VolumE 48, NumbEr 33
New Beacon Executive Director Cote says she’s
By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com
When Nancy Buthman retired from her job as director of Community Programs at the Beacon of HOPE, it left somewhat of a gaping hole to be filled. Beacon of Hope board members Elsie Stearns and Carlyn Herring both welcomed new Executive Director Nancy Cote with open arms and high hopes, as she began at the Beacon on Dec. 9
“This is the story of someone who truly lives up to the Beacon of HOPE model (Helping Our People Excel)," Cote said "I moved to the island and I started as a volunteer at the thrift store under Betsy, the director at the time She loved the way that I worked at the thrift store so she told me to create the ESOL program, which was very successful and I was going to school at the time and Betsy encouraged me to apply to all the island scholarships, which I did, and I received scholarships from the
After earning her degree, Cote said she had to leave the island because there were simply no jobs for her She worked for the United Way as a community service representative and weekend program manager, which is designed to work with people who have an oncology diagnosis and need to be connected to a provider who will see them free of charge
“Recently, during the storm, I worked with Nancy Buthman, my predecessor, to make sure the island was
See COMING HOME, page 16
Cruising to see Santa
Former Pine Island Elementary student Lolly gives bicycles to all of the students at the island school
By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com
Pine Island Elementary School Principal Michael Galbreath said when former PIE student Jenn Erickson called the school and told him that her friends, Roger and Kristin Lolly, who is also a former PIE student, wanted to donate Christmas bicycles to the kids at the school, he and the staff were very excited about the generous gifts
Adventures in Paradise continues popular island holiday excursions
By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com
According to Adventures in Paradise business owner Evelyn Stewart, Santa’s Dolphin Cruise tour has been going for approximately 15 years now All departure locations end up on Christmas Island (Picnic Island), she said, where Santa and his elves make a seasonal yearly visit
Generally, on the way there as well as on the way back, there are dolphin following in the wake of the boat
“We cruise out into the bay area looking for dolphins, of course, and then we end up on Picnic Island but we call it Christmas Island,” Stewart said
Once guests arrive, she said, they are greeted by the Christmas elves who take the children to Candy Cane Lane where Mrs Claus hands out cookies and gifts to the children and they are invited to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what they want for Christmas
“We have people that have been coming back for years, whose kids are almost grown up,” Stewart said Having been in business since 1986, Stewart said
See HOLIDAY EXCURSIONS, page 16
Santa and his helpers greet visitors arriving at Christmas Island
PHOTO PROVIDED
The bike giveaway took place Saturday, Dec 14 ,in t h e s c h o o l p a r k i n g l o t , where parents were greeted by Galbreath, the Lollys, Erickson and a whole crew of helpers as they came to pick up the bicycles
“ A l l s t u d e n t s a t P I E were eligible to receive the bicycles I believe we had approximately 155 who signed up,” Galbreath said
“All students at PIE were eligible to receive the bicycles. I believe we had approximately 155 who signed up ” – PIE Principal Michael Galbreath
After students had signed up, he said, they were able to specify whether they needed the bike for a girl or a boy, and whether they would need a helmet or training wheels, all of which were provided by Lolly Erickson said Lolly had really wanted to do something nice for the kids of PIE since he also grew up out here, in fact, the two have been friends since the second grade, she said
“He thought buying bikes for all the kids after the
See BICYCLES, page 18
From left are Elsie Stearns, Nancy Cote and Carlyn Herring.
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY ELSIE STEARNS
Islander Franklin finds resilience and peace
After hurricanes destroyed her business, stylist welcomed at Cutting Ties Hair Salon
By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com
All the hurricanes Mother Nature could muster have not kept Pine Islander Kimberly Franklin from being resilient With two small children (Emmitt and Marlie) who attend Pine Island Elementary, she has had to hold her life together, in spite of all the weather and storms
She has been in the business of beauty for 24 years now She said she loves it, with all the travel and education her work has brought to her door After growing up watching her mother work with hair, it wasn’t a surprise that Kimberly Franklin went into the salon business
“I got to work for L A Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week and then did a hair show for Donatella Versace and opened for a lot of big shows,” Franklin said
In 2005, Franklin had her own salon on Pine Island, and by 2015, she said she moved her Salty Strands Hair Salon over to Matlacha Having had clients, not only from Pine Island, but also from North Captiva and Useppa, she said she loved the idea of being closer to everyone
Franklin said the building where her salon is located
was in flooded eight times in one year. After her brand new shampoo/massage chair got ruined, Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused more of what was already a huge loss for her
“It was a big decision to move to another salon Everyone kept asking why I didn’t just try to rebuild but, after losing so much it’s hard,” Franklin said
Since her Matlacha home and business were lost during Hurricane Helene, she felt as though she needed time to process having to start from scratch The idea of moving or starting over from somewhere else was not an option, she said
“I want to be here. My clients are my family and our whole life is here," she said
Although she conceded that there is always a possibility that she will get Salty Strands up and running again, currently, folks can find her at Cutting Ties Salon, where Franklin was welcomed with open arms
“They were really interested in me from the beginning, when they found out what had happened and they really were excited when I walked in and decided to join their team they were thrilled,” Franklin said
Cutting Ties Hair Salon is at 5465 Pine Island Road, #1a, Bokeelia Call 239-283-4146 for information or appointments.
