the South Florida Water Management District issued a water shortage order for a section of Northeastern Cape Coral to help them save drinking water “People need to stop using their water for pretty grass,” said Cape Coral resident Lexi Burk Neighbors who live in Northeastern Cape Coral tell Fox 4 community corespondent Stephen Pimpo issues with the water supply have been building: all homes and businesses using private wells in the bellow area connected to the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer must stop using automatic or potable sprinkler systems for watering lawns or landscaping “There’s some people with some nice lawns around here and they’re going to be disappointed when they turn brown,” said Cape Coral resident Mark Laterza This is in an effort to conserve drinking water in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer who works for Water Medic of Cape Coral and lives in a neighborhood off Wilmington Parkway said many wells that rely on the aquifer have been having problems for two to three months “They’re coming home and they’re not having any water their wells are drying up and we got to go out there and dig up their old wells and replace them with a new one or dig them down even deeper.” Burk and Laterza both say that the constant development in the area is straining the water supply “They should have stopped permits for new houses a long time ago because they knew the water was dropping,” said Laterza the monitoring well in the water shortage area is at -93.61 feet (North American Vertical Datum) If the water level falls below -103.01 feet (NAVD) it could potentially do irreversible harm to the aquifer a nonprofit dedicated to families and children is partnering with The Breeze Church to host a community job fair from 10 a.m Registration is now open for hiring employers and job seekers to participate in the May event The church-based job fair connects job seekers with local employers who are ready to hire while also providing resources to facilitate stronger connections and more hires Free one-on-one job coaching sessions are available to job seekers to review resumes and interviewing skills and additional services will be available onsite The community job fair is part of Better Together’s “Better Jobs” program which has helped 40,000 applicants connect with employment opportunities across 24 states two-thirds of attendees get a job interview and 1 in 4 receive a job offer on the spot The May 13 job fair will take place at The Breeze Church Job seekers and employers can register at BetterTogetherUS.org/TheBreeze or by texting “JOBS” to 844-987-3949 Churches interested in hosting a Better Together job fair can visit BetterTogetherUS.org for more information Copyright © Cape Coral Breeze | Contact | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy Aerial photo residential neighborhoods in Cape Coral Florida USA Cape Coral's Yacht Club project moves ahead with U.S The green light opens the way for major updates to sea walls "We've been waiting for this moment for four years," said Cape Coral City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn to WINK News The project stalled while teams worked to prove construction wouldn't harm protected species When you're trying to prove to the federal regulatory agencies that your project will not impact endangered species Local resident Serafin Georgiagis can't hide his enthusiasm really happy that this is going on," he said "I think that's going to be a nice thing for the area and hopefully reinvigorate over here," he said and more activities for us to do as a community and just be a safe place for us to come to and be happy," she said Download the app to LISTEN LIVE wherever you are and connect with us like never before The South Florida Water Management District issued a Modified Phase IV Water Shortage Order on Friday immediately banning lawn irrigation for homes and businesses using private wells in northeast Cape Coral The restrictions the agency called “stringent” are due to critically low water levels in the aquifer from which residents in the affected area draw their drinking water The order does not apply to homes and businesses on city water “This action is being taken to protect the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer and ensure water conservation for essential needs,” city officials said in a release announcing the order “Code Compliance will enforce these temporary restrictions to help preserve water for critical needs.” Phase IV water restrictions which went into effective immediately include: • Residents and businesses are no longer allowed to use their lawn irrigation systems if they use water from the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer Hand watering using a self-cancelling nozzle and drip irrigation is allowed three times per week on Wednesdays Saturdays and Sundays for users withdrawing groundwater from the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer • Landscape irrigation for public recreation areas (sport fields) is restricted to one day per week from 4-7 a.m for all types of irrigation and from 5-7 p.m non-vegetated public recreational/sporting surfaces is restricted to 10 minutes of application prior to each recreational/sporting event Other restrictions for nurseries and aesthetic uses such as fountains also went into effect if they utilize groundwater from the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer the construction of new Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer wells within the water shortage area is now limited to just potable use New users will be required to seek a different water source other than the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer for irrigation “These restrictions are put into place to protect the aquifer and drinking water supply,” SFWMFD officials said in a notice posted to the agency’s website “Continued water use at current levels could cause long-term damage to this vital resource District staff will continue to monitor water usage and groundwater levels More information about the restrictions may be found at SFWMD.gov/WaterShortage Copyright © North Fort Myers Neighbor | Contact | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy Taking mom or the wonderful woman in your life out for Mother’s Day Whether she prefers waterfront or no-frills dining Here are 18 brunch options available on May 11 (unless otherwise noted) from Fort Myers and Cape Coral to Estero and Bonita Springs Bubba’s Roadhouse: In addition to a Mother’s Day special and daily specials, every mom dining on May 11 will receive a coupon equivalent to the value of her meal to use on the next visit. Valid until June 30. Call (239) 282-5520 or go to bubbasroadhouse.net to reserve a table or for more information. 2121 SW Pine Island Road, Cape Coral or find on Facebook French Press: The brunch buffet, for $50 per person, has bottomless mimosas, a cold cut & cheese station, a yogurt station with fruits & nuts, mini bread & pastries station and chaffers of breakfast items. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Reserve your table at (239) 452-0212.  5789 Cape Harbour Drive, Suite 101, Cape Coral, follow on Facebook Mangia Bene Ristorante: Chef's specials on mom’s special day include stuffed grouper suprema, lobster ravioli Sofia, osso buco Milanese, shrimp Fiorentino and frutta di mare. Call (239) 673-8290 to reserve. Open noon to 8 p.m. 2301 Del Prado Blvd., Suite 870, Cape Coral; follow on Facebook Stones Throw: The Mother’s Day brunch includes Irish crème French toast ($19), lox bagel with home fries ($17), red velvet Belgian waffle ($19), goat cheese & dill crusted salmon ($36) and frittata ($22). 