervention program was given for teachers,

which includes technology to assess student gaps

Duncan said 338 students are in supplemental reading and 113 students in math With 27 weeks, she said, has allowed 113 students in reading and 45 students in the math program to increase their skill by one or more grade level

Kozlowski said what he is most excited about is the gap being closed on the graduation rate between students with and without an identified disability He said there are two paths that can be taken for graduation, the general and traditional path, and the modified path, a path determined by the IEP team

“Both paths do lead to a standard diploma,” Kozlowski said

One path includes standard curriculum, standard courses and participates in FAST, compared to the other path that includes a modified curriculum, ACCESS courses and participation in FAA

Kozlowski said the Florida ACCESS points takes the general standard and modifies it to the basic components and gives the teachers a little more flexibility to make sure students have access to standards He said they have access to standards, the same courses, but are modified to their level

Gunter named Florida League of Cities’ 2024 Home Rule Hero Award recipient

T h e F l o r i d a L e a g u e o f C i t i e s h a s awarded Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter the Home Rule Hero Award for the third year in a row

T h e a w a r d i s i n r e c o g n i t i o n o f Gunter’s hard work and advocacy efforts during the 2024 Legislative Session to address local problems with local solutions and minimal state interference, officials said.

“I am honored to once again be recognized by the Florida League of Cities and advocate for our city at the state level,” G u n t e r s a i d i n a p r e p a r e d s t a t e m e n t released by the city “I think it’s always important to advocate for the needs of our community, and this is a representation of that hard work ”

Home Rule Hero Award recipients are local government officials, both elected a n d n o n e l e c t e d , w h o c o n s i s t e n t l y responded to the League’s request to reach out to members of the legislature and help give a local perspective on an issue

They worked throughout the legislative session to promote local voices making local choices, protect the Home Rule powers of Florida’s municipalities, and advance the League’s legislative agenda.

Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter

C a p e C o r a l B r e e z e w w w . c a p e c o r a l b r e e z e . c o m M a r c

JROTC: Mariner team on a winning streak; takes first overall in national competition

From page 1

Williams, said they are immensely proud of their cadets

“To achieve any high-level accomplishment requires an inordinate amount of t i m e , c o m m i t m e n t a n d c o n s i s t e n c y , ” Bryan Williams said “These superstar cadets have absolutely done just that But, to win a national championship requires each individual to have discipline not only during practice but also on their own, outside of practice time ”

Williams said the cadets learned that high-performing athletes are “24/7 ath-

letes ” That they must be aware of how they spend their time, and how their decisions ultimately contributes to their goals Decisions such as food and drink choices, extracurricular activities, extra workouts, mental preparation, and above all, taking care of their top priority academics, needs to be at the forefront. The team’s grade point average is 3 65

“As hard as we train, our mantra has always remained ‘results matter, but the most important priority is building character and life skills,’” Williams said “Coach Marybeth Williams and I believe if we

focus on building a young person’s character, they can accomplish anything they put their minds to ”

The JROTC program at Mariner is no stranger to success This is the program’s third separate top finish at a national competition over the last 120 days The first win came at the Junior Air Nationals, also at Camp Perry, in January Camp Perry is t h e h o m e o f t h e G a r y A n d e r s o n Competition Center, named after the most decorated Olympic shooting athlete in American history Incidentally, Mariner athletes had the honor of meeting Mr Anderson at its very first national level competition in June of ’22

“Since then, we have crossed paths with him several times and had private mentoring sessions with him and our team,” Williams said. “He has had a big influence on our success ”

T h i s p a s t y e a r , r e g i o n a l q u a l i f y i n g matches took place across the country between October and December for the Junior Air Nationals Mariner qualified a Team-1 and Team-2 (or “squads”) for the national match This was an historic event for the state of Florida to have two squads from one program qualify for a national match Mariner-1 took first and Mariner-2 took fifth overall

“We also had three shooters in the top eight overall,” Williams said. “Competing in Ohio was a strategic match to participate in because we knew the biggest national championship would be in Ohio again in March It served as a rehearsal, so to speak ”

Each high school JROTC Program represents a specific branch of military service, with Mariner being an Army program In February, Mariner once again qualified t w o s q u a d s f o r t h e A r m y S e r v i c e Championship in Anniston, Ohio at the Civilian Marksmanship Program South Range

“Frankly, this match was a goal our program set its eyes on three years ago,” Williams said “No Florida team has ever won the Army Service Championship, and at the time, just making it to the championship podium was a lofty idea

“After our win in Ohio, our cadet athletes’ confidence grew, but we knew there were many other high-performing teams, to include the three schools who took turns consistently winning the last 12 Army Championships so we had to continue to work hard and never take anything for granted ”

Williams said the focus and discipline

of his athletes propelled them to win their second national match at the Army Service C h a m p i o n s h i p a n d m a k e h i s t o r y f o r Florida and Lee County, qualifying them f o r t h e A l l - S e r v i c e s J R O T C N a t i o n a l Championship Mariner-2 placed ninth overall, narrowly missing the qualification. Cadet Nathan Krokstrom placed first in the individual Sporter class championship and the squad of four all finished in the top 20

Mariner’s most recent victory can be referred to as “the granddaddy” of youth air rifle championships

The top seven teams from each JROTC branch of service (Army, Marines, Navy, A i r F o r c e ) c o m p e t e f o r t h e t i t l e o f “JROTC national champion ” There are more than 3,400 JROTC programs across the world, of which an estimated 2,000plus have an air rifle team

At this competition, college coaches, scouts, and the Army Marksmanship Unit are on hand recruiting athletes and bestowing cash prizes and free air rifles to the winners The best of the best for the United States showcase their skills after hundreds of hours of training and competing over the past year

“This is the big one,” Williams said “Having competed at a national level and understanding the pressure of high stakes twice in the previous two months paid off. O ur cadet athletes remain pois ed and exhibited a core value believing in oneself and each other ”

After finding themselves in a tough spot after a shaky first day and four points out of first place, Mariner came back with a winning mindset on day two and delivered

They surged ahead of second place Webb City, Missouri (a two-time former Army Champion) by 37 points to claim the title

Cadet Elyssa Vazquez, the youngest on the Triton Varsity team, finished third overall in the Nation as an individual, and received a $400 check Cadet Nathan Krokstrom finished seventh overall, helping Mariner become the only team with two athletes in the eight-person Finals Mariner also received a $2,000 check from the Civilian Marksmanship Program and a new Crosman air rifle

“Cadets Vazquez and Krokstrom exhibited incredible consistency, focus and discipline over the two days of competition, resulting in their achievement,” Williams said “While shooting athletes always want

At Camp Perry, Ohio, cadets from Mariner Army JROTC captured top honors at the National Air Rifle Competition that took place March 22 to 23 The cadets were able to finish first overall in the highly competitive Sporter Division, showcasing their teamwork and marksmanship skills at the highest level among 28 teams. Mariner became the first JROTC Army team to win the national championship in 11 years. RIGHT: Cadet Elyssa Vazquez, the youngest on the Triton Varsity team, finished third overall in the Nation as an individual at the National Air Rifle Competition, and received a $400 check for her achievement./PHOTOS PROVIDED

JROTC: Community service prioritized

From page 12

their team to win, deep down these young athletes always set their eyes on ‘making it to Finals,’ an exciting conclusion to shooting matches.”

Mariner became the first JROTC Army team to win the national championship in 11 years

Coach Marybeth Williams had been r e h e a r s i n g F i n a l s o v e r t h e p a s t t w o months, since Mariner introduced electronic shooting targets to the program These rehearsals proved to be a game changer, as both of its athletes, as best they could on the national stage, remained calm under pressure Williams said this type of poise and self-discipline are two of the life skills shooting athletes take with them from the sport, which ultimately will help them find success in all of their life endeavors

The mission of Mariner’s JROTC is to “motivate young people to be better citizens ” Its after school co-curricular programs are the application tools of the character and leadership lessons taught in the classroom during the school day Williams said community service is the most powerful tool of the JROTC program teaching young people to be involved and take charge of their communities

“Over the past 5 years our program has averaged over 5,000 volunteer hours per year of community service,” Williams said “While these numbers might sound impressive, what’s more important is the affect these young people have on their communities ”

In the past several years, the Triton’s service learning projects have included delivery of 93 jumbo care packages to military service members serving overseas; donating more than 17,000 pounds of food

“As hard as we train, our mantra has always remained ‘results matter, but the most important priority is building character and life skills Coach Marybeth Williams and I believe if we focus on building a young person’s character, they can accomplish anything they put their minds to.”

Maj. Bryan Williams, who coaches the Mariner High JROTC team with his wife

to fight food insecurity in Lee County; providing thousands of hygiene products in partnership with United Way; and packaging hundreds of toys and craft kits for G o l i s a n o C h i l d r e n ’ s H o s p i t a l p a t i e n t s Cadets are found all over the community performing color guards for community events, performing clean up in parks, helping at assisted living facilities, and volunteering at numerous veteran events

“It usually only takes one volunteer event for a cadet to realize how rewarding it is to get involved in the community and make a difference,” Williams said “This inspires young people to adopt a servant leadership ideology. When we announce v o l u n t e e r o p p o r t u n i t i e s i n c l a s s , i t i s remarkable how many cadets want to sign up “ C h a m p i o n s h i p s a n d t r o p h i e s a r e rewarding, however absolutely nothing beats the feeling of making a difference in other’s lives and having a sense of purpose in our own backyard ”

We e k ly B R E E Z E R e c ap

Veterans honored at JetBlue Park

By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers com

Alberto Padron joined the military for a sense of purpose, the pride of wearing the uniform of this country and to honor his immigrant parents

He served in the Air Force from 1990 to 1996, when he was medically discharged

Later he felt a void in his life as he was unable to do what he wanted to do most

Then, something happened that would change his life and give him purpose in the time following COVID.

His son, who enlisted in the Air Force, told him about Home Base Florida, a local non-profit founded by the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital, located here on the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University

They offered Padron a renewed sense of belonging and community and helping his family along the way

Millions of young men and women have given their time, and some even their lives, to serve a cause bigger than themselves, to preserve, protect and defend this country and preserve peace around the world

With this area having such a large veteran population, it seems only natural that the Boston Red Sox would do something to honor them and thank them for their service

On Saturday, before and during the Red Sox and Minnesota Twins game, the Red Sox Foundation did just that, holding a night to honor veterans in partnership with Home Base Florida, an organization that provides all types of support to veterans

Home Base is one of the first and largest nonprofits in the country dedicated to healing the invisible wounds of war through clinical care, wellness, education and research – all at no cost to veterans and their families

Concerned by the rising number of suicides and the health challenges Florida veterans were facing when they returned home, Home Base opened Home Base Florida in 2014 Partnering with Florida Gulf Coast University, Lee Health, Tampa General Hospital and David Lawrence Centers, Home Base Florida provides worldclass clinical care, wellness-based programs and peer support for veterans, service members, and their families

Honorary director of Home Base Florida, retired fourstar Gen Fred Franks, sees the organization as a real benefit to veterans, an organization that he could have used back when he served and others could have used before Franks got involved in bringing Home Base here a decade ago.

“We’ve lived in Naples for more than 25 years I went to the VA hospitals and found that veterans really didn’t have anything for invisible wounds from service in Southwest Florida,” Franks said “I got with the Red Sox and decided we needed to start a program in Florida We decided on a health and fitness program ”

Franks commanded LEFT HOOK during Desert Storm in 1991 with 146,000 troops and had been in the armored cavalry his whole career He graduated from West Point in 1959 and retired in 1994

Franks lost his left leg due to wounds suffered in battle in Cambodia during the Vietnam War, but fought to stay in a combat unit

Franks said while he was recovering from his injuries in Valley Forge, he saw how veterans were being treated back then and didn’t like it

“That was fractured trust. I strongly believe that any man or woman who answers our nation’s call to preserve, protect and defend our constitution and give their lives if necessary, creates a bond of trust that we will be there for them,” Franks said “That’s where Home Base comes in, to fulfill that trust ”

The Red Sox Foundation donated more than 170 tickets for Home Base Florida veteran and family participants who walked onto the field to be acknowledged for their service during the pre-game ceremony

Fans were introduced to the Home Base mission and to Padron, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch His family also kicked off the game with the official “play ball” announcement

Following the pre-game ceremony, Padron joined Home Base Florida senior leadership for a reception, where he shared his experience in the military, his challenges transitioning to civilian life and how Home Base Florida helped him and his family

During the game, Red Sox mascot Wally the Green Monster, visited the veterans and supporters sitting in the Home Base sections

During the seventh inning stretch, an-nouncers scanned the Home Base Veteran and Family section and showcased the hometown heroes in attendance, recognizing them for their service.

Suffolk Construction and its foundation, Suffolk Cares, was the presenting sponsor for the event Pete Tuffo, president of the Gulf Coast region for Suffolk Construction, said the company, based out of Boston, has a national relationship with Home Base, helping sponsor events like this one among other things

“We donate our money and time, as Suffolk itself has a lot of veterans that utilize some of the services Home Base provides,” Tuffo said “This started in Boston and migrated down here Through a lot of interaction and to maximize our participation, we’ve supported them any way we can ”

Home Base executive director Jack Hammond is a retired brigadier general, serving with the Army from 1991-2012 After finishing his final command in Afghanistan he returned home and thought “now what?”

