Cape Coral Weekend Breeze

‘Town center’ project planned for NW Cape

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

As development constantly churns in Cape Coral, one new development already in permitting is sure to bring lots to do for residents in the northwest section of the city and beyond

Coral Grove, to be located along Southwest Pine Island Road, will be a mixed-use development bringing apartments, townhouses, a hotel, an abundance of retail and dining, movie theater, and

“Our proposal for Cape Coral Grove envisions an outdoor town center animated by new residences, offices, public open spaces and retail options that will serve the needs of this vibrant and growing city We look forward to continuing our dialogue with the City of Cape Coral, FDOT, and the local community as we advance this project through the development process ”

Justina Lombardo, spokesperson for L&L Development Group

July 4th celebration set for Tuesday at the Cape Coral Bridge

Classifieds 36-37

By CJ HADDAD

cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

Here in Cape Coral, the Fourth can be celebrated to its fullest extent with beautiful weather, an abundance of events and, of course, fireworks.

The holiday brings the mind back to a youthful time, no matter what your age may be Stirring memories of neighborhood parties, when everyone knew everyone the smell of barbecue and smoke from the sparklers dancing past your nose The first

See page 13 for more 4th of July activities

time your eyes looked to the sky and suddenly boom! it was pure magic

The single biggest event the Cape puts on every year, Red, White & BOOM!, is the largest fireworks display in all of Southwest Florida

Tens of thousands of people will come together

See BOOM!, page 13

envisions an outdoor town center animated by new residences, offices, public open spaces and retail options that will serve the needs of this vibrant and growing city,” said Justina Lombardo, a spokesperson for L&L Development Group “We look forward to continuing our dialogue with the City of Cape Coral, FDOT, and the local community as we advance this project through the development process.”

See CORAL GROVE, page 27

State Attorney’s Office opens investigation

Cape Council requests help with residency complaint

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenespapers com

At the request of the Cape Coral City Council, the State Attorney’s Office has opened an investigation into a citizen complaint questioning the residency of a Council member accused of not living in her district when she ran for office

The elected board on Monday rejected a bid to charge Councilmember Patty Cummings with violating the city’s charter residency requirements when she qualified to run for her District 4 seat then voted 7-1 to have the State Attorney’s Office look into the allegation as it has subpoena authority, something the city’s independent investigator lacked

Patty Cummings

The State Attorney’s Office confirmed Wednesday that it has accepted the request, which asks the office to “assume responsibility for the investigation moving forward” with the city to provide the report it commissioned and any related documents already collected

See COMPLAINT, page 26

Scholarship tally for Class of ’23: $41 million-plus

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

The graduating class of 2023 earned more than $41 million in scholarships, as of this week, attending colleges, universities and technical centers across the United States

“We are always proud of our senior class with the financial haul they pull in,” said Lori Brooks, School District of Lee County School Counseling and Mental Health director

The total they have right now is not inclusive of the full Bright Future Scholarship amounts, as the state is calculating those numbers Brooks said Bright Futures will qualify some students at the end of a senior student’s first semester Many qualify at the eighth semester, after graduation

The district tries to educate students about scholarship opportunities in information- sharing events It is the starfish theory, she said, as they work with each student to help them with a personalized pathway

This coming year, which Brooks is excited about, will see the launch of Naviance, a career exploration, personal development and post secondary pathway that facilitates access to college applications, scholarship reporting and tracking where stidents end up in 10 years, with their permission.

The app can be used by students, parents, college and career specialists and counselors for a more real time access of

“We are always proud of our senior class with the financial haul they pull in ”

Lori Brooks, School Counseling and Mental Health director

pushing things into students and parents portals to review at their convenience

“You no longer have to do Google Classrooms for scholarships,” Brooks said, as Naviance is district scholarship based “Parents can search it and see where my child has been in Naviance ”

They can push out such reminders for deadlines of SAT, and ACT during the student’s junior year to both students and parents

The great perk of Naviance, Brooks said, is parents and students can view it 24 hours a day

“You can log into the Naviance portal and engage on a deeper level and monitor everything,” she said “It is going to be more convenient for students and parents as an additional tool Scholarship postings and where the child is on their pathway of discovery and connecting interest with career and preparation ”

Students can apply directly through Naviance for post secondary institutions, and have a scholarship database at their fingertips

“Now more than ever they will be able to engage in that directly in the app,” Brooks said

Of the students who provided information, 1,987 will be attending a four-year college, or university; 1,392 will attend a two-year community college, or state college; 682 will

attend a technical college or school; 455 will enter the workforce directly; 193 entered the U S Armed Forces; 525 were still uncertain of their future plans and 432 chose other

“From the time students enter grade nine, our schools help them focus on the beginning with the end in mind Everything matters from performance of day one in ninth grade, through actions taken to plan for their career of choice,” Brooks said of their education for career of choice, technical college, state college, university or an apprenticeship program “We focus on each student and what careers they may have an interest in and how do we get them there ”

The students are guided in taking the appropriate courses, and experiences to truly understand what that career looks like, which may include shadowing or work based learning

The impact of a grade point average, courses and electives taken, as well as ACT and SAT are discussed

“We are always about the career path,” Brooks said, adding the district provides guidance on how to get there

There also is a focus on college applications, and scholarships, as it is a four year process

“In our district it is a K-12 process and in middle school, career exploration and exposure,” begins, Brooks said “In high school we up the ante in four years, everything about the future.”

School district approves Code of Conduct

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

The 2023-2024 Student Code of Conduct will be more reader friendly for parents, as well as shorter in length, with options to click on links for additional information

The code was approved during Tuesday night’s a public hearing at Lee County School Board meeting

At a meeting in May, Student Services Executive Director Dr Jessica Duncan said they heard loud and clear from stakeholder input that the Code of Conduct is lengthy With that

feedback the code will include QR codes providing parents with the opportunity to dig deeper within certain areas

The Code of Conduct also will be available in various languages

In addition, School Environmental Incident Safety Incident Reporting definitions have been updated, as well as the reversal of levels to be more aligned with the Department of Education All 45 infractions are in alphabetical order with SESIR codes bolded

Before it was approved a few people spoke during public comment to express concerns

Sharon McGill said the district is expecting pre-K to high school kids to adhere to this Code of Conduct, but most of them are not able to read it The code says that everyone is encouraged to read and develop a thorough understanding, she said

“It really should say everyone is expected Parents should be expected to be familiar with this and know what is within it before anything happens,” McGill said “It should be that everyone is expected to read and develop a thorough understanding of the Code of Conduct for students It should be expected that the parents read and know the Code of Conduct and what is expected of their kids because we expect their kids to act that way ”

Gwyn Gittens, a former school board member, agreed on the word “expected” and shared that links to comments, or resources, if they do not understand should be included, as well as translation

“I suggested at a couple of meetings ago about translating the draft of the student Code of Conduct Many of the people that are bilingual are the ones that are the most of the SESIR reports and discipline I am a staunch believer that discipline and academics are definitely married If a child does not know how to read they will do whatever necessary to get out of doing that work,” she said “Was there a translation for our bilingual stakeholders for them to understand?”

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CAPE CORAL BREE ZE

RAYMOND M. ECKENRODE Publisher

VALARIE HARRING, Executive Editor CHRIS STRINE, Editor

2510 Del Prado Blvd

• Cape Coral, FL, 33904

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

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

Member

B O O M ! i s b a c k a n d C a p e C o r a l o r g a n i z e r s a r e p r o mi s i n g t h e b i g g e s t , b e s t o n e y e t T e n m o n t h s a f t e r H u r r i c a n e I a n u p e n d e d l i f e a s w e i n S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d i a k n e w i t , s o c i a l n o r m a l c y i s r e t u r n i n g a n d t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n o f e v e n t s t o b e h e l d r i g h t o n s c h e du l e , d e s p i t e , l i t e r a l l y , h e l l a n d h i g h w a t e r , i s a b i g p a r t o f t h a t C a p e C o r a l ’ s a n n u a l I n d e p e n d e n c e D a y s t r e e t p a r t y , R e d , W h i t e & B O O M ! t h e l a r g e s t F o u r t h o f J u l y b a s h i n S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a i s s e t f o r T u e s d a y . F e a t u r i n g c o n t i n u o u s l i v e e n t e r t a i n m e n t , n u m e r o u s f o o d a n d d r i n k v e n d o r s a n d t h e b i g g e s t , t h e b e s t , f i r ew o r k s d i s p l a y i n S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a , t h e f e s t i v a l d r a w s a n e s t i m a t e d 4 0 , 0 0 0 p e o p l e e v e r y y e a r T h e f e s t i v i t i e s w i l l b e g i n a t 5 p m a n d g o u n t i l

1 0 : 3 0 o n C a p e C o r a l P a r k w a y a t t h e f o o t o f t h e C a p e

C o r a l B r i d g e L i v e m u s i c w i l l b e p e r f o r m e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e e v e n i n g , h e a d l i n e d t h i s y e a r b y n a t i o n a l c o u n t r y m u s i c s t a r D y l a n S c o t t S c o t t , a m u l t i - P l a t i n u m s i n g e r w i t h t w o N o 1 s i n g l e s “ M y G i r l ” a n d “ N o b o d y , ” a s w e l l a s t h e T o p 5 h i t “ H o o k e d ” w i l l t a k e t h e s t a g e a t 8 p . m . A s a l w a y s , g e n e r a l a d m i s s i o n i s f r e e ( P a i d “ B o o m P a s s e s ” f o r p r i o r i t y s e a t i n g a r e s o l d o u t ) T h e A m e r i c a n F i r e w o r k s S p e c t a c u l a r , “ p o w e r e d b y L C E C , ” i s s e t f o r 9 : 3 0 p m L o o k i n g t o k i c k s t a r t t h e h o l i d a y ? T h e F r e e d o m 5 K R u n / W a l k o v e r t h e C a p e C o r a l B r i d g e i s t h e t r a d i t i o n a l C a p e p r e l u d e t o R e d , W h i t e & B O O M ! R e g i s t r a t i o n b e g i n s a t 6 a m a n d t h e r u n b e g i n s a t 7 a m o n J u l y 4 a t t h e C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e b u i l d i n g a t 2 0 5 1 C a p e C o r a l P a r k w a y E a s t P r e - r e g i s t r a t i o n , a t $ 4 0 f o r a d u l t s , $ 3 0 f o r y o u t h s 1 7 a n d u n d e r a n d $ 2 0 f o r m i li t a r y , w i l l s a v e y o u a f e w b u c k s d a y - o f r e g i s t r a t i o n i s $ 4 5 f o r a d u l t s a n d $ 3 5 f o r y o u t h s P r i o r i t y B u s i n e s s S o l u t i o n s i s t h e t i t l e s p o n s o r T h e r e ’ s a l s o a K i d s F u n R u n f o l l o w i n g t h e 5 K F u n R u n r e g i s t r a t i o n i s $ 1 0 w i t h a p o s t - r a c e p a r t y f o l l o w i n g t h e e v e n t P r o c e e d s w i l l b e n e f i t T h e B r o t h e r h o o d o f H e r o e s R e s o u r c e C e n t e r a n d M u s e u m a n d t h e S p e c i a l O p e r a t i o n s C o m m u n i c a t i o n s A s s o c i a t i o n T h e G u n t e r b e r g C h a r i t a b l e F o u n d a t i o n i s t h e s p o n s o r L o o k i n g f o r m o r e ? T h e r e a r e o t h e r c e l e b r a t i o n s i n t h e C a p e a s w e l l a s e v e n t s t h r o u g h o u t L e e C o u n t y W e i n v i t e y o u t o c h e c k o u t t h e l i s t i n g s o n p a g e 1 3 o f t o d a y ’ s B r e e z e . C o m m u n i t y e v e n t s s u c h a s t h e s e a r e m a d e p o s s i b l e b y t h e c i t y , n u m e r o u s b u s i n e s s e s a n d h u n d r e d s o f v o lu n t e e r s R e d , W h i t e & B O O M ! i s o r g a n i z e d b y t h e C a p e C o r a l P a r k s a n d R e c r e a t i o n D e p a r t m e n t , w h i c h f a c e d a h e r c u l e a n c h a l l e n g e i n t h e w a k e o f H u r r i c a n e I a n T h a n k y o u T h e b u s i n e s s c o m m u n i t y h e l p s m a k e t h e e v e n t p o s s ib l e a s w e l l a n d , d e s p i t e I a n a n d t h e i m p a c t i t h a d o n h o m e s a n d b u s i n e s s e s , m a n y s t e p p e d u p a g a i n w i t h a d o z e n - a n d - h a l f l i s t e d a m o n g t h i s y e a r ’ s s p o n s o r s T h a n k y o u A n d l e t u s n o t f o r g e t a l l t h e v o l u n t e e r s T h a n k y o u , t h a n k y o u !

I t i s e v e n t s l i k e B O O M ! t h a t m a k e t h e C a p e a w o nd e r f u l p l a c e t o l i v e a n d v i s i t H a v e a v e r y h a p p y a n d s a f e h o m e t o w n F o u r t h

B r e e z e e d i t o r i a l

T HE BREE ZE

County policies hinder public input

The antidemocratic creep infecting governance nationwide is showing itself in Lee County and being a watchdog is now more important than ever

The rezoning of Commissioner Greenwell’s property in rural North Olga was about to get final approval when a Citizens for Government Accountability/SWFL watchdog contacted county staff about documents missing from the casefile Because of his vigilance, the county conceded the original hearing on this rezoning wasn’t properly noticed to the public The rezoning application reviews had to be conducted again this time with notice and resident input

Jan Sommer Guest

A foundational element of our democracy is citizen engagement everyday people lending their voices to and participating in governmental decision-making. The Greenwell hearing was a do-over because Florida law mandates adequate notice to the public in a “newspaper of general circulation” and the county failed to follow the law Without such notice, all subsequent actions are void That’s how important legal notices are But today this is under grave threat

Commentary

The idea of advisory committees for citizen input is laudable However, many are dormant or meet intermittently For example, the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee meets only annually, despite the affordable housing crisis we are now experiencing Many committees are stacked with appointees who are large, special-interest donors to commissioners’ campaigns and consequently are anything but “public” representatives Many seats are vacant

Rules and regulations discouraging citizen input abound One example: to speak before the commissioners in the Greenwell case one must have testified before the Hearing Examiner at the previous hearing Another: citizen communications with county commissioners on zoning matters are prohibited and, indeed, criminalized, punishable by 60 days in the county jail and/or a $500 fine Another: the public can attend and listen to commissioner chatter at workshops, but should a resident want to voice their opinion, they must do so at a commission meeting the morning before an afternoon workshop

Those are the rules

But it gets worse Under a new state law, jurisdictions can opt to cease publishing legal notices in newspapers and instead post them only on their website And that is what our Lee County commissioners have chosen to do. Anyone using the county website knows it to be not very user-friendly and is sometimes offline, as happened for four days recently Though often difficult to read, these notices can have tremendous impact on our quality of life and the financial health of our community Relegating them to a clunky website does nothing to foster citizen engagement

Commissioner Greenwell’s rezoning request allowing higher density for residential and commercial development makes his land more valuable and puts dollars into his pocket. It permits building on wetlands in the Coastal High Hazard area The hearing process originally occurred without the wider public knowing it was happening When the county was forced to notice it properly, residents turned out and made their voices heard If this had only been posted on the county’s website, it is doubtful anyone would have been aware of the proceeding

Our local newspapers play a critical role in informing the public; the obvious solution is to publish these notices in both newspapers and on the website so as to reach the most people The county justifies its action by asserting that it will be saving money by not publishing this information in print In reality, it’s the residents who ultimately pay with those who know how the system works ultimately benefiting Our commissioners must reverse this exclusionary decision

Citizens for Government Accountability/SWFL is an allvolunteer watchdog group affiliated with the Florida Center for Government Accountability, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting investigative journalism More information can be found at flcga org To become a watchdog, write us at cgaswfl@flcga org

Jan Sommer

Citizens for Government Accountability/SWFL

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Beware the new vision for the Cape

To the editor:

Regarding the Yacht Club rebuild:

I have been watching the news about this and the city’s plan to demo the whole place and start over All I can say is beware our city leaders’ “tropical resort” vision. I reference plans like the Seven Islands developement and the recent proposed make over of Jaycee Park

The Seven Islands speaks for itself

At Jaycee Park they want to take a nice, quiet city park surrounded by residential and turn it into a resort-style destination We really like the big trees along the shore that we can park under in the shade and view the water They have been there since my spouse was in her childhood along with the quiet atmosphere They say the trees must go because they are invasive species and they will spread Look around they have not spread out in 40 years Most of the trees and bushes we have here are not native The Cape was mostly Florida pines and cabbage palms before development. Their vision is spindly palm trees that provide little shade but look “tropical and resorty ” That park really just needs a spruce up with better grass and an irrigation system

I also point out the “beautification” done at the Bernice Braden Park next to the Cape Coral Bridge All they did is rip down the several huge beautiful healthy oak shade trees and replace them with the more “resort-and-tropical” looking cheap spindly palm trees held up by sticks

Now to the Yacht Club I am sure the large trees there will be ripped down in the process They want to demo all the buildings with no solid plan for replacement Do not be surprised if a fancy hotel comes into the picture along with the parking garage and restaurants they already envision

Do not be surprised that locals will no longer have much access to the new expensive amenties similar to Tarpon Point

and Cape Harbor

Do not be surprised if the history of the park is deleted in favor of their “resort and tropical” vision

Do not be surprised if it becomes another enclave of the rich and famous

Lloyd James Cape Coral

Residents, taxpayers be damned

To the editor:

I wanted to let the public know that the U S Army Corps of Engineers approved the fill-in of the Mast Canal After all our efforts we are very disappointed They have begun to mark up the property in preparation of adding fill and putting in the sea wall Imagine giving up a canal, our No 1 marketing differentiator and environment gift, for a car wash!

