070425 Cape Coral Weekend Breeze

Overall taxable valuation up in Lee County

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com

Preliminary tax roll values released this week by the Lee County Property Appraiser’s Office show that overall taxable valuation is up countywide.

Lee County Property Appraiser Matt Caldwell attributed much of that to more properties back on the tax roll since

Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina to open

The much-awaited riverfront Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina will host a ticketed event on July 4 and then open to the general public on Saturday. — Page 13

Hurricane Ian, as well as new construction.

Caldwell said the numbers are helpful for the cities, counties, and districts as they look to form their budgets for 2026.

They also can help with future forecasts.

This year, the office definitely can see in the early sales data for 2025 that there is a downturn in the market, he said.

“In some ways it was inevitable as you

consider just how high prices rose in our market because of COVID and the demand when displaced by Hurricane Ian,” Caldwell said. “We are going to have to see prices come back down from that when demand goes to normal. There are a lot of different things on the horizon in the global economy — we definitely will get affected by those changes.”

City, county promote

‘Build

together, Play together’

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com

Parks and Recreation Month, a staple for decades, is kicking off its 40th year this month with the theme “Build Together, Play Together,” complete with plenty of free activities.

The city of Cape Coral and Lee County each has many activities planned as a celebration of how parks and recreation make communities stronger, vibrant, and resilient.

Cape Coral activities include a free Florida-

friendly landscaping class from 10 a.m. to noon at Rotary Park on Friday, July 25; a free ice cream social from 1 to 2 p.m. at Lake Kennedy Center on Monday, July 14; and free boat trailer parking at city boat ramps on Saturday, July 27, and Sunday, July 28.

Other activities include a free tour of the Butterfly House at Rotary Park at 10:30 a.m. every Monday, Friday and Saturday beginning July 7; a free gallery reception at the Cape Coral Art Center from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday,

In Lee County, the total just tax roll valuation for 2025 came in at $219,991,886,433 an increase of .24% from 2024. The total assessed tax roll valuation is up 7.96% throughout the county from last year, with total taxable valuation, at $149,409,551,735, seeing a 8.17% in-

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

The city of Cape Coral is set to open another facility part of the Parks GO Bond.

The public is invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Crystal Lake Park on July 18 at 9:30 a.m.

The ceremony will take place at 4307 N.W. 36th St., and no reservation is required to attend.

“Every time the city introduces new amenities for our residents, it’s an exciting milestone,” said city spokesperson Kaitlyn Mullen. “Crystal Lake Park adds valuable green space to a part of Cape Coral that has long been in need of more recreational areas.”

Crystal Lake Park features a beach on which to relax, a hilltop lookout with “breathtaking” views, and boat, kayak, and canoe launches to explore the lake. You’ll also find a shaded picnic area ideal for relaxing meals, convenient fitness stations, and a kids fitness playground to keep little ones active and entertained.

Located in the north Cape, the park is another way to serve an area that is booming with new residents, city officials said.

“The area’s rapid growth has created increased demand for local amenities, and the city recognizes that providing parks in this region supports balanced development, improves residents’ access to recre-

Immigration policies hit home: Haitian community fearful

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com

Community Coalition of SWFL President Beatrice Jacquet-Castor said this year has been a very odd one for Haitian people, as they have been attacked from all sides.

“Right now, we are helping our community members find other statuses that they might be qualified for,” she said, adding the odds for that option is very slim as there are not many other than temporary protective status. “It’s not that they don’t want to become legal. It’s the only legal protection they had because they don’t

new Venue

MPO conducting study for new shared-use path

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com

The Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization is conducting a study for a new shared-use path in Fort Myers and North Fort Myers to further the connection of the SUN Trail network.

The anticipated continuation on the northwest side is to link the Florida Department of Transportation SUN Trail network along Littleton Road that becomes Kismet Parkway in Cape Coral and the southeast side would connect with the John Yarbrough Linear Park Trail which is undergoing an extension to Hanson Street.

Transportation Planning Administrator Ron Gogoi said the study is being done because they want to realign – create an alignment – in the portion of central Fort Myers, North Fort Myers, and Downtown Fort Myers to expand the SUN Trail network.

The anticipated continuation on the northwest side is to link the Florida Department of Transportation SUN Trail network along Littleton Road that becomes Kismet Parkway in Cape Coral and the southeast side would connect with the John Yarbrough Linear Park Trail which is undergoing an extension to Hanson Street.

They received $600,000 in state funding to do the study.

“The existing alignment for the SUN Trail network in central Fort Myers, Downtown Fort Myers and North Fort Myers are not conducive, or friendly for bicycling or even for pedestrians. The portion that is close to downtown escapes and bypasses downtown the way it is right now,” he said. “We basically want to realign, create an alignment in the portion in central Fort Myers, North Fort Myers, and Downtown Fort Myers – go to the Downtown River District and midtown and make use of the new sidewalk on the Caloosahatchee bridge connecting the rest of the SUN Trail network. That was what brought up the need for that particular study.”

The SUN Trail network is part of a statewide network

where there are shared non-motorist pathways. A portion of the network that goes throughout Lee County is in the city of Fort Myers and North Fort Myers, with portions already in existence and others under construction, which are creating gaps.

Part of this project includes asking the community to participate in a survey regarding nonmotorized active planning –for bikes and pedestrian walkways around the route.

“Anything received from the public can be used for the nonmotorized active planning across Lee County,” Gogoi said.

The interactive survey, which can be found at, https://qualtricsxmn22whq9qz. qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e5konYudCo3bvhk, will be available until October. The reasoning behind the long survey time is a project advisory committee will convene in October to discuss the results.

The time frame of the project is 18 months, just for the planning stages. Once the study is completed, they will look at

what needs to be done as far as the construction design.

“We are going to be studying the routes and then we are going to identify the alignment running through downtown, as the area does not have space for a separate shared use path, but rather a mix of existing roadways and sidewalks.

