A makeshift shelter near Marx Drive has residents on edge The site sits between homes and an empty canal causing unease among property owners in North Fort Myers "This issue is getting out of hand," said Loree Brown, who has lived in Fort Myers for six years, to Fox 4 Deputies from Lee County have started to investigate which includes the Community Response Unit and 1st Precinct Command now works with county staff to tackle the growing problems The site caught Brown's attention earlier this year people without homes had built a small community there adding to the worries of those who live nearby "They didn't do anything about it," she said The streets stayed unwatched by patrol cars Law enforcement wants tips about suspicious acts in the area They're watching closely for signs of drugs or other illegal activities Download the app to LISTEN LIVE wherever you are and connect with us like never before 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 Copyright © North Fort Myers Neighbor | Contact | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy 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 — Residents say the encampment in North Fort Myers is becoming increasingly dirty and poses safety concerns for the neighborhood located near Marx Drive between homes and a dried-up canal has become a growing source of worry for residents Watch Fort Myers Community Correspondent Miyoshi Price's report: says she recently noticed the encampment becoming increasingly unsanitary "I'm disgusted with how this area looks," Brown said Brown noticed the growing encampments in Suncoast but she claimed that the one behind her home is new She said she noticed it just this year and mentioned that it's only been a few months since it started to become home to people experiencing homelessness be camping out when there are people that live in the area Brown and her neighbors are particularly worried about drug use they've witnessed at the site When asked if she had contacted law enforcement about the encampment "They didn't do anything about it," Brown said She added that authorities have not visited the site to assess the situation FOX 4's Miyoshi Price contacted the Lee County Sheriff's Office regarding this encampment A public information officer responded that "Our Community Response Unit They are working with county leaders to address the encampment concerns." we urge residents to call us to report suspicious activity." Brown understands the challenges of homelessness firsthand she believes this situation presents different concerns and the mental health of those living in the encampment "I'm just a concerned citizen who wants this to be cleared up," Brown said "This issue right here is getting out of hand Something needs to be done about it," Brown said This story was reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy North Fort Myers was stagnant as a community with little happening in terms of new development But three new apartment complex projects — the 160-unit Hermosa the 320-unit Mast and 283-unit The Alary at Merchant’s Crossing — each have reached three different milestones in their development and are positioning the area for a makeover “North Fort Myers had become a pass-through community,” Lee County Commissioner Brian Hamman said Hamman witnessed the results of some of his efforts at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at The Alary at Merchant’s Crossing a site that used to be a vacant Sears department store “It’s a huge day for North Fort Myers,” said Hamman whose District 4 includes the unincorporated area “I’ve been working on this ever since the moment I got in office I’ve been trying to help North Fort Myers come back.” Lee County contributed about $1.7 million to the project including new signage at Merchant’s Crossing shopping center and demolition of the Sears building executive vice president of residential development at RD Management said the county investment helped jumpstart the project with starting rents at about $1,600 for a studio and about $2,000 for a two-bedroom and that’s when we began repositioning the site to see what we could add,” Moran said “I would say that the population growth throughout the state of Florida and Southwest Florida specifically has been pretty significant over the past four or five years.” at what used to be a shopping center just north of the Caloosahatchee Bridge has reached the topping off phase of construction Two private equity companies have combined forces to fund the bulk of that project “This is the culmination of years of work to try and get builders and developers interested in North Fort Myers,” Hamman said “We worked with our economic development team to try and figure out what can we do to bring in some catalyst projects that will help lift North Fort Myers up so it joins the rest of Lee County with the amazing success that we’ve seen.” a 160-unit affordable apartment community at 16341 N hosted a groundbreaking ceremony the morning of Feb where ReVital Development Group President Michael Allan thanked a long list of organizations that made funding of the project possible This will be the first apartment complex in Lee County to use funding mechanisms from the Live Local Act a new state law that helped ReVital secure funding to build 160 instead of the originally planned 80 units Florida Housing Finance Corporation awarded two grants both of which flowed through Bank of America a board member of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature with revitalizing public housing initiatives “It wasn’t making a dent,” Benson said of previous efforts to use state funding for affordable housing Bank of America awarded $2.04 million in annual 9% tax credits which will result in a $19.2 million equity contribution Bank of America also awarded $1.35 million in annual 4% tax credits for a $12.6 million contribution The project also will receive $2.75 million from the Hurricane Housing Recovery program $5.5 million from State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL $870,000 through National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF for Phase II) and $500,000 from Lee County Bank of America and Citi Community Capital are both paying for some of the debt who used to work on market-rate projects prior to starting ReVital He started the company five years ago because he wanted to devote 100% of his energies into affordable housing projects would range from $1,053 to $386 a month for a one-bedroom and $1,263 to $463 for two-bedroom units The current AMI figures for a family of two are: $44,940 (60% of AMI) $24,717 (33% of AMI) and $16,478 (22% of AMI) “It’s fee based,” Allan said of how his company makes money “Market-rate projects can be very boom or bust Affordable projects are more slow and steady That fits my mentality on the business side.” 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.. Not only has Chef Brian Roland physically and emotionally returned to public life in Southwest Florida after his life-altering tragedy.. Beeline is counting on thirsty folks making a beeline to its new upscale cocktail bar at Mercato in North Naples... The 72-unit Verandas III opened and is fully occupied on Airport Road marking the final phase in the redevelopment of.. 