Pine Island Eagle

‘Extremely active’ hurricane season predicted

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

While all was quiet on the Southwest Florida front when it came to the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane season, early indications from forecasters are scripting a different story for ’24

Researchers at Colorado State University, one of the leading entities in hurricane season forecasts (now in its 41st year), are predicting an “extremely active” season in their initial 2024 estimate

The team points to record warm tropical and eastern subtropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures as a primary factor for the high number this year

The CSU Tropical Weather and Climate team is predicting 23 named storms during the Atlantic hurricane

The CSU Tropical Weather and Climate team is predicting 23 named storms during the Atlantic hurricane season. Of those, researchers forecast 11 to become hurricanes and five to reach major hurricane strength (Saffir/Simpson Category 3,4,5) with sustained winds of 111 miles per hour or greater

season, which runs from June 1 to Nov 30 Of those, researchers forecast 11 to become hurricanes and five to reach major hurricane strength (Saffir/Simpson Category 3,4,5) with sustained winds of 111 miles per hour or greater

Celebrating Pine Islanders: Bernard Johnson

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

Dueto the legendary status of Bert’s Bar and Grill, many think of Bernard Johnson as a local restaurateur, or more accurately, a guy who made a valiant contribution to the community, as he did in giving People’s Choice Award winner Mike Imbasciani a place to get his musical career off the ground, by allowing him to gig at Bert’s when he was a kid, or giving future fellow restaurateur, Lisa Dence, one of her first jobs on the island, or being the starting ground for renown local band, Deb and the Dynamics Johnson however, describes himself as a long-term resident of Matlacha It was in the mid 1970s, he said, when he first came to south Florida -- Bonita Springs

“In the early '80s, someone wanted to swap some land up in Bokeelia and that was the first time I came to Pine Island I saw it and I just thought it was terrific As I drove out there and back, all I could think of was, boy I’d love to live here someday,” Johnson said

In 1998, he and partner Laura Smith ended up in Matlacha, and they’ve been there ever since In addition to being a meeting place for organizations like Kiwanis and the Matlacha Hookers, Bert’s Bar and Grill was more than simply a place where locals gathered

“It becomes a community When you’re living in a place where so many people know each other you don’t want to go anyplace else,” Johnson said

Bert’s was a stalwart place where many Pine Islanders found themselves taking respite, refuge and recreation until September 2022 when Hurricane Ian destroyed it, along with Bert’s Pine Bay Gallery, another of Johnson’s businesses located just across the street.

Many former Bert’s customers, he said, are now finding themselves at Bubba’s Roadhouse on Pine Island Road in Cape Coral, owned by Johnson’s son, Jay “My son is very active in Lee County, I’m very proud of him and my daughter, too She’s up in Memphis She’s got four restaurants and a pretty big c a t e r i n g s e r v i c e , ” J o h n s o n s a i d o f h i s d a u g h t e r ,

Michelle Wilson

Although Bert’s Bar and Grill and Bert’s Pine Bay Gallery have been destroyed, many other projects are currently keeping Johnson busy, such as a golf course development in Mississippi, he said. His attitude and sense of humor remain intact and most noteworthy, as post-hurricane, Johnson announced, tongue-in-cheek of course, that a reward would be given to anyone who could find and return Bert’s Bar and Grill in its entirety T-shirts for that witty endeavor sold out immediately,

See BERNARD JOHNSON, page 16

“Our analog seasons were all very active Atlantic hurricane seasons,” wrote Phil Klotzbach, senior research scientist in the Department of Atmospheric Science at CSU and lead author of the report “This highlights the somewhat lower levels of uncertainty that exist with this outlook relative to our typical early April outlook ”

CSU experts state their outlook for the season is based on extremely warm Atlantic temperatures and high probability of La Nina conditions, or when temperatures in the Pacific are lower than long-term normals, causing implications across the Atlantic This is the highest prediction for hurricanes that CSU has ever issued with its April outlook, though the team stresses that the April out-

See HURRICANE SEASON, page 19

Randell Research Center ’s Karim discusses the Calusa at GPICA meeting

By PAULETTE LeBLANC

peleblanc@breezenewspapers com

The Greater Pine Island Civic Association invited Randell Research Center Operations Manager Annisa Karim to speak at the monthly meeting April 2, at First Baptist Church

Karim asserts that knowing the history of Pine Island will give residents more of an appreciation for the island

The Randell Research Center is part of the University of Florida and the Museum of Natural History

Being a part of the state’s N a t u r a l H i s t o r y M u s e u m , Karim said, comes with the benefit of having the backing of some incredible scientists as well as having a home here on P i n e I s l a n d , ( T h e R a n d e l l Research Center) where learni n g a b o u t t h e C a l u s a Indigenous People continues

Her presentation, "Knowing the Calusa Turning Anthropology on its Ear," is so named for the accomplishments of the Calusa, Karim said

“I’m hoping this will encourage people to come out to the Randell Research Center and learn more about the Calusa to maybe even become members of the Randell Research Center and support this very important place on your island,” Karim said

When she was young, Karim said, she was told, as many of us were, that Ponce De Leon discovered Florida Though she concedes that he did sail to Florida, the implication, she said, was that, upon his arrival, there was nothing else here. By the time Ponce De Leon arrived, she said, there were likely more than 100,000 people already here

“Not just one group of people, many groups of people

See THE CALUSA, page 16

PHOTO PROVIDED Laura Smith and Bernard Johnson

Annisa Karim

FDOT to hold public meeting

Thursday for the Pine Island Causeway and Bridge Reconstruction

The Florida Department of Transportation invites the public to a meeting for the Pine Island Causeway and Bridge Reconstruction (FPID #451937-2) in on Pine Island Thursday, April 11, any time from 5-7 p m The purpose of this meeting is to provide the community an opportunity to review the Little Pine Island Bridge design, view the video presentation and exhibits, meet the project team and provide comment

FDOT provides multiple ways to participate, either inperson, online or reviewing materials on the project website: https://www swflroads com/project/451937-2 All meeting materials, including the project video, will be available online

In-Person Option: Any time from 5-7 p m at the Pine Island United Methodist Church, 5701 Pine Island Road,

N W , Bokeelia The video presentation will replay continuously and be available on the project website