Dolphins rescued in Bokeelia
By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com
Wednesday, Dec. 11, a wildlife rescue truck appeared near the marina on Genesee Parkway, for what he described as a “big operation ”
“Many cars and people appeared near the marina including a vehicle labeled Mammal Wildlife Rescue, two Lee County Sheriff vehicles and many types of boats Instructions were given to the group for the rescue of two dolphins trapped in the shallow water of the mangroves located between Genesee Parkway and Pine Island Road,” Balf said
After he returned home to have breakfast, he said a convey of boats of all kinds passed his home on the Genesee canal
“I grabbed my photo equipment and set out in one of
Responding to a report of injured dolphins, the wildlife rescue crews took to the waters off G e n e s e e P a r k w a y i n Bokeelia last Wednesday.
PHOTOS BY JOHN BALFE
our kayaks The president of our local homeowner's
l d m e h e would like to observe, but his boat was too large I thought I could go there with our kayak and that is what I did,” Balfe said H e e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e water was so shallow that the rescuers had to anchor
wade to where the dolphins were located
“Since I did not want to get in the way of their operations, I waited awhile bef o
w i n g i n m y kayak,” Balfe said of his o
“ W h e n I reached the other side, the dolphins rescue was completed I was told they were
‘departed strongly,’ I was told, by one of the staff ”
PHOTO PROVIDED
Kimberly Franklin with her mother.
OPINIONS
Phone: (239) 283-2022
Fax: (239) 283-0232
Web: pineisland-eagle com
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Editor Paulette LeBlanc
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Eagle is published every Wednesday 10700 Stringfellow Road, Ste 60 Bokeelia, FL 33922
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An update on the progress of our School District
Dear Lee County, I hope this message finds you well; it’s hard to believe we are upon completing the first half of the 2024-2025 school year It is a privilege to serve as your county-wide school board member I am delighted to have the opportunity to share the following important updates and developments with Lee County students and their families, ensuring you are well-informed about the progress and initiatives within our school district:
1 Welcome Dr Denise Carlin
We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Denise Carlin as our first elected superintendent in 50 years Dr Carlin brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to our district We look forward to her leadership and the positive impact she will have on our schools
2 New Board Members
Please join me in welcoming our two new board members, Bill Ribble and Vanessa Chaviano Their dedication and commitment to our community will be invaluable as we work together to enhance the educational experience for all students Additionally, congratulations to Melissa Giovannelli on her re-election We are grateful for her continued service and leadership
FWC updates website for repor ting waterway debris
To the editor:
many of us are seeing abandoned, stormdamaged vessels and other debris in our waterways, Lee County wanted to let you know that the state FWC just updated its website to make it a lot easier to report waterway debris issues locally.
Here is the link: https://floridadebriscleanup com/#!/submit
Please share with your friends and neighbors as you see fit
Betsy Clayton, APR, CPRC | Communications Director Lee County Government
Local postmaster says Postal Ser vice is ‘primed and ready’ for holiday shipping rush
To the editor: RE: Postmaster's Report – Recommended Holiday Shipping and Mailing Dates
As the Postmaster for the city of Fort
3 FSBA Conference Summary
Recently, our board mem-
(FSBA) conference Here are some key takeaways:
We discussed various legislative platforms that will shape
Florida These discussions are crucial for advocating policies that benefit our students and schools
■ Teacher Retention Solutions: Addressing the chall
explored innovative solutions to support and retain our dedicated educators
Jada Langford Fleming Guest Commentary
■ School Safety Up-dates: Ensuring the safety of our students and staff remains a top priority We reviewed the latest strategies and technologies to enhance school safety.
■ Attendance Issues: We addressed the ongoing challenges of student attendance, both in- person and virtual Strategies to improve attendance and engagement were
Letters to the Editor
Myers, I want to assure you that the U S Postal Service is primed and ready to deliver exceptional service during the 2024 holiday
USPS has made under the Delivering for America plan a $40 billion investment aimed at revitalizing the national postal network our operational, transportation and delivery processes have never been more finely tuned My dedicated team and I are fully prepared to once again handle the peak holiday season surge
As you and your family prepare for the holidays, it's always a good idea to Ship It Early! We encourage everyone to send their holiday mail and packages well in advance to ensure they reach their destinations on time, but we understand that sometimes cards or packages are sent last minute
T
dates for expected holiday delivery within the continental U S before Dec 25 are:
■ Dec 18: USPS Ground Advantage service; First Class Mail service
■ Dec 19: Priority Mail service
■ Dec 21: Priority Mail Express service
We Want Your Opinion
views expressed on the Opinions pages are just that opinions These pages are intended to convey a range of viewpoints; opinions printed on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper Opposing views are welcome. Letters to the Editor or guest columns may be mailed to: Pine Island Eagle, 10700 Stringfellow Road, Ste 60, Bokeelia, FL 33922; e-mailed to pineisland@ breezenewspapers com; posted to our Virtual Newsroom at www.breezenewspapers.com or faxed to 283-0232. All letters and guest columns must be signed and must contain a phone number for verification purposes. You also can comment on any letter or editorial opinion online at: pineisland-eagle com
shared and will be implemented in our district.