Between the demolition of the Yacht Club and our canals; the city continues to prove it does not care about our past, present or future They are going to fill in a canal for Tommy’s Car Wash, Cape Coral’s leadership’s push for development at any cost

The city’s approval of the plan includes having the entrance, exit in a residential neighborhood They will not discuss sound or light levels until after it is built The entrance is feet away from the next door property’s driveway They would not allow for citizen input or a traffic study The neighborhood, taxpayers and voters be damned

Sounds just like their approach to the Yacht Club,the old golf course, and on and on and on Do you see the pattern? There is a movement growing to push for managed development. Our hope is the Cape Coral Breeze reports on it.

Nancy Cavanaugh

On behalf of the Mast Canal Preservation Group Cape Coral

Florida Press Association

BOOM! It’s on!

How to stay sober on Independence Day

Independence Day is an incredibly festive time for millions of American families nationwide It’s a day to celebrate freedom in all its forms Typically, families enjoy barbecues, fireworks, beaches, pools, and quality time with friends and family

July Fourth is also America’s top beerdrinking holiday It’s estimated that over one billion dollars is spent on beer on this day It’s no secret that binge drinking leads to dangerous outcomes Adults are free to make their own choices Statistically, 17% of Florida adults over 18 binge drinking at least once per month.

Holidays like July Fourth that promote heavy drinking can be challenging for people in recovery from alcoholism or drug addiction However, there are practical ways for anyone to stay sober on Independence Day and enjoy celebrating freedom

“It can be tough during the early days of

recovery. July Fourth is a massive holiday, and copious amounts of alcohol are consumed, but it’s not impossible to stay sober,” said Marcel Gemme of Addicted org

Consider some of the following tips to help stay sober and enjoy the Fourth of July:

■ Know and identify relapse triggers, such as people, places, environments, or situations If you recognize these triggers, you can avoid them or manage the situation It’s also essential to have a healthy outlet to manage negative emotions or feelings that come up when these triggers

Michael Leach Guest Commentary

occur.

■ Bring sober friends to July Fourth celebrations This can offer support and other sober people to spend time with Yet, it is essential to note that most people are not drinking their faces off or using drugs, but there are situations where this happens

■ Bringing non-alcoholic drinks or mocktails to the July Fourth festivities is also a good idea. This can help avoid those pesky relatives who insist you always have a drink in your hand and do not take no for an answer In addition, try to avoid drinking games and environments that promote binge drinking actively

■ Finally, have an exit strategy. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to leave, make it possible to do this easily It’s OK to leave parties, and it is also OK to decline invitations You have the freedom to choose how you want to spend your July Fourth holiday Independence Day is about celebrating freedom Being free from the chains of addiction is a fantastic feeling The day can be an opportunity to create new traditions and memories, spend quality time with loved ones, and enjoy the freedom you have given yourself.

Michael Leach has spent most of his career as a healthcare professional specializing in Substance Use Disorder and addiction recovery He is a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant and contributor to the healthcare website Recovery Begins

Lee GOP supports legal immigration

T h e R e p u b l i c a n P a r t y o f L e e C o u n t y h e l d a R a l l y f o r F l o r i d a o n W e d n e s d a y s u p p o r t i n g G o v R o n D e S a n t i s a n d S B 1 7 1 8 T h e l e g i sl a t i o n s i g n e d i n M a y p r o v i d e s n e w e n f o r c em e n t t o o l s f o r t h e s t a t e t o u s e t o c o m b a t i l l eg a l f o r e i g n m i g r a t i o n R a l l y - g o e r s p e a c e f u l l y o r g a n i z e d , w a v i n g A m e r i c a n f l a g s t o b o t h h o n k i n g a n d j e e r s f r o m d r i v e r s E a r l i e r t h a t d a y , p r o t e s t e r s m a r c h e d i n F o r t M y e r s i n o p p o s i t i o n t o t h e b i l l , f a l s e l y c l a i mi n g t h e b i l l i s “ r a c i s t ” a n d h a r m f u l t o t h e S t a t e o f F l o r i d a T h e s e o r g a n i z e d p r o t e s t s w e r e n a t i o n w i d e , i n c l u d i n g p r o t e s t s i n C a l i f o r n i a

w h i c h i s h o m e t o m o r e t h a n T W O M I L L I O N f o r e i g n m i g r a n t s w h o a r e i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s i l l e g a l l y E v e r y y e a r , m o r e t h a n 6 , 0 0 0 F l o r i d i a n s d i e f r o m o v e r d o s e s f r o m F e n t a n y l s m u g g l e d a c r o s s t h e U S - M e x i c o B o r d e r , e x a c e r b a t e d d u e t o B i d e n ’ s O p e n B o r d e r P o l i c i e s a n d , a c c o r d i n g t o t h e P e w R e s e a r c h C e n t e r , F l o r i d a i s h o m e t o 7 7 5 , 0 0 0 f o r e i g n m i g r a n t s h e r e i l l e g a l l y G o v R o n D e S a n t i s t o o k a c t i o n w h e r e B i d e n w o u l d n o t , t o d e f e n d t h e S t a t e o f F l o r i d a I f J o e B i d e n t o o k t h e s o u t h e r n b o r d e r s e r i o u s l y , t h i s l e g i s l a t i o n w o u l d n o t b e n e c e s -

From page

Be prepared

To the editor:

Quick: What’s your Evacuation Zone? Not sure?

Lee EOC gov

Who in the family can name a relative you can all call to contact to verify you got somewhere safe? Pick someone who is not in Florida Does everyone have that phone number on speed dial?

This is the moment to put your children through their eye roll paces to make sure your loved ones will be ready and safe this hurricane season Tank full of gas, 6 gallons of water for each member of the household, and yes, that includes pets The FEMA food and the snack bars should be getting stashed somewhere near the extra medicine, batteries and flashlights now

Who is the person you can impose your family on for a week’s worth of hospitality? (Yeah, you should know that now )

Climate change is a real thing Your barstool buddy who considers it a point of pride that he never evacuates, is using old data No water in the world is heating faster than the Gulf of Mexico, and warm water means storm surge Cape Coral will not be providing sand bags, and we are in the cross hairs of today’s changed climate If you and your family are two inches above sea level, be making your escape plans now

Seriously

We had virtually no looting (endless news loop of the camera hog Sheriff arresting kids collecting bottles off the beach during last year’s storm does not constitute a looting hazard )

Pete Buttigieg’s FEMA used drones, so the day after the hurricane passes you can view your property from the comfort of a northern hotel on Zillow or Zoom

s a r y “ T h e r o o t c a u s e i s t h e S o u t h e r n B o r d e r , ” s a i d L e e G O P C h a i r m a n M i c h a e l T h o m p s o n “ I t ’ s n o t G o v D e S a n t i s p i c k i n g o n a s p e c i f i c r a c e o f p e o p l e ” T h e R e p u b l i c a n P a r t y o f L e e C o u n t y i n v i t e s o p p o n e n t s o f S B 1 7 1 8 t o R E A D T H E B I L L a n d f i n d o u t w h a t i t a c t u a l l y s a y s S e a n H a r t m a n i s t h e C o m m u n i c a t i o n s c h a i r f o r t h e R e p u b l i c a n P a r t y o f L e e C o u n t y

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Yes, you may have emergency crews closing your street access for a few days But seriously, if the situation is that bad the day after the storm, you won the lottery if you left early enough to be inconvenienced. You do not need to be here till the storm has passed

Be prepared to have someone who owes you a favor (like someone you gave a kidney to) lined up to host you and the brood Have that option open for a week during next hurricane Make sure they know you will be at their door with only a few days notice

Ellen Starbird Cape Coral

Children need playtime

To the editor:

As a child, I remember playing outside for hours with my siblings We would pretend our backyard was a magic forest and we would have grand adventures filled with wild creatures, obstacles, and picnics Screentime included a couple hours of whatever cartoon was on the local TV channel While it’s a universal child comment to say, “I’m bored,” we found plenty of activities to fill our days by using our imaginations

I have always known how important play is in the life of a child but especially now that I have three children of my own and teach preschool, I have come to realize that not only is it an important part of childhood, but vital to mental health During the times when I tell my children to find something to do that doesn’t include screens, they inevitably tell me they’re bored I encourage them to find something to do and give them options if they need them (there’s always chores if they’re that bored) It’s amusing to watch because all of a sudden, all my blankets have disappeared from my closet and have become a giant fort in the living room! They’re using all sorts of skills to figure out how to make the blankets stay on top of the chairs, or

Hartman Guest Commentary

how to expand the fort to make extra rooms

Other times, they rediscover their markers and paints to come up with some kind of masterpiece or use their magna-tiles to build a castle!

It’s pretty awesome to watch what happens when they are creative, use their imaginations, and just play! I think it’s important to just let our kids be “bored” sometimes You never know what magical lands they just might find

Jenny Sample Cape Coral

poll question:

Do you agree with Florida’s recently approved immigration legislation?

∫ Yes.

∫ For the most part

∫ No

Previous poll question

Do you volunteer?

∫ Yes, regularly 23 5%

∫ From time to time 18%

∫ No, but I donate 32%

∫No. 26.5%

Poll results are not scientific and represent only the opinions of Internet users who have chosen to participate Vote at capecoralbreeze com

c o me . Le tte rs to the e di to r o r g ue s t c o l umns may be e - mai l e d to v harri ng @ bre e z e ne w s pape rs . c o m. A l l l e tte rs and g ue s t o pi ni o ns mus t be s i g ne d and mus t i nc l ude a pho ne numbe r f o r v e ri f i c ati o n purpo s e s . Re ade rs are al s o i nv i te d to c o mme nt o n any l e tte r o r e di to ri al o pi ni o n o nl i ne at: c ape c o ral bre e z e . c o m.

Sean

Be aware, take care - Record travel weekend ahead

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

It looks like 2023 will be a record-setting year for Floridians traveling for the Independence Day holiday according to top forecasters

AAA - The Auto Club Group, predicts more than 2 8 million Sunshine State residents will take at least one trip of 50 miles or more between June 30 and July 4, outpacing last year's record-high by 87,000

Travel across the board is on pace to set records, as an estimated 50 7 million Americans are forecast to travel for the holiday weekend according to AAA, a number nearly 2 1 million greater than last year’s holiday and nearly 1 8 million more than the record set in 2019

“Independence Day weekend appears to be the continuation of what has already been a very strong summer travel season,” stated Debbie Haas, vice president of Travel for AAA “Although airfares and hotel rates are more expensive than last year, Americans are

Travel across the board is on pace to set records, as an estimated 50.7 million Americans are forecast to travel for the holiday weekend according to AAA, a number nearly 2.1 million greater than last year ’s holiday and nearly 1 8 million more than the record set in 2019

still eager to travel So, expect to see congested roads, busy hotels, and long lines at airports and attractions ”

AAA figures show that just under 2 5 million Floridians will travel by car, while nearly 220,000 will take to the air and 140,500 will travel via other means

Officials state that nearly 85% of all travelers will take a road trip, and across the country, AAA predicts that 43 2 million Americans will drive to their destinations

Air travel in Florida is forecasted to break last year’s record-number, as AAA estimates 23,000 more people to take to the sky than last year.

AAA expects 3 36 million people nationwide to travel by bus, cruise, or train over the long weekend, an increase of 24% Florida is

slated to again break a record for travel other than car or plane, with 140,525 Floridians to navigate in such a manner

Friday, June 30, is expected to be the busiest day on the roads during the Independence Day holiday weekend, according to INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights Officials state the worst travel times vary by day, but are generally in the afternoon and early evening Average travel times are estimated to be 30% longer than normal, particularly in major metro areas, near beaches and attractions To avoid the heaviest congestion, INRIX recommends drivers leave in the morning or after 6 p.m.

What to expect at the pump

As record numbers of Floridians are ready

to hit the road, gas prices are declining across the state This past Monday, Florida gas prices averaged $3 35 per gallon; six cents less than the week before and the lowest daily average price in two weeks

“Florida gas prices have fallen about 12 cents per gallon throughout the past two weeks,” stated Mark Jenkins, AAA spokesman “Low oil prices have enabled gas prices to remain well below year-ago levels. However, strong demand has created some volatility throughout the past month Even if gas prices bounce higher again soon, Independence Day road trippers will pay much less at the pump than they did last year ”

AAA said Florida gas prices averaged $4 54 per gallon on July 4, 2022; that amounts to $18 more for a full tank compared to what drivers are paying now

For more information on AAA, their services, and up-to-date gas prices, visit www.AAA.com

Swim experts offer water safety tips ahead of the holiday weekend

Many families have plans to travel to the beach or enjoy a dip in the pool for 4th of July celebrations

With local beaches back open, swim experts want to be sure everyone has some water safety tips in hand as they plan for fun in the water

“This week, former NFL player Ryan Mallett, drowned off the coast of Florida Officials say he did not get caught in a rip current, but this incident is still raising a w a r e n e s s o f j u s t h o w d a n g e r o u s t h e water can be, even for an athletic former

p r o f e s s i o n a l a t h l e t e , ” a r e l e a s e f r o m

British Swim School of Naples-Sarasota states

“On top of this tragic news, 11 people have died because of rip currents over a two-week span ”

Ken Klose, of British Swim School, offers the following safety tips for families that could save lives:

■ Always designate a “water watcher ” This is an adult who knows how to swim, and isn’t distracted by his/her cell phone or conversation. This person should

also agree not to drink alcohol and stay fully engaged with watching children play in the water

■ Wave, Yell, Swim Parallel If c a u g h t i n a r i p c u r r e n t , s w i m s a f e t y experts urge a swimmer to stay calm, wave hands if possible, and start swimming parallel to the shore It’s important not to exhaust yourself fighting the current

■ Pay attention to local beach warnings Rip currents can be present on what appears to be a sunny and calm day.

■ Throw, don’t go! If you notice someone struggling in water, throw a flotation device or rope to help them to safety Most of the time it’s not wise to jump in and help That could lead to two drownings

A n d o n e m o r e h e r e i n S o u t h w e s t Florida where our beaches still may contain debris: Watch for underwater dangers, including broken glass

B r i t i s h S w i m S c h o o l o f N a p l e sSarasota is at 999 Trail Terrace Drive in Naples.

w w w . c a p e c o r a l b r e e z e . c o m 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 ■ P a g e 8

Student Enrollment

Office offers virtual lines

J u n e

Online signups allow parent to save a spot when registering their child for school

B y M E G H A N B R A D B U RY n e w s @ b r e e z e n e w s p a p e r s c o m

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T h a t r e g i s t r a t i o n c a n b e d o n e t h r o u g h e n r o l l l e e s c h o o l s n e t , b y t e x t i n g ( 2 3 9 )

2 9 9 - 7 3 3 2 w i t h k e y w o r d S D L C , o r b y u s i n g t h e Q l e s s A p p W h e n r e g i s t e r i n g t h e i r p l a c e i n l i n e , t h e y w i l l n o w k n o w e x a c t l y h o w l o n g o f a w a i t i t i s b e f o r e l e a v i n g h o m e , o r w o r k t o g o t o t h e S t u d e n t E n r o l l m e n t O f f i c e .