Online Option: 6 p m Attend from a computer, tablet or mobile device Please register in advance by visiting: h t t p s : / / a t t e n d e e g o t o w e b i n a r c o m / r e g i s t e r / 4 7 0 1 7 7 0

543186602584

Once registered, attendees will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to participate Please note, Internet Explorer cannot be used to register or attend this webinar

FDOT sent notices to all property owners, business owners, interested persons and organizations within a 300-foot area from the project limits If you have any q u e s t i o n s o r c o m m e n t s , c o n t a c t F D O T P u b l i c Information Officer Jason Heironimus at 239-225-

1983, jason heironimus@dot state fl us or mail Jason Heironimus, Florida Department of Transportation, Southwest Area Office, 10041 Daniels Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33913 While comments about the project are accepted at any time, please send your comments by April 21, 2024, to be included in the meeting record

FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status People who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Cynthia Sykes, District One Title VI Coordinator, at 8 6 3 - 5 1 9 - 2 2 8 7 , o r e m a i l a t C y n t h i a S y k e s @ d o t state fl us at least seven days prior to the public meeting

Pine Island Potters’ Guild’s Spring Cleaning Show Saturday

The Pine Island Potters Guild is honoring the age-old tradition of Spring Cleaning! This Saturday, April 13, from 10 a m to 2 p m, artists and artisans will be digging into the corners of their studios for hidden treasures to offer along with their newest works

This April tradition was passed on to the guild by Chuck and Nancy Koucky, who have honored this ageold ritual usually assigned to closets since they opened their studio in 2001 They pull out previously unseen “seconds” pottery from their season of kiln fir-

ings

Many of the other craftsmen will be cleaning out their studios as well, making room for next season’s fabulous creations The show will feature, in part, forgotten works brought out from the back of working studios and into the courtyard sunlight at Koucky’s, where visitors and shoppers will discover treasures

The show will highlight works in pottery, woodworking, jewelry, paintings, and sculpture, as well as islandthemed décor, candles, perfume oils, children’s books, T-

Church of God of Prophecy Chicken Dinner this weekend

The Church of God of Prophecy will be holding a chicken dinner Saturday, April 13 Dinner will be takeout only, no dine-in The price is $10 per dinner - chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn or green beans, dinner roll and dessert

Chicken is fried in peanut oil Gluten free and baked

chicken available upon request

Call your order in to 239-283-2128 as soon as possible, quantities are limited Pick-up will be from 12:30-3 p m

The church is located at 15146 Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia

shirts and hats, jams, jellies, local honey, fresh-baked loaves of bread, cookies and pies

By popular demand, potter Chuck Koucky and some of his students will again demonstrate the art of firing horsehair pottery at 11 a m As the name implies, horsehair pottery incorporates hair from the tails and manes of horses into its design The random lines and patterns, which are the signature of this style, are created when applying strands of hair onto the surface of a hot raku clay pot that has just been removed from the kiln The pottery studio will be open as well, should you wish to take a self-guided tour

This small, inviting venue provides a welcoming environment to chat with local artists and artisans, inquire about their craft, and learn about opportunities in our area for classes and workshops All works by participating artists and craftsmen will be available for purchase

For more information, please call Nancy Koucky 239233-3003

April is Autism Awareness Month, or Autism Acceptance Month, as the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network prefers According to the CDC, recognizing this month “raises awareness about autism acceptance and promotes inclusion and connectedness for people with autism ”

Another benefit to creating a dedicated time to learn more about autism and uplift autistic people is that this attention urges researchers and policymakers to consider issues that are relevant to autistic people when they may not have otherwise That is especially relevant when it comes to suicide prevention among autistic individuals because recognizing that an autistic person may not display the same warning signs of suicidal ideation as a non-autistic person could save lives

According to a review of the literature surrounding suicidal ideation and behaviors, autistic youth are six times more likely to make a suicide attempt than their non-autistic peers Additionally, autistic youth are twice as likely to die by suicide than their non-autistic peers These numbers are heartbreaking and indicate that suicide prevention spaces and research may not include autistic people in the conversations about suicide as much as is necessary

In observance of Autism Acceptance Month and to raise awareness about the ways that suicidal ideation may look different in a young autistic person, here are three different warning signs that a young person might be considering suicide and some ways to support them This list is not exhaustive and will not cover every individual

1 Previous attempts:

The risk of death by suicide increases with each attempt If you know that a young person has struggled with thoughts of suicide before, and especially if you know they have made a suicide attempt, consider them to be at risk of another attempt

It is also crucial to watch for self-injury

Though self-injury does not necessarily indi-

cate suicidal intent, it could mean that a young person is struggling with emotions that are overwhelming and uncomfortable Especially in autistic young people who may have trouble clearly expressing or verbalizing emotions at a distressing time, the presence or increase if some self-harming behavior is typical in self-harming behaviors may suggest a crisis

2. Depression and anxiety:

It is not uncommon for an autism diagnosis to occur alongside mental health conditions like depression or anxiety Research shows that as many as 70% of autistic youth also have a co-occurring mental health condition. Because of this fact, a young autistic person appearing depressed or anxious may not be a reason in itself to be concerned about suicide However, it is vital to recognize when signs of depression or anxiety continue for long periods of time (usually two weeks or more) and when they extend outside the realm of what is standard for the individual

In some individuals, isolation may be an indication that a person is depressed For others, perhaps in a young autistic person who gets overstimulated in certain situations, isolation may be a way of self-regulating. In this case, the concern would be if isolation happens more frequently or if signs of depression occur alongside other changes in behavior that are out of character

3. Lack of interest:

A young person showing a lack of interest in things that used to excite them is always an indicator that a caregiver or other adult should keep an eye on the young person’s wellbeing A change in special interests may be more noticeable in an autistic youth who frequently engages in or discusses a particular

interest If a young person has stopped talking excitedly about a topic that used to bring them joy and comfort, it is wise for the adult to consider why this may be

If the young person feels comfortable discussing their thoughts with you, you could ask if another interest has captured their attention or what kind of things they enjoy doing instead Often, a lack of interest in one prominent area will extend to other areas of their life For example, you may notice things like changes in appearance, attendance, friendships, and relationships, or sleeping and eating patterns