139 Cape Coral Parkway E, Cape Coral; (239) 291-3900; follow on Facebook Fort MyersBeacon Social Drinkery: Celebrate mom at the top of the Luminary. $20 bottomless mimosas and brunch favorites. Reserve at OpenTable Bellini’s: Reservations are filling quickly thanks to an impressive and varied menu of appetizers, soups & salads, entrées and desserts. Think lobster & crab stuffed artichokes ($20), Greek salad ($14), ahi tuna tiradito ($22), fresh shucked oysters (market price), prime rib ($50), seafood wellington ($38) and much more. Call (239) 270-5005 to reserve. 13451 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers; follow on Facebook Bruno’s of Brooklyn: This downtown favorite will serve its dinner menu from noon to 6 p.m. and have a special gift for moms. Reservations are highly recommended through Resy.com. 2149 First St., Fort Myers; (239) 278-0211; follow on Facebook Cantina Laredo: French toast casserole, chorizo con huevos melt, smoked crab cakes, ranchero scramble and Cantina’s steak & egg skillet are on the brunch menu at this longtime Bell Tower staple. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 5200 Big Pine Way, Fort Myers; (239) 415-4424; find on Facebook The Capital Grille: This Bell Tower restaurant will have a two-course prix fixe menu. First course includes a choice of New England clam chowder, greens salad or salmon and avocado toast and main course of lobster frittata, filet mignon or pan-seared salmon. $60 for adults. There’s a children’s brunch too for $17. Reserve at thecapitalgrille.com/home Hooked Island Grill: In addition to its full menu, this Gulf Coast Town Center restaurant is bringing back its popular $50 all-you-can-eat snow crab special for the day. Reservations suggested by calling (239) 313-7142. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 9925 Gulf Coast Main St., Fort Myers; follow on Facebook Estero and Bonita SpringsComing soon: Iconic Captiva restaurant, closed since Hurricane Ian, is oh-so-close to reopening Fresh Catch Inland: Brunch at this new Coconut Point restaurant includes crab Benedict ($25), potato rosti with smoked salmon ($20), butchers blend omelet ($17), open prosciutto sandwich ($21) and more. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 7991 Plaza Del Lago Drive, Estero; (239) 319-5887; follow on Facebook Jimmy P’s Charred: This Bonita Springs favorite has a $95 Mother's Day special that includes a glass of bubbly, choice of salad, an 8-ounce Wagyu filet and bananas foster. 25301 S Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs; (239) 390-0301; find on Facebook Robyn George is a food and dining reporter for The News-Press. Connect at rhgeorge@fortmyer.gannett.com Lee County will draw attention to a primary driver of our economy next week by shining a light on popular tourist icons The City of Cape Coral will be among those participating in this year’s National Travel and Tourism Week through the “Light up Lee” initiative at City Hall by illuminating the City Hall fountain blue “Cape Coral is proud to join Lee County in celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week because it’s an opportunity to spotlight the vital role tourism plays in strengthening our economy and enhancing our community,” Cape Coral Economic Development Manager Sharon Woodberry said “The ‘Light Up Lee’ initiative including our City Hall fountain glowing blue is a visual way to show appreciation for the people and partnerships that help make our region a top travel destination.” The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau launched the “Light Up Lee” initiative to both recognize and celebrate the impact tourism has throughout Southwest Florida Other Lee County “Light Up Lee” locations include the control tower at Southwest Florida International Airport; Edison and Fort Winter Estates; Fort Myers City Hall foundation and river basin fountains; IMAG History & Science Center; Lee Health Sports Complex/Hammond Stadium fountain; Luminary Hotel & Co.; Old Lee County Courthouse; Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center and Wonder Gardens “Tourism generates a significant economic boost for Cape Coral and the rest of Lee County,” Woodberry said “From hotels and restaurants to attractions and local shops visitor spending supports thousands of jobs and brings in tax dollars that benefit all residents.” and a number of short-term rentals — approximately 9,240 unique listings and approximately 8,530 active listings over the last 12 months Tourism plays a significant role in the economic health of Cape Coral and funds essential services through tax revenue “As part of the greater Lee County tourism landscape Cape Coral directly benefits from regional marketing and visitor interest in our waterfront amenities Woodberry encourages residents and businesses to join in celebrating the power of tourism we all play a part in creating memorable experiences,” she said “Tourism not only drives economic opportunity — it helps shape the identity and vibrancy of Cape Coral.” National Travel and Tourism Week was proclaimed by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners via a resolution on April 15 “Take Me Out to Fort Myers,” featuring local hospitality partners will be featured on www.visitfortmyers.com/celebrate “Travel drives economic opportunity and strengthens our community,” said Lee Board of County Commissioners Chairman Kevin Ruane who also is chairman of the Tourist Development Council “This National Travel and Tourism Week we celebrate travel’s impact and reaffirm its importance in shaping our local economy and quality of life And we invite all businesses in Lee County to ‘Light Up Lee’ to celebrate.” Tourism continues to be a strong economy driver for Lee County with $4.95 billion in total economic impact in 2024 — 42,000 jobs supported by tourism $1.6 billion in total wages and salaries and $1,049 in tax savings per Lee County household The spending contributed by visitors’ benefits Lee County residents through the Visitor & Convention Bureau’s three funding programs — Beach & Shoreline Events Marketing and Arts & Attractions Marketing The funding used for these programs comes from “bed tax,” a 5% tourist development tax $12,730,113 went towards the Beach & Shoreline Funding Program $257,500 – 13 events for Events Marketing Program and $600,000 – 35 nonprofit attractions – through the Arts & Attractions Marketing Program In addition the money is also used for stadium facilities Guests First Customer Service Training Program and the Elaine McLaughlin Outstanding Hospitality Service Award The travel industry in 2024 generated $2.9 trillion in economic output Copyright © Lehigh Acres Citizen | https://www.lehighacrescitizen.com | 2510 Del Prado Blvd CAPE CORAL, Fla. — A Modified Phase IV water shortage order has been issued for Northeastern Cape Coral by the South Florida Water Management District.This is due to critically low water levels in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifier Residents are prohibited from using their sprinkler systems and may only hand-water three times a week on Wednesdays Irrigation watering for public recreation areas have been restricted to once a week between 4 and 7 am and 5 to 7 pm on hand watering Check out FOX 4's previous coverage on the ongoing water shortage: Cape Coral first food truck park has announced 10 vendors and a June opening to open along the river off Cape Coral Parkway at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge will offer a variety of options including BBQ “The selected food trucks are all locally owned from Cape Coral and were chosen from a pool of more than 140 local and out-of-state food truck applicants,” a release states “With all appetites and preferences in mind the onsite food trucks will offer a little something for everyone.: • Addison’s On The Go – new kick to the southern food theme • Chop it Up Food Truck – unique twist on traditional sandwiches that encourage adventurous tastes • Gigi Gourmet – elegant comfort food with a gourmet twist highlighting innovative grilled cheeses and burgers • Greek Spot Go – traditional Greek recipes and homemade tzatziki sauce with vegan options available