Most Lee County administrative operations will be closed Thursday, Dec. 25, and Friday, Dec. 26, in observance of the Christmas holiday, as well as Thursday, Dec. 31, and Friday, 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 Wednesday, Dec. 24. There will be no collections on Thursday, Dec. 25, and collections will continue with typical Thursday collections happening on Friday, typical Friday collections on Saturday and so on.
• Solid Waste offices will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 25, and Friday, Dec. 26.
• The Resource Recovery Facility in Buckingham and ...
The Greater Pine Island Elks #2781 is inviting students in grades 3-8, as well as high school students and their guardians, to participate in the Elks National Drug Awareness Contest. This is a fantastic opportunity for young minds to engage in a critical conversation about the dangers of drug abuse.
The theme for the 2025-2026 contest, “Drugs Are a Grave Mistake,” challenges participants to think creatively and express their views through essays, posters or videos.
If you’re in 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade, you can take part in the poster contest. Just remember to keep the poster on paper that is ideally 8.5 x 11 inches, though larger sizes up to 11 x 24 inches are accepted. ...
The Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce is looking for potential candidates for five open Board of Directors positions.
The chamber nominating committee is seeking nominations for the three year term of 2026 through 2028.
The nomination period will be open until Jan. 12, 2026.
Serving on the chamber’s Board of Directors is an excellent way to become more engaged with the operations of the chamber and the local business community.
Elections will take place during the Annual Dinner on Monday Jan. 26, 2026.
Board Member responsibilities include:
• Serve a minimum of 1 three-year term on the Board.
• Abide by the bylaws of the GPICC.
• Attend and actively ...
The Matlacha Hookers invite the community to the 14th Annual Island Luau Sunday, Feb. 22, from 1-5 p.m., at the St. James City Civic Center.
This 21+ island-themed celebration is one of Pine Island’s most anticipated charity events—bursting with tropical flavor, lively entertainment and ...
The Kiwanis Club of Pine Island is once again partnering with Alden Pines Country Club to bring participants a true trail run experience, the 2026 Pine Island Calusa Trial 5K Run/Walk on Jan. 31. The course winds through the golf course — which has been closed since Hurricane Ian — where ...
The “Peter Ordway” Paddling Tour season has recommenced and the next outing will be held on Thursday, Jan. 1, departing from Laura Massey’s home at12120 Bohman Lane (at the intersection of Marina Drive and Blue Crab Circle) at 10 a.m. All interested paddlers are invited.
You may use your own kayak or rent one from Carmen’s Kayaks (239-333-7332).
Paddlers may wish to bring bug spray, sun protection, water and a snack. The guided tour will meander around east side of Calusa Island in Matlacha Pass and St. James Creek observing the resident wildlife.
The Calusa Land Trust is Pine Island’s all-volunteer land conservancy, which sponsors events for public education and ...
With Southwest Florida’s waterways bustling, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 91 of Fort Myers Beach announced a crucial opportunity for local families and boaters: the “Boat America” Responsible Boating Course on Saturday, Dec. 20.
This comprehensive class is designed to equip ...
The Haitian-American Community Coalition of Southwest Florida is accepting applications for the 2026 scholarships.
HACC Scholarship Chair Betsy Vaughn said this is the 10th year they have awarded scholarships to Lee County high school graduating seniors of Haitian heritage.
“We started in ...
A free fraud alert system can help protect property owners from title theft by providing notification if any documents filed with the owner's name.
Lee County Clerk of the Circuit & Comptroller Kevin Karnes said it’s a form of protection, pointing out that if someone becomes be a victim ...
The St. James City Civic Association has scheduled the following activities:
Wednesday, Dec. 17
• Little Learners Nature Group: 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Open to all children - weekly meetup to learn and play in nature
• Meditation With Christine 4:30 5 p.m. This 30-minute guided ...
National Newspaper Week wrapped up Saturday with, no doubt, a typical end-of-week collective sigh by those of us working a beat.
Our numbers have dwindled — an 80% decline from 800,000-plus newsroom jobs in 1990 to around 86,000 in mid-2025, according to ReportEarth — but still, papers ...