“Someone told me the Red Sox and Massachusetts General were looking for someone to head up a veteran program and I threw my hat in the ring,” Hammond said Hammond said after being involved in the operations

Top, veterans and their families are escorted onto the field to be honored before the Red Sox/Twins game

MARK CLIFFORD

DAR to host Vietnam War 50th commemoration program today at Eco Park

By JOHNATHAN MINEHAN news@breezenewspapers

com

National Vietnam War Veterans Day March 29

will be marked today with a special event in Cape Coral

Today, the Lawrence Kearny Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will host the city's United States of America Vietnam War 50th Commem-oration “Service, Valor, and Sacrifice” service at Eco Park from 10 a m to noon

“This is our chance to celebrate the Vietnam veterans and their sacrifices,” said Maryola Dannebaum, Regent, Lawrence Kearny DAR “The mayor of Cape Coral will be in attendance and will present a proclamation along with three other DAR chapters in the area ”

Dannebaum said the event gives attendees the opportunity to pay respect to veterans

“This is an opportunity to honor all who served in the Vietnam era and to show their love for their country, for those who gave a sacrificed for our freedoms,” said Dannebaum

The event is expected to have

100 attendees and participants

“I believe there may be a surprise flyover by local vets,” said Dannebaum “Anyone who has gone to Eco Park knows that parkin is an issue, carpool and get there ea y

Those at Lawrence Kearny enjoy events like this and are always working to serve the community and the veterans who have served

Program and participants will include:

■ Welcome - Betsea Kinne, Commemorative Chair, Lawrence Kearny Chapter, NSDAR

■ Invocation - Lilian Schick, Chaplin, Lawrence Kearny Chapter, NSDAR

■ Color Guard - SAR Lighthorse Harry Lee Color Guard Commemorative Partner

■ Pledge of Allegiance - Katy Irlbeck

■ National Anthem - Kathy Jenkins, veteran and USAF Band soloist

■ Guns & Hoses - Consolidated First Responders

■ Introduction - Maryola Dannebaum, Regent Lawrence Kearny Chapter, NSDAR Recognize Regents of DAR Chapters and Members

■ City of Cape Coral Proclamation - John Gunter, mayor

■ Special Guests - Betsea Kinne

■ Brotherhood of Heroes - Dr Carol Rae Culliton, Founder-Gunterberg Foundation & Brotherhood of Heroes, Resource Center & Military Museum in Cape Coral

■ Missing Man Table - Maryola Dannebaum, Regent Lawrence Kearny Chapter, NSDAR

■ 50th Commemoration - Dr Virginia Harper, Regent, Caloosahatchee Chapter, NSDAR

■ The Symbolism of Lapel Pin - Patti Elkin, Regent, Estero Island Chapter, NSDAR

■ Gen Dempsey Speech - Teri Peterson, Regent, USS Hannah Chapter, NSDAR

■ Presentation of Lapel Pins and Certificates by Regents - Lawrence Kearny Chapter, Caloosahatchee Chapter, Estero Island Chapter, and USS Hannah Chapter NSDAR Commemorative Partners

■ Closing Remarks - Betsea Kinne

■ Benediction - Lilian Schick

“We at Lawrence Kearny take every opportunity to help our veterans, children in the community, and the less fortunate We take pride in all we do, and we are so appreciative of all God has given us to be able to serve Cape Coral and Fort Myers,” said Dannebaum “Our motto is God, Home, and Country

Eco Park is behind the Coralwood Shopping Center at 2500 S E 24th St , Cape Coral

School District looks to maximize tax dollars, provide schools principals with greater flexibility

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

The School District of Lee County is implementing a new school allocation, which will drive more dollars to schools for the next year’s budget

Budget Director Kelly Letcher said during a Tuesday afternoon school board meeting that they have had some meetings with principals who shared they wanted more flexibility with the dollars provided to them in fiscal year 2025

Specifically, principals want to make sure funds are properly allocated for full time student numbers, or FTEs. FTEs can also be weighed to allow for the additional services students with special needs may need

“We are looking at not just the number of students, but the weighted FTE turned in for the schools and basing their allocation on weighted FTE,” she said, which would allow the funding to follow the students “FTE is now the driver for their allocation It’s very important that FTE is reported accurately ”

With this flexibility, principals must continue to meet class size and provide the services students need based on their Individual Education Plans, with the remainder being flexible for the principal to decide

“That will help them make the best, most rounded decision for students and school,” Letcher said “We will continue to meet with principals to go over the process, get their feedback to make sure we are not missing anything, and helping them, not hindering them ”

Board member Debbie Jordan asked if the allocation would include funds for an art teacher to purchase such materials as clay, a kiln, paper, as it has been expressed to her that teachers are without right now

“Kilns, clay, and supplies have line items in the budget,” Superintendent Dr Christopher Bernier said, adding that certain subjects are consumable “Science taught the

On July 19, the state Commissioner of Education will set the required local effort millage, the second calculation, followed by advertisement on July 24 and 26 for a budget workshop.

On July 30, the FY25 tentative budget hearing will be set, followed by a final budget hearing on Sept 5

right way, always need more supplies the next year Something like art, at the end of the year, the paint, paper, clay are gone You have to consider that in your budgetary appropriations.”

Letcher said those types of asks for supplies are part of the dollar amount the principal will receive

“I am sure they will have the conversations with the teachers to find out what the needs are and plan accordingly,” Letcher said “In the past we provided a dollar amount per student for their consumables We will still be providing on top of their capital dollars in case they need to replace a kiln We have always provided a material supply allocation to our schools Right now, that is in their number They will make the decision of what they want to use for that purpose ”

Letcher said they are still working on the exact figure

“My staff is running the allocations the old way and the new way to make sure there is no loss coming forward to make sure it is better for the school and making some tweaks to cover all the needs that we have,” she said

The school allocations, Chief Financial Officer Dr Ami Desamours said, will be a training and learning process for everyone They are meeting with principals this week to explain the concept and allocation

Once the principals receive their allocation, they will be walked through in small groups to understand everything that comes with it, everything they need to cover with the

funds

“We have worked through the process of formulating this whole new system with the executive directors as well,” Desamours said. “They will be the support for each of the principals to work with them To review budgets and making sure meeting requirements, potential recommendations and ramifications are to decisions ”

What students numbers mean in the budget process

Letcher spent time explaining how the budget is formulated during the afternoon meeting

Letcher explained that students are counted a couple of times a year and, from that an unweighted FTE, a basic count of kids in the hours the district serves them, is taken Added weights are given to those students based on the level of service provided to them

There is a basic weight for students K-3, 4-8 and 9-12. An added weight is given to ESOL, or speakers of multiple languages students; ESE, or Exceptional Student Education students; s and career education

Letcher said another weighted FTE is given, which is what the district receives in funding From there they take the weighted FTE and apply the formula times the base student allocation and then times the comparable wage factor, which provides the base student amount of funding for

See DISTRICT, age 37

REAL ESTATE

Dear Mr. Feichthaler:

I have a relatively large home in Cape Coral, and we are considering converting part of the house to a “mother-in-law suite” for my elderly mother My wife and I are both in favor of this for a variety of reasons She is still independent and wants to have her own room, bathroom and kitchen so she feels she is not intruding We are struggling to find a contractor that advertises the can do this, do you know who we can call?

Tyler W

Dear Tyler:

First, it is outstanding that you are conside r i n g o p e n i n g y o u r home to your mother I am sure she apprecia t e s t h e g e s t u r e . M y grandmother was independent well into her 90s, but needed to be nearer family eventually

In Cape Coral, there a r e m a n y i n s t a n c e s w h e r e v a r i o u s f a m i l y members live together, w h i c h i s c o m p l e t e l y a l l o w a b l e u n d e r c i t y o r d i n a n c e H o w e v e r , the development regul a t i o n s m a k e o n e r e s t r i c t i o n c l e a r l y : a home may not contain more than one kitchen Many homes have accessory items like microwaves, sinks, dishwashers and other similar items in other rooms in the home What a home may not have is more than one stove or oven Even if you built a guesthouse on the property, which the code does allow for, it, too, cannot have its own kitchen

Hopefully, you will be able to separate everything else possible in a way to maximize her and your privacy, and provide her all the items possible to encourage independent living However, when it comes to making her best spaghetti sauce or roast turkey, it will be in the shared kitchen Maybe she can teach you a few things about great cooking!

Of course, if you do need renovations completed in the home, always be sure to engage a licensed contractor

Eric P Feichthaler has lived in Cape Coral for over 35 years and graduated from Mariner High School in C a p e C o r a l A f t e r c o m p l e t i n g l a w s c h o o l a t G e o r g e t o w n U n i v e r s i t y i n W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . , h e returned to Cape Coral to practice law and raise a family He served as mayor of Cape Coral from 20052008, and continues his service to the community through the Cape Coral Caring Center, and Cape Coral Kiwanis He has been married to his wife, Mary, for 22 years, and they have four children He earned his board certification in Real Estate Law from the Florida Bar, and primarily practices in real estate law and wills and trusts He is AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell for professional ethics and legal ability, and is a Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator He can be reached at eric@capecoralattorney com, or 239-542-4733

This article is general in nature and not intended

Cape’s condo prices remain under pressure, inventory higher

With the month of March quickly winding down in combination with an early Easter holiday, we are getting a sense that the end of our peak selling season is right around the corner Along that line, we are noticing that some builders are getting even more aggressive with their price reductions and incentives to buyers and Realtors on their spec homes in what we would describe as “end of the season clearance sales ” To be clear, homes will still be sold during the offseason months in Southwest Florida, but with what looks likely to be a chaotic presidential election on the horizon, along with continued uncertainty over inflation and interest rates, the “golden hour” for people hoping to sell their homes and condos in Cape Coral may be upon us Simply put, buyers hold the upper hand in our current market, and it is forcing many sellers to make price reductions in order to get their homes and condos sold

In

In the Cape’s condo market, as of this past Tuesday, March 26, there were 411 active listings through a Realtor in the MLS at prices ranging from $139,000 to $3 9 million, with a median list price of $299,000 So far this year, the number of active condo listings have increased by 13 5%, from 362 condos listed in the MLS on Jan 2 when prices ranged from $158,750 to $3 9 million, with a median list price of $299,000 Looking back one year to March 28, 2023, the number of condo listings are up 93% from 213 listings in the MLS at prices that ranged from $176,100 to $3 9 million, with a median list price of $320,000

Digging a bit deeper into list prices, one year ago while we were still dealing with the one-two punch from Hurricane Ian and the impact of still rising interest rates, a total of 60 of the 213 condo units listed for sale in Cape Coral were priced at $275,000 and under, with nine of those units listed below $200,000 Today, 172 of the 411 condos on the market are listed at $275,000 and under, including 47 units that are priced below $200,000 At the other end of the spectrum, a year ago there were a total of 50 condos in the Cape listed for sale at $500,000 and above, including 17 units priced at $1 million and up Today, there are 60 condos on the market at $500,000 and above, with 19 of them at $1 million and above

As far as pending condo sales are concerned, as of this past Tuesday, March 26, there were 88 condos in the Cape

under contract with a buyer at prices ranging from $155,000 to $1 995 million, with the median pending sales price at $279,950 On a positive note, we are seeing the expected increase in “seasonal” activity, with the number of pending condo sales currently up about 110% from the 42 pending sales that were in the pipeline at the beginning of this year The median pending sales price was slightly higher at $284,000 at the start of this year However, one year ago on March 28, 2023, there were 102 pending sales in the MLS, or 14 6% more than today and the median pending condo sales price was at $305,000 or 8 2% higher than the $279,950 in today’s market. A total of 61 of the current 88 pending condo sales are at $325,000 and under, including 14 units priced below $200,000 Right now, five pending condo sales are at $500,000 and above, with one topping $1 million

Looking at the overall Cape condo market, there were 41 closed sales in the month of February, which was 8 9% lower than the 45 condos sold in February 2023, but 51 9% above the 27 sales in January of this year In the first two months of 2024, there were a total of 68 condos sold overall in the Cape, down 4.2% from the 71 condo units sold in January and February 2023

The February median sales price came in at $259,000 for the overall Cape Coral condo market, which was 12 2% below the $295,000 posted in February 2023, and it was down 8 2% from $282,000 in January of this year In the first two months of 2024, the median sales price averaged $270,500 per month in our overall condo market, or 3% above the average of $262,500 per month in January and February 2023

Gulf access canal condos

In the Cape Coral gulf access canal condo segment, which includes all “saltwater” canal condos, there were 16 closed sales in February This was 33 33% lower than the 24 condos sold in February 2023, but 45 5% above the 11 sales in January of this year In the first two months of 2024, there were a total of 27 saltwater canal condos sold in the Cape, or 15 6% less than the 32 units sold in January and February 2023

The February median sales price came in at $322,250 MARCH

Bob and Geri Quinn Homing

Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association announces inaugural SWFL-TechCon

The Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association will present its first annual SWFL-TechCon, a groundbreaking summit designed to explore and leverage the latest advancements in real estate technology The event will take place on Tuesday, March 26, from 9 a m to 5 p m at the DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Myers, located within the Bell Tower Shops

Attendees can join the event at any time throughout the day Registration is requested, but walk-ins are welcome The cost to attend is $25

SWFL-TechCon is expected to be a pivotal gathering for real estate professionals, tech innovators, and industry leaders seeking to stay ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving market This one-day summit will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, interactive workshops and networking opportunities, all focused on the intersection of technology and real estate

Topics will encompass a wide range of industry-shaping subjects focused on the future of real estate, including expert insights

on cutting-edge real estate technology, in depth exploration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for real estate, boosting social media presence, and much more Attendees will enjoy presentations from leading industry experts Chris Linsell, Johnathan Lickstein, and Craig Grant

To learn more about the event or the Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association and membership, visit RPCRA org

The Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association was chartered in 1922 as the Fort Myers Board of Realty and today serves more than 10,000 Realtor members and affiliates

The association acts as the primary resource and active advocate for its members by collectively promoting member business interests through education, communications and proactive management of industry issues

Christopher Alan Homes

introduces new 1,687-squarefoot Hibiscus floor plan

Hometown Florida builder Christopher

A l a

Hibiscus floor plan reflects the builder’s growing popularity among homebuyers and their preferences for larger, new-con-

struction single-family homes Available through the homebuilder’s spot lot program, the Hibiscus offers three bedrooms, two baths and a two-car garage within 2,460 total square feet The Hibiscus also has an option for a three-car garage Offered on select homesites in Lee, C

a s designed for a relaxed modern lifestyle with an open-concept floor plan blending living room, kitchen and dining area

Headquartered in Southwest Florida, Christopher Alan Homes is a single-family builder in Babcock Ranch, West Port, Burnt Store Village and Deep Creek The builder-owned company also builds on spot lots in Charlotte, Sarasota and Lee

c o u n t i e s i n S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a a n d Melbourne and Palm Bay on Florida’s East Central Space Coast For more information a b o u t C h r i s t o p h e r A l a n H o m e s v i s i t christopheralanhomes com or call 855-44MYCAH

Political forecast and effects topics of REIS meeting April 9

The political forecast and effects on

m a r k e t s w i l l b e d e l i v e r e d b y D e n n i s Pearlman at the Real Estate Investment Society Tuesday, April 9, luncheon meeting

Pearlman’s program will include an outlook for political action in the coming months and the implications for economic policy, market conditions, and personal financial well-being

Following the presentation, Pearlman will respond to questions of specific interest to the real estate investment and development industry

Pearlman, AIF, is a political analyst and w e a l t h m a n a g e m e n t c o n s u l t a n t w i t h Everhart Advisors He has 25 years of experience in the financial services industry and is the managing partner of the S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a o f f i c e o f E v e r h a r t Advisors

The meeting is sponsored by Seacoast Bank, and will begin promptly at 11:45 a.m. on April 9 in the Osprey Room at Pelican Preserve’s Clubhouse, on Treeline Avenue at Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers Admission is $30 for members and $45 for guests, which includes lunch Reservations are required by Thursday, April 4

Cape’s condo prices: Under pressure with inventory a bit higher

From page 16

for the Cape’s gulf access condo segment, which was 11 7% below the $364,950 posted in February of 2023, but 4% above the $310,000 posted in January of this year In the first two months of 2024, the median sales price in this segment averaged $316,125 per month, which was down 8 4% versus the average of $344,975 in January and February of 2023.