including lobster rolls and tuna poke bowls • Not Yo Mama’s Tacos – Mexican-Peruvian fusion menu with tacos • Philly Express- authentic Philly cheesesteaks and other cheesesteak-centered items like cheesesteak fries and nachos smoky flavors of authentic barbecue directly to your plate • The Crooked Cow – creamy and fresh handcrafted ice cream and pastries • Yunta Cuban Food Truck – authentic Cuban dishes Slipaway will be a destination for residents and visitors to gather with friends live music and more with a waterfront view,” the release states to offer both the food truck park and a marina The new venue will offer waterside dining and entertainment with regular seating for 300 guests and up to 500 guests for special events offering opportunities to travel by car or boat with the marina component to feature 30 boat slips Candidates may apply by visiting SlipawayFoodTruckParkAndMarina.easyapply.co/ More information and updates may be found at SlipawayCape.com The Causeway Islands Park along the Sanibel Causeway opened on May 1 with its first phase of amenities marking the first time that visitors can enjoy the beach park since Hurricane Ian in 2022 The park had been closed due to rebuilding activities by the Florida Department of Transportation which used the site during the process of rebuilding the causeway to make it more resilient With the FDOT’s restoration complete Lee County Parks & Recreation has resumed its redesign and improvement efforts Beach visitors will notice an increased presence of rangers and parks staff to assist with free parking in designated areas and other questions Park hours are dawn to dusk; rangers will patrol per usual to ensure park rules are followed Volunteers from partnering organizations will be on site to educate park patrons about nesting shorebirds Nesting areas will be well marked to protect the birds from visitors The county is in the design phase for the phase two improvements will focus on creating a more resilient park Improvements will include structured parking areas The design phase is expected to be complete this summer and will be presented to the Lee County Board of County Commissioners for approval with construction expected to begin in late 2025 and completion anticipated in 2026 The Causeway Islands Park improvements are being funded through a combination of resources including the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance Program state appropriations and Lee County Tourist Development Taxes on short-term lodging Progress on the project can be found on the Lee County Parks Project Information Tool at www.leegov.com/parks construction and completion of the project Food donations boxes with grocery products and card with inscription Donation on the table Mail workers will pick up food from Cape Coral homes on May 10 during the nation's largest food drive The collected items will fill food banks across five counties in Southwest Florida The Stamp Out Hunger food drive comes at a critical time One in eight people in Southwest Florida can't get enough to eat Food banks report that one in six children face hunger while half of seniors must choose between food and basic bills each month carriers will take the food to post offices Volunteer teams will then sort items between the two main food banks — Harry Chapin and Midwest Harry Chapin gave out 40 million pounds of food through 175 groups Lee County got nearly half,t 18.4 million pounds This work took 79,000 hours from volunteers They need people to drive trucks and sort food You can sign up at Midwest Food Bank to work at the Tice or North Fort Myers post offices Harry Chapin needs workers at its main center People should put nonperishable food by their mailboxes. United Way needs drivers too. Check their site to find a food pickup route near you Cape Coral City Council is expected to appoint members to its Youth Council The applicants are from Cape Coral High School but not limited to private or virtual school The city received applications from Cape Coral High School The potential candidate for the advisor vacancy is former city council member Tom Hayden In other business at the regular meeting set for 5 p.m.: • The Multi-Family Impact Fee Deferral Program Ordinance 17-25 was presented to council in June 2024 resulting in direction to bring a single-family and multi-family impact fee program forward which created Single-Family Impact Fee Deferral Program The key provisions for the Multi-Family Impact Fee Deferral Program include 10-year terms program ceiling of 250 units and lien/deferral agreement would allow for the “composition of the Youth Council to be temporarily increased to allow for all schools to have representation.” A public hearing would follow on May 21 an amendment to a contract between the city and Avalon Engineering for additional final design services for the Oasis Sports Field project for a not to exceed amount of $1,062,941.57 This would increase the project amount to $1,359,996.06 The City Council approved Resolution 102-24 on June 5 to authorize a 30% design services for the Oasis Sports Fields Project with a contract amount of $297,054.49 City Council and the Cape Coral Charter School Authority Governing Board granted Avalon Engineering to “proceed with the final design and permitting phases for the football/track field and components and the additional design of the baseball/softball field at the Oasis High School The amendment includes the “final design of the football/track field and components and the baseball/softball field at Oasis High School.” According to agenda documents “it was determined that it is to the benefit of the city to add the services to the existing contract.” The first amendment to the contract between the City of Cape Coral and Leon Younger Pros Consulting for the Parks Master Plan Update and Development of a Financial Sustainability Strategy The amendment will include the city-owned golf course on Palm Tree Boulevard in the Parks Master Plan and Financial Sustainability Strategy Project for $74,175 which will increase the amount to $292,755 To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com the program announced in a social media post on Friday A post shared by Bobby Ebbert (@coachebbert) Cipriani brings in nine years of coaching experience with all of them being as an assistant coach where he was at Oasis from 2017 to 2021 and at Cape Coral where he was an assistant under head coach Bobby Ebbert for the past five seasons who resigned from his head coaching position back on March 14 where he was the head coach for the Seahawks for the past five seasons as he posted a career record of 70-52 (.573) winning percentage and is taking over as the head boys basketball coach at Dunnellon High School Cipriani is the program director for the Southwest Florida Bucks on the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) grassroots circuit where he was the head coach for the high school age groups The Seahawks are coming off a 21-5 record this season Region 3 Quarterfinals before their season came to an end against St The Seahawks are still looking to win their first Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) regional playoff game since 2018 when they reached the Class 7A semifinals before they had their season came to an end against Doral Academy To get live updates on your phone - as well as follow your favorite teams and top games - you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App| Download Android App ROSS VAN DE GRIEKRoss Van De Griek has been a high school sports writer covering the state of Florida since 2021 Ross also has been scouting high school basketball and Grassroots Basketball across the Southeast Region since 2022 Ross has been covering basketball and recruiting for High School on SI since August 2024 and On The Radar Hoops throughout his scouting career You can follow him on X @rossvdg14 or reach him via email rossvdg14@gmail.com for story ideas © 