Each individual will vary greatly in how they display warning signs of suicidal ideation, but they often do give some sort of indication that they are struggling either through their words or actions The important takeaway is to watch for major changes in behavior that last for several weeks at a time

If you or someone around you is considering suicide, there is help available! You can call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 from anywhere in the U S , and you will be routed to a communication center in your area The lifeline can provide resources and advice on next steps. You can also use SAMHSA’s facility locator to find behavioral health and substance use treatment that is accessible to you at www findtreatment gov For more information about warning signs and risk factors of suicide in young people, The Jason Foundation has a wealth of resources available on their website at www jasonfoundation com

Falon Mansfield is the division director at The Jason Foundation

We have laws to

our waters –which haven’t kept our waters clean We have agencies to protect our waters – still our waters are not clean We spend a tremendous amount of

dollars cleaning up what never should have been permitted – yet

continue to

As someone once said, “Water is life – so let’s save the life of water " You can do your part If you signed the 2024 petition to grant Floridians a Constitutional Right to Clean and Healthy Water, you will be getting a new one for the 2026 initiative in the mail Fill it out and get some friends/neighbors to join you Each of us can do our part to clean up the waters Mary

Lee County: FEMA delivers devastating blow to residents already impacted by Hurricane Ian

news@breezenewspapers com

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has yanked its 25% discount for flood insurance from much of Lee County Property owners in incorporated areas of the county, Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs and Estero holding a National Flood Insurance Program policy will collectively pay millions more to protect their homes and businesses as a result of a FEMA rating change set to go into effort Oct 1

Property owners in incorporated areas of the county, Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs and Estero holding a National Flood Insurance Program policy will collectively pay millions more to protect their homes and businesses as a result of a FEMA rating change set to go into effort Oct 1

The cities of Sanibel and Fort Myers are not affected

About 699,000 residents live in areas that will be impacted by the FEMA decision, county officials said

“Without any prior notice, FEMA verbally informed Lee County and some of its municipalities late Thursday that it was altering discounts on National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) premiums that allow residents to save up to 25%, delivering a blow to the community as it continues to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Ian,” Lee County officials said in release issued late Friday

“FEMA has provided no written notification or documentation outlining any spe-

cific details that would lead to this sudden rating change, which would take effect Oct 1 The county’s diligent work in FEMA’s Community Rating System has resulted in saving taxpayers a collective $14 million to $17 million annually in unincorporated Lee County alone When considering the cities within Lee County, the savings is in the tens of millions of dollars,” Lee County stated

“Extensive efforts – particularly after Hurricane Ian – have been made to demonstrate to the federal government that the county and its city partners go above and beyond what’s required to meet and exceed FEMA and NFIP standards,” officials said Local officials say residents will bear the direct and negative impact.

“For the federal government to have made this decision without any prior discussions seems punitive,” said Lee Board of County Commission Chairman Mike Greenwell said in a prepared statement “Ian was the third costliest hurricane to hit the United States, and many of our residents are still reeling financially from its impacts ”

The Lee Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday discussed the county’s response to the FEMA verbal notification late last week that it would eliminate the CRS current discounts on National Flood Insurance Program premiums

The board voted to grant “any and all tools” needed by county staff to investigate and work to address the FEMA determination.”

FEMA response

According to FEMA, officials sent a letter to the county in December in which permit documentation was sought for 590 sites following a two-week tour of special flood hazard areas in October and November

The documents requested by FEMA in December were due in January

“This will demonstrate your community’s floodplain management program meets minimum National Flood Insurance Pro-gram requirements to ensure your community continues to be eligible for Community Rating System (CRS) participation,” wrote Jacky S. Bell, Division Director for FEMA’s Mitigation Division

Bell warned of a downgrade in the county’s community rating system.

FEMA spokesperson Lea Crager said the agency would be working with municipalities and the county on future discounts

“We are committed to helping these communities take appropriate remediation actions to participate in the Community Rating System again and work towards future policy discounts,” Crager said

According to FEMA officials, the Community Rating System is based on whether municipalities adhere to local regulations to ensure structures are rebuilt to withstand future storms

Since Hurricane Ian hit Lee County in 2022, FEMA made numerous site visits to several communities to ensure locally adopted floodplain management ordinances were being enforced.

“This retrograde is due to the large amount of unpermitted work, lack of documentation, and failure to properly monitor activity in special flood hazard areas, including substantial damage compliance,” FEMA said

Local impact

In the Friday statement from Lee County, officials cited the discount as having “resulted in saving taxpayers a collective $14 million to $17 million annually in unincorporated Lee County alone ”

Jay Sanderson, the owner/broker of Black Diamond Real Estate Group in Bokeelia, said, "If the 25% increase happens on Oct 1st, to individuals already struggling heavily from the hurricane, in particular, to a lower income population, 25% is simply unaffordable I trust that our leaders at the county level will know how to best navigate this and will lead us to a positive outcome I really think that’s going to happen

"I think we’re going to have a positive outcome," he continued "It’s important that we’re hiring licensed contractors and we are doing everything on the up and up in order to maintain the community rating It’s important that we navigate this appeal process so that it doesn’t end up happening "

Lee County Manager Dave Harner said county efforts were under way

“County Administration and our Board want FEMA to suspend its decision until meaningful discussion can occur, so the

See FEMA, page 19

P i n e I s l a n d E a g l e p i n e i s l a n de a g l e . c o m W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , A p r i l 1 0 , 2 0 2 4 n P a

Calusa Land Trust to hold dual work/fun parties Saturday

The Calusa Land Trust will host two work/fun parties this Saturday, April 13, beginning at 9 a m , and you can choose whether to volunteer on land at the Weir Preserve or by water via kayak for the a n n u a l C a l u s a I s l a n d C l e a n - u p i n Bokeelia

The recently renamed Nancy Weir Mangrove Preserve (formerly the Dobbs P r e s e r v e ) c o n t a i n s 7 6 a c r e s a l o n g Matlacha Pass and consists mostly of mangrove forest except for its western border with a marked pedestrian trail with access bridges at both the north and south entrances This preserve’s mission will concentrate on removal of invasive veget a t i o n a n d h u r r i c a n e d o w n e d f o l i a g e Volunteers are requested to meet at the

south easement entrance located at the corner of Sabal Ave and Tangerine Drive, in the Tropical Point subdivision

