Pine Island Eagle by BreezeNewspapers

VolumE 48, NumbEr 19

Organizers excited about ‘Peace Day’ celebration

First-ever island event set for Sept. 21 at the SJCCA

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers

Jennifer Bennet and Ronda Czarneke have organized “Peace Day” in St James City, not only for Pine Islanders, but for anyone who would like to come According to these organizers, there will be something for everyone

“There will be vendors and music we have 53 vendors from all over the county, food trucks and all-day entertainment,” Czarneke said

In addition, the two said there will also be raffles

going on all throughout the day, adding that the generosity of local businesses have been overwhelming, in that they’ve offered extravagant prizes to be raffled

The Matlacha Hookers are said to be running a 50/50 raffle, with the proceeds going to their education fund

“We’ve put together a really awesome event that we are very excited about,” Bennet said

Czarneke explained that although she and Bennet have teamed up in the past for other things, this is the first time they’ve ever done anything this big

“There’s never been a Peace Day celebration on Pine

Celebrating Pine Islanders: Capt. Bill Russell

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers

Captain Bill Russell said he is just an old-time island boy, as he was only 6 weeks old when he first came to Pine Island He came to M a t l a c h a w h e n h

grandfather were vacationing in M

n "Field and Stream" on the “Most Fishingist Bridge in the world,” w

i c h o f c o u r s e , w a s w r i t t e n about the Matlacha Bridge

They would fly their little private Cessna planes to Miami from Santa Cruz, California, Russell said, and after reading about the Matlacha Bridge, they decided to

o Matlacha from Miami Having been an island boy for the whole life of his life, Russell said he literally cannot remember a time where there was no fishing

“Growing up on the island, you just grow up fishing it’s just what you did. I guess you had a choice but you didn’t have a choice You had to self-entertain fishing, hunting, doing things outdoors,” Russell said

His grandfather, he said, was a grouper fisherman, who used to s e l l t h e g r o u p e r h e c a u g h t t o B r a d l e y ’ s F i s h M a r k e t ( w h i c h eventually became the Olde Fish

H o u s e ) R u s s e l l ’ s g r a n d f a t h e r was also his babysitter, which meant as a young lad he often went along grouper fishing with him

“He was my babysitter, so he drove me out on the boat grouper fishing from the time I could sit

See CAPT. BILL RUSSELL, page 16

Island We expect that it will be big and wonderful,” Czarneke said

Bennet said comments she’s heard from the community are that the islanders are very excited to have something along these lines come to Pine Island and that many of the vendors are thankful to have an off-season festival to enjoy

“Based on the fact that it’s playing off an international event that’s popular in Florida, I really think it’s going to be well attended and full of fun and wonderful energy, Bennet said

New island school offers unique K-8 education program

Life Prep Christian Academy has officially opened its doors at First Baptist Church of Pine Island, offering a fresh, innovative approach to education for grades K-8

LPCA has had a fantastic first couple weeks, marked by hands-on learning experiences that left students eager to return each day Several students expressed they didn’t want to leave at the end of the school day highlighting the engaging environment the school provides

LPCA offers a unique faith-based curriculum that meets on campus three days per week The program blends in-person instruction with at-home learning, allowing families greater flexibility in their educational choices This model ensures students receive a wellrounded education while fostering independence and responsibility

LPCA offers small class sizes, allowing teachers to discover and nurture each student's God-given purpose.

Elizabeth, a representative of LPCA and Bokeelia res-

See NEW SCHOOL, page 11

PHOTO PROVIDED

Life Prep Christian Academy students, front, from left, Luke Honc, 2nd grade; Zeke Wykes, 1st grade; and in back, Anthony Alvarez, 2nd grade.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Longtime islander Capt. Bill Russell teaching his granddaughter Ellie how to fish.

County Commission awards nearly $230 million in grants for public facility and infrastructure projects

The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted last Tuesday to award more than $229 million in grants for about 20 public facility and infrastructure projects funded by the U S Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant –Disaster Recovery allocation to Lee County

The projects will be undertaken by Lee County, each municipality, the school district, the Lee County Electric Cooperative and nonprofit entities associated with governmental sponsors

Projects awarded grant funding were unanimously

Infrastructure Evaluation Committee:

■ Community Recreation Center and Disaster Shelter – Cape Coral

■ W e

Project – Cape Coral

■ Cape Coral EMS Base/Safe Room – Lee County

■ Pine Island Fire Station 2 – Lee County

■ North Island Water Tower and Facility Project –Fort Myers Beach

■ Salvation Army Center for Hope Campus – City of Fort Myers

■ FISH of SANCAP Building Elevation, Hardening, and Associated Site Improvements – Sanibel

■ Resilient Communications Towers – Lee County

■ Parks & Recreation Revitalization – Fort Myers Beach

■ S T A R S Expansion and Category 3 Hurricane Shelter – City of Fort Myers

■ Wellfield Expansion – City of Fort Myers

■ LCEC Cherry Estates – Lee County

■ Sanibel Fire Station 171 Reconstruction – Sanibel

Improvements – Bonita Springs

■ Moss Marina Booster Pump Station Relocation LCU – Fort Myers Beach

■ Road Reconstruction – Sanibel

■ Broadway Avenue West Improvements – Estero

■ County-wide Drainage Improvements – Lee County

■ Satellite Shop replacement and underground fuel tank replacement – Lee County

■ Shelter Hardening and Generator Installation – Lee County School District

The list of funded projects will be posted on the county’s website at https://cdbgdr leegov com

Matlacha Civic Association to host second Hurricane Ian recovery event on Sept. 28

The Matlacha Civic Association will be hosting the second annual Hurricane Ian recovery event Saturday, Sept 28, at 6 p m , at the RE/MAX Sunshine office at the corner of Pine Island Road and Island Avenue, Bokeelia

This year’s theme is the butterfly, as the islands are in recovery and transforming into beauty.