2025 ABG-SI LLC - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER BIG ARTS on Sanibel will once again take part in the annual Fort Myers Film Festival it will join venues around Southwest Florida to host and showcase some of the featured films in the festival BIG ARTS will present a total of four films — including “Sanibel” — on May 15-17 at 7 p.m “BIG ARTS is always trying to expand,” Gallery Director Wilson McCray We love being part of such a cultural event.” He noted that the festival is more than just a showing as there will be special guest appearances from those involved in the productions They will talk about the films and answer audience questions who can speak about the production and their personal experience with it it just elevates the experience for the audience,” McCray said It will kick off on May 15 with “Sanibel,” directed by Herbert James Winterstern grief and a community devastated by Florida’s largest storm “It is a beautifully made film about Sanibel and the shelling culture and the people who work that culture but it also touches on a few other characters — how they were impacted from Hurricane Ian and some of the tough stories that came with that.” “I was struck by the human element of the film,” McCray added “And they will bring other guests who were in the film,” he said an opening reception will take place at 5:45 p.m “The people at FISH (of Sanibel-Captiva) who were involved with the making of film were so excited that we were going to screen it They wanted to invite a lot of friends and create a reception ahead of time,” McCray said During the film’s theater run last month and through May in Florida 10% of the ticket proceeds — though not for the tickets for the festival — are benefitting FISH and the American Red Cross The second day of the festival on May 16 will showcase “Curveballs,” directed by John Biffar The film tells the inspiring story of America’s only amputee baseball team McCray reported that Biffar is an accomplished local director “We hosted one of his films a year ago for the Fort Myers festival,” he said “This film is about the amputee baseball league team,” McCray added “He did a fantastic job of capturing the inspiration behind that baseball team and the people on it.” “It’s possible that he will be bringing some of the guys in the film,” he said On May 17 — the final day of the festival — it will be a double feature with “Journey Back to Alcedo,” directed by Gianna Haro Vallazza then “Climbing into Life,” directed by Melissa J Both short films will be included on the ticket with a brief intermission between the showings In the film “Journey Back to Alcedo,” two 70-year-old friends return to the Galápagos Islands to continue their work in conservation highlighting the need for more women in science McCray reported that one woman’s parents were naturalists and she grew up on the islands “It’s a statement about the environment and how important it is to remain vigilant in our study and love of it,” McCray added The film “Climbing into Life” is the inspiring story of Dierdre Wolownick “It’s a great story and a great way to end the festival on a note of inspiration and accomplishment.” “Both of these are great coupled together,” McCray added Davey will speak after the showing; Vallazza may also be in attendance all three galleries will be open,” he said The BIG ARTS cash bar will also be available “The 15th annual Fort Myers Film Festival is one of the most important cultural events in Lee County of the year,” McCray said “Get your tickets — and revel in all of the great films.” visit https://bigarts.org/ or call box office at 239-395-0900 Typical ebbs and flows of the single-family home market do not have much of an impact on the ultra Four restaurant chains and a cake shop will join seven other businesses coming this year to the new Tree Farm.. the May 5 opening of the Hospital for Special Surgery at NCH takes the health care.. City of Cape Coral received the final permit required to begin renovations at the Yacht Club Community Park The Army Corps of Engineers issued the permit last week This permit follows the issuance of the Environmental Resource Permit by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on Feb these approvals clear the way for construction to begin on the park’s transformation The construction manager at risk will advertise bids for the marine improvement portion of the project The ACOE permit covers removing existing docks and constructing new docking facilities with 204 slips including a fuel dock and wastewater pump-out slip The new docks will feature fixed wooden and floating structures supported by pilings It also covers replacing approximately 3,000 linear feet of seawall near the existing walls and conducting maintenance dredging of 43,362 square feet to improve water depth and navigation The boat ramp will be relocated from the Caloosahatchee River to the Godman Yacht Basin To reach VALARIE HARRING, please email vharring@breezenewspapers.com Clearwater Central Catholic at Calvary Christian Game 1: Bishop Verot at Calvary Christian (if necessary) Florida’s Attorney General paid a visit to Fort Myers Friday afternoon to announce charges being brought against three suspected child predators Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution is charging Travis Montgomery of Manatee County with possession of child sexual abuse material The charges result from a Florida Department of Law Enforcement statewide operation “These arrests reflect our ongoing commitment to child protection and we are coming for you,” said Uthmeier in the press conference these pedophiles now face our Statewide Prosecutors who will ensure they are held accountable for their crimes We will continue working hard to defend children and make our home safe Montgomery communicated with an individual from the state of Washington who sent images of the person’s young children to Montgomery Montgomery is being charged with six counts of possession of CSAM one count of solicitation of an image from a parent or legal guardian of sexual conduct involving a child and one count of consumer product tampering Officials said there will be additional counts of possession of or distribution of pornography containing bestiality added later Authorities state they uncovered Sheffield’s offenses while conducting an investigation on the BitTorrent network where offenders often share child pornography The investigation uncovered Sheffield downloaded several torrent streams that contained CSAM Sheffield is charged with 10 counts of possession of CSAM Sheffield had 10 or more images on his devices and downloaded hundreds of images since 2022 Investigators state they also uncovered Harrison downloading and then subsequently deleting multiple files depicting CSAM Harrison is charged with three counts of possession of CSAM “FDLE has long led the charge in investigating child sexual abuse material and exploitation cases,” said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass “The individuals here are accused of preying on the most innocent and vulnerable among us-children who are too often victimized in horrific Let me be clear: if you exploit or harm a child in Florida FDLE will find you and we will hold you accountable.” Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Agnieszka Thomas will handle these cases To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com Triple jump: 1 Ja’Quann Anderson (L) 13.99m Shot put: 1 Herminio Martinez (Newsome) 16.10m 110 hurdles: 1 Jabari Armstrong (Sickles) 13.69 100 meters: 1 Michael Merritt (Lennard) 10.59 400 hurdles: 1 Jabari Armstrong (Sickles) 53.78 Note: Ida Baker girls did not compete in the region meet Pole vault: 1 Maltius Morrissey (Hill) 4.20m Pole vault: 1 Kourtney Anderson (Mid) 3.45m High jump: 1 Ella Brittingham (StPNE) 1.57m 100 hurdles: 1 Luismar Rivas Velazquez (BC) 14.49 400 hurdles: 1 Luismar Rivas Velasquez (BC) 1:02.96 100 meters: 1 Connell Manman Jackson (CM) 10.85 High jump: 1 Mariana Lopez del Valle (BP) 1.57m 100 meters: 1 Kobi-Skye Padgett (BP) 12.33 2 Aubrey Rogers 4:09.73.3 Bishop Verot (Bolgiano Region brackets set: Losing the District 5A-11 final didn’t hurt the North Fort Myers Red Knights who were awarded the top seed in Region 5A-3 The Red Knights are home against eighth seed Gaither on May 8 Mariner also earned a bid in Region 5A-3 as the fourth seed and will play host to Charlotte The Vikings open at home May 7 against Avon Park Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida has begun offering free and low-cost birth control methods to patients visiting their Naples and Fort Myers Health Centers The program began May 1 and patients can choose from a one-year supply of birth control pills This program is especially important as Lee County has some of the highest teen birth rates in the state “While all patients will be required to pay a $20 initial consultation fee they will be able to receive a year’s supply of contraceptive pills Patients who opt for long-acting reversible birth control (such as IUDs and implants) will also receive the method itself free of charge but will be responsible for a placement fee of $200 or under which includes the visit fee,” the release states The service pricing offered equates to an approximately 85-90% drop in patient out-of-pocket expenses for effective birth control The services are available thanks to grant support and donations “These services were made possible thanks to a $100,000 grant awarded by the Vincent J alongside over $500,000 in local donor support from the affiliate’s recent 50th Anniversary Celebration in Naples,” PPSWCF said in a release issued today “The timing of this launch is serendipitous as it fell on the one-year anniversary of Florida’s near-total six-week abortion ban A fact that was not lost on PPSWCF leadership.” “Last week’s somber anniversary underscores the importance of individuals being empowered to access health care and maintain control of our lives and bodies,” said PPSWCF Interim CEO Barbara A “We are incredibly grateful to the Vincent J Coates Foundation and our many generous local donors for making this program possible “We’ve faced unprecedented challenges in recent years including direct attacks from our lawmakers and it’s only thanks to our dedicated supporters that we have been able to keep providing the care our patients rely on While our government chips away at Floridians’ medical freedom PPSWCF remains more committed than ever to ensuring that patients have access to sexual and reproductive health care options.” “The ability to plan your own family and access reproductive services are some of the most impactful factors when it comes to building your future and achieving positive health outcomes,” Schickler said “This program allows us to provide even more care throughout southwest Florida for those who have previously been cut off from it — something that becomes more crucial every day as health care continues to be criminalized.” Program benefits are available for patients who do not have insurance or Medicaid and express financial need when they schedule their in-person appointment at the Naples or Fort Myers Health Centers; however patients may opt for telehealth or a different health center if they are able to show proof of residency in either Lee or Collier County Appointments may be made at (941) 567-3800 or schedule online at PPSWCF.org Patients must ask about the “Contraceptive Access Grant” when scheduling or checking in for their appointment About Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida an affiliate of Planned Parenthood Federation of America began operations in 1966 and provides sexual and reproductive health care services and comprehensive sexuality education Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida provides expert and confidential health care to 45,000 patients through health centers in Fort Myers The mission of Planned Parenthood is to “ensure the right of all individuals to manage their sexual and reproductive health by providing medical services Planned Parenthood has been one of the nation’s leading providers of high-quality respectful sexual and reproductive health care and the nation’s largest provider of sex education.” May 5 is right around the corner and Southwest Florida is getting ready to celebrate. There’s a very good chance your favorite Mexican restaurant Cape Coral and Sanibel going all in on Cinco de Mayo ― mechanical bulls and mariachi bands included This new option on Del Prado Boulevard in Cape Coral has impressed since opening in late January In case you missed it: Iconic Captiva restaurant, closed since Hurricane Ian, is oh-so-close to reopening And … a competitionSWFL Mexican Food Showdown: Millennial Brewing will host the event from 5-10 p.m. Friday, May 2. Restaurants and food trucks will compete for Best Tacos, Best Nachos and Crowd Favorite Mexican Food Item titles. There will also be house-brewed Mexican beers, house-crafted margaritas and mariachi performances beginning at 7 p.m. 1811 Royal Palm Ave., Fort Myers; (239) 271-2255; follow on Facebook The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau launched the “Light Up Lee” initiative to both recognize and celebrate the impact tourism has throughout Southwest Florida Other Lee County “Light Up Lee” locations include the control tower at Southwest Florida International Airport; Edison and Fort Winter Estates; Fort Myers City Hall foundation and river basin fountains; IMAG History & Science Center; Lee Health Sports Complex/Hammond Stadium fountain; Luminary Hotel & Co.; Old Lee County Courthouse; Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center and Wonder Gardens The spending contributed by visitors’ benefits Lee County residents through the Visitor & Convention Bureau’s three funding programs — Beach & Shoreline Events Marketing and Arts & Attractions Marketing $12,730,113 went towards the Beach & Shoreline Funding Program $257,500 – 13 events for Events Marketing Program and $600,000 – 35 nonprofit attractions – through the Arts & Attractions Marketing Program To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email The city of Cape Coral has received the final permit required to begin renovations at the Yacht Club Community Park Army Corps of Engineers issued its permit Thursday marking what the city says is a major milestone to get the riverfront park on Driftwood Parkway rebuilt in the wake of Hurricane Ian “This permit follows the issuance of the Environmental Resource Permit by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) on February 13 these approvals clear the way for construction to begin on the park’s long-awaited transformation,” city officials said in a release issued late Thursday afternoon City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn summed up the impact of the permit approval in an email to members of the Cape Coral City Council sent shortly before 5 p.m “After four years we have finally received the long awaited ACOE Permit for the Yacht Club marine work,” Ilczyszyn wrote We intend to have a bid out for the marine work this month for 45 days with an award before City Council in early August — as long as there are no bid protests A press release will be going out later this evening We can finally begin the process of bringing the Yacht Club back to its glory the construction manager at risk will advertise bids for the marine improvement portion of the project The ACOE permit covers essential construction activities • Dock replacement: Remove existing docks and construct new docking facilities for the new marina with 204 slips • Seawall and dredging: Replace approximately 3,000 linear feet of seawall near the existing walls and conduct maintenance dredging of 43,362 square feet to improve water depth and navigation • Boat ramp relocation: Remove the boat ramp from the Caloosahatchee River and