Those that choose to participate in the Calusa Island Clean-up should meet at Carmen’s Kayaks located at the north end of Porto Bello St in Bokeelia (239-3337332 for rentals)

The Calusa Land Trust is an all-volun-

teer land conservancy and, thus, relies upon its members and caring guests like you to steward its preserved lands It is recommended that the Weir Preserve participants provide themselves with work gloves/clothing, pruning/chain saws and a happy spirit

Contact John Kendall at 239-2838175 or john@calusalandtrust org

Calusa Waterkeeper recognizes champions for clean water

Hannon named Advocate of the Year

C a l u s a W a t e r k e e p e r , a n o n - p r o f i t organization dedicated to the protection, p r e s e r v a t i o n a n d r e s t o r a t i o n o f t h e Caloosahatchee River and its watershed, presented its annual champions for clean water awards to individuals who have worked tirelessly in the fight for clean water

The award presentation took place at the Calusa Waterkeeper’s annual meeting, "Our Water, Our Future, Ours to Protect" Sunday, March 24, at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village The featured guest speaker was award-winning conservationist and fishing guide Capt Benny Blanco, who spoke on the state of the water and local residents fight to protect and restore it

T h e g a t h e r i n g b r o u g h t c o m m u n i t y leaders, environmentalists and supporters together to celebrate the organization's achievements over the past year and discuss upcoming initiatives to safeguard the region's vital waterways

Mary Kay Kralapp and Dan Carney were both presented with the Volunteer of the Year Award for their service on the ranger leadership team, development of new curriculum for the ranger program, tabling at public events and assistance in important advocacy initiatives such as the Right to Clean Water bill and Chiquita Lock hearing

Mike Hannon was named Advocate of

the Year for his tireless effort challenging the removal of the Chiquita Lock, providi n g t h o u s a n d s o f p r o - b o n o h o u r s Petitioners maintain that the removal of the lock will have negative impacts on water quality, endangered species and their habitats in the Caloosahatchee estuary.

Holly Schwartz received the Friend of Calusa Waterkeeper of the Year Award for the important roles she plays for Southwest Florida advocacy and vigilance of local policy-making and public notices She was the first to sound the alarm on the surprise proposal to change the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve boundary Blanco thanked all guests for being “water warriors” and challenged each of them to continue the vital fight for clean water

The annual meeting and awards luncheon was sponsored in part by Manatee & Eco River Tours, Florida Gulf Coast University, Aubuchon Homes, Wicked D o l p h i n , A r t h u r P r i n t i n g , S u n c o a s t Beverages and Cat Chase Media

About Calusa Waterkeeper Inc. Calusa Waterkeeper Inc is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection, p r e s e r v a t i o n , a n d r e s t o r a t i o n o f t h e

Caloosahatchee River and its watershed CWK’s jurisdiction covers four counties in Southwest Florida and encompasses

Calusa Waterkeeper invites individua l s , b u s i n e s s e s a n d o r g a n i z a t i o n s t o become champions for clean water to support its science-based programs and initiatives that help protect and restore the C a l o o s a h a t c h e e R i v e r , f r o m L a k e Okeechobee to local coastal waters, Boca Grande to Bonita Beach Ongoing projects throughout the year include Vertical Oyster Gardens, Ranger Training, Water Q u a l i t y T e s t i n g a n d A i r Q u a l i t y Monitoring, which focus specifically on water quality’s impact on human health, ecosystems and aquatic life

1 , 0 0 0 s q u a r e m i l e s o f w a t e r w a y s

Through advocacy, education, community engagement and science-based programs and research, Calusa Waterkeeper strives to ensure clean water for current and future generations that is drinkable, fishable and swimmable

For more information about Calusa Waterkeeper visit calusawaterkeeper org or call 239-899-1440.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Calusa Waterkeeper Capt Codty Pierce, left, and Board President Chuck Avery, right, present the Advocate of the Year Award to islander Mike Hannon.

Stanley, Adema receive annual M/PIFCD awards

The Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District has presented its annual 'Hot Shot' and 'Employee of the Year' awards

The “Hot Shot” award is given to the employee who has had the most calls in a specific calendar year This individual’s efforts account for emergency calls ranging from structure fires and vehicle accidents to medical and trauma-related emergencies The recipient for this year’s “Hot Shot” award went to Firefighter William “Hunter” Stanley

S t a n l e y j o i n e d t h e M a t l a c h a / P i n e Island Fire Control District in September 2022, during the time Hurricane Ian devastated the district Stanley and the rest of

SJCCA Schedule

The St James City Civic Association has announced the following upcoming events and activities:

Thursday, April 11

n Ping Pong, 9 a m to 12:30 p m

n Mahjongg, 1-4 p m

Friday, April 12

n S h u f f l e b o a r d , 9 - 1 1 a m

n Saturday, April 13

n G a r a g e S a l e , 8 - 1 1 a m

Tuesday, April 16

n S h u f f l e b o a r d , 9 - 1 1 a m

n Ping Pong, 9 a m to 12:30 p m

n G o l d e n B r u s h , 1 - 4 p m

n Dominos, 6-8 p m

Sunday, Apr 21

Party in the Park with Deb & the Dynamics from 1-4 p m Great times each time they come out to St James City!

Additional details, contacts and ticket sales are available at the center website at SJCCAPI ORG

All activities are held at S t J a m e s C i t y C i v i c Association 3300 Fourth Ave, St James City.

his hiring class were called to action just after the storm made landfall and were a major help in the response efforts Stanley is currently in paramedic school and continues to strive to assist the district in any way he can

The “Employee of the Year” award is given to the employee who is chosen by h i s p e e r s t o e x e m p l i f y e x c e l l e n c e i n his/her position and exceptional qualities of an employee within the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District This annual award is voted on by staff and resembles respect, teamwork and leadership among their peers This year, staff have voted to determine that the “Employee of the Year” award went to Capt Scott Adema

Adema joined the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District in June 2001 He has progressed through the ranks of firefighter, engineer and now holds the title of captain of C-Shift Adema also holds his fire inspector certification along with his fire officer and fire instructor certifications

PHOTO PROVIDED

Firefighter William “Hunter” Stanley and Capt. Scott Adema

M/PIFCD holds Easter Egg Hunt

The island fire department hosted another very successful Easter Egg Hunt This event was possibly the biggest one yet! The island crews spread well over 10,000 eggs over two baseball fields It took the team a little over an hour to put out all of the eggs, but it took the kids less than 3 minutes to collect them

P h i l l i p s P a r k before

PHOTOS PROVIDED

The fire department also prepared 50 pounds of pancakes, 1,000 breakfast sausages, over 350 goodie bags (with fire safety information) and gave away well over 400 stuffed animals and toys

Thank you everyone for coming out and for all the support and wonderful feedback!