Gogoi said it may come to breaking down the construction into two or three phases, as they will not have the funding for the entire project.

“You might have to come up with phases and then look at what kind of funding,” is available, he said.

The current SUN Trail network in Lee County is pretty extensive as it goes through the coastal areas and through Cape Coral.

“The SUN Trail route covers the whole state,” Gogoi said, adding that immediate neighbors to the north, and south are connected to the trail.

“We want to provide protected multiuse pathways, so people are safe and there are minimum conflict points with cars,” he said. “That is the main objective to keep people safe and provide another mode for people to commute. When everything is built along the SUN Trail network, they can use their bike to commute to work and shop. People will not be using their cars for small trips.”

AAA activates ‘Tow to Go’ for holiday weekend

As AAA gears up to assist nearly 700,000 stranded drivers during Independence Day week,

The Auto Club Group is reactivating its Tow to Go programs. This free and confidential service pro-

vides impaired drivers— and their vehicles—with a safe ride, helping to make the roads safer in Florida and beyond.

“By offering Tow to Go, AAA helps ensure there’s no excuse for impaired driving,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesperson for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Plan ahead, but if your plans change, we’re here as a last resort to help you get home safely.”

When It’s Available: 6 p.m. Friday, July 4 – 6 a.m . Monday, July 7

How ‘Tow to Go’ Works: Call (855) 2-TOW2-GO

AAA provides a free, confidential ride and tow within 10 miles

Available to everyone—AAA members and non-members

Can’t be scheduled in advance—designed for those last-minute situations

Why It Matters:

Nearly one-third of all U.S. traffic deaths involve drunk drivers

In 2023, 12,429 people lost their lives in alcohol-related crashes

A life is lost in a drunk driving crash every 42 minutes

Since its launch over 25 years ago, Tow to Go has removed nearly 30,000 impaired drivers from the road.

Note: Service availability may be limited in rural areas or during severe weather.

OpiniOns

Cape COral Breeze

RAYMOND

M. ECKENRODE Publisher

VALARIE HARRING, Executive Editor

CHRIS STRINE, Editor

2510 Del Prado Blvd. • Cape Coral, FL, 33904

• Phone 239-574-1110 – Fax 239-574-5693

Member Florida Press Association

The Fever is still unabated

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,...”

— Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

... “if a good Bleeding can bring those Bible faced Yankees to their senses[,] The Fever of Independency should soon abate.”

— British Major General James Grant, following the Battle of Brooklyn, Aug. 27, 1776

A nascent nation almost died aborning when British troops pocketed Commander George Washington’s contingent of some 9,000 troops in Brooklyn Heights, a pivotal and early battle of the Revolutionary War.

As described by the American Battlefield Trust, the then-most powerful country in the world trapped Washington’s soldiers against the East River with ... “no feasible means of winning the battle.”

Washington’s troops did not win.

They suffered a bloody “good bleeding.”

But they did not bow down despite heavy losses, despite the prospect of a siege leading to annihilation.

Instead, the man who came to be known as the father of our county coordinated a retreat across the river “in the dark of night.”

“Instead of surrendering, Washington evacuated the army and retreated to Manhattan, a decision that saved the Continental Army and the patriot cause,” the American Battlefield Trust website states.

Washington’s troops did not fold because they, like most Americans today, believed — and believe — that “certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” are worth fighting for.

The Fever of Independency did not, will not abate.

We salute those who made today’s holiday possible.

And we wish you and yours a happy and safe Independence Day.

— Breeze editorial

This week’s poll question:

Do you approve or disapprove of “Alligator Alcatraz.”

∫ Approve.

∫ Disapprove.

∫ Not sure yet. Vote at capecoralbreeze.com.

Previous poll question:

Do you approve or disapprove of the U.S. bombing of nuclear sites in Iran?

∫ Approve. 68.75%

∫ Disapprove. 24%

∫ I’m not sure what to think. 7.3%

* Total votes at press time: 95 votes. Percentages are “rounded.”Poll results are not scientific and represent only the opinions of Internet users who have chosen to participate.

July 4, 2025

Mayor’s Message

Dear Cape Coral residents,

Since I became Mayor in 2021, I have been proud to help Cape Coral grow and change in many ways. As our city grows, our primary goal is to keep everyone safe and make Cape Coral a great place to live.

We have worked hard to make sure our police officers, firefighters, and emergency workers have what they need to protect us. We opened new fire stations, improved training, and made sure our workers are paid well so they want to stay. Both our Fire and Police Departments have won national awards, and Cape Coral remains one of the safest large cities in Florida.

We have also spent a significant amount—almost $450 million last year— to repair and improve our roads, water pipes, parks, and other public facilities. We plan to spend even more, approximately $2 billion, by 2030. We have brought water and sewer services to thousands of homes, replaced outdated systems to maintain clean water, and enhanced our parks to make them better and more beautiful.

We are revitalizing old parts of the city, transforming empty or run-down areas into vibrant spaces for people to enjoy, and initiating major projects that will attract new businesses and create jobs in Cape Coral. Because we carefully manage our finances, Cape Coral has won awards

for sound budgeting and transparency, and we consistently receive grants and assistance from the state.

All these things demonstrate that we want Cape Coral to be a safe, connected, and thriving community for many years to come. Now, as outlined in a short video that will be posted on the city’s social media pages on Wednesday, July 9, which I invite you to watch, here are some of the great things we’ve accomplished together since 2021. Public Safety

n Opened Fire Stations No. 12 and 13 to serve the city’s rapidly growing population.

n Increased public safety staffing by adding over 64 new positions each to both the Police and Fire Departments, significantly strengthening our community’s emergency response capabilities.

n Implemented new pay structures for recruitment and retention, bringing salary ranges to the 75th percentile among peer cities. The City Council has set a target to compensate city employees, including police officers and firefighters, at the 75th percentile of wages paid for comparable positions in similar cities. This means the city aims to ensure its pay rates are equal to 75% of peer municipalities, making Cape Coral more competitive

Letters to the editor

The other side of the story

To the editor:

Why only present the half of the story that supports your agenda or critical point of view?