A p p o i n t m e n t s c a n a l s o b e m a d e f o r a s p e c i f i c t i m e a n d d a t e W h e n p a r e n t s a r e i n t h e v i r t u a l l i n e t h e y w i l l b e n o t i f i e d w h e n i t i s a l m o s t t h e i r t u r n P a r e n t s c a n a l s o s e l e c t t o b e m o v e d f a r t h e r b a c k i n l i n e i f t h e y n e e d m o r e t i m e F o r t h o s e p a r e n t s w h o d o n o t m a k e a n a p p o i n t m e n t , o r r e s e r v e a p l a c e i n l i n e b e f o r e a r r i v i n g , w i l l b e d i r e c t e d t o a k i o s k , s o t h e y c a n e n t e r t h e v i r t u a l l i n e , a l l o w i n g t h e m t o e i t h e r w a i t , o r c o m e b a c k w h e n i t ’ s t h e i r t u r n .

A d d i t i o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n w i t h d e m o ns t r a t i o n v i d e o s c a n b e f o u n d a t : h t t p s : / / w w w l e e s c h o o l s n e t / c m s / O n e a s p x ? p o r t a l I d = 6 7 6 3 0 5 & p a g e I d = 9 0 8 0 2 3 7 9

E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r o f S t u d e n t E n r o l l m e n t S o r e t t a R a l p h s a i d t h e y u s e d t h e s y s t e m l a s t w e e k a s p e o p l e w e r e c o m i n g i n t h e d o o r W i t h M o n d a y b e i n g t h e f i r s t o f f i c i a l d a y o f t h e s y s t e m , t h e y c a m e i n t o t h e o f f i c e w i t h a l i t t l e m o r e t h a n 1 0 0 a p p o i n t m e n t s m a d e “ W i t h a n y t h i n g , c h a n g e i s d i f f e r e n t W e w i l l g e t u s e d t o i t a n d f a m i l i e s w i l l g e t u s e d t o i t , ” R a l p h s a i d W i t h t h e n e w r e g i s t r a t i o n o f f e r i n g , p e o p l e d o n ’ t h a v e t o s t a n d o u t s i d e a n d g e t h o t , o r s t a n d i n t h e r a i n w a i t i n g t o b e s e e n “ T h e l o n g l i n e s o u t s i d e t h e S t u d e n t E n r o l l m e n t O f f i c e a r e a s f r u s t r a t i n g t o

o u r f a m i l i e s a s t h e y a r e t o u s , ” R a l p h s a i d “ B y a l l o w i n g f a m i l i e s t o r e g i s t e r t h e i r p l a c e i n l i n e b e f o r e l e a v i n g h o m e , o r m a k e a n a p p o i n t m e n t t o c o m e w h e n t h e y c a n g e t t i m e o f f w o r k w i l l i m p r o v e t h e i r e x p e r i e n c e a n d o u r a b i l i t y t o h e l p W e l o o k f o r w a r d t o s e e i n g f e w e r p e o p l e w a i t i n g i n l i n e , b u t s e r v i n g j u s t a s m a n y p a r e n t s i f n o t m o r e ” R a l p h s a i d m o s t o f t h e p e o p l e t h e y a r e s e e i n g n o w a r e b r a n d n e w f a m i l i e s t o L e e

C o u n t y “ W e a r e s t i l l g r o w i n g W e a r e s e e i n g a l o t o f o u r f a m i l i e s t h a t l e f t a f t e r t h e h u rr i c a n e t h a t w e n t o u t o f t h e s t a t e t o s t a y w i t h f a m i l y o r f r i e n d s T h e y a r e c o m i n g b a c k T h a t i s a g o o d t h i n g , ” s h e s a i d T h e a p p o i n t m e n t s a r e s e t u p f o r e v e r y 2 0 m i n u t e s , a s t h e y a r e u s i n g f o u r t o s i x s t a f f m e m b e r s S o m e t i m e s a p p o i n t m e n t s r u n l o n g e r t h a n 2 0 m i n u t e s , w h i l e , s o m et i m e s i t d o e s n o t t a k e a s l o n g a s t h a t a l l o t t e d t i m e T h e S t u d e n t E n r o l l m e n t O f f i c e i s o p e n f r o m 9 a m t o 4 p m M o n d a y t h r o u g h F r i d a y , a t 2 8 5 5 C o l o n i a l B l v d , i n F o r t M y e r s T h e d i s t r i c t p r o v i d e s m a n y f u n c t i o n s o f t h e S t u d e n t E n r o l l m e n t O f f i c e , i n c l u di n g s t u d e n t r e g i s t r a t i o n a n d o p e n e n r o l lm e n t , w h i c h c a n b e d o n e t h r o u g h e m a i l , o r o n l i n e

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District provides update on Hurricane Ian repairs

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

The School District of Lee County continues to move forward with repairs post Hurricane Ian with bid requests pending for the replacement of a heavily damaged Cape Coral school.

The solicitation for the planned Hector A Cafferata Elementary School K-8 school is due on July 14

School Superintendent Dr Christopher Bernier said it provides a unique opportunity to put solicitation out for a public, private partnership

“All local contractors are eligible to bid,” he said

Perhaps the biggest step is taking place at Fort Myers Beach Elementary School, as demolition of outbuildings is under way with half the work done as of Tuesday night

Bernier said the district is not touching the historic building of Fort Myers Beach Elementary School, as it will stay in place

“The demolition of Fort Myers Beach Elementary outer buildings is 50 percent complete It will look worse before it looks better,” he said

“The demolition of Fort Myers Beach Elementary outer buildings is 50 percent complete. It will look worse before it looks better.”

Dr. Christopher Bernier, superintendent of Lee County Schools

In addition, Bernier said the design for Fort Myers Beach renovations are now complete The necessary plans to move forward are being put together with a gross project estimate cost to come back to the board

The innovation, to bid for construction purposes, was advertised last week for Fort Myers Beach Elementary School

The update shared information about the ongoing hurricane repairs for roofing, flooring, drywall and painting Bernier said approximately 88 percent of districtwide hurricane service requests to their maintenance department have been completed

The remainder of the update went through a photograph slideshow of hurricane damage to now One of the schools included

Lexington Middle School, a flood-damaged building, which has had a great deal of work done on the first floor with carpet and tiles being laid as well as new drywall going up and paint being applied

The gymnasium was also touched upon, as Lee County shares the space with the school district Bernier said the wood for the gym floor is now in the facility and is becoming accumulated to the moisture and humidity in the room before being completed

At Diplomat Middle School, where the roof was lost, photographs showed new cabinets and sinks for the science labs

Bernier also provided an update on Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School He said one corner of the roof had peeled back

“The southwest corner had been exposed to the wind for so long the wind got under it and peeled it back,” Bernier said, adding that workers are removing damaged material and getting down to the core of the roof

The roof is also being fixed at Gulf Middle School to keep water from intruding inside the building

Bernier said they had a great meeting with Imperium He said the deadline for A, debris removal, and B, emergency preparedness, projects has a deadline of June 29 Everything has been filled and the district has have received partial payment

“We are working towards a better understanding when the federal government will move to the 90/10 rule,” Bernier said, adding that they will replace 90 percent, leaving 10 percent for the district to cover

He said the district is thankful for the Lee County Legislative Delegation and Gov Ron DeSantis for his signature on the state budget Bernier said there are hundreds of millions of dollars allocated to districts like Lee County which were impacted by Hurricane Ian He said there is an opportunity to receive gap dollars back from the state of Florida for that 10 percent not covered.

Cape Coral warns of blue-green algae bloom at Jaycee Park

The city of Cape Coral has posted signs at Jaycee Park warning visitors of the presence of potentially toxic bluegreen algae

Blue-green algae was reported at several locations in the Caloosahatchee River, including the park on Southeast 20th Place and, as of Thursday, the Rubicon Canal Water samples are being tested for toxins and the results will be available on the state’s Algal Bloom Dashboard The city will share the results when available

City officials encourage the public to exercise caution when near waterways, even if the presence of toxins has not yet been confirmed The city routinely monitors for the presence of harmful algae and potential toxins within Cape waterways using a private contractor. County and state partners also monitor these conditions The city is working to deter the presence of blue-green algae in Cape Coral’s canals by activating bubble curtains during the incoming tides

Officials remind residents that pet waste, grass clippings,

and fertilizers containing nitrogen or phosphorus entering waterways can worsen algal blooms The use of fertilizers containing nitrogen or phosphorus is not permitted between June 1 and Sept 30, and grass clippings should be disposed of as horticulture waste. For more information on blue-green algae and how to report algal blooms, visit CapeCoral gov

To find current information about Florida’s water quality status and public health notifications for harmful algal blooms and beach conditions, visit ProtectingFloridaTogether gov

With heavy on-the-water traffic expected, boaters urged to take care

B y C J H A D D A D c j h a d d a d @ b r e e z e n e w s p a p e r s c o m W i t h b o a t i n g b e i n g a t t h e t o p o f t h e l i s t f o r F o u r t h o f J u l y a c t i v i t i e s f o r c o u n t l e s s F l o r i d i a n s , l o c a l o f f i c i a l s a r e o f f e r i n g t i p s o n h o w t o k e e p s a f e o n t h e w a t e r d u r i n g t h e h o l i d a y O f f i c i a l s w i t h t h e U S C o a s t g u a r d e x p e c t l a k e s , l a u n c h r a m p s , a n d h a r b o r s t o b e c r o w d e d n e x t T u e s d a y , a n d a c c o r di n g t o d a t a f r o m t h e r e c e n t l y r e l e a s e d

2 0 2 2 R e c r e a t i o n a l B o a t i n g S t a t i s t i c s , t h e t o p f i v e p r i m a r y c o n t r i b u t i n g f a c t o r s i n b o a t i n g a c c i d e n t s l a s t y e a r i n v o l v e d o p e r a t o r i n a t t e n t i o n , i n e x p e r i e n c e , i m p r o p e r l o o k o u t , e x c e s s i v e s p e e d a n d m a c h i n e r y f a i l u r e “ N e a r l y a l l o f t h e s e f a c t o r s w i l l c o m e i n t o p l a y o n t h e w a t e r a r o u n d I n d e p e n d e n c e D a y , a n d e s p e c i a l l y o n t h e e v e n i n g s w i t h f i r e w o r k s s h o w s w h e n b o a t e r s c o n g r e g a t e t o v i e w t h e m , ” s t a t e d C h r i s E d m o n s t o n , p r e s i d e n t o f B o a t U S F o u n d a t i o n f o r B o a t i n g S a f e t y a n d C l e a n W a t e r “ A f t e r t h e s h o w e n d s , a s b o a t i n g s p e ct a t o r s p u l l a n c h o r a n d h e a d f o r h o m e e n m a s s e , i s r e a l l y w h e n a b o a t o p e r a t o r w i l l e x p e r i e n c e t h e s i g n i f i c a n t d i f f e r e n c e f r o m o p e r a t i n g d u r i n g t h e d a y t i m e , ” h e a d d e d I n C a p e C o r a l , c o u n t l e s s b o a t e r s t u r n o u t t o v i e w t h e l a r g e s t f i r e w o r k c e l e b r at i o n i n S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a f o r R e d , W h i t e & B O O M ! E d m o n s t o n s a i d i t i s m u c h m o r e d i ff i c u l t t o d e t e r m i n e s p e e d , d i r e c t i o n , o r a n g l e , a n d d i s t a n c e t o o t h e r m o v i n g

“Nearly all of these factors will come into play on the water around Independence Day, and especially on the evenings with fireworks shows when boaters congregate to view them... After the show ends, as boating spectators pull anchor and head for home en masse, is really when a boat operator will experience the significant difference from operating during the daytime ”

Chris Edmonston, president of BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water

b o a t s a t n i g h t “ D o u b l e c h e c k t o e n s u r e y o u r n a v i g at i o n l i g h t s a r e w o r k i n g p r o p e r l y t o e n s u r e o t h e r s s e e y o u , ” E d m o n s t o n s t a te d A n o t h e r i s s u e a t h a n d i s t h e “ r a c e t o g e t h o m e ” “ M a n y s i m p l y t r a v e l t o o f a s t f o r t h e c o n d i t i o n s , ” E d m o n s t o n c o n t i n u e d “ E v e r y o n e i s l e a v i n g a t t h e s a m e t i m e , a n d y o u ’ l l r e a l l y n e e d t o f o c u s o n s a f e t y U s e o t h e r s o n y o u r b o a t a s e x t r a l o o ko u t s , a n d k e e p y o u r e y e s f o c u s e d a h e a d w h i l e s c a n n i n g a r o u n d y o u ” O f f i c i a l s s a i d a l o n g d a y o n t h e w a t e r c a n b r i n g s t r e s s o r s s u c h a s s u n , w i n d a n d w a v e a c t i o n , l e s s e n i n g a b o a t o p e r a t o r ’ s a b i l i t y A d d i n g a l c o h o l t o t h e m i x c a n o n l y m a k e t h e s i t u a t i o n w o r s e O f f i c i a l s s a i d b e c a u s e e v e r y o n e w a n t s t o s e e t h e s h o w , o v e r l o a d i n g i s a l s o a r e a l i s s u e t h i s t i m e o f y e a r S m a l l v e s s e l s a r e p r o n e t o s w a m p i n g i n t h e w a k e a c t i o n t h a t f o l l o w s t h e e n d o f a s h o w O f f i c i a l s s a i d w e i g h t a n d b a l a n c e s h o u l d b e t o p o f m i n d f o r s m a l l b o a t o p e r a t o r s

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Fourth of July options abound

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

The Fourth of July holds special memories for most Gathering in the backyard while the smell of what’s on the grill wafts through the air Gazing into the night sky in awe, as colorful bursts illuminate above. Tossing the ball around and going for a swim

Many of America’s favorite pastimes are rolled into one big shebang to celebrate the independence of our country

All across Southwest Florida, communities and entities are planning on commemorating the Fourth:

■ Freedom 5K

The Priority Business Solutions Freedom

5K Run/Walk and Gunterberg Charitable Foundation Kid’s Fun Run take place the morning of Independence Day

Each year, a portion of the proceeds raised from the event is donated back to two veteran organizations This year’s recipients are The Brotherhood of Heroes Resource Center and Museum in Cape Coral and the Special Operations Communicators Association

“In addition to online donations, 100 percent of the proceeds from our track signs honoring veterans will be donated to the Brotherhood of Heroes and the Special Operations Communicators Association,” said Donna Germain, president and CEO of the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce

Veterans also will be honored during the awards presentation with a commemorative challenge coin presented by Coral Ridge Funeral Home and Cemetery

Participants in the 5K will take their marks and head out at 7 a m from the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge The kid’s fun run (for those 12 and under) will begin immediately following the completion of the 5K Awards will be given in a multitude of categories Fun run participants will be given ribbons and T-shirts

Registration is now open and is $40 (youth $30) by July 3 and $45 on the day of the race Veterans can register for the race for $20 Fun run registration is $10

For more information and to register, visit www freedom5Kcc com

■ Cape Coral American Legion

The American Legion Cape Coral will celebrate Monday, July 4, at Post 90 at 1401 S E 47th Street in Cape Coral There will also be a blood drive The public is invited

A flag retirement ceremony begins at 11a m by the Post Honor Guard Attendees are encouraged to bring old unserviceable flags to be properly disposed of The blood drive will start at noon and continue to 5 p m

At 1 p m , hot dogs and hamburgers will be served Lunch is free but donations are appre-

ciated There will be live music provided by the “Bob and Bob” show

■ Mighty Mussels

The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels will host an Independence Day Weekend Fireworks Spectacular on July 3 that caps a multi-day celebration with promotions and two other nights of fireworks

The July 3 postgame fireworks show, produced by Pennsylvania-based Pyrotecnico, is expected to last at least 12 minutes and will feature thousands of colorful pyrotechnics launched just beyond the right field fence

“It will be the biggest fireworks show in the history of Hammond Stadium hands down,” Mighty Mussels President Chris Peters said

The July 3 game caps a weekend celebration that also includes post-game fireworks shows on Friday, June 30, and Sunday, July 2 Killebrew Root Beer, Estero Bay Chevrolet and Lee County Solid Waste are sponsoring the three fireworks shows