Keep your eye out for
times, primarily focusing on h
feedback will be crucial in presenting this information to the legislative body, so we can b
needs
We are committed to keeping you informed and involved in the progress of our district
As we approach the holiday season, I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and your families May you have a joyful and restful holiday season, and here's to a successful second half of the school year!
Your support and engagement are vital to our success Thank you for your continued dedication to our schools and community.
Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year
Jada Langford Fleming is the District 6 School Board Member
For a complete list of recommended holiday mailing and shipping dates, please visit usps com/holidayshippingdates And remember: the earlier you send, the better Ship it Early!
We are honored and grateful for your trust in the U S Postal Service Your postal teams at the Fort Myers Post Offices are proud to be the most affordable, reliable way to send cheer this holiday season, and we’re ready to deliver exceptional service during the holidays and beyond Cinnamon Young Fort Myers Postmaster (OIC)
Deep-seated anger toward health care industr y continues to rise
To the editor:
I n c r e a s e d d e a t h t h r e a t s f o
insurers has resulted in a new industry of enhanced security for the administrators. With their multi-million dollar salaries and stock options, they must be protected from angry patients with guns They now must live in a bubble of fear themselves - of their own creation Excessive corporate profits harm their patients Medical bills are the leading
United States because of insurer’s “deny,
Power to the patients
Americas health bill will surpass $7 7 trillion by 2032 That’s equivalent to one in every five dollars flowing through the economy
To address this crisis, we must make health care work like other sectors of our economy, rather than the bloated, over-regulated mess it is today And that will require giving patients more control over their healthcare dollars
Because massive government programs like Medicare reimburse providers so little, hospitals and doctors charge private insurers higher rates to make up the difference
P
Medicare would have paid, on average
w
a
Private insurers pass their higher costs onto patients in the form of soaring premiums, deductibles, and restrictions on what's covered
Obamacare’s many mandates have encouraged consolidation throughout the healthcare marketplace
Hospitals are getting bigger, too, in order to gain negotiating leverage with insurers The 10 biggest U S healthcare systems now manage more than 1,200 hospitals, or about 20% of our country's total.
All that consolidation reduces competition and nudges costs higher
To top it all off, nobody knows exactly how much anything costs until they get hit with the bill As of February 2023, three-quarters of hospitals still failed to publish their prices, despite federal rules requiring them to do so
It’s time to end this madness
The first move should be to create a regulatory envi-
From page 4
have been unleashed with furor by both doctors and patients
Insurance companies make money by turning medicine into an assembly line business with high burn out
ronment that incentivizes providers to disclose cash prices in a clear and usable fashion Enforcing price transparency rules would help
But so would empowering consumers to make real choices If patients are responsible for spending their own healthcare doll
price-conscious.
That’s where health savings accounts and health reimbursement arrangements come into play HSAs allow consumers to set aside money tax-free, which they can use to pay for health care as they see fit
healthcare dollars, providers have to compete for their business Over time, that leads to better quality and lower costs
C
Medicare beneficiaries to contribute to HSAs. Lawmakers should also raise the limits on what people can contribute to an HSA each year
Letters to the Editor
rates of providers - paying the hospitals, doctors, nurses and other health care workers less, denying claims from patients and keeping people from seeking medical care in the first place by instilling fear that their medical care and prescriptions will not be “covered ” If you pay your premiums and never use medical services, they make more money After becoming CEO of UnitedHealthcare in
lion in profits in 2023 According to UnitedHealth Group's 2023 financial report, they paid approximately $5,704 million in income taxes Now wealthy corporations want even more tax breaks And Americans voted for that in the last election
Lynn A. Hagedorn,
MD
Sally C. Pipes
Hurricane damage to mangrove islands
As I traverse the man-
g r o v e i s l a n d s o f P i n e Island Sound from Captiva Pass to Boca Grande Pass, I am fully aware of the devastation our man-
g r o v e i s l a n d s h a v e
e n d u r e d f r o m H
i c a n e Ian, Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton
F
grove forests Mangroves are the perfect habitat for
dolphins as well as nursery habitats for a multi-
They also protect homeo w n e r s a n d b o a t
w
e r s from storm winds, waves and floods
During hurricanes and tropical storms, mangroves absorb much of the wind and the surge
Mangrove branches serve as rookeries for coastal birds such as brown peli c
American alligators and American crocodiles are both residents of mangrove habitats
Fish live and thrive in the mangroves Eventually, juveniles leave the protection of the mangroves and become part of the food web in the estuaries and coastal waters of Southwest Florida In other words, they become lunch for bottlenose dolphins and us!
Today, the mangroves look weary and worn out They have sustained three h u r r i c a n e s i n t w o y e a r s T h e y h a v e worked hard to maintain their habitat a n d t h e i r s e
dwellers and their homes
But hurricanes affect the structure and composition of the forest by uprooting and killing trees, breaking and knocking down stems and branches and defoliating the canopy. The intensity of our recent storms has truly altered our beautiful ecosystem
W h e n a h u
n e makes landfall, it transf e r s i t s e n e r g y t o t h e coastal system, where the fringing mangroves along the coastline receive the most violent impact The
trees is higher in areas where there is a connection to open water After Hurricane Ian, the mangroves were already stressed Now they have endured the intensity of Helene but most importantly Hurricane Milton The intensity, wind speed, size and most important of recent is storm
mangroves.
So as our Snowbirds return (including the white pelicans who have already
Nature will do her work to bring healing to our beautiful mangrove ecosystem. It just isn’t healthy right now and is very noticeable as you are on the water
Captain Cathy Eagle has spent over 40 years boating on our local waters
As a professional charter captain, she specializes in dolphin and nature tours Visit CaptainCathy.com or call /text 239 994-2572 Welcome aboard!
Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District Engineer Neil Kerr
Kerr retires from M/PIFCD
Last month, we had the honor of celebrating Engineer Neil Kerr, who retired after an incredible 25 years of dedicated service to our community
Throughout his career, Engineer Kerr exemplified hard work, bravery and an unwavering commitment to keeping our community safe As you hang up your
gear and step into this well-deserved next chapter, know that you leave behind a legacy of excellence and courage that will never be forgotten
Please join us in wishing Engineer Kerr all the best in retirement!
Chief Ben Mickuleit
Christmas Tree Lighting Friday
Come join the Matlacha/Pine Island F i r e C o n t r o l D i s t r i c t f o r i t s A n n u a l
Christmas Tree Lighting Friday, Dec. 20, from 6-8 p m , at Station 1 at 5700 Pine Island Road, Bokeelia
Get into the holiday spirit with carols
sung by the Pine Island Elementary student chorus, hot cocoa, arts and crafts, cookies and a very jolly guest from the North Pole In addition, we will have the department will be holding its third annual Whoville!
Capt Cathy Eagle
PHOTO PROVIDED
Lee County operations adjust schedules for holidays
Most Lee County administrative operations will be closed Tuesday, Dec 24, and Wednesday, Dec 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday, as well as on Tuesday, Dec. 31, and Wednesday, Jan. 1, for the New Year’s holiday
The holiday schedule adjustments:
Solid Waste
Collections of garbage, recycling and yard waste will continue as normal on Tuesday, Dec 24 There will be no collections on Wednesday, Dec 25, and collections will continue with typical Wednesday collections happening on Thursday, typical Thursday collections on Friday and so on through Saturday, Dec 28
Solid Waste offices will be closed on Tuesday, Dec 24, and Wednesday, Dec. 25.
The Resource Recovery Facility in Buckingham and the Lee-Hendry Landfill will be closed on Wednesday, Dec 25, but open regular hours on Tuesday, Dec 24
The LaBelle and Clewiston transfer stations will be closed Wednesday, Dec 25
Collections of garbage, recycling and yard waste will continue as normal on Tuesday, Dec 31 There will be no collections on Wednesday, Jan 1, and collections will continue with typical Wednesday collections happening on Thursday, typical Thursday collections on Friday and so on through Saturday, Jan 4
Solid Waste offices will be closed on Tuesday, Dec 31, and Wednesday, Jan. 1.
The Resource Recovery Facility in Buckingham and the Lee-Hendry Landfill will be closed on Wednesday, Jan 1, but open regular hours on Tuesday, Dec 31
The LaBelle and Clewiston transfer stations will be closed Jan 1
Christmas trees that have had the stand, lights and decorations removed, including tinsel, can be set out with regular yard waste to be ground into mulch As a reminder, plastic toys, ribbons, bows, metallic and plastic wrapping paper and batteries should not be placed in recycle carts Batteries should be brought to Lee County’s Household Chemical Waste Facility located at 6441 Topaz Court,
Fort Myers For a more detailed list of where items should go visit www leegov com/solidwaste/recycle-coach
Community Development
All Lee County Community Development lobbies and phones will be closed Friday, Dec 20 Staff will continue working during this time to address applications and departmental workload
Lobbies and phones will be closed Monday, Dec 23, with the exception of Inspections Administration Staff will continue working during this time to address applications and departmental workload
Wednesday, Dec 25, for the holiday
Lobbies and phones will be closed Monday, Dec 30, with the exception of Inspections Administration. Staff will continue working during this time to address applications and departmental workload
Wednesday, Jan 1, for the holiday
The electronic permitting portal will remain open during the closures Visit www leegov com/dcd
Utilities
The Call Center and the drive-thru window at 7391 C
, Wednesday, Dec 25, Tuesday, Dec 31, and Wednesday, Jan. 1.