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 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 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 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.” 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 To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email 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 To reach CJ HADDAD, please email 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 while prioritizing heart wellness for everyone Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States Insights in research and technology gained from the annual conference will empower Lee Health Heart Institute physicians to remain leaders in innovative practices ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and reinforcing top-tier cardiovascular care throughout Southwest Florida and beyond “The Lee Health Heart Institute is honored to participate in this year’s ACC conference, contributing to the advancement of innovation, cardiac care, and improved patient outcomes worldwide,” said Dr. Iahn Gonsenhauser, chief medical officer of Lee Health “Our commitment extends beyond treating cardiovascular disease-we strive to develop advanced solutions that support heart health in our communities Staying at the forefront of cardiology research allows physicians to make informed decisions and implement prevention strategies that enhance patient outcomes and quality of life.” topics presented at the annual conference included: Chazal presented on quality improvement in echocardiography reporting and predicting performance highlighting the value of National Board of Echocardiography certification Chazal discussed the cost-effectiveness of coronary plaque analysis in a heart disease prevention program Lopez-Mattei presented on reducing inappropriate antihypertensive prescribing in a community hospital based on insights from a 2023-2024 educational initiative Defrain presented on transcatheter relief for lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum obstructing superior vena cava in an elderly patient Singh highlighted a case study on patent foramen ovale closure device endocarditis Lopez-Mattei discussed heart failure in the geriatric population and guideline-directed medical therapy use in septuagenarians and nonagenarians with reduced ejection fraction Gaztanaga reviewed coronary assessment in morbidly obese patients using a modified-CCTA protocol Gaztanaga explored the role of cardiac magnetic resonance in heart failure readmission rates in a pilot single-center retrospective analysis Lopez-Mattei discussed the overlooked culprit of patent foramen ovale and its role in respiratory failure Jivanov shared insights on early GDMT in alcohol-induced HFrEF and a case of rapid recovery Cao presented on mitral valve prolapse and mitral annulus disjunction as a silent risk and Saef shared important information on managing pregnancy in a patient with unrepaired congenital heart disease Sharing these insights at the ACC conference reinforces Lee Health’s commitment to excellence in heart care but also highlights the Lee Health Heart Institute’s dedication to advancing cardiovascular medicine both locally and globally The Lee Health Heart Institute is the largest heart program in Southwest Florida It specializes in everything from primary and specialty care To learn more about the Lee Health Heart Institute, please visit leehealth.org 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 the Pioneer Club of Lee County has honored those who have been part of our unique history These pioneers remember when Fort Myers was just a small town when Daniels Parkway was a dirt road and when the Edison Mall The Pioneer Club of Lee County celebrated the 76th anniversary of its founding in 1949 by R with the annual picnic at the Lee Civic Center’s Tinsley Pavilion said it’s amazing the event has been so popular for so long “We were trying to figure out how we were going to get another row of chairs in There are about 100 people per row,” said Mann whose duties will be assumed by Keith Cary “We feel really good about what we’ve done the last 10 years It’s great that someone can shake hands with someone they haven’t seen in a while It might be their last chance to be here.” The Pioneers Club was formed to honor those living persons who had been residents of old Lee County for 50 or more years with the initial meeting held in 1950 at the Lions Park on Cleveland Avenue in Fort Myers It is a social organization comprised of many of the old families of Lee County who get together annually to catch up on one another’s lives while enjoying lunch together there were many areas where past graduate classes of Fort Myers High School got together for what served as an annual high school reunion there were only two high schools — Fort Myers High and Dunbar said she came to see old friends she hasn’t seen in years said she also enjoyed seeing those they haven’t seen in a long time “It’s like a class reunion and you get to do it every year and not every five or 10,” Fuller Forstad said “Our 60th reunion is coming up next year.” Even though they are sixth generation Floridians It’s nice to come here to connect with people now that the county has gotten very large,” Michelle said “There are still a lot of pioneers in the area and it’s nice to get with them this time of year.” “It’s amazing how many people you see who have been here so long and are still here,” Melissa said “It’s nice to talk to the older generations and listen to them talk about what it was like and hear the stories.” Also recognized at the picnic were the eldest pioneer man and woman born in Lee County; the couple married the longest the pioneer who traveled the longest distance to the picnic; and the oldest person in attendance It was pretty much one-stop shopping this year They were also married the longest at 71 years Barbara said she lived throughout Lee County and her father had a store on Bayshore Road near the railroad tracks We had a lot of good neighbors and friends I played with I have a lot of good memories from those days in Bayshore,” said Barbara who spent part of her later childhood in Illinois before returning “There weren’t as many people and not as many cars.” Approximately 1,500 invitations were mailed out for the picnic of which two-thirds are sent to residents A barbecue lunch was available to the members for $10 per plate The eligibility requirement for membership is based on the person living in Lee County for at least 50 years A new website, wwwpioneerclubofleecounty.com/  Those attending or interested in joining can now register or submit a membership form online Those approved will be officially added to the list free admission that weekend was given to the members of the Pioneer Club to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates and to the IMAG History & Science Center With temps heating up around Southwest Florida will see much more activity in the coming months With more people in the water comes a greater chance of accidental drownings and other water-related incidents May serves as National Water Safety Month with a history of highlighting water awareness and swim safety starting in June 2003 when the World Waterpark Association launched its National Water Safety Week The coalition is made up of organizations such as the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance there are more than 4,500 unintentional drowning deaths each year in the United States and can happen in as little as 20 to 60 seconds drowning is the single leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 No other single cause of death kills more toddlers and young children than drowning Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death in children ages 5-14 following motor vehicle crashes NDPA officials state that drowning doesn’t always result in death it can cause hypoxic brain injury with moderate to severe impacts on quality of life and health outcomes The NDPA offers “5 layers of protection” to help prevent drownings: • Barriers and Alarms: It’s important to use four-sided fencing with self-closing to help prevent children and unauthorized adults from accessing water unsupervised *** Supervision: Stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings with close and capable adult supervision from a designated water watcher or lifeguard anytime children are in or around water *** Water Competency: Every child and adult should be equipped with the skills to protect themselves in water by learning and enhancing their basic water safety skills to reduce the risk of drowning and aquatic-related injuries life jackets protect you when you are not expecting to be in the water Ensure your life jackets are tested & approved by the USCG *** Emergency Preparation: Knowing how to prepare for an emergency with CPR training with rescue breaths and basic water rescue skills can make the difference between life and death Have a phone available and ready to call 911 According to the Florida Department of Health children ages 1-4 years-old are more likely to drown in a home swimming pool than children ages 5-19 years-old who are more likely to drown in natural bodies of water *** Always keep your eyes on children in and around water Actively supervising and giving children your undivided attention when they are in or around water can help prevent drownings *** Never leave a child alone around water check other pools or surrounding bodies of water Barriers help prevent young children from wandering into bodies of water *** Have a phone nearby in case you need to call 9-1-1 in an emergency *** Open cuts or wounds should not be immersed in water; if there’s bacteria in the water it can enter the body through a cut or wound *** If a cut or wound happens when in the water running water and soap and covered with a clean Hope Floats is an organization whose mission is to protect every life from drowning through education and water safety awareness said this is the fourth year the Cape Coral arm has helped provide lessons through the Hope Floats Foundation For every pool service completed in the month of May Pool Scouts will donate $1 to Hope Floats to provide scholarships for children in the community to have swim lessons “We’ve always believed that pool safety is just as important as pool maintenance,” Richard said “When we learned about Hope Float’s mission to provide those swim lessons It’s a very meaningful way to make a local impact on our community 1 cause of accidental drowning in children it’s very near and dear to our hearts to reduce that risk for as many children as possible — especially because a high percentage occur in residential pool.” Richard said now is a great time for parents to talk with their children about how yes There’s also a conversation to be had amongst adults “It’s definitely important to have those conversations with kids “So when you’re having pool parties make sure you have a designated person who is on pool patrol Sometimes you start chatting with other adults and you think somebody else is watching the kids It’s important to make sure there is always someone dedicated to lifeguard duty Richard also noted that the color of one’s bathing suit can also play a role in how visible they are to those keeping an eye on things are more visible or less visible,” she said “In a residential pool when the water is clear of blue wearing black or red or brighter colors are easier to spot.” Pool Scouts’ pursuit of getting as many local children a valuable swim lesson is a paramount step in pool safety as well “Swimming lessons is one of the best ways to help prevent any drowning accidents,” Richard said “It gives the kids those skills that they need so that when they receive that formal lesson it will hopefully potentially save their lives if they were ever in that situation.” “Having those safety fences is definitely important Having beepers on your sliders into your lanai is good so that you know if they’ve ever opened those doors.” More information on National Water Safety Month More information on Pool Scouts of Cape Coral More information on the Hope Floats Foundation A Southwest Florida staple is saying goodbye after more than six decades of presenting orchestral performances for the community The Southwest Florida Symphony announced on Tuesday its decision to permanently close with operations continuing through June 30 As Lee County’s only professional orchestra and one of the oldest symphony orchestras in Florida the Southwest Florida Symphony created a legacy in Lee and Charlotte counties The symphony played a substantial role in helping community members discover and enrich their love of music “We are so proud of the countless joyous experiences and treasured memories that the Southwest Florida Symphony has provided to residents visitors and music lovers across our community over 64 years,” said Tom Uhler president of the board of trustees for the Southwest Florida Symphony “We are honored to have the longtime support of many donors supporters and concert goers who have shared our love for orchestral music over the years the Southwest Florida Symphony team remains committed to preserving the rich legacy of orchestral music and its impact on the community.” Established as the Fort Myers Symphony in 1961 as a community orchestra consisting of 24 volunteer musicians the symphony spent its early years performing a handful of concerts in community centers it merged with a chorus and became the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra & Chorus Association the symphony grew to a roster of 70 world-class musicians the orchestra presented a series of Masterworks Concerts and Holiday Pops Concerts at various venues throughout Lee and Charlotte counties In addition to expanding its concert series to multiple communities throughout Southwest Florida the symphony has also performed in cities