Direct sailboat access canal condos

In the Cape Coral direct sailboat access canal condo segment, which is a subgroup of gulf access condos representing properties with no bridges in the canal system, there were nine closed sales in February This was down 18 2% from the 11 condos sold in February 2023, but 50% higher

than the six units sold in January of this year In the first two months of 2024, there were a total of 15 condos sold in this segment, which was 7 1% more than the 14 direct sailboat access condo units sold in January and February 2023

The February median sales price came in at $332,500 for the Cape’s direct sailboat access condo segment, which was 15 8% below the $395,000 posted in February 2023, and down 2 2% from $340,000 in January of this year In the first two months of 2024, the median sales price in this segment averaged $336,250 per month, which was down 7 2% versus the average of $362,500 per month in January and February 2023

Dry lot condos

In the Cape Coral dry lot (non-canal) condo segment, there were 21 closed sales

in February, which was 40% higher than the 15 condos sold in February 2023, and 75% above the 12 sales in January of this year In the first two months of 2024, there were a total of 33 dry lot condos sold in the Cape, which was up 10% from the 30 dry lot condo units sold in January and February 2023

The February median sales price came in at $195,000 for the Cape’s dry lot condo segment, which was 19% below the $243,000 posted in February 2023, and 8 2% less than the $212,500 in January of this year In the first two months of 2024, the median sales price for dry lot condos in the Cape averaged $203,750 per month, or 10% below the average of $226,500 per month in January and February 2023

The sales data for this article was obtained from the Florida Realtors

Multiple Listing Service Matrix for Lee County, Fla , as of March 25, 2024, unless otherwise noted It was compiled by Bob and Geri Quinn and it includes information specifically for Cape Coral condominiums, townhouses, and villas and it does not include any single-family homes, short sales or foreclosures The data and statistics are believed to be reliable, however, they could be updated and revised periodically, and are subject to change without notice The Quinns are a husband and wife real estate team with the RE/MAX Realty Team office in Cape Coral They have lived in Cape Coral for over 44 years Geri has been a full-time Realtor since 2005, and Bob joined Geri as a full-time Realtor in 2014 Their real estate practice is mainly focused on Cape Coral residential property and vacant lots

Hancock Bridge Square: Loan for North Fort Myers development

From page 16

landscaping in a pedestrian-friendly setting

Designed by Humphrey’s & Partners Architects, Hancock Bridge Square will offer a variety of modern apartments along with upscale outdoor and indoor amenities Residents will enjoy access to a full-service fitness center, a lounge and entertainment kitchen, and a workspace area for residents

working from home Outdoor amenities will include a resort-style swimming pool and large sun deck with comfortable outdoor seating and covered lounge cabanas

Mast Capital has a diverse portfolio of residential, hospitality and commercial properties throughout the state The firm continues to expand its portfolio, with acquisitions representing over $3 5 billion in total project

capitalization These investments include new ground up development of over 4,000 residential units in South Florida, as well as the Fort Myers and Tampa metro areas For more information, visit www Mast Capital com

JLL Capital Markets is a full-service global provider of capital solutions for real estate investors and occupiers The firm's in-depth

local market and global investor knowledge delivers the best-in-class solutions for clients whether investment sales and advisory, debt advisory, equity advisory or a recapitalization The firm has more than 3,000 Capital Markets specialists worldwide with offices in nearly 50 countries For further information, visit jll com

EDUCATION

EDUCATION BRIEFS

Palmer College of Chiropractic announces 2023 fall Dean's List

DAVENPORT, Iowa -- The following students were named to the 2023 fall trimester Dean's List at Palmer C o l l e g e o f C h i r o p r a c t i c ' s F l o r i d a C a m p u s i n P o r t Orange, Florida

■ Sofia Alonso of Cape Coral

■ Jeslyn Kolasa of Cape Coral

■ Joseph Perez of Cape Coral

■ Brooke Reilly of Cape Coral

Palmer College of Chiropractic, the first and largest college in the chiropractic profession, has campuses in Davenport, Iowa; San Jose, California; and Port Orange, Florida.

For additional information about the college, visit www palmer edu

Florida SouthWester n State College to host 'The Battle of the Buccaneers'

Florida SouthWestern State College has announced the return of its annual public speaking showcase, "The B a t t l e o f t h e B u c c a n e e r s , " w h i c h w i l l t a k e p l a c e

Tuesday, April 9, at 3 p m , in the Rush Auditorium

This exciting competition, now in its fourth year, continues to highlight the exceptional talent and hard work of FSW students in mastering the art of oration.

This year’s panel of judges includes FSW English professor Jeremy Pilarski, Incubate Debate Coordinator Yurit Santos and special guest J Webb Horton, ESPN announcer and assistant director of Community Based Admissions, FGCU

The competition adopts an "American Idol Style" feedback approach, with judges providing valuable insights to each speaker post-presentation Winners will be chosen for the first, second and third places, with prizes of $200, $100, and $50, respectively

In addition to the competition, the event seeks to engage the broader community by allowing the audience to vote for their favorite speaker, who will receive a special gift card Attendees will also have the chance to win door prizes, including more gift cards, and enjoy complimentary refreshments like pizza and drinks

For more information, please contact Jamie Votraw at 239-489-9448

Visit www FSW edu for more information about FSW

High School Voter Registration Challenge winners announced, Island Coast High finishes third

Lee County Supervisor of Elections Tommy Doyle recently announced the winners of the 2023-2024 High School Voter Registration Challenge and the winners of t h e o f f i c e ’

Registration Challenge

The High School Voter Registration Challenge winners include Lehigh Senior High School in first place, East Lee County High School in second place and Island Coast High School in third place Oasis High School took first place in the Charter High School Voter Registration Challenge, followed by North Nicholas High School in second place Lee Elections’ Community Education Services team members registered and pre-registered 1,175 new voters ages 16 and older across all participating schools a n d a s s i s t e d 4 7 0 s t u d e n t s w i t h v o t e r r e g i s t r a t i o n updates

T h e a n n u a l H i g h S c h o o l V o t e r R e g i s t r a t i o n Challenge aims to encourage eligible high school students to register to vote and become active participants in the election process

This school year’s Challenges began on Aug 28, 2023, and ended on Feb 16 Twelve of the 15 county high schools and two of the 10 charter high schools invited by Lee Elections participated

The Lee County Supervisor of Elections’ mission is to deliver superior election services to the voters of Lee County

Camp Invention summer STEM program coming to Oasis High in June

Camp Invention, a nationally recognized, nonprofit summer enrichment program, is coming to Oasis High School the week of June 24-28

A program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Camp Invention challenges children in grades K-6 to tap into their natural curiosity and use their creativity to s o l v e p r o b l e m s . T h r o u g h h a n d s - o n a c t i v i t i e s , C a m p Invention promotes STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) learning; builds confidence, leadership, perseverance and resourcefulness; and encourages entrepreneurship - all in a fun and engaging environment

Each year, the program features a new curriculum inspired by some of the nation's most world-changing inventors - the National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees This year's Illuminate program encourages children to be confident in their ideas and explore their innovativeness though hands-on activities including:

■ Let's Glow: Creativity radiates as campers uncover the science of light through illuminating inventions and glowing animals

■ Prototyping Studio: Children star as contestants on a game show where they mold, shape and transform their ideas into amazing inventions

■ In the Game: As campers create their own light-up game board, they team up to tackle athletics, design, business and invention

■ Operation: HydroDrop: Children embark on a global operation to help solve water challenges around the world

“Camp Invention opened up a whole new creative world for my daughter,” said the parent of a 2023 Camp Invention camper “Now she looks around for things she can use to build new things, and she uses a creative thought process to figure out how to build it! She's already looking forward to Camp Invention in 2024 ”

All local Camp Invention programs are facilitated and taught by qualified educators who reside and teach in the

community Camp Invention serves 122,000 students every year and partners with more than 2,500 schools and districts across the nation For more information or to register, visit invent.org/camp.

About Camp Invention

Camp Invention is the only nationally recognized summer program focused on creativity, innovation, real-world problem solving and the spirit of invention Through hands-on programming, Camp Invention encourages children entering kindergarten through sixth grade to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics curricula inspired by some of the world's greatest inventors Since 1990, our education programs have served more than 2 6 million children, and 309,000 teachers and Leadership Interns Regional program sponsors include the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Students recognized for award-winning designs in Kids Tag Art program

The Lee County Tax Collector and the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools honored 84 School District of Lee County 5th graders with Awards of Distinction for their designs in the Kids Tag Art program The top two student designers from each participating elementary school were recognized at an awards ceremony at Cypress Lake High School

Noelle Branning, Lee County Tax Collector, and Marshall Bower, president and chief executive officer of the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools hosted the event

Kids Tag Art is a fundraising program that inspires fifth grade students to design their own license plates fashioned after Florida’s 100 specialty plates Students learn how these plates support deserving causes, like environmental protection, health initiatives and public education

In addition to the Awards of Distinction, four students earned accolades for their themed designs

The Design Excellence Award given by the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools is presented to a student whose design best represents giving back to the communit y T h e w i n n e r i s K r i s t e n R o e f r o m E d i s o n P a r k Elementary

The Educational Excellence Award given by the School District of Lee County honors a student whose design best illustrates the power of education The winner of this award is Renee Scalise from Bayshore Elementary

The Suncoast Sunny Futures Award is presented by Suncoast Credit Union to the student whose creative expression best illustrates the idea of what a school of the future will look like This award is presented to Oraia Pitts from Diplomat Elementary

The Tax Collector’s Choice Award is personally selected by the tax collector and presented to an Award of Distinction winner who portrays the character of the Kids Tag Art Initiative This year’s winner is Camila Munoz from Skyline Elementary

In addition, the Teacher’s Tag Art Award was presented to Art Teacher Danielle Hopkins from Hancock Creek Elementary School

“We are thrilled to honor these creative and talented students, while supporting the arts programs in our schools,” said Noelle Branning, Lee County Tax Collector “Our teachers spend hundreds of their own dollars to give their students the best art experience possible We are happy to be able to remove some of that financial burden through this program ”

This year each participating art teacher received $700 Since 2016, the program has raised nearly $263,000 for elementary art teachers to support their classrooms

“We cannot say enough great things about this program,“ said Marshall Bower, President and CEO of the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools. “We engage with our outstanding partners at the Tax Collector’s office, students engage in the arts, teachers receive much needed art funding, and our business partners play a role in enhancing art education! A well-rounded education must include the arts because art plays an important role in commerce and enriching our lives ”

h

g A r t i s Suncoast Credit Union Other sponsors include The Community Foundation, First Horizon, Edison Bank/Bank of the Islands, Grant Street Group, Lee County Electric Co-Op (LCEC), JP Morgan and Dprint

COMMUNITY

By ANN BLOCK news@breezenewspapers com

Excited about the warmer March weather, I recently went to the All Native Nursery in Fort Myers looking for flowers to enhance my spring garden I wanted flowers to attract birds, bees and butterflies

GARDEN CLUB OF CAPE CORAL

I have seen many purple Mexican petunias in our neighborhood I knew t h e y a r e i n v a s i v e b u t w a n t e d s o m e t h i n g s i m il a r A t t h e n u r s e r y , I found purple wild petunias (Ruellia caroliniensis) and decided to choose t h r e e p r e t t y l a v e n d e r flowering plants When I got home, I researched this flowering plant. To my delight, this is what I found online and I’d like to share with all my fellow gardeners

The wild petunia is a pretty little plant native to much of the eastern U S and Florida This lovely plant isn't actually a petunia (which are relatives of the tomato) but rather a member of the Acanthaceae family Either way, the resemblance is striking

Standing about a foot in height, wild petunia is an excellent addition to a bed with other short plants In ideal conditions, this plant can exceed one foot and spread quite vigorously In Florida it is blooming throughout the hottest, driest times of the summer While other plants are withering away, wild petunia will be going strong It is quite a hardy species as well, handling most conditions, except for shade and wet swampy soil In fact, it's so hardy that it can be a bit aggressive, so keep an eye on where seedlings turn up It does great as a ground cover, with a sidewalk or something to contain it When mature, the seeds literally explode from the plant, traveling upwards of 10 feet!