There will be live music, recognition of community

heroes with the Island Angel Awards, along with a guest speaker Local artists have hand-painted butterflies that will be displayed the night of the event Over 300 LED butterflies will be lit in honor of our courage, strength and transformation of the islands

Please join us in this uplifting evening

For additional information about the MCA, visit https://matlachacivic org/

From the Firehouse

Exciting news from the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District! The district was awarded a $5 mill i o n g r a n t t h r o

Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery grant County Commissioners approved the grant allocation to us Tuesday as part of awarding more than $229 million in grants for about 20 public facility and infrastructure projects countywide funded by HUD’s allocation to Lee County in the wake of Hurricane Ian This grant was applied for by the fire district for assistance replacing our 1975 fire house in St James City

This is an enormous accomplishment from your fire district that numerous individuals worked hard to accomplish We can’t thank Lee County enough for this opportunity and look forward to the new fire station serving our community and visitors!

-- Fire Chief Ben Mickuleit

Hurricane Ian made landfall in Lee County on Sept 28, 2022 In early 2023, the U S Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the $1 1 billion allocation of Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery funds to support Lee County’s long-term recovery efforts

CDBG-DR funds may be spent on a limited number of eligible activities related to impacts from Hurricane Ian that include housing, infrastructure, economic revitalization, public services and planning At least 70% of the grant must be used for projects that benefit Low-toModerate Income households, which HUD defines as a family at or below 80% of Area Median Income

Source: Lee County Government

OPINIONS

Publisher Raymond M Eckenrode

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Executive Editor

Valarie Harring

vharring@breezenewspapers com

Editor Paulette LeBlanc

pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

Advertising Director Laurie Ragle

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Advertising Sales

Charlene Russ cruss@breezenewspapers com

Design & Layout Chris Strine cstrine@breezenewspapers com

Obituaries Debbie Carletti obits@breezenewspapers com

Subscriptions 1

‘Banned’ books: The misconceptions,

“The Color Purple ” “The Kite Runner ” “The Hate U Give ”

As Florida continues its political and cultural attack on books, these are just three popular titles being elevated in the headlines This trio of books also happens to be among the literary works of art that have impacted me the most as a longtime bibliophile

Since middle school, I have found myself picking up the most profound, controversial books that libraries offer and devouring them

As you can imagine, hearing about the implementation of Florida HB1467 law and subsequent legislation evoked many feelings, including anger Mainstream news reporters have explained that Florida’s school boards tarnished the reputation of many books that I previously put on a pedestal These stories highlighted lawmakers’ blatant disregard for democracy and America’s constitution As convincing as they appeared, these stories were excellent at serving their intended purpose: championing a partisan viewpoint without offering viewers and readers all the facts Realizing I, too, had fallen for the trap, I started asking myself questions: Why was the law initially introduced? What problems could it solve, if any? When I failed to find answers online, I knew that I had to take matters into my own hands and learn more

Let’s break down HB1467 and its baggage

The original intent of HB1467 was to protect parental rights and curriculum transparency in

American Legion Riders Chapter 136 to host

9/11 remembrance ceremony

To the editor:

To commemorate the 23rd anniversary of 9/11, the American Legion Riders will hold a remembrance ceremony on Wednesday, September 11, on the front lawn outside of the American Legion, 4106 Stringfellow Road, MM2, St James City (Pine Island), beginning at 8:30 a m

Web Poll

The ceremony will include the presentation of colors by the American Legion Honor Guard, a moment of silence, an invocation, remarks from Commander Austin White, w i t h c

American Legion Riders Greater Pine Island Fire, Lee County EMS, Lee County Sheriff Department will be honored Please join us as “WE REMEMBER”

The ceremony is free and open to the public Refreshments available

Chuck Warren

American Legion Riders

U.S. Air Force Veteran

Florida public schools It requires all instructional materials in public schools to be selected and vetted by certified media specialists who have completed a mandatory training course established by the state Media specialists are required to publish a list of all books available in classrooms, libraries and class curricula through a publicly accessible online catalog In addition, all books already housed in public schools when HB1467 passed require reviews by two professional journal sources and approval by community stakeholders for media specialists to keep them available to students Nothing too crazy yet, right? Here’s where things started to heat up This law also allows individuals to challenge the books offered in Florida public school libraries, classrooms or curricula To do so, a person must complete an objection form found on the school’s website The school district’s review committee which consists of media specialists, community members, parents and department heads then has 30 days to read the book, convene and decide whether to uphold or overrule the objection Three criteria all books must follow are: (1) Age appropriateness, (2) Educational value and

(3) No pornographic content

However, these criteria are highly subjective and review committee members hold all the power over these decisions Both conscious and subconscious bias can creep into the decision-making process and a lack of consistency may exist across counties Also, this exercise feels duplicative given that all books were already vetted at the inception of HB1467 by a trained media specialist Why should non-experts on a review committee dictate what books stay in schools?

Already, the book review process is backlogged in several Florida counties Books are inaccessible to students after being challenged and before the review committee makes its decision Critics of the legislation argue that students should not be deprived of valuable academic materials during the waiting period, while supporters believe potentially harmful content should not be shared until it is deemed acceptable by a review committee

Spoiler alert: that was not the most contentious part of the law What triggered the wrath

Letters to the Editor

On the wrong track?

To the editor: T

Venezuela in 1998 and now they won’t leave

After Hugo Chavez rode a socialist wave into the leadership of Venezuela, the first thing he did was take away all the guns from private citizens Since then, Maduro has changed the rules of the supreme court and packed it with his supporters There really are no laws that can’t be changed to keep Nicolas Maduro in power forever It is esti-

received 30% more votes than the incumbent Maduro, but that does not matter in this Socio/Communist regime The army has the

g killed by the hundreds, it will take an all-out revolution where many thousands will die to enforce the will of the people for new leadership

The Socialist Democratic Party of the United States of America has enacted policies that can take our country in the same

direction as Venezuela Harris has outlined some of her policies on gun control but what will they be if she is elected? I suspect they will change dramatically once in power, just like her reversal will on fracking. Clearly, she was told to change her stance on banning fracking in order to pander to voters in Pennsylvania and other states sitting on shale Once in power, who knows what she will be told to do and say? They want to c h a n

u r t because they didn’t like recent rulings from the highest court in the land, just like Maduro did

It has only been 26 years since the people of Venezuela gave up their freedoms to a Socialist dictatorship and now, we can all see what they lost and how painful it will be to get those freedoms back The most recent p o

3 % o f Americans believe the country is on the wrong track

Maybe it’s time for a change while we still have time to reverse the rush toward S

Democratic Party here in our country

Max Christian St. James City

Upcoming fundraisers for Right to Clean Water

To the editor:

For the past several months many of you may have read our letters to the editor regarding the Florida Right to Clean water amendment We hope that you are one of the wonderful folks that has signed our petition

Lee County Commission takes stand against state abortion amendment

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

The Lee County Board of County Commissioners has taken a position in opposition to Amendment 4

The statewide initiative on the November ballot would “limit government interference with abortion,” and so overturn recently passed legislation limiting abortions in Florida to within six weeks of pregnancy

The 4-1 vote followed more than two hours of public comment from a sharply divided public.

intended to oppose language in the amendment “because it is very vague ”

Greenwell said the resolution is meant to encourage voters to read the language of the amendment, which will need at least 60% of the vote to pass

“ I t h

Greenwell said “There is something wrong here and I think it’s important that we bring that up ”

Though he said the vote by the county commissioners was not meant to oppose the right of the voters to weigh in on abortion, Greenwell said “It’s a very hot subject, obviously There is no right answer We are a divided country but we should always understand that we can always help the unborn ”

The ballot title is “Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion”

The ballot summary states: “No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider This amendment does not change the Legislature’s constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion ”

Lee County resident Melissa Isley accused the county

commissioners of using their political positions to influence a statewide voter referendum

“You are using your seats to grandstand about a personal medical issue This is a disappointing misuse of your power,” Isley said.

O p p o n

Republican county commissioners were voting at the bequest of state Republican party leaders Isley said she believed State Rep Jenna Persons-Mulicka, who shepherded the state’s six-week abortion ban through the State House, was holding influence over the county commissioners

Persons-Mulicka and State Sen Jonathan Martin appeared in front of the county commissioners Tuesday to urge a vote against Amendment 4

Persons-Mulicka called Amendment 4 “deceptive” and “extreme ”

“If you don’t believe that our Constitution should

demand without parental consent up to birth you should vote no,” Persons-Mulicka said “It will tie our hands in the legislature ”

Martin, who stood next to Persons-Mulicka during her

comments, said “I echo those words ” Rick Carter, a self-described bornagain Christian, compared the voting on Amendment 4 to a bill that would reintroduce slavery and compared abortion to the Holocaust

“You can not be neutral on this,” Carter said

The debate from the public often veered into religious opinions where some cited their religion as reasons to oppose Amendment 4

Those who supported Amendment 4 included speakers who shared emotional personal stories of being victims of abuse that led them to seek an abortion

Under the abortion law approved by the state legislature and signed into law by Gov Ron DeSantis last year, abortions are now limited in Florida to within six weeks of pregnancy Opponents have argued that most women are not aware of their own pregnancies until a month or longer, leaving little time for the procedure

District 4 Commissioner Brian Hamman called some of the stories of speakers who spoke in favor of pro-

Church of God of Prophecy chicken dinner Saturday

The Church of God of Prophecy will be having a chicken dinner Saturday, Sept 14 Dinner will be takeout only, no dine in The price is $10 per dinner -chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn or green beans, dinner roll and dessert.

Chicken is fried in peanut oil Gluten free and baked

chicken are available upon request

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

The church is located at 15146 Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia

CLT work/fun parties to resume Oct. 12

Summer is almost over and hopefully by the end of September the temperatures will start to moderate It's time for the Calusa Land Trust to renew its winter/spring preserve work/fun parties on the second Saturday of the month

W o

Preserve on Barrancas Avenue in Bokeelia The work party begins at 9 a m and goes to noon, with pizza brought in for the crew about 11:45 a m It is a time to share food and conversation with each other Summer has been good for the invasive plants that CLT volunteers are constantly battling to minimize on the preserves to give the native species room to flourish CLT's focus for the first work/fun party will be removing the new growth of ear leaf acacia, Brazilian pepper and any other invasive plants that the group may come across If you would like to get involved in helping the small group of volunteers, join in for the first outing in October Volunteers do not have to be a CLT member to participate but if you are not a member and would like to join the CLT, go to the CLT website and hit the join button

The CLT currently have approximately 2,400 acres under its care on the island and is looking to protect any available natural uplands from further clearing

SJCCA Schedule

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

Thursday, Sept 12

■ Ping Pong, 9-11 a m This is a fun way to meet the neighbors and play ping pong

■ Mahjongg, 1-4 p m This is a great place to learn to play mahjongg!

■ Paint with Kellie, 4 p m Enjoy a great local artist a n d p a i n t w

Cluckers"

Friday, Sept , 13

■ Bingo Night, 5:30-9 p m Change your luck

Tuesday, Sept 17

■ Ping Pong, 9-11 a m

More details, contacts and ticket sales are available at SJCCAPI ORG

All activities are held at St James City Civic Association at 3300 Fourth Ave , at the corner of Lemon Street, in St James City

The schedule for this season is as follows:

■ Oct 12 - Wigert/Barron Preserve

■ Nov 9 - Taylor/Willow Lake Preserve

■ Dec 14 - St Jude Trail

■ Jan 11 - Fritt’s Park

■ Feb 8 - Bud House/Calusa Canal Preserve

■ March 8 - Nancy Weir Preserve

■ April 12 - Calusa Island Preserve

■ May 10 - Krier Island Preserve

The schedule is subject to change depending on weather conditions and pressing needs of preserves Notice of CLT work/fun parties are published in the Pine Island Eagle a week or two before the event and posted on the CLT Facebook page and the CLT website calusalandtrust org

Come out and join the CLT in October and help it preserve some of the natural beauty of this place many call home

Reconstruction work on Little Pine Island Bridge continues with single lane of traffic; temporary delays are possible in area

BARTOW, Fla. – This weekly report was prepared by the Florida Department of Transportation to inform the public about upcoming road work in Southwest Florida

Pine Island Road Causeway and Bridge Permanent Repairs: Construction project: As part of the Emergency Restoration of the Pine Island Road Causeway and Bridge, crews will be working in the project boundaries along CR 78 Pine Island Road from west of Little Pine I

Shoreview Drive.

■ Phase 1 of construction on Little Pine Island Bridge has begun The bridge is reduced to one lane as part of the Phase 1 construction plan The bridge will remain one lane through the duration of Phase 1 Temporary signals are placed on both ends of the bridge and variable message signs are in place to alert drivers

■ The Little Pine Island bridge has been reduced to a single lane width of 12 feet through the duration of Phase 1

■ Motorists can expect occasional lane closures on the causeway for delivery/removal of materials, transfer of equipment as crews perform work on the south side.

■ Motorists are reminded not to block driveways or entrances and to follow all posted signage throughout

aware of construction equipment and erosion control measures that are in place

■ Please be alerted to construction equipment in the construction zone To maintain safety, motorists should find alternate parking areas.

■ Pedestrians and bicyclists are not permitted within the construction zone

■ Please use caution and watch for workers and construction vehicles entering and exiting the roadway

■ Noise from construction equipment in the area is to be expected

Drivers are asked to please be patient and plan for additional travel time as it may be slower than usual in the area

Travelers can visit www FL511 com or dial “511” from their phone to learn about traffic conditions on major roadways across the state.

For additional information about FDOT, please visit its website at https://www fdot gov/

School District sets College Night for Sept. 17

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

More than 100 representatives from colleges, universities and technical schools across the country will fill Suncoast Credit Union Arena at Florida Southwestern State College this month for students

“College Night is an opportunity to visit with representatives from schools across the state and country Students can meet with the ones they are interested in but also be exposed to schools they hadn’t thought of or heard of that may offer just what they want,” School District of Lee County spokesperson Rob Spicker said. “The information gained can be used to narrow down a list of favorites for campus visits or actual applications

Choosing a college is a big decision and the more research into finding the right fit the better the overall experience is going to be ”

College Night will be held from 6 to 8 p m Tuesday, Sept 17, at Suncoast Credit Union Arena, 13351 FSW

Parkway, Fort Myers

Each school, college, or university will bring a variety of information about their campus, student body, areas of study and financial aid. The representatives will also answer questions students and families might have

“The most important thing to bring is an open mind and questions,” Spicker said “Visit with as many colleges as possible and ask insightful questions about what they can offer you so you can get answers beyond the pamphlets provided Ask the same questions of each college to make fair comparisons and bring a pen to write down key information to help remember it later ”

College Night has been held for more than 20 years with a few missed during COVID

“Our largest year was about 4,000,” Spicker said about the attendance. “Every year is different, but several hundred will at least attend and possibly more than that ”

The school district invites colleges nationwide to

Connect with LEE offers tutoring help

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

A free online tutoring program for those students struggling with math is being offered again for students of the School District of Lee County

“Math is the No 1 subject students connect with our teachers for help,” District spokesperson Rob Spicker said of why math tutoring is being offered “We did not want to stop providing homework help just because the ESSER funding we have been using to pay teachers was expiring, so we determined what was most in need and budgeted the necessary funding to continue to support our students in that subject ”

Elementary, middle, and high school math help is offered from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Connect with LEE is virtual and can be assessed

t h r o u g h l a u n c h p a d l e e s c h o o l s n e t o n t h e s t u d e n t ’ s Chromebook, a computer, tablet, or phone

The online video discussion will be had with a certified teacher Once the virtual meeting, and grade level is selected, the student is placed in a waiting room until a teacher is available to join them

“Students have the opportunity to explain what they need help with and the teacher is there to provide them educational support so they can understand the process and solve the problem,” Spicker said “All homework and class assignment help is one-on-one, so as soon as a teacher finishes with one student they close that ses-

sion and connect with the next student in line They will typically spend enough time with each student to have them confident enough to continue on their own ”

Connect with LEE has been very successful in years past, as the demand was incredibly high when it first began and remained steady through the second year

“The last two years we have seen the need for math remain high as other subjects became less and less requested We typically see peaks around exams and report card cycles,” Spicker said

Connect with LEE was launched in March 2021 to address the learning challenges posed by the COVID pandemic

“The support was one of many strategies to give students extra time with a teacher during a school year when many students were still attending school remotely For the 2021-2022 school year we expanded Connect with LEE to include daytime sessions for students home sick or under quarantine. We then continued to offer afternoon and homework help in the 20222023 and 2023-2024 school years,” Spicker said

He said parents need to know that Connect with LEE is there to help them as much as it is their student

“They don’t have to try and figure out the solution on their own, but can instead turn to a teacher to get the support their student needs We hope they take advantage of it,” Spicker said

attend, particularly those that have come before, or have a high interest among the students, he said “For our juniors, it’s time to start thinking about what your major might be, what kind of college do I want to attend and what kind of activities do I want to participate in For our seniors it’s time to select the schools you are going to apply to College Night is the perfect way to help make those choices,” Spicker said Those that have confirmed include:

■ Berry College, Georgia

■ Bethune-Cookman College

■ Bryant University, Rhode Island

■ Cape Coral Technical College

■ Drexel University, Pennsylvania

■ Eckerd College

■ Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

■ Flagler College

■ Florida Academy

■ Florida Army National Guard

■ Florida Atlantic University

■ Florida Gulf Coast University

■

Education

■ Florida Institute of Technology

■ Florida International University

■ Florida Polytechnic University

■ Florida Southern College

■ Florida Southwestern State College

■ Florida State University

■ Fort Myers Technical College

■ Furman University, South Carolina

■ George Mason University, Virginia

■ Indiana University, Indiana

■ Keiser University

■ Lees-McRae College, North Carolina

■ LIM College, New York

■ Loyola University Maryland, Maryland

■ Lynn University

■ Miami University of Ohio, Ohio

■ Michigan State University, Michigan

■ Missouri University of Science & Technology, Missouri

■ Montclair State University, New Jersey

■ National Aviation Academy

■ New York Film Academy

■ Norwich University, Vermont

■ NOVA Southeastern University

■ Oglethorpe University, Georgia

■ Palm Beach Atlantic University

■ Premiere International College

■ Purdue University, Indiana

■ Rasmussen College

■ Rider University, New Jersey

■ Ringling College of Art & Design

■ Rollins College

■ Savannah College of Art & Design, Georgia

■

Pennsylvania

■ Southeastern University

■ Stetson University

■ Temple University, Pennsylvania

■ The Salon Professional Academy

■ Troy University, Alabama

■ United States Coast Guard Academy, Connecticut

■ United States Military Academy, New York

■ Universal Technical Institute

■ The University of Alabama, Alabama

■ University of Central Florida

■ University of Connecticut, Connecticut

■ University of Florida

■ University of Kentucky, Kentucky

■ University of Maine, Maine

■ University of Miami

■ University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada

■ University of North Florida

■ University of Notre Dame, Indiana

■ University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

■ University of South Florida

■ University of Tampa

■ Valdosta State University, Georgia

■ Vanderbilt University, Tennessee

■ Western Carolina University, North Carolina

■ Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Massachusetts

■ Richmond American University, London, England

Fishing for reds good in inshore waters

As typical for the first week of September, it was hot, rained at some point each day and there were few anglers on the water

Redfish was the best thing going for anglers across inshore waters From schools of large 30-inch-plus fish to smaller fish in the keeper slot, redfish catches were reported in Matlacha Pass, Charlotte harbor, Pine Island Sound and around the passes

Anglers often found the best bite over the morning incoming water Best opportunities came fishing bar drop-offs and island points with good tide flow over the early stages of the incoming, then oyster bars and shorelines on the higher water Baits included live and cut

lures Redfish up to 34 inches were caught and released in upper Pine Island Sound

Many of the same island points and oyster bars yielding redfish also held snook and a few large seatrout up to 22 inches. Snook were also

wall of Charlotte Harbor and

passes A few juvenile tarpon were hooked off shorelines along Charlotte Harbor and Matlacha Pass as well

Seatrout action was good in mid Pine Island Sound, south of the fish shacks, however the majority are running under size Drifting with live or Gulp shrimp under a popping cork or casting shad tails worked for steady trout action plus ladyfish and a few Spanish mackerel

Gag grouper season has been shortened to only two weeks and this is the final week before closure Not sure why it’s been cut so short, but if you want to catch a gag for dinner you better act quickly This season closes on

Area Agency on Aging to host 2nd Annual Community Resource Fair Friday in Fort Myers

In an effort to connect older adults and adults with d

resources and services, the Area Agency on Aging for S

Community Resource Fair at its offices in Fort Myers. The free event is scheduled for Friday, Sept 13, from 10 a m to noon, at 2830 Winkler Ave , Suite 112, Fort Myers

Anticipated exhibitors that community members can engage with include Lee Health – providing free health screenings, Florida Power & Light – sharing information about lowering utility costs and Sam’s Club – providing membership opportunities

Door prizes will be raffled during the event and c o m m u n i t y

resources for living safely and independently

If you plan to attend, RSVP at https://app.smartsheet com/b/form/f2966b2ff13d469098aca771ebea 1910, or visit https://aaaswfl org/ for information

Exhibitor opportunities are still available; contact Sarah Gualco, Director of Programs and Planning at s ar ah gualco@aaas w fl org if your or ganization is interested in partnering with the Area Agency on Aging for SWFL for this event

The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida is a 501(c)(3) organization serving Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Sarasota counties AAASWFL has been operating for 45-plus years to provid e in formatio n and r eferrals , s cr eening and a s s e s s m e n t f o r l o n g - t e r m c a r e p r o g r a m s , a n d Medicare counseling More information is available b y v i s i t i n g t h e A A A S W F L w e b s i t e a t (www aaaswfl org) or by calling the Helpline: 866413-5337

finish in the annual Caloosa Catch and Release Tournament over the weekend

Sept 16

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

Have a safe week and good fishin’

As a lifetime resident of Matlacha and Pine Island,

around Pine Island and S o u t h w

fishing guide for the past 23 years

Capt Bill Russell has spent his

waters

Pine Island firefighters Tanner Peer and Sean Russ with a couple big redfish caught and released from a school in Pine Island Sound The largest measuring 34 inches helped for a third-place

Capt Bill Russell On the Water

Blessing of the Animals Oct. 5 at St. John's Episcopal Church

The Blessing of the Animals on Pine Island will be held Saturday, Oct 5, from 10 a m to noon at St John’s Episcopal Church.

Co-sponsors of the event are Fishers of Men Lutheran Church, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church, Pine

Elyssa

This is a free event, just bring your pet and join the fun

St. John’s Episcopal Church is at 7771 Stringfellow Road, St James City For more information, contact the church at 239-283-5439

Cat of the Week

This 8-year-old beauty is very much a princess She asked us to let you know that her beautiful calico coloring looks amazing in almost any setting Sitting next to you on the sofa, draped at the foot of your bed or with her fur dancing in the breeze through a window. Not only is she a stunning conversation piece, but she will even allow you to pet her. How generous! Her royal-ness asks that you not fight over her, just simply come and meet her She's sure to choose you as her companion For more information, call Helping Paws Animal

Parkway E, Unit D, St. James City, FL, 33956 or there’s always o

pawsanimalsanctuary.com.

What are the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecologic cancer in the United States, and it causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive

Disease Control & Prevention

There are no screening tests available and symptoms can be nonspecific or not present at all, resulting in the cancer often going undetected until advanced stages

A w a r e - n e s s M o n t h i n S e p t e m b e r , i t ’ s important to know what to look out for, check in regularly with your body and make an appointment with a physician if something feels abnormal

What are the ovaries and what is ovarian cancer?

The ovaries are almond-shaped organs in the female reproductive system that p

Ovarian cancer can be caused in three ways:

1 Ovarian epithelial cancer forms in the tissue covering the ovary, in the peritoneum (a thin, smooth tissue membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers most of the organs in the abdomen) or in the lining of the fallopian tube, which delivers eggs from the ovaries to the uterus

2 Ovarian germ cell tumors begin in t h e e g g s , w h i c h

New

reproductive cells that develop into eggs in females and sperm in males

3 Ovarian low malignant potential tumors start in the tissue covering the ovary Abnormal cells may be present that could become cancer, but this is usually not the case

All types of ovarian cancer are treated the same way. O

nonspecific symptoms, such

Dr Edward Grendys Lee Health

pain, but for some patients, no symptoms at all are experienced Since it can be difficult to diagnose and symptoms can seem vague or similar to common issues, it’s important to see a physician for regular checkups

If left untreated, ovarian cancer can spread to the abdomen, pelvis and other parts of the body, making it much more difficult to treat To make an appointment with a physician or to get more information, please visit www leehealth org

What are some potential symptoms of ovarian cancer?

The signs and symptoms of ovarian

school From page 1

ident, said, “We have an amazing group of families, and we're seeing growing interest from others as well I've personally witnessed the positive impact LPCA has had on my own children, and I'm thrilled that

this program is now available locally within our community "

Enrollment is still open, and parents are encouraged to visit the website to learn m

cancer can be difficult to detect. If you experience t h e f o l l o

p e r s i s

issues, it may help to let a doctor know about them if they are abnormal for you:

■ B

Clothes may feel tighter than normal

■ You feel full a lot quicker than normal or have trouble eating

■ Pain in your back, pelvis or abdomen

■ Urinating more frequently

■ Pain during sex

■ Unusual vaginal bleeding

■ Unexplained weight loss or gain

■ Unexplained fatigue

Are there risk factors for ovarian cancer?

It’s important to let your doctor know about a family history of ovarian cancer and to be aware of any inherited gene mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2

O t h e r r i s k

endometriosis and the use of hormone replacement therapy

Academy has to offer The school currently serves K-8 but has plans to expand into high school based on community demand

For more information or to enroll your child, contact 1-833-WeR-LPCA (5722)

A genetic blood test called the BRCA gene test can help determine if a patient has an inherited mutation When mutations in those genes develop, there’s an increased risk of breast, ovarian and other cancers BRCA stands for BReast CAncer gene About 3% of breast and 10% of o v

mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes

A positive or negative result can help determine a patient’s needs and health management The BRCA gene test can also help patients better understand their health A positive result does not diagnose any disease; it tells you if you carry the gene mutation that increases your risk A negative BRCA test doesn't guarantee you will not get cancer It means your risk is likely the same as the general population If you think you’re a candidate for the BRCA test or would like more information, make an appointment with your physician by visiting www leehealth org If you experience any potential ovarian cancer symptoms that aren’t normal for you and don’t go away after two weeks, please make an appointment with a physician as soon as possible

Dr Edward Grendys is a gynecologic oncologist with Lee Health

or via email at Elizabeth@lifeprepchristianacademy com

Join LPCA and become part of a growing community dedicated to preparing children for a bright and successful future!

JP Sports Collectibles in Cape Coral set to participate in Topps Hobby Rip Night Sept. 14

By CJ HADDAD

cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

A Cape Coral sports memorabilia and tradi card superstore is taking part in a global e next Saturday, with countless discounts, cials and free items for lovers of the hobby

JP Sports Cape Coral on Sept 14 is par pating in Topps Hobby Rip Night, sponso by Topps/Fanatics, with the aim to draw c lovers, kids and families closer to the hob they love, or have been wanting to explore

The all-day event from 10 a m to 8 p will see 15% discounts off all Topps hobb boxes, and 25% off all Topps single cards

There is also the chance that a speci guest appearance could be made by an ath lete

“We're extremely excited to be able to host this amazing event,” said JP Sports

s t o r e m a n a g e r J o n a t h a n P o w e l l “Collectors and customers of all ages get to enjoy an entire day of festivities This will be an event unlike any other in the history of JP Sports Collectibles Everyone will want to attend to be a part of the very social and global event ”

Anyone who purchases a Topps hobby or retail box is eligible for a free Topps Hobby Rip Night pack (one per customer) A raffle is taking place all day (for those who purchase a Topps product) with the prize including a JP Sports $100 gift card

Perhaps most fun of all, “Pack Wars” will go down from 6-7 p m , where free packs are given out all hour long For the first 30 minutes, JP

S p o r t s w i l l c o n d u c t T r i v i a Pack Wars, with the last 30 minutes being Classic Pack Wars

“For all those who haven't done Pack Wars before, it's a very fun and social activity to participate in,” Powell said “It will be fun for all ages ”

No matter what sport you collect, heading out to JP Sports or this event is an advantageous way for hobby lovers to experince discounted products, and a ood time

“ O n t h e c o l l e c t i n g s i d e o f ngs, hobby boxes don't go on e very often, so when they do, stomers can find some great ls and save a ton of money,” well said “For a customer who never been to a hobby shop, let e a superstore like JP Sports, will be blown away by not just nventory, but the passion that, ust the customers, but employees have for the hobby Shopping at a

JP Sports is very nostalgic for a lot of our customers who came in as children, and now sharing that experience with their children This event is bringing the community together for a common reason, and that's their love for collecting and the shop they've been going to for over 30 years ”

Rip Night is very much a social event, and JPs will be

Not only is Peace Day being planned as an event for everyone to enjoy, but Bennet and Czarneke said there is an accompanying message that goes along with it

“When we first started talking about having an event like this, we decided what we’d wanted to do was to draw like-minded people together and to create unity

active on social media all day along with Topps They are bringing in extra help all day long, with 4-8 p m anticipated to be the busiest time of the day

Powell said JPs partnership with the global brand has only strengthened over the years, as the superstore is a one-stop-shop for all Topps products

“I feel like our partnership with Topps has grown a significant amount over this past year,” he said. “We actually know our sales reps by name We see them in the store, have monthly meetings and you really get to know them and you feel their passion for the hobby They want the customers to have a great experience just like we do Topps really wants their accounts to succeed, and these events are such a great way to celebrate the shop through this event and share an experience with our customers on a level that hasn't been seen before ”

Powell added that what's great about this event is the fact that it can draw in those that have been collecting for decades, as well as those who have been thinking about joining the hobby. Rip Night could be a great way to become familiar with sports cards, especially Topps products

“It’s fun for both,” he said “The sales will bring in the seasoned card collectors and they can enjoy all the other extras that the day has to offer For first-time collectors, they will be blown away by not just the event but the store itself Our hope is that more people gain interest in collecting cards after the event concludes JP Sports has always been a great place to talk cards, sports and comics, and we don't want that ever to change ”

JP Sports will also be promoting its live breaks on TikTok, which are coming in October of this year.

For information on Topps Rip Night and JP Sports, visit www jpsports net or visit its social media pages

JP Sports Cape Coral is located at 2323 Del Prado Blvd , S , Suite #10, just north of the Veterans Memorial Parkway overpass

We want to draw people together who enjoy having a great time in a family centered way,” Bennet said

This year's International Peace Day theme, Czarneke said, is cultivating a culture of peace In keeping with that theme, she said, their desire is to leave all the politics, as well as everything horrific going on in the world, and give people a chance to come together to celebrate and create peace

“Peace starts at home, so if we are nurturing that and creating that then the ripple effect will spread,” Czarneke said

explained that there will be

scavenger hunt, arts and crafts, face painting

They also want to remind

where you are at noon, for everyone in the world, in local time zones, there will be a moment of silence

“

y across the world in this,” Bennet said.

The celebration will be held at the St James City

corner of Lemon Street and 4th Avenue

If anyone is willing to help with event set up the

Capt. Bill Russell

up until the time I started school. The first fish caught everyday got thrown in a bucket of water and that was my toy,” Russell said

Although he is a well known Pine Island charter fisherman now, Russell said he’s been most well-known for “Russells Texaco” gas station, his family’s 35-year business in Matlacha His family’s station is where he said he got to know all the commercial fisherman on Pine Island

“They all did business with us pretty much everybody on the island It was a very small island back then same size demographically but population-wise, it was very small back then,” Russell said

Looking back fondly on his island upbringing, Russell said, most islanders who have been here as long as he has would agree there has been a lot of change, and Pine Island is not the same as it once was It’s another case of not realizing what you have until it’s already

From page 1

changed, he said “Back when the commercial fishermen were strong it was such a cool time back then I never really thought about living anywhere else until the last few years just when I see the change in the water quality and population of everywhere else close by and what it’s doing to the environment around the island It was so pristine was I was growing up,” Russell said

He talked about a time, until the mid to late '80s, when Matlacha Pass was loaded with scallops In fact, his mother, he said, worked at Bradley’s, shucking scallops

The building of the Sanibel Causeway, he

Abortion amendment

choice were “heartbreaking” and “gutwrenching” as he cited personal religious feelings and said he expressed “empathy”

From page 5

for those he disagreed with

“This language is very broad It is very open to interpretation,” Hamman said “I

said, changed the waterflow and the scallops went away, although he said they were still in Pine Island Sound for a time

“Every once in a while there will be a population of scallops out here, but if they opened it to the public there would be a thousand boats out there and they’d be gone within 2 hours,” Russell said laughing

If asked to describe Pine Island to someone who lives somewhere else, he jokingly said he would tell them to stay away because it’s overcrowded and polluted and they should not waste their time by coming here Although Russell kids around about not wanting anyone else to

think voters need to be aware that this is something that deserved a second look ”

District 1 Commissioner Kevin Ruane said he was asked recently why the county commissioners were weighing in on the matter

“I think the language is far too vague,” Ruane said “It’s opposing the vagueness in the wording (of Amendment 4).”

D i s t r i c t 2 C o m m i s s i o n e r C e c i l

Pendergrass said he thinks Democrats were using “an emotional issue” through Amendment 4 “to drive people to the polls ”

District 3 Commissioner Ray Sandelli said he was personally “pro-life” and said the subject was personal in nature He said he has “taken back” when he was asked why the county commissioners were taking part in the vote

“In the end, this will be decided by all of us at election time,” Sandelli said “My constituency is all of Lee County whether it is a yes vote or a no vote ” Sandelli said he would not adopt the resolution

The commissioners voted 4-1 on the resolution, with Sandelli the lone dissenter.

A couple members of the public yelled at the commissioners after the vote that “You should be ashamed of yourselves It has nothing to do with voting and everything to do with controlling women and you know it ”

The ballot summary language has not been the only source of controversy

call his island home, he knows the reality is that since he’s come here, many others have and will His greatest wish, therefore has become, keeping the water and the environment clean

“I wish we would get the water quality issues resolved Don’t put greed over the environment, put the environment first I wish that we could turn back the clock some I wish that we could change some of the things that have happened in the past The commercial fishermen got a bad deal when I was growing up, that was who you idolized, who you looked up to the most on this island To turn and say they’re outlaws all of a sudden, just never sat well with me, but if we could do just anything, I would say, put the environment first this is not a Pine Island issue, but it’s become a Pine Island problem, because of development over the rest of Southwest Florida,” Russell said

Proponents of the amendment legally contested what they say is misleading and i n a c c u r a t e l a n g u a g e c o n c e r

amendment’s financial impact to the state.

The Florida Supreme Court ruled 6-1 that the language, revised by a state panel, could appear on the ballot

The Financial and State Budget Impact Statements reads: The proposed amendment would result in significantly more abortions and fewer live births per year in Florida The increase in abortions could be even greater if the amendment invalid a

those ensuring only licensed physicians perform abortions There is also uncertainty about whether the amendment will require the state to subsidize abortions with public funds Litigation to resolve those and other uncertainties will result in additional costs to the government and state courts that will negatively impact the state budget An increase in abortions may negatively affect the growth of state and local revenues over time Because the fiscal impact of increased abortions on state and local revenues and costs cannot be estimated with precision, the total impact of the proposed amendment is indeterminate THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF

FEMA extends direct housing program for Hurricane Ian survivors

LAKE MARY, Fla – Because of a shortage of affordable rental housing and delays in repair contrac-

Florida’s request to extend the federal direct housing program by six months

DeSoto, Hardee, Lee, Sarasota and Volusia counties now have until March 29, 2025 to complete their permanent housing plan, if they remain eligible

Those continuing to live in FEMA temporary housing units after Sept 29, 2024 must:

of so many people? Well, if a review committee decides to remove a book from a school, no child in that respective school district can access the book For example, when “The

■ Make timely rent payments;

■ Document their progress toward a permanent housing plan;

■ Work with their housing advisor for recertification at least every two weeks; and,

■ Follow health, safety, and other terms and conditions in the licensing agreement

Survivors will receive a letter from FEMA about their individual situation and can contact their housing advisor with any questions

Disaster case managers are also working one-on-one with survivors to support permanent housing plan com-

Hate U Give” was challenged and removed in Lee County, no public school student in any school in Lee County could acquire it through school This provision has galvanized people to speak out and caused a heated debate as the lines between free expression and parental rights are blurred. Why does one parent’s view dictate access to a book for thousands of children? Is this law promoting student well-being or hindering them from learning about important topics conducive to society at large? Why do most books that are removed contain similar themes, like gender identity, religion, racism, police brutality, offensive slurs or language, mental health struggles, substance abuse, suicide and sexual assault? Most importantly, how do we find a balance between individual and parental rights before the situation spirals out of control?

After researching, I see the rationale for its passage I also believe that amendments are necessary to streamline the process and ease existing tensions There is a way to enforce parental preferences for individual students parents can create a “red list” for their child, and only their child If parents challenge a book, it should be noted and placed on a red list for their child only When a student goes to check out books from the library or classrooms, teachers and librarians will know what books that students can and cannot check out This solution does not step on the toes of other parents who have different reading preferences for their children It also

pletion

Since Hurricane Ian, FEMA has provided temporary housing units for more than 1,300 displaced families in the state

Working with the Florida Division of Emergency Management and local partners, more than 80 percent of families have found a permanent home

For the latest information on Florida's recovery from Hurricane Ian, please visit floridadisaster org/info and fema gov/disaster/4673 Follow FEMA on X at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) and at facebook.com/fema.

eliminates the entire challenge process and its nuances (backlogging, nonparents submitting challenges, waiting periods, etc )

Finally, the state must ensure that an adequate number of trained media specialists are employed for each public school to handle the workload of vetting books It is critical to have the right number of resources to get this done in a timely manner

Since the implementation of HB1467, Florida has seen a dramatic rise in the number of books that have been challenged, sometimes for overt political purposes As a result, one measure (HB1285) was recently enacted to limit the number of book challenges a non-parent may make While both HB1467 and HB1285 have been portrayed by media sources in a biased, polarized manner, one must take the initiative to objectively investigate further, understand the true intent of the legislation and determine any shortcomings Only then can a suggestion like individual red lists come to fruition

Natasha Agarwal is a 17-year-old senior at Canterbury School and founder of BelieveNBooks, a nonprofit that distributes books to underprivileged children and teens in Southwest Florida She is the author of “Tales of African Women Trailblazers,” a book that explores successful historical figures through a collection of stories and illustrations to make the right to clean and healthy waters a fundamental right for every citizen of Florida With around 900,000 signatures needed to allow this petition to be o n t h e 2 0 2 6 b a l l o t , w e need lots of help!