across the state Southwest Florida Symphony officials stated the unfortunate fact is that classical music is struggling to thrive across the country cost-effective venues in Lee and Charlotte counties and the costs of performances have grown to be very expensive They also cite an abundance of live entertainment options competing for the community’s attention “As a nonprofit that relies heavily on donors and sponsors with ticket sales covering a fraction of the orchestra’s budget this reality has resulted in annual operating deficits,” symphony officials said “Despite financial prudence and tireless efforts to persevere repeated annual deficits that the symphony experiences due to operational restrictions increased performance costs and loss of state funding are no longer viable.” “After much consideration and given recent leadership departures at the staff and board levels the Board of Trustees has determined that the only course of action is to close the Southwest Florida Symphony,” Uhler said and I’m proud of the board’s commitment to the Symphony with consideration for the staff We appreciate everyone’s support over the years.” In a message to patrons and community sponsors symphony officials stated that they are proud of the countless joyous experiences and treasured memories that the Southwest Florida Symphony has provided to residents students and music lovers across the community over 64 years “While we bid farewell to this chapter the Southwest Florida Symphony team remains committed to preserving the rich legacy of orchestral music and its impact on the community,” stated a message from staff and the Board of Trustees “We’re grateful for our many years of support from the Endowment Foundation and are proud of our collaboration with them They are positioned to ensure they can continue serving the arts community for years to come.” Fla — A brush fire in the woods near the Shell Factory had crews fighting flames they say were sparked by a homeless encampment Fox 4’s North Fort Myers Community Correspondent Austin Schargorodski works in this area daily Click here to see what the fire looked like from the sky: You could see smoke pouring from the woods off US-41 as crews shut down two lanes to fight the fire North Fort Myers Fire says the Florida Forestry Service helped cut a fire line with a skid steer clearing a path for bigger trucks to come in and put it out Fire fighters say they kept the blaze to about two acres the roadblock meant he couldn’t get back to his mother “I’m anxious because my mom lives in the park and they’re not letting me in to help her She’s on oxygen and I’m worried about her,” Beal said North Fort Myers Fire says the fire started around 12:45 and no buildings were threatened They say most brush fires like this are caused by people so it’s important to be careful - avoid idling vehicles on dry grass and keep water close if you’re burning anything — A homeless encampment near Merchants Crossing in North Fort Myers was cleared out earlier this week by the Lee County Sheriff's Office leaving many displaced and sparking mixed reactions from the community WATCH AS FOX 4'S ANVAR RUZIEV ARRIVED AT THE SITE WHERE THE CAMPSITES SAT EMPTY BUT WERE LITTERED WITH DEBRIS SERVING AS REMINDER OF THE LIVES ONCE LIVED THERE Neighbors in the area expressed relief over the removal but those affected by the clearing shared a much different story "It's kind of hard because a lot of people don't have nowhere to go," one individual said This action comes as Florida tightens its rules on public camping A state law that went into effect in October prohibits people from sleeping or camping in public parks and buildings Floridians can now sue their local governments if the ban isn’t enforced public parks were among the last available safe havens "The park really is not all bad," another individual said "These people are just trying to figure their lives out when they’ve got nowhere else to go." The Lee County Sheriff’s Office confirmed no arrests were made during this clearing their focus has been on educating unhoused individuals about available county resources those living on the streets say the options are few The state has allocated $30 million this year to help local governments enforce the law and provide mental health treatment to the unhoused population nearly six times the budget from the previous year questions remain about whether those funds will be enough to meet the growing need 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 President Trump met with the leaders of Walmart The retailers told Trump of empty shelves in two weeks The retailers suggested systemic issues in the supply chain It is important to plan ahead and stock up on essential items to avoid shortages especially when it comes to job security and rising living costs Increased costs on imported goods due to the tariffs will affect our consumer prices Budgeting and prioritizing can help manage through economic tough times local retailers will feel the pinch worse than the large retailers leading to fewer choices and higher prices Plan on holding off on major purchases for cars or appliances but consider setting aside savings to avoid making rushed financial decisions  later on Shop strategically and be proactive-shop local A Lee County woman turned $50 into $1 million after she purchased a Florida Lottery scratch-off ticket at a North Fort Myers convenience store Melanie Roff, 63, of North Fort Myers, bought the winning 500X The Cash  Scratch-Off game at Brothers Petroleum XI Inc., 916 Pondella Road, the Florida Lottery announced April 17 lump-sum payment option of $640,000 at the Lottery’s Fort Myers District Office received a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket Three days earlier, on April 14, a Naples man claimed a $1 million prize from the same game with a ticket purchased at a Publix grocery store on Marco Island And just one day later, on April 17, the lottery announced that a Sarasota County man hit the game's jackpot winning a whopping $25 million ― the largest ever Florida Lottery scratch-off prize 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 Match any of your numbers or any of the bonus numbers to any winning number to win prize shown for that number 100 or 500 times the prize shown for that symbol Get a "star" symbol and win double all 40 prizes — A long-awaited affordable housing complex broke ground in North Fort Myers on Wednesday morning It marks the first affordable development of its kind in the area in several years “It's been a little over 15 years in unincorporated Lee County to have a development such as this—and over 30 years here in North Fort Myers to have something—so it is groundbreaking,” said Michael Allan will bring 160 rental units to the area for seniors and veterans who earn 60% or less of the area’s median income the complex will offer rental prices ranging from $386 to $1,263 “We then calculate the income and rent off of that And then it’s 30% off of that amount so the households are not spending more than 30% or at least in theory of their household income,” Allan said Residents will also get an allowance for water and electricity Allan said the project has been years in the making especially with this—I think we had the land under contract for about four years before we were able to line up all the financing especially in this current market environment We had a lot of local support from Lee County as well as at the state level through Florida Housing Finance Corporation,” he said The site plan includes amenities such as a fitness center The complex will also provide free literacy programs and housekeeping services for seniors Allan said people will start moving in fairly soon “Probably in about 12 months from now is when we’ll be opening the first units depending on where construction stands,” he said Lee County Parks & Recreation is transitioning its paid parking locations to an updated parking system that allows residents and visitors to pay by text message According to an announcement from the county’s communications office the new system will “provide a standardized and user-friendly parking experience across all designated sites.” The parking vendor is utilized at various downtown Fort Myers locations The transition will include the county’s other managed sites including: • Beach Parks: Lynn Hall Memorial Park and Bowditch Point Regional Park on Fort Myers Beach Matlacha Boat Ramp and Pine Island Commercial Marina Hickey Creek Mitigation Park and Caloosahatchee Regional Park Payments can be made using the following methods: • Pay by Phone: After scanning the QR code users will receive a text message with a link to pay for parking texting PARK to the designated short code will generate a payment link • Pay at Kiosk: Locate the Premium Parking kiosk in the parking lot Beach parks will initially only offer text-to-pay and online payment options until kiosks are installed at a later date • Pay Online: Visit www.premiumparking.com and follow the instructions to complete payment • Mobile App: The Premium Parking app is available for download via the Google Play Store and Apple App Store The $60 annual Lee County Parks & Recreation parking pass remains available For more details on parking changes, visit leeparks.org, call 239-533-7275, or email leeparks@leegov.com America is certainly a “me” nation Hard to believe that Americans are so wrapped up in themselves that they can’t stand a little pain America is being robbed by other countries who are charging high tariffs on American products and receiving minimal tariffs in return Our debt has soared to $36 trillion in only a couple decades after remaining relatively small for 250 years due in part to the unfair tariffs The tariff resolutions will take time but American cannot help but win big We are the biggest customer in the world so we have all the leverage over those countries who are robbing us A strong president who wants to solve America’s problems has the courage to face the negatives from the other party and people who are just always wanting a free lunch the stock market is an emotional money game Reaction to a small matter can cut the stock market by 1% in one day but recovers in two days The tariffs are presented by fake news as a big emotional issue People who won’t be using their money for many years are all upset about a 10% variation with the likely potential of soaring in the future Would you rather America continue to be robbed and more debt piled on so we can’t pay Social Security Would you rather have America continue to drift toward cheap jobs requiring very little intelligence Large companies both domestic and foreign are now committed to building huge new factories in America costing trillions since the tariffs have been announced  How can that not be an economic boom for us and the stock market ignoring debt and are upset that some Washington bureaucrats have to report five things they did in their jobs Are they upset about having to admit they didn’t do anything Elon Musk is becoming very unpopular for finding taxpayer money literally being thrown away and given to some bureaucrat’s favorite political hobby offshore bank or moral (mostly immoral) beliefs And Elon is bad for saving taxpayers billions? The people creating this negative thought are ones who only want more for themselves or are against anything that the other party is doing to improve America AOC and Sanders are preaching socialism which requires much more money and much less freedom to say nothing about doubling the debt Get on your knees America and pray for patience knowing that the future is going to be great North Fort Myers has become a go-to community for residents and businesses alike CEO & principal broker for Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property Southwest Florida said residential rooftops get developed in areas where land is available I think what you are seeing is the convergence of all the rooftops being developed is creating demand for commercial real estate activity,” Tasman said “The Pine Island Road corridor from Del Prado to I-75 – that is what is driving that growth People buy in communities with vacant land “The key is Lee County — our Board of County Commissioners will make sure that we are supplying the right infrastructure to keep up with the growth The way that happens is through impact fees and development,” he said “I don’t think it is unreasonable to expect to see that growth and it is going to be planned and developed in a sustainable way.” and all the other economic activity that follows population growth “Everything follows population growth — in North Fort Myers that is happening It is going on beyond that going to Charlotte County This region from Naples to Tampa will be completely filled in.” the area grew by more than 400,000 people – nearly a 37% growth rate Lee County made up more than half of that with 251,000 new residents “You are seeing people move because you get a lot further with your money down here The rent – the housing was a lot cheaper than where they were living That is why we saw that robust migration,” said Eric Messer “The advantage –southwest region between Sarasota and Lee County — more developable land You guys have developable land with technology advancements for building codes environmental friendly codes — opportunities to take advantage of that combination to create sections The driver for Florida’s economy is tourism with nearly 132 million visitors and more than $127 billion spent in 2024 The main activity is at Victory Park and the development around the VA hospital and Lee Health and multifamily apartment complex is going to drive more retail centers and grocery stores “North Fort Myers will ultimately have an interchange around Slater Road that will provide further access into Cape Coral,” Tasman said “All that land available will become more desirable around that interchange.” That interchange is expected in the next 10 to 20 years There is an unidentified easement through the Conservation 20/20 land that is 25 acres north of Slater Road which is granted to the Department of Transportation for the placement of the interchange “This region is going to continue to grow because it is very desirable,” Tasman said “What residents should demand is a responsible approach to that growth You have a Board of County Commissioners that are 100% engaged in that.” Messer said for all of Southwest Florida the majority of growth is on the commercial sector with multi-family development with a lot of re-imaging markets “We are seeing a lot of development that has a multi-facet component — a retail component — some office space component and some medical and retail,” Messer said work and play are really kind of dominating developments throughout the state.” and drive a short distance to go to work and shopping “The traditional large office buildings that are built in a business district — we are seeing older properties be bought up and redeveloped with the mixed component of the multifamily That is the winning combination,” Messer said “People don’t want to spend a lot of time in traffic These developments pop up and it promotes being caught in less congestion I think that is going to be the continued trend within real estate for quite a while.” He said there was a combination of construction cost increases from inflation in 2021-2022 and also the amount of development that came online in the region in 2022-2023 “It’s a natural real estate cycle – a slowdown in growth – let things level off and trough and start to peak back upward,” Messer said adding that it’s a normal real estate cycle “You will start to see growth tick back upward in 2026-2027.” Messer said what they are seeing throughout the nation including Southwest Florida and the Treasure Coast is the outward sprawl from the key markets and business friendly with an incentive to move their business to the Sunshine State Although North Fort Myers is being sought for commercial the acreage properties for homes are also desirable Liz Williamson of Four Star Homes and Realty One Group MVP said acreage property is a draw of North Fort Myers Such properties tend to be selling within three to four months if priced correctly “I see that real estate in North Fort Myers with acreage as stable,” she said adding there is more interest in acreage properties “A lot has to do with all the subdivisions and all the communicates coming in – losing that country feel and that is what people are really gravitating towards She said everybody wants to spread out and enjoy the birds chirping green land and the sense of peace that comes with property there were 30 properties listed that had an acre or more The price range is from $330,000 to $3.7 million for a 10-acre parcel with three bedrooms and two bath.) — NFMNL The North Fort Myers High School girls soccer team is being investigated for alleged recruiting violations Florida High School Athletic Association spokesperson Kelvin Richardson in an email to The Breeze stated “We were informed that there was an internal investigation conducted by the Office of Professional Standards in Lee County.” School District of Lee County spokesperson Rob Spicker told The Breeze in an email “We received an allegation and have provided our review to the FHSAA for their determination.” just put together a 21-3 season and reached the FHSAA 5A state semifinal game and he declined to comment on the situation until the conclusion of the investigation To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com Mast Capital, one of Florida’s most active real estate development and investment firms, in partnership with Chicago-based private equity group BLG Capital Advisors announces the topping off of its upscale residential rental community With construction led by general contractor Kaufman Lynn the garden-style residential community located at 13370 Magnolia Oak Circle will consist of three- and four-story apartment buildings surrounded by lush landscaping in a pedestrian-friendly setting Designed by Humphrey’s & Partners Architects The Winslow will offer a variety of modern apartments along with lifestyle-driven outdoor and indoor amenities Residents will enjoy access to indoor amenities such as a full-service fitness center and a workspace area for residents working from home Outdoor amenities will include a resort-style swimming pool large sun deck with comfortable outdoor seating and covered lounge cabanas Each apartment has been thoughtfully designed with high-quality finishes and features Each residence will include vinyl plank flooring throughout and full-size washers and dryers for everyday ease Bathrooms will be outfitted with backlit mirrors and soaking tubs while large balconies will provide an extension of the living space the apartments will offer a well-appointed yet comfortable living experience “Reaching this milestone in the construction of this exceptional rental community is a significant achievement for our team and a testament to our commitment to delivering high-quality amenity-rich communities that meet the growing demand for housing across Florida,” said Camilo Miguel “As we approach the final stages of this project we are excited to offer residents in the North Fort Myers area a vibrant and highly designed residential community in one of Southwest Florida’s most dynamic neighborhoods We look forward to welcoming our first residents by late summer and contributing to the continued economic growth and development of Fort Myers.” The Winslow was developed with the Revitalization Pilot Program of Lee County marking a significant collaboration that aims to drive local growth and community enhancement The Fort Myers market is home to over 21 million square feet of office space and more than 360,000 employees The development site is situated near Lee Memorial Hospital which is one of the top employers in Southwest Florida and minutes away from destinations such as Downtown Fort Myers and Midtown providing easy access to major employment hubs and lifestyle centers Downtown Fort Myers is both pedestrian and pet friendly and bustles with arts Mast Capital is one of Florida’s most active real estate development and investment firms today and commercial properties throughout the State of Florida The firm continues to expand its portfolio with acquisitions representing over $4 billion in total project capitalization These investments include new ground-up development of over 4,000 residential units in South Florida as well as the Fort Myers and Tampa metro areas Real estate and development firm Mast Capital topped off its residential rental community The community broke ground in March 2024 and is slated for completion in late summer this year delivering 320 residential units in a garden-style community at 13370 Magnolia Oak Circle It will consist of three- and four-story apartment buildings Outdoor amenities include a resort-style swimming pool a sun deck with outdoor seating and covered lounge cabanas a dog park and multiple activity and fitness lawns (CBS12) — Body cam footage shows Lee County deputies saving a disabled man from a large house fire early Sunday morning responded to a large house fire in North Fort Myers where Field Training Officer Rachel Baurt-Fithian and Deputy Trainee Tyler Voege learned a disabled and injured man was trapped inside a bedroom According to LCSO Deputy Bauer-Fithian tried to crawl through the home See also: ICE raids sweep South Florida: Martin County targeted in nationwide crackdown "We can get in through the window!" Deputy Baur-Fithian yells as she catches her breath from the smoke body cam footage shows the two deputies breaking out a front window and pulling the man to safety the man was then transported to a hospital for injuries sustained from the fire — People living in Suncoast Estates say the lack of sidewalks and street lights in the North Fort Myers neighborhood is a major safety hazard Residents say it sometimes feels like they are driving in total darkness when the sun goes down Fox 4 community corespondent Stephen Pimpo took a drive through the neighborhood to see just how dark it got and spoke with concerned citizens: “Sometimes at night time you cannot even see the people walking till you’re right on top of them,” said long-time resident Charles Garretson “I’ve almost run a few of them over myself.” The fact that there are almost no sidewalks throughout the entire neighborhood only increases the safety risk “I don’t like the idea of people pushing babies in strollers down the road on the pavement,” Garretson said So 20-year Suncoast Estates resident Scott Hartman is doing something about it “(People) are dodging cars all the time and a catastrophe is going to happen,” he said Hartman started a petition in January to get his neighborhood the sidewalks and street lights it needs He says he already has close to 300 signatures “We just can’t survive there without some type of lights and walkways so that people aren’t challenged with getting hit,” Hartman said Hartman said the greatest areas of need are the cross streets along Tucker Lane His goal is to get at least 600 signatures before presenting the petition to the Lee County Commission “I just feel as though Suncoast has been left behind and it’s unfair to those people,” Hartman said Trump continues to rattle the markets with his tariff debacles on and off and up and down like a little kid In only 63 Trading Days since Trump’s inauguration day the SP500 has fallen by 14% making it the worst start to a new year ever as well as the worst start to a new presidential term since 1928 Trump has managed to set the markets on end “DOW headed for Worst April since 1933 and Investors are sending a “NO CONFIDENCE” Signal regarding his policies This is all based on the volatility Trump has caused with his failing Trade Wars The chief economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is now projecting a 40% chance of a recession due to Trump’s tariffs Trump’s Treasury Secretary has stated that Trump’s tariffs cannot be sustained and must come to an end Trump may be getting a hint that this was not the correct way to address tariffs as he thinks “he can do no wrong.” His initial scapegoat happened to be Head of the Federal Reserve Board Jerome Powell using his childish name-calling of Powell as a “major loser” whose “termination cannot come fast enough.” Jerome Powell stood up to this bully and said he would not resign until his term is over in 2026 after his advisors told him that firing Powell would throw the U.S It’s no wonder how Trump has been bankrupted six times in the past Congress is responsible for dealing with tariffs yet they have not granted Trump the authority to impose these tariffs Trump is violating the law by imposing them through his executive order It appears that Congress is coming to that realization as they are afraid of Trump’s retaliation even though Trump brags he has lots of deals in the works But is this really making “America Great Again,” or are we just drowning in Trump’s pride and his belief “He’s the best business man” Americans need to give Republican and Democratic representatives our feedback and tell Trump to stop threatening other countries with his bullying tactics playing political games by waiting for other countries to make a deal; instead he should be proactive and propose a win-win deal This way everyone can feel good about the outcome as the current tactics are showing calamitous results North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts is thrilled to present its highly anticipated production of The Nutcracker a holiday classic that has captivated audiences for generations This enchanting performance will transport viewers into a world of magic as students bring to life Tchaikovsky's beloved ballet This year’s production will feature over 260 talented student performers showcasing the diverse artistic skills of the academy’s students in dance performance Under the direction of Tracy Fishler and Stacey Mitchell the show promises a stunning visual and auditory experience beautiful set designs and intricate choreography The North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts has built a reputation for producing exceptional student-led performances a young girl who is transported into a fantastical dream world full of dancing snowflakes The Nutcracker is a must-see event for families and theatergoers alike Tickets for the performance are available now and can be purchased through the Barbara B. Mann website at https://www.bbmannpah.com/events Prices vary with choice of seats and range from $13-$35 A portion of the proceeds will benefit the North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts’ continued commitment to arts education FL 33966Phone: 239-334-1102TTD/TTY: 239-335-1512 If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request do not send electronic mail to this entity contact this office by phone or in writing Fla — Displaced vendors from the Shell Factory have found a new marketplace at the North Fort Myers Elks Lodge some vendors relocated to Paradise Vintage Market after the Shell Factory closed many of the remaining vendors have set up shop at the Elks Lodge turning it into a bustling flea market.Watch Community Correspondent Austin Schargorodski's report: the Elks Lodge parking lot was filled with tables displaying handmade goods and antique treasures for shoppers this market is more than just a place to sell - it's a fresh start "It was a shock to everybody," Payton said she just decided to close the place and left us without a home." he and other vendors have finally found stability "It’s a big relief knowing we got a home now," Payton said The effort to create this new market wouldn’t have happened without Donna Primavera and Carl Boscarino from the Elks Lodge you can see it’s very profitable for the vendors," Primavera said "And it helps our lodge raise money so we can continue our works of charity with the vets and the homeless." this is just the beginning - Primavera says they’re clearing space to welcome even more vendors in the future The deaths of both eaglets at the North Fort Myers nest along Bayshore Drive are being linked to a strain of avian flu