When in flower, wild petunia attracts a wide variety of insect pollinators, but the lavender blooms are especially attractive to long tongued bees and butterflies To my delight, I found that it is also a host plant for the common buckeye and white peacock butterflies Other common names for Ruellia humilis include prairie petunia, fringeleaf wild petunia, and hairy Ruellia

It is an herbaceous, long-lived perennial and one of the first wild flowers to bloom in the spring It has a strong woody root system that allows it to survive our cool Florida weather and quickly come back in the spring It also holds up very well for transplanting

See WILD PETUNIAS, page 30

Veterans Build: Habitat for Humanity dedication welcomes veteran to new home

Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties recently held a home dedication for a U S Army veteran at its Journey Together Neighborhood in the city of Fort Myers Greg, a former combat medic, is the first to have a home built in Lee County through Habitat’s new Veterans Build program

On Feb 28, Habitat leadership and staff, volunteers and sponsors of the Veterans Build attended the dedication ceremony at Greg’s home, along with fellow veteran and Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson Last September, the same group gathered at the empty home lot to help raise the exterior walls of Greg’s new home During the dedication, Habitat gifted Greg a personalized Bible, a key to his new home and an American flag to hang outside his front door

Following his military service, Greg set his sights on raising a family, attending college and working full-time His dream of owning a home remained out of reach, though, forcing him to rent and live with a roommate until l e a r n i n g a b o u t H a b i t a t ’ s A f f o r d a b l e H o m e o w n e r s h i p Program Turning his dream into reality, Greg completed 300 hours of sweat equity, more than 20 hours of homeownership and financial literacy classes and paid $2,000 for closing costs on his new home

“The generosity of our community is the cornerstone of initiatives like Veterans Build, which allows us to partner with hardworking veterans like Greg,” said Elisha Baird,

vice president of strategic partnerships for Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties “We are thrilled to celebrate this exciting milestone with Greg as he achieves his dream of homeownership and look forward to partnering with more veterans in our area ”

V e t e r a n s B u i l d s p o n s o r s o f G r e g ’ s h o m e i n c l u d e Beacon Point Associates, Bonita Bay Veterans Council, Dave and Jacque Owens, Midland Trust and Shadow Wood Charitable Foundation

The Veterans Build initiative highlights the organization’s ongoing commitment to partnering with veterans faced with challenges of affordable housing The program opens the door for partnerships with sponsors, individual donors, community organizations and volunteers to build homes with veterans to help them achieve their dreams of homeownership

S i t u a t e d b e t w e e n M c C o r m i c k S t r e e t a n d P r o s p e c t Avenue, Habitat’s new Journey Together Neighborhood is a 6-acre HOA community in Fort Myers Planned for 29 single-family homes, the neighborhood features three- and four-bedroom designs ranging from 1,200 to 1,400 square feet

For more information or to become a sponsor, visit Habitat4Humanity org/VeteransBuild

For more information about Habitat for Humanity, visit Habitat4Humanity org

Walls of first 17 homes raised in new McNeill Village neighborhood

Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties has raised the walls on the first 17 homes in its new McNeill Village neighborhood, a new affordable housing community being built in North Fort Myers

Marking the halfway point of the project, the first set of walls were raised between Feb 15 and March 2 with the help of Habitat volunteers and supporters The 17 homes will be move-in ready this year, with the remaining homes to be built next year Once completed, the neighborhood will present 36 single-family homes featuring three and four-bedroom designs

“We are so grateful for the generosity of our donors, the foresight of our county leaders and the tireless effort of our

Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties “We are excited to see their dreams of homeownership come true for our homebuyers ”

In June 2022, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners allocated $2 5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to Habitat for Humanity for the McNeill Village neighborhood Because of these funds, Habitat was able to begin developing the new community one year ahead of schedule

During this time last year, Habitat staff, volunteers,

See

PHOTO PROVIDED

The wild petunia plant.

PHOTO PROVIDED

New homeowner Greg, holding an American flag and the keys to his new house, poses with Veteran Build sponsors

C a p e C o r a l B r e e z e w w w . c a p e c o r a l b r e e z e . c o m M a r c

American Legion Riders helping veterans in need

Cape Coral American Legion Post 90 has an active Riders group Chapter 90 Riders is a motorcycle club that does a lot of good During the holidays it organized a “teddy bear run” for Golisano Childrens Hospital to deliver a teddy bear to every child in care

But most recently the Riders had a special breakfast that was open to the public to s u p p o r t P r o j e c t V e t R e l i e f S u i c i d e Prevention Initiative They served 208 b r e a k f a s t s a n d t h e e v e n t r a i s e d o v e r

$3,417, to be donated to the suicide prevention initiative It is an unfortunate fact

The Chapter 90 Riders also supplied and laid wreaths for the Wreaths Across A m e r i c a e v e n t h e l d a t C o r a l R i d g e Cemetery

that veterans suffer a much higher suicide rate than the general public

The Riders, who had 21 volunteers working at the event at Post 90 in Cape Coral, want to thank Legion members and especially members of the public that supported this effort

Chapter 90 will be participating in a s t a t e w i d e e f f o r t i n A p r i l w h e n a l l

American Legion Posts will help to raise m o n e y f o r P r o j e c t V e t R e l i e f S u i c i d e Prevention Initiative The local group will r i d e a r o u n d 1 , 2 0 0 m i l e s s t o p p i n g a t American Legion Posts throughout the state accepting donations to the cause You can contribute to this worthy cause by visiting https://give floridalegion org/ team/563312

Diocese of Venice celebrates Sacred Chrism Mass

The Most Rev Frank J Dewane, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Venice in Florida, was joined Tuesday, March 26, by close to 200 priests and deacons from across the Diocese for the annual Chrism Mass at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice

The Chrism Mass, which takes place during Holy Week every year, is one of the most solemn and important liturgies of the Catholic liturgical calendar It is also the largest annual gathering of the clergy and the faithful in the Diocese of Venice

At the Chrism Mass, priests renew promises made at their ordination as an expression of unity with their shepherd, the bishop of the Diocese In addition, Bishop Dewane blessed the holy oils, and consecrated the Chrism Oil, used in the administration of the sacraments throughout the year at each Diocesan parish.

Priests and Deacons celebrating 25 and 50 years of ordination as well as other milestone anniversaries were recognized at this Mass for their service to the church

The following priests and deacons celebrating milestone anniversaries included 50 years: The Rev Richard Bondi, the

Rev James Drew, the Rev Brian Manning and the Rev Mark Svarczkopf, along with Deacon Michael Leahy

25 years: The Rev Victor Caviedes, t h e R e v A n t h o n y H e w i t t , t h e R e v Antonio Jean and the Rev Jay Raju, along

with Deacon Peter Fullen, Deacon Edward Gwiazda, Deacon William Hickey and Deacon Alfred Mauriello

The Diocese of Venice in Florida was established by Pope Saint John Paul in 1984 and today includes 61 parishes, 15

schools and serves an estimated 250,000 Catholics in 10 counties F o r a d d i t i o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n o n t h e Diocese of Venice in Florida, please visit the diocese’s website at http://www dioceseofvenice org

PHOTO PROVIDED

Hundreds of priests join Bishop Frank J Dewane on the altar at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice for the Sacred Chrism Mass Tuesday

Cape Coral Animal Shelter taking in high number of once-adopted pets

Reasons vary why people are turning in animals they can’t keep

By PARKER BLOCH news@breezenewspapers com

The Cape Coral Animal Shelter is experiencing a high return rate for once-adopted animals

While the cost of care or the time and responsibility of caring for a pet are reasons that some people return their animals, the biggest reason by far is housing restrictions, according to Liz McCauley, executive director of the Cape Coral Animal Shelter & Veterinary Clinic

Many condos, apartments and other rentals will have clear size and/or breed restrictions on animals and some places

advertise as “pet friendly” but have size restrictions

W i t h h o u s i n g r e s t r i c t i o n s m a k i n g adopting or keeping a pet difficult, McCauley said they are trying to get legislation passed on the basis of discrimination

“Even puppies are having a hard time g e t t i n g a d o p t e d b e c a u s e o f s i z e , ” McCauley said

And while housing restrictions are the biggest reason for owner surrenders, people also continue come in with animals they can no longer take care of for other reasons

If someone comes in with an animal they can no longer care for for financial reasons; the shelter does its best to try and keep the animal in the home

The shelter offers donated food and veterinary care 25-30% lower than typical costs when they can, according to CCAS Manager Kris Barnes

Sometimes, pets just don’t work out for other reasons, such as being more of a time or energy commitment than expected

When you’re looking to adopt an animal, shelter officials suggest you be honest with what you do, what you’re looking for in a pet and listen to the workers at the

shelter, because they know the animals better than anyone else

Do research on the breed and type of dog you want to make sure that they fit your lifestyle, McCauley and Barnes agree.

“Make sure it’s the right fit for you, because it’s their lifetime commitment,” McCauley said

Along with doing your research, Barnes said one of the best things a pet owner can do to help prevent shelters from filling up is to spay and neuter

“Spay and neuter. Spay and neuter. Spay and neuter You can’t say spay and neuter enough,” Barnes said, “and if you don’t agree with it, go look at an animal shelter and see all the animals they have ”

McNeill Village: Habitat for Humanity raises walls on 17 homes

From page 19

s p o n s o r s a n d c o m m u n i t y l e a d e r s w e r e gathered for the neighborhood’s land dedication

“One of the greatest things that Habitat provides to its clients is the ability for them to build equity not only through their homes but also through the value and worth they feel within themselves to pursue and achieve their dreams,” said Lee C o u n t y C o m m i s s i o n e r B r i a n H a m m a n “The impact of having a home is that it pro-

vides you with the knowledge that at the end of the day you always have a place that offers you the love, warmth and safety of family ”

To celebrate the impact of McNeill Village, Habitat is honoring its longestserving supporters within the organization, who have each dedicated more than 20 years toward Habitat’s mission of building homes, communities and hope The 36 single-family homes are being built along Tanya Circle, named after Habitat’s Chief Operating Officer, Tanya Soholt Duck’s

Pond is named after Habitat’s Construction

D i s t r i c t S u p e r v i s o r , D o n a l d “ D u c k ”

H o l s c h e r P a t i n o P a r k i s n a m e d a f t e r

Senior Construction District Supervisor, Eduardo Patino

McNeill Village is a 10-acre planned H a b i t a t c o m m u n i t y s i t u a t e d b e t w e e n

Pondella Road and McNeill Road The homeowners association-managed neighborhood is thoughtfully designed to foster a strong sense of community and offers homeowners convenient access to public transportation, quality schools, hospitals and medical centers

T o l e a r n m o r e a b o u t H a b i t a t ’ s

Affordable Homeownership Program or to b e c o m e a h o m e s p o n s o r , p l e a s e v i s i t

Habitat4Humanity org

Northwest Regional Library announces April programs

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

Adult Programs

Tech Tuesdays: One-on-One Help

2 p.m., Tuesday, April 2

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

Knit and Stitch

10 a m , Wednesday, April 3

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

Public Libraries and Genealogical Research

2 p m , Thursday, April 4

Libraries are not all the same From a genealogical research perspective, libraries have rare book collections, periodicals, local history collections, access to online databases, as well as other resources that are unique to that collection or location Today's lecture will cover the major advantages of using public libraries and repositories for research purposes Registration is required

Books and Bagels

10:30 a m , Wednesday, April 10

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

Adult Crafternoon:

Tote Bags & Buttons

1 p m , Thursday, April 11

Let's get crafty We will be painting tote bags and making custom button accessories Dress accordingly, as paints may stain Registration is required

Tabletop Game Time

5 p.m., Tuesday, April 16

Meet up for a monthly board game night featuring modern tabletop games New games (light to medium weight) will be highlighted each month, but feel free to bring your own games to teach and share New and experienced players are welcome

Building a Better Budget

2 p.m., Wednesday, April 17

E v e r y o n e w a n t s c o n t r o l o v e r t h e i r financial lives, but how do we get it? In one w o r d : b u d g e t I t ' s t h e m o s t p o w e r f u l w e a p o n t o g e t a m o r e s e c u r e f u t u r e Participants will identify their short and long-term goals and learn how to design realistic spending and savings plans to reach those objectives, including options for getting out of debt and staying there Presented by Suncoast Credit Union

Language Lab

5:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 30

Looking to learn or improve a language? The Lee County Library System has many resources to help you in your journey Visit the Language Lab to get the tools you need to improve your communication skills We will help set your devices up with necessary applications such as Rosetta Stone and Mango Languages You will also learn about language learning o p p o r t u n i t i e s t h r o u g h o u t L e e C o u n t y Library locations and other tips and tricks

Children’s Programs

Baby Rhyme Time

10:30 a.m., Mondays, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

For babies up to 18 months Babies and caregivers wiggle and giggle in a supportive environment Space is limited Arrive early and visit the children's desk to check in

Toddler Tales

10:30 & 11:30 a.m.,

Wednesdays, April 3, 10, 17, 24

For ages 18-36 months and caregivers Toddlers and caregivers move and groove during this interactive storytime Space is limited to 14 tickets Arrive early and visit the children's desk to check in First come, first served

Kids Read Down Fines

4:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, April 3, 10

11 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 20

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

Preschool Storytime

10:30 & 11:30 a m , Thursdays, April 4, 11, 18, 25

For ages 3-5 Children attend this prog r a m i n d e p e n d e n t l y w h i l e p a r e n t s a n d caregivers wait nearby Space is limited to 14 tickets Arrive early and visit the children's desk to check in First-come, firstserved

Super Fun Saturday

10 a m , Saturday, April 6

C o m e p l a y w i t h u s a t t h e l i b r a r y

Activities change monthly and vary from dancing, storytelling, art projects and more Fun for the whole family

Family Fun with the Solar Eclipse

3 p.m., Monday, April 8

Stop by for some hands on crafts and activities and view the Solar Eclipse with the whole family

Family Storytime

10 a m , Saturday, April 20

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

Earth Day Upcycling

4:30 p.m., Monday, April 22

Come out and celebrate Earth Day at the library with an educational seminar on the recycling system in Lee County and make recycled paper seed pods Registration is required.