relocate it to the Godman Yacht Basin the permit authorizes the city to perform work in navigable federal waters and allows for the discharge of dredged or fill material for the renovation and expansion of the Cape Coral Yacht Club removal of all of the existing docks along the facility’s shoreline in the basin and adjacent canals; construction of new docking facilities providing 158 slips (plus 46 slips/trailer parking spaces in the uplands for a total of 204 slips) consisting of 25,858 square feet of overwater structure (15,347 square feet of fixed wooden structure and 10,511 square feet of floating structure) including a fuel dock and wastewater pumpout slip with 621 wooden pilings (wrapped with PVC from one foot above Mean High Water (MHW) to one foot below the substrate) and 70 concrete pilings construction of 218 linear feet of seawall along the river within 18″ of the existing seawall and 2782 linear feet of seawall within the basin and canals within 26″ of the existing seawall (due to a seawall cap with a skirt on the face of the new wall extending 8″ waterward from the top of the wall to the Mean Low Water elevation) with the existing wall remaining in place behind the new wall; maintenance dredging of 43,362 square feet (1212 cubic yards) of material to a depth of -4′ Mean Low Water within the marina basin and adjacent canals with the spoil temporarily staged in the upland parking lot on the north side of the project site and then either used as beach fill onsite if site if appropriate or hauled to an upland disposal site if not appropriate as beach fill; and filling in of the ramp and access channel including filling approximately 6060 square feet (449 cubic yards) of material below MHW and approximately 2284 square feet (114 cubic yards) of material along MHW and above to expand the beach area refurbishing the existing breakwater/groin structure on the west side of the current boat ramp area with a 16″ wide 26′ long steel panel with a concrete cap and 6′ of riprap along the northwest side; installing two 8′ diameter flushing culverts from the canal to the north to the marina basin with grating at both ends to prevent access by manatees installing stormwater outfalls in the new/replaced seawall with grating for those outfalls that are potentially accessible to manatees the completed repairs to the marina fuel dock which involved the replacement of deck boards with no in-water work; and the completed placement of 464 square feet of large rocks along the shoreline between the former fishing pier and restaurant 2030 in accordance with the 21 pages of drawings and eight attachments affixed to the permit The permit requires the city to allow representatives from the ACOE to inspect the authorized activity “at any time deemed necessary to ensure that it is being or has been accomplished in accordance with the terms and conditions” of the permit and must Immediately notify the agency is there is any discovery of any previously unknown historic or archeological remains The city has worked with USACE and FDEP since 2021 on extensive environmental and regulatory reviews additional coordination with state and federal agencies ensured compliance with updated requirements,” city officials said Design plans for the Yacht Club Community Park renovation are underway with their completion anticipated by November The city posts updates on the project on its Yacht Club Community Park webpage, https://www.capecoral.gov/department/parks_and_recreationhome/yacht_club_community_center/index.php A Cape Coral man who preyed upon a victim while they were sleeping in their own bed has been convicted of sexual battery was found guilty Wednesday night for the 2023 crime Beerbower was visiting a friend at their North Fort Myers home when he committed a sex crime on the victim while they were sleeping in their bed during the crime but could not get Beerbower to stop the victim contacted a family member and law enforcement The Lee County Sheriff’s Office investigated Assistant State Attorneys Adam Sullivan and Ryan Pomponio prosecuted the case Beerbower is scheduled to be sentenced on June 9 Cape Coral and elsewhere around the region citizens showed up on May 1 to protest the drastic changes proposed and implemented by the Trump Administration More than 1,000 people were estimated to have gathered at the Collier County Courthouse Paul Stephens was one of the organizers of the gathering He explained why they are back: “We’re doing a cadence of events because things are not changing in Washington Smaller groups gathered earlier in Cape Coral and at Gulf Coast Town Center in south Lee County Tony Fisher of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Naples kicked off the evening “We value freedom of speech and the prayer we need to be able to express our opinions openly and without fear of reprisal We value true freedom of religion where one viewpoint does not have any greater sway than another and religion is kept out of our public schools People held signs and banners expressing their wishes The group walked from the courthouse to Route 41 James DeJacimo held a pole with an upside down American flag which He said he was at the protest to protect democracy now I live in a country where I'm going to be 77 years old and the freedoms I supposedly fought for are being taken away from us,” he said Libby Bramson would also like to see things change in 1932 and not in the United States of America Peter Fagan is 87 years old and a former middle school teacher He is concerned for the generations to come "And I want them to grow up in a country where they have the advantages that I’ve had And I think we have a very corrupt situation on our hands.” WGCU is your trusted source for news and information in Southwest Florida. We are a nonprofit public service, and your support is more critical than ever. Keep public media strong and donate now Cape Coral City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn has appointed of Mark Mason to the position of assistant city manager Mason joins current Assistant City Manager Connie Barron in this key executive role “Mason brings a wealth of experience to this position having accumulated a decade of service as Cape Coral’s Finance Director,” the city said in a release from its communications office issued Friday morning Mason will assist the city manager in overseeing and enhancing the performance of several critical departments including Human Resources Financial Services City Clerk’s Office and the Cape Coral Charter School System Mason will provide leadership and strategic oversight across these departments and act as City Manager periodically in Ilczyszyn’s absence,” the release states “Mark’s deep understanding of our city’s financial operations and proven leadership make him an ideal candidate for this role,” Ilczyszyn said Friday in the release announcing the appointment “I am confident that his appointment will greatly benefit Cape Coral as we grow and advance.” who has been serving as interim assistant city manager will receive an annual salary of $237,806.40 according to a status change notice signed by Ilczyszyn on April 23 listed under “proposed,” is greater than the position’s midpoint compensation point of $214,011.20 and less than the maximum of $266,489.60 Mason’s current annual salary is $221,665.60 “The addition of a second Assistant City Manager is a strategic move by the City to better manage its growing operations and ensure more focused oversight across various departments,” the release states “As Cape Coral continues to expand and evolve the need for enhanced leadership and streamlined management has become essential to meeting the demands of our rapidly growing community City Council approved this position in the FY24 Budget and Mason has been serving in this role in an interim capacity since then.” Mason’s career spans 25 years in Florida including tenures as the city of Cape Coral’s Financial Services