Design work

OK’d for parking improvements and renovations at Lavender’s Landing

The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to authorize a firm to provide design services to increase the capacity of the parking lot and renovate the building interior of an office building at the Lavender’s Landing boat ramp, 7290 Barrancas Ave , N W , Bokeelia

The parking lot redesign will increase the number of available parking spaces for the boat ramp as well as add additional lighting

The first floor of the onsite office building will also be renovated, including improvements to meet standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act The renovations are not associated with Hurricane Ian

The design work is being completed as a $189,900 supplemental task to an existing design contract with Harvard Jolly Inc The design work is expected to begin within a few weeks There is no ramp closure planned in association with this design work.

F o r u p d a t e s , c h e c k w w w l e e p a r k s o r g o r v i s i t LeeParksandRecreation on Facebook and Instagram

The boat ramp was formerly known as the Harbor Hideaway Marina Lee County purchased this ramp in 2005, changing its name to the Bokeelia Boat Ramp and Cottages, providing the only public ramp on the north of Pine Island with direct access to Jug Creek and Charlotte Harbor The boat ramp underwent renovations and reopened February 2010 It was renamed Lavender’s Landing on March 24, 2010

To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter here: www.leegov.com/ resources/newsletters Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www facebook com/leecountyflbocc

Above, islanders gather for the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District’s recent Easter Egg Hunt and breakfast. At right, firefighters placed over 10,000 eggs over t w o b a l l f i e l d s a t

the start of the hunt

Hookers Bag ’n Tag, breakfast set for Saturday

The 2024 Bag ‘n Tag and Breakfast will be Saturday, April 13, at the Pine Island Moose Lodge on Stringfellow Road

The Hookers’ “world famous” Pan-cake Breakfast will be served from 8-11:30 a m , and the Bag ‘n Tag Sale will run from 8:30 a m until 2 p m

All proceeds benefit the "Hooked on Education Scholarship Program" for qualified individuals seeking higher education

Donation to Kiwanis

Dave Conner, president of The Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce, presents a check to Gus Hawkins of the Pine Island Kiwanis Club from the donations received at IslandFest with Mullet Toss.

What is the Bag ‘n Tag? The Matlacha Hookers reuse, recycle and repurpose donated items of gently worn clothing, household goods, decorations, small appliances, tools and sports equipment by hosting the Bag ‘n Tag each year Participants can purchase a brown paper grocery bag for $5 and fill it with as many clothing items as they can fit into the bag Savvy shoppers can walk away with items valued well over $100 for their $5 investment

The Hookers' Chic Boutique tent features one-of-akind items priced to move, including jewelry All other items are tagged with suggested prices

Donations are accepted at the American Legion on Stringfellow Road and bags of clothing or smaller items can be dropped off at Trader’s Hitching Post in Matlacha

For additional information or donations of large items, please contact Carolyn at 707-291-0310 or Teresa at 239-738-5008

Pine Island Community Pool to temporarily close

The Pine Island Community Pool will be closed Saturday, April 13, so that Lee County lifeguards can a s s i s t w i t h t h e F l o r i d a S w i m m i n g O p e n W a t e r Championships taking place at Lynn Hall Memorial Park, 950 Estero Blvd , Fort Myers Beach

All Lee County Parks and Rech pools will be closed

April 13 for the event In addition to the island pool, the North Fort Myers Community Pool, 5170 Orange Grove Blvd , will also be closed

Pools will reopen Tuesday, April 16, with normal operating hours For additional information about all Lee County pools, please visit www leeparks org/pools

PHOTO PROVIDED

How to stay at the top of your game during pickleball season

In 2022, the Sports and Fitness Industry Association said pickleball was the fastest growing sport in America with 4.8 million people playing at the time Last year, the Association of Pickleball Players said the number of players in the United States climbed to 36 5 million

It’s fast-paced, a serious workout and a great way to meet friends and spend time with loved ones About nine parks in Lee County and many communities have access to pickleball courts and it’s now a favorite among players of all ages

Dr Diana Young Guest Column

Here are some ways to make sure your body is in tip-top shape so you can play your best game yet and an injury doesn’t take you out of a match

What is pickleball?

Pickleball is a combination of tennis, badminton and table tennis It’s normally played on a badminton-sized court with a low net and players use paddles made of wood or composite materials to hit a plastic perforated ball back and forth Like tennis, it can be played as singles or doubles and the rules are similar to tennis as well

What are some common pickleball injuries?

Injuries from overuse can develop over time, including shoulder or knee pain If players notice they need to take more frequent breaks due to that pain, it could be a sign of an overuse injury It will happen

gradually and may not be something the player initially notices

Like tennis elbow, pickleball elbow is also common It is inflammation or irritation of one of the large tendons on the outside of the elbow

Keep an eye on your body and make an appointment with a physician if you experience intense swelling, can’t move the part of your body that’s injured, if anything looks deformed or you hear a “pop” after an injury or fall

The strains and sprains of pickleball

Like other racquet sports, sprains/strains of the lower extremities, sprains/strains of the upper extremities and injuries of the trunk and lower back are the most common pickleball injuries This is because these are the muscles and areas of the body that are used to actively move around the court and hit the ball.

Sprained ankles and pulled hamstrings are some examples of acute injuries during a pickleball game Sometimes all it takes is one specific movement in which the player steps wrong or lunges for a ball to hurt the muscle If an injury does occur, the best thing a player can do is take a break

It’s best to see a doctor if an injury is so severe that it hurts to put weight on it or if there is a considerable amount of swelling

An X-ray can rule out a major injury to the bone or other area of concern

What can I do before a game to help prevent injuries?