LEGO Club

2 p m , Saturday, April 27

For all ages Drop in for building challenges the whole family will enjoy No registration required All materials are provided

Books and Blankets

6:15 p.m., Tuesday, April 30

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

See NORTHWEST LIBRARY, page 30

C a p e C o r a l B r e e z e w w w . c a p e c o r a l b r e e z e . c o m M a r c

C a p e C o r a l B r e e z e w w w . c a p e c o r a l b r e e z e . c o m M a r c h

C a p e C o r a l B r e e z e w w w . c a p e c o r a l b r e e z e . c o m M a r c

Carolina wild petunia is a must-have plant for pollinator gardens It is a source of nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, wasps and hummingbirds

It self-seeds readily Seeds can also be harvested once the flower withers and the seed capsule turns brown Seeds should be cold stratified to insure germination It can also be propagated from cuttings and plant divisions after a few years

If you find it growing in your lawn, consider transplanting it to a garden where you can enjoy its beauty and it can benefit the pollinators It can handle full sun to part shade It likes sandy, well-drained alkaline soil It has good drought tolerance It will grow to a height of 12 to 24 inches

Although plants in the Ruellia genus may be called “petunias” they are not even closely related to true petunias, which are members of the Petunia genus It is only the similarity in appearance that give them

their common name

Please be aware that many big box stores and nurseries sell the non-native Mexican petunia (Ruellia simplex) which should be avoided because it spreads via underground rhizomes, does not respond well to herbicides and has been classified a Category I invasive species that is displacing native species. For more information, contact University of Florida on Mexican petunias

I encourage you to look for Florida

friendly flowers, plants and trees Have fun with your Spring Garden

I’d like to leave you with a quote from the famous artist, Monet

“I must have flowers’ always, always, always ”

Happy gardening!

Ann Block is Past President of the Garden Club of Cape Coral

Northwest Library: Programs and activities for April scheduled

Teen Programs

Kids Read Down Fines

4:30-5:30 p m Wednesdays, April 3, 10

11 a m to noon, Saturday, April 20

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

Overbooked: Teen Book Club 3 p.m., Monday, April 8

Join us on the second Monday of each

month for a Teen Book Club. Discuss what you're currently reading and enjoy light snacks For ages 14-18

Tech Free Thursday

2 p m , Thursday, April 11

Let's play like it is 1985 and pretend there is no technology, at least for one day For teens ages 12-18

Building a Better Budget

2 p.m., Wednesday, April 17

E v e r y o n e w a n t s c o n t r o l

financial lives, but how do we get it? In one

Participants will identify their short and long-term goals and learn how to design realistic spending and savings plans to reach those objectives, including options for getting out of debt and staying there

Presented by Suncoast Credit Union

Let it Flow: Acrylic Pour Painting

2:15 & 4:15 p.m., Tuesday, April 23

Let your creativity flow and create a unique abstract masterpiece using the art of acrylic pour painting All supplies will be

provided. For teens ages 12-17.

T h e N o r t h w e s t R e g i o n a l L i b r a r y i s located at 519 Chiquita Boulevard N in Cape Coral For more information about a program or to register, please call the library at 239-533-4700 Check the Lee C o u n t y L i b r a r y S y s t e m ’ s w e b s i t e a t www leelibrary net to find out about programs at other locations Call the host library, or Telephone Reference at 239479-INFO (4636), for more information about a specific program

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Lee County will not disc r i m i n a t e a g a i n s t q u a l i f i e d i n d i v i d u a l s with disabilities in its services, programs or activities To request an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a r e a s o n a b l e m o d i f i c a t i o n t o p a r t i c i p a t e ,

contact Joan LaGuardia, (239) 533-2314, F l o r i d a R e l a y S e r v i c e 7 1 1 , o r j l ag u a r d i a @ l e e g o v c o m A c c o m m o d a t i o n will be provided at no cost to the requestor Requests should be made at least five

ness days in advance.

HEALTH

HEALTH BRIEFS

Free autism screening April 19

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 5 years of age

The next screening will be held on April 19, from 9 a m to 2 p m , at the Pediatric Specialist Office, 15901 Bass Rd, Suite 102, Fort Myers

The ASD screening is conducted by the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida The screenings are administered by an advanced practice registered nurse, who has extensive training and experience in typical child development and developmental disorders

To schedule a screening, please call 239-343-6838.

Ground broken on new inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Lee County

Lee Health and Encompass Health recently hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the joint venture rehabilitation hospital in the Florida area The 60-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital will be located at 6150 Medical Park Loop and is expected to begin serving patients in summer 2025

The hospital will provide essential rehabilitative services that help patients recovering from strokes, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations and complex orthopedic conditions regain function and independence Patients will receive a minimum of three hours of intensive therapy for five days each week, frequent physician visits and 24-hour nursing care

Hospital amenities will include 60 private patient rooms, a spacious therapy gym featuring advanced rehabilitation technologies, an “activities of daily living” suite to support improved day-to-day independence, therapy courtyard, dining room, in-house pharmacy and an area to enjoy time with family and friends An interdisciplinary team of specialized nurses, therapists and physicians will provide physical, occupational and speech therapies to restore functional ability and quality of life

For more, visit encompasshealth com/fortmyersrehab

Southwest Florida Breast Health Conference set for April 4 in For t Myers

Breast health experts from across Southwest Florida are convening for an education forum exploring breast cancer prevention, early detection and treatment

The Southwest Florida Breast Health Conference on Thursday, April 4, will feature local breast cancer surgeons, radiation oncologists and researchers discussing the latest innovations in technology that are redefining cancer care Conversations will focus on steps to reduce risk factors, availability of screenings, local trends and improving access to health care Presenters also will explore treatment options available in Southwest Florida, w h i c h i n c l u d e r a d i a t i o n t h e r a p y , c h e m o t h e r a p y , immunotherapy, surgery and proton therapy, which will be available in 2025 after Southwest Florida Proton opens in Estero

Presenters for the free Breast Health Conference include:

■ Dr Graciela Garton, radiation oncologist with Advocate Radiation Oncology

■ Dr. Adam Riker, surgical oncologist with Precision Healthcare Specialists

■ Dr Susanna Gaikazian, medical oncologist and hematologist with Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

■ Liz Bachoo-Garib, nurse navigator with Lee Health Cancer Institute

■ Neftali Feliciano, chief executive officer with Cancer Alliance Network

The Southwest Florida Breast Health Conference begins at 11:30 a m on April 4 at Crowne Plaza Fort Myers at Gulf Coast, 9931 Interstate Commerce Drive near Alico Road and I-75 in Fort Myers Lunch will be provided The event is free, but registration is required by calling Janet Darnell at Partners for Breast Cancer Care at 239-454-8540 or emailing JanetDarnellpfbcc@ yahoo com

Lee Health to welcome 21 new resident physicians July 1

On July 1, 21 new physicians will begin their residency training at Lee Health through one of two Florida State University College of Medicine residency programs, 12 in internal medicine and nine in family medicine

After graduating from either an allopathic medical school, which awards an M D degree, or an osteopathic medical school, which awards a D O degree, physicians are required to complete residency training in their chosen specialty to practice medicine independently These new resident physicians were selected after a rigorous vetting and interview process from 5,733 applications received from graduating medical students and physicians from around the world

This marks the third class for the internal medicine residency program, which is based at Cape Coral Hospital and accepts 12 new doctors each year for three years of training The family medicine residency program, based at Lee Memorial Hospital, accepts nine new doctors each year and is also a three-year program

The National Resident Matching Program announced 2024 as another record-breaking year with 50,413 applicants registered in the match, an all-time high in the program’s 70-year history The rise in applicants was driven largely by an increase of 1,986 non-U S citizen international medical graduates (IMGs) and 623 osteopathic (D O ) fourth-year students over last year, according to the NRMP

Lee Health launched the family medicine residency program in 2012 to address the shortage of primary care physicians in Southwest Florida The internal residency program was launched in 2022 Eight residents graduated last year from Lee Health’s family medicine program and half of them remained in Southwest Florida to practice The internal medicine residency program will graduate its first class in 2025

The new residents were announced at the annual Match Day celebration on Friday, March 15 At noon Eastern time on the third Friday in March each year, graduating medical students across the United States are allowed to open their envelopes, learning where they “matched” for residency. The new residents at Lee Health:

Internal Medicine

■ Peter Aceto, D O , Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan, Ala

■ A y b i k e A

Fakültesi, Turkey

■ Kimerlee Beans, M D , St George’s University, Grenada

■ Marco Calle Prado, M D , Universidad Católica de Guayaquil Facultad, Ecuador

■ Claudiu Ciuciureanu, M D , Universitatea de Medicin i Farmacie Carol Davila, Romania

■ Osama El Aryan, D O , Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Iowa

■ C a r o l i n e F r e t t e r , M D , U n i v e r s i t ä t z u K ö l n Medizinische Fakultät, Germany

■ Alonso Garro, M.D., Universidad Científica del Sur Facultad de Medicina Humana, Peru

■ Shajetha Iyathurai, M D , American University of Antigua College of Medicine

■ Berniece Johnson, M D , Ross University College of Medicine, Barbados

■ Arseni Khorochkov, M D , Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland

■ Lane Sager, D O , Nova Southeastern University Dr Kiran C Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Fla

Family Medicine

■ Hannah Ammari, D.O., Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lynchburg, Va

■ Majed Ammari, DO , Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lynchburg, Va

■ Nirupam Duggirala, M D , Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, India

■ Gabriela Elias, M D , St George's University of Medicine, Grenada

■ Y a s m i n G a r c i a , M D , P o n c e H e a l t h S c i e n c e s University School of Medicine, Puerto Rico

■ Mario Jacome, D O , Nova Southeastern University Dr Kiran C Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Fla

■ Eve Reid, M.D., Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan

■ Anthony Whyte, M D , St George's University of Medicine, Grenada

■ Lathem Wojno, M D , Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit

Learn more at www LeeHealth org

American Heart Association and Lee Health urging Southwest Floridians to #CheckIt

Nearly half of adults have high blood pressure and many don’t even know it In fact, high blood pressure, or hypertension, is the second leading cause of preventable heart disease and stroke deaths The American Heart Association is encouraging the Southwest Florida community to #CheckIt, a program locally sponsored by Lee Health as part of a collaboration to improve the health of our community through education

“Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease We need to help more adults recognize that they have hypertension and take appropriate steps to control it If not, we risk the continual reversal of the progress m a d e f i g h t i n g c a r d i o v a s c u l a r d i s e a s e i n S o u t h w e s t Florida,” said Dr Malissa Wood, chief executive of the Lee Health Heart Institute

The #CheckIt campaign is encouraging everyone to:

■ Check your blood pressure; many local pharmacies offer free blood pressure checks

■ Know what these numbers mean

■ Talk to your doctor to develop a plan to keep this key health indicator in a healthy range

■ Encourage friends and family to do the same by posting a photo on social media of you getting your blood pressure checked, using the hashtag #CheckIt

High blood pressure is a silent killer that can lead to preventable disease, disability and death It can cause heart attacks, heart failure and stroke It disproportionately affects people of color compared to White people in America Black Americans have among the highest rates of hypertension in the world and nearly half of Hispanic adults have high blood pressure and do not know it

“Since 2020, major challenges, from a global pandemic to a devastating hurricane, have affected our community’s heart health Stress and unhealthy eating habits have increased, while choices that help keep our hearts healthy have decreased In addition to being less physically active, many patients have skipped medications, doctor’s visits and even delayed care in emergency situations,” said Jessaca Rodriguez, executive director of the American Heart Association in Southwest Florida “It is critical that everyone take the time to get their blood pressure checked and that’s why we are encouraging everyone to #CheckIt here in Southwest Florida ”

Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 and blood pressure can be largely controlled through a combination of lifestyle changes, medication or both.

To learn more about blood pressure, please visit heart org/bloodpressure

C a p e C o r a l B r e e z e w w w . c a p e c o r a l b r e e z e . c o m M a r c h

First Horizon Foundation launches Grants for Good campaign, awarding $10,000 to 160 nonprofits

In honor of First Horizon Corp 's 160th anniversary, First Horizon Foundation this week announced the Grants for Good campaign, providing $1 6 million to non-profit organizations within the company's footprint First Horizon Foundation will award 160 grants of $10,000 each to nonprofit organizations dedicated to strengthening the communities it serves

"As we commemorate 160 years of excellence, the Grants for Good campaign underscores our long-term commitment and ongoing dedication to strengthening our communities," said First Horizon Corp Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Bryan Jordan "We are honored to collaborate with organizations committed to uplifting those in need, fostering sustainable growth and fortifying resilience through impactful programs that strengthen the financial health and well-being of our beloved communities "

Grants for Good is open to any 501(c)(3) organization eligible to receive funding from First Horizon Foundation Nonprofits can apply through the First Horizon website and only one application per nonprofit organization is permitted. Photos are encouraged with submissions Winners will be chosen by a panel of j u d g e s c o m p o s e d o f F i r s t H o r i z o n a s s o c i a t e s Applications will be accepted from March 25 to April 30, and award recipients will be announced in June

For more information and to apply for Grants for Good, please visit www firsthorizonfoundation com/ grantsforgood

There are two First Horizon locations in Cape Coral: 506 Cape Coral Parkway, E , (239-443-3689) and 812 Del Prado Blvd , S (239-985-8120)

Sanibel Captiva Community Bank

sponsors Champions 4 Children event

Sanibel Captiva Community Bank has announced its title sponsorship of Champions 4 Children’s 10th annual C4C Event weekend April 25-27 This annual fundraiser features current and former NFL, NBA, MLB, PGA, Olympic and collegiate athletes

Attendees and sponsors can interact with the athletes at different events, such as a poker tournament, benefit concert featuring JT Hodges & Friends, golf tournament and dinner auction held at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and The Forest County Club

Proceeds from this year’s event will support the Southwest Florida Chapter of Blessings in a Backpack, Valerie's House and CureSearch Over the past nine years, Champions 4 Children has raised over $9 million to support various youth nonprofit organizations

Champions 4 Children was founded by the Shanfelter family in December 2013 with a mission to help children in the local community through their love of sports and children For more information, please visit champions4childrenswfl com

To learn more about Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, visit sancapbank com

RSW repor ts Februar y traffic numbers

During February, 1,223,761 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers This was an increase of 26% compared to February 2023

T h e t r a f f i c l e a d e r i n F e b r u a r y w a s D e l t a w i t h 217,369 passengers Rounding out the top five airlines w e r e S o u t h w e s t ( 1 8 6 , 9 8 2 ) , U n i t e d ( 1 6 8 , 0 0 6 ) , American (157,616) and Frontier (119,307)

