Cape Coral Weekend Breeze

Hurricane Helene brings

Although Hurricane Helene did not have anywhere near the impact here that Hurricane Ian left behind, there were still lessons learned, Cape Coral officials said Wednesday

City Manager Mike Ilczyszyn said there are a number of takeaways from Hurricane Helene Historically, a state of emergency is

declared when winds hit 45 to 50 mph winds, he said

Storm surge, though, is a big factor

“We have never really had a good gauge of the level of storm surge of what forecast would trigger a local state of emergency A lot of it happened after dark and well after the timeframe expected impacts,” he said of the surge increasing all the way through 1 a m Friday

Cape Coral City Council approved a property tax rate of 5 2188 mills and a billion dollar budget during its rescheduled final budget hearing Wednesday night T

mills was included in the TRIM notice mailed to residents in August and was set at the first public hearing earlier this month This millage rate is 2 55% higher than the 5 0888 “roll-back rate,” the

received the same amount of revenue as last year

The tax rate for the voter-approved $ 6

bond also was approved with the rate set at 0 1791 mills

One mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of taxable assessed valuation Council also approved a total budget,

ments, of $1,058,403,269

The budget for city operations for Fiscal Year ’25 is $258,485,438 Budget highlights include the North

Sen. Rick Scott visits Fort Myers Beach

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

U S Sen Rick Scott visited Fort Myers Beach Sunday as part of a tour of counties throughout Florida hit by Hurricane Helene

In an interview with the Breeze Newspapers, the Florida Republican said he would be working with FEMA to get Fort Myers Beach aid to help with its ongoing stormwater drainage issues Scott said he is hopeful FEMA will provide the assistance Fort Myers Beach needs

“Fort Myers Beach has had consistent issues,” Scott said “You have businesses and families impacted by Ian, Debby and now Helene,” he said “Clearly, more investment is needed to make sure we have better drainage ”

Scott said he would be working with FEMA to come up with more funding for mitigation assistance, and for housing and the Small Business Administration loan program

Scott said there are also programs offered by the U S Army Corps of Engineers Fort Myers Beach that the town could tap into to build dune systems and rebuild dunes that have been lost Scott said he would be working on making sure the federal agencies had the resources to help commu-

U S Sen Rick Scott visits Fort Myers Beach Sunday and says he will work with FEMA to get the town aid to help with its ongoing stormwater drainage issues Fort Myers Beach was hard-hit by Hurricane Ian two years ago and flooded again due to storm surge from Hurricane Helene.

nities recover from Hurricane Helene

Scott met with Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, Congressman Byron Donalds, Fort Myers Beach Mayor

Dan Allers, Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt and other local officials during his tour or Fort Myers Beach

Sunday “This was just a devastating storm for our state,” Scott said

“While Hurricane Helene made landfall hundreds of miles north of Lee County in the Big Bend, communities here still experienced feet of devastating storm surge that caused significant damage to homes and businesses,” Scott said “Many folks are still recovering from Hurricane Ian and Helene has only made that work more difficult ”

During a press conference Sunday on Fort Myers Beach, Scott spoke about how many storms have been hitting Florida in recent years

“We all watched, and we said ‘Oh it’s a category 1 that doesn’t sound very bad and now it’s a category 3 ’ It’s really not the categories anymore The wind is not what’s killing us. It’s the water that’s killing us It just comes in a wave,” Scott said Scott also said Fort Myers Beach was “resilient” and that it was important for local restaurants and tourist spots to continue getting tourists back to protect jobs

“My heart goes out to all the Floridians impacted by this storm and I’m working every day with local, state, and federal partners, like FEMA and the Small Business Administration to coordinate resources and direct assistance to those in need,” Scott said “Floridians are resilient, and while so many families are facing unimaginable loss, I will stand alongside them every step of the way as they recover, and I will fight for every federal resource they need to do so ” Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, who spoke at a press conference on Fort Myers Beach with

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF RICK SCOTT

CAPE CORAL BREE ZE

RAYMOND M. ECKENRODE Publisher

VALARIE HARRING, Executive Editor

CHRIS STRINE, Editor

2510 Del Prado Blvd • Cape Coral, FL, 33904

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

Member Florida Press Association

Lessons learned?

Bad memories of the past marked the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Ian here in Southwest Florida Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Captiva, Pine Island and Matlacha all saw inundating storm surge again with Fort Myers and the Cape seeing flooding as well as Hurricane Helene raced off Florida’s Gulf Coast to make landfall in the Big Bend community of Perry as a devastating category 4 storm.

Locally, homes and streets took on water while sand, muck and mire filled coastal roadways, yards and pools more heartbreak for those of us, residents and businesses alike, who have rebuilt or are in the process still

Regionally, Helene became the deadliest storm since Hurricane Katrina, wreaking havoc though six southeastern states from Florida up through Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee and parts of Virginia with a death toll exceeding 200 as of press time and hundreds of individuals still unaccounted for

Whole towns are gone Entire families are missing

Damage is expected to top $35 billion.

We, as a community, can say with heart that we feel their pain, share their loss, and that we stand behind them as they mourn, recover and rebuild

May the post-storm challenges Southwest Floridians experienced in the wake of Hurricane Ian be lessons learned so the structural and material recovery efforts, at the least, not be a second wave of trauma for those who saw homes, businesses and the efforts a lifetime swept away

First, federal funds, yes, and that includes the votes of conservatives in the House and Senate as efforts move from the approved disaster aid and cost-share commitment under way to protracted recovery relief Recovery is a bipartisan mandate

Two, mandates for expedited claims processing and appeals as well as a call for a paradigm change at the national level to assure comprehensive coverage for natural disasters of all kinds is long overdue Make it happen

Two years after Ian, too many Southwest Floridans are still waiting to be made whole and too many are now paying insurance premiums that have tripled or more for coverage that, well, may pay pennies on the dollar for the “next time” that is now

Three, in conjunction with addressing national disaster coverage, there needs to be an overhaul of national flood insurance policies, a program under the auspices of the Federal Emergency Management Agency

See EDITORIAL, page 7

Climate, wetlands, and the right to clean and healthy waters

I live on Southwest 1st Court in Cape Coral, in a house built in 1967 Back then, few people worried or even knew about climate change Those days are gone

Hurricane Ian, supercharged by global warming, inflicted $120,000 of damage upon my house, mostly by storm surge, and my home and flood insurance premiums currently totaling $9,700 reflect future risk

Climate change now impacts our daily lives, and combatting it isn’t just about fossil fuels

When it comes to mitigating the causes and effects of our climate crisis, water is a “superpower ” The final declaration of the United Nations climate conference known as COP27 recognized “the critical role of protecting, conserving and restoring water and water-related ecosystems in delivering climate adaptation benefits and cobenefits ”

Regarding the sequestration and storage of carbon, coastal wetlands such as many Cape Coral, Sanibel, and other Lee County residents are fortunate to have are powerhouses

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

reports that “mangroves and coastal wetlands annually sequester carbon at a rate ten times greater than mature tropical forests and, according to Economist Impact, fifty-five times faster than tropical forests They also store three to five times more carbon per equivalent area than tropical forests.”

Thus, Florida’s important means of reducing greenhouse gases and mitigating the effects of climate change worsening floods, storm surge, saltwater intrusion is its wetlands, especially its coastal wetlands

The flipside of this is that when wetlands are destroyed, not only do we lose their important sequestration and storage capabilities, but the carbon they have long stored is released and adds to greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere, exacerbating our climate crisis

Wetlands provide irreplaceable local benefits, too

A Nature Conservancy-funded study showed that annually, across multiple storms, Florida’s mangroves reduce flood damages by 25 5% to properties behind them During Hurricane Irma, more than 626,000 people living behind

See GUEST COMMENTARY, page 7

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Lear n where Cape Council candidates stand on environmental issues

To the editor:

If you ask area residents what they love about Cape Coral, many will say it’s the wildlife and beautiful outdoors. Conservation of open space for recreation and wildlife are extremely important to the Cape Coral community, as expanding development is pushing out what little green space is left The burrowing owls, gopher tortoises, bald eagles and their habitat must be protected now before they are gone from Cape Coral forever Some species, such as the Florida scrub jay, have already been eradicated here

The environmental future of the Cape Coral will be highly impacted by the outcome of the November elections in which five city council seats are up for grabs Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife and Cape Coral Wildlife Trust hosted a candidates forum on Monday, Sept 23, focusing on environmental issues, and the recording of that event is now available for viewing on the CCFW website (https://ccfriendsofwildlife org/programs/city-council-candidate-forum/) Voters who were not able to participate are strongly encouraged to view the recording to learn about the candidates’ stance on greenspace and the wildlife

All 10 candidates running for Cape Coral City Council in the Nov 5, 2024 election participated They had the opportunity to introduce themselves and respond to three questions posed by the moderator on environmental issues in Cape Coral Candidates were asked for their viewpoints on potential development of land south of Rotary Park known as “Redfish Pointe,” future use of the old golf course, and ways to protect threatened species in Cape Coral The discussion was spirited and provided excellent insight into the hopefuls’ platforms CCFW encourages all voters to take a few minutes to watch the recording and learn the candidates’ viewpoints on the environment Every election presents a unique opportunity to shape policies that affect our environmental issues Please take this responsibility seriously the future of our wildlife depends on making our voices heard at the ballot box! Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife is an all-volunteer organization whose mission is to preserve and enhance the habitats of protected wildlife species and to educate the community about Cape Coral’s wildlife resources If you are interested in donating to support Cape Coral’s wildlife, joining or volunteering, please visit our website ccfriendsofwildlife org or call 239 980-2593

Janet Windisch

Corresponding Secretary Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife

Flooding issues should take priority

To the editor:

The city of Cape Coral Stormwater Model Draft Final Report 2015 is the template for stormwater management and the actions needed to control flooding in the Cape I have requested data from the city about what the city has accomplished year by year since 2015 but only received information about last year from the city’s professional communications staff I was told that 10% of the catch basins were rehabbed last year

We have real flooding issues that deserve attention NOW Backflow valves have been installed on some storm sewer outfalls and more could help stop water backing up from the canals into the streets Why is money not being spent on this immediate need? The roads around my house flood because of water coming out of the catch basins, not from overtopping of seawalls

We have an approaching election. I have interviewed the candidates extensively at several of the meet and greets and only one, Joe Kilraine, has the knowledge and expertise in understanding how these civil engineering projects work He has project management experience that would be helpful in setting timelines so that the city moves beyond the endless studies and into a detailed action plan with a firm finish date I have read several opinions about the different candidates Everyone has their own goals, desires and objectives It’s wonderful that the candidates are nice people, have lived here a long time, or moved their neighbor’s trash cans but we need actual management and engineering experience in order to move the needle on what needs to be done I am convinced Joe Kilraine, self funded, not beholden to real estate developers, loan officers or political parties will move the board and city management in a direction that aligns with the average Cape Coral resident

Let’s get at least one council member on board that can help stop the flooding J. Caplin Cape Coral

Vote for fresh faces

To the editor:

For the Lee County Commission seat for District 5 vote for Kizzie Fowler. She will bring a fresh new way at looking at the same legislation the good old boys on the commission voted for time and time again, year after year and the voters be darned She will not pave over Lee County’s green spaces Kizzie will fight for clean water, affordable housing, and lower taxes Of course, she will see to it that women will get

Joseph Bonasia Guest Commentary

SWFL nonprofit outscores all Responsible Fatherhood Initiative Grant awardees and is denied by DCF

After the Department of Children & Families (DCF) in Tallahassee inexplicably removed Lee and Collier counties from their own list of counties available for fatherhood social services grants available by competition under HB 7065, Single Dads Outreach, Corp, a Florida nonprofit and 501c3, applied for neighboring Charlotte and Hendry counties Single Dads Outreach has been active since the COVID reopening in Lee and Collier counties trying to engage and support single custodial fathers

Fortunately, a grant was awarded to Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, headquartered in Tallahassee; not Southwest Florida, for Hendry County HB 7065 was unanimously approved by the Florida Legislature in 2022 to encourage local, grassroots and community-based efforts Why are local efforts being passed over in favor of dis-

tant management and directors?

There was a high quality, local applicant

What is even more mind boggling is that the legislature in its passage of HB7065 wanted special emphasis placed on a “targeted population ” These are fathers immersed in the law enforcement, corrections, probation, family court and social welfare systems Single Dads Outreach was the only applicant for Charlotte County, which interestingly enough is home to a county jail and a state penitentiary, prepared to offer assistance and services Yet, in spite of their Southwest Florida proximity, highest grant application score statewide,

Guest

Commentary

From page 4

all their rights in all areas of their spectrum of life Make history Vote for a sincere dedicated candidate that will do the people proud

Cape Coral voters also will decide five city races and may vote for a candidate in each district

For Cape Coral City Council vote for these fresh new faces to get on the board:

Joseph Kilraine, District 5, is running on a transparency platform. He wants to know what the electorate wants and that is his mission to get that done He is one of many that is the smartest running for office He was an engineer and has the skills to work with the city to stop the flooding in the Cape so hopefully our flood water and household insurance will go down He is all for green space in Jaycee Park and the old golf course, tells us, leave it as it is with just a couple of minor improvements which will not hurt the wildlife

Rachel Kaduk, District 7, is of a younger generation than many of the rest running for office She also exudes transparency and intently listens to the people and helps them doing their bidding She is for the environment and more land for wildlife A wonderful candidate that will do wonders for our fair city We need younger representatives in government She has an interesting convincing way She is ours

Laurie Lehmann, District 2, is for the people, of the people, by the people so help me God She wants to stop the project of Jaycee Park in its entirety Right now According to her, the majority of the voters, no one, wanted these changes to the park no matter where they lived Especially the people that use the park daily She wants to see a park for the usual users and a park where the children will have a beautiful play area that will not infringe on the rest of the park She will listen to the electorate on all issues that comes before her and support that majority when it comes to other issues

Jenifer Nelson, District 4, has been on the council before. She helped the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife to get money to pay the UEP fees when we bought lots with wild animals on them She supports green spaces and will do so in the future She did very well in her other term Caring about all the people’s wishes Looking to reduce taxes and saving tax money was her way on the council

Deborah Lee McCormick, District 3, is my all- time burrowing owl favorite candidate She uses a picture of a burrowing owl on her campaign literature This really says all that you need to know on Deborah She is an avid protector of the Earth and wildlife Like all that are running she said she would rely on what the people wanted, not what she wanted She had a very emotionally-charged way about her that I immediately knew she would do what she says about city legislation that comes before her The people rule