One of the best things players can do is to know their bodies

If you have a prior injury or are prone to knee problems or another issue, accommodate those things and know when your body is reaching its limit

Stretching before and after a game will also go a long way toward helping your body prepare for and cool down after a match, with particular focus on the calf muscles and hamstrings If you’ve been hitting the courts hard and your body is feeling tired, rest for a few days before participat-

Kitty

ing in another match

If you’re new to the game, start slowly and don’t push yourself more than you need to Make sure you’re using the right equipment and wearing the proper footwear.

If you haven’t been active in a long time, it’s also a good idea to get a wellness exam and talk to your doctor before considering the sport

For more information and to make an appointment with a physician, please visit www leehealth org

Dr Diana Young is an orthopedic surgeon with the Lee Health Musculoskeletal Institute

Cat of the Week

Not the most original name, but this sweet girl has plenty of other amazing qualities to make up for it. Kitty is an 11year-old declawed tabby with lots of snuggles to give She's tolerant of the other kitties, but much prefers the company of humans She will readily trade you purrs for any petting you can spare If you have room in your heart for this gentle soul, please call Helping P aws Animal Sanctuary at 239-2839100. If you’d rather just donate, our address is 10060 Mallory Parkway, E., Unit D, St. James City, or there’s always our website www helpingpawsanimalsanctuary com

The month of April is off to a windy start

April did not kick off with great weather as we had hoped for On land it was perfect, on the water, windy, some days very windy. Most days inshore anglers could work around the wind to get some fishing in Offshore, most of the week was just too rough to venture into gulf waters

Spotted sea trout may have provided the best daily action as they were caught throughout Pine Island Sound, Charlotte Harbor, and Matlacha Pass Trout were found over four-to-sixfoot grass flats, sand holes, and around oyster bars Baits included live shrimp and Gulp shrimp under popping corks, small live pilchards, and shrimp or shad tail plastics in a variety of colors A few productive areas mentioned included flats west of Regla Island, north of Demere Key, Pelican Bay, off Bokeelia Shoals, and Matlacha Pass around Indian Fields Ladyfish, jack crevalle, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and pompano were also hooked from many of these areas.

On the Water

up to 30 inches Most were caught on live or cut baits including shrimp, pilchards, pinfish, sardines, and ladyfish

The last half of the incoming tide often produced the best bite

Most redfish reports came from Pine Island Sound from the powerlines north to Rocky Channel Fishing island points and shorelines with areas of hard or sand bottom found redfish from six16

Many areas we fish this time of year the snook numbers are down Sure, there might be a half dozen in a hole here and there, but not the numbers we are accustomed to Anglers report some areas holding good numbers, but those areas are few and far between The south end of Pine Island Sound, San Carlos Bay, and areas around the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River turned up snook catches up to 40 inches A few anglers fishing Matlacha Pass boated line sides up to 31 inches, and northern Pine Island Sound turned up fish up to 27 inches From shore, snook were caught from the Bokeelia Fishing Pier, Blind Pass, and Matlacha Draw Bridge Snook fishing was best after dark from the draw bridge Windy days are often a good time to find water semi-protected from the wind, anchor up and fish cut bait. This is productive for both sharks and tarpon, and even a big bluefish or cobia Sharks are plentiful throughout the inshore waters five foot and deeper, with a variety of species and sizes Black tips and spinners are abundant and to me the most exciting to catch Both break from the water with erratic jumps, and spinners have a violent twisting leap that more often than not separates them from your line They will test your equipment and rigging

Maybe, just maybe, the wind and weather give us a break long enough to get into a pattern, rather than hitting the reset button every week

Stay up to date with fishing regulations by visiting www myfwc com Also, upload the Fish Rules app on your phone It has current regulations and seasons with pictures to help identify fish

If you have a fishing report or for charter information, please contact us at: Gulf Coast Guide Service

Phone: (239) 410-8576

Website: www.fishpineisland.com

Email: gcl2fish@live com

Have a safe week and good fishin’ www fishpineisland com

Kiwanis scholarships applications due by May 1

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island will again be providing scholarships to Pine Island students as it has for the past 40-plus years To qualify, each student must meet the following criteria:

n Be a resident of Pine Island or have attending Pine Island Elementary School.

n The applicant must either be a senior in high school or a high school graduate, either already in a post high school program or entering one

n The applicant must also need financial assistance

Application forms are available at the following locations: Century 21 Office, 10191 Stringfellow Road, St James City, or the Pine Island Public Library, 10701 Russell Road, Bokeelia, or they can be downloaded from the Kiwanis website at PineIslandKiwanis org

The deadline for turning in the applications is May 1 at the Century 21 Office or they can be mailed (postmarked by May 1) to Scholarship Chairman, P O Box 111, St James City, FL 33956

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island is proud to offer scholarships every year to deserving island students are furthering their education This is one of the many ways the club gives back to the community Contact scholarship committee chairs Carlyn Herring at 239-850-9613 or Tonya Player at 239-203-4682 if you have any questions.

Capt. Bill Russell

PHOTO PROVIDED

What's better than young anglers catching their first shark! Team bull shark fishing with Captain Bill Russell caught sharks, mackerel, snook, sea trout, and ladyfish to take home second place in the 26th annual Lil' Bobber's division of the Bobby Holloway Jr Memorial Fishing Tournament

The Calusa

From page 1

with their own very personal and very unique way of life, community, social construct, political construct and these tribes these nations of Native Americans had their own way of living but they contributed to each other through trade through communication There were transportation highways that they built not the highways that we know of but there were certainly areas where they could exchange information and goods,” Karim said, emphasizing that there was a vast culture right here in the state of Florida when European contact occurred

Oftentimes, in the not too distant past, she explained, there has been a temptation to “otherize” indigenous peoples, such as Native Americans, making them less sophisticated, as a result of using different tools The ability to learn from other cultures without doing this is an area still very much in need of progress, she said Most of the primary focus of this presentation is centered on findings from Tampa, she explained

“The northern section of Pine Island called Pineland was actually Tampa That is where the original town of Tampa was put on a map what they knew to be Florida is not what they had on maps … if you go in the state archives and you look at maps of Florida from the 1500 and 1600s, it would be very difficult for you as someone who knows what the state of Florida looks like and knows where different towns are along the coast and the interior for you to go and look at those old maps and start to try to place those towns based simply on where the harbors and the rivers are the town of Tampa to where we know it today the St Pete/Tampa area, that was a mistake don’t tell anybody in Tampa, but they don’t really live in Tampa We do,” Karim said

Because of their ability to fish and trade and communicate, the Calusa had been able to trade with Cuban fishermen, she said. For this reason, it was not a surprise to the Calusa when the Spanish showed up in Florida Many of the European colonizers set their sights on converting the Calusa, who they considered savages, and pilfering

their belongings, such as land, gold and weaponry, she said, except there was no gold to be had

“The Calusa tell us a lot about resilience They tell us a lot about ourselves because Pine Islanders are resilient We know a lot of people on this island who are amazing and resilient in their own right I think the Calusa being part of our heritage makes sense

"I’m certainly proud to represent the Randell Research Center and the University of Florida to tell the story of the Calusa I encourage you to visit the Randell Research Center we are doing guided tours through the month

of April. We have guided tours at 10 o’clock, Monday through Friday, and we have tours at 1 o’clock Monday, Wednesday and Friday,” Karim said, adding that private tours can also be scheduled for groups

The GPICA noted that there will be a public meeting regarding the Pine Island Causeway and Bridge reconstruction Thursday, April 11, from 5-7 p m , at Pine Island United Methodist Church

To see and hear this meeting in its entirety, visit the GPICA Facebook page

Elks summer program open to youngsters 9-13 years of age

The Greater Pine Island Elks #2781 will once again be sponsoring area children ages 9 through 13 to attend the Florida Elks Youth Camp in scenic, Umatilla, Florida All children are welcome!

The island lodge has 10 scholarships for children to enjoy a week of housing in the modern, air-conditioned

program donation

Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce President Dave Conner, center, presents a c h e c k to N i c o l e a n d P a u l P i c h o n o f th e P.I.L.O.T (Pine Island Leaders of Tomorrow) youth program from donations received at IslandFest with Mullet Toss

cabins, meals, swimming, canoeing, aquatic center, campfires, arts and crafts, a rope course and lots of fun, exercise and fresh air

To register a child, simply utilize the online application at feyc org A Greater Pine Island Elk will supply their name and member number as the child’s sponsor

The stated weekly cost per child is $220 Those who can afford this reasonable fee are urged to pay; those who cannot will be afforded the same opportunity It is through the generosity of the Florida Elks Association, the Greater Pine Island Elks #2781, and donations from its members that tuition free scholarships are made possible for campers

The Florida Elks Youth Camp is dedicated to enriching the lives of children from the state of Florida The mission is to mold the current generation of youth into adults The camp’s motto is to “inspire, connect and expand ”

Kids are inspired through the quality of the facility, staff and programming Without electronics, they help kids build connections between themselves and their peers, counselors and nature Through all this, the campers have the opportunity to expand their compassion

for others, their own self-confidence and their ability and desire to make an impact on the world around them.

The camp staff presents a safe camp experience that contributes to each camper’s mental, physical and social growth

The Florida Elks Youth Camp, a project of the Florida State Elks Association, is located on 405 acres of rolling hills, forests, lakes and open space in Marion County, Florida It is a unique camping experience for 7 weeks, during the summer

C a m p s e s s i o n s l a s t f r o m S u n d a y a f t e r n o o n t o Saturday morning and provide campers with housing, food and, of course, tons of fun!

The Florida Elks Clubs are proud that the camp is accredited by the American Camping Association and is re-certified every three years to insure compliance and a safe camping environment for children

Wish to take a virtual tour of the camp? Further inform a t i o n , v i d e o s a n d p i c t u r e s c a n b e f o u n d at www feyc org

For additional information about the camp, please contact Judy Hopkins, the island Elks exalted ruler, at juhopkins@msn com

Mahjongg Scores

It was a fun afternoon at mahjongg Thursday, April 4, as we got to grips with the new mahjongg card

The top scorers were Terry Wilbur with 150 points, Clem Moors with 140 and Sher Lucas with 135 Well

Bernard Johnson

more than likely to those who loved Bert’s most

done ladies!

We play mahjongg every Thursday from 1-4 p m at the St James City Civic Center, at the corner of Lemon Street and Fourth Avenue

From page 1

Plans to rebuild Bert’s are currently underway, although, according to Johnson, it may take a long while before we see the end of the project

“Let's see how it works out It is going to be a long process We have hired an architect and he is working plans,” Johnson said

Ultimately, he said he will keep moving forward with-

out looking back Johnson remains, a long-term resident of Matlacha and an unshakable member of a community to which he continues to contribute

“Never give up, and hopefully, things happen that will allow many of us to stay here and that we don’t get pushed out or bought out and can remain on the island and keep our community,” Johnson said

PHOTO PROVIDED

A graphic from Annisa Karim’s presentation on the Calusa.

PHOTO PROVIDED P.I.L.O.T.

Chamber makes donation to Pine Island Youth Baseball

The Greater Pine island Chamber of Commerce presents a check to the Pine Island Youth Baseball, from the donations at IslandFest with Mullet Toss. On hand for the presentation were Brian Crowley, Larry Solinger, Pat Sweeney and Cynthia Welch from the chamber and Chris and Kate Rowell of Pine Island Youth Baseball, along with some team members.

Lopez voted Breeze Athlete of the Month

Breeze Staf f Repor t news@breezenewspapers com

The votes are in for the C a p e C o r a l B r e e z e ’ s M a r c h A t h l e t e o f t h e Month, and the winner is Island Coast High School's Isaac Lopez

During his nomination week, the junior had a huge day at the plate as part of a 12-1 win for the Gators over Lake Placid Lopez went 3-for-5 with 5 RBI

“I was feeling confident at the plate that night and picking up the ball out of t h e p i t c h e r ’ s h a n d w e l l , e s p e c i a l l y t h e b r e a k i n g ball, which I collected two hits on during the game after hitting one of the furthest balls of my career off a fastball that went just f o u l , ” L o p e z t o l d T h e Breeze “I’m thankful my t e a m m a t e s w e r e a b l e t o reach base to give me a chance to drive in runs I’ve attempted to stay short o n m y s w i n g t h i s y e a r , which has allowed me to m a k e c o n t a c t e a r l i e r i n counts instead of getting behind ” T h e j u n i o r i s b a t t i n g 326 on the year and is tied for the team lead in runs batted in and triples, and s e c o n d i n s l u g g i n g p e rcentage and hits