director from 2003 to 2010 and from 2021 to August 2024 His experience includes in-state roles in Sebastian and Tamarac as well as Midland Mason is a Certified Public Accountant with a bachelor’s degree in accounting My neighbors (and I) here in Cape Coral are currently very concerned about the water shortage and that we are limited in watering our lawns But while we all should be concerned about these shortages we should also be very involved in our water QUALITY and be aware of the ways it is being impacted • Eight hundred of Florida’s 1,000 springs are polluted • Nearly a million acres of estuaries and 9,000 miles of rivers and streams are contaminated with fecal bacteria • Blue-green algae blooms are common and can cause neurodegenerative diseases costing local economies billions of dollars • No state has more acres of polluted lake water or has lost more acres of wetlands than Florida Please – Sign the citizen ballot initiative by the RTCW to strengthen and ENFORCE the existing laws that provide clean and healthy water AND waterways to Florida citizens. https://www.floridarighttocleanwater.org Contact your state and local elected officials to let them know you are against any law that discourages voters’ participation in government by restricting citizen ballot initiatives (this includes the RTCW.) The relevant elected officials for Southwest Florida can be reached at: Senators: https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/Districts Representatives: https://www.flhouse.gov/FindYourRepresentative The annual Tommy Bohanon Foundation Youth Football Camp is set to kick off on Saturday Student-athletes in first through eighth grades in Southwest Florida are eligible to participate Campers will expand their love and knowledge of football with the help of experienced coaches providing hands-on training including NFL-style drills that also lay a solid foundation for good sportsmanship Athletes should wear shorts and a T-shirt and bring socks and football cleats (sneakers are acceptable if the athlete does not have cleats) Athletes should also bring a refillable water bottle Lunch will be provided by Tropical Smoothie Café and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office will have sweet treats for all participants at the end of the day “This is one of our most significant events of the year,” said Foundation President Tommy Bohanon “It’s always amazing to watch the kids out on the field and not only learning the game but also picking up important life lessons.” Sponsors for the camp include Extreme Companies of Florida Thomas Family Charitable Trust and Tropical Smoothie Cafe visit https://tommybohanonfoundation.org/youth-football-camp/ 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 sports equipment grants to local high schools as well as funding for other local nonprofits For more information about the Tommy Bohanon Foundation visit TommyBohanonFoundation.org or call 239-671-0441 Cape Coral residents can take part in the nation’s largest food drive next weekend with donated goods staying right here in Southwest Florida the United States Postal Service will collect non-perishable food items at mailboxes where letter carriers or volunteer drivers will pick up the food and deliver it to the local post office as part of the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive volunteers will unload and pre-sort donations for delivery to local food pantries Locally the Harry Chapin Food Bank, the Midwest Food Bank as well as other food banks and their partner agencies will collect and deliver the food to our neighbors in need Doug Fairleigh is the Cape Coral volunteer driver coordinator for the food drive donations haven’t reached numbers they have seen is the past “USPS has been doing this for over 30 years,” he said many areas of the country don’t participate for logistical reasons The food drive here benefits the five-county region of Lee All food donated stays in the area to help local families This is a very important time of year to help out kids won’t have their school lunch programs won’t have the ‘seasonal’ income that they might have had when it was busier Coupled with the higher costs of living it’s getting very difficult to make ends meet for way too many of our neighbors.” one in eight people are food insecure in the region More than 50% of seniors have to choose each month whether to buy food or other necessities with their limited incomes but with the “slow season” and kids out of school “Harry Chapin Food Bank and Midwest Food Bank are invaluable resources,” Fairleigh said “Together they supply millions of pounds of food each year to families in the five-county region either directly or through their hundreds of partner agencies I’ve had the honor of helping distribute food at HCFB’s local food pantries.”  non-perishable goods to hundreds of families “What breaks your heart is when you run out because donations have been low and there are still dozens of people in line,” Fairleigh said We were in the midst of the Great Recession and people had lost thousands What I found most heartening was that the central Cape Coral area where most of the original or earlier homes are located Some homes had several boxes of food by their mailbox “Every time I’ve explained how a neighbor who looks and acts and dresses just like them could be the one in need of some food assistance they almost always offer to help in whatever way they can We are surrounded by really ‘good’ people HCFB distributed nearly 40 million pounds of food through its 175 partner agencies Volunteers provided 79,000 hours of service From the Volunteer Center search and sign up for the “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive To reach CJ HADDAD, please email Fla — The Cape Coral Police Department said a Miami Gardens man drove to Cape Coral to run a gift card scam Police say they caught him outside the Walmart on Del Prado Boulevard Wednesday afternoon Cape Coral Police say a Walmart loss prevention officer monitoring surveillance cameras saw 25-year-old Sebastian Garcia Gallego slip tampered gift cards onto a rack Police said this is a common scam - a card’s info and PIN are stolen “What happens is people will then buy these gift cards They’ll take them and when they go to spend the money that money is then given to the scammer instead of being used for the purposes it’s needed to be used for and the person is out of the money,” said Lisa Greenberg Cape Coral Police Department public affairs officer Police said Walmart managers pulled every gift card from the display and called them Officers said Gallego placed more than 50 tampered cards in the store and had 200 more in his car Gallego told police he gets paid to travel city to city to do this Police said Gallego admitted to hitting other stores too so they’re working to warn them of the scam They also urge customers to always keep their receipt when buying gift cards so they can get their money back if this happens With more than three times the number of Florida driver licenses set to expire in 2025, the Lee County Tax Collector’s Office is looking at ways to make the process as expedited as possible for residents locations have seen wait times increase when it comes to license renewal or changes Appointments on a rolling 30-day schedule are full up Customers queue up at the Tax Collector’s Office in Merchant’s Crossing in North Fort  Myers shortly after 7 a.m the Florida Department of Highway Safety released a Driver License Renewal Forecast Data shows that the number of licenses that expired in 2024 was 24,303 The renewal forecast shows that 87,544 licenses are set to expire in 2025; 88,019 in 2026; and 87,460 in 2027 the number went from 2,957 in 2024 to a projected 4,667 in 2025; 4,617 in 2026; and 4,895 in 2027 “These numbers are contributing to wait times,” said Lauren Bernaldo chief communications officer for the Lee County Tax Collector via email “There’s also been a lot