All weekend, Mighty Mussels players will be wearing custom red, white and blue patriotic jerseys, which will be auctioned after the game to support Keep Lee County Beautiful, a nonprofit focused on improving, beautifying and protecting the environment

“Other than Opening Night, our Independence Day Weekend celebration is probably the most anticipated homestand of the season,” said John Martin, majority partner of the Mighty Mussels “You can catch a baseball game with your family, enjoy a burger or hot dog and stick around to watch fireworks light up the night sky It doesn’t get any more American than that ”

Mighty Mussels tickets start at $10 and are available at MightyMussels com

■ Freedom Fest Downtown Fort Myers

Celebrate the holiday is historic downtown Fort Myers with fun for the entire family at Freedom Fest from 6 to 10 p m Enjoy live music from Deb and the Dynamics, food trucks, local artisan vendors, and a fantastic firework display to finish off the evening

The celebration will take place on Edwards Drive between Jackson and Hendry Street and is free to attend. A fireworks show is scheduled for 9:30 p m (weather permitting)

■ Farmer Joe’s Farmer Joe’s, Cape Coral’s Fresh Market, will host a 4th of July Customer Appreciation Day in their parking lot

“We are beyond thrilled to celebrate the 4th of July with our incredible customers,” said owner Lee Snyder “This Customer Appreciation Day is an opportunity for us to show our gratitude for the support we have

received from the community We invite everyone to join us for a day of family-friendly activities and free hamburgers and hot dogs for everyone It’s our way of saying ‘Happy Independence Day ’”

Families can look forward to bounce houses, face painting, and much more Attendees will be able to enjoy free hamburgers and hot dogs Additionally, customers can take advantage of a blowout sale on select items throughout the store

In addition to activities and food provided by Farmer Joe’s, this event will also include booths from select businesses and organizations in the community, including the Lee County Sheriff’s Office which will offer fingerprinting services for children, which can be a useful tool in case of an emergency

This event is open to the public, and everyone is invited to join in the festivities The store is at 1401 SW Pine Island Road

For more information about Farmer Joe’s, visit www farmerjoes com

■ Fort Myers Brewing

Fort Myers Brewing Company is celebrating the Fourth of July holiday from June 29 to July 4 with “Red, White & FMBrews,” an Independence Day weekend celebration featuring six days of live music, food trucks and specialty beers

Fort Myers Brewing will release two craft brews for the event: Prickly Paradise, a prickly pear guava sour, will be released on Friday, June 30, followed by Das Alligator, a doppelbock, on Saturday, July 1.

There will be local eats from food trucks such as Island Vibez, King’s Tacos & Burritos, South Pizza Co , Wicked Streatery, Dynamite Street EatZ and first-time visitor No Manches Live performances will take place every evening featuring Wendell Ray, Jenny Ve, The Rowdy Bards, Jeff Lyons and more The brewery is also releasing limitededition Fourth of July swag, including custom patriotic tied-dyed T-shirts, available for purchase in the taproom

The six-day celebration will be held at Fort Myers Brewing Company, 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, Suite 28, in Fort Myers For more information, visit Facebook com/FMBrew or call 239-3136576 Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, as seats tend to fill up quickly.

■ City of Sanibel

The city of Sanibel’s Recreation Department will host the 4th Family Fun Community Cookout on July 4 from 11 a m to 2 p m at the Sanibel Recreation Center on Sanibel Free and open to the public, it will feature games, a magician, pool party, an inflatable obstacle course, face painting, music and more

Gabby Cooper Angeles, program coordinator with the Sanibel Recreation Center and Recreation Department, explained that the annual parade and fireworks display are not taking place this year due Hurricane Ian, so the city council asked staff to organize an alternative event to mark the holiday

“It’s free to the community,” she said “Anyone can come, off-island or on-island ”

“There’s a lot of stuff going on,” Angeles added

A magician, the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District and Hubbard Farm with its rescue animals, will be part of the festivites There will be live entertainment from 11 a m to 1 p m and free treats, including pizza by Island Pizza, hot dogs from Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, ice cream by Boops By The Bubble Room and popcorn from the center The Sanibel School is at 3840 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel

■ 4th of July Freedom Fest in Lehigh Victory Town Center will host a 4th of July Firework Show a spectacular event designed to bring the community together in celebration of Independence Day The third annual event will take place from 5 to 10 p m on July 4th at Victory Town Center, at 1201 Taylor Lane in Lehigh Acres Attendees will have the opportunity to groove to the sounds of live music from homegrown talent with live performances by local bands including the popular Lehigh Acres rock band “White Crow” creating an electric atmosphere and showcasing the rich musical diversity and creativity of the community

In addition to incredible live music, the 4th of July Fireworks Show will tantalize your taste buds with an array of delectable offerings from local food trucks and vendors Attendees can relish the flavors of Southwest Florida cuisine while enjoying all the event has to offer Organizers said emphasis on community ensures that this event supports and highlights the talents of our local culinary entrepreneurs More than 10,000 individuals attended last year’s celebration

■ Star Spangled Bonita

The City of Bonita Springs invites the public to its annual Star-Spangled Bonita 4th of July 2023 Event The celebration will take place on July 4 in downtown Bonita Springs at Riverside Park at 10450 Reynolds St , starting at 6 p m

The Star-Spangled Bonita celebration will follow the annual parade hosted by the Bonita Springs Professional Firefighters Local 3444 on July 4th This year’s theme is “Party in the USA.” The parade will take place starting at 9 a m along Old 41 on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023 For questions about the parade, call Frank Todd at 239-220-0593 or visit bonitaspringsparade com

BOOM!: Area’s largest Fourth of July fest takes place in the Cape

From page 1

at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge to watch the “American Fireworks Spectacular,” where the largest show to date will fill the night sky, all while synchronized to music

“This event, more than any other, brings the community together to celebrate the nation’s birthday,” said Cape Coral Special Events Coordinator Todd King “My team looks forward to this all year long, and it requires a tremendous amount of effort, but brings a tremendous amount of reward It’s huge, and we love producing it ”

The free festivities will start at 5 p m , kicking off with a to-be-announced act at 5:15, Nashville duo Tigirlily Gold at 6:30, and national headliner and country music star Dylan Scott at 8 p.m.

Scott, a multi-Platinum singer, has notched two No 1 singles at radio (“My Girl” and “Nobody”), as well as Top 5 hit “Hooked ” Following his first career nomination for “Best New Country Artist” at the allgenre iHeartRadio Music Awards and a cov-

eted spot among Country Radio Seminar’s New Faces of Country Music, his Platinumcertified ode to his wife, “Nobody,” earned him a 2021 CMT Music Award for Breakthrough Video of the Year The Louisiana native has provided tour support for Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, and Chris Young, among others, cementing him as an in-demand live act His next EP, “Livin’ My Best Life,” is set to release Aug 5

Scott’s setup and staging is set to make the thousands that turn up for the special evening go wide-eyed

“He’s certainly going to bring entertainment,” King said

The “American Fireworks Spectacular” that will propel more than 4,000 shells into the sky starts at 9:30 and is a musically synchronized display. The music can be heard at the stage, on Cat Country 107 1 or on the free iHeartRadio app via Cat Country King said the city is grateful to be able to put on the extravaganza after all that occurred with Hurricane Ian

“We’re glad to be able to put this on, and we know a lot of communities are still recovering from the hurricane,” he said “We’re glad we’re able to put this one together And it absolutely is the biggest and the baddest and the most amazing firework display in all of Southwest Florida ”

Planning starts more than six months in advance, and requires the coordination and team work of multiple city departments

“We’re always working on acquisition of entertainment,” King added “It’s almost a nine-month process, and we’re always thinking about it It’s the largest single-day event in the year for us ”

As for why this is the best firework show in Southwest Florida, and why the community should come celebrate with Cape Coral, King said: “Because there’s no bigger show. We own it And it’s free Nothing is like a memory as a family, when you loaded up the car and came down the community fireworks display ”

Limited VIP “Boom Passes” went on sale

May 2 but are now sold out.

Parking and shuttles to Red, White & BOOM! are at the following locations:

■ Club Square

■ Iguana Mia

■ Former Veterans Museum

■ Big John’s Plaza

There will be a free “Boom Bus” with handicap accessibility picking up individuals at all downtown parking lots from 4:15 p m to 10:30 p m

The Cape Coral Bridge will be closed for the celebration from 3 a m Monday, July 4, through 3 a m Tuesday, July 5 Cape Coral Parkway from Del Prado Boulevard to the bridge will also be closed at that time Motorists are encouraged to use the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge or the U S 41 and Business 41 bridges as alternate routes The American Fireworks Spectacular is powered by LCEC Coolers with non-alcoholic beverages are permitted No pets are allowed Visit capeboom com for more information

REAL ESTATE

Cape condo market has shifted dramatically, but prices hold on Owner could consider a lease-option to help tenants purchase home

Dear Mr Feichthaler:

I have been renting to a couple for several years now, and they have indicated an interest in purchasing the house They have poor credit and cannot obtain a loan to purchase Can I provide them a lease where a portion of the payments go toward a down payment, then sell to them at a future date?

Jacquelyn D

As with most real estate over the past year, we have seen dramatic market shifts in the Cape Coral condo market driven by the significant interest rate policy moves of the Federal Reserve that began in March 2022 Hurricane Ian brought additional challenges to our market, leaving us perched somewhere above the Ian market lows and below the peaks of the red hot post-COVID market conditions in 2021 and in the first half of 2022 For a quick feel of our condo market, here is a summary followed by a deeper dive into the numbers

up, with 15 of these units priced above $1 million A total of 57 Cape Coral condos were under contract with buyers as pending sales at prices ranging from $135,000 to $749,900 The median pending sales price was $285,000 and there are currently 16 condos pending at $250,000 and under, while there were only 3 units under contract between $500,000 and $749,900 A total of 54 of the 57 pending condo sales in the Cape were priced below $500,000

Dear Jacquelyn,

We see many clients that have a similar situation -– a well-established relationship with a tenant where the parties wish to expand to full ow ners hip What you propose is a good a l t e r n a t i v e , a n d i s called a lease-option

Your lease can be drafted to provide for a portion of the lease payment to go toward a down payment After that payment amount is r e a c h e d , t h e t e n a n t / potential buyer can proceed with a purchase, using the amount allocated toward the house

Eric P Feichthaler Real Estate Law

At the time of the purchase, the tenant may have improved their credit, which will allow them to obtain a loan from a bank. Or, you may be providing them financing, based on the original lease-option agreement In that case, you would act as the bank, with your tenant / buyer paying you monthly mortgage payments Along with the lease option, a separate contract for the purchase itself is normally signed at the same time, with both the lease-option and the purchase agreement cross-referencing each other

On behalf of the firm, I wish you and all of our readers a Happy Independence Day

Eric P. Feichthaler has lived in Cape Coral for over 35 years and graduated from Mariner High School in Cape Coral After completing law school at Georgetown University in Washington, D C , he returned to Southwest Florida to practice law and raise a family He served as mayor of Cape Coral from 2005-2008, and continues his service to the community through the Cape Coral Caring Center, Cape Coral Museum of History, and Cape Coral Kiwanis He has been married to his wife, Mary, for over 20 years, and they have four children together He earned his board certification in Real Estate Law from the Florida Bar 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 as legal advice to anyone Individuals should seek legal counsel before acting on any matter of legal rights and obligations

In the past year since June 28, 2022, the number of active condo listings in Cape Coral through a Realtor in the MLS have increased by 135%, while the median list price has gone up by 8 4% At the same time, the number of active condo listings priced above $500,000 is 436% higher than a year ago, with the number of condos listed at $1 million and above now 650% above last year’s number For condos listed at $250,000 and under, the current number of active listings available on the market is 67% higher than a year ago Over this same time frame the number of overall pending condo sales has dropped by 29%, with the number of condos under contract at $250,000 and under now 43% lower than a year ago, while the number of pending sales for condos at $500,000 and up are down 75% The number of closed condo sales in Cape Coral in the month of May were down sharply from a year ago, while median sales prices in May were higher compared to May 2022 So the market has changed dramatically by various measures, while sales prices continue to hold on in the face of slower sales

and Geri Quinn

Homing In

One year ago on June 28, 2022, there were a total of only 118 active listings for condos in the Cape through a Realtor ranging in price from $95,000 for a 708square-foot, one bedroom, one bathroom unit built in 1984 and in need of remodeling, to $1 7 million for a condo in Tarpon Landings The second lowest priced condo in the Cape one year ago was at $158,000

Back then, the median list price was $299,900 and there were a total of 36 condos listed for sale at $250,000 and under, along with 11 condos on the market above $500,000 including only two units above $1 million As far as the number of pending sales, one year ago there were 80 condos under contract with buyers at prices ranging from $169,700 to $2 2 million, with 28 of these units pending at $250,000 and under Twelve condos were pending at $500,000 and above, including two units priced above $1 million

As of this Tuesday, June 27, there were 277 active listings for Cape Coral condos in the MLS ranging from $150,000 to $3 9 million, with a median list price of $325,000 Currently, 60 of these 277 active listings are priced at $250,000 and under, with 19 of them below $200,000 At the other end of the price spectrum, 59 condos were listed at $500,000 and

Moving back to this year, in the overall Cape condo market, there were 52 closed sales in May, which was 40 2% lower than the 87 sales in May of 2022, and even with the 52 sales in April of this year In the first five months of 2023, there were a total of 249 condos sold overall in the Cape, down 31 2% from the 362 sold in the first five months of 2022

The May median sales price came in at $295,000 for the overall Cape Coral condo market, which was 5 % above the

See CAPE CONDO MARKET, page 15

Seneca at Oak Creek holds opening

By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers com

A new development off Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers has created an outside-the-box approach to 55+ communities, without the feel of assisted living or the hassle of owning a manufactured home but leasing the land

O n S a t u r d a y , S e n e c a a t O a k Creek, located off Bayshore Road, held a grand opening event for community members and prospective residents, featuring food, live music, giveaways and more

Guests got to meet the on-site professional management team and take guided tours of newly complete d

the market It’s a 55+ community, but not assisted living

Upon completion, the community will have 184 oneand two-bedroom units that feature a full kitchen, living room and private porches, along with an option for an attached garage

Randy Thibaut, CEO of Sage Communities, the company involved in the project, said the community is a niche in

“It has all the amenities, social activities and it’s all included It’s a rental community with one-year or twoyear leases,” Thibaut said “The key is having a full-time activities director so there’s plenty for people to do.”

Rob Mintz, vice president of acquisitions at Sage Communities, said the idea of Seneca was five years in the

See SENACA AT OAK CREEK, page 15

Bob

PHOTO PROVIDED

A view of the kitchen in the "Royal" apartment during Saturday's open house at Seneca at Oak Creek.