S t a y u p t o d a t e w i t h

Athlete of the Week select i o n s o n c a p e c o r a l breeze com

Bobby Holloway Memorial Fund now accepting scholarship applications

The Bobby Holloway Memorial Fund is now accepting 2023-2024 scholarship applications

The Holloway Fund gives away nearly $30,000 per year that is raised through its annual fishing tournament, which was scheduled for Saturday, April 6, at Jug Creek Marina in Bokeelia

This year will kick off a special opportunity for students pursuing vocational or trade school with scholarships available through a special donation The Holloway Fund helps students who are pursuing higher education whether it be through college, trade school, academies or vocational training

To be eligible to receive a scholarship, students must fill out the application along

with two letters of recommendation and an essay on why they feel they should receive the scholarship

In addition, applicants must be residents of Pine Island or attended Pine Island Elementary Applications can be picked up from school counselors, the Pine Island Library or Centennial Bank on Pine Island

All applications, letters and essays should be sent together in one packet to: BHMF-Scholarship

PO Box 712 St James City, FL 33956

Applications must be submitted by May 10 and must include the essay and both letters of recommendation to be considered

Obituaries

PHOTO PROVIDED

(Selected by the Breeze Sports staff)

Hurricane season

look historically has the lowest level of skill of CSU’s operational seasonal hurricane forecasts, given the considerable changes that can occur in the atmosphereocean between April and the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season from August to October

CSU predicts that hurricane activity in ’24 will be about 170% of the average season from 1991–2020 By comparison, last year’s hurricane activity was about 120% of the average season

The CSU team bases forecasts on a statistical model, as well as four models that use statistical information and model predictions of large-scale conditions from various domestic and international models. CSU states these models use 25-40 years of historical hurricane seasons and evaluate conditions including: Atlantic sea surface temperatures, sea level pressures, vertical wind shear levels (the change in wind direction and speed with h e i g h t i n t h e a t m o s p h e r e ) , E l N i n o (warming of waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific), and other factors

The CSU team will again issue fore-

FEMA

From page 5

county and its municipal partners have opportunities to address FEMA’s concerns,” Harner said “This is critical to mitigate the potential impact to our residents There must be an appeal process ”

Attempts to reach FEMA's press office were unsuccessful

Background and how the discount program works

“Lee County for 17 years has had a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) rating low enough that flood insurance policy holders in unincorporated Lee County had a 25% discount on standard federal flood insurance policies – a discount collectively valued at $14 million to $17 million annually,” county officials said

Every three years, NFIP conducts a “field visit” to audit the county's ongoing floodplain management activities and flood-mapping records After the audit, Lee County has received notification that the county retains its Class 5 rating to earn the 25% discount

This year, that did not happen neither the county, nor the affected municipalities, received a discount, awarded in 5% increments based on rankings from Class 10 (low) to Class 1 (high)

Credits are issued for actions taken, including having written construction certificate management procedures for all

From page 1

cast updates on June 11, July 9 and Aug

6

Weather experts and forecasters with AccuWeather are predicting a potentially “explosive” season on the horizon, also pointing to warm water temps They are also pointing to a swift change from El Nino to La Nina conditions

Experts said La Nina results in wind shear, or “less disruptive winds,” over the majority of the Atlantic basin

“It can be helpful to visualize a stack

o f p a n c a k e s , ” A c c u W e a t h e r L e a d

H u r r i c a n e F o r e c a s t e r A l e x D a S i l v a explained in a report “When there is a high amount of wind shear, the top of a tropical system can be pushed and tilted away from its base, causing it to become lopsided If a mature hurricane is in place, it may weaken but will not necessarily dissipate.

“A tall, neat stack is what a tropical system wants to be, but wind shear can cause some pancakes to be displaced and the stack could fall over ”

He said the faster the transition to La Nina occurs, the more active the hurricane season is likely to be

new and substantially improved/substantially damaged buildings; higher regulatory standards; stormwater management; drainage system management; various types of community outreach and how flood warning and management are handled

Credit also is granted for preservation of Special Flood Hazard Areas as open space, protecting open space land with deed restrictions and preserving open space land in a natural state as well as for regulations and incentives that minimize development in the SFHA and protect natural shorelines and channels

Lee County joined the NFIP program in 1984

There are 51,103 NFIP policy holders in unincorporated Lee County with collective coverage of more than $13 billion

Lee County joined the CRS program in October 1991 and achieved a Class 5 rating in 2007

A Class 5 rating allows for a 25% flood insurance discount

The value of this discount in unincorporated Lee County is $14 million to $17 million annually

All jurisdictions in Lee County are members of the NFIP and all participate in the CRS program

D a S i l v a a d d e d t h a t , “ T h e 2 0 2 4

Atlantic hurricane season is forecast to feature well above the historical average number of tropical storms, hurricanes, m a j o r h u r r i c a n e s a n d d i r e c t U S impacts ”

Although the Atlantic hurricane season does not open until June 1, the AccuWeather team of long-range forecasters state it’s never too early to prepare Last year saw 19 named storms with four direct U S impacts, including the Category 3 Idalia

Heading into the ’24 season, DaSilva said, “Sea-surface temperatures are well above historical average across much of the Atlantic basin, especially across the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and the Main Development Region (for hurricanes) ”

AccuWeather said the Atlantic water

temperatures observed this March were around, or even warmer prior to the blockbuster 2005 and 2020 hurricane seasons

Overall, AccuWeather meteorologists have forecasted 20-25 named storms across the Atlantic basin this season, i n c l u d i n g e i g h t t o 1 2 h u r r i c a n e s , o f which four to seven being major, and four to six direct U S impacts

The Texas coast, Florida Panhandle, South Florida and the Carolinas are at a h i g h e r - t h a n - a v e r a g e r i s k o f d i r e c t impacts

“All residents and interests along the U S coast, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, should have a hurricane plan in place and always be fully prep a r e d f o r a d i r e c t i m p a c t , ” D a S i l v a added

Cribbage Corner

3rd Place

4th Place

1st

2nd Place

Results from the Thursday, April 4, cribbage game at the St James City Civic Association.

Place - Rick Parrott

- Ken Amid

- John Perkowski

- John Hennessy

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