Case in point — a recent contribution titled “Disagreement with Kennedy: Vaccines are the cornerstone of public health.”

The author appears to be implying that the firing of the 17 members of the independent vaccine advisory panel for the CDC somehow indicates the end of vaccines, and then goes on to educate us on several vaccines that are currently in use.

Those vaccines are still in use and no attempt has been made to restrict or eliminate them.

The author fails to mention the rest of the announcement which stated, “Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Monday he is removing all 17 sitting members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisory committee and replacing them with new members.”

“Replacing them with new members” is intentionally left out to create the illusion that this advisory council has been eliminated. This is false and the author must have known that, but chose to “misdirect” the reader in the hope of creating doubt and criticism toward RFK Jr.

Thirteen of these members were appointed by Biden (or whoever was actually running the country) in 2024.

Kennedy further pointed out that, “Today we are prioritizing the restoration of public trust above any specific pro- or anti-vaccine agenda,” Kennedy said in a statement.

“The public must know that unbiased science — evaluated through a transparent process and insulated from conflicts of interest — guides the recommendations of our health agencies.”

Once you see the whole story, not just a piece taken out of context to influence the thinking of the reader, one can now evaluate in earnest and as you can see, we’re not

getting rid of vaccines.

Cuts to Medicaid will affect the health of Lee countians — and Lee County

To the editor:

Are you prepared if your relative is discharged from a healthcare facility?

The proposed federal budget calls for cuts of $880 billion to Medicaid coverage over the next 10 years,significantly affecting healthcare in Lee County, particularly impacting small or rural hospitals and nursing homes.

Consider: Millions of individuals could lose their Medicaid coverage, putting immense pressure on their family and communities dependent on these services.

Impact on healthcare facilities: Hospitals will feel the financial strain due to reduced funding impacting their ability to deliver quality care.

Nursing Home Regulations: When Medicaid benefits are set to expire a nursing home resident has a limited time frame to arrange private payment or alternative care. Importantly, nursing homes cannot evict residents simply due to expiration of benefits, emphasizing the need for proactive planning for residents and their families.

Community consequences: The cuts could lead to increased hospitalization rates and emergency care barriers as families navigate the healthcare system without adequate coverage, ultimately affecting public health outcomes in Lee County.

It is essential for communities policymakers to engage in discussions about mitigating the impacts of these cuts on vulnerable populations and local healthcare systems.\ Is this a cut in the federal budget to give tax breaks to the wealthiest individuals ? I am very concerned about the health of Lee County residents.

Kathleen Callard, RNBS North Fort Myers

Agree? Disagree? Weigh in! Letters, guest opinions, comments welcome

The views expressed on the Opinions pages are just that — opinions. These pages are intended to convey a range of viewpoints; opinions printed on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper. Opposing views are welcome. Letters to the editor or guest columns may be e-mailed to vharring@breezenewspapers.com. All letters and guest opinions must be signed and must include a phone number for verification purposes. Readers are also invited to comment on any letter or editorial opinion online at: capecoralbreeze.com.

John Gunter Guest Commentary

Max Christian St. James City

Kudos & thanks: Great year behind, much more ahead

As we embrace the summer months, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible achievements and exciting progress within our school district.

Celebrating Our Graduates: First and foremost, congratulations to our graduating seniors! This past May, we watched as you walked across the stage, ready to embark on the next chapter of your journey. Whether you are heading to college, the workforce, the military, or pursuing your dreams in new ways, we are immensely proud of all that you have accomplished. Your resilience, dedication, and passion will undoubtedly lead you to a successful future.

Supporting Our Educators: To our dedicated teachers and staff, thank you for another incredible year. Your unwavering commitment to shaping young minds does not go unnoticed, and you deserve every moment to relax, unwind, and recharge

this summer. As we continue to invest in our schools, especially in our high-risk communities and rapidly growing eastern county, we remain committed to supporting you with new incentives, resources, and opportunities that help you thrive.

New Teacher Opportunities & District Recruitment: As we continue to expand, we are actively seeking passionate educators who want to make a meaningful impact. There are exciting new opportunities for teachers, particularly in high-risk schools, with competitive salary enhancements, professional development resources, and additional benefits designed to support

Jada Langford Fleming Guest Commentary

your success. We are also calling on bus drivers and substitute teachers who want to be part of the Lee County School District. These roles are essential in keeping our schools running smoothly, and we encourage individuals who are looking for rewarding work to consider joining our dedicated team.

New Schools for a Growing Community: With exponential growth in our eastern part of the county, we are responding with the addition of new schools designed to accommodate our expanding student population. These modern facilities will provide enriching learning

environments, ensuring that every child has access to high-quality education. We are excited to welcome students into these new spaces soon!

Wishing Everyone a Safe and Fun Summer: As summer begins, I want to extend prayers and well wishes for all our students, families, and staff. May this season be filled with adventure, relaxation, and cherished moments with loved ones. Stay safe, have fun, and come back refreshed and ready for another great school year!

Thank you for being an integral part of our community and for supporting our district’s continued success.

Best wishes and godspeed,

—Jada Langford Fleming is the School Board vice chair. She represents District 6.

Guest Commentary: We’ve accomplished much together since 2021

From page 4

in attracting and retaining talent.

n Instituted a $10,000 hiring bonus for newly hired police officers.

n The Cape Coral Fire Department earned its initial accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) in 2024.

n The Police Department maintained law enforcement and communications center accreditation through CALEA; its Forensics Lab received laboratory accreditation by the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board in 2018.

n Maintained status as one of the safest cities in Florida with a population over 150,000.

n Managed Hurricane Ian response in 2022, including emergency operations, restoring municipal services, and citywide debris removal.

n Created the Department of Emergency Management and Resilience.

n Maintained the City’s CRS rating of 5 and insurance premium discounts up to 25% after an extensive FEMA review concerning hurricane recovery and adherence to National Flood Insurance Program regulations.

n Opened new, state-of-the-art police and fire training centers for advanced public safety training.