Cape condo market: A dramatic shift but prices are still holding on

From page 14

$280,000 posted in May of 2022, but it was 2 5% lower than the $302,475 in April of this year In the first five months of 2023, the median sales price averaged $283,495 per month in our overall condo market, or 3 3% above the average of $274,550 per month in the first five months of 2022

Gulf access canal condos

In the Cape Coral gulf access canal condo segment, which includes all “saltwater” canal condos, there were 22 closed sales in May This was 47 6% less than the 42 condos sold in May 2022, and 26 7% below the 30 sales in April of this year In the first five months of 2023, there were a total of 116 gulf access condos sold in the Cape, which was 32.6% below the 172 units sold in the first five months of 2022

The May median sales price came in at $354,950 for the Cape’s gulf access saltwater canal condo segment, which was 6 8% above the $332,500 posted in May 2022, and 4 3% higher than the $340,361 in April of this year In the first five months of 2023, the median sales price in this segment averaged $344,702 per month, which was up 6 7% versus the average of $323,000 per month in the first five months of 2022

Direct sailboat access canal condos

In the Cape Coral direct sailboat access canal condo segment, which is a subgroup of gulf access condos where boaters have no bridges to go under in the canal system, there were 14 closed sales in May This was down 50% from the 28 condos sold in May 2022, and 33 33% below the 21 units sold in April of this year In the first five months of 2023, there were a total of 69 condos sold in this segment, which was 37 3% less than the 110 condo units sold in the first five months of 2022

The May median sales price came in at $427,500 for the Cape’s direct sailboat access condo segment, which was 9 6% above the $390,000 posted in May of 2022, and up 14 8% from $372,500 in April of this year In the first five months of 2023, the median sales price in this segment averaged $393,000 per month, which was up 8 4% versus the average of $362,390 per month in the first five months of 2022

Dry lot condos

In the Cape Coral dry lot (non-canal) condo segment, there were 23 closed sales in May, which was 45 2% lower than the 42 condos sold in May 2022, but 15% above the 20 sales in April of this year In the first five months of 2023, there were a total of 107 dry lot condos sold in the Cape, which was 34 8% less than the 164 dry lot units sold in the first five

months of 2022

The May median sales price came in at $275,000 for the Cape’s dry lot condo segment, which was 10 2% above the $249,450 posted in May 2022, and 11 1% more than the $247,500 in April of this year In the first five months of 2023, the median sales price in this segment averaged $247,800 per month, or 7 5% above the average of $230,515 per month in the first five months of 2022

The sales data for this article was obtained from the Florida Realtors Multiple Listing Service Matrix for Lee County, FL, as of June 26, 2023, 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 singlefamily 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 43 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

Senaca at Oak Creek: 55+ community opens in North Fort Myers

From page 14

making and survived a pandemic and a Category 5 hurricane

Currently, 30 homes have already been rented, with many people coming Saturday to take a tour with representatives of the five models available

Susan Stokely of Naples got the tour and was very interested, not wanting to live in assisted living even though she walks with the aid of a cane

“I’m not ready to go to the ‘Pink House,’ but I am ready for a lifestyle change I see this and now I don’t want to go

back to Michigan,” Stokely said “This is really great quality They dotted the I’s and crossed the T’s Nothing is left out ”

Residents will have access to a Community Clubhouse and Amenity Center that offers a 24-hour fitness center and active fitness room, an open multipurpose room, leasing offices, property manager office, mailroom and work room

Marcia Madison and her husband Joe were among the first to move to the development, as they decided to downsize from their old home at Sable Springs

“We had a big house and figured this was a good time

to sell We’re very comfortable here We like it a lot,” Madison said “There was a lot of upkeep at the old house Here, if something goes wrong, you call maintenance ”

Five distinguished floor plans range from 874 to 1,559 square feet, with introductory rental prices starting at $1,890 per month

Seneca at Oak Creek is the first 55+ community being developed by Sage Communities, which plans additional senior living communities, The Prado in Cape Coral and Taylor Lakes in Punta Gorda

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , p l e a s e v i s i t SenecaOakCreek com or call 230-3910

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 J u n e 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 ■ P a g e 1 6

T HE BREE ZE COMMUNITY

JUNE

By DEBORAH HAGGETT news@breezenewspapers com

Those of us of a certain age may remember the nursery rhyme, “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush ”

According to historians, this nursery rhyme was often sung by Victorian era female prisoners as they held hands and danced around a mulberry tree while exercising at His Majesty’s Prison (HMP) in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England It is said this tree died in 2017 and was removed in 2019, but not before many cuttings were taken and grown elsewhere

If prison lore doesn’t pique your interest, perhaps you would enjoy the stories of the mulberry tree in the garden of William Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon. This tree and a second home b u i l t o n S h a k e s p e a r e ’ s home site became a much-frequented tourist destination So much so, the annoyed owner at the time, The Rev Frances Gastrell had both taken down It is said souvenirs made from this famous mulberry tree became popular in 1769 and several can still be enjoyed at the museum curated by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

If you prefer to cultivate your own mulberry history, consider planting a native red mulberry, Morus rubra, in your garden This deciduous tree is a fast grower and can reach 40 feet tall It has dark gray-brown bark and deep green, heart-shaped leaves The leaves, which turn yellow in the fall, have a rough top-surface and a soft underside with tiny hairs Its tubular, green to yellow flowers bloom in the spring and make way for its very desirable fruit

This deep red to black edible fruit is known to be showy, fragrant, sweet and juicy It attracts butterflies, birds, squirrels and other wildlife, not to mention humans, who enjoy the fruit straight from the tree or made into jellies, jams or wine

The fruit is also known to stain hardscapes, a characteristic not so pleasing to homeowners However, the mulberry tree is not fussy about soil type. It will thrive in infertile, sandy soil and is drought tolerant, as well as moderately wind resistant It prefers full sun to light shade and requires little maintenance after it is established Light pruning will keep it healthy Be advised, use gloves when pruning since the white sap from the tree may be irritating to some

When shopping for a native red mulberry tree, you may come across a white mulberry tree, a native tree to China which grows to 60 feet This variety produces a sweet fruit; however, it is not as flavorful as the red or black mulberry tree It is grown widely in China as a host plant for silk worms and its utility for silk production

The black mulberry tree is native to Western Asia and the Middle East Although the fruit from the black mulberry is thought to be superior, the tree prefers a much drier climate In Florida, it will grow only as a bush While cultivating your mulberry story, it may be best to “go native” and choose the red mulberry tree

Happy gardening, cheers!

Deborah Haggett is a Lee County Master Gardener Volunteer and a member of the Garden Club of Cape Coral Visit us at www gardenclubofcapecoral com

References

S e p t e m b e r 2 7 ) S h a k e s p e a r e B i r t h p l a c e T r u s t

See MULBERRY BUSH, page

C e l e b r a t e I n d e p e n d e n c e D a y w e e k e n d w i t h f u n a c t i v i t i e s a l l weekend long at Sun Splash Family Waterpark

The fun does not end after the Fourth, SunSplash has special events taking place all summer long, including:

■ July Family Fun Fridays on July 7, 14, 21 and 28 with Hawaiian themed entertainment, foam dance parties, plus drink specials

■ The 2nd Annual Aloha Fest on July 8 brings the sights, flavors and sounds of the island to Cape Coral with traditional Hawaiian music, meet and greet with the

Polynesian Princess, Ohana games and more!

■ National Water Park Day is J u l y 2 8 w i t h h a l f p r i c e d d a i l y admission and Season Pass holders can bring a friend for $10

■ The Aloha Back to School Drive begins on July 31 through Aug 4 Park guests can donate a school supply item from the preferred list of items provided to receive a ticket for $10 valid thru Aug 27

SunSplash Family Waterpark is Southwest Florida’s largest waterpark with slides, pools, flumes, food and fun for all ages It is located at 400 W Lake Kennedy Drive, just 2 5 miles north of Veterans Parkway and south of PIne Isalnd Road in Cape Coral

F o r a d d i t i o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n , p l e a s e v

i t https://SunSplashWaterpark com Also, follow SunSplash online on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tik Tok

Lee County Domestic Animal Services to participate in national ‘Empty the Shelters’ effort July 6-31

BISSELL Pet Foundation and MetLife Pet Insurance supporting summer adoption drive

Lee County Domestic Animal Services and BISSELL Pet Foundation Partner with MetLife Pet Insurance for summer national 'Empty the Shelters' July 6-31

Lee County Domestic Animal Services and the BISSELL Pet Foundation, a national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending pet homelessness, are excited to announce they will team up with MetLife Pet Insurance for the foundation’s upcoming “Empty the Shelters” waived adoption fee event With the shared goal of helping pets find and stay in loving homes, this collaboration will save lives by expanding the foundation's reach to include more shelters across the country

Animal Services will participate July 6-31, at 5600 Banner Drive, offering waived adoption fees for adult dogs and all cats and kitten with an approved application

All interested adopters can find more details online at www leelostpets com

S i n c e t h e 2 0 1 6 i n c e p t i o n o f B I S S E L L P e t Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters,” nearly 158,000 pets at 669 animal welfare organizations in 49 states and Canada have received second chances An average of 1,200 shelter pets are adopted each day during each quarterly national event Through this partnership and continued support, the foundation is looking forward to reaching more pets in more shelters and communities during this upcoming event

“We are excited to team up with MetLife Pet Insurance to offer 30 days of pet insurance at no cost to the adopter,

as well as the opportunity to purchase an annual pet insurance policy, which could make a difference in helping adopters deal with their pet’s unexpected illness or injury," said Cathy Bissell, founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation "Veterinary costs add up quickly, and too often, pet owners forgo care or surrender their beloved pets when they can't afford treatment This collaboration could help to enable more pets in more communities to be adopted through 'Empty the Shelters' and can help facilitate adopters seeking treatment to keep their pets healthy and in their new homes ”

“Lee County Domestic Animal Services is honored to once again partner with the BISSELL Pet Foundation to find homes for our shelter pets,” said Pablo Adorno, director of Animal Services “Their continued support is invaluable to our agency and community ”

United Way elects new officers, and board members

New officers and two new board members were elected at the United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Annual Meeting Officers and Executive Committee Members for 2023-2024 are: Board Chair Noelle Branning, Lee County Tax Collector; Vice Chair Matt Humphreys, Publix; Treasurer Cynthia Hawkins, Wiltshire Whitley Richardson & English PA; Assistant Treasurer Victoria

R o d r i g u e z , M a r k h a m N o r t o n M o s t e l l e r W r i g h t a n d

Joining the United Way Board of Directors are Carolyn Rogers, Sanibel Captiva Trust Company, and Gary Matter, Matter Brothers

All money raised in the United Way Campaign stays in the local community to help support the local human service network United Way partner agencies and initiatives like ReUnite, Beesley’s Paw Prints Pet Therapy Program, Children’s Advocacy Center, Harry Chapin Food Bank, ACT, LARC and United Way 211 serve a diverse range of needs in our community such as nurturing children and youth, strengthening families, and meeting critical needs such as helping the elderly and disabled live independently, and empowering communities by bringing health and human services to neighborhoods

The United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades has raised and distributed over $220 million since it was established in 1957 For more information, please call United Way at (239) 433-2000 or visit UnitedWayLee org

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

Zieler sentenced to death in Cornell-Story homicides

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

Joseph Zieler has been sentenced to death in a decades-old Cape Coral double homicide case

A jury found Zieler, 61, guilty of first-degree murder in the deaths of 11-year-old Robin Cornell and 32-yearold Lisa Story on May 18, 33 years after the child and her babysitter were found suffocated in their townhome in May of 1990

After thanking law enforcement and State Attorney Amira Fox outside the courthouse Mon-day, Robin's mother, Jan Cornell, said, “Nothing can take the place of hearing the words today that justice for Robin and justice for Lisa has happened He has received the ultimate punishment that the state of Florida can give He will never see a free moment He will never hurt another individual on this earth For that, I could not be more grateful ”

Randy Richards, who was Story’s fianc at the time of her murder, thanked all involved in the case for their hard work over the course of three decades

“It was a long, hard road Words can’t express the gratitude that I feel,” Richards said Monday “I hope Lisa and Robin are having a little bit more of a smile on their face today ”

Cornell turned to the personnel surrounding her, those responsible for prosecuting the case, and said, “Thank

you for always giving me respect, and letting me be a voice for my daughter and my friend I love them both, and I never, ever want a n y o n e t o f o r g e t e i t h e r o n e o f them They were here, they lived, some evil monster cut their lives so short, so unfair But now they have peace, and now we can let them have peace.”

The Cape Coral case was considered cold for some time until 2016, when new DNA evidence led to Zieler’s arrest by the Cape Coral Police Department

In September 2016, Cape Coral police announced that Zieler had been arrested and charged in the murders and rapes of Cornell and Story at their residence at 631 S.E. 12th Ave

The bodies of Robin and Story were found in their Courtyards apartment on May 10, 1990, by Robin’s mother, Jan Cornell Both of the victims had been suffocated and sexually assaulted, police reported

The night before, Cornell’s new roommate, Story, had agreed to watch Robin while she visited her boyfriend When Cornell returned home the next morning, she heard footsteps inside the apartment

Lee Heath teaming with Habitat for Humanity to help build homes for employees

By ED ZUMAR news@breezenewspapers com

The dream of owning a home is one step closer to reality for a Cape Coral family thanks to the efforts of the Lee Health and the Habitat for Humanity program

Supported by Lee Health Foundation, Lee Health assists its employees in need with a step toward home ownership through financial assistance and ongoing education

C e c e S c h e p p , d i r e c t o r o f c o m m u n i c a t i o n s f o r Habitat for Humanity, said contrary to popular belief, potential homeowners do not get a house for free

“In order to qualify, potential homeowners must first show they have a need, they have the ability to pay a mortgage and have the willingness to partner with Habitat,” Schepp said. “For their part, Lee Health recognizes home ownership is a real challenge to some of its employees And there are so many benefits to home ownership So they partner with Habitat, a program that already exists, to help their employees become homeowners ”

However, the opportunity to become a homeowner does not come without some commitment on the home buyer's part As part of their partnership requirements, Habitat for Humanity home buyers must complete 300 hours of “sweat equity” by helping other potential homebuyers

“Part of the partnership is they do that 300 hours of sweat equity, so working on their home, they could work on their neighbor's home.” said Schepp. “They also pay $2,000 toward closing cost ”

Habitat's involvement does not end once the house is completed

“Homeowners must also take about 20 hours of homeownership classes So, homeownership education, which includes preparing financially for home ownership and also just maintenance in general, since many of the people are first-time home buyers They also meet regularly with a housing counselor to ensure they remain on budget, on track throughout the building process so they continue to stay qualified for the program,” said Schepp

Lee Health volunteers are an integral part of the program They donate their time and skills to help others Chris Simoneau is one of those volunteers who recognizes some need assistance to own a home

“Affordable housing in Southwest Florida is so dif-

Upon entering, Cornell found an ironing board open with pictures of her daughter laid out

On Aug 27, 2016, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to Lee Memorial Hospital for a shooting victim, identified as Zachary Zieler, 25 He had sustained a gunshot or a pellet gun wound

An investigation revealed that Zachary Zieler and his father, Joseph Zieler, became engaged in a physical altercation and the elder Zieler armed himself with a pellet gun At one point, he aimed it at his son and fired the weapon Zachary’s girlfriend drove him to the hospital when he said he was not able to breathe

Joseph Zieler was arrested and charged with aggravated battery using a deadly weapon

Then-police chief David Newlan reported in 2016 that Cape detectives were notified of a recent arrestee in the Lee County Jail who matched the DNA sample recovered from the Robin Cornell and Lisa Story crime scene Joseph Zieler was interviewed and a sample was taken W i t h i n d a y s , t h e F l o r i d a D e p a r t m e n t o f L a w Enforcement confirmed the matches

CCPD officials reported that under a 2009 law, anyone in Florida arrested for a felony will have their DNA taken and compared to CODIS Zieler’s DNA matched up to the 1990 sample in the database

Residents consider buying Hunters Run Golf Club

By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers com

Now that developers have withdrawn a proposed change to Cape Coral Future Land Use Map that would have seen the historic Hunters Run Golf Club demolished to make way for apartment buildings, residents in the area want to make sure the property remains in as pristine condition as possible

Now that the sale of the course has been cancelled, neighbors who live near the course are now looking into purchasing the 60-year-old club

The neighbors want to buy the land and keep it as a golf course, saying that with a buildout of around 400,000 people, there won’t be enough green space saved up for people in the city to enjoy

Charlie Pease, spokesperson for the community group Keep Our Parks & Rec, which is dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of the city, said they have been fighting the proposed apartment complex

ZUMAR

ficult and Lee Health has 15,000 employees, some that find access to housing very difficult,” Simoneau said. “So we're delighted to have this partnership with Habitat for Humanity so hopefully our employees will apply and get into the program and get affordable housing ”

Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties is a H U D

builds new or rehabilitates existing homes and sells them to qualified, low-income families Monthly mortgage payments are set at 30% or less of the homeowner's income making home ownership an affordable reality

“We learned there was a pending contract with a developer contingent on a future land use amendment and zooming from parks and rec to multi-family,” Pease said “We put forth an organized effort to do what was right for the city and maintain the parks and recreation land and not lose green space.