A quick note: I have heard these candidates speak twice The ones I have chosen really impressed me on all the aspects of how they would conduct themselves on all types of city legislation that comes before them, not just on the environment They all are very sincere and transparent as to how they will pass or not pass on all the items they need to vote on according to what I thought they said

This is my interpretation only It has nothing to do with the many organizations I belong to

Carl Veaux

Cape Coral

favorable reception from the jail and prison administrations and being the only Responsible Fatherhood Initiative applicant for Charlotte County, Single Dads Outreach was denied by DCF Tallahassee

For the time being, there will be no fatherhood services in Charlotte County

The United States leads the world in fatherless homes. Russia, which is second, is not even close Southwest Florida is not exempt from this embarrassing phenomenon This is an “All Hands on Deck!” issue including fathers It is the children that suffer along with society which may

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

‘No’ vote on Amendment 4 not enough, send anti-rights candidates packing

To the editor:

It’s not enough to vote for Amendment 4; we also must vote against the politicians who made Amendment 4 necessary Rick Scott and Byron Donalds both support Florida’s six-week abortion ban and, if given the chance, would no doubt support a federal ban

Donald Trump was the architect behind the overturning of Roe v Wade (he brags about this) Trump says the issue should be decided at the state level, but make no mistake, the anti-abortion forces that support Trump will demand he sign a federal ban if he wins the election

The potential consequences of this election cannot be overstated. According to Project 2025, the far-right plan to remake America according to Christian nationalist ideology, banning abortion is just the first step There is a provision in the plan that states a person is created at the moment of conception Therefore, under a federal abortion ban, there would be no exceptions for rape or incest Contraception and IVF would be next in the crosshairs

We have to stand together on this issue and for some voters that’s going to mean crossing party lines where the candidates are concerned Rick Scott is truly dangerous, and I don’t know why we keep electing him He’s the GOP point man for sunsetting Social Security He votes against all bills that would help working families But when the election rolls around, he casts himself as a mainstream Republican family values guy and pours millions of his own money into campaign ads

It’s not enough to vote for Amendment 4; we have to make sure Project 2025 never comes to fruition

Ray Clasen North Fort Myers

Another teachable moment

To the editor:

“Hurricane Ian was a teachable moment for Floridians But we don't seem to have learned all we should have ” So said Joseph Bonasia in his recent Letter to the Editor

At the time of writing that letter, Hurricane Helene had not arrived, but those words need to be heard again We have another teachable moment but are we going to pay attention?

This time the destruction wasn’t just local, in fact our area fared reasonably well but still the storm surge was significant The environmental havoc wreaked by Helene is going to be enormous, not to mention loss of lives, and the effects reach far up the eastern coastal region of the U S If Ian didn't convince you we need to confront climate change, hopefully Helene will

If you would like to learn how taking care of our wetlands and waters can mitigate climate crises, and how the Right to Clean water amendment can help us protect our waters, please attend the Wetlands and Climate Panel on Oct 8 at the Cape Coral Library, 921 S W 39th Terrace from 6-7 p m There will be excellent speakers from four climate/water organizations to help you understand the climate crisis and what we can do

Mary Tracy Sigman Fort Myers

be harmed and unrealistically, needlessly overburdened Only fathers, families, neighbors and local communities can favorably affect this dilemma, not more bureaucracy Single Dads Outreach, Corp is presently, petitioning the Florida Legislature’s Subcommittee on Children, Families & Seniors to take DCF to task This issue demands a bold and new approach DCF must explain how their unfair, unjust, and irrational decisions meet the intent and spirit of the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative DCF should read the enacting legislation, HB 7065, mandated by those that stand for the citizens primarily and not state bureaucracies

Joshua Krakow is the Active Dads Administrator for Single Dads Outreach, Corp He and his team prepared this guest commentary

No mas Senator Scott

To the editor:

Vote for Debbie Mucarsel-Powell A 53-years-young legal immigrant She came to this country the right way: legally She’s an experienced Florida legislator, clear in her message that she is pro-middle class workers and families, pro-choice, pro-gun safety laws, pro-sustainable

medicare/medicaid collaborative funding from the federal government

Finding supporters for Sen Rick Scott is challenging Amongst Republicans 24% and Democrats 74%, disapprove of his job as senator Women disapprove at 52% Voters under 35 disapprove at 57% When asked, what has he done for middle-class Floridians as U.S. Senator? Nothing is a common answer During his tenure as governor and senator Florida housing and related prices have skyrocketed from among the most to the least affordable places to live in the country His positions on abortion blow with the wind His anti-environmental policies are legendary amongst Florida state employees who were warned not to type or speak any words related to the environment, global warming or climate change when he was governor He’s the prototypical pro-corporation, prowealthy, pro-guns at all costs, anti-choice, anti-environment MAGA follower His proposed bill to sunset all federal legislation after five years could end Medicare and Social Security. He re-wrote the bill AFTER considerable blowback from voters Oversight? Or a trial balloon? If the Republicans take the U S Senate his focus will be to become speaker Thanks for the memories Florida

Ask yourself, which candidate is more concerned about everyday people versus their own ambitions

Peter Karastamatis Fort Myers

Freedom for my granddaughter

To the editor:

I want freedom for my granddaughter to receive reproductive care. If she needs to receive care and surgery for a miscarriage and severe bleeding because products of conception were not fully expelled, I want this surgery done without retaliation This surgery is called a D&C (Dilation and curettage)

As a grandparent I do not need this care as much as my granddaughter does

Many religious leaders often cite their faith and morals beliefs The letters that are written to their congregations contain their belief that life begins with conception and that abortion is morally wrong However, there are also many religious leaders who support the woman’s right to choose and advocate for reproductive rights, emphasizing compassion and the importance of the individual conscience There is a large division with religious communities that reflect social debates about reproductive rights

Vote Vote Yes on Amendment 4

Vote Vote by mail

A quote for Kamala Harris: “Let me be clear: A woman’s right to make decisions about her own body is her own It does not interfere with your religion ” Kathleen Callard, RNBS North Fort Myers

Joshua Krakow

Guest Commentary: Learn more at clean waters program on Oct.8

From page 4

mangrove forests saw reduced flooding and mangroves averted $1 5 billion in surge-related flood damages to properties

Finally, wetlands, of course, also offer valuable water filtration services, shoreline erosion protection, and serve as crucial fish and wildlife habitat, all profoundly important to Floridians

Unfortunately, even though Florida has already lost 9 3 million acres, reckless development continues to swallow up more wetlands Developers, with the aid of our state government that passes atrocious laws like 2023’s “sprawl law,” will not stop unless we stop them

There are hundreds of acres of mixed wetlands and uplands, mostly wetlands, directly south of Rotary Park Southwest 1st Court forms their eastern border. Knowing that Cape Coral is one of nine cities most at risk from future storms, community residents

want as much storm protection and flood mitigation as we can get, and those wetlands provide it

But they are under threat of development as the property owner continues to seek an amendment to the city’s comprehensive plan changing the current zoning of their property from “Preserve” to “Mixed Use” despite strong opposition from a concerned community

City department heads bear out those concerns “With the looming threat of sea level rise and climate change,” one has stated, “I don’t believe it would be good for community climate change resiliency policy to continue permitting developments close to high hazard zones next to water ”

“Removal of mangroves,” says another, “would weaken the buffering capacity of the mangrove area which protects the city against storms ”

But department heads don’t make the final decision, and if our current or a future city

council changes the zoning of this property, and if the Army Corp of Engineers issues a 404 permit, there is little if anything the community can do to stop this climate-blind Redfish Pointe development

By failing to protect our wetlands, we undermine our ability to confront a crisis that poses such an enormous threat to Floridians

This is where a proposed “Right to Clean and Healthy Waters” State Constitutional Amendment can be of crucial help

When it comes to wetlands, both local governments and the Army Corp of Engineers work with state agencies Because the amendment enables us to hold agencies accountable for harm or threatened harm to our aquatic ecosystems, with this fundamental right we could protect Florida’s wetlands when other means fail. The amendment language specifically addresses “aquatic ecosystem services including carbon storage, water filtration, and risk mitigation for drought, erosion, and floods ”

Other states have environmental rights enshrined in their constitutions We need this right in ours More than two hundred organizations and businesses throughout the state agree, including Calusa Waterkeeper, Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation, SWFL Conservancy, Friends of the Everglades, VoteWater, Florida Sportsman, and the League of Women Voters

But they can’t place the amendment on the ballot for voters to vote on, and our legislature won’t, so it’s up to us

Attend “Climate, wetlands, and the right to clean and healthy waters,” Oct 8, 6-7 p m , at Cape Coral Public Library to learn more about all of the above

Joseph Bonasia is operations and communications director for FloridaRightToCleanWater org Voters can sign the petition at FloridaRightToCleanWater org

Editorial: Damage from Hurricane Helene? Pull a permit

From page 4

Politico has reported that among the states that have experienced the worst flooding in their history, fewer than 1% of homes and businesses have insurance through the national program Flood risk was perceived to be minimal, though, as we as a county have now learned, not non-existent

Bringing in more low-risk policy holders with low-cost polices will make premiums more affordable for everyone who wants one

One more, wholly at the local level

As those of us who repaired or rebuilt in the wake of Hurricane Ian so painfully learned, FEMA enforces its rules and regulations and it does so to the standards it sets FEMA plies the honed hook of its flood

insurance discounts and can and will yank it back hard if it believes its regulations have been abridged

Local governments, including Lee County, Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel are urging strongly urging that permits be obtained before any repairs necessitated by Hurricane Helene are made

This is particularly important for all properties within FEMA’s Special Flood Hazard Area

That’s most, if not all, of those damaged Submission of a Substantial Improvement/Substantial Damage application is also required

Cape Coral property owners who experienced water intrusion or sustained wind dam-

age are encouraged to contact the city’s Development Services Department for guidance on permits and repair requirements

Property owners are asked to send an email to flood@capecoral gov “as soon as possible ”

Lee County Government is reminding residents in unincorporated areas to pull permits for repairs as well, stressing “This is particularly important for unincorporated residents in coastal areas, along rivers and in areas that typically flood during weather events ”

Those whose properties incurred water intrusion or other damage are urged to email FIRMinfo@leegov com for assistance with permit requirements and resources Provide contact information, property address, type of damage and the height of the water that

entered the home Permits for hurricane damage are being prioritized for review

Summed up succinctly, when in doubt, reach out Pull a permit Do the paperwork

Lastly, donations especially cash can make a big difference in a lot of lives

State disaster funds like the Florida Relief Fund are actively channeling donations where needed.

FEMA recommends checking nvoad org

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster for other vetted groups or charities The site can be searched by the state you would like to specifically assist

If you can, even a small donation can help

Breeze editorial

Cape Council considers new regulations, options, for self-storage facilities

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewpapers com

Cape Coral City Council discussed citywide “allowances” for storage facilities as well as allowing opportunities for the storage of boats, RVs and trailers Wednesday

The discussion came in the wake of the moratorium ordinance that was passed in April and expires in January

Anthony Santora, senior planner for the city, said currently, the uses are permitted with standards within commercial, industrial, and commercial corridor The ordinance creates a new section specific to conditional uses, he said

Councilmember Keith Long questioned conditional use

Santora said conditional use is to make sure specific requirements outlined in the conditional use section such as buffering requirements, area requirements, locational requirements are met as part of the process of getting a permit

Long said, in other words, it is done on a case-by-case basis He said the fluidity of conditional use addresses them on a sitespecific basis for scenarios that are not contemplated by the code

Councilmember Robert Welsh said that conditional use is what they are going for, but to put these other restrictions on it, is what he was trying to avoid

“Alleviate some of the excess restrictions, so we can be more conditional to site specific things,” he said

As proposed, self-storage facilities would collectively be limited to a citywide maximum of 10 square feet per resident, which Santora said is the upper end for the State of Florida He said the number is between 5 to 10 square feet

The current allowance based on population provides for 2 13 million square feet

The existing square footage that is either built or pending is 3 10 million square feet

The allowance, based on the max population of 375,000, would be 3 75 million square feet citywide

Santora said the estimates must come from BEBR, and the city, which will track what is permitted

A new section also was created in the land development code for specific regulations for self-service storage facilities

Those include limitations; locational requirements one mile separation and 500 feet away from major intersections; enclosure required; mixed use inclusion; building and site aesthetics; perimeter landscaping; outdoor storage and display; hours of access and prohibitions

Councilmember Tom Hayden said when the city initially had its discussions about self-storage facilities, it revolved around where they would be located.

“We haven’t talked much of that except for the 500 feet circle We are still giving up frontage on major roads for storage facilities,” he said, adding the city needs to preserve that commercial space

Enclosed buildings are also required for self-storage

There are also mixed-use inclusions in the code for those integrated vertical mixed-use developments There are four areas that must be met Those include it must predominately front directly along and towards the adjacent rights-of-way and no storage unit or area may occupy any area of the ground level

As proposed, self-storage facilities would collectively be limited to a citywide maximum of 10 square feet per resident, which city staff said is the upper end for the State of Florida

Site aesthetics should include such things as having an appearance of a multifloor structure and parking areas and loading and unloading zones shall be oriented away from residential districts and right of way

Welsh said both the car wash moratorium and self-storage facilities went before the Planning and Zoning Commission Wednesday and were both denied

“They went back and forth and talked about different ideas on how to make this work for the city Ultimately, it came to a denial of both of these for the commission,” he said.