Infrastructure

n Completed the $286 million North 2 Utilities Extension Project (UEP), adding 880 new water, sewer, and irrigation connections.

n Advanced design and bidding for the North 1 UEP, with 7,400 new utility connections under design and 90 miles of road to be paved.

n Advanced design for the future North 6 UEP area to assist with the declining mid-Hawthorne aquifer levels.

n Extended city water, sewer, and irrigation services to approximately 8,800 parcels in the North 2 UEP area and extending all three utilities to 8,400 parcels in the North 1 area, and 5,100 parcels in North 3 replacing thousands of septic tanks that can contribute to water quality issues and harmful algal blooms. By providing reliable potable water service, the project helps protect and preserve the water resources of the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer.

n Invested $5.5 million annually in local road resurfacing and $1.3 million in median beautification.

n Paved more than 400 lanes miles of roadway since 2021 (2021: 95.3, 2022: 51.4, 2023: 63.6, 2024: 111.5, 2025: 78.3)

n Implemented a Bimini Basin anchoring limitation area to manage derelict vessels and navigation hazards.

n Continued planning and design for future utilities extension projects, including a citywide master plan for unserved areas.

n The complete removal of the Chiquita Lock represents a milestone achievement following more than a decade of dedicated effort by the city.

n Purchase of a water reservoir in Charlotte County to secure future citywide irrigation water supply.

n Completed the Caloosahatchee Connect project to transfer treated reclaimed water across the river, supplementing irrigation supply for fire suppression and lawn irrigation purposes while reducing Fort Myers’ discharges to the river.

n Developed the city’s first-ever multimodal transportation master plan. The plan is designed to create a comprehensive, long-term vision for a city’s transportation system, considering all modes of travel, including walking, cycling, public transit, and automobiles.

n The City’s legislative priorities included advocating for regional transportation improvements, including a Cape Coral dedicated I-75 exit and widening SR-78/Pine Island Road.

n Cape Coral advance funded the SR-78/Pine Island Rd. A Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study, conducted on behalf of the State, is a necessary step in the road widening process.

n Completed Phase I of the Cape Coral SUN Trail project, delivering a 3.4-mile, 12-foot-wide multi-use path in North Cape. A $5.4 million grant funded this phase. The SUN Trail is part of a statewide network designed for bicyclists and pedestrians. Phase II will extend the trail by an additional 2.9 miles and add two more pedestrian bridges, with a $7.6 million grant secured for construction.

n Completing designs for D&D boat ramp facility, Fleet Facility building, Yacht Club Community Park, Andalusia Boulevard extension and completed a study for the expansion of the Emergency Operations Center.

Financial

n Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting annually from GFOA since 2021.

n Received the prestigious Triple Crown Award for budgeting and finance from GFOA in 2024.

n Annual external audits completed by independent experts with no material issues.

n Published the city’s first-ever Popular Annual Financial Report to enhance transparency.

n Grant revenues since 2021: $630.6 million

l FY22: $115.1 million

l FY23: $130.3 million

l FY24: $157 million

l FY25: $228.2 million.

n Millage rate decreased from 6.3750 in 2021 to 5.2188 in FY25.

History of the millage

l 2021: 6.3750

l 2022: 6.2500

l 2023: 5.3694

l 2024: 5.3694

l 2025: 5.2188

l City received the most significant state appropriations award ever in 2023 in the amount of $17 million.

Parks, Recreation, and Community Amenities

n Completed construction on the following new parks: Crystal Lake Park, Cultural Park, Del Prado Linear Park, Gator Trails Park, Giuffrida Park, Lake Kennedy Racquet Center, Joe Coviello Park, and Sands Park.

n Construction is underway at Jaycee Park, Tropicana Park, Yellow Fever Creek, and Festival Park.

n The City secured new agreements for the operation of SunSplash Family Waterpark and Coral Oaks Golf Course, significantly reducing reliance on general fund subsidies and enhancing the financial sustainability of these recreational facilities.

n Purchased the long-vacant former golf course property for future recreation and community amenities.

Education

n Oasis Charter Schools was recognized as a Florida High-Performing Charter School System, with all four municipal charter schools ranking among the top performers in Lee County.

Strategic Planning and Economic Development

n Developed a comprehensive suite of economic development incentives designed to attract key industries and promote business investment in the city.

n Acquisition of Bimini East properties for CRA redevelopment and economic revitalization of the South Cape.

n Earned Home Rule Hero Awards 2022, 2023, 2024.

n Developed long-term vision for the city through the Cape Compass 2030 Citywide Strategic Plan, establishing a comprehensive framework to guide Cape Coral’s growth, priorities, and community aspirations through the next decade.

n Completed the City’s Economic Development Master Plan, a strategic document designed to guide the long-term economic growth and sustainability of the city. Its purpose is to create a clear vision and actionable roadmap for improving economic conditions, attracting investment, creating jobs, and enhancing quality of life.

n Opened a veteran’s service location at Lee County Human Services in Cape Coral

We have accomplished a great deal together, including opening new fire stations and training centers, hiring additional police officers, and winning national awards for safety. This demonstrates our commitment to maintaining Cape Coral as one of the safest cities in Florida.

Last year, we invested nearly half a billion dollars to repair and improve our roads, water systems, parks, and public spaces. We are also working on major projects, such as the Utilities Extension, the SUN Trail, and removing the Chiquita Lock, to improve lives and protect nature.