of coverage on the REAL ID deadline coming up on May 7 which has generated lots of questions.” unless they have customers who don’t have the proper documentation to receive their REAL ID credential She said the latest numbers show fewer than 1% of Lee County residents (approximately 4,000) are not REAL ID compliant The larger impact on queues is the increase in license renewals Average wait times for the Cape Coral office from Feb 2025 show the average wait for customers with appointments for driver license or ID change or replacement is 27 minutes with the average wait for walk-in customers at an hour the average wait for customers with appointments was 26 minutes with the average wait for walk-in customers at 55 minutes “It’s possible that customers who do not have the proper documents to complete their transaction must return another day,” Bernaldo said  “We also let customers know when wait times will be long offering them times to come back later in the day check our website to see whether you need a service that can be done online make sure you have the documentation needed to complete your transaction if you have an appointment and know that you cannot make it please cancel so someone else can reserve that spot.” “We do open new appointments on a rolling 30-day basis for all services except road tests it is put back on the site for someone else to book.” LCTC just completed a 90-day pilot where it opened three of its offices (North Fort Myers and Cape Coral) an hour earlier (7:30 a.m.) on both Mondays and Fridays “We are currently looking at the data to determine how much of an impact this made on customer wait time and the number of customers seen,” Bernaldo said the office will gather feedback from its team about how it worked and what impact it had on their experience “We’ll review both the data and the team’s input and plan to share a full report with Leadership sometime in June,” Bernaldo said we’ll determine whether adjusted hours are feasible to move forward with implementation.” Bernaldo said as Lee County continues to grow the office is committed to meeting the evolving needs of the community the office purchased a centrally located 29,000-square-foot building at 3650 Colonial Blvd “This investment is part of our ongoing efforts to explore innovative ways to enhance customer service and efficiency,” she said we are working to reimagine the way we deliver our services anticipating future demands and improving the customer experience.” the LCTC office has been approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles for mobile units that can provide driver licenses and ID cards and vehicle “We don’t have any mobile units in service as the state’s approval came after our current year’s budget was finalized,” Bernaldo said “As we begin planning for our (fiscal year 2026) budget we’re carefully evaluating which projects will have the greatest impact on customer service we believe utilizing our new building on Colonial Boulevard that will better serve our community’s immediate needs and we may look to incorporate them into our (fiscal year 2027) plans.” customers can access LCTC services in-person at one of six locations either via appointment or as a walk-in Residents can also use online services at LeeTC.com and/or Publix kiosks located throughout Lee County “Our mission is to deliver five-star service to every customer who walks through our doors,” Bernaldo said they deserve a smooth and efficient experience whether that’s through technology upgrades to make things easier for the customers we serve.” The six LCTC locations with a total staff of 266 employees are in Bonita Springs More information may be found at leetc.com Do you have a picture from paradise you’d like to share with Tropicalia readers where you took the picture and what kind of camera or phone you used Note: Photos submitted to Tropicalia are not guaranteed to run Time Lapse Video: Watch a soaring osprey sink its talons into a slippery fish on Sanibel Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife help city secure several lots for burrowing owls Florida’s hidden gems: Bird watching at Sanibel Island’s 'Ding' Darling Wildlife Refuge Further restrictions are now in place for Northeastern Cape Coral after water levels in the aquifer that supplies the northeastern area of the city dropped further In order to continue to protect groundwater in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer the South Florida Water Management District issued a Water Shortage Order imposing Modified Phase IV Water Shortage restrictions — including a ban on residential and business lawn irrigation — in a designated area of Northeastern Cape Coral in Lee County for residents and businesses that use private wells for irrigation This restriction does not apply to homes and businesses on city water the water level at the USGS Monitoring Well L-4820 in the water shortage area was at -93.61 feet The South Florida Water Management District said that if the water level falls below -103.01 feet serious and possibly irreversible harm may be caused to the aquifer Phase IV water restrictions that are effective immediately include: These restrictions are put into place to protect the aquifer and drinking water supply Continued water use at current levels could cause long-term damage to this vital resource The aquifer dropped below -93.01 feet on April 18 and has continued to decline over the past two weeks This Modified Phase IV Water Shortage Order supersedes the District’s Modified Phase III Water Shortage Order and mandatory irrigation restrictions issued on November 28 for this same area of Cape Coral and unincorporated Lee County to protect the aquifer located approximately 125 feet underground provides potable and irrigation water to many private wells in this area Water levels within this aquifer are at record low levels A Cape Coral man hit the $1 million jackpot on a Florida Lottery scratch-off ticket he purchased at a local convenience store Benjamin Ramirez Gomez, 31, bought the winning Loteria Grande ticket at 7-Eleven, 1021 Santa Barbara Boulevard in Cape Coral, Florida Lottery officials reported on April 30 Gomez claimed the game's top prize at the Lottery's Headquarters in Tallahassee The 7-Eleven store was paid a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket of North Fort Myers each cashed in on $1 million 500X The Cash  Scratch-Off game prizes the Loteria Grande scratch-off game offers over $62.1 million in cash prizes Five of the six top prizes have already been claimed The game’s overall odds of winning anything are 1-in-3.97 Florida Lottery winners can't remain anonymous Florida law mandates that the Florida Lottery provide the winner's name date and amount won to any third party who requests the information Florida Lottery winners' home addresses and telephone numbers are confidential The overall odds of winning any prize in the Loteria Grande scratch-off game is 1-in-3.97 odds of winning and number of prizes remaining How to play Florida Lottery's Loteria Grande Scratch-Off game?Scratch the "caller cards" and the one "bonus caller card" to reveal 15 LOTERIA™ symbols Scratch the corresponding symbols on the "playing boards" that match the "caller cards" symbols Match all four symbols in any complete horizontal or vertical line in the "playing board" to win prize shown for that line If you complete a horizontal or vertical line using the "bonus caller card," win double the prize shown for that line The Florida Lottery launched the Loteria Grande game on April 8 "Our games are designed to be a fun form of entertainment, with the added benefit of helping fund Florida education. While most of our players enjoy the excitement of playing, we recognize that gaming can create problems for some individuals. We are committed to supporting those players as well," Florida Lottery advises on its website The lottery shared the following tips for playing responsibly: