Pine Island News

St. James City couple travels America’s Great Loop

pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com Mike New, along with his wife and first mate Kathy New, left St. James City aboard their 44-foot Schucker Motorsailor, known as “Happytrails,” for America’s Great Loop, with Knotty, their Himalayan cat. The couple's plan was to head north from St. James City, up the west coast of Florida, cross the Gulf of Mexico and wait out hurricane season from Kingfisher Bay Marina, Demopolis, Alabama, before starting their first trip of a lifetime. Mike describes America’s Great Loop as an interconnected waterway that circumnavigates the east coast of the ...

Hookers’ history book grows thicker each year

Marian Kite, 98 of St. James City, FL passed away on January 15, 2021. Arrangements are by Coral Ridge Funeral Home, Cemetery and Cremation Services, Cape Coral. Please visit ...

Charlie Kuchler’s new Zydeco band Zydegatorz playing at Moose Lodge Jan. 30

Marian Kite, 98 of St. James City, FL passed away on January 15, 2021. Arrangements are by Coral Ridge Funeral Home, Cemetery and Cremation Services, Cape Coral. Please visit ...

Pine Island COVID-19 Task Force discusses protocols for first and second vaccinations

News from around the region

Island server beneficiary of ‘Tip Challenge’

pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com Islander Stephen Longest is one of many happy recipients of the "Tip Challenge." Simply put, the “Tip Challenge” is when a restaurant patron leaves a 100 percent tip, which equals the size of their check. Having been a server for at least 11 years, ...

Medal of Honor recipient’s family supports memorial for veterans on Fort Myers Beach

Cape Council talks taxes

Cape cancels anniversary celebration

Obituaries

George M Banfill Jr

George M. Banfill Jr., 94, of St. James City, passed away Saturday, January 9, 2021. Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society is entrusted with final care.

William Frederick Krueger

Anna Mae Young

Marian Kite

Letters to the Editor

Guest Commentary: EPA gives state full control of permitting for Florida wetlands

Thank you to the many members who participated with us in trying to maintain the integrity of the federal wetland dredge and fill permitting process. However, on Dec. 17, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency granted the state of Florida the sole authority to permit dredge and fill requests ...

Save lives or cost them

Resiliency Compact can’t wait

Is it time for a government-run internet site?

Business

Business owner uses mindfulness for stress relief, recovery

Judd Payne acquires Island Bike Works

Sea Tow captain Craig Stransky honored for rescue effort

Island Crab Company builds unique ‘tree’

Local Columns

On the Water: It was a cool week of fishing in Southwest Florida

Dolphin Tales: The Seabrook Island Gang

Norm’s Tasting Notes: 2017 Columbia Winery Chardonnay

On the Water: Ups and downs of winter fishing in Southwest Florida

Editorials

A call to conscience in a time of political dissension

Seventy years ago, a then-freshman senator from Maine addressed what she saw as unbridled political opportunism rearing within her own party. Margaret Chase Smith, in the budding days of what has come to be known as McCarthyism, took a stand against her party’s shooting star, delivering ...