In April, developers backed out on a proposed land use change that would have allowed for 10 four-story apartment buildings, eliminating the 30-acre course that has been used for decades

WB Property Group, based in New York, reportedly canceled the contract to purchase the property because of pressure put on by the neighbors and concern over possible lawsuits

Now, there is a plan in place for residents who live near the golf course to keep it that way The owners of the land and the residents are hoping to get a plan in place to possibly purchase the course

“We can’t share a lot of details because there’s work to be done We’re doing due diligence with some professionals to figure out where we can find that zone of agreement,” Pease said “And come up with a contract we think would be financially viable ”

The course has remained open throughout

For more information on Keep Our Parks & Rec, go to keepourparksandrec com

Joseph Zieler

Northwest Regional Library announces July 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

Trivia Night: Pop Culture Edition

4:30 p.m., Monday, July 3

Are you a walking encyclopedia? Gather your family and friends and join us for a fun night of trivia that will test your knowledge of all things pop culture Prizes (and bragging rights) will be awarded to the winning team(s), and all attendees will have a chance at winning a raffle prize Registration is required

Knit and Stitch

10 a m , Wednesday, July 5

A casual, self-guided group of knitters and crocheters that join together to share projects, ideas and techniques

Participants are encouraged to bring their own projects and tools Basic materials and supplies are available for newcomers

Chess at the Library

2 p.m., Wednesday, July 5

Enjoy chess at the library in a casual environment Chessboards will be provided, but you can also bring your own All ages and skill levels are invited

Random Acts of Art for Adults

1 p m , Thursday, July 6

Learn a new art technique or discover an old favorite at this pop-up art class designed for adults The project will not be announced until you arrive and seating will be limited to supplies on hand Registration is required

Books & Bagels

10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 12

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

Artsy Adult Craft: Paper Making

1 p m , Saturday, July 15

Join us as we learn the basics of making paper from recycled materials Registration is required

Tea Time Talks

6 p m , Tuesday, July 25

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

Summer Classic Film Series: “Sunset Boulevard”

2 p.m., Thursday, July 27

A screen gem about an aging silent-film star who has faded into Hollywood obscurity and enlists a down-on-hisluck, opportunistic young screenwriter to aid her comeback, but her maniacal ego turns the challenge into an uphill battle Rated PG

Children’s Programs

Birthday Club

2 p.m., Saturday, July 1

Celebrate your child's birthday month at our monthly birthday bash All supplies and light refreshments provided For ages 1-5 Registration for the birthday child is required Registration begins June 10 and is guaranteed until the start of the program

Chess at the Library

2 p m , Wednesday, July 5

Enjoy chess at the library in a casual environment Chessboards will be provided, but you can also bring your own People of all ages and skill levels are invited

Kids Read Down Fines

4:30-5:30 p.m., Wednesdays, July 5, 12

11 a.m., Saturday, July 15

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

Baby Rhyme Time

10:30 a.m., Mondays, July 10, 17, 24

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 First-come, first-served

Tangle of Tales

6:15 p m , Tuesday, July 11

A taste of the familiar and a touch of the new It's Tangle of Tales, the imaginative creation of Grey Seal Puppets Three favorite folktales from around the world come to life: “The Frog Prince” from Germany teaches the importance of a promise, “Three Billy Goats Gruff” from Scandinavia warns us against gluttony and “The Three Little Pigs” from England is all about doing the job right For ages 6-11 Registration begins June 27 and is guaranteed until the start of the program.

Family Storytime

11 a m , Thursdays, July 13, 20, 27

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

Pre-K Fun

10 a.m., Saturday, July 15

Join us for activities, crafts and fun made just for preschoolers Dress for mess For ages 2-5

No registration required

Magic with Joey Evans

6:15 p m , Tuesday, July 18

This master magician is back to tickle our funny bones with magic, mystery and fun Prepare to be amazed and inspired by his illusions, puppets and tricks It's a show you don't want to miss For ages 6-11 Registration begins July 11 and is guaranteed until the start of the program Lego Club

2 p.m., Saturday, July 22

Join us for a short story and Lego building activities Lego bricks provided for use during this program

Operation Kindness: A Captain Friendship Adventure

6:15 p m , Tuesday, July 25

Join us for a live action theatre performance just for children The Menace of Meanness is threatening to take over the world and only one super-duo has a chance to stop

Blewett’s paintings, gourd art by Gomes and Krust to go on display at Cape Coral Library

Exhibit to run from July 6 until Aug. 30

Changing exhibitions in the Cape Coral Library’s expansive art gallery are sponsored by the Friends of the Cape Coral Library and are designed to afford local artists the opportunity to share their work in this public forum The library is located at 921 S W 39th Terrace, off of Mohawk Parkway, and the exhibits will be open for

viewing during their regular business hours from July 6 through Aug 30

The walls of the library gallery will feature paintings by award-winning artist Beth Blewett She began a long-held dream of becoming a working artist by taking classes at the Cape Coral Art League after retiring from a profession as a plant biologist and corporate R&D director Her working career had allowed her to visit many locations across the United States and internationally, and gain an appreciation for the natural and cultural wonders that exist in the world After retirement she and her husband relocated full-time to Cape Coral in 2015

In addition to inspirational travel in their little trailer nicknamed “Baby Al,” painting is now Blewett’s avocation, enjoyment and the medium through which she hopes to convey her love for the world of nature, the people and the places of this blue planet we call home She paints prim a r i l y w i t h a c r y l i c s b u t o c c a s i o n a l l y employs pastels or oils, and her next challenge is to explore alternative methods and subjects, including landscapes, which she finds the most challenging of all

She is a member of the Cape Coral Art L e a g u e , P i n e I s l a n d A r t A s s o c i a t i o n , Alliance for the Arts and the Visual Art Center in Punta Gorda Her paintings have won numerous awards across these locations, including “Best of Show” at the 2017 and 2019 Pine Island Art Shows

Gourd art by Barbara Gomes and Veda

Krust will be on exhibit in the three lighted display cases There is a lengthy process involved in creating these beautifully decorated and embellished pieces of art It starts with collecting an assortment of special gourds in varying shapes and sizes that have been dried for approximately two years The gourds are then carefully cut o p e n a n d c l e a n e d o u t W o o d - b u r n i n g , drilling, carving, dying with ink and/or p ain tin g may th en b e emp lo y ed f o r a desired visual effect Ornamented tops may be added Natural materials, beads, pieces of costume jewelry or other decorations can be applied to result in a unique work of

art

“Preening Flamingo” by artist Beth Blewett, whose paintings will be on display in the Cape Coral Library Art Gallery

PHOTO PROVIDED

Krust had enjoyed using dried gourds as an artistic medium for 20 years before sharing her techniques over a decade ago with friend Gomes, who became instantly hooked as well! What began more or less as a hobby for both women evolved into a dedicated pursuit, and the local community now has the opportunity to appreciate their creations at various art shows, craft fairs and galleries

For more information, email art gallery c h a i r p e r s o n M o n i c a R a h m a n a t g a l l e r y @ c a p e f r i e n d s o r g o r v i s i t www capefriends org Follow “Friends of the Cape Coral Library” on Facebook

PHOTO PROVIDED

One of Barbara Gomes’ decorative gourd art creations

Friends of Cape Coral Library General Meeting set for July 15

All are invited to the Friends of the Cape Coral Library General Meeting Saturday, July 15 The morning will begin at 9:30 with coffee, tea, light snacks and social time The business portion of the meeting will start at 10, followed by the program:

“Books We’ve Read ”

This is one of the group's most popular programs where participants all talk about books they’ve recently read and would recommend. Each person in attendance may

talk about a couple of books, or more if time permits (Or, if you’re shy, you can just enjoy listening )

FOCCL General Meetings, which take place in the large meeting room of the Cape Coral Library at 921 S W 39th Terrace, are free and open to the public You’re welcome to bring a guest or two

For more information, visit Friends of the Cape Coral Library at www capefriends.org and follow us on Facebook.

Hurricane Preparedness Kit outreach

July 15 at Church of the Epiphany in Cape Coral

Thanks to the generosity of Episcopal Relief & Development and the Diocese of SWFL, a grant in the amount of $5,000 for H u r r i c a n e P r e p a r e d n e s s K i t s h a s b e e n received by Church of the Epiphany, 2507 Del Prado Blvd , Cape Coral, FL 33904

Kits including items such as flashlights,

batteries and bottled water will be distributed at the parking lot of the church Saturday, July 15, from 10 a m to 2 p m at the entrance from Del Prado Blvd

For additional information about the distribution of the hurricane preparedness kits, call the church at 239-574-3200

Open Painting at Cape Coral Art League

T h e C a p e C o r a l A r t L e a g u e h a s announced the following class for the month of July:

Open Painting

Wednesdays, 1-4 p m

Cape Coral Art League, 516 Cultural

Park Blvd

The class is open to the public F a l l a n d w i n t e r e v e n t s w i l l b e announced soon

The Art League is closed during the month of August

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Complaint: Cummings stands firm on denial of any impropriety

From page 1

“We have opened an investigation based on the referral from City Council,” Samantha Syoen, State Attorney’s Office spokesperson, said via email “I am not able to discuss the matter further at this time ”

The office, like most investigative agencies, does not comment on investigative matters while they are open

The motion to turn over the complaint over to the office headed by State Attorney Amira Fox was made by Mayor John Gunter who said the office could better follow up on the investigative report commissioned by the city and provide a report to Council once its look is complete

“When I look at this investigation, at best, it is incomplete She (the investigator hired by the city) wasn’t provided, or the individuals elected not to participate in the investigation In order for us to find a complete investigation the powers of subpoena would have to be utilized We know there is a lease, we need to get a copy of that particular lease,” Gunter said at Monday night’s special meeting,

When the vote was called, Cummings, the lone dessenting vote, hesitated before she voted no

“All the information is there (I am) put in this situation to where you have all the data that was sent from my attorney I have to say no,” said Cummings, who has steadfastly denied the allegation that she misrepresented the district in which she lived

Before the vote was taken, Councilmember Jessica Cosden said the city already has had someone in office for seven months of a four year-term She said that same person could be in office for many more months as the investigation continues

“This investigation is complete It’s very obvious We all know where she lived I don’t

Councilmember Patty Cummings, who voted ‘no’ on asking the State Attorney’s Office to assume the city’s investiation into whether she lived in her district when she qualified to run for the District 4 seat.

want to kick the can down the road in hopes someone handles it because we can right now,” Cosden said Councilmember Dan Sheppard told the Council that if they were basing their decision on what is said in the report in reference to his name, it is all false information, not even close to the truth.

“It was madeup information Don’t let that sway you in any way That was false information,” Sheppard said “Make sure you are basing your information on facts and not made up fiction A lot of things in the report are made up fiction ”

The report was prepared by attorney Vicki L Sproat of Boy Agnew Potanovic Miller, who was retained by the city on March 24 to conduct an independent inquiry as to whether Cummings was a resident in District 4 at the time she filed paperwork to run

Using what she called a “preponderance of evidence standard,” Sproat found that “Cummings was not a full-time or part-time resident” of the home she listed on Palm Tree Boulevard during the relevant period and that “Cummings did not reside in District 4 until March 22, 2023 ”

Sproat also found that “Cummings failed to cooperate in the investigation,” citing what she called “the greater weight of the evidence ”

Council called for the fact-finding investigation after a Cape Coral resident, who

requested whistleblower anonymity, sent a complaint to various officials alleging that Cummings “fraudulently represented herself as living in District 4” in violation of a city charter provision that requires candidates to reside in the district they seek to represent and has been interpreted as it requires they live within their district while they serve.

According to the report, “Cummings had an intent to ‘claim’ Palm Tree Boulevard as her residence” but documents provided “do not prove Cummings ever intended to live there, or that she ever actually lived at Palm Tree Boulevard during the relevant period ”

In addition, the report states that “the greater weight of the evidence supports a finding that Cummings leased a house on SW 50th Terrace in District 2 when she filed for election and that she intended to continue to live there until the lease expired in November 2022 There is ample evidence to show Cummings and her family occupied the house on SW 50th Terrace as their home at the time she filed to run and continuously thereafter until they evacuated the house after Hurricane Ian ”

Gunter, at the beginning of the special meeting, said on March 15 agreed to have an investigation conducted concerning the allegation Monday’s meeting was to determine what the next steps, if any, were going to be

“I think at this time, as a collective body, we have to make a decision of what our next

steps are We are not here today to have a hearing There are regulations and notifications that we must abide by,” Gunter said “On June 23, our deputy city attorney had put out a memorandum to all of our council with some options ”

He said he reached out to the executive director of the Florida Commission on Ethics, who said since it is a resident issue it does not fall within her purview Gunter said she made a couple of recommendations, which included moving the complaint forward with the state Election Commission, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, as they have an election unit, or pass it onto the state attorney in the local jurisdiction

“I reached out to Amira Fox, the state attorney They would be willing to take a look at the investigation They have powers to subpoena,” he said “The investigation is incomplete mainly because a lot of records were not provided (that) would be relevant in this particular case.”

Gunter said the only reason he believes the investigator they hired was not able to retain documents is because some of the parties failed to cooperate

“The state attorney is willing to review the matter and then make determination if nothing should be done because of no crime, or regulations through the election commission violated, or if she feels there is merit to the accusations,” he said

Cosden asked how long it would take the state attorney’s office to do the investigation

Gunter said although he could not say how long, he was told they would start the investigation immediately

“I don’t feel like I need to pass anything on to another agency I feel I can make a good decision here as a council member,” Cosden

See COMPLAINT, page 27

“All the information is there (I am) put in this situation to where you have all the data that was sent from my attorney I have to say no ”

Coral Grove:

From page 1

Cape Coral Grove will be a 767,000-square-foot town center incorporating retail, office, hotel, and residential uses flanking a sequence of park spaces Design 3 International’s description of the property states these spaces are central to the experience of Coral Grove Town Center with each “district” designed with its own unique identity.

Design 3 International shows the residential district organized around the “town park,” with a lawn, shaded bosque, and numerous restaurants and dining terraces that complement the surrounding residential over retail The office district includes a hotel, features ground-level retail, small public plazas and cafe dining The entertainment district is characterized by a large open lawn suitable for concerts, light recreation and is surrounded by restaurant and entertainment tenants

On-site features according to design plans include a bowling alley, comedy club, movie theater, brewery, cafes, a myriad of restaurants, fitness center, grocer, and park

There will be residential opportunities totaling more than 1,200 units of apartments and townhouses The project has been in permitting since December of 2022

For more information on Cape Coral Grove, visit www coral-grove com

Renderings of Cape Coral Grove, a 130-acre mixed-use development currently in permitting, proposed along Pine Island Road The development will feature apartments, town houses, office space, retail, eateries, bowling alley, cinema, and more It is being developed by L&L Development Group, with Design 3 International PLLC designing the master plan and architecture. PROVIDED

Complaint: Council hopes additional documents can be obtained

From page 26

said Gunter said personally for him, when taking all the individuals out of the equation, it’s about the public trust that our community has in the local election

“For me, I want to make sure our community has the public trust in our local election Whatever it takes in order to make sure our community feels confident,” he said

The first motion to conduct forfeiture of office, which was made by Councilmember Robert Welsh, failed Welsh said the investigation and other evidence confirms that Cummings did not reside at the Palm Tree address and failed to reside there four months after being elected He said they need to protect the city’s charter

“You need to live in the district that you run for and stay in that district, hurricane or

not,” Welsh said “I think we only have one course of action here ”

Councilmember Bill Steinke said it is really simple for him, right and wrong, which requires facts and evidence. He asked for a hearing, because information can be subpoenaed

“Where did the council member reside on May 10 through Sept 28? Certainly displacement happened because of the hurri-

cane, that is an extreme circumstance,” Steinke said “Where were the clothes, the food, the car overnight in the driveway? Where did the candidate reside?”

Cummings did not respond to texts and voicemail requesting comment A voicemail message left for her attorney, Jay P Lechner of Lechner Law, was not returned as of press time

Save on fuel at 76 gas station, Daybreak Market grand opening in Cape

New location offering $1 76 per gallon regular unleaded only

Residents of Cape Coral and surrounding communities are invited to celebrate the grand opening of a new 76 gas station and Daybreak Market located at 1465 S W 4th St , Cape Coral, Saturday, July 8, from 9 a m to 5 p m The station will offer customers regular unleaded gas for $1.76 per gallon during these hours Drivers will need to download the new Fuel Forward App to redeem the offer

In addition to the on-site festivities, Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce representatives will host an 8:30 a m ribboncutting Jim Mills, business development manager at Motiva, said, “We are thrilled to

open this exciting, state-of-the-art, 76 station in Southwest Florida This site combines the iconic 76 gasoline brand and the new Daybreak Market store concept This pairing is sure to be a great addition to the Cape Coral market!”