known as HPAI an investigation by the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife has found started having seizures over the past few days E24 died in the nest and E25 fell from the nest and was found dead Both remains were recovered by the wildlife center The diagnosis of highly pathogenic avian influenza was announced at a press conference called by clinic officials Thursday morning to discuss the deaths It was surmised the birds may have contracted the disease via an infected bird they consumed have been seen around the nest site but little is known about their health status HPAI is a type of avian flu that spreads primarily to birds During the media briefing at the nest site clarified what she said was misinformation that was spread on social media about the eaglets "Just to make sure that everyone knows where we have been and what we've been doing regarding this nest over the past week so on when we learned that E24 had passed on Monday we confirmed with authorities that removal of the dead eaglet was going to be necessary for the health and safety of the remaining eagles in the nest," she said And I want to point out to you that we did not have authorization to pull E25 from the nest at the time of that retrieval but our veterinarian on scene completed a visual exam and found E25 bright and alert and with no signs of stress." Hussey said that to minimize potential effects of human contact with the surviving eaglet at that time which was actively avoiding the CROW veterinarian and moving closer to the edge of the nest the vet quickly returned to the ground to avoid any further issues She added: "I want to again point out to you that was being actively cared for by the parents and being fed so there were there are inherent risks when interfering with wild nests and that those must be considered very carefully any time intervention is performed at a nest." Hussey also said the deaths had been difficult to take Our CROW team was deeply affected by the loss of these eaglets." said the clinic's hospital received notification that the two eaglets tested positive for HPAI a virus that causes high mortality in the species of susceptible birds which usually includes poultry but also many wild birds Comolli said the strain of avian influenza has caused devastating losses in the birds it infects can shed the virus while remaining asymptomatic are highly susceptible and can succumb to the disease rapidly," she said "It can also be carried by contaminated objects The eaglets in this nest likely contracted the disease by eating an infected bird We know that these results are especially worrisome for all of you understandably concerned for the parents." Comolli said signs to watch for in the eagles would include weakness and any neurological signs such as tremoring and seizures If those signs were seen in either of the parent eagles she urged a call to the wildlife center at (239) 322-5068 or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 888-404-3922 CROW does not have authorization to attempt to capture the parent eagles M15 and F23," she said the two adult eagles were seen flying overhead Comolli said the wildlife clinic continues to work in partnership with the Pritchett family who owns the property where the nest is located Fish and Wildlife Service to monitor the adult eagles while also being mindful of the safety of the animals and the people that are involved," she said Virginia Pritchett McSpadden, co-founder of the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam web site, said she was shocked by the deaths. "Unfortunately I hate to be here today talking to you guys about this years of having the eagles being streamed live This is definitely one of the worst-case scenarios we've ever seen to have both eaglets being taken down so suddenly and unpredictably," she said and we're just so appreciative of CROW and FWC to help us to get these quick answers today on what actually happened." has been training cameras on the nest for more than a decade "This is uncharted territory for our cameras and viewers," the website posted "We will keep the cameras streaming to continue to observe the health of M15 & F23 When we have more information we will post it here." This isn't the first tragedy at the North Fort Myers nest died suddenly in January 2020 from what the wildlife clinic determined to be "markedly increased levels of brodifacoum a type of anticoagulant rodenticide or rat poison," according to a news release eagle matriarch Harriett inexplicably vanished from the nest The last time an affordable rental community was built in North Fort Myers Bill Clinton was president and had been 15 years since one was built anywhere in unincorporated Lee County a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the newest community to come to the area one that will provide affordable housing for area seniors All this while work was already starting on the project at 16341 N which is set to begin welcoming residents early next year in collaboration with Birdsong Housing Partners and the Lee County Housing Authority Phase I & II — a project marking the first new construction affordable housing rental community in North Fort Myers in more than 30 years which had been in the works since around 2020 is in response to the desperate need for affordable housing in the area which has also had to deal with Hurricane Ian in 2022 and hurricanes Helene and Milton this past year said they are trying to address all demographics in need of affordable and resilient housing we celebrated the opening of Civitas in Cape Coral for the workforce This one is focused on seniors,” Allan said “We’re not only looking for safe and affordable housing Civitas saw a line of hundreds of people for a pre-leasing event before the grand opening “We had people who stayed overnight at the property Team members worked to make sure everybody in line had an opportunity to talk to them and go through the application process,” Allan said Among those to speak at the groundbreaking was County Commissioner Brian Hamman He said Hermosa is a great opportunity for the area in answer to its lack of affordable housing “This will be built to a very strong hurricane code so it will be safe housing for seniors so they can retire and live here with dignity,” Hamman said “We were able to use some of the Community Development Block Grant money we got after Ian to push this over the finish line.” Hermosa is the first development in Lee County to utilize state and federal recovery funds associated with Hurricane Ian It’s also the first to use benefits under Florida Senate Bill 102 Hermosa will feature a 160-unit affordable multifamily residential building designed with environmental sustainability in mind includes a preference for veterans and provides essential affordable housing opportunities for residents earning 60 percent or less of the area median income Residents will benefit from a modern clubhouse with a fitness center along with free programs like an adult literacy program and assistance with light housekeeping