A drop-box is on-site at the front door and another accessible via the drive-thru for payments by check LeeTran
LeeTran will operate its regularly scheduled bus service on Tuesday, Dec 24 There will be no bus service on W
Thursday, Dec 26 Visit rideleetran com for specific route information
V
TranFL/ for information on services on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
Debris collection continues on Pine Island
Debris collection crews have been working on Pine Island daily and will be active in the area until residential hurricane debris is cleared
Crews continue to work in areas where significant piles remain, focusing on residential hurricane debris in the public right-of-way
The county has identified all eligible debris piles and is committed to completing collection
Pine Island remains a priority for the county Residents should see a major difference very shortly
Lots of islanders are chatting on social media about Cap’N Con’s Fish House Just FYI: The debris near Cap’N Con’s Fish House along Main Street in Bokeelia involves a commercial demolition project Commercial demolition debris is ineligible for collection by the county’s contracted hauler under the FEMA and county’s residential right-of-way hurricane debris collection guidelines
Parks & Recreation
Beaches, boat ramps, parks and preserves will remain open Tuesday, Dec 24, and Wednesday, Dec 25
The administration office will be closed Tuesday, Dec 24, and Wednesday, Dec 25 Normal hours resume Thursday, Dec 26
Pools are closed Tuesday, Dec 24, and Wednesday, Dec. 25., resuming normal operating hours Thursday, Dec. 26
Beaches, boat ramps, parks and preserves will be open Tuesday, Dec 31, and Wednesday, Jan 1
The administration office will be closed Tuesday, Dec 31, and Wednesday, Jan 1, resuming normal operating hours Thursday, Jan 2
Pools are closed Tuesday, Dec 31, and Wednesday, Jan 1, resuming normal operating hours Thursday, Jan 2
The county’s four recreation centers – North Fort Myers, Veterans, Wa-Ke Hatchee and Estero – will be closed through the holidays due to scheduled annual maintenance They will be closed from Saturday, Dec 21, through Sunday, Jan 5 For alternative parks sites, visit www leeparks org The centers will re-open Monday, Jan 6
Librar y System
All branches will be closed Tuesday, Dec 24, and Wednesday, Dec 25 Normal hours of operation resume Thursday, Dec 26
All branches will be closed Tuesday, Dec 31, and Wednesday, Jan 1 Normal hours of operation resume Thursday, Jan 2
The Captiva Memorial Library, 11560 Chapin Lane, Captiva, and The Johann Fust Community Library, 1040 West 10th St , Boca Grande, remain closed due to Hurricane Milton impacts
The library always is available online at www leelibrary net/online
Lee County Domestic Animal Ser vices
On Tuesday, Dec 24, and Wednesday, Dec 25, the Lost & Found Pet Center and the Pet Adoption Center will be closed Normal hours resume Thursday, Dec 26, at 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers
On Tuesday, Dec 31, and Wednesday, Jan 1, the Lost & Found Pet Center and the Pet Adoption Center will be closed Normal hours resume Thursday, Jan 2
Visit www LeeLostPets com for more information
To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign
Fishing up and down like the weather
As typical for winter in S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a , w e a t h e r was all over the place last week We experienced a few days with calm seas and clear skies, many days with strong winds, a cold front, rain, plus extremely low tides So as expected, fishing was up and down as well
Over the calm days, fishing nearshore in Gulf waters
w a s n o t e x c e p t i o n a l b u t steady Lane and mangrove
s n a p p e r , s h e e p s h e a d a n d grunts were caught over reefs and ledges in 35 to 45-foot depths on live shrimp fished
the Water
o n b o t t o m O f t e n t h e b i t e would be good for 5 to 10 minutes then it was time to hit another spot Grunts were the most abundant, plus sheepshead, with many of the sheeps still running under 14 inches
I n s h o r e , s h e e p s h e a d w e r e c a u g h t around docks inside the Gulf passes, plus along shorelines and creeks with hard or o y s t e r b o t t o m a r o u n d B o k e e l i a
"Ding" Darling Baits included shrimp or small crabs fished on the bottom with jig heads, split shots o r e g g s i n k e r s M a n y a r e r u nning small along
w i t h m a n g r o v e
s n a p p e r , b u t
g o o d - s i z e sheepshead were caught R e d
inches were caught from the same inshore areas targeting sheepshead, plus in deeper sand potholes on t h e l o w w
Pineland and Demere Key
Sea trout up to 21 inches were caught as well from the same potholes.
S e a t r o u t c a t c h e s w e r e reported throughout Pine Island Sound and around Buzzard Bay in Matlacha Pass Best areas included sand holes or trenches, bar edges and grassy bottom in 5 to 8-foot depths Baits included shrimp under rattling floats, live shrimp or shrimp and shad tail plastics on a jig head and small g o l d
sharks and a few pompano were also caught
Expect more of the same weather pattern in the coming weeks and up and down fishing We should see sheepshead pick up in number and size as we close out the year If you don’t mind fishing on the adverse days, sheepshead generally are feeding
Stay up to date with fishing regulations by visiting the Florida Fish and W i l d l i f e C o m m i s s i
www myfwc com Also, upload the Fish Rules app on your phone It has current regulations with pictures to help identify fish If you turn on your GPS location the Fish Rules app updates to your location
Over one of the few calm days last week, Terry Rolfes and her fishing crew caught a mixed bag fishing nearshore and inshore. They were fishing with Capt. Bill Russell out of Matlacha.