BJM Consulting, Inc President Joe Mazurkiewicz said he is very supportive of the conditional use He said it is a good change and he supports most of the conditions staff put together

Again, he said with the one-mile separation and 500 feet away from major intersections will create winners and losers

Mazurkiewicz also said the 10 feet per resident is a good number that the industry can live with

Some Council members brought up the ability to store RV, boats and trailers at the self-storage facilities

“I would like to talk maybe of rewriting this to allow interior storage for RV and trailers,” Welsh said “We don’t have any of that within the city ”

Councilmember Richard Carr agreed that the city is very restrictive of where and what residents can park on their property

“Some language that would permit that would be appropriate in my opinion,” he said of allowing the parking of these vehicles on the sites

Councilmember Bill Steinke said they have to provide storage opportunities for boats and trailers He said to encourage an investor to build a project like that visibly pleasing would be awesome

Currently, parking boats and trailers, is only permissible in the industrial district

“I would like to learn more of this topic,” Councilmember Dan Sheppard said, as there is a crisis in the city of finding a place to put boats and trailers that is acceptable in the community

Council also discussed offering an amenity of rentals vehicles to help the customers bring their items to their rental unit

“To allow rental out of storage units, or to add a totally different type of storage facility, we can address that type of facility as a whole section,” City Manager Mike Ilczyszyn said

Welsh said if the actual rental facility offers it, he’s fine with it, but not an additional business that offers the service

Ilczyszyn said if they are talking more about a service that the principal business is offering to its tenant similar to selling boxes or a lock, he wants to make sure it is within the code

The second and final public hearing on the proposed ordinance will be held on Oct 16 in Council Chambers at City Hall, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd

Cape Council considers new regulations for car washes

Proposed revisions to regulations for car wash facilities definition, conditional uses permissible in select districts

Cape Coral City Council during a first public hearing Wednesday

Anthony Santora, senior planner, said the discussion comes as a result of the moratorium ordinance that was passed in by Council in April The moratorium expires in January

Revisions include defining a car wash facility, making them a conditional use in specific districts and provides for new conditional use requirements

The proposed definition of car wash removes current ambiguity, covers both a standalone structure, and integrated structures, as well as covering auto facilities and self-service facilities

The definition has been revised to state “car wash facility, is a temporary or permanent area or structure which is used for the placemaking exterior and/or interior washing and cleaning of automobiles and other motorized vehicles Such a f a c

encompasses both self-service and full-

structed stand-alone structure(s), accessory uses and structures, and integrated uses as part of a mixed-use site or structure ”

The revised districts permitted as con-

Proposed location requirements include a minimum separation distance between uses of one mile, only permitted on parcels which have primary frontage on minor collectors, major collectors, minor arterial, major arterial and principal arterial roadways The facilities shall also be located at least 500 feet away from any major intersection involving any combination of collector and or arterial roadways.

commercial corridor

There also is a new section that lays out specific regulations for car washes

The section includes applicability and

enclosure requirements and exceptions; residential adjacency requirements; landscape screening requirements; outdoor signage and display prohibitions; hours of operation limitations; noise mitigation requirements; water recycling requirements and general prohibitions

include a minimum separation distance between uses of one mile, only permitted on parcels which have primary frontage on minor collectors, major collectors, minor arterial, major arterial and principal arterial roadways The facilities shall also be located at least 500 feet away from any major intersection involving any combination of collector and or arterial roadways

There are specific exemptions regard-

ing applicability, which primarily stem around those facilities that are accessory to a primary use

In addition, all the systems and equipment an ancillary or accessory to the operation of the facility must be completely within an enclosed building

designed vacuum facilities are permitted to have apertures, nozzles and piping associated with servicing of a vehicle exposed

The proposed changes also specify car wash facilities that are adjacent to residential zoning, or use In this circums

screening Equipment and uses must also be oriented away from the residential district/use.

There are also landscape screening requirements to help mitigate the visual impact

both the car wash moratorium and self-

Wednesday and were both denied

“They went back and forth and talked about different ideas on how to make this work for the city Ultimately, it came to a denial of both of these for the commission,” he said

BJM Consulting, Inc President Joe Mazurkiewicz said he really appreciates and agrees with staff recommendations With that said, he had issues with the distance separation of one mile between uses.

“The distance separation of one mile, you are picking winners and losers,” he said

Mazurkiewicz also had an issue with additional screening He said if the city does not inspect it, it does not work

“We used to have annual inspection, then gave up,” Mazurkiewicz said He said the city has to do something that is not going to be an administrative nightmare A

carwash that is at the end of canal, staff is looking further into language that covers the buffer whether it is abutting residential area, or real property that is residential

If the ordinance is passed at the second hearing, the moratorium seizes The second and final public hearing on the proposed ordinance will be held on Oct 16 in Council Chambers at City Hall, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd

City of Cape Coral to hold Water Conservation Town Hall on Monday

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

The city of Cape Coral will host a Water Conservation Town Hall Monday with various topics

City Manager Mike Ilczyszyn said the town hall is being held in an effort to continue to get education out to residents and businesses regarding water conservation

There will be brief presentations, as well as questions and answers in breakout sessions

The topics to be discussed include soil sensors and smart controllers, how to qualify for a $500 rebate, irrigation schedule variance for smart sensors, current irrigation schedule, water quality and how to prepare for the dry season

The town hall will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, in City Council Chambers, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd It will also be available through live broadcast on CCTV or www CapeCoral gov

If You Go:

What:

Water Conservation Town Hall

When: Monday, Oct 7, from 5:30 to 6:30 p m

Where:

City Council Chambers, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd

More information: For more information visit www CapeCoral gov

Fort Myers woman charged with grand theft, false bill of sale

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

A Fort Myers woman was arrested in Cape Coral Wednesday after she allegedly tried to sell a boat and trailer at a Cape home that did not belong to her Diana Morgenthal, 32, was charged with one count of grand theft, trespass after warning, falsifying a bill of sale on a vehicle, and falsifying a bill of sale on a vessel

Cape Coral Police Department offic i a l s s a i d j u s t b e f o r e 5 : 3 0 p m W e d n e s d a y , o f f i c e r s r e s p o n d e d t o a home on Everest Parkway for a trespass issue.

When they arrived, police officials stated they saw Morgenthal in the side

yard of the home, standing next to a boat in the backyard Morgenthal was previously issued a trespass warning at the same home, police added “Officers discovered Morgenthal created a Facebook Marketplace listing for an aluminum boat and trailer for sale for $ 5 0 0 , ” C C P D o f f i c i a l s s t a t e d i n a release “Morgenthal organized a buyer to come and look at the boat That potential ‘buyer’ was on the property when officers arrived. Neither the boat nor trailer belonged to Morgenthal and thus was not hers to sell She additionally falsified a signed bill of sale, forging the owner’s signature "

p o k e with the actual owner of the boat, who told them Morgenthal was never given permission to sell the boat or trailer, and w a s

from the residence on an earlier occasion.

T

$600, and the trailer $600, according to police

M

Thursday afternoon is still in custody at Lee County Jail, being held on a total bond of $18,000

Haitian Heritage Scholarship Gala returns; tickets available

n

T

Scholarship Gala will return for the sixth year this month to raise funds for deserving senior students

The gala will be held Oct 28 at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater

The cocktail hour, as well as doors opening, will begin at 5 p m , followed by a buffet dinner from 6 to 7:30 p m The program will be held from 7:30 to 9:30 p m

“Many local Haitian-Americans look forward to this event as a way to recogn

Scholarship Chair Betsy Vaughn said “In addition to providing a fun evening, the Gala is the Haitian American Community Coalition’s major fund-raising event for our annual scholarships for Lee County graduating high school seniors of Haitian heritage who will be pursuing post-secondary education Part of HACC’s mission is to ensure that all children are provided the tools for academic success and that they have the opportunity to pursue post-secondary education,”

Vaughn said the gala includes media sponsor Lee Pitts Lee Pitts Live conducting interviews with guests; media s p o n s o r P C B N P e y k o C o m m u n i t y Broadcasting interviews; vendors; 50/50 drawing; tickets for a chance to win various prize baskets and free picture booth pictures

T h e g a l a a l s o w i l l i n c l u d e s p e c i a l guest Harmonik, a popular Haitian band, which has been “bringing the rhythm of Haiti to the world for 15 years and counting ”

I

awarded more than $30,000 to 26 Lee County students, Vaughn said

T

e

e

$1,500 scholarships

“We are hoping that we will be able to offer four $2,000 scholarships in 2025 A p p

County schools and online

Budget:

From page 1

If You Go:

What:

Haitian Heritage Scholarship Gala

When: Monday, Oct 28, starting at 5 p m

Where:

Broadway Palm Dinner Theater 1380 Colonial Blvd , Fort Myers

Tickets:

Advanced tickets are $90, or $100 at the door if the event is not sold out Tickets for children 13 and younger will only be available at the door for $50

Tickets can be purchased by calling gala committee members, Beatrice Jacket-Castor at (239) 878-5898, or on Eventbrite

Eventbrite tickets end on Thursday, Oct 24

at haitiancoalition com in late November 2024,” she said

Advanced tickets are $90, or $100 at the door if the event is not sold out Tickets for children 13 and younger will only be available at the door for $50

Tickets can be purchased by calling g

Jacket-Castor at (239) 878-5898, or on

u ct u r e p r o j e c t s T h e F Y 2 5 b u d g e t a l s o i n c l u d e s a f i r e s e r v i c e a s s e s s m e n t a t 7 0 % c o s t r e c o v e r y ; a n 1 1 % i n c r e a s e i n w a t e r a n d s e w e r r a t e s ; a 4 9 3 % i n c r e a s e i n s t o r m w a t e r r a t e s a n d a 1 4 7 % i n c r e a s e i n s o l i d w a s t e r a t e s . C o u n c i l w e n t b a c k a n d f o r t h b e t w e e n t h e n o t - t oe x c e e d r a t e o f 5 2 1 8 8 m i l l s a n d t h e r o l l b a c k r a t e o f 5 0 8 8 8 m i l l s T h e b u d g e t a t t h e r o l l b a c k r a t e w o u l d h a v e b e e n $ 1 , 0 5 4 , 7 1 1 , 3 8 4

939254534597?utm experiment=test s hare listing&aff=ebdsshios

Broadway Palm Dinner Theater, is at 1380 Colonial Blvd , Fort Myers

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

Shell Factory closure marks end of an era

By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers com

Whenever local residents had visitors come to town, one of the first places they would take them was to the Shell Factory, a kitschy little place in North Fort Myers where you could go to buy souvenirs, play mini-golf, see some animals, feed the fish and turtles and so much more.

To the locals, it was part of their lives, some for decades That famous arch was always there and there was always something to do

That all came to an end Sunday, when the Shell Factory & Nature Park part of North Fort Myers for more than 70 years closed for the last time And many came back to say goodbye and share memories of one of the last "Old Florida" attractions

There were clearance prices at the shops and a limited menu at the two restaurants for those who wanted to share a farewell meal or enjoy a final round

And there was huge support for the Shell Factory as many wanted to pay one last visit before its closure

Pam Cronin, who with her late husband Tom brought the place back from the brink in the late 1990s, said it was just time as the place was developing issues faster than they could fix them, especially after the pandemic and Hurricane Ian

“All the things became overwhelming It has always been a struggle We got close a couple times where we thought we might make a profit and it didn’t happen,”

Cronin said “It’s gotten to the point where between retail and restaurant sales being less nationwide, and the huge number of repairs, it just did not make sense ”

Looking around you could see the lingering effects of the near Category 5 storm that devastated Southwest Florida almost two years to the date

“We haven’t listed the property We had been looking into some inquiries from companies that have contacted us about purchasing and keeping it as an attraction,” Cronin said “We contacted them for interest, but they got

County

officials

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

Owner Pam Cronin in the Shell Factory’s Christmas Shop on the North Fort Myers landmark’s final day of business Sunday

“We’re very sad to see it go I think something like this should be here We don’t have any good tourist areas,” Indyk said “It’s a great place to bring the kids and family and we enjoyed the Nature Park all these years It’s something that’s been special and sentimental to me ”

“We were here twice a month I’ve been coming here since I could breathe,” said her daughter, Christine “I have pictures of me at age 2 here I always went here because this was one of the only things we could do in the area ”

Angel Corrente had been coming to the Shell Factory since the late 1980s, and it was one of her first memories about Florida

“I thought it was the most amazing place When I moved here and had children, this was one of the first places we took them,” Corrente said “I am so sad to see this happen It’s such a wonderful place It’s why I moved up the road ”

Tina Bartholomew of North Port found the Shell Factory by accident when she discovered the flea market in the front parking lot

the financials as it is, the interest waned. It wasn’t financially feasible ”

Cronin said they are in the process of rehoming the animals in the Nature Park for which they have gotten tremendous support, and are making sure that those who worked there could find some employment

Cronin also said that unsold items will be put up for auction The Chamber of Commerce will continue to be housed there for the time being, as will the Gulf Coast Fudge Company

For those who enjoyed the Shell Factory all these years, it’s going to be a great loss, as it represented one of the few old-time tourist attractions the area had Kimberly Indyk of Cape Coral has brought her children here since they could remember.

“We went in and it became one of our favorite places to go to It’s very sad to see it go When I saw that church made of shells, that was amazing,” Bartholomew said. “And they had the Christmas store and the zip line and when they opened up Tommy’s, they had great food ”

Jan Walimire was there with her grandkids eating ice cream She brought them regularly to do all the fun things offered from mini-golf to bumper boats to the popular Nature Park with its 400-plus animals, many of them rescues

They also came for the myriads of events

“We’ve been coming for 11 years We loved seeing Santa Claus and sitting in the sleigh and they loved the Halloween store,” Walimire said “We loved the stuffed animals and the rides and the Nature Park We had to come one more time ”

provide updates on impacts from Hurricane Helene

Lee County officials on Tuesday provided updates on the impacts of Hurricane Helene throughout the area, as well as thanked various departments for the work prior to, during and after the storm

Ongoing efforts to clear county roads and communities, especially in coastal towns, is ongoing and will continue over the upcoming weeks, officials said

Assistant County Manager Christine Brady updated the county's efforts regarding Public Safety, Solid Waste, Parks & Recreation and Community Engagement

She said the Public Safety Team is keeping an eye on a system in the Caribbean Sea that is being monitored by the National Hurricane Center

“At this time, we're still anticipating at least a rain event,” Brady said, noting that rain totaling 3 to 4 inches is expected over the next three days, and that the Emergency Operations Center is still staffed

Brady said other public safety staff continues to work with the Florida Department of Emergency Management and FEMA to assist impacted households and businesses

“They are starting coordination meetings with FEMA Division Supervisors for any new issues or needs as we continue through these next few weeks,” Brady said “They are continuing to assist with community's specific needs in impacted areas including but not limited to Boca Grande, Pine Island, Matlacha, Captiva Island and San Carlos Island And at this time, no team or staff have been deployed except for the (Urban Search and Rescue) Team, but we continue to offer assistance to the impacted communities to our north ”

Debris collection started earlier in the week, with areas in North Captiva and Upper Captiva still having accessibility issues that are being worked on

When it comes to Parks and Recreation, many sites were worked on to reopen over the weekend, though

17 schools in district had minor damage from storm

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

Seventeen School District of Lee County schools experienced various levels of minor issues after Hurricane Helene passed by Southwest Florida last week

“They primarily reported small leaks, damaged wind screens and fences, or some cosmetic repairs to fascia or air conditioning units,” District Spokesperson Rob Spicker said “Our maintenance department handled most of the concerns but brought in contractors where necessary ”

After 10 p.m. Thursday – the day Hurricane Helene skirted the coast and schools were closed – the School

beach areas in particular have seen sand-shifting events that have halted openings

“Parking lots experienced anywhere from six inches to three feet of sand, with many of our fencing, trash receptacles and signage being buried,” Brady said “The crews continue to work through those areas to get them back open again ”

Assistant County Manager Marc Mora spoke to Community Development, Utilities and Natural Resources

Mora said the county is looking at the storm as “an opportunity to roll out newly developed post-storm processes, and demonstrate the improvements that have been made ”

Mora said initial damage assessment started last Friday morning, and continues

“Our inspectors are out in the field, they're handing out flyers with permitting requirements and information about the 50% rule,” he said “It's really important that our constituents understand those regulations ”

All work in the special flood hazard area requires per-

District made the decision to close schools Friday “out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our students and staff ”

He said they were able to use Friday, as well as the weekend, to clean up and resolve most of the issues before students returned to school Monday.

With schools closed both Thursday and Friday, the district is now considering options to make up those days

“We are considering the options now and as soon as the makeup dates are finalized, we will notify all our families of the change in the schedule and update the calendar on our website,” he said

mits

“We are going to prioritize all storm-related permits They will be prioritized and expedited ”

Mora said coastal surge was the major player for flooding county-wide, and that they didn't see widespread river flooding, and that water levels continue to recede to normal for the most part, with a few exceptions

Assistant County Manager Robert Codie talked about the Human and Veterans Service Department, along with Transportation Routes were deviated so that individuals on Pine Island that needed it could get to a safe haven location in North Fort Myers for shelter Transportation was also provided for those needing a safe haven in Bonita Springs.

County Manager Dave Harner reported that DOT has inspected all coastal bridges structures, and all were deemed safe

Sand removal is at the top of the list for county officials, as they will begin removing sand and debris on sidewalks and bicycle paths

CHUCK BALLARO

Blessing of the Pets: All welcome at non-denominational event

From page 1 “ We

and cats of all backgrounds

“We believe our pets are part of our family and we want them to be included in all aspects of our lives,” said CCAS

E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r L i z M c C a u l e y .

“Blessing of the Pets is one of our very special community events and we are thrilled to be able to host it for the fifth year in a row Showing our gratitude for their presence in our lives is a beautiful thing ”

This outdoor event is open to people and pets of all faiths There will be a special service celebrating the special bond between pets and pet parents and

blessing from the shelter’s special guests

P

M

Denise Sawyer from Lee Health

McCauley said CCAS typically has

their pets, “which is truly great to see ”

“Our two pastors do a short but very meaningful service and a general group blessing ”

At the end, pets can receive individual blessings from the pastors

Each participant will receive a prayer card and St. Francis medallion. There will be a photo station for pictures with your pet, a delicious bake sale, and a CCAS swag boutique

“While we celebrate St Francis, this is an interdenominational event and anyone who wants their pet to be recognized as a wonderful companion is welcome,” McCauley added “St Francis was the Patron Saint of Animals, and his story is inspirational no matter what faith you

believed we need to live in harmony with them, which is in line with our mission here at the Cape Coral Animal Shelter ”

McCauley called the Blessing of the Pets a joyful, emotional event that has become very popular in the community.

With support from the city of Cape Coral, CCAS will have a very large tent for this event, making the event possible rain or shine

Sponsors for this event are the city of Cape Coral, Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service and Raso Realty

Dogs must always be on a leash (no retractable leashes) Cats, critters, and other pets must be in a carrier

Donations are encouraged and all proceeds support the life saving efforts of the Cape Coral Animal Shelter To date,

opening in March of 2020

For more information on CCAS, visit www capecoralanimalshelter com

Scenes from a previous Blessing of the Pets. This year ’s special guests will be Pastor Mark McAnlis f r o m F i r s t C o n g r e g a t i o n a l Church and the Rev Denise Sawyer from Lee Health

PHOTOS PROVIDED

With mail ballots on their way, please answer the question you've been waiting to be asked.

Primary ElEction - District 2

❑ laurie lehmaNN

Q: What have you done to make yourself aware of citizens’ questions and concerns in Cape Coral?

A: I want to take this opportunity to apologize for misinterpreting last week’s question I was referring to council to council I have said all citizens need to be kept aware of goings on Each district councilperson should be available to constituents. No spokesperson required. I am transparent and available to all citizens I am honored that citizens feel confident in my abilities to listen and help with resolving their issues Many have contacted me already and I look forward to continuing this as a councilperson I have met with citizens at grocery stores, drug stores, farmers markets, the social club, pickle ball players, senior softball players and when I walk my dog I address their concerns will continue to do so

❑ DerriCk DoNNell Der rickDonnell.com

Q: What is it that I like most about living in Cape Coral?

A: As a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, I have had the opportunity to visit many cities both domestic and abroad I must admit that when I visited Cape Coral in January of 1995, it was love at first sight I called my wife and said get the girls ready, we are moving to this paradise So, in July of 1995, we moved here and decided to build a home and raise our family What I saw then I still see today, that is, how wonderful this city is Aesthetically, the city is well maintained, and the number of canals provide unique, picturesque views I also love to see children and families playing and enjoying themselves during all hours of the day because of how safe the city is. Finally, I love the people We have caring residents that love the city and are eager to help in any capacity they can in order to maintain and enhance our city As the young people would say, “Cape Coral Rocks!”

Each week through the General Election, The Breeze will ask the candidates for Cape Coral City Council an issue-related question In the interest of fairness, each candidate is limited to the same amount of space, about 100 words, for their response

DaN shepparD (iNCumbeNt)

I would like to give up my political advertisement space to bring the people of Cape Coral an important public message Fellow Americans are suffering in Tennessee and the Carolinas They were hit extremely hard by Hurricane Helene Complete towns were wiped out by extreme flooding, storm surge over 20 feet, hundreds of people lost their lives, and rescue crews are still looking for many more people that are missing They need our help! Please donate and/or pray for them that God may give them strength and love in their time of need There are non-profits and churches in our community that are sending help and supplies I know Cape Christian is one of them Two years ago, when we were hit very hard, people from communities outside our city and other states came to help us in our time of need. Please do what you can every little bit counts!

Primary ElEction - District 3

❑ riCharD Carr (iNCumbeNt) VoterichCar r.com

Q: Why are you the best choice for District 4?

A: I have over 30 years of experience in public administration, including 25 years as a police officer, culminating in my retirement as a law enforcement executive I hold a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and am a proud graduate of the FBI National Academy My entire adult life has been dedicated to public service, and I have been a resident of Cape Coral since 1993

Appointed by the current city council, I have aligned with my colleagues on many issues, but there have been instances where I have taken a different stance As an independent thinker, I carefully consider all sides of an issue before making decisions that impact the residents of Cape Coral I will continue to serve with professionalism and thoughtfulness, making decisions based solely on what is best for our city My commitment is to remain transparent about my decisions and accountable to all residents

Important dates

∫ General Election: Tuesday, Nov 5

∫ Deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation: Oct 7.

∫ Mail ballots: First vote-by-mail ballots went out on Tuesday, Oct. 1; new requests will be sent within 48 hours of being received.

∫ Early Voting: Monday, Oct 21, through Saturday, Nov 2, from 10 a m to 6 p m daily Visit lee vote/Early-VotingInformation/Early-Voting-Dates-and-Locations for locations

Q: Why am I running for City Council?

A: I’m running for city council because I’m one of us, and I want to make a real change in this city I worked in government offices for 35 years, and I’ve been on the other side of decisions made by elected officials and the negative impacts that they’ve had I’ve been a resident of this city for 50 years, went to school here, and raised my daughter here When the city council abolished citizen advisory boards, gave themselves a pay increase without putting it to a vote of the citizens, and offended residents by not collecting input on the planned renovations to Jaycee Park before the backlash, I felt empowered to run to fix the city I know and love I will motion to reestablish citizen advisory boards, rescind the stipend and amend the city charter so a future council can’t do it again, come to a compromise and save Jaycee Park, support first responders and city employees, and make this city a place where our elected officials have our backs

JeNNifer NelsoN NelsonforDistrict4 com

Q: What is your commitment to improving the quality of life for the residents of Cape Coral?

A: Traffic and infrastructure are paramount as our city continues to grow Making sure projects are the right fit in terms of where in the city the project will take place. Focusing on ways to improve water quality so that our waterfront paradise will be enjoyed for generations to come Lastly, focus on amenities for all generations to enjoy and preserve what little green space we have left in our city

Resources

The Lee County Supervisor of Elections posts all city-election related documents, including campaign reports at lee.vote.

Lee vote also offers a wealth of elections-related information concerning registration, voting, dates and candidate lists and documents

Information on the Constitutional amendments appearing on the ballot may be found at lee.vote/Election-Information/ProposedBallot-Measures

∫ The League of Women Voters, Lee County offers electionrelated information on its website, my.lwv.org/florida/lee-county.

With mail ballots on their way, please answer the question you’ve been waiting to be asked.

primAry eleCtion - distriCt 5

❑ Joseph KilRaine Kilr aineforcape.com

Q: Top priority-actions in the first 90 days ?

A: Day one: Process begins to rebuild trust, drive resident interaction & respect, forcing transparency in all matters, knowledgeable probing-inquiry adding clarity for accountability, pursuing financial sustainability-eliminating waste-unneeded endeavors Key actions: Drive resolutions for: Ending stipend, returning residents to key-committees, calling for interactive town-hall meetings (first week after 90 days/quarterly thereafter), monthly council reporting on key measures akin to businesses e g ($ & schedule), YearToDate, Variances, Full-year Projections, Corrective Actions), Project updates: North Cape potable water aquifer, North Recycle plant project, North UEP project by area, ParksRec including GoBond, Yacht Club, Jaycee Park, Exercise unwavering principled-leadership: cleansing consent agenda of hidden elements, promoting full-disclosure in all

Q- Being a first-time candidate, what are your thoughts on the electoral process and is there anything you would change?

A- I would say it has definitely been a learning experience, and I have a newfound appreciation for those who have gone through it I have learned so much about the city and how things work within it The one thing I would add/change would be for the city to put on town hall meetings in the districts that have candidates running I would have it streamed through facebook live and CapeTV, the city’s own channel This way we can reach more people who do not have the opportunity to attend some of the forums that are being put on

❑

Each week through the General Election, The Breeze will ask the candidates for Cape Coral City Council an issue-related question In the interest of fairness, each candidate is limited to the same amount of space, about 100 words, for their response

chaRlie pease votecharliepease.com

Q: What experience do you have as a leader in our community?

A: I’m a lifelong public servant and educator, and I’ve served as the head of school at Cape Coral Technical College since 2019 I collaborate with community stakeholders and industry partners, focusing on the intersection of economy, education, and workforce. My skills in communication, problem-solving, and budget management make me a strong candidate for Council Additionally, I actively engage with local non-profits including advocating for school choice as a past board member of the Oasis Charter School System, supporting historical preservation as a board member of the Cape Coral Historical Society, and organizing events to raise scholarship funds I also led the charge in 2023 to prevent the Hunter’s Run Golf Course (parks and recreation designated land) from being developed into 600+ rental apartments

Rachel KaduK R achelK aduk.com

Q - Please answer the question you’ve been waiting to be asked.

A - I am shocked that during this entire campaign, no one has asked about the Yacht Club. The Yacht Club was a historical landmark in our community with tons of sentimental value and memories Cape Coral is in desperate need of a beautiful ballroom to host events and weddings We are a waterfront wonderland We always need boat ramps and docks Council approved design plans for the Yacht Club and its pier I will be paying attention to the construction progress and most importantly, to the cost It is no longer funded by the GO Bond It’s 2024 Hurricane Ian was in 2022 What year will we be able to enjoy our Yacht Club? Stay tuned!

About CApe CorAl Cit y CounCil

Each week first through the primary and then through the General Election, The Breeze will ask the candidates for Cape Coral City Council an issue-related question In the interest of fairness, each candidate is limited to the same amount of space, about 100 or so words, for their response

■ Week 1, published July 5:

Why are you running? What are your top three issues?

■ Week 2: published July 12:

Should the stipend approved by Cape Coral City Council in addition to member salaries be retained, rescinded or modified?

■ Week 3, published July 19:

How will you weigh projects with a potential citywide benefit but also a perceived neighborhood impact?

■ Week 4, published July 26:

How would you define your position on public-private partnerships?

■ Week 5, published Aug 2:

How would you build consensus to accomplish your objectives?

■ Week 6, published Aug 9:

What is your first impression of the city's working budget for the next fiscal year?

■ Week 7, published Aug. 16:

What are your views on “accessory dwelling units?

■ Week 8, published Aug. 30:

What should be done with the old golf course acreage?

■ Week 9 published Sept 6:

Where do you see the city in terms of overall employee

Forums & bAllot inFormAtion

program is not sponsored/endorsed by the Lee County Library System

compensation, i e wages and benefits? What, if any, changes should Council consider?

■ Week 10, published Sept. 13

"What, if anything, should be done to address transparency

■ Week 11, published, Sept. 20

Should members of Council comment on issues outside of scheduled meetings? Should Council appoint a single spokesperson for media and other inquiries?

■ Week 12, published Sept. 27

What role, if any, should the city play regarding affordable and/or "workforce" housing?

■ Week 13, published today, Oct. 4

With mail ballots on their way, please answer the question you’ve been waiting to be asked?

Cape Coral has a city manager/council form of government A Council-appointed, contract city manager runs the day-to-day operations of the city. Cape Coral City Council is an elected eight-member board comprised of a mayor and seven council members who set policy and are accountable to the voters. The mayor may live in any district. Council members are elected “at large” meaning while candidates must live in the district they seek to represent, the seats are filled via non-partisan, citywide elections. Every registered Cape voter, no matter their party affiliation or city address, may cast a ballot in every race in both primary and general elections The League of Women Voters will hold an informational session on the six proposed amendments to

The session will be held Saturday, Oct 5, from 1011:30 a m (registration at 9:30 a m) at Lakes Library,

Michael david haRpeR

COMMUNITY

Go for bananas

By SHERIE BLEILER news@breezenewspapers com

Luckily for us, our subtropical climate is excellent for growing bananas Just like tomatoes and peaches, bananas ripened at home taste so much better than storebought. Homegrown bananas have a richer, more complex flavor than those picked green in South America

GARDEN CLUB OF CAPE CORAL

The banana is a curious plant for a fruit tree For one, it is in the grass family Although it’s called a tree, the trunk is not made of wood Rather its leaves are wrapped tightly around e a c h o t h e r , e v e n t u a l l y making a fibrous sort of trunk called a pseudostem Under that is an underground rhizome, and a fibrous root system Plants with rhizomes, such as lilies, iris and ginger, produce shoots of young plants next to the parent plant The same occurs with bananas, with “pups” appearing next to the parent plant as it gets ready to flower The entire plant with pups is called a mat

When this plant starts to fruit, it puts up a last stem with a large purple bud Under each petal of the bud is a row of flowers The stronger the plant, the more rows of flowers it produces Each flower turns into a banana The rows of flowers turn into rows of bananas, called a “hand” After the flowers have stopped making bananas, cut off the purple bud to help the bananas develop faster

It takes many months for a stalk of bananas to ripen. It can happen any month of the year It’s unpredictable and difficult to wait Thus some people cut them off when green, as long as the bananas are plump and filled out I wait They do not need to be cut green for shipping The reward is to wait until they begin to turn yellow Pick them one at a time or one hand at a time The stalk will last several weeks that way, giving you time to eat and share them

The parent plant slowly dies, giving its strength to the new pup(s) Once the trunk starts to turn brown and look weak, chop it down and cut the trunk into pieces Leave it under the tree to decompose and return nutrients back into the soil. This will keep your “mat” of new plants strong so they will bloom sooner

Bananas grow from 8 to 20 feet Look for one that satisfies your size and taste requirements Better yet, try to get a pup from a neighbor

Bananas like rich soil, moist but not soggy Bananas will rot if they sit in water, so plant on a high place above your swale or make a mound 2 to 3 feet higher than the

Centennial Bank branch on Pine Island teams up with Cape Coral Animal Shelter

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

Centennial Bank Pine Island Branch

Manager

Elsie Stearns thought raising money for a local animal shelter and taking donations for the needs of these life companions was something that really fell in line with the goals of Centennial Bank’s dedication and commitment to community outreach

“Community outreach is something Centennial Bank is always striving for,” Stearns said

Former Centennial Bank Fort Myers Branch Manager Jennifer Miller, who is an avid volunteer for the Cape Coral Animal Shelter, reached out to Stearns in particular because of her inclination toward community outreach projects Cape Coral Animal Shelter Executive Director Liz McCauley, a Pine Islander, friend and former neighbor of Stearns, could not have been happier to hear that Stearns would be collecting donations as well as items necessary at the shelter, right at her Pine Island bank branch Stearns, in turn, was overjoyed to lend a hand, with the idea that McCauley was a resident of Pine Island

“It’s just a good fit everyone loves animals, and we thought we could help our little four-pawed friends,” Stearns said

Stearns has a photo of pet adoption options at the branch and said each branch employee has taken a photo of

a pet, which they have learned about and “virtually preadopted” in the interest of fun and support

On Friday, Oct 18, from 9-11 a m , Centennial Bank Pine Island branch is hosting a Pet Day, where some animals, who are ready to be adopted, will be brought into the branch

Among the items on the animal shelter's wish list are: canned kitten paste (poultry), clumping – dust Free litter, dog treats – Pup–peroni, dog treats – Milk Bone Soft and Chewy, distilled water, pick-up bags/pet waste bags, paper towels, toilet paper, trash bags – commercial, tall kitchen, Ziploc bags – court, gallon and snack, Dawn dishwashing liquid, bleach (only used for laundry), liquid laundry detergent, glass cleaner and gift cards – Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot, Publix, Sam’s Club, True Value Hardware and Costco.

The shelter also accepts gently used linens, towels and blankets Tax ID 81–3632884

Centennial Bank is at 5551 Sunset Lane in St James City

The Cape Coral Animal Shelter & Veterinary Clinic is at 325 S W 2nd Ave , Cape Coral For more information, visit Capecoralanimalshelter com

Stearns wants to remind everyone to check in with the G r e a

Beaconofhopepineisland com

October schedule set for Community Cooperative’s mobile food pantry

Community Cooperative has released its October 2024 mobile food pantry schedule For many in the community, putting food on the table is a constant struggle, which Community Cooperative recognizes and steps forward to help alleviate the burden

For any questions or further information please contact Community Cooperative’s Food Pantries Coordinator at 239-332-7687

Mobile Food Pantry Schedule for October:

(Note: Please check Community Cooperative's website at communitycooperative com and social media pages for any updates or changes to the schedule )

■ Tuesday, Oct 8, Bonita Springs YMCA; 27200 Kent Rd, Bonita Springs, 9:30-11:30 a m

■ Wednesday, Oct 9, Cape Coral Technical College; 360 Santa Barbra Blvd , N, Cape Coral, 3-4:30 p m

■ Friday, Oct 11, North Fort Myers Recreation Center;

2000 N Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers, 10 a mnoon

■ Tuesday, Oct 15, Pine Manor Community Center; 5547 Tenth Ave , Fort Myers, 10 a m -noon

■ Wednesday, Oct 16, VA Healthcare Center; 2489 Diplomat Parkway, E., (Use Corbett Road Entrance) Cape Coral, (For veterans and veteran families only), 9-11 a m

■ Thursday, Oct 17, Lehigh Senior High School; 901 Gunnery Road, N , Lehigh Acres, 3-5 p m

■ Monday, Oct 21, Mariner’s Landing; 2120 Carrell Road, Fort Myers, 10-11:30 a m

■ Tuesday, Oct 22, Veterans Park Lehigh Acres; 55 Homestead Road, S, Lehigh Acres, 3-5 p m

■ Wednesday, Oct 23, North Fort Myers High School; 5000 Orange Grove Blvd , North Fort Myers, 3-5 p m

■ Thursday, Oct 24, Island Coast High School; 2125 De Navarra Parkway, Cape Coral, 3-4:30 p m

Lee County Parks & Recreation seeks public input on amenities at local preserves

Lee County Parks & Recreation invites the public to participate in shaping the future of local preserves by providing input on potential new amenities and trails This project aims to enhance outdoor experiences at four key preserves through a partnership with the National Parks Service – Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program

The four preserves under consideration are:

■ Four Mile Cove Preserve – 2151 Four Mile Cove Parkway, Cape Coral

■ Oak Hammock Preserve – 2200 Carter Lane, Alva

■ Pine Lake Preserve – 27225 Kent Road, Bonita Springs

■ West Marsh Preserve – 6571 Felix Romano Ave, Fort Myers

F o l l o w

&

Recreation requested master planning assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for these four preserves due to limited staffing capacity. In response, FEMA enlisted the National Park Service Rivers, Trails,

and Conservation Assistance Program to provide recreation planning assistance as part of Lee County’s recreation recovery efforts This initiative addresses public demand for additional passive recreational opportunities within the preserves

The public is encouraged to share feedback on what they would like to see at the trailheads and within these preserves Input can be provided in two ways:

■ Online Survey: Available on the Lee County Parks & Recreation homepage (www leeparks org) and social media pages

■ In-Person Feedback: North Fort Myers Family Fall Festival, from 6-8:30 p m , Friday, Oct 25, at North Fort Myers Recreation Center, 2000 North Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers

The survey will remain open until Friday, Nov 1, 2024 Public participation is vital for anyone who enjoys Lee County’s preserves and recreational sites, as it allows residents and visitors alike to offer valuable input on potential improvements

SHERIE BLEILER

A banana plant with sprouting fruit

was one of many scattered along the benches and hidden around the Australian pines by the

Valentina was there with

mom, Melanie, who grew

played at the park during her own childhood

The city of Cape Coral began clearing the way for its planned $12.5 million revamp of Jaycee Park this week with the relocation of the memorial benches on Tuesday T h e d e c a d e s - o l d Australian pines along the riverfront also will be removed with new noninvasive trees and landscaping to be installed as part of the plan that c a l l s f o r a

a r d w a l k , band shell, new pavilions, food truck court, more walking paths and more

VALARIE HARRING

From page 1

morning

Having high water marks and assessments and knowing now how close they were to having a different picture, a six foot or greater predictions of storm surge they will go into a higher level or readiness, Ilczyszyn said

“Six foot is our number Six foot or more of surge we should be enacting the state of local emergency due to the flood aspect,” he said

Another lesson learned is deploying

r e s o u r c e s f r o m t h e g e n e r a l e m p l o y e e population to other areas

“They are contacting us and saying ‘We need your help ’ We’ve never been in that position to do that How do we p a y o u r e m p l o y e e s o u t s i d e o f p u b l i c safety,” he said

C o u n c i l m e m b e r D a n S h e p p a r d w a s impressed by the city’s response Friday morning

“First thing in the morning after the hurricane had passed, I drove around I was very impressed,” he said “It seemed like everywhere I drove city employees were checking infrastructure I received many phone calls from citizens that they were very impressed with how fast the response time was in getting out there first thing in the morning cleaning up our city and checking infrastructure ”

E m e r g e n c y M a n a g e m e n t & Resilience Director Ryan Lamb said they continue to watch the tropics daily to see if anything develops as they balance a

couple key factors with preparedness as the number one goal

City staff continuously works through the cycle of resiliency prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery, he said

As of last Tuesday, when the forecast changed, conversations began daily sometimes more than once a day with such entities as the National Weather

Sept 25, emergency preparatory actions began and soon after a fully staffed EOC with one shift was had

Lee County began to feel the effects of the storm Thursday afternoon

Lamb said they had 28 mph sustained winds with 58 mph gust at 7 p m

The city had 1.74 inches of rain and storm surge of 5 5 feet in southeast Cape

C

southeast Cape Coral, although it had not been declared by a meteorologist yet “We had crews and folks out all night

adding that public works, police, fire, and utility crews were out overnight “We were fortunate that the majority of high surge happened when most people were in bed that night.”

coming across the road in Jaycee Park near the river, water coming up at the Cape Coral Yacht Club in the afternoon Thursday, and saltwater flowing into the C

said there was an issue at the Boat House with the propane cylinder leaking, which was mitigated with the hazmat team Lamb said in advance of the storm, the survey and environmental teams put stakes out for surge to monitor and meas-

ure problem areas to document them to help the city in the future There were also drones flown over some places to see if there were any problem areas or inundation with structures

Based off lessons learned, impact surveys began Friday morning with 18 residential teams and six commercial teams

As of Saturday, 11,381 impact surveys were completed Lamb said 150 were affected, 74 minors, three majors and zero destroyed

The city sent a building inspector and team out to each of the associated properties that were major, minor, or affected for flood management

There was a code officer, building inspector looking for high water marks and a fire inspector doing commercial properties in the downtown area

“I believe we have a relatively limited number of individuals that had interior flooding,” he said

On Monday, Lamb said they were able to get out and help Lee County with their impact surveys

Florida initially to Charlotte County, Siesta Key and Cedar Key

applying them to helping neighbors in need.

“We have now become subject matter expects in the field,” Lamb said

HEALTH

Mammograms can help detect breast cancer sooner, increasing chances of survival

More than 30% of women over the age of 40 have not been screened with a preventive mammogram in the last two years That’s according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), which raises the concern about missed opportunities for early-stage detection

The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all women who

when they’re 40 years old and continuing through age 74 If there is a family history of breast cancer, a physician may

m before 40 years old. Some

instead of every two years Working alongside physician advocates, it’s important that each patient make a plan that’s specific to their family history and risk levels

Dr Santosh Kagathur Guest

Comment

Breast cancer accounts for about 30% of all new female cancers each year A mammogram is the gold standard for detecting breast cancer early When it’s caught in earlier stages, chances of survival are much greater

How can I get a mammogram this month?

On Oct 18, from 9:30 a m to 4:30 p m , Lee Health invites the community to visit Lee Health Coconut Point to complete their annual mammogram screening and learn about breast health and services available through the Lee Health Cancer Institute

The event is to support National Mammography Day on Oct 18 and attendees will have an opportunity to complete their routine annual mammogram screenings with accepted insurance To make it a day of self-care, attendees can follow up their screenings with an essential oil make-and-take activity, chair massages and a sample of food from the Lee Health Coconut Point - Healthy Life Center teaching kitchen

S c h e d u l e a m a m m o g r a m b y v i s i

gram

Lee Health Coconut Point is at 23450 Via Coconut Point, Estero

Can mammograms detect breast cancer before there are any symptoms?

A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray of the breast and decades of research show that women who have regular mammograms are more likely to find issues sooner, resulting in less aggressive treatments.

Getting a mammogram should be part of every woman’s regular medical routine Ensuring preventive measures supports early detection Regular screenings can find changes that occur in the breast before any physical symptoms (such as lumps) start to show If something looks suspicious, further tests will be performed to determine if there is cause for concern and what next steps to take

A mammogram is only the first step to determine whether there is an issue that needs to be addressed further

Are minority women at a higher risk for breast cancer?

Minority women are more likely to develop breast cancer and at a younger age than white women They are also more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive subtypes of breast OCTOBER 4,

Lee Health adds Intuitive da Vinci

5 to its Robotic Surgery Program

Lee Health has added the Intuitive da Vinci 5 to its robotic surgery program and has also completed its 14,000th robotic surgery, establishing the health system as a leader in advanced and innovative surgical options for patients in the Southwest Florida region

The dV5 will help physicians improve surgical outcomes and efficiency by providing enhanced precision and control, advanced imaging options, and rich data insights to ultimately make the surgical experience more comfortable for patients, provide better outcomes, and even faster recovery times The dV5 represents the latest advancement in the da Vinci series, continuing its mission to empower surgeons with the ability to perform minimally invasive procedures across a broad spectrum of surgical specialties These include adult and pediatric general surgery, gynecology, urology, colorectal surgery, oncology, cardiothoracic, and ear, nose and throat (ENT)

The dv5 incorporates Force Feedback technology to allow surgeons to feel subtle forces exerted on tissues during the procedure This helps significantly reduce the force applied to those tissues, minimizing tissue damage and ultimately enhancing precision, patient comfort, and fewer complications during surgery The dV5 has over 10,000 times the computing power of its predecessor, the da Vinci Xi, and supports advanced AI and machine

learning capabilities for continual software and functional upgrades

The dV5’s console has been redesigned to provide better ergonomic support and accommodate different body types As never before, surgeons can make more adjustments to the surgical equipment while their heads remain in the console, ensuring continuous focus and comfort during surgical procedures This also helps allow for better patient outcomes

Lee Health has performed 705 robotic-assisted bronchoscopies with the ION and 90% of those procedures resulted in a diagnosis Sixty-two percent of the first 50 patients were diagnosed with lung cancer, and of the patients who were diagnosed, 51% were caught early enough for surgical intervention

To learn more about Lee Health’s robotic surgery program, please visit https://www leehealth org/ourservices/general-surgery/robotic-surgery

HEALTH BRIEFS

Prendiville announces reintroduction of independent practice in For t Myers

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr Stephen Prendiville has announced his departure from Quigley Eye Specialists to continue as an independent facial plastic surgeon, effective Oct. 1.

Prendiville said the move was necessary to preserve the integrity of his facial plastic surgery practice, eliminate confusion and further expand his busy practice He also recently became medical director of Grounding Spot, the new mental fitness club in Estero

His office and surgery center will continue at their current location at 9407 Cypress Lake Drive in Fort Myers

The phone number and website also will remain the same – 239-437-3900 and www DrPrendiville com

Prendiville is the only Fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon in Fort Myers who is certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology –Head and Neck Surgery He specializes in facelifts, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, facial resurfacing, non-surgical injectibles and other facial cosmetic procedures

He specializes in facelifts, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, facial resurfacing, non-surgical injectibles and other facial cosmetic procedures Dr Prendiville has more than 20 years of experience in Fort Myers and has performed more than 5,000 surgical procedures

For more information about Dr Prendiville, please visit his website at www drprendiville com

Allyson Whitney Foundation gifts $25,000 for oncofer tility ser vices at Golisano Children's Hospital

The Allyson Whitney Foundation has gifted $25,000 to Barbara’s Friends, the Golisano Children’s Hospital cancer fund, to provide fertility preservation services for young adults undergoing cancer treatment at Golisano Children's Hospital

Through the Oncofertility Young Adult Patient Grant, Allyson Whitney Foundation impacts the lives of young adults with cancer by ensuring those at risk of losing their fertility due to treatment can preserve their ability to start a family in the future This initiative's message is, “Save a Life, Give a Life ”

With treatment through IVFMD, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and egg retrieval is offered to female patients,

including five years of egg storage Male patients receive support for sperm retrieval and five years of sperm storage These oncofertility services are crucial for young patients who hope to maintain fertility options while receiving treatment for their cancer diagnosis

This partnership with Allyson Whitney Foundation enables Golisano Children’s Hospital to continue assisting current and future patients

Lee Health Foundation’s Barbara’s Friends has a long history of supporting pediatric cancer care at Golisano Children’s Hospital, and this partnership with Allyson Whitney Foundation marks another significant milestone

For more about supporting Barbara’s Friends and young cancer patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital, visit GiveGolisano org or call 239-343-6950

Precision Healthcare Specialists adds urologic sur geon Heitman

Dr Erin Heitman, a board-eligible urologic surgeon, has joined Precision Healthcare Specialists to treat patients experiencing a wide range of urologic conditions

Heitman, who sees patients in Precision’s Bonita Springs and Port Charlotte urological offices, is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and is recognized by the American Board of Urology

With a focus on providing comprehensive, contemporary and compassionate urologic care in a friendly, professional environment, Heitman’s areas of focus include kidney stone disease, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and genitourinary malignancies such as kidney, bladder and prostate cancers She has a special interest in minimally invasive surgery for urinary stones and BPH, as well as reconstructive surgery for erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence.

Prior to joining Precision, Heitman was a urologic surgeon at GenesisCare.

Heitman treats urology patients at two locations in Southwest Florida: 9500 Bonita Beach Road, Suite 201, in Bonita Springs and 1685 Tamiami Trail, Building 4, in Port Charlotte For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 239-374-5220 or visit PHSpecialists com

For more information, please visit PHSpecialists com or email Admin@PHSpecialists com

Shattered glass artist opens gallery in the South Cape

Grand opening set for this weekend; Janet Sams’ pieces may be found in galleries nationwide

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

A Cape Coral artist who upcycles glass and turns it into works of art will host a grand opening of her studio in the South Cape this weekend

On Oct 5, award-winning shattered glass artist Janet Sams will officially mark the opening of her gallery and studio along Southeast 47th Street The open house-style event runs from 10 a m to 3 p m , and will allow guests to experience Sams’ captivating artwork, tour the new space, enjoy refreshments, enter a raffle to win original art and meet the artist in person

“I’ve got my gallery set up so people can stop in and browse,” Sams said

Sams has been creating glasswork art for more than a decade, starting in an at-home studio first in Cape Coral, and then in Matlacha before Hurricane Ian came along and wreaked havoc Her signature technique involves meticulously shattering glass and then reassembling the pieces to create multidimensional sculptures and installations that capture light and color in mesmerizing ways

Having retired as a chemical engineer, Sams was encouraged by friends to send her glasswork to local galleries, and did so after some hesitation The rest, as they say, is history

“For some reason, I just started doing research into glass, because glass would always catch my eye, and I just let myself go and explore this, and now I’m hooked,” she said “It was a hobby at first. Just me enjoying working with glass. And then it turned into much more ”

Sams moved to a small commercial space along Del Prado Boulevard after Ian before settling into her new spot at 869 Southeast 47th Street

“And now I’m in heaven over here,” she said

The 2,200-square-foot location is divided into a gallery in the front of the house, and a studio workspace in the back

Sams sources her materials from glassblowers all across the country, bringing in their scrap or broken items She also finds glass at local yard sales, thrift stores, and from friends

“There’s a constant stream coming in,” Sams said “It’s

really important to me that the majority of it is being repurposed ”

There is no limit to the creations that Sams can fashion from glass She takes her pieces, lays them out to create an image, and layers resin for it to stick She has her glass separated by color, so that she can easily choose what's needed for any given piece

“It’s like painting with glass, because your hand just knows what color to reach for next to get it to blend,” Sams said

Sams uses the glass virtually as-is, using nippers to cut it into whatever shape or size she needs, and occasionally sanding corners down to dull the edges

Having relocated to Florida from Kentucky and Ohio 12 years ago, she said the surroundings of Southwest Florida have really made an impact on her style choices

“To take the boat out, or go kayaking, and go to the state parks or even swamps or gardens, it’s just gorgeous,” Sams said “There's a reason we all live here ”

Her favorite works to create?

“The one that I really like is birds,” Sams said “Birds are little (where I’m from) Down here, they’re humongous I remember when I first moved thinking how large they are I spend a lot of time on egrets, herons, flamingos, pelicans

“I also really like flowers, trees more of nature. I like underwater things, like seahorses and jellyfish And I like landscape; palm trees looking out over the water, boats Sort of everything that’s coastal ”

Sams’ artwork can be found in galleries all over the country She will ship works to areas in New England, the Midwest, Georgia, the Carolinas, all the way down to Key West

Along with original works, Sams creates custom pieces and takes on commissions, something she said she enjoys very much

“I love it,” she said “I do it all the time It pushes me outside of my ordinary window of what I’m capable of And I get to try new things ”

Pieces range in size and stature, from small to large Sams said she just created a massive five-piece abstract work for a

home down in Naples, where each image continues a story

Works can go from anywhere from $100, to $10,000 depending on the size

The exciting move marks a significant milestone for Sams, allowing her to showcase her stunning creations in a dedicated space and expand her artistic endeavors The new location is conveniently situated within the city of Cape Coral’s designated Community Redevelopment Area, the parent initiative of the Creative Cape Arts Incentive Program

The program offers financial assistance to individuals, non-profit organizations, and developers contributing to the city’s vibrant cultural landscape Eligible expenditures accepted for the program include the acquisition, development, construction, renovation, expansion, or improvements of real property within the CRA, including living and workspaces

“I am incredibly grateful to have received support through the Creative Cape Arts Incentive Program,” said Sams “Our award from the city was instrumental in creating a beautiful and inspiring environment to create and display my artwork I am proud to participate in our city’s dedication to the vibrant art scene of Cape Coral ”

Sams has a staff of just under 10 employees, all local, including students from Florida Gulf Coast University and Cape Coral High School.

“We employ kids who are in the art field working toward a degree or a career,” she said

Sams has hopes for expanding her studio in the future, as well as her staff, doubling down on wanting to pave the way for young, local aspiring artists

“These kids do such a great job, and they have an eye for art,” she said “I love making art, but I also love watching them develop

“I see myself continuing to work with these kids to watch them flourish ”

Sams is available for custom, commissioned art requests specific to customer preferences

In addition to her Cape Coral location, artworks by Sams are available at select galleries and online For more information, call 239-940-6851 or visit www JanetSams com

Award-winning shattered glass artist Janet Sams will officially mark the opening of her gallery and studio at 869 Southeast 47th Street this Saturday, Oct. 5. The open housestyle event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will allow guests to experience Sams’ captivating artwork, tour her new space in the South Cape, enjoy refreshments, enter a raffle to win original art and meet the artist in person. Florida birds are a favorite subject

PHOTOS OF ARTWORK PROVIDED

Preparations begin as city gears up for Jaycee Park revamp

PHOTOS BY VALARIE HARRING

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS MAY BE FOUND ONLINE AT CAPECORALBREEZE COM

The city of Cape Coral began clearing the way for its planned $12.5 million revamp of Jaycee Park this week with the removal of the memorial b

Australian pines along the riverfront also will be removed with new non-invasive trees and landscaping to be installed as part of the plan that calls for a boardwalk, band shell, new pavilions, food truck court, walking paths and more The memorials will be stored by the city. Family members who could be contacted were given the option of having the benches replaced at the p

another city park or returned to the family.

German American Social Club getting ready

for 39th Annual Cape Coral Oktoberfest

Celebration set for Oct. 18-20 and 25-27

O’zapft is’! It's time once again for the community to come together and enjoy Southwest Florida’s biggest party the 39th Annual Cape Coral Oktoberfest

The German American Social Club is getting ready for Munich in Cape Coral which will be held Oct 18, 19, 20, and 25, 26, 27 the last two full weekends of the month. The festival kicks off on Fridays from 4 pm and goes to midnight and opens again on Saturdays from noon until midnight and on Sundays from noon until 8 pm

The Southwest Florida community is

invited to the event filled with fun, delicious food, German beer and spirits, live music, laughter, and dancing everything from Polka to Fliegerlied, and, of course, the Bobb and Chicken Dance Oktoberfest represents German heritage a

Gemütlichkeit

After its success in 2023, the VIP program is back, featuring exclusive seating, drink specials from sponsor Jügermeister, a sit-down meal in the Von Steuben Hall, a beer stein with refills, and much more

Welcoming back as the main band from

Germany is once again the Zimmerer Kapelle, the big band from the small town of Biberach, Germany. Also flying in from Germany are Die Flotten Oberkrainer, featured often on Germany’s Traumschiff, the country's version of Love Boat

Dynamics, A’Finnity and award-winning acts such as Pure Country and Martini Russa, an international blues and rock b

formed by the Sunshine State Trachtenverein

Also, Cape Coral’s own Hafenkapelle, Manni Daum Trio and more will perform Featuring outdoor exhibitors, food ven-

dors that offer both German food and international, or a sit-down dinner in the Von Steuben Hall, Oktoberfest has so much to offer

Looking for a photo opportunity? Stop for a photo shoot with Ms Oktoberfest 2024 Alexandra Reifschneider!

The dedicated GASC members, each one of them volunteering their time and effort to create the region’s most successful event, welcome you to enjoy German heritage Oktoberfest will be held on the grounds of the German American Social Club at 2101 S W Pine Island Road in Cape Coral Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit!

James E. Hendry Chapter of American Hibiscus Society to participate in Tropical Plant Sale at Rotary Park Oct. 19

The James E Hendry Chapter of the American Hibiscus Society will participate in the Tropical Plant Sale at Rotary Park in Cape Coral on Saturday, Oct 19, from 9 a m to 2 p m

Approximately 200 hybrid tropical hibiscus plants in 20 varieties will be available for sale Since these plants are not available through garden centers, this s a

Southwest Florida residents to establish or add to their hybrid tropical hibiscus

collection Plants will be sold for $20 each and all credit cards will be accepted The varieties available for sale can be v i e w e d o n t h e C h a p t e r w e b s i t e : www hendrychapterhibiscus com

Anyone who would like to learn more about how to grow the hybrid tropical hibiscus plant can do so by joining the

American Hibiscus Society at the sale

The JEH Chapter meets monthly at the Berne Davis Botanical Garden at 2166

Virginia Ave , Fort Myers, on the second Sunday of each month (September to April) at 1:30 p m R o t a r y P a r k i s a t 5 5 0 5 R o s e

Garden Road Parking and admission are free

More information is available at the chapter website at www hendrychapterhibiscus com

Scott: Senator cites ‘catastrophic damage’ to parts of Florida

From page 2

Sen Scott, said his department responded to more than 100 calls during Hurricane Helene countywide That included a rescue operation on Fort Myers Beach in which deputies went through knee-high water on rescue boats through streets that had flooded from San Carlos Boulevard to Estero Boulevard

After Scott and Sen Marco Rubio sent a letter to President Joe Biden on Saturday urging his immediate approval of a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Florida, President Biden approved the request This Major Disaster Declaration approval follows last week’s approval of the State of Florida’s

request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration

Scott urged Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to immediately reconvene the Senate and vote on a Hurricane Helene supplemental aid package once FEMA and local and state officials determine the funding need

“What I have seen, from the catastrophic damage in Cedar Key, to the massive destruction caused by unprecedented storm surge in communities from Fort Myers Beach to Siesta Key and Anna Maria Island and north to Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando counties is heartbreaking News reports of

the devastation in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and other communities impacted by Hurricane Helene are also devastating Floridians are resilient, but the response and recovery from this storm demands the full and immediate support of government at every level to get families and businesses back to normal ”

Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Dan Allers said “this is the third storm after Ian ” Allers said islanders “understand there are consequences sometimes to thing that are outside of your control Mother Nature can be very mean and very unpredictable ”

Allers said his heart went out to those in

northern Florida, Georgia and North Carolina dealing with tougher circumstances after Hurricane Helene “We’re dealing with sand,” Allers said

“We will be there to support them like they were there to support us We will reach out to you to see if there is anything you need,” Allers said

Atterholt said he and other town officials pointed out to Scott and Donalds “the various cleanup efforts and discuss longer term infrastructure needs, like storm water drainage, that may require federal help ”

EDUCATION

EDUCATION BRIEFS

Cadets and students named to The Citadel's spring 2024 dean's list

CHARLESTON, S C -- The dean's list is a recognition given to cadets and students who are registered for 12 or more semester hours and whose grade point average is 3 20 or higher, with no grade of I (Incomplete) and no grade below C for work in a semester

Among those recognized are two students from Cape Coral: Sean Griffin and Gabriel Sevilla

The Citadel offers a classic military college education for young men and women The approximately 2,300 members of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets are not required to serve in the military, but about one-third of each class earn commissions to become officers in every branch of U S military service The Citadel Graduate College offers dozens of graduate degree, graduate certificate and evening undergraduate programs in the evening or online Learn more at www citadel edu

SNHU announces Summer President's List

MANCHESTER, N H -- Southern New Hampshire University has announced that the following students have been named to the Summer 2024 President's List The summer terms run from May to August

Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3 700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President's List Fulltime status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer

The following students from Cape Coral were named to the President's List: Dragoslav Maksimovic, Candice Rogers, George Vinci, Patrick Simpson, Crystal Gattis, Luke Kelly, Christopher Pasapera, Rachael Crockett, Latrece Frazier, Cynthia Parracho, William Rosales, N a t h a n i e l M

y Hampshire

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with a 92-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults

Now serving more than 200,000 students worldwide, SNHU offers approximately 200 accredited undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs, available online and on its campus in Manchester Visit www snhu edu Araujo named to Dean's List at UMGC

ADELPHI, MD -- Joshua Araujo of Cape Coral was named to the Dean's List for the summer 2024 term at University of Maryland Global Campus To be eligible for the honor, a student must complete at least six credits during the term, earned a grade point average of at least 3 5 for the term, and maintained a cumulative GPA of 3 5 at UMGC

University of Maryland Global Campus was founded more than 75 years ago specifically to serve the higher education needs of working adults and military servicemembers UMGC has online and hybrid courses, more than 175 classroom and service locations worldwide, and more than 125 degrees and certificates For information, visit umgc edu

Blair new director of advancement at Bishop Verot Catholic High School

Bishop Verot Catholic High School has hired Jeffrey Blair as its director of advancement

Blair has an extensive professional background in fundraising, relationship management, marketing and strategic planning Before joining Bishop Verot , Blair was the vice president of Resource Development at The Boys and Girls Club of America in Fort Myers, where he led the fundraising and development efforts He also served as the director of advancement for Evangelical Christian School for nine years

Blair will lead and expand the school’s Advancement Program His responsibilities will include managing major and planned gifts, donor cultivation and stewardship, alumni relations, volunteer cultivation, corporate philanthropic support, constituent communications, and overseeing social media functions for advancement

Blair can be reached at 239-274-6700, extension 6768, or at jeff blair@bvhs org

Kraft helps lead U.S. team to Women’s

Inline Hockey World Championship

Skyline Elementary teacher scores team-high 11 points in tournament in Sweden

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

The love for a sport that took shape as a young girl continued to grow and recently took her to Italy where she played and won the 2024

Championship “

Championships for inline hockey is a pinnacle of achievement in the sport It’s a chance to compete at the highest level, experience different cultures and be a part of a global cel-

Elementary School second grade teacher Kyla Kraft said “My experience at the World Championships in Italy was unforgettable, especially since it was my second time competing there Having faced France in the playoffs during the previous championship and getting knocked out was a tough pill to swallow, so this time felt like a chance for redemption It was a reminder of the growth and resilience we had as a team, making it an experience I’ll cherish forever

”

Kraft led Team USA with 11 points, helping in claiming the win for the world championship game

“To officially be considered to play for Team USA, you must apply through an online process Then, t h r o u g h o u t t h e y e a r y o u a r e watched/scouted at all the major tournaments to see if you have the skills and experience to represent Team USA A committee of selected candidates then come together to decide who will make the team and the team roster is released Players selected receive a congratulatory letter,” Kraft said

She spent 10 days in Roccaraso, Italy, for the championship series and played a total of eight games while there

A relaxed routine is what she prefers while getting ready for the big game

“On game day, I would enjoy a light pre-game meal and engage in some light activities to keep my energy up I like to arrive at the rink with just enough time to do a short warm up and focus, allowing the excitement to build naturally This approach helped me stay calm and ready to give

my best performance,” Kraft said. Her husband, who she met in California at a roller hockey tournament, also played in the championship game in Italy and won

“I t w as

traveled to tournaments, celebrated victories and supported each other through challenges I am grateful for the bond we share as partners in both life and hockey,” Kraft said

n , teamwork, shared goals and unforgettable experiences has kept her playing for so many years

“ W h a t i n i t i a

excitement and energy that surrounded my family’s love for the game,” Kraft said “Growing up, I watched my dad, and brothers lace up their skates and hit the ice I picked up a stick and never put it down ”

That love grew over the years, as she played as young girl, both on ice and wearing inline skates She p l a y e d a t t h

Wisconsin-Madison, as well as professionally for a year in Sweden

“Playing women’s ice hockey for the University of WisconsinMadison was an incredible experience that combines elite competition with a strong sense of community The tradition and pride associated with the Badgers hockey program creates an electrifying atmosphere The camaraderie with teammates fostered lifelong friendships, while the support from dedicated coaches helped us continually develop our skills on and off the ice Balancing academics and athletics in such an energetic environment pushes us to excel, making our journey not just about hockey, but about personal growth and unforgettable memories,” she said

Kraft’s life was both enriched on an off the ice during her incredible experience of playing hockey in Sweden

“Beyond hockey, immersing myself in Swedish culture

PHOTOS PROVIDED

The U.S. Women’s Inline Hockey World Champions.

Kyla Kraft raises the trophy

Master Gardeners to present tours of museum gardens

Master Gardeners will lead garden tours at the Cape Coral Museum of History Wednesday, Oct 9, 1-4 p m

This is a Florida Friendly Landscape Demonstration Garden, designated by the University of Florida

Learn about Florida Friendly Landscape plants, butter-

Special presentation on Afro-Caribbean Migration to Florida Tuesday at Cape Museum of History

The Cape Coral Museum of History welcomes Professor Emeritus Magdalena Lamarre from Miami Dade College as special guest speaker Tuesday, Oct 8, at 6 p m Lamarre will present a program on Afro-Caribbean Migration to Florida as part of the Honrando Nuestra Historia series of events in Southwest Florida Florida and Afro-Caribbean peoples have shared historical ties which were established when Ponce de Leon first arrived on the Florida shores This presentation examines the history and unique characteristics and settlement patterns of Afro-Caribbean peoples who settled in Florida from the Spanish colonization period to the present, and the significant contributions those groups have made to Florida’s cultural, economic, political and social development

The talk will be held both in person at the Cape Coral Museum of History at 544 Cultural Park Blvd , and virtually via Zoom

Please RSVP at CapeCoralMuseum org/Events

This program is co-hosted by Randell Research Center and the speaker is provided by the Florida Humanities Speakers Bureau

For more, please visit https://capecoralmuseum org/

flies and their preferred plants Seeing mature plants and learn their requirements will help you decide which plants will work best in your landscape

These tours will be each second Wednesday afternoon each month through April There is no charge to attend

and plenty of parking available No reservation needed

Contact the museum, which is located at 544 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral, for more information at 239-7727037 You can also visit the museum website at https://capecoralmuseum org/

Addressing city environmental issues

Residents listen to candidates discuss environmental issues facing Cape Coral at the Sept. 23 Candidate Forum hosted by Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife and Cape Coral Wildlife Trust

PHOTO PROVIDED

BUSINESS

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Babcock Ranch presentation topic of Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife meeting

Please join Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife at its next general meeting Tuesday, Oct 8, at 7 p m , at Rotary Park Roger Klatt, manager of Babcock Ranch Eco-tours will discuss “The Natural Heart of Authentic Florida ” Klatt will explain the four distinct ecosystems on the historic Babcock Ranch, a working cattle ranch with over 14,000 acres in pasture land He will share inform

w

d turkeys, caracara, soft shell turtles, magnificent osprey, sandhill cranes, the American alligator and fox squirrels – just to name a few

The CCFW general meeting will be held at Rotary Park, 5505 Rose Garden Road Doors open at 6:30 p m for sign-in and networking Klatt’s presentation will begin at 7 p m followed by the CCFW business meeting All are welcome

Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife is an all-volunteer organization whose mission is to preserve and enhance the habitats of protected wildlife species and to educate the community about Cape Coral’s wildlife resources If you are interested in donating to support Cape Coral’s wildlife, joining or volunteering, please visit its website ccfriendsofwildlife org or call 239 980-2593

Breeze Airways star ts ser vice between For t Myers and eight cities

The Lee County Port Authority has announced Breeze Airways’ inaugural flights to the following eight markets that will serve Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers with weekly service

■ Bangor, Maine (BGR), Oct 5

■ Burlington, Vermont (BTV), Oct. 4

■ Islip-Long Island (ISP), New York, Oct 2

■ Lansing, Michigan (LAN), Oct 3

■ Manchester, New Hampshire (MHT), Oct 2

■ Portsmouth, New Hampshire (PSM), Oct 10

■ Stewart/Newburgh, New York (SWF), Oct 2

■ Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pennsylvania (AVP), Oct 3

For more information or to book a flight, please visit flybreeze com

F o r m o r e i n f o

International Airport, please visit flylcpa com or Like Us on Facebook at facebook com/flyRSW

Phase 2 of Southwest Florida Airpor t ter minal expansion project underway

The Lee County Port Authority began Southwest Florida International Airport’s Terminal Expansion P h a s e 2 o n O c t 1 f o l l o w i n g t h e B o a r d o f P o r t Commissioners approval for the construction and total budget for the project on Sept 5, 2024 The more than $1 billion project will add 14 additional gates on a new concourse to meet the anticipated increase in passengers at RSW, as identified in the Master Plan Update

The scope of work for this project includes expansion of the airport terminal on all three levels to include a new ticketing lobby and Bag Claim area; new Baggage Handling System; a new Concourse E with 14 initial gates and the infrastructure to support 19 gates in the future Concourse E will include a new Transportation Security Checkpoint and expanded retail and food & beverage concessions; airside improvements; chiller plant building upgrades; and, road and curbside improvements that will reconfigure and expand terminal access roadways.

The project is being funded by airport revenue bonds (GARB), federal grants from the Federal Aviation Administration, Passenger Facility Charges and state grants from the Florida Department of Transportation No ad valorem (property) taxes are used for airport operations or construction

Southwest Florida International Airport served more than 10 million passengers in 2023 and is one of the top 50 U S airports for passenger traffic For more information, visit flylcpa com or facebook com/flyRSW

Owners working to save Capt’n Cons

Long-time Bokeelia restaurant damaged by Hurricane Helene

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

Very recently, Capt’n Cons restaurant owner Luretta Wilson described herself as a very hard worker who loves the restaurant business In her own words, all she had when she came to Pine Island in the 1980s was a baby and a little box of clothes but she made it and ended up going to work in the Bokeelia Crab Shack Restaurant When the owner told her they were leaving and that they would sell to her if she wanted, Wilson asked a few of the help if they wanted to go in with her to buy the business, to which they said yes

“I took everything I had, went to the bank, got the money whatever I had to do, then I paid the rent and bought some groceries and we’ve been there ever since,” Wilson said

Wilson is no stranger to hard work, indeed, as she explained that even a broken hip did not stop her from returning to her great love Capt’n Cons, whether it was to do prep work or to bus her own tables

“Back a few years ago I fell and broke my hip and it’s just been one thing after another For years and years I used to go in there and cook, and probably until the last year or so, I would go in there and do dishes for hours, I would bus tables I don’t ask my employees to do anything that I wouldn’t do myself,” Wilson said

Without calamity creating a reason, Wilson is likely to have kept at her position, running Capt’n Cons, the same as she has for years Although Hurricane Ian basically left the Bokeelia side of Pine Island intact, Bokeelia residents and business owners did not have the same fortune with

Hurricane Helene. Wilson, along with two of her daughters who help run the business, are now tasked with figuring out a way to save Capt’n Cons Had the restaurant caught fire or been robbed or vandalized, insurance would have covered any losses, Wilson said Flood was the one catastrophe not covered

“We lost every piece of equipment we had, plus, almost every bit of food we had The freezers were full but, in the storm, they popped open and flipped over, so all the product that I thought was safe is ruined,” Wilson said

Wilson admits that she has regrets for not purchasing the building along with Capt’n Cons, back in 1995, and says that she is likely owner of one of the oldest restaurants on Pine Island For 20 years or better, Wilson said she has been on a 30-day notice with the building owners This has worked for many years, as she said they know by now exactly who she is Since Wilson is dealing with health issues and Hurricane Helene brought flood waters right into the restaurant, Wilson and her daughters will need help to continue

“I have a hard time using my arms and my hands I’m just in really bad shape Before I would work 16 hours a day, whatever it took to keep the restaurant up and going,” Wilson said

Wilson’s daughter Rachel has sent out an S O S to all of Pine Island, via word of mouth and social media for help during this uncertain time After all these years, as the owner of Capt’n Cons Fish House, Wilson and her family’s name has come to equal something steady and well counted on She’s built her career as a restaurateur on Pine Island proving exactly that

Farmer Joe’s 2nd annual Fall Fest Oct. 12

Farmer Joe's has announced that the 2 n d a n n u a l F a l l F e s t w i l l

d Saturday, Oct 12, from 11 a m to 2 p m , at its Cape Coral location at 1401 S W Pine Island Road

This family-friendly event is free to the public and promises a fun-filled afternoon for all ages The Fall Fest will feature a variety of activities, including an inflatable corn maze, pumpkin patch, f a c

Attendees can also enjoy delicious food and drinks, as well as browse and shop with local vendors Plus, don’t miss the opportunity to get a complimentary family portrait taken!

A special highlight of the event will be a visit from the Lee County Sheriff's Office, offering guests a chance to meet local heroes, as well as enjoy a sweet treat from the LSCO Ice Cream Response Unit

“We love being a part of this community and are excit-

ed to host the Fall Fest again this year,” said Lee Snyder, owner of Farmer Joe's “It’s important to us to create a space where families can come together, make memories and celebrate the fall season We’ve grown with this community, and events like these help us give back and strengthen those connections ” For the latest information, please visit Farmer Joe’s Facebook page at https://www facebook com/farmerjoesofficial

About Farmer Joe’s

Farmer Joe’s is an independent grocery store, located in Cape Coral It is known for a large produce section, which is sourced directly from local farms as much as possible It also has a wide variety of specialty products, quality meat, seafood, prepared foods and much more Learn more at their website, FarmerJoes com

SCHEA’s 6th Annual South Cape Business Trick or Treat to be held Oct. 19

Association's 6th Annual South Cape Business Trick or Treat Event will be held Saturday, Oct 19, from noon to 4 p m

Residents and guests are invited to bring the kids to have their bags filled with goodies at South Cape businesses Each location will be passing out candy, trinkets or one of the many great treats of higher value - like gift cards to awesome local places A limo bus will safely t

Parkway and back

There will also be an official photo booth (location TBA) to take a spooky picture for free!

Participate in our Photo Booth Contest for a chance to win cash prizes:

■ 1st Place: $150

■ 2nd Place: $100

■ 3rd Place: $50

Trick or Treat participating locations include: BMI Florida Real Estate, Cape Coral re:MADE, A Cut Above Salon, Eight-Foot Brewing, Family Traditions, The Greek Spot, John Michael's Jewelry, Karma & Coconuts, Lehne Burger, Maximo Flooring, Paradise Pizza, Penny's Coffee, Perk & Brew, A Pooch's Paradise Pet Grooming, Ralph's Place, Razzle Dazzle, RE/MAX Nautical Realty, Starbucks, Sidecar Treats, Sweet Spot, Trebing Tile & Carpet and Zak's Jewelry

More businesses are expected to sign up

See the complete map here: bit ly/southcapeTOTmap

You can register for the event at https://www eventb

treat-tickets-102822

Wednesday Volleyball

Oasis 3, Mariner 0: The Sharks completed a season sweep of the West Zone's big five schools, downing the Tritons 25-16, 25-11, 25-18 Oasis (14-4) claimed victories against Cape Coral, Ida Baker, Island Coast, North Fort Myers and Mariner this season without losing a set

Girls Bowling

B i s h o p V e r o t d I d a B a k e r , f o r f e i t : S i e n n a Gasperini rolled a 223 for the Vikings (9-1), setting a Bishop Verot girls record

Boys Bowling

Bishop Verot d. Ida Baker, forfeit: CJ Carranza led Verot (9-1) with a 190 game

Tuesday Volleyball

North Fort Myers 3, Mariner 0: Anna Byrne had 12 kills, Harley Mendez 11 digs, Aliyah Santiago 18 assists and Mia Boyd-Kiphart 11 assists as the Red Knights (15-4) won 25-15, 25-15, 25-10

Community School of Naples 3, Oasis 0: Jordan Baksh had nine kills and Ellye Henkle added six, but the Sharks (13-4) fell to CSN 25-18, 25-14, 26-24

Bishop Verot 3, Port Charlotte 1: A 25-23, 19-25, 25-18, 25-20 win against 10-6 Port Charlotte lifted the Vikings to 14-6 on the season

Girls Golf

Private 8 Championship: Community School of Naples posted a team score of 284, four shots under par, to dominate the conference tournament First Baptist Academy was second, 56 shots back, followed by St

Evangelical Christian CSN had five of the top six finishers, including medalist Alaynt Friedt, who shot a 3under 69 at Valencia Golf & Country Club Two other Seahawks finished under par and another was at evenpar 72 For Bishop Verot, Kate Johnson and Raleigh Currin tied for 13th, Simone Henry was 16th, Zoe V a n d e

Seacrest Country Day and Southwest Florida Christian did not participate in the tournament

Mariner vs. Cypress Lake, no team scores At Lexington Country Club

Mariner: Anna Egler 69, Emma Tuescher 69 North Fort Myers 132, Riverdale 134, Bonita Springs 155 (9 holes) At El Rio Golf Course North Fort Myers: Sydney Caldwell 43, Megan Waters 45, Lucy Molloy 54, Gracie Sand 54

OCTOBER 4, 2024

Cape Coral High announces 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees

Cape Coral High School has announced the new members of the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame The Class of 2025 inductees includes four student athletes and one coach

“It’s an honor to be inducting these former Seahawks,” said Cape Coral High Schoo Principal Ryan Jackson “These remarkable individuals have not only made a mark in their respective fields but have also embodied the spirit of Cape Coral High School We are thrilled to honor their accomplishments and hope to inspire our current students to pursue their own passions and dreams ”

The Hall of Fame aims to celebrate the legacy Cape Coral High School and recognize the achievements of individuals who exemplify the school's values of excellence, leadership, and service The 2025 Hall of Fame class includes:

the College World Series, pitching nine innings and giving up only three runs

■ Fred Harley, Class of 1996, was a standout football player and wrestler at Cape Coral High School He was a 3 time All-Conference and All District honoree for ootball He was also an LCAC and district wrestling champion He continued his football career at the University of Central Florida

During his tenure at UCF, he had over 200 tackles, 17 5 sacks, and over 60 quarterback hurries

■ Jake Stevens, Class of 2003, was drafted 79th overall by the Atlanta Braves in 2003 He p ayed nine years of minor league baseball, six years with the Atlanta Braves, and a year each with the Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco Giants and Minnesota Twins organizations He accumulated over 750 minor league innings and 45 wins during a nine year career

■ Dr Steven Maxwell, a retired Cape Coral High School teacher, began his career at CCHS in 1985 and taught for 36 years Maxwell served as the SGA Advisor, SADD Club Advisor and the Rotary Club liaison He coached many sports, including girls’ tennis, which went undefeated from 1999-2002 Maxwell was also named Lee County Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and Fort Myers News-Press Coach of the Year for tennis

■ Jason Fletcher, Class of 2001, had a record of 27-6 pitching at CCHS and was named 4A Player of the Year. He went on to play baseball at Indian River State College and the University of South Carolina At USC, he played in

■ Camary Williams, Class of 2013, played four years of varsity basketball at CCHS After two seasons at Hillsborough Community College, she played for two more years at the University of Evansville At UE, she earned several recognitions: Missouri Valley Conference Honorable Mention, MVC First Team All Defense and MVC Defensive Player of the Year She currently sits in 3rd place for most steals in MVC history She also played professionally overseas for three years

The induction ceremony will take place at halftime Oct. 25 during the homecoming football game versus Mariner Tickets are sold online at https://www gofan co /search

Persechino voted Athlete of the Month for September

The votes are in for the Cape Coral Breeze’s September Athlete of the Month, and the winner is Oasis High School's Skye Persechino

During her nomination week, the young standout swimmer captured two individual first place finishes, and was part of two firstplace relay teams versus Charlotte High School

The sophomore was tops in the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly, and swam with the wining 200 medley relay and 400 free relay teams

“I'm so proud of the work we have put in, and I feel the need to work even harder to help the team," Persechino told The Breeze "I feel very good about the start to our season We are succeeding both individually, and as a team. Our relay teams are improving every day, and it's amazing to see how far we've come ”

Voting for October's Athlete of the Month will open toward the end of the month Stay up to date with the Cape Coral Breeze’s Athlete of the Week selections on capecoralbreeze com

Tommy Bohanon Foundation awards grants to 14 area youth athletic programs

More than a dozen area youth athletic programs were

Bohanon Foundation Sports Equipment Grant program. The funding will be used to purchase items such as weight room equipment, a golf simulator, cheer mats, transportation to soccer matches, scoreboards and more

Tommy and Katie Bohanon from the foundation presented checks to:

■ Cape Coral High School - $1,000

■ Dunbar High - $7,500

■ Good Shepherd - $1,000

■ Goodwill Pathways to Opportunity - $5,000

■ Ida Baker High - $1,000

■ Island Coast High - $6,000

■ Lehigh Acres Pop Warner - $3,600

■ Mariner High - $10,000

■ MVP FC - $1,000

■ North Fort Myers Academy of the Arts - $1,500

■ North Fort Myers High - $10,000

■ Oasis High - $2,500

■ Riverdale High - $2,500

■ Southwest Florida Impact Athletic Program - $1,000

“We’re excited to once again be able to provide this

Southwest Florida,” said foundation president Tommy Bohanon “We appreciate all that these programs do to help our student-athletes grow and we are honored to support them as much as we can ”

The grants provide an opportunity for Southwest Florida athletic programs in need to receive funding or physical equipment for their athletes With the proper equipment, athletes can excel in their sport safely and more effectively Since 2018, the foundation has awarded over $218,000 to more than a dozen athletic programs

About the Tommy Bohanon Foundation

The Tommy Bohanon Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting young athletes reach their highest potential on and off the playing field Former NFL fullback Tommy Bohanon returned to his hometown in Southwest Florida to pursue his vision of ending generational poverty for at-risk youth The foundation funds annual scholarships, sports equipment grants to local high schools, youth football camps, seminars and programs, as well as funding for other local nonprofits For more information about the Tommy Bohanon Foundation, visit TommyBohanonFoundation org or call 239-6710441

Skye Persechino

From page 38

Boys Golf

Conference title, beating second-place St

8

John Neumann by 13 strokes at Valencia Golf & Country Club in Naples The Vikings had a team score of 295, seven shots over par The Celtics' Ryan Toole was the medalist with a round of 1-under 71, but the Vikings had four of the top

Big sack

Red Knights linebacker Jordan Carr (20) sacks Green Wave quarterback Dominic Ardezzone on third down late in last Friday’s game. North Fort Myers won the game over longtime rival Fort Myers, 33-30

eight finishers JC Iglesias finished even par, Easton Green was 1 over par, and both Adrian Bahnam and Griffin Henry carded rounds of 3-over 75 Matthew Matta of Bishop Verot was 8-over for 11th place. Community School of Naples was third,

Academy, Evangelical Christian, Seacrest C

Christian

Island Coast +38, Mariner +59 At Coral Oaks Golf Club Island Coast: Ryan Mueller 40, Cole

49, Caleb Kiraly 52, Justin Medero 54, Gavin June 57, Ryan Kotaski 58 Weekend schedule

Friday

Football Island Coast at Charlotte Cape Coral at Lemon Bay Oasis at ECS

Saturday Cross Countr y Riverdale Invitational At FGCU/Buckingham Campus flrunners com Invitational At Holloway Park, Lakeland Mariner, North Fort Myers, Oasis participating

Kraft: Inline hockey champions

From page 31

and forming lasting friendships with teammates from diverse backgrounds made my journey truly unforgettable,” she said

Kraft’s journey has also included teaching for the last 14 years, four of which have been spent at Skyline

“My desire to become a teacher was inspired by the opportunity to create a positive impact in the lives of children I strive to create a classroom environment that fosters a love for learning, where students feel inspired to explore and ask questions I aim

to encourage students to push themselves to their academic potential I believe that when students are engaged and feel supported, they are more likely to take risks and challenge themselves,” she said

Kraft and her husband began a hockey club at Skyline Elementary School

“Our hockey club caps at 40 players from grades 2 to 5 The younger kids in 2nd and 3rd grade form one team, while the older students in 4th and 5th grade make up the other Each team consists of 10 players We play 5-on-5 on the basketball courts at our school,” she said

Mammograms: Procedure recommended to detect breast cancer

From page 21

cancer For example, triple-negative breast

m o n

B

c k women

If regular screenings are performed for all, the chance of catching any potential cancer is improved and chances of survival are much greater

What about 3D mammograms, breast MRIs and false positives?

When someone gets a mammogram, it is likely going to be a 2D mammogram A 3D mammogram is an option for women with dense breasts A breast MRI would be performed for women who have a higher risk of developing breast cancer, such as those who have a lifetime risk of breast cancer of 20% or more

Genetic testing can be performed at Lee Health for women who have a family history of breast cancer to determine if they carry the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, which will potentially put them at a higher risk for developing the disease

Women, especially those with dense breasts, may also experience false positives w i t h t h e i r m a m m o g r a m s o r f o l l o w - u p screenings More sensitive screening methods, such as MRIs or 3D mammograms, can pick up more false positives because the screening methods are more sensitive

in nature and likely to flag more potential abnormalities

When more abnormalities are present, further testing is needed to rule out all issues and ensure the patient has proper treatment and support Additional followups to screenings do not mean it could be a positive breast cancer screening, but rather an opportunity to gather important information

Why is early detection important?

It is not uncommon for cancer to be developing in the body before physical symptoms start to show, making screening tests like mammograms a crucial tool toward detecting any issues as soon as possible If breast cancer is caught early, it gives the cancer less of a chance to spread to other parts of the body, making it much easier to treat and more manageable for the patient

A

Society, when breast cancer is detected early, and is in the localized stage, the fiveyear relative survival rate is 99% Early detection includes doing monthly breast self-exams and scheduling regular mammograms

For more information on how to do a

schedule an appointment for a mammogram, please visit www leehealth org

Bananas: A home-grown fruit

From page 18

wet zone Clear a 5-foot circle of sod or plants With our sandy and calcium-filled soils, mix compost with your native soil Water well; mulch heavily In the dry season, water one inch weekly Fertilize every three months with a 3-1-6 ratio Add magnesium every 2 months also to maximize growth Substitute compost for summer fertilization

Remember that the one banana tree you plant will become a grove after a few years Allow ample space Only allow 2 pups per tree each season To remove a

pup, cut it at the base where it joins the parent plant Give to a friend!

If you are looking to buy plants this fall, including bananas, check out the Tropical Plant Sale at Rotary Park, Saturday, Oct 19, from 9 a m to 2 p m

Rotary Park will also have a Butterfly Garden Design class on Friday, Oct 18, from 1-3 p.m.

Sherie Bleiler volunteers at the Cape Coral Library Butterfly Garden and is past president of the Garden Club of Cape

When should I see a doctor if I notice anything abnormal?

We are our body’s biggest advocates If anything feels abnormal, it’s important to make an appointment with a physician as soon as possible

Consult a physician if you notice any of the following:

■ Nipple discharge that is bloody or clear

■ A lump in the breast

■ Flattening of the nipple

■ Changes to the breast’s skin texture

■ Dimpling of the skin

■ Redness or swelling

■ Changes in the size or shape of the breast

Dr Santosh Kagathur is a Lee Health oncologist

Looking for a loving home

Chino is a super senior at 12+ years young He has lived a wonderfully spoiled life, but now he is looking for a new home to enjoy my Golden Years He is used to the finer things in life, and is hoping to find someone who will continue to spoil him just as he deserves Chino has got all the classic Chihuahua “charm,” and he definitely knows what and who he likes Jewel is a 6 months to a year-old female She is a super sweet kitty who absolutely loves people She will be the first one to greet you when you walk in the room, and she loves being the center

of attention! She is playful and active and can't resist a good toy Whether it's a ball, feather or something that crinkles, Jewel is always ready for some fun

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

The shelter is located at 325 S W 2nd Ave , Cape Coral, and hours of operation are Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 5 p m , and Friday through Sunday, noon to 4 p m Please call the CCAS at 239-5732002 for additional information

Johnathan Peterson 53. Mariner: Gavin Mills 48, Liam Burke

Jewel

CAPE CORAL ANIMAL SHELTER

Chino

MARK CLIFFORD

Cape Coral Breeze Athletes

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