During the grand opening and while supplies last, there will be a variety of fun and family-friendly activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p m , including a variety of food and drink specials offered by Daybreak Market, a face painter, music by BoomNUrLife entertainment, product giveaways from Mondelēz International/Nabisco Brands, Inc , Coremark, Monster Energy, 7 Up and Pepsi Customers may also win swag and branded merchandise with a spin of the 76 brand prize wheel with proof of Fuel Forward App download or completed credit card application

“We are proud to introduce Daybreak Market to Cape Coral and bring an iconic brand like 76 that resonates with our customers,” stated Hani Baskaron, CEO of Pipeline Petroleum and Daybreak Market, a 76 gas station and convenience store “Grand opening events certainly represent the power of both brands in serving our customers, but they also show our commitment to the communities we serve ”

To download and/or learn more about the Fuel Forward App, visit Mobile App (76 com)

About Motiva

H e a d q u a r t e r e d i n H o u s t o n , T e x a s , Motiva refines, distributes and markets petroleum products throughout the United States Motiva owns and operates North America’s largest refinery in Port Arthur,

Texas, with a crude capacity of more than 600,000 barrels a day The company also operates the country’s largest lubricant plant Under exclusive, long-term brand licenses for the Shell and 76 brands, Motiva’s marketing operations support more than 5,000 retail gasoline stations Motiva is wholly owned by affiliates of Saudi Aramco.

About the 76® Brand

76 is a registered trademark owned by Phillips 66 Company and licensed for exclusive use by Motiva Enterprises LLC in 26 gulf and east coast states The 76 brand has been on the driver’s side for over 80 years and sells TOP TIER gas that benefits vehicles and the environment, as it helps clean engines, burns less fuel, and reduces emissions

Northwest Regional Library: Programs and activities set for July

From page 18

t h e m - C a p t a i n F r i e n d s h i p a n d t h e Amazing Amigo The Menace is a dangerous, shadowy figure who creeps up on our friends when they least expect it, bullying and pressuring them into behaving very badly Captain Friendship must fearlessly

oppose this villain and help all of our young audiences learn that they, too, can master the Menace of Meanness - but it's going to take all of us working together on Operation Kindness For ages 6-11 years

Registration begins July 18 and is guaranteed until the start of the program

Teen Programs

Trivia Night: Pop Culture Edition

4:30 p.m., Monday, July 3

A r e y o u a w a l k i n g e n c y c l o p e d i a ? Gather your family and friends and join us for a fun night of trivia that will test your knowledge of all things pop culture Prizes (and bragging rights) will be awarded to the winning team(s), and all attendees will have a chance at winning a raffle prize Registration is required

Chess at the Library

2 p.m., Wednesday, July 5

Enjoy chess at the library in a casual environment Chessboards will be provided, but you can also bring your own People of all ages and skill levels are invited

Kids Read Down Fines

4:30-5:30 p.m., Wednesdays, July 5, 12 11 a m , Saturday, July 15

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

Art with Alcohol Ink

4:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 12

Create unique art using vibrant, fastdrying alcohol based inks For teens ages 12-17 Registration begins July 5 and is only guaranteed until the start of the program

Let it Flow: Acrylic Pour Painting

4:30 p m , Wednesday, July 19

Let your creativity flow and create a u n i q u e a b s t r a c t m a s t e r p i e c e u s i n g t h e medium of acrylic pour For teens ages 12-

17 Registration begins July 12 and is guaranteed until the start of the program

The World is Your Oyster

4:30 p m , Wednesday, July 26

If you care about the environment and water quality, you won't want to miss this h a n d s - o n w o r k s h o p w i t h S a n i b e l S e a School Participants will handle and measure live oysters with a caliper, learn more about the biology and importance of oysters and build an oyster garden during this interactive program for teens For teens ages 12-17 Registration begins July 19 and is guaranteed until the start of the program

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 Blvd , N , in Cape Coral For more information about a program or to register, please call the library at 239-533-4700 Check the Lee County Library System’s website at www leelibrary net to find out about programs at other locations Call the host library, or Telephone Reference at 239-479-INFO (4636), for more information about a specific program

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Lee County will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in its services, programs or activities To request an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a reasonable modification to participate, 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 w i l l b e p r o v i d e d a t n o c o s t t o t h e requestor Requests should be made at least five business days in advance

Mulberry bush: Prison lore, more

From page 16

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Robertawrites (2021, June 28) Dark O r i g i n s – H e r e W e G o R o u n d t h e

Upcoming events

■ B a s i c s o f F l o r i d a F r i e n d l y Gardening at Rotary Park, 5505 Rose Garden Road, Cape Coral, Friday, July 2 1 , 6 - 8 p m F r e e R e g i s t e r a t https://fflwsp23 eventbrite com/

■ Rain Barrel Workshop, Saturday, July 22, 10-11 a m $50 cost includes a fully equipped, ready to install rain barrel Register at Rotary Park or call 239549-4606.

■ Native Plant Sale at Rotary Park, 5505 Rose Garden Road, Cape Coral, Saturday, July 22, 9 a m to 1 p m No registration required

M u l b e r r y B u s h W r i t i n g t o B e R e a d https://writingtoberead com/2021/06/30/ d a r k - o r i g i n s - h e r e - w e - g o - r

Elite DNA Behavioral Health holding Back-to-School Supplies Drive through July

Elite DNA Behavioral Health, a comprehensive behavioral and mental health care provider, is hosting a Back-to-School Supplies Drive throughout the month of J u l y t h a t w i l l h e l p a r e a s t u d e n t s a n d schools across the state prepare for the start of the new school year

From July 1-31, Elite DNA is collecting school supplies at 30 locations statewide and is calling on the community for support through donations of popular classroom items, including notebooks, college a n d w i d e - r u l e d p a p e r , p o c k e t f o l d e r s , binders, pens, No 2 and colored pencils, pink erasers, highlighters, pencil boxes,

student scissors, glue sticks, wired headphones, sanitizing wipes and more Cash donations and gift cards are also accepted for supplies to be purchased by Elite DNA staff

In Southwest Florida, the drive will benefit students in schools across Lee, Collier a n d C h a r l o t t e c o u n t i e s t h r o u g h t h e Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, C o l l i e r C o u n t y P u b l i c S c h o o l s a n d Charlotte County Public Schools

Elite DNA is collecting supplies at more than two dozen offices across the state, including Bradenton, Brandon, Brooksville, Cape Coral, Delray Beach, Fort

Myers, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Jupiter, Lakeland, Largo, Lehigh Acres, Maitland, Naples, New Port Richey, Ocoee, Orange

■ Naples: 2230 Venetian Court, Suite 1, 239-236-5448

■ Port Charlotte: 3191 Harbor Blvd , Suites A-B, 941-883-4518

■ Port Charlotte: 1777 Tamiami Trail, Suite 201, 941-249-4354

For further information and additional drop-off locations across the state, visit EliteDNA com

Excessive heat affects south Florida

Heat advisories and excessive heat warnings now affect parts of South Florida, according to the National Weather Service Florida is expected to reach mid to high 90s by week’s end with heat indexes over 100 degrees forecasted A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessive heat, generally 10 degrees or more above average, often combined with excessive humidity The Red Cross provides some safety tips:

■ Listen to local weather forecasts and stay aware of upcoming temperature changes

■ Be aware of both the temperature and the heat index The heat index is the temperature the body feels when the effects of heat and humidity are combined

■ Discuss heat safety precautions with members of your household Have a plan for wherever you spend time home, work, and school and prepare for power outages

■ Know those in your neighborhood who are elderly, young, sick, or overweight They are more likely to become victims of excessive heat and may need help

■ If you do not have air conditioning, choose places you could go to for relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day (schools, libraries, theaters, malls)

■ Ensure that your animals' needs for water and shade are met

■ Never leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles

■ Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty Avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol

■ Eat small meals and eat more often

■ Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays

■ Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day

■ Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat

■ Take frequent breaks if you must work outdoors

Download the free Red Cross Emergency App, which features expert advice on how to prepare, respond and recover from hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and other disasters and features real-time local alerts for severe weather and hazards, including a map with local Red Cross shelters Search “Red Cross Emergency” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store

School District works to hone its new budget

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

Although the Lee County School District received a significant increase to its budget, there is still a shortfall, which officials said they are working through to create a balanced budget for the upcoming school year

“It is important for the public to understand this is a preliminary budget,” Superintendent Dr Christopher Bernier said this week “The district is in a good financial position ”

Some of the planned operational efficiencies include eliminating about 15,000 collective miles per day at the elementary level for busing which, at 4 miles a gallon at diesel fuel prices, is a cost savings that will feed into the district’s general, or operating, fund

“We are going to be able to balance the budget and do things all of you as a board prioritized moving forward,” Bernier said.

The preliminary budget is set at $2,353,112,738 Within the budget the General Fund is $1,156,204,071; $94,744,982 for debt services; $768,406,058 for capital; $67,694,027 for special revenue - grants; $70,363,267 for special revenue - food service and $195,700,333 for internal services

Director of Budget Kelly Letcher said they have a $72,893,529 increase over the Fiscal Year 2023 budget The $30 million increase is due to new students, while $10 million of the increase is for state-funded discretionary for Family Empowerment Scholarship

“That leaves about $33 million for new initiatives and inflationary costs,” Letcher said

Chief Financial Officer Dr Ami Desamous said the challenges include increasing retirement rates from 11 91 percent to 13 57 percent, or $8 3 million, increase in health benefits for employees of $10 9 million, increased dependent care health benefits of $8 3 million and increased property insurance of $12 million.

“Just those things together (put us) at $39 million That is the work that we have ongoing right now We have to determine how we come into balance with the resources that we have and all the things we know we need to do,” Desamours said “We know every year we will balance our budget and we will do that with our priorities in mind ”

Letcher said the preliminary numbers will change between the tentative and final budget and when student counts are done

Desamours said there is much ground to cover between now, July and when the final budget hearing is set for Sept 6

“When we talk about this budget information today we are talking about six different funds,” she said, which include the general

The preliminary budget is set at $2,353,112,738. Within the budget the General Fund is $1,156,204,071; $94,744,982 for debt services; $768,406,058 for capital; $67,694,027 for special revenue - grants; $70,363,267 for special revenue - food service and $195,700,333 for internal services

fund, debt service fund, capital funds, special revenue fund, internal service fund and the food service fund

The general fund is the major source of funding for operations across the entire district, while the debt service and capital fund work in conjunction to cover The debt service and capital fund maintain existing facilities and build new schools, as well as pay mortgages on buildings they built

The special revenue fund is for federal grants that have very specific purposes across the school district The internal service fund has monies transferred from the general fund to cover medical and property insurance, while the food service fund covers breakfast and lunch for all students

The majority of the presentation provided during the school district’s Tuesday workshop revolved around the general fund, as it is the district’s biggest pot of money

The focus of the general fund is resources to the classroom; focus on the whole childmental wellness, English learners, students in need of additional interventions and supports, recapture learning losses and focus on employee retention.

Letcher said the fiscal year 2024 preliminary budget includes a total Lee County Allocation of $928,042,953 She said there is an increase in the unweighted full-time equivalent of 4,389 86 students, which is an increase of 1,092 74 added by the state to cover the increased Family Empowerment Scholarships

“They came back over 1,000 more students strictly for the Family Empowerment Scholarship,” Letcher said

In addition, she said the previous District Cost Differential has been changed to the Comparable Wage Factor, which is a change in the calculation to strictly looking at wages in the county With this there is a decrease of 0052, a $3 1 million impact

Letcher said last year they were held harmless, which has now gone away

There has been an increase in the Base Student Allocation (BSA) of $552 33, taking the amount from $4,587 40 to $5,139 73 While that is a great increase, there has been a bit of movement within the FEFP, by allocating reading instruction ($56 31), instructional materials ($84 63), teacher salary allocation ($273 33) and teacher classroom supply allocation ($18 58)

“The criteria, or requirements, that went

along with that has not changed Our increase is $119.48 to the BSA from last year to this year,” Letcher said

Desamours said FEFP is the major funding source within the operational funds It is the major driver the district has, and how they fund the schools

Letcher said with the teacher classroom supply allocation, the district is still required to provide $300 to each teacher, so they can purchase supplies for their classrooms That payment has been moved up to Aug 1

“Teachers brand new will probably be missed,” Letcher said

The teacher salary increase allocation has been moved to the BSA, which is required to provide 1 4 percent of base FEFP for students to teachers for increase The guidelines for this increase have changed

“There are still a lot of questions around that Who is now in the eligible pool is still a question based on changes in statute,” Letcher said

The reading allocation, which also was moved to BSA, still requires a reading plan put into place by the district

As far as the Safe School Allocation, the district saw an increase of $1 4 million, which Letcher said really helps them, as they were taking more than a million dollars in funding in order to accomplish increasing the number of schools and SROs in the schools

There was also an increase in mental health allocation of $856,000

There is a new Educational Enrichment Allocation, which was previously the Supplemental Academic Instruction and Turnaround Schools Funds

“Lee County saw a large increase in this One of the biggest increases in the state of $14 8 million,” Letcher said as it took a 2 percent increase to get them to that

There was also a reduction in the class size reduction funds of $1 9 million

“They did remove the penalty for not meeting class size, which is a really good thing for the number of teachers we are having to fill It will help us in that area They are not requiring us to provide waivers We still must submit a plan to bring ourselves back into compliance with class size because it is still a law,” Letcher said

Bernier said the school district is committed to meeting class size He said penalties have been lifted, the fines of the school districts, which they have not had to pay because

they are a school choice environment

Bernier said it is critical to find the teachers they need to meet class sizes

The budget also includes an added state funded Discretionary Supplement of $9 9 million for the FES program, which is provided for the Family Empowerment Scholarship students

“While it is showing an increase, we are seeing no benefit from that,” Letcher said

She said what is really going to help the district is the removed cap for ESOL, ESE and career education funding Letcher said they had so many students that they could go up to, but if they went over that number they were not funded for those students.

For the current year, she said they were 1,586 students over the cap They were funded for 770 students

"That cap lifted is really going to help us educate those students We need to be paid for the students," Letcher said

In addition, she said the career education gives a higher weight than the average ninth to twelfth grade student

"They increased that above the 1 072, which is really good for us," Letcher said

The presentation also included information regarding the capital funds, which has a current estimate of $768 4 million It is anticipated that the capital millage tax will generate $198,714,140; the sales tax will generate $126,543,711; impact fees of $35,200,000

"These are the estimates and what we expect to receive in revenue sources," Desamours said

Letcher also spoke about the tax roll, which the fiscal year 2024 conference report showed $137,995,929,691 The discretionary millage amount is $99,092,117 and capital outlay millage of $198,714,139

The preliminary numbers from the property appraiser is $142,767,028,000 for the tax roll, which will generate $102 5 in discretionary millage and $105 5 in capital outlay millage

Letcher said it will put another $3 4 million in the general fund and $6 9 million the capital fund

She said she is hoping taxpayers will continue to pay their taxes and bring the number back up So far, she said the district has received about $9 5 million in abatements

“Nine point five million dollars has been returned to the taxpayers The revenue is still falling behind the collection rate of what we expected it to be,” Letcher said

The deadline for the Commissioner of Education to set the RLE millage is July 19

The tentative budget hearing is set for July 31, followed by the final budget hearing on Sept 6

Lee Schools set five priorities for its strategic plan update

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

Five priorities have been chosen to be among the strategic plan refresh for the School District of Lee County

Those priorities include preparing all students for life after graduation; enhancing a safe learning and workplace envir o n m e n t ; r e c r u i t i n g , d e v e l o p i n g a n d retaining high effective staff; strengthening student, family and community partnerships and improving internal operating systems

Some of the objectives within the priorities include increasing the percentage of students who are achieving in all academic subjects areas across all student g r o u p s ; i n c r e a s i n g c o l l e g e a n d c a r e e r acceleration pathw ay participation and performance across all students; increasing student positive perceptions of classroom and school wide culture; increasing

Priorities include preparing all students for life after graduation; enhancing a safe learning and workplace environment; recruiting, developing and retaining high effective staff; strengthening student, family and community partnerships and improving internal operating systems

recruitment of effective and highly effective employees; increasing student voice, choice and ownership of learning experiences and increasing the cost effectiveness of services and impact for expended funds

J u s t i n d e L e o n w i t h E d u c a t i o n

Elements said the first year is about aligning and launching the plan, followed by acclaimation in the second year

By October of 2023, the district will launch, monitor and adopt the plan

The third year, de Leon said refinement will showcase the success or indica-

tors of success, while the fourth year is stability The fifth year goes back to envisioning S u p e r i n t e n d e n t D r C h r i s t o p h e r

Bernier said he is very excited about this opportunity He said the next steps are to take those large broad objectives and identify data and develop formulas