In my opinion, it is more accurate and up to date than FWC’s website
If you have a fishing report or for charter information, please contact us at Gulf Coast Guide Service at 239-4108576, online at www fishpineisland com or email gcl2fish@live com
Have a safe week and good fishin’
As a lifetime resident of Matlacha and Pine Island, Capt. Bill Russell has spent his life fishing and learning the waters a r o u n
Florida,
Capt. Bill Russell On
PHOTO PROVIDED
FDOT: Construction work continues on Pine Island Road Causeway in Matlacha
BARTOW, Fla – This weekly report was prepared by the Florida Department of Transportation to inform the public about upcoming road work in Southwest Florida
Pine Island Road Causeway and Bridge Permanent Repairs:
Construction project: As part of the Emergency Restoration of the Pine Island Road Causeway and Bridge, crews will be working in the project boundaries along CR 78 Pine Island Road from west of Little Pine Island Bridge (Bridge No 120111) to West of Shoreview Drive
■ Phase 1 of construction on Little Pine Island Bridge continues The bridge
is reduced to one lane as part of the Phase 1
remain one lane through the duration of Phase 1 Temporary signals are placed on both ends of the bridge and variable message signs are in place to alert drivers
■ The Little Pine Island Bridge has been reduced to a single lane width of 12 feet through the duration of Phase 1
■ Motorists can expect occasional lane closures on the causeway for delivery/removal of materials, transfer of equipment as crews perform work on the south side
■ Motorists are reminded not to block driveways or entrances and to follow all posted signage throughout the construction zone
■ Since the start of construction with
the Little Pine Island Bridge, boaters are asked to be aware of construction equipment and erosion control measures that are in place
■ Please be alerted to construction equipment in the construction zone To maintain safety, motorists should find alternate parking areas
■ Pedestrians and bicyclists are not
permitted within the construction zone
■ Please use caution and watch for workers and construction vehicles entering and exiting the roadway
■ Noise from construction equipment in the area is to be expected
Please be patient and plan for additional travel time as it may be slower than usual in the area
Travelers can visit www FL511 com or dial “511” from their phone to learn about traffic conditions on major roadways across the state
FDOT and its projects, please visit its website at https://www fdot gov/
Legion Post 136 accepting applications for Boys State
American Legion Post 136 is accepting applications for the June 2025 Boys State leadership program in Tallahassee
The male applicant must be a junior in pri-
schooled, exhibits leadership, and good personal skills He must submit a letter of reference from a principal, teacher or
counselor before the interview process begins
Participants at Boys State learn the rights, privileges and responsibilities of city, county, and state governments They will also learn the law and court system,
St. John’s Episcopal Church Christmas Eve, Christmas Day services open to public
St
political history
The Post will be conducting in-person
December and chose a candidate for the program Applications for interview can be picked up at the American Legion For more
Patricia LaCour at
For additional information, please visit www floridalegion org and click on programs and services
Hamfest to bring amateur radio enthusiasts to Fort Myers
On Friday, Jan 10, and Saturday, Jan 1
Hamfest will transform Fort Myers into a hub for amateur radio enthusiasts from across the state
This exciting annual event, hosted by the Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club, showcases the vibrant world of radio communication while inviting newcomers to e
hobby
Held at Florida Southwestern State College in an air-conditioned exhibit hall, the event features FCC license testing, educational workshops, and a lively outd
trucks and live demonstrations
Whether you're a seasoned “ham” or a curious beginner, there’s something for everyone to enjoy
The Hamfest arrives at a perfect time, as interest in radio communication grows f o
Attendees will learn firsthand how amateur radio plays a critical role in emergency preparedness The event also offers an excellent opportunity for businesses specializing in radio and electronics to connect with potential buyers Vendor space is available
Explore the latest radios and equipm
enjoy the lively flea market where seasoned operators turn unwanted gear into treasure for others
Hours for Hamfest are noon to 5 p m , Jan 10, and 8 a m to 3 p m , Jan 11
Admission is $10 per person and the event is open to the public F l o r i d a S o
State College, Building U, is located at 8099 College Parkway in Fort Myers
For additional information, please visit swflhamfest com
Association has announced t h e f
events and activities:
Wednesday, Dec 18
■ Kid’s Nature School, 10-11:30 a m
Thursday, Dec 19
■ Ping Pong, 9-11 a m Its a fun way to meet the n e
pong
■ Mahjongg, 1-4 p.m. This is a great place to learn to play mahjongg!
Saturday, Dec. 21 ■ G
The association has
w things, stop by and shop! Donations are accepted Tuesday, Dec 24
■ Ping Pong, 9-11 a m
■ Dominoes, 6-8 p m Dominos is back - easy to Learn – fun to play
Special event ■ Boaters Safety Course
liary, Wednesday, Jan 22
option 1, for registration or questions
Superintendent stresses priorities to improve School District
Carlin notes she has an ‘unwavering commitment to staff ’
By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com
Superintendent Dr Denise Carlin shared that she has an unwavering commitment to the staff of the School District of Lee County during Tuesday night’s meeting
“I am proud to share with our community that we are so focused as a district on the five priorities I ran on,” she said “I’m so happy because as a team we talked about our priorities and the laser like focus on our work ”
Those priorities include ensuring safe and secure schools; increasing student achievement; expanding technical education opportunities; increasing teacher retention and recruitment; ensuring fiscal responsibility and empowering parents as partners in education
Carlin said it’s about prioritizing their budget and making sure they are putting dollars where they belong
“How are we going to preserve dollars and generate
o
t o w a
salaries,” she said “I can tell y
commitment to our staff I’ve given a work directive to cabinet They will be coming back with budgets in terms of cuts –go line by line.”