Because we manage our finances well and have good credit, Cape Coral has won awards for budgeting and financial transparency. We also have more money from grants and smart planning, and our city taxes are the lowest they’ve been in years.

We are making the South Cape area more attractive by building new parks and adding fun activities for people of all ages. Our schools are doing well, and we are attracting new businesses and jobs to ensure Cape Coral remains a place of opportunities.

All these things demonstrate what we can achieve when we prioritize safety, create better places, and collaborate as a community. I believe that if we continue to work together, Cape Coral will become even stronger, safer, and more exciting for everyone.

Together, we are building a bright future — and the best is yet to come. It is an honor to serve our community, and I will continue to work hard to move our city forward.

Best regards,

John Gunter Cape Coral Mayor

Cape Coral sets workshop for new Mobility Plan & Fee

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com

A long-term plan — the Cape Coral Mobility Plan and Fee — will be workshopped next week to provide an opportunity for residents to share how to help create a safer and more connected city while they live, work and move around the Cape.

“Mobility Plan and Fee systems have been endorsed by the Florida League of Cities and FDOT as the modern solution to antiquated road impact fee systems,” city spokesperson Kaitlyn Mullen said. “Community input is a big part of this process, and there will be several opportunities to get involved. The plan aims to create a safer, more connected, and more sustainable transportation network for everyone in Cape Coral.”

The first workshop will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, at Cape Coral’s Public Works Operation Center, 815 Nicholas Pkwy. E.

The workshop will introduce the Mobility Plan and Fee Study, outline the project’s goals, and give residents a chance to share their ideas and concerns about transportation issues, such as traffic, safety, and options for walking, biking, and transit.

Topics to be discussed will include street safety, pedestrian and bike access, roadway design and future transit options.

The study will help plan for the future of Cape Coral by looking at infrastructure improvements, smart growth, traffic safety, and equitable funding, officials said.

“This is a long-term plan, providing a 20-to-25-year vision for Cape Coral’s transportation system. It includes phased recommendations and projects for the next 5, 10 and 20 years,” Mullen said.

The citywide mobility fee will repeal

The first workshop will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, at Cape Coral’s Public Works Operation Center, 815 Nicholas Pkwy. E.

The workshop will introduce the Mobility Plan and Fee Study, outline the project’s goals, and give residents a chance to share their ideas and concerns about transportation issues, such as traffic, safety, and options for walking, biking, and transit.

and replace the current road impact fee system.

“It is not an additional fee; it is a onetime fee charged to new developments and major redevelopments. The fee amount will be based on the type of project and location,” she said. “It’s expected to mitigate the impact on the transportation system, and the funds will be used for improvements like roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, and transit.”

The fee will be allocated to projects such as road and intersection upgrades, multimodal infrastructure enhancements, traffic safety improvements, and advanced mobility technologies.

“Cape Coral is growing quickly, which puts strain on its roads and transportation network,” Mullen said. “The city wants to improve traffic flow, safety, and accessibility for all users, while making sure that new development helps pay for necessary infrastructure.”

Valuation: Numbers used for tax rolls

From page 1

-crease and school taxable, at $169, 125,481,692, seeing a 4.19% increase.

In Cape Coral, the total just tax roll valuation is at $46,703,811,657, which is a .40%, decrease, or $188,017,314 less, from 2024.

The total assessed tax roll valuation is up 7.58% from 2024 with the total taxable, at $31,972,530,710, up 7.40%.

New construction just tax roll valuation in 2025 in Cape Coral is $1,588,865,557, down from the $2,114,727,819 in the final numbers for 2024.

New construction taxable for ’25 is $1,579,597,916, down from $1,621,436,698.

Caldwell said the values are entirely about continuing the identification of properties that should come back on the tax roll. He said there were thousands of properties after Hurricane Ian in September 2022 that were taken off the tax roll due to improvements that had to be made.

The work on formulating the valuations continued after the June 1 estimate, as the Appraiser’s Office reviewed still-uninhabitable properties.

The numbers are not final until approved by the state.

Caldwell said they brought several thousand properties back on the roll this go-around.

With that said, there are homes on the islands where Hurricanes Helene and Milton complicated the situation.

Part of the delay for that process is getting through everything that should come back on since Ian and what should be taken off with new impacts from Helene and Hilton, he said.

Although there are still homes on the uninhabitable list — a small percentage compared to three years ago — Lee County is pretty much back to where it was before the storm.

“The market has evolved and changed considerably over the last three years,” Caldwell said. “People can feel the market has changed over the last six months — more challenging to sell, prices going down in different sectors. These numbers are based on the end of 2024. We won’t see the effects of the 2025 market conditions until next year.”

The release of the final tax roll values starts the process that allows jurisdictions and other taxing authorities to hold public hearings and set proposed ad valorem tax rates that will apply to properties within their respective jurisdictions.

The Property Appraiser’s Office will send out individual Notices of Proposed Property Taxes (TRIM Notices) in mid-August once the proposed tax rates are set.

Immigration: TPS protection to end

From page 1 qualify for anything else.”

Jacquet-Castor said to become legal those without TPS protection must have a child who is at least 21 who could petition for them; be married to a U.S. citizen; or affected by violence.

She said many cannot pay the fee to petition for a relative, as that cost alone is $2,000, and there is no guaranteed approval.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, at least 60 days before a TPS designation expires, the conditions of the country are reviewed to determine if the supporting condition of the designation continues to be met. Secretary Kristi Noem determined that Haiti’s conditions no longer meet the requirements of TPS, as the country’s conditions have improved enough for Haitians to safely return home.

Jacquet-Castor said there have been no changes in Haiti as the president there was assassinated a couple of years ago.

“The people don’t have a home to go back to. The situation has not improved,” she said, adding that if the conditions did improve, and they had a home, infrastructure, or jobs, they would return.

“Unfortunately, it is not the case,” she said.