Southwest Florida International Airport had 10,362 aircraft operations, an increase of 28% compared to February 2023 Page Field saw 16,658 operations, which was a 5% decrease compared to February 2023

Southwest Florida International Airport served more than 10 million passengers in 2023 and is one of the top 50 U S airports for passenger traffic No ad valorem (property) taxes are used for airport operation or construction For more information, visit flylcpa com or facebook com/flyRSW

Achieva Credit Union announces managers for new Cape branch

Achieva Credit Union has named Molly Jemiolo as branch development manager and Sara Pisciotta as assistant branch manager of their newest Lee County branch located at 3031 SW Pine Island Road in Cape Coral Originally from western Massachusettes, Jemiolo is a Certified Financial Counselor (CFC), and has seven years of banking experience She is a member of and serves on the Planning Committee of Southwest Florida chapter of the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affliliates Young Professionals Group focusing on Credit Union advocacy, community service and professional developm e n t S h e a l s o t e a c h e s f i n a n c i a l c o u r s e s i n c l u d i n g Budgeting 101, How to Become Self-Employed and more Pisciotta is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in banking and finance Born in Italy, her career has taken her to New York and eventually Florida Her professional experience began in 2003 in business lending and since she has served a financial service specialist in consumer banking and eventually assistant branch management

The Pine Island Road branch offers the community a full range of financial services and products including the

The Pine Island Road branch offers the community a full range of financial services and products including the latest banking technology, drive-thru lanes, ATM access and a 24-hour deposit drop box.

latest banking technology, drive-thru lanes, ATM access and a 24-hour deposit drop box In addition, the branch will have experienced certified financial counselors onhand to help members with their financial needs as well as bilingual capabilities

The branch’s phone number is 239-471-3564. Branch hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 9 a m to 5 p m ; Wednesday, 10 a m to 5 p m ; Friday, 9 a m to 5:30 p m ; and Saturday, 9 a m to 1 p m Drive-thru hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8:30 a m to 5:30 p m ; Wednesday, 10 a m to 5:30 p m ; and Saturday, 9 a m to 1 p m

For more information about Achieva Credit Union and its products and services, please visit www achievacu com

Better Together announces Nationwide Days of Second Chances on April 16, 18

Better Together, a nonprofit dedicated to families and children, is breaking down employment barriers by hosting a series of background-friendly job fairs on April 16 and 18 as part of its Nationwide Days of Second Chances The nonprofit is hosting events in partnership with churches across the country – including Florida, Kentucky and Washington, D C – and invites local job seekers and hiring employers to register

To support job seekers who are faced with challenges to re-entering the workforce, Better Together's Nationwide Days of Second Chances brings churches, volunteers, businesses and nonprofits together to host two coordinated days of job fairs that promote the power of second chances for neighbors facing barriers to employment These barriers can include incarceration, homelessness and lack of transportation or child care, or gaps on a resume due to unemployment

Job fairs will feature employers who are prepared to i n t e r v i e w j o b s e e k e r s a n d o f f e r j o b s o n t h e s p o t

Nationwide Days of Second Chances events will be hosted on April 16 and 18 at the following times and locations in Southwest Florida:

■ Fort Myers – April 18 from 11 a m to 2 p m at Grace Church, 2415 Grand Ave

■ Lehigh Acres – April 18 from 10 a m to 1 p m at Rise Christian Church, 50 Bell Blvd , N

Nationwide Days of Second Chances is part of Better Together's workforce outreach, which has helped 42,000 applicants connect with employment opportunities across 22 states At job fairs hosted by Better Together, twothirds of attendees get a job interview, and 1 in 4 receive a job offer on the spot Some 70% find work within six weeks

The church-based job fairs not only connect job seekers with local employers who offer on-the-spot job opportunities, but also provide resources to facilitate stronger connections and more hires Free one-on-one job coaching sessions are made available to job seekers to review resumes and interviewing skills, and additional services, such as free haircuts and clothing, are also encouraged

Nearly all job seekers leave with hope in their hearts as the Better Jobs model encourages celebration of their wins One way that's done is through the opportunity bell, which rings whenever anyone gets a job offer or interview

Job seekers, employers and churches interested in participating in a Better Together job fair for Nationwide D a y s o f S e c o n d C h a n c e s c a n v i s i t BetterTogetherUS org/NWDSC for more information on local events and the latest list of participating locations

Job seekers may also text "JOBS" to 844-987-3949 to register for an area job fair

For more information, visit BetterTogetherUS org

Fourth Annual South Cape Business Easter Egg Hunt set for April 6

Boutique, Karma & Coconuts, Lehne Burger, MM Brands, Noela's Chocolate, Penny's Coffee Bar, Perk & Brew, A Pooch's Paradise Pet Grooming, RE/MAX Nautical Realty, Sidecar Treats, Simply Golden Boutique, South Cape Hospitality & Entertainment Association, Trebing Tile & Carpet and Zak's Jewelry

See the complete map at bit ly/sceasteregg Register at the event at https://www eventbrite com/ e/south-cape-business-easter-egg-hunt-free-easter-bunnyphoto-booth-tickets-866511137137

Pier at Matlacha Community Park reopens

Extensive Hurricane Ian damage repaired

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

As of 9 a m , Wednesday, March 13, the pier in Matlacha Community Park has officially re-opened, since its closure due to damage caused by Hurricane Ian in 2022

Matlacha Civic Association President Carol Scott said members would have liked a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the occasion, but the moment did not present itself That notwithstandi n g , S c o t t e x p r e s s e d g r a t i t u d e o n t h e behalf of Matlacha and Pine Island residents who have waited with bated breath for the re-opening

“People came up here and opened it up and everyone was so excited It did not take long for people to get on that pier We had fisher-people and other people were walking their dogs on it taking pictures It was fun,” Scott said

Matlacha Park itself is a place destined for family excursions, Scott said, bringing joy to the island for many years

“It was fun and joy and now it’s fun and joy again The children’s section of the park has a little pirate ship and they’ve just done a beautiful job with it the

restoration turned out to be very nice,” Scott said

According to Scott, restoration of the park equipment and the re-opening of the

pier leaves the kayak launch next on the agenda for Matlacha Park

“It’s quite nice that we’re getting back to normal after 18 months I don’t think

any of us were expecting this much devastation from a hurricane,” said Scott Matlacha Community Park is at 4577 Pine Island Road in Matlacha

PHOTO PROVIDED BY CAROL SCOTT

The repaired Matlacha Pier, a popular fishing location, reopened for public use on March 13 The pier and park were severely damaged by Hurricane Ian and repairs have finally been made.

Cape man ousted from Council meeting files lawsuit

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

A Cape Coral man ousted from a City Council meeting after he turned his back on the elected board has filed suit against the city, saying his constitutional rights were abridged Scott Kempe, during the Oct 11 Cape Coral City Council meeting, spoke about Jaycee Park during public input According to the complaint for injunctive relief with jury demand, “Kempe felt that his government was discounting the feedback of its citizens Kempe turned around in his seat and sat backwards at some point during the meeting to silently protest ”

The suit filed in federal court states that Mayor John

Gunter told Kempe to get in his seat, to which Kempe informed him he was

“Defendant Gunter then immediately threatened Kempe with police action if Kempe did not turn around in his seat ” Police subsequently “abusively tore him from his seat” and then “ejected Kempe from the meeting,” the suit alleges Kempe tried to attend the Oct 18 Council meeting He was told to leave pursuant to Council rules, which the city contends ban ousted residents from meetings until Council votes to allow them back in

Kempe returned to the Dec. 13 meeting and “advocated for his rights” as he said he was informed the ban was improper because the rule regarding Council approval to return called only for a vote to be allowed back into the same meeting

Charity: Effort provides toiletries and

From page 1

Coral, Pine Island and much of North Fort Myers

According to the Lee County Homeless Coalition, Project ACCESS is a program in the district that is funded by the McKinney Vento Homeless Education Act The goal of the program is to “ensure a successful educational experience for homeless children and unaccompanied youth in Lee County by collaborating with parents, schools, and community ”

The Federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act states that children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence are considered homeless If, due to a loss of housing, a child must live in a shelter, motel, vehicle, or campground, on the street, in abandoned buildings, or doubled-up with relatives or friends, then he/she is eligible to receive services provided under the McKinney-Vento Act School District spokesperson Rob Spicker told The Breeze the district focuses on keeping students in the same school for stability, regardless of where they might be temporarily relocated

Working with the Lee County Social Service Agency in the local school system, Lombardi learned that the schools and teachers provide students with dignity by opening the schools early in the morning and having toiletries available for the children to clean up prior to the school day

“We were told they were in desperate

He was asked to leave

Kempe was then handcuffed, arrested and issued a “Notice to Appear ” The charges included resisting/obstructing an officer without violence and trespassing, which were dismissed on Jan 25 for “insufficient evidence ” Council subsequently amended its rules to allow for bans of 30-60 days for behavior deemed disruptive and for Council approval for repeat offenses and offenses that result in arrest

The lawsuit contends that Kempe’s First and Fourteenth Amendment rights were abridged and that the city’s policies were and are unconstitutional.

Kempe could not be reached for comment

As per its policy of not commenting on pending litigation, city officials declined comment

sundries as well as scholarships

need for toiletry products of all kinds,” Lombardi said. “We agreed to work with them, and we put out the word to our friends to (help collect items)

“We told them we will make sure they will get where they need to be, and we’ve been doing this since our inception ”

Thus began the first of several programs; the school children toiletry program put on by Cape Coral for the Children

Wanting to do more, the 501(c)(3) decided to raise money to provide scholarships for students who were dealing with homelessness or displacement

Cape Coral for the Children started out giving $500 scholarships, then to $700, and the last few years, the non-profit was able to distribute seven, $1,000 scholarships to Cape Coral high school students who qualified To date, the organization has awarded $72,000 in scholarships

“If we had more funding coming in, we could probably increase that number to ten,” Lombardi said “Checks are made payable to the college, not to the child, for their continued education ”

Cape Coral for the Children’s main fundraiser takes place each fall, as they put on a fashion show where all proceeds go towards funding scholarships The charity organization is fully run by non-paid volunteers Cape Coral for the Children also hosts a luncheon the second Wednesday of each month where participating establishments provide gift

cards for the charity to raffle off at the fashion show.

Lombardi said being able to make a difference in the lives of children struggling and living an atypical lifestyle is what makes it worth it As a single parent with all of her children attending college, she felt many financial struggles along the way, but said she was fortunate enough to remain employed

“I can tell you that it’s all about the kids,” Lombardi said “I’m a firm believer in education, because that's how you break the welfare cycle ”

This year’s annual Charity Fashion Show and Luncheon will take place in October at Palmetto Pine Country Club Fashions are provided by Anthony’s Ladies Apparel Special raffle prizes, gift baskets, cash raffle, and more will be available to attendees

With Cape Coral and Southwest Florida known for being a generous and in many areas, affluent community, Lombardi said helping local children is a cause that should be at the top of the list

to students in need

“When I look around we’re all mostly living in nice homes, go to nice restaurants, but we have this problem that nobody knows about,” Lombardi said “I’ve lived in Cape Coral for 26 years I’ve seen the changes I love the town People that I have met have been wonderful But we as a community, we have a bigger problem, and it’s not just the traffic Whatever educational journey it is for these kids, they can do something to enrich their lives and the life of their family ”

Tickets for the fashion show can be purchased in advance Those interested in taking part in the monthly luncheons can stay up-todate by sending an email to ccfclunchbunch@comcast net

For more information on Cape Coral for the Children, visit www capecoralforthechildren org

CCFD: Multi-year effort culminates in Center for Public Safety Excellence accreditation

From page 1

Planning for the future

Lamb had established a 5-year strategic plan to go along with the city’s growth, and that plan is nearing its completion and ready to be revamped, CCFD officials said

“And that strategic plan aligns with the city’s strategic plan, so they’re working in tandem,” said CCFD Deputy Chief Mike Russell “We get to review all of the major proposed developments and land use changes that might happen in the city, so we get to kind of forecast growth and forecast where our future stations might be, where our future larger developments would be the would that would dictate a large increase in call volume so we can make some plans for those We do have some studies that indicate where the growth will be in the next five, 10, 20, 30 years in the city, to help us plan our future ”

In 2023, Rescue 4 was added, and construction of Fire Station 13 began and is slated to open in late May/early June Construction has also begun on the department’s new training facility, which officials say will help firefighters be safer and more efficient while on the scenes of emergency responses

Budget and staff

The department’s budget in 2023 totaled $72,449,809, with the majority ($47-plus million) being allocated to “operations ” Roughly $32 million of that budget came from a nearly equal split of the General Fund and Fire Services Assessment

With the number of residents and developments coming to Cape Coral as fast as a firefighter rushes to answer a call, the budget, which can be re-visited each year with the city, is anticipated to increase

“If we don’t have the right number of

staff, or equipment, we can’t execute the mission,” Russell said of the importance of being able to revise the budget annually “There’s nobody after us There’s no other number than 9-1-1 It’s important that we’re properly equipped, properly staffed, properly trained The city does a great job of coordinating with us So when we submit budgets, we submit them for multiple years, and we can go in and fine-tune Our goal is never to just increase the budget, but sometimes that’s just a product of growth More people, more resources Really the hope is that the growth pays for the growth ”

Russell said the CCFD has submitted a request to the city for funding to build Station(s) 14 and 15, and to upgrade an existing station in the North Cape where growth is prominent

“We haven’t seen any forecast that shows Florida, or this region, slowing down,” Russell said “We expect the growth to continue

“And sometimes we don’t need to build a new fire station in an area, we just need to add resources Sometimes the area has just grown so much from when the station was built, you need to bolster the resources ”

Calls for service

In total, CCFD responded to 29,408 calls for emergency response in ’23, or one every 18 minutes Of the $86 million in property atrisk, only $3 3 million in losses were recorded, resulting in 96% of property being saved CCFD ranks in the 90th percentile when it comes to response time, taking a total of 10:18 minutes from dispatch, and getting out of the station in fewer than 5 minutes

“In my time here, 20 years, calls for response have doubled,” Russell said “That call volume continues to grow most years ”

Russell said there was actually a slight decrease (2%) in calls from ’22 to ’23, but that it is most likely attributed to the influx of calls at the end of ’22 due to Hurricane Ian

“Had it not been for the hurricane, I think we would have seen a 2 to 3 percent growth from the ’22 number if you excluded the hurricane,” he said

Training

In total, CCFD firefighters underwent 60,960 hours of fire and general training, including search and rescue, ground and aerial ladder operations, fire extinguishment, vehicle extraction, engineer/driver training, and fire officer training

With the new facility being built behind Ida S Baker High School, Russell said it’s a great opportunity to incorporate the school’s firefighter explorer program

“There’s some classes that they can take, and we can partner up with them,” he said “We’re excited to be able to expand that partnership and have some time with them at that facility. It’s really a recruitment retention initiative for us, as we could have a good work pool there It’s exciting because that facility is not just for us, we’ll be able to reach out regionally for courses, and work with Ida Baker It’s really a great initiative for the area ”

Hurricane recovery

Not even two years removed from the most devastating storm in the region’s history, fire department staff spent much time and resources in 2023 focusing on Hurricane Ian recovery and storm prevention.