Carlin said the line by line will separate out the “must dos” and "nice to dos ”
“Perhaps putting the nice to dos aside,” she said, adding they have to “focus on high
Superintendent Denise Carlin
team members we have in the school district to making sure they are making a livable wage That is my commit-
ment We are going to model the way as the central office We are going to start the work ”
Carlin said there was an incident a couple of weeks ago at one of the elementary schools She said OPENGATE caught a weapon that was brought onto campus and stopped it right there
She said as far as increasing student achievement, they heard from numerous teachers during public comment of its importance
“It’s our number two priority right after safety and security Our team is buckling down We are looking closely at ways to improve student achievement – it starts with teachers and high-quality practices,” Carlin said
Another priority is making sure they partner with parents, as it is important to empower voices of parents
“My priorities – and now they are our district priorities,” Carlin said “I am proud of that work and can’t wait to get started on it ”
Staff asked to provide plan for School Board advisory committees
By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com
District staff was tasked with coming back to the School Board with a preliminary plan of board advisory committees during its Tuesday meeting, as they are currently suspended
Deputy Superintendent Dr Ken Savage asked the board at what point do they resume, or make revisions to the current policy in regards to board advisory committees He said the final decision rests on the board
“How do we ensure the district and the board have diverse levels of information and board input that is truly data driven,” Savage said
The recommendation from district staff is to keep the D i s t r i c t A d v i s o r y C o m m i t t e e ( D A C ) a n d S c h o o l Advisory Committee (SAC) going
“That would be a recommendation we know we can
“For the last six years I have been here we have been trying to figure out what the committees are supposed to do. The committees were supposed to be here for us. What would we like them to work on because they were on our advisory boards. We kind of failed as a board to try to figure out what we would like these committees to help us and give us the tools ”
Board member Debbie Jordan
support,” he said "Those are pretty well established ”
Board Chair Sam Fisher said the issue is finding people to sign up, as well as operational issues with committees themselves
“DAC committees have been very successful,” he
said “The participation has been extremely tough, especially trying to recruit people Some of the committees went off track.”
Board member Jada Langford-Fleming said DAC is a great umbrella to serve all those committees She said she has served on several committees and attendance is a huge issue
Langford-Fleming said it is important to give back time to staff to do what is really important
“For the last six years I have been here we have been trying to figure out what the committees are supposed to do,” Board member Debbie Jordan said “The committees were supposed to be here for us What would we like them to work on because they were on our advisory boards. We kind of failed as a board to try to figure out what we would like these committees to help us and give us the tools ”
Lee County School Board discusses healthy and fresh food options for meals at schools
By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com
The Lee County School Board continues to ask the food services department to find healthy and fresh options for breakfast and lunch for students
Board member Jada Langford-Fleming said she did not mean to sound harsh, but they can always better their game
“Every one of our schools should have a garden, K-12, frankly,” she said
The board members were given a sample of what is served at the schools at their
Fleming said she entered the types food from the meal into an app she had on her phone, which showed how many carbohydrates were in the meal
“Some of these kids eat at 10:30 in the morning and are expected to sustain high
day,” she said, adding that too many carbohydrates make both children and adults tired
Board Chair Sam Fisher said he has three kids in the district who eat school
Obituaries
meals every day
The presentation showed examples for breakfast – Pop Tarts and donuts, but a healthier version - a K-12 line, which means they have to be whole grain, lean protein and lower in fat and sodium
“It’s still a Pop Tart, donuts How can we do better?”, Fisher asked, adding that for some kids, school is where they get their main meal
District Food & Nutrition Services Coordinator Amy Carroll said the nutrition standards are set forth by the USDA She said there are limits on calories, fats and beginning next school year, sugar has to be kept within certain restraints.
“There are weekly requirements that we have to meet,” Carroll said
She said when they had to move all meal services to the curve during COVID there was not prepackaged hot breakfast protein items available
“These items are way too high in sugar,” she said “Over the past couple of years our biggest request is to ‘give us more hot items with protein ’ We are getting more into that ”
Carroll said they are looking into semiscratch cooking verses heat and serve
“It’s a lot of training Training and baby steps Maybe next semester we can go to two semi-scratch menus,” she said
Food & Nutrition Services Director Kandace Messenger said the breakfast requirements must offer at least five items i
meat/meat alternative and milk She said
students must take at least three items including a half cup of fruit or vegetable
The same stands for lunch A school lunch example includes whole grain chicke n n u g g e t s , w h o l e g r a i n d i n n e r r o l l , reduced-sodium tater tots, apple slices and 1% white milk
In addition to free breakfast and lunch, the school district also provides super snacks, an after school snack and supper Messenger said there are 43 schools enrolled for the super snacks, six for after school snacks, 16 for supper and eight community sites for the after school snack program
She said the super meal is a more substantial meal, but also simple to serve as a snack
“We have feedback from the schools that they were concerned the students did not receive enough food with after school snack,” Messenger said
The School District is getting back to serving fresh fruit and vegetable bars This is partially made possible through the 14 school gardens located around the district Carroll said last year the gardens produced a little more than 17,000 pounds of vegetables
“The goal is to get them to consistently be able to furnish their cafeteria with that produce and continue to expand,” she said
There was also discussion about vending machines in schools
Superintendent Dr Denise Carlin said vending machines is an opportunity for the district to explore
Cat of the Week
Ophelia
Look at those long, beautiful whiskers! They aren't even her best feature Ophelia is around 3 years old and has soft silky fur, ideal for petting Those whiskers are great at tickling your arm to get your attention She's also a talker Ophelia will happily tell you why she belongs in your home. Stop in or call Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary at 239283-9100 for more information. If you’d rather just donate, our address is 10060 Mallory Parkway, E., Unit D, St. James City, FL, 33956, or there’s always our website www.helpingpawsanimalsanctuary.com
A group of youngsters visit with Santa on Christmas Island.