There are about 50,000 Haitians in Southwest Florida, Jacquet-Castor said,

adding there are a lot of scared people showing hesitation because they do not know what their future holds.

Since the status being known last Friday, the coalition has looked at up to 100 cases a day within an eight-hour workday to figure out how to help.

“We don’t have enough support. We need a lot of volunteers,” Jacquet-Castor said, adding that financial support would also help them get the resources they need.

“We don’t have the financial support right now,” she said.

Those who would like to help, can call the office at (239) 202-9855, or call her cell phone at (239) 878-5898. The office is at 3849 Evans Ave., Suite 304.

There are a number of groups that are part of the Haitian network that are working together to navigate what has transpired to figure out different options, she added.

“We are trying to do our best to help,” Jacquet-Castor said.

The September deadline also ties to driving privileges, which will end. They are now trying to raise funds to get transportation because she can already anticipate the need, she said,

“Pretty soon it is going to get worse,” Jacquet-Castor said. “I don’t think people understand how it is going to impact our community.”

Crystal Lake: New park to open

From page 1

ation, and enhances neighborhood appeal,” Mullen said.

According to the city’s website, the park has a budget of $10,293,147, and states the budget is “on track.” The park is being contracted by Pavement Maintenance, LLC.

As for future projects, Mullen said the

city anticipates that Tropicana Park will be completed this winter, further expanding recreational opportunities for North Cape Coral.

For more information on Crystal Lake Park, visit www.capecoral.gov/special_ project_plans/parks_and_recreation_go_ bond/crystal_lake.php .

Melody Lane to stage ‘Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame’

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

A Cape Coral theater is taking on a classic while bringing the show to life for those with that are deaf or have hearing impairment.

Melody Lane Theater will perform “Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame” across four shows in mid-July. With the main character, Quasimodo, being severely hearing impaired, the troupe decided to partner with the Sally J. Pimentel Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center in Fort Myers.

The center will provide interpreting for one of the shows, and teach Melody Lane actors sign-language they can use during the other performances and to take through life.

“We’re trying to bring awareness to the condition,” said Melody Lane Director Dana Alavrez. “Obviously Quasimodo has a lot of different challenges, and one of them is that he’s partially deaf. So wanting to represent the differently-abled in a respectful way and be able to talk with people who go through similar challenges.”

Two different young actors will portray Quasimodo: Connor Devall and Gabe Cruz. Alvarez said working with Sally J. Pimentel Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center will allow these young men to play the character with authenticity and respect.

Melody Lane decided to take on the Victor Hugo classic following requests by students for some time, which was surprising to Alvarez with the seriousness of the show.

“While it’s still a Disney musical, it’s very different from the animated movie,” Alvarez said. “This is a really big learning experience. There’s a lot going on in the world, and this show really has a powerful message of acceptance — that no matter if you are differently-abled or not, or have any sort of challenges, there’s something that you can relate to.”

Quasimodo, being the bell-ringer of the Notre Dame Cathedral, experiences severe damage to his ears over time, which causes him to have severe hearing loss. He communicates through sign language with a character named Frollo, a sort of guardian figure. His hearing loss also exacerbates his isolation from society, as his appearance of having a hunchback and growth over one of his

If You Go:

What:

Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame musical

When: July 18, 19, & 20 (four performances)

Where:

North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts, 1856 Arts Way, North Fort Myers

Tickets:

Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.ticketleap.events/tickets/melody-lanetheatre/hunchback.

eyes.

The cast is made up of actors ages 14 to 23, as this is not a “teen edition” of the musical.

Melody Lane reached out to Sally J. Pimentel to acquire its assistance in portraying the character authentically, and will speak with a group that done a lot of work in Southwest Florida raising awareness and providing accommodations for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Established in 1983, the mission of the Sally J. Pimentel Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center is “to empower Deaf and hard-of-hearing citizens and their families in Southwest Florida through education, advocacy, and community engagement.” Serving Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties, DHHC offers services such as interpreting, ASL classes, mentoring, support groups, and advocacy.

“They will do some educating of our cast by coming in — and we would like to have the Quasimodo actors be able to, for at least of one their songs, use sign language phrases every single show, not just when there’s an inter-

preter,” Alvarez.

DHHC will have an interpreter for the entire show on Sunday, July 20, at 2 p.m.

Alvarez said the cast is looking forward to the experience with DHHC.

“They really love the opportunity to learn about the story and the character and be able to put themselves in someone else’s shoes, and to involve the community,” she said. “If you’re hard-of-hearing or deaf, how do you enjoy musical theater? Obviously that’s really challenging. For the students to be able to see how to make musical theater accessible to other groups is really eye-opening for them.”

Alvarez said having an interpreter at other shows in the future is something the non-profit would most definitely consider, as well as taking material from whichever show they are putting on and connecting with local groups to enhance and include.

Other cast members include Athena Rose Belis and Lia Jaquez, who will portray Esmerelda; Kerwin Cyriaque as Frollo; Keith Williams as Phoebus; Jonny Serat as Clopin; and Sophie Cruz as Florika.

Alvarez added the cast has done an exceptional job with the difficulty of singing in Latin.

“The students having to learn how to speak these phrases of a language that doesn’t exist natively anymore... has been a big challenge,” Alvarez said. “There’s also some Greek phrases, and some French, but a lot is Latin and has a very classical choir sound.”

The shows take place on July 18 at 6:30 p.m.; July 19 at 2 p.m. and 630 p.m.; and July 20 at 2 p.m. All performances are at North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts theater, at 1856 Arts Way in North Fort Myers.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and United Way partner agency, DHHC receives support from the Lee Board of County Commissioners, city of Cape Coral, local organizations, and private donors. For more information, visit www.dhhc.life, email info@dhhc.life, or call (239) 4610334 or (239) 247-5821 (video phone for the Deaf).

For tickets to the show, visit www.ticketleap.events/ tickets/melody-lane-theatre/hunchback.