Throughout the year, the city submitted 19 projects for a combined estimated cost of $173 5 million through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program designed to help governments rebuild in a way that reduces future disaster losses CCFD officials said the city is working on 89 projects with roughly $25 million dedicated from FEMA through Public Assistance, designed to help governments repair or replace critical infrastructure that has been damaged by a major disaster Officials said $9 million has been received from the State of Florida Division of Emergency Management for expansion of the city’s Emergency Operations Center

“There are still areas of impact, and you can still see businesses coming back,” Russell said “Plans for the Yacht Club are coming to fruition Roofs are being put on The heavy lifting is already done, but there’s still some out there dealing with insurance companies and doing complete rebuilds ”

Russell added it can be especially tough on firefighters during major weather events, as they have a duty to serve the community while enduring great loss of their own

“We’re not only out there doing a job and helping, in many cases, our firefighters are

victims of a disaster themselves,” he said “We have personnel that lost their homes completely, lost their roof, or couldn’t get a hold of their family for several days because communications were down and they evacuated It’s a double-edged sword ”

Accreditation

Throughout the year, CCFD added 17 firefighters, two fire inspectors, and one quality assurance specialist (more to come with the addition of Station 13) There were 14 engineers, seven lieutenants, and a fire marshal that were promoted CCFD saw 4 members retire with a combined 111 years of service

Something special that took place this past year was the department gaining accreditation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence

Officials said this is a “strategic-minded, community-driven, risk-based process that focuses on ensuring the community needs and expectations are met ” The accreditation has been a 5-year goal of CCFD, and the final commission hearing took place this February.

Gaining accreditation holds the department accountable for itself, and works to ensure all of the proper functions and procedures are in place to function effectively The department reviewed its systems, policies, and equipment routinely to make sure things were up to standard and relevant, and the right actions are being performed

“It was a culmination of several years of hard work from a lot of members of the department,” Russell said “It was a big accomplishment for us It was the first time in the department’s history. There’s only 33 departments in the state that are accredited, and only 324 nationwide

“I think it’s just a testament to Chief Lamb’s leadership and planning that we were able to use ’23 as that big preparation year after several years of work and get that awarded to us ”

As for what the department wants the community to know about its firefighters and their makeup if there were to have to call in a time of need, Russell said "

“It’s important for them to know that the department is make up of professionals that care about them and their families, that take the oath seriously, and hold ourselves to a higher standard We’re prepared on a daily basis to put ourselves in harm’s way for their safety The fire department is here to help them when they need them We’re properly staffed, trained, and equipped, and stay at the ready when the call comes in

“We’re also a network that works routinely with the Cape Coral Police Department and Lee County EMS to create a safe community for them and their family to enjoy. For us, it’s about ‘service over yourself ’ We’re here for the public, and that’s first for us ”

District: Budget process continues as projected revenue numbers begin to firm up

From page 15

the district

Categorical items, such as Safe School, mental health, and class size are added in and that produces the gross funding for the district

She said there was an increase in the base student allocation of $191 25 from $5,139 73 to $5,330 98

T h e C o m p a r a b l e W a g e F a c t o r decreased by 0051, a $3 2 million impact

“In ’23 is the year they made the change from the district cost differential to the comparable wage factor Since they made that change, we have been declining ever since,” Letcher said

Taxes and other revenue

The tax roll was also discussed, as the conference report was $151 billion, which will change in July as the tax collector is working on the actual number

“That will increase the amount for discretionary millage An additional $4 4 million from discretionary millage and capital outlay will see about $8 8 million That is an increase in our tax roll of 4 24%,”

Letcher said

The total potential for Lee County allocation is $987 million, an increase of $58 million over the current third calculation$ 1 7 5 m i l l i o n f o r t h e F a m i l y Empowerment scholarship and $40 5 mil-

lion goes to the district and charter schools

Other increases include $1 3 million for Safe School Allocation; $758 for Mental H e a l t h A l l o c a t i o n , $ 1 4 m i l l i o n f o r Educational Enrichment Allocation, $1 5 million for Class Size Reduction and state funded Discretionary Supplement of $5 3 million

Letcher said there is also 1 07% of base funding to be used for teacher salary increase allocation, which is $6 8 million

The district will also see an increase in property insurance, an estimate of $2 3 million, about $325,000 more for the Florida Retirement System

Beginning in April the school alloca-

tions will begin, as well as chief review of department budget request and a budget update with the school board. In May the final decisions on department budgets will be made, as well as a budget update with the school board A preliminary budget update will be given to the board in June

On July 19, the state Commissioner of Education will set the required local effort millage, the second calculation, followed by advertisement on July 24 and 26 for a budget workshop

On July 30, the FY25 tentative budget hearing will be set, followed by a final budget hearing on Sept 5

Volunteers needed for Global Youth Service Day April 20

Keep Lee County Beautiful will host this year’s Global Youth Service Day

Saturday, April 20, from 8:30-11 a m , at the Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve in Cape Coral

Established in 1988, Global Youth Service Day celebrates and mobilizes the millions of young people who improve their communities through service GYSD is the largest service event in the world and the only one dedicated to the contributions that children and youth make 365 days of the year

Mighty Mussels to hold

Open House event on Tuesday

The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels are inviting all baseball fans in Southwest Florida to the team’s Open House season kickoff event on April 2 at Hammond S t a d i u m a t t h e L e e H e a l t h S p o r t s Complex Fans will have opportunities to watch a Mighty Mussels practice and meet players, coaches and front office staff, as well as enjoy items from the ballpark’s concession and catering menus

Mighty Mussels Manager Brian Meyer, who has led the team to three consecutive winning seasons, will introduce his coaching staff and offer his predictions for the season. Managing Partner John Martin also will address the crowd and discuss the ball club’s emphasis on creating “affordable family fun” in Southwest Florida

The Open House runs from 5-7 p m on Tuesday at Hammond Stadium at the Lee Health Sports Complex, 14100 Six Mile

GYSD is celebrated each year in more than 100 countries, with young people working together -- and with schools, youth organizations, nonprofits, community and faith-based organizations, national service programs, government agencies and adult mentors -- to address the world’s most critical issues and change their communities

Speaking about Global Youth Service Day, humanitarian Dr Jane Goodall commented, "I have often said that every individual counts, every individual has a role to

play, and every individual makes a difference Global Youth Service Day proves it "

Keep Lee County Beautiful is looking for volunteers, ages 12-24, to work in small groups to accomplish a variety of projects throughout the park

All volunteers will receive a free lunch after the event to celebrate their accomplishments Visit https://www signupgenius com/ go/805094AAAAA2CA4F4920221#/ for additional information and to register

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

C y p r e s s P a r k w a y i n F o r t M y e r s

Admission and parking are free; RSVPs are not required Concessions will be available for purchase; sponsors and season ticket holders will enjoy an exclusive refreshment area

The Mighty Mussels will play 132 games during the 2024 regular season, which runs from April 5 to Sept 8 Mighty Mussels tickets start at $10 and are available at MightyMussels com

Cape Coral Computer Club to meet Wednesday via Zoom

The Cape Coral Computer Club meets over Zoom the first and third Wednesday of each month, with the next meeting being from 2-4 p m on April 3 Meeting topics are "The New Microsoft Outlook" and "How to Fax Online " There will be time for questions and answers

All skill levels are welcome For more information, visit the club website at https://www capecoralcomputer club/ Use

the “CONTACT US” feature to register for a complimentary Zoom link If you have any questions or need help with Zoom, call: 321-430-5959

Club Zoom meetings are recorded If you become a member and miss a meeting, you have the opportunity to watch the presentation at a later date The Zoom format works well because you don't have to be in Florida to participate in and enjoy all of the benefits the club has to offer See the website for additional information

Lee County Band to Present April in Paradise April 7 at Mariner High School

The Lee County Community Band will conclude its season on April 7 with April in Paradise at 3 p m at Mariner High School, Cape Coral.

Under the direction of Gil Peltola, the band will perform “Midway March” by John Williams; “Twentiana,” a montage of

About Keep Lee County Beautiful Inc.

Keep Lee County Beautiful Inc , established in 1989, is the county’s largest volunteer-based community action and education organization This local nonprofit forms public-private partnerships and programs that engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community environments For more inform a t i o n , c a l l 2 3 9 - 3 3 4 - 3 4 8 8 o r v i s i t www klcb org Follow us on Facebook @KLCBInc or Instagram keepleecountybeautifulfl

songs of the 1920s; “Malagueña,” featuring clarinetist Frances Pace; and “Belle of the Ball,” plus vocals featuring Fred Lamb and Jan Fenn

T h e b a n d p e r f o r m s s i x c o n c e r t s between November and April; all are taking place this season at Mariner High School, 701 Chiquita Blvd , N , beginning at 3 p.m. The programs are free (donations welcome) and open to the public

The band will begin its 2024-25 season in mid-November; rehearsals will resume in mid-October

The 62-member band is comprised of musicians from all walks of life The original concert band of Lee County, the band a n d h a s b e e n e n t e r t a i n i n g S o u t h w e s t Florida audiences since 1885 Persons interested in joining may phone 239-6009052

For additional information, pleas visit www leecountyband org “Like” the band o n F a c e b o o k a t F a c e b o o k c o m / L e e CountyCommunityBand

Where to fish for big bass, what’s biting in the gulf

Like dwindling numbers of inshore sheepshead catches, freshwater crappie season has slowed as well Florida largemouth anglers, especially those looking to cross that first double digit bass off their bucket list, will almost always rely on large, wild caught, golden shiners to get the job done

Florida bass anglers all have theories where the state’s biggest bass live but I believe your best shot for a lake monster is fishing the central Florida lakes like Lake Toho, where my first 10-plus-pounder was taken. Use a small float and a hook with a light wire weedless option so the shiner can swim back into that “dangerous” lily pad field without hanging up Wild caught and well-kept healthy shiners almost always out produce hatchery or farm-raised specimens For faster bass action head over to Lake Okeechobee for the annual shad spawn

Capt. George Tunison

Inshore, our typical redfish, snook and trout are biting well around the mangroves and grass flats but still running on the small side This will only improve as the weeks go by and more and more baitfish arrive Look for pompano, whiting, bluefish, Spanish and king mackerel and sheepshead in and around the passes and along the surf zone

Lots of various sized, often too curious for their own good, hard fighting and great on the grill cobia have been caught recently in, near and offshore so having a cobia ready rod on any saltwater trip makes sense They will readily hit pinfish and whitebaits but what every cobia really wants, dreams about, is cobia candy -- a live eel No live eel options then go to 10 to 20-inch plastic eels or worms on a jig head using a simple, non-erratic, straight retrieve Another popular and proven lure choice to load a cobia rod with is larger, multi-color jigs, which can be cast quite far Cobia are bound to show up when you least expect it so there won’t be time to rig a rod Often confused for sharks, curious cobia will sometimes swim right up to the boat

Another always exciting to catch and big money tournament draw, kingfish, are moving into local waters and available to even the small boat angler, as they are now in close to the beach and near shore reefs Often mixed in with schools of Spanish macs, this razor-toothed super predator is one mean machine and will take a trolled plug, spoons, down rigged baits or livies under kites For a big boy, think large, live baitfish around the boat, freelined or under floats Blue runners and goggle eyes are often used but other lively larger baitfish also work

The email box was full of requests for more information about a previous article concerning Keys baitfish, gamefish and especially sawfish, affected by a mysterious and deadly disease or condition known as “the spins” and my comments about wading There have been no reports of humans being affected by this condition that I can find and I was just trying to inject a bit of humor into Florida’s continued reporting of statewide water woes

On the other hand, since this problem has been reported as far north as Miami, local anglers should be aware and immediately report any sightings of fish struggling, spinning and eventually dying to the FWC to help track this toxic event So far biologists haven’t isolated the cause but current thought is it’s a mildly toxic, typically harmless microalga gone wild, which, sad to say, isn’t

See BASS, page 40

Twins, Red Sox wrap up Spring Training

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

For the two Major League Baseball teams that call Lee County home each spring and play just 5 7 miles apart, this past week signified the end of the precursor to the regular season, as the trucks were packed up and routed north

The Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins again fine tuned their rosters at JetBlue Park and Hammond Stadium at Lee Health Sports Complex respectively, as they now embark on a grueling 162 schedule

While the Sox got a head start out of Florida playing its final Spring Training games in Texas, the Twins finished the Grapefruit League slate with a 9-6 win over the Braves Tuesday afternoon

This spring marked a welcome sight for Twins fans when it comes to 2022 All-Star outfielder Byron Buxton The 30-year-old finished camp healthy, ripping a double and coming around to score in the first inning Health has been the talented outfielder and Gold Glove winner's biggest issue in his career, as he hasn't played more than 100 games in a season since 2017

“He's running around out there Good way to finish things off and get him ready for the season,” said Twins manager Rocco Baldelli

The former second overall pick finished camp hitting 314 with a homer and four RBI

“He's been doing a great job,” Baldelli said “He's been moving well He's been swinging the bat really well I think we have to be very pleased with what we've seen from him this spring The way he showed up, the way he obviously worked in this offseason ready to come in -- he was very productive in the games, too He's getting even more comfortable in center field The more time he spends out there, the more comfortable he gets He's played a really good center field You see him getting to balls that not many people are getting to already We're beyond excited with what we were able to see from him ”

The Twins are looking to improve off of a 87-75 record last season that saw them finish first in the American League Central The club was able to pick up its first postseason victory since 2004 when the Twins defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in the first game of the American League Wild Card Series, getting over the hump of an 18-game playoff losing streak Better yet, they swept the Blue Jays in two games and captured the team's first postseason series since 2002 The playoff run came to an end in the next round however, as after splitting the first two of a five-game series with the Houston Astros, they dropped consecutive games at Target Field to end the season

CJ HADDAD

Hammond Stadium at the Lee Health Sports Complex is the spring home of the Minnesota Twins.