Holiday excursions
folks kept asking for a special Christmas cruise It was her son and daughter-in-law who originally came up with the idea to have a cruise with Santa out on Picnic Island
“The first year we did it, it was such a big success we just kept on doing it,” Stewart said
There is also a Christmas Eve sunset cruise at 4:45 in the evening Tickets for all
Coming home
g e t t i n g a s s i s t a n c e t h r o u g h t h e U n i t e d
Way After Ian, I was out here, I was considered activated and worked closely with the county to make sure that the island had the resources that it needed,” Cote said The biggest hope she has for working with the Beacon, she said, is to help islanders excel Cote said she wants people to come in who remind her of herself. She wants to lend a hand to those looking for resources and information to help them on their journey
From page 1
cruises are $79 per adult and $59 for children
Each cruise is approximately 2 hours long
Departure times are 9 a m, 9:30 a m and 10:45 a.m. from Port Sanibel Marina
From page 1
“I know right now the island is changing There are a lot of changes that are making it feel as though we are losing our small-town feel I believe that with good leadership and strong community input, we can maintain that sense of small community,” Cote said Stearns and Herring are in agreement that Cote will bring a fresh new outlook to the Beacon and both say they look forward to working with her on the future endeavors
Herring said she feels s o m e t h i n g n e w i s a f o o t , under Cote’s watchful eye “ S h e i s g o i n g t o b e bringing an energy to the Beacon that we haven’t had in a while She has so many resources and ideas She’s going to bring the Beacon up to higher standards than we’ve had before,” Herring said
S t e a r n s a g r e e d w i t h Herring, saying that Cote will be a breath of fresh air, a
evolving with the people and the times
“The Beacon has to roll w i t h t h e t i d e a s n e e d s change. Having Nancy at this time, in the light of the Bacon, is the perfect timing, because she’s a perfect fit,” Stearns said The Beacon of Hope,
For
PHOTO
storms and everything everybody’s been through – just that every kid could benefit from a new bike, so he and his wife got all these bikes,” Erickson said.
Galbreath, along with all the helpers, were excited as the shiny new bikes were lined up and ready to go to their new homes, one grade level at a time, every hour on the hour, beginning at 8 a m
“Even the students who didn’t sign up, or thought they signed up but maybe it didn’t go through, will get a bike if they want one,” Galbreath said
The “Bike Crew,” right, on hand to distribute the bicycles to the island students The bikes, below, await their new owners at the school
PAULETTE
LEBLANC
Cape Coral Breeze Athletes
Week of the
(Selected by the Breeze Sports staff)
County, Collaboratory awarded $19.3 million Community Change Grant
The U S Environmental Protection Agency awarded Lee County and the Collaboratory a Community Change Grant of more than $19 3 million to help disadvantaged communities tackle environmental challenges related to disaster preparedness
This funding will increase community resilience, reduce pollution and build community capacity
The project will invest in four organizations to create the foundation of a network of community resilience hubs to support residents during emergencies, such as hurricanes
Resilience hubs are locations that provide supplies or social services residents need every day These spaces can transition in a disaster to provide critical information, emergency support and health supplies to the surrounding communities.
Obituaries
These four hubs are planned to be used as the blueprint for the countywide network of hubs:
■ Collaboratory, 2031 Jackson St , Fort Myers
■ Franklin Park Elementary School, 2323 Ford St., Fort Myers
■ IMAG History & Science Center, 2000 Cranford Ave , Fort Myers
■ Pine Manor Community Center, 5547 Tenth Ave , Fort Myers
Along with community partners, the project will build the capacity of local organizations providing resilience services; help communities develop emergency plans; and equip the hubs with adequate supplies It is intended to expand and improve the county's emergency response planning and implementation network to support an allof-community response during and after a severe event.
along Ten Mile Canal are also part of the project as are workforce development programs focused on the construction sector to support the construction of energyefficient and resilient homes in the region.
The grant period is three years
The project is aligned to 12 initiatives identified in the ResilientLee effort coordinated by Collaboratory and Lee County following Hurricane Ian Like ResilentLee, this is a collaborative project enlisting partners to include:
■ The School District of Lee County
■ The Pine Manor Improvement Association
■ United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades
■ American Red Cross
■ City of Fort Myers
■ IMAG History and Science Center
To learn more about the Community Change Grants visit EPA’s Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program webpage
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