For more information on Melody Lane, visit www. melodylanepac.com.

Red, White & BOOM! to light up the skies

Cape’s street party Southwest Florida’s largest Independence Day event

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

If you still haven’t made plans, there are a multitude of events set to help you celebrate the Fourth of July holiday.

The single biggest event the city of Cape Coral puts on every year, Red, White & BOOM!, is the largest fireworks display in all of Southwest Florida.

Tens of thousands of people will come together at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge to watch the “American Fireworks Spectacular,” where the largest show to date will fill the night sky, replete with synchronized music.

The free July 4th festivities will start at 5 p.m., kicking off with DJ Rifik at 5:15, Brendan Walter at 6:30, and national headliner George Birge at 8 p.m. Mikalay Williams, a North Fort Myers High School senior, will perform the national anthem at 9:25.

Birge, Texas-born, Nashville-based songwriter, credits his Austin upbringing with his gift for writing relatable lyrics and melodies.

His hit song “Beer Beer, Truck Truck,” is an up-tempo sing-along that is about missing the one you love and wooing them to come back.

Now signed to Barry Weiss’s RECORDS Nashville label, Birge is gearing up to release his debut EP and build on the buzz.

The “American Fireworks Spectacular,” powered by LCEC, propels more than 4,000 shells into the sky starts at 9:30 and is a musically synchronized display. The music can be heard at the stage, on Cat Country 107.1 or on the free iHeartRadio app via Cat Country.

Parking and shuttles to Red, White & BOOM! are at the following locations:

n Club Square

n Iguana Mia

n Former Veterans Museum

n Big John’s Plaza

There will be a free “Boom Bus” with handicap acces-

sibility picking up individuals at all downtown parking lots from 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

The Lee County Department of Transportation reminds motorists the Cape Coral Bridge will be closed for the Red, White & Boom celebration from 3 a.m. Friday, July 4, through 3 a.m. Saturday, July 5. Cape Coral Parkway from Del Prado Boulevard to the bridge will also be closed at that time.

Motorists are encouraged to use the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge, the Caloosahatchee Bridge (U.S. 41) or the Edison Bridge (Business 41). Lee DOT will place message boards for motorists; they will remain in place through the holiday and the closing. Motorists should plan for an alternate route.

Coolers with non-alcoholic beverages are permitted. No pets are allowed.

Visit CapeBOOM.com for more information.

Other events include:

Slipway Food Truck Park & Marina

Slipway Food Truck Park & Marina along the Caloosahatchee waterfront is hosting its inaugural Fourth of July Bash from 3 to 10 p.m. on July 4. Celebrating America’s birthday, this VIP experience offers food, drinks, and live entertainment with a prime view of the city of Cape Coral’s Red, White & Boom entertainment and fireworks display.

General Admission is $100 and includes two drink tickets and complementary food truck tasting selections from 5 to 8 p.m.

Festive, patriotic and red, white and blue casual attire is encouraged. The event will be hosted in an outdoor, open-air setting. Fans, shaded pavilions, and misters will be available for guests. Personal sun protective clothing, hats, sunscreen and bug repellent are encouraged. Shirt and shoes are required in dining areas.

A portion of the proceeds will go to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation.

For tickets, visit slipawaycape.com/july4bash/.

Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina is at 1811 Cape Coral Parkway E.

Cape Coral American Legion

The American Legion Cape Coral will celebrate July 4 at Post 90 at 1401 S.E. 47th St. in Cape Coral. There will also be a blood drive. The public is invited.

A flag retirement ceremony begins at 11 a.m. by the Post Honor Guard. Attendees are encouraged to bring old unserviceable flags to be properly disposed of. The blood drive will start at noon and continue to 4 p.m.

Free hamburgers and hot dogs will be served from noon to 7 p.m.

Farmer Joe’s

Farmer Joe’s in Cape Coral will host its third annual

See INDEPENDENCE DAY, page 14

Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina opens this weekend

Opening to follow waterfront venue’s inaugural & ticketed Fourth of July bash

Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina, Cape Coral’s first food truck park and marina, will open for a ticketed July 4th bash and then open to the public on Saturday.

Located at the base of the Cape Coral Bridge at 1811 Cape Coral Parkway E., the waterfront destination features 10 on-site food trucks, a full-service bar, shaded seating options, 30 boat slips, a fuel dock, Ship Store and unobstructed views of the Caloosahatchee River.

Slipaway will kick off its opening weekend with its inaugural Fourth of July Bash, a ticketed Independence Day celebration with a portion of proceeds to benefit the Tunnels to Towers Foundation and offering a prime view of the city of Cape Coral’s Red, White& BOOM! fireworks display, live music, giveaways, food and drink offerings and more.

The event will take place from 3 to 10 p.m. and general admission tickets are available online for $100.

Slipaway will open officially to the public for regular service beginning Saturday, July 5, at 4 p.m.

Daily hours following opening weekend will include bar hours from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and food truck service from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“Situated on 3.1 acres, Slipaway is a destination for residents and visitors to gather with friends, family and pets to enjoy delicious food, ice cold drinks, live music and more with a waterfront view,” a release announcing the opening states. “With 30 public boat slips and more than 100 parking spaces for visitors traveling by car or by water, Slipaway is the perfect spot for boaters to fill up at the fuel dock, grab a bite to eat and purchase essentials such as ice, sunscreen, sunglasses and more at the Ship Store. The fuel dock will operate daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.”

Slipaway will offer daily live music and entertainment along with special events and festivals scheduled throughout the year.

The 10 on-site food trucks are locally owned and op-

See SLIPAWAY page 14

Located at the base of the Cape Coral Bridge, Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina, features 10 onsite food trucks, a full-service bar, shaded seating options, 30 boat slips, a fuel dock, Ship Store and unobstructed views of the Caloosahatchee River. The first-for-the-city venue opens to the public on Saturday following a ticketed July 4th bash.

