The Lee Communities Coalition (TLCC) — a coalition of civic and community groups in Lee County — has launched a new resource to help residents navigate proposed sweeping changes to the Lee County Comprehensive Plan (Lee Plan) and the Lee County Land Development Code (LDC). TLCC reported LeeCommunities.com is a website dedicated to helping educate the community about the proposed changes and their potential impacts. “On Aug. 25, Lee County hosted its first and only public information meeting focused on changes to the Lee Plan and LDC,” said TLCC Coordinator and Greater Pine Island Civic Association Vice President Nadine Slimak. “These documents and revisions are hundreds of ...
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4353 and the VFW Post 4353 Auxiliary are sponsoring two scholarship programs: the Voice of Democracy Competition and the Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest. Voice Of Democracy is a written and spoken audio-essay contest on “What a Veteran Taught Me About America.” It is open to students in grades 9-12. Submissions must be received no later than Oct. 31. Patriot’s Pen is a written essay contest on “What a Veteran Taught Me About America.” It is open to students in grades 6-8. Submissions must be received no later than Oct. 31. “We are looking forward to a lot of great essays from our local students,” VFW Post 4353 ...
After a lengthy discussion, the Cape Coral City Council decided to apply the same user fees and methodology to Festival Park as other parks in the city. “For me, it doesn’t matter if it’s a new park coming on board, or an existing park. The fee schedule, for me, should be the same. That is a policy decision that at some point, we will make how that fee structure is implemented throughout the city,” Mayor John Gunter said at the Council workshop. He asked his fellow board members if they wanted to recover anything and, if so, at what percentage. “When you pick that number, then you have to back that in for all the organizations that we have in the city,” Gunter said. ...
Just after finishing her stint as president of the Matlacha Hookers, Linda Bohacek’s dear friend reached out to see if she had any interest in the vacant vice president position at the St. James City Civic Association (SJCCA). She said former SJCCA President Cena Hamby told her that she ...
The Cape Coral Animal Shelter (CCAS) was among 14 organizations recognized by Collaboratory via its “Arts and Animals” grant funding program. The endowed, field-of-interest grants — a total of $90,000 — were awarded on Aug. 31 and Sept. 2 in Fort Myers. The Cape Coral Animal Shelter received $10,000. “Our donors emphasized a strong desire to assist nonprofits that enhance the arts culture in Southwest Florida and provide a nurturing environment for animals that need our support,” Collaboratory President and Chief Executive Officer Dawn Belamarich said. “These grants recognize the incredible work these organizations are already doing while investing in what’s ...
A nationally recognized music festival that takes place across Southwest Florida is just about ready to commence. This year’s Island Hopper Songwriter Fest runs from Sept. 18-27, with tickets now available for special performances featuring acclaimed artists including Broadcast Music Inc. ...
The 14th Annual Golisano Children's Hospital Fashion Show will bring together fashion, philanthropy and community on Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs. Proceeds from the event will benefit Barbara's Friends – Golisano Children's Cancer ...
As Southwest Florida experiences severe heat, Lee County is urging residents to help protect local waterways by reducing pollution and stormwater runoff that can raise water temperatures and harm aquatic ecosystems. Excessive heat can have negative impacts on local waterways by increasing ...
The Lee County Department of Transportation (DOT) reminded motorists that crews continue to work on improvements to Burnt Store Road in Cape Coral. Paving operations will be conducted Tuesday, Sept. 15, through Thursday, Sept. 17, from Delilah Drive to Gator Slough Canal from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. ...
There is a season—tern, tern, tern. Remember the old song by The Byrds? “Turn! Turn! Turn!”? Well, this is my take on the bird, the tern. There are many variations of the bird and they are plentiful in the Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor where I run my dolphin and nature tours. ...
Appropriately coinciding with the official start of hurricane season Gov. Ron DeSantis has called for a special legislative session to push his “Save Our Homes” plan to slash property taxes. “Today in Tampa, I outlined the Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes plan that will ...