Leading the rotation this year is 28-year-old Pablo López, a 2023 All-Star who finished seventh in Cy Young voting and amassed 234 strikeouts over 194 innings last season, the third-highest total in the majors

López will get the ball on Opening Day on the road against Kansas City, and will be followed by Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober Louie Varland, who started Tuesday for the Twins, will have the fourth spot in the rotation to start the year, with Chris Paddack rounding out the rotation

There weren't too many battles to be had this spring when it comes to positional players, as long as all stayed healthy And they did Ryan Jeffers and Christian Vázquez will serve as the backstops for the club, with Carlos Santana

See

Voting begins for March Athlete of the Month

Breeze Staf f Repor t news@breezenewspapers com

Voting for the Cape Coral Breeze Athlete of the Month for March is now open

There were a number top performances from studentathletes in The Breeze coverage area to start the new year and now it’s up to readers to decide who will earn top honors for the month

Nominees for March include:

■ Corey Hunter Jr., senior, Mariner Tritons: Hunter helped Mariner earn a spot in the Final Four of the 5A Florida state basketball tournament with two strong games in the regional tournament Against Barron Collier, he led the team with 21 points, and in the regional final against the Seminoles, scored 20 points

■ Maximus Brady, junior, Mariner Tritons: Brady defeated Bradenton Manatee’s Luke Arthur by major decision in the 132-pound final to take home the FHSAA 2A State Championship This is the third consecutive state championship for Brady, who finished the season with a 47-2 record

■ Camren French, junior, Mariner Tritons: French, with a sparkling 54-1 record at 126 pounds, was a FHSAA 2A State Champion in Kissimmee The junior captured his first state title -- winning after twice being a runner-up -- via major decision against Rylan Herrera of Clay

■ Mia Lane, junior, North Fort Myers Red Knights:

The Red Knights’ leading hitter in just about every offensive category filled the scoresheet during her nomination week, going 8-for-13 across three wins, blasting three home runs, driving in seven, and scoring six runs Through eight games, Lane boasted a 600 average with five homers and 15 RBI

■ Gabi Winters, freshman, Mariner Tritons: The freshman was dominant in the circle during her nomination week for the Tritons, tossing a five-inning no-hitter against Oasis with 12 Ks, and going 4 1/3 innings versus Cape Coral, allowing just one hit and striking out nine She also went 4-for-8 at the plate in those games, hitting a home run, triple and driving in seven runs

■ Liliana Porcelli, sophomore, Ida Baker Bulldogs: Quarterback Porcelli was 10-of-15 through the air for 110 yards and two touchdowns as the Bulldogs won their fourth game in a row in a victory over Island Coast in the inaugural season of girls flag football.

■ Isaac Lopez, junior, Island Coast Gators: Lopez had a huge day at the plate as part of a 12-1 win for the Gators over Lake Placid, going 3-for-5 with 5 RBI The junior is batting 333 on the year and leads the team in on base percentage and runs batted in Athlete of the Month nominees are comprised of the Breeze’s staff-selected Athletes of the Week for that respective month

To vote, visit www capecoralbreeze com and click the "Vote Now" icon on the homepage

Wednesday Baseball

Island Coast 1, Barron Collier 0: Jordi Guerrero's RBI single in the sixth inning was all the offense that the Gators (9-5) would need Anthony Ruiz blanked Barron Collier (12-5), allowing three hits while striking out seven in seven innings

Phoenix (AZ) Brophy College Prep 3, Bishop Verot 0: The Vikings slipped to 123 with their second loss in the All Faiths Classic in Las Vegas.

Softball

Mariner 20, Gateway 1 (5 innings):

The Tritons took advantage of nine Gateway errors to score 20 runs on nine hits Gabi Winters pitched a complete-game one-hitter, with the Eagles' lone run being unearned She struck out 14 batters Mica Barraza was 3-for-5 at the plate with a double, driving in four runs and scoring twice Kaylen Rounding, Kylie Dominello, Aleigha Colley and Brooke Paramore had two RBI each

East Lee County 16, Island Coast 2: Brianna Neitzke had a hit and an RBI for the Gators

Beach Volleyball

Mariner 5, North Fort Myers 0: The Tritons evened their record at 4-4

Boys Tennis

PREP REPORT

Community School of Naples 6, Oasis

1: Ayden Hay and Landon Jackson won at No 2 doubles for the Sharks

Girls Tennis

Oasis 5, Community School of Naples

2: The Sharks remained undefeated with a win against CSN Cecilia Menendez, Emily Feichthaler and Suzanne Greco won in straight sets in their singles matches In doubles, Sophia Abreu and Sophia Polland took No 1 doubles, and Menendez and Feichthaler won their doubles match

Girls Lacrosse

Bishop Verot 8, Canterbury 7: The Vikings rallied from a six-goal deficit in the fourth quarter Lily Lockarfd had two goals and four assists, along with three ground balls and two forced turnovers Daphne O'Hara had three goals and an assist Also scoring were Piper Kelleher, Lilly Murnane and Liz Schlager Both sisters Lilly and Clare Murnane had six ground balls Bridget horlbeck made three of her six saves in the fourth quarter

Tuesday

Baseball

Island Coast 14, Cape Coral 2 (5 innings): Isaac Lopez homered and doubled, driving in four runs for the Gators (85) Jacob Fowler had three RBI, and

Anthony Ruiz had a home run and two RBI Bryan Calderon hit a solo homer and Kellen Englehart had an RBI for the Seahawks

Cypress Lake 1, North Fort Myers 0: North (5-7) pitcher Haden Staruk allowed only one hit in six innings, but took the loss Junior Tome and Aiden Estrada had the Red Knights' hits

Oasis 16, East Lee County 1 (3 innings): Aiden Bonagura tripled, doubled, scored twice and drove in two runs for the Sharks (6-3). Jayden Shrider was 3-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored Sean Osborn and Carsyn Ranieri added two hits and two RBI each

Out-of-Door Academy 11, Mariner 0 (5 innings): The Mariners were no-hit by Out-of-Door's Jacob Kaplan

Las Vegas Faith Lutheran 2, Bishop Verot 0: In the All Faiths Classic, the host school scored twice in the bottom of the first to account for all the scoring The Vikings (12-2) were scheduled to face Phoenix (AZ) Brophy College Prep on Wednesday

Softball

Cape Coral 19, Island Coast 4 (3 innings): The Gators scored four runs in the top of the first, but the Sehawks responded by scoring the next 19 runs Isabel Watts drove in two runs, and five other Cape Coral (4-8) players had an RBI each

Mariah Cruz, Emma Brannan, Kali De La Cruz and Watts each stole four bases Adrianna Curry had a hit, RBI and a run scored for the Gators (2-6)

Neumann 12, Oasis 7: Charlee Turney had an RBI and two runs scored for the Sharks Brooklyn Simison drove in a run, and Audrey Doan was 2-for-4 and scored twice

Charlotte 7, Mariner 0: Gabi Winters had a hit and a stolen base for the Tritons (6-4).

Bishop Verot 13, Venice 5: Alexalys Torres tripled in three runs for the Vikings (9-1) Crimson Lawrence had two doubles and two RBI, and Abby Goff was 3-for-3 with two runs driven in

Girls Tennis

Oasis 7, Port Charlotte 0: Sophia Abreu, Sophia Polland and Cecilia Menendez won in both singles and doubles Emily Feichthaler and Suzanne Greco won their singles matches, and Sophia Ordway teamed with Menendez at No 2 doubles

Boys Tennis

Oasis 4, Port Charlotte 3: The Sharks picked up their first victory of the season Michael Abreu, Tyler Feichthaler and Taylor Hay won their singles matches, and Abreu and Feichthaler teamed up to take No 1 doubles

Spring Training: Twins, Red Sox wrap up preseason in Florida

From page 39

and Alex Kirilloff sharing duties at first base

One of the Twins' most productive bats this spring, Eduardo Julien, will man second, with star shortstop Carlos Correa completing the middle infield for the club

A familiar face for Lee County residents and Fort Myers Miracle/Mussels fans, Royce Lewis, will be the team's third baseman The former No 1 overall pick crushed four grand slams last season, and will be

called upon to be the cleanup bat in a talented lineup

Buxton, Max Kepler, Manuel Margot and Matt Wallner -- who blasted a 450plus-foot homer in Tuesday's game, are the outfield troops Kyle Farmer and Willi Castro will fill utility roles

“It was a productive spring for a lot of our guys,” Baldelli said “We started and ended camp in a good spot And they were able to get a lot of work in in-between I couldn't be more pleased to have a full position player group going into the season

That's not the standard There's usually one, two, three guys bare minimum that are banged up after a six-week spring training I think we did a good job. They did a great job And I think we as a staff did a good job preparing them, and they're ready to play ”

Baldelli, the 2019 American League Manager of the Year now entering his sixth season as skipper for the Twins, said there's a lot to like about the team heading into the season

“Everything about them," he said when asked what excites him about the team

heading into the 2024 season "Honestly, it's a hell of a team to be working with They fire me up every day They do tremendous things on the field. They have great character It's exactly the kind of team any manager and any staff would love to work with When you show up every day and you know what you're going to get because they're very consistent in who they are and how they work, and the talent that they have on top of it all, it's a tremendous group From my perspective, it doesn't get much better ”

Bass: Fishing for a 10-pound largemouth, what’s biting elsewhere

From page 39

surprising

Since the beginning man has used the waterways and oceans of the Earth as a dumping ground, a practice that continues

to this very day, every day, worldwide

Recent reports of severalb Southwest Florida waterways being tested and showing extremely high bacteria counts, mostly from human waste Round and round we

go, year after year, and where it stops no one knows

FWC Fish Kill Hotline – 800-6360511 Endangered sawfish sightings or questions – 844-472-9374

Capt George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide You can contact him at 239-282-9434 or via email at captgeorget3@aol com

Veterans honored: Home Base Florida provides needed support

From page 14

in Iraq and Afghanistan since the inception, he had seen the impact it had on soldiers in multiple deployments

“We saw the epidemic of suicide starting and the effects of traumatic brain injury Anything I could do to get involved to stem the tide was where I wanted to be,” Hammond said

Hammond can relate He had back-toback deployments in Afghanistan in 200203 and was in rough shape at the end of that He got help at that time, and it was a game-changer for him He added not everyone got the same help

“If I hadn’t, my career would have gone in a different direction, my family situation would have degraded I got the help and preparation I needed to stay in and go back two more times,” Hammond said “At the time, the spin cycle was pretty rough You’d go, return home for a year and go back again The tempo was so high it was tough ”

As for the health and fitness program, that went from the first class of 16 in 2014 to more than 1,000 veterans and their fam-

ilies in 2023

Which brings us back to Padron He served in the Air Force from 1990-1996 as a senior airman However, shortly after his discharge, he found himself divorced and disabled.

Padron rebuilt his life, but he had a void left by the loss of the military community which intensified during the isolating times of COVID, particularly after relocating his family to Southwest Florida

Padron learned about Home Base Florida, which helped him carry the weight of that void and offered a renewed sense of belonging through working with fellow veterans through their Warrior Health and Fitness Program and Adventure Series

The impact of Home Base extended beyond Alberto when his wife entered the Warrior Health and Fitness Program, and his eldest son received mental health support after serving in Afghanistan in 2021

This made Padron and his family one of Home Base’s true success stories

Padron emphasized the sense of community that comes from Home Base

“Home Base really stepped up for us when we moved from the Miami area to

here three years ago They stood up for us in ways that were unexpected,” Padron said “It created a sense of community In the military, community is factored in as a big plus in the mission of the military or the mission of life.”

Padron said not only did they provide community, but the specificity of care they provided The clinical component

“Many of the organizations I was with up until that point were veterans specific Home Base has a very special differentiator in that it serves the entire family,” Padron said “We have some special needs in behavioral health and mental health that Home Base stepped in and offered their services ”

Home Base Florida has helped thousands throughout Southwest Florida and beyond

Dan Sussman, who was in the Signal Corps in the U S Army in 1968-69, said he was one of the fortunate ones who didn’t have to go to Vietnam, being allowed to become a teacher instead at Fort Monmouth, N J

Unfortunately, he contracted cancer three years ago, and a doctor at the Veterans

Administration suggested he get some physical therapy

“I didn’t know what Home Base was, but someone from there called me I went to FGCU and did the paperwork necessary to be accepted,” Sussman said. “They changed my life I was at a low point physically after radiation and chemo and they brought me back I got my strength and stamina back ”

Larry Whitmore, an Army veteran who was later commissioned into the Air Force after graduating college, retired as a lieutenant colonel He served between 1990 to 2016

He was deployed overseas many times doing electronic recognizance Once he retired, Whitmore said he felt a loss of identity

“I felt a loss of mission and purpose. I tried a few things I went back to college to earn my masters degree in social work and that’s when I got involved with Home Base,” Whitmore said, who now works with them “The thing that drives me back is the sense of service which I was missing after I left the service ”

Cape Coral Breeze

Athletes

Week of the

(Selected by the Breeze Sports staff)

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Fill in the blank cells using numbers 1 to 9. Each number can appear only once in each row, column, and 3x3 block. Use logic and process of elimination to solve the puzzle. The difficulty level ranges from Bronze (easiest) to Silver to Gold (hardest).

Cryptoquip Solution:

Obituaries

Death Notices