“Thank you for helping me understand what a world class system is, a standard of excellence and that is what we are shooting for,” Bernier told the board “We are a l w a y s s e a r c h i n g f o r h a v i n g t h e v e r y highest standards and that is being a world

class system It seems so broad, but really (when you) start talking about it, it sets a wonderful standard in the way this organization is supposed to operate ”

Bernier said it is important to have that measurable piece, that monitoring piece to develop scorecards to let the community know what it is they want to accomplish

Board member Cathleen Morgan said they did not have a scorecard with the strategic plan

“We weren’t transparent (about) what we were trying to accomplish We never had a cadence The critical piece going forward is the scorecard and the cadence,” she said

B o a r d m e m b e r S a m F i s h e r s a i d although they have a very good playbook, his biggest thing is to continue to implement and run the offense of the strategic plan

Trying to check off a few more bucket list catches

A lifetime of fishing adventures often starts with humble pan fishing -- crappies, bluegills, perch -- then that first largemouth bass or walleye Soon you’re reading every fishing rag dreaming of moving up to the big leagues even creating your first bucket list of species you want to someday challenge

I’ve been very fortunate over the decades to have been able to scratch off quite a few of these species on my list fishing in sun, wind, rain, snow, even violent weather in some of the beautiful and varied places on the planet Bucket list fish like a first 10-pound Florida Lake Toho bass, beautiful Keys permit and bonefish, scary big Canadian muskies, f l y - c a u g h t s a i l f i s h , t r i p l e d i g i t t a r p o n a n d l i f e t i m e m e m o r y s n o o k a l o n g w i t h many others but, there are still several more on that list t h a t n e e d a t t e n t i o n b e f o r e running out of fishing time

Home Base Florida Pickleball Tour nament raises $12,000 for veterans and militar y families

Home Base Florida held its first ever mini Pickleball tournament at the Naples Pickleball Center The event, presented by the Florida Gulf Coast University Marieb College of Health and Human Services, had more than 160 registrants and raised over $12,000 to help heal the invisible wounds of war through Home Base’s clinical care, wellness, education and research – all at no cost to our veterans and military families. Learn more at HomeBase.org/Florida

Houghton, Duran lead offensive explosion in 16-2 Mussels victory

FORT MYERS – Maddux Houghton and Gregory

D u r a n l e d a M i g h t y M u s s e l s ’ o f f e n s i v e e x p l o s i o n

Capt George Tunison

Dad and I always tried to make the trip to fish jumbo peacock bass in Brazil but business then finally heath issues interfered I moved on t o t h i n k i n g a b o u t a n o t h e r S o u t h A m e r i c a n f r e s h w a t e r species A yellow gold- plated, 40-pound tank terror of a fish, a super predator living in fast moving rivers and tail races, with sharp dentures and a bad attitude -- the golden dorado While still on my South American kick, I got the arapaima itch and dreamed of what fighting a 400-pounder in a remote Amazon jungle lake would be like Seeing one featured on local news washed up in the Caloosahatchee a few years back was quite a surprise

After a lot of research, I’m saving my pennies for the Big Trip! The newest dream destination on my list is located in the smallest state of Africa which actually isn’t located on the African continent The 115 islands that make up the Seychelles archipelago sit just off the e a s t c o a s t o f A f r i c a a b o u t 3 0 0 m i l e s n o r t h o f Madagascar and offer possibly the best unspoiled multi-species saltwater fly angling left on the planet

Hundreds of miles of gin clear flats, hosting a huge variety of species to deeper water surf zones fish, then on to steep drop-offs and big game Walk the beaches for 50 bonefish days or challenge huge giant trevally (GT’s) rocketing through knee deep water Too many species to list work the flats and if you get tired of that then hop in a skiff and catch sailfish and marlin on the drop-off a mere 300 yards from the shoreline

One oddball fish living there is attracting fly anglers worldwide and is definitely list worthy Take a 5-pound chrome bonefish then add 30 pounds Replace the bones head with a mullets head Now you have a milkfish, which, like a mullet, also eats algae and some small invertebrates Very hard to fool and hook, jumps like a tarpon but higher and fights with incredible speed and bulldozer determination often splintering fly rods after an hour or so

Common to warm Pacific and Indian Ocean waters and long known in Asia as a farmed food fish but now has also become a prime target for travelling fly anglers looking for the newest thrill

The incredibly beautiful flats, coral reefs and an almost unlimited amount of islands are a true unspoiled paradise for anglers and divers with many outfitters and lodges offering 7-day all-inclusive guided trips and a c c o m m o d a t i o n s V a r i o u s l o d g e w e b s i t e s s h o w e d prices starting at $1,200 per angler on up to a paltry

See BUCKET LIST, page 35

Wednesday, as Fort Myers tamed the Flying Tigers 16-2 at Hammond Stadium

Houghton notched a career-high four hits and four RBI, finishing a home run away from the cycle Duran finished the evening 3-for-3 with four runs scored and a career b RBI

Despite the final results, th Mighty Mussels’ (36-34, 2-2) offense was quiet early against rehabber Jackson Jobe

With no score in the top of th third, Cristian Santana led off wit single to left After starter Andrew Morris (2-1) retired the next two hitters, Seth Stephenson tripled to left to make it 1-0 Lakeland (26-43, 0-4) Moments later, the game was delayed for one hour and 51 minutes, capping Morris’ night at 2.2 innings of onerun ball

After the delay and a couple of quiet innings, the Mussels’ bats awoke in the fifth Dylan Neuse walked to lead off the frame before Duran scorched a double to right to cut the deficit to 2-1 The next hitter was Houghton, who served a liner down the left field line to tie the game at 2-2

In the bottom of the sixth, Neuse doubled before Kyle Schmidt and Duran drew walks to load the bases with no

outs Houghton followed with a ringing double to the leftcenter field gap that cleared the bases to give Fort Myers a 5-2 advantage. Ricardo Olivar and Danny De Andrade then notched consecutive doubles to score two more and push the lead to 7-2 Two batters and one out later, Kamron Willman notched his first hit at Hammond Stadium with a double down the left-field line to bring home De Andrade to extend the Mussels’ lead to 8-2

After walks to Schmidt and Neuse, Duran ashed an opposite-field grand slam to left to break ame wide open at 12-2 The next hitter was on, who tripled to right and scored on a wild pitch he lead to 11 runs

11-run outburst matched Fort Myers’ biggest inning of the season, matching the total they scored in the 5th inning of their May 23 game in Dunedin In the process, they collected seven extra-base hits and brought 15 batters to the plate

In the bottom of the eighth, the two Mussels reached via an error and walk The next batter was De Andrade, who launched a three-run bomb to left to cap the scoring at 162 Fort Myers Wednesday’s win was the Mussels’ highest scoring output and their largest margin of victory of the 2023 season

The Mussels series with the Flying Tigers will continue today, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, before the team heads off for a six-game series at Jupiter For more about the Mussels, visit https://www milb com/fort-myers

Coral Oaks in Cape to offer deals during PGA ‘Family Golf Month’

The PGA of America recognizes the month of July as “Family Golf Month,” and Coral Oaks Golf Course in Cape Coral is supporting the initiative by offering discounts from July 1-31

Children under the age of 17 can receive a free bucket of range balls when an accompanying adult purchases a bucket of range balls, and two adults and two kids can play for $60 in the afternoons Children must ride in a golf cart with an adult

“We are pleased to support the PGA’s Family Golf Month initiative once again at Coral Oaks,” said Allen Manguson, PGA professional and Coral Oaks’ manager “We hope plenty of families will take advantage of these

specials to spend quality time together and have some fun ”

For additional information about PGA Family Golf Month specials at Coral Oaks Golf Course and to sign up f o r t h e c o u r s e ’ s f r e e E - n e w s l e t t e r , p l e a s e v i s i t www CoralOaksGolf com Tee times can be scheduled up to seven days in advance at 239-573-3100 or online at www CoralOaksGolf com

Coral Oaks Golf Course, at 1800 N W 23rd Ave , features an 18-hole, Arthur Hills-designed championship course built in a century-old oak hammock, with TifEagle greens, PGA instruction, one of the largest driving ranges in the area, on-site restaurant and more

PHOTO PROVIDED

Author to speak at Edison and Ford Winter Estates

Next Thursday, July 6, at 10 a m , author, Alexandra Rimer will talk about her newly published book, “Seduced by the Light,” at Edison and Ford Winter Estates The presentation is free and open to the public, and will be held in the South Florida Water Management District building at 2301 McGregor Blvd , Fort Myers (next to the Estates)

The book is a biography about Mina Miller Edison (Thomas Edison's wife) The author draws on access to Edison family diaries, memoirs and letters and writes from the perspective of the inventor's wife Books will be available for purchase and signing

Rimer has been an assistant editor at the T

r s University since 2005 She is the co-recipient of the Eugene S Ferguson Prize (Papers of Thomas A Edison) from the Society for the History of Technology She is a frequent lecturer on Mina Edison at the Thomas Edison National Historic Park in West Orange, New Jersey

I n a d d i t i o n , E s t a t e s ' v o l u n t e e r J a n

MaGirl, who has played the role of Mrs Edison for many years, will give a brief presentation about Mina Edison Estates' volunteer managers will be available to answer questions for anyone interested in volunteering. For more information about

Bucket list: Continuing the search

From page 34

$85 grand for a private island bungalow for 4 with chef, and guides and skiffs for each guest, of course Airfare to Africa n o t i n c l u d e d A t l e a s t I k n o w w h e r e I w o n ’ t b e staying

Red snapper season is on out in the 150 to 200foot hard bottom depths Anglers are allowed 2 per day with a 16-inch total length

You still have plenty of time to catch yours as the season closes July 31

Capt George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fish-

TIDES CHART

the Estates, call 239-334-7419 or visit www edisonford org

The Edison and Ford Winter Estates is at 2350 McGregor Blvd , Fort Myers

CAPE CORAL ANIMAL SHELTER

Looking for a loving home

Reya is a 1 to 3-year-old female who is a little on the shyer/submissive side Reya really needs to go home with a fully fenced in yard because leashes are just not her cup of tea She loves cuddling on the couch with her favorite humans

Mia is a 5 to 7-year-old girl who is looking for that purrfect place to call her furever home She enjoys the simple things in life such as cuddles on the couch with her favorite humans or sitting out on

the lanai watching the world go by

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

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

Reya Mia

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Cape Coral

John Wesley Dale

John Wesley Dale passed into eternal life at age 87 in Conroe, TX on Saturday, June 17, 2023. It was the feast day of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to whom he was dedicated as a child by his mother. John is survived by Carol, his college sweetheart and beloved wife of 61 years, and their children Carol (Tom), John (Stephanie), Lisa (Mike), and Kelley (Jeremy). Their eldest son Wesley predeceased him as did his parents Bess and Wes and sisters Betty and Jane. He is grandfather of Elisabeth, Michael, Ashley, Nicole, Matisse, Maleah, and Kathryne. His oldest living relative is his cousin Bootsie.

Raised in PA and NJ as a devout Catholic, John became a Holy Name Society member, Valley Forge Military Academy graduate, ocean lifeguard, US Army veteran, and University of Maryland alumnus. Based upon guaranteed employment as a history teacher, John and Carol moved their young family to southwest Florida only to experience many of life’s twists. After various jobs, John worked nearly 40 years in the Public Defender’s office where he became Chief Investigator. John was an usher and founding member at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church.

Family life was his focus. He and Carol sacrificed much to send their children to Catholic schools. As soccer coach/referee, John conveyed the thrill of the game down to his grandchildren. By his example of organizing political campaign events to advocate for conservative candidates and values, John instilled in his family the importance of being educated voters. Other activities included PTA leadership, summer vacations, boat outings, and board game nights. He and Carol enjoyed special trips to Hawaii and Europe. As retirees, they joined the Birdie Bunch of bald eagle watchers in Cape Coral. John’s greatest honors were being husband of Carol and child of God.

Together John and Carol spent decades in Cape Coral until Hurricane Ian flooded their home and compelled them to move out of state to be nearer to family. Whether in their FL home or his final months in a TX memory care community, John brought a smile to your face at your departure by saying “It’s not goodbye, it’s just so long for awhile.” His four-legged buddy was frequently beside him.

Faith was strong and essential for John. The Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist sustained him. A favorite Scripture passage was Isaiah 40:31 “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” In addition to the Rosary, John had an extraordinary devotion to the Divine Mercy of Jesus and prayed earnestly for his family to all know and love Jesus.

A funeral Mass of Resurrection will take place at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Conroe, TX at 2 pm on Tuesday, June 27.

Long distance family and friends may watch the livestream at https://www.shconroe.org/streaming to pray along with those in attendance. The Mass will be celebrated in the chapel (Our Lady of the Woods) with outer entrance at the NW part of the main church building.

Condolences may be sent to the Dale family c/o Cashner Funeral Home (801 Teas Road, Conroe, TX 77303). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the name of John W. Dale.

Howard Nemenoff

We are sad to announce the passing of Howard Nemenoff of St. James City, Florida. He passed away on June 19, 2023 at Lee Memorial Hospital at the age of 70 after a long battle with AL Amyloidosis. His devoted wife Jana was by his side.

Howard was born in Chicago, IL on September 13, 1952. He was preceded in death by his parents Jack Nemenoff and Sara Greenstein. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Jana Nemenoff, his best friend and brother Marc Nemenoff, his doting daughter Erica Schulz (Lukas Schulz), and his adoring grandchildren Riley and Logan Schulz.

He graduated from University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign in 1974 with a B.S. in Mathematics. He worked as a Systems Analyst at Allstate Insurance, where he met his wife, Jana. They did it all together, owned stores, traveled, and, most importantly, ate at all the best restaurants. Howard later became an Enrolled Agent, preparing taxes and representing tax payers before the Internal Revenue Service and opening up his own business, Nemenoff Tax Services. He loved and was loved by his clients and truly enjoyed getting to know each one.

Howard had a sharp mind his whole life. He enjoyed reading and he did crosswords, sudoku and solitaire daily. He loved his weekly game of cards with the Street Girls. Most of all he enjoyed golf where he could drive a long ball, not always to its intended location. There are many wonderful adjectives to describe Howard but his sweetness is the one that everybody who knew him includes and best describes his outlook and kindness towards all he knew. He was loved deeply by his family and by so many others. He will be greatly missed.

We know Howard wouldn’t want us to wallow in misery, but rather celebrate his remarkable time on earth with photos, stories, and loving memories. We would love for you to join the celebration of Howard’s life on August 26, 2023 at his daughter’s home in Crystal Lake, IL. Online condolences may be sent to the family at everloved.com/life-of/howard-nemenoff/. Here you will also find additional information on Howie’s Celebration of Life

Cape Coral

Donald Lee Gronewold, 90, of Cape Coral, passed away Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.

Lucille Donna Manfre, 58, of Cape Coral passed away June 22, 2023. Arrangements by Lee County Cremation Services.

Mary Irizarry, 91, of Cape Coral, Florida passed away June 24, 2023. Arrangements entrusted to Lee County Cremation Services-Cape Coral.

Clara I. Terna, 70, of Cape Coral Florida, passed away June 24, 2023. Arrangements entrusted to Fuller Metz Cremation and Funeral Services. www.fullermetz.com

Kim Michael Bauknecht, 64, of Cape Coral, passed away June 22, 2023. Arrangements entrusted to Fuller Metz Cremation and Funeral Services. www.fullermetz.com

Luz “Lucy” Milagros Gutterman, 78, of Cape Coral, passed away Monday, June 19, 2023. Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.

Nicolas Martinez Rodriguez, 65, of Cape Coral, passed away June 23, 2023. Arrangements entrusted to Fuller Metz Cremation and Funeral Services. www.fullermetz.com

Fort Myers

Tina Renee Dwiggins, 51, of Fort Myers passed away June 21, 2023. Arrangements by Lee County Cremation Services.

Kent Alen Mabbitt, 69, of Fort Myers, Florida passed away June 23, 2023. Arrangements entrusted to Lee County Cremation Services-Fort Myers.

Russell R. Koenig, 79, of Fort Myers, Florida passed away June 27, 2023. Arrangements entrusted to Lee County Cremation Services-Cape Coral.

Bokeelia

Johnny Ray Messer, 64, of Bokeelia, passed away Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.

Charlotte County

Judith Dorothy Dahlstrom, 83, of Punta Gorda, passed away Thursday, June 22, 2023. Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.