LCEC members can use the Co-op Connections App to access local and national deals offered by participating businesses. Members can save on health & wellness, travel, entertainment, dining, retail, groceries, insurance, and much more. This is an entirely free offering just for being a member and another example of why . . .

14 Independence Day: Baseball, fireworks, holiday gatherings galore

From page 12

4th of July Customer Appreciation Event. This family-friendly celebration will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Farmer Joe’s store at 1401 S.W. Pine Island Road. The event is open to the public, with free admission. Event attendees can expect fun, food, and festivities, including free hamburgers, Nathan’s Hot Dogs, local vendor booths, and fun for the whole family

Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels will host a three-day Independence Day celebration that includes a Fourth of July Family Picnic Special, fireworks extravaganza and classic all-American eats.

The postgame fireworks extravaganza on July 4 will be the longest, largest and loudest pyrotechnics show of the 2025 baseball season at Hammond Stadium at the Lee Health Sports Complex. Gates open at 6 p.m. for the 7:05 p.m. game, and fireworks will begin immediately after the final out.

“Our Independence Day game has become a tradition for many Southwest Florida families because it’s a true all-American celebration — baseball, burgers, beer, fireworks and family,” said John Martin, managing partner of the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, in a release. “Although

we host fireworks shows after every Friday home game, the Fourth of July show is equivalent to one long grand finale. This year, we’re adding a patriotic soundtrack and family picnic ambiance to make this truly a memorable experience for fans.”

The Mighty Mussels are offering a Fourth of July Family Picnic Special for $87.76, including fees; only 100 packages are available. The Family Picnic Special includes:

n Four reserved game tickets (first or second level)

n Four concession vouchers worth $12.75 each

n A Mighty Mussels fleece picnic blanket

On July 5, there will be a patriotic bucket hat giveaway, as well as “Bark in the Park,” where leashed dogs are welcome at Hammond Stadium. On July 6, kids get in free, can play catch on the field from 11 to 11:30 a.m., and can run the bases after the game.

To purchase the Family Picnic Special, visit gofevo. com/event/July4th2025.

Hammond Stadium at Lee Health Sports Complex is at 14100 6 Mile Cypress Parkway in Fort Myers.

Downtown Fort Myers

Head to Downtown Fort Myers for the city’s annual 4th

of July Celebration at the Caloosa Sound Amphitheater from 6 to 10 p.m.

General admission for the event is free. Seating is not provided. Organizers ask attendees to bring a foldable lawn chair or blanket for comfort.

“Join us on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River for an unforgettable evening of music, food, and fireworks at Downtown Fort Myers’ signature Fourth of July celebration,” event organizers stated.

The festivities begin at 6 p.m., with local Tyler Shep leading a patriotic tribute as he sings the Star-Spangled Banner. Then, get ready to dance under the stars with a live performance by The Caloosa River Band, building up to a dazzling fireworks finale presented by the River District Alliance (weather permitting).

Bars will be onsite for beverages available for purchases.

VIP tickets include reserved seating in the front fenced section (first-come, first-serve), access to air-conditioned restroom trailers, chef-curated barbecue boxed dinner, raffle entry, and full cash bar.

Tickets are available by visiting www.vistingfortmyers.com. Caloosa Sound Amphitheater is at 2101 Edwards Drive.

Slipaway: Riverfront venue to offer variety of food & drink options

From page 13

erated and offer a wide variety of options, “curated with all appetites and preferences in mind.”

Food trucks include Addison’s Chicken SWFL, Chop it Up Food Truck, Gigi Gourmet, Greek Spot Go, Lobster Chef Food Truck, Not Yo Mama’s Tacos, Philly Express, SmokeStream BBQ, The Crooked Cow and Yunta Cuban Food Truck.

Visitors can order drinks from the full-service bar and food from the food trucks directly or via a QR code from one of the 300 available seats. Slipaway food runners are

available to deliver orders directly to the table.

The unique concept is led by owners Jeff Miloff, Gary Aubuchon, Scott Fischer, Sandra Dean, John Kulhavi, Chuck McGuirk and Rick McGuirk.

“Bringing a combined 100 years of living and working in Cape Coral and Southwest Florida, leadership created a concept that emphasizes features that make the region special. Slipaway’s logo sports a smalltooth sawfish, paying homage to one of the creatures native to the Caloosahatchee River waters and celebrating the beauty that the region has to offer,” the release states.

“We love Cape Coral, and we are so happy to provide

this one-of-a-kind experience for families and friends to celebrate and enjoy great food and drinks, incredible views and our Southwest Florida waterfront lifestyle,” said Aubuchon in a prepared statement. “We’re hitting the ground running with some exciting events right away, like our Fourth of July Bash, a great live music calendar and more.”

For more information about Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina, to view food truck menus, or to purchase tickets for the Fourth of July Bash, visit SlipawayCape.com.

Weekly B reeze Recap

Kathy and Tom Provenzano work their ham radios during the annual ARRL Field Day at North Fort Myers Community Park on Saturday.

Local ham radio operators hold summer field day

By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers.com

Gone are the days when ham radio operators operated out of their basement on old-time equipment that looked like it came from the 1930s.

Today, ham radio is state of the art. It uses computers and modern equipment to hear from people all over the world. This is a good thing, since during an emergency such as a hurricane when all the power and cell phone towers are out, it often can be the only way to communicate.

On Saturday, under the concession stand near the football field at North Fort Myers Community Park, dozens of radio operators gathered to test their skills in the event of an emergency.

The Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club hosted the American Radio Relay League Field Day, an annual nationwide emergency preparedness exercise and public outreach event demonstrating the critical role of amateur radio in post-disaster recovery.

A record number of operators participated in the event as numerous antennas were erected near the football field and portable generators provided the power.

Carmine Petrano, president of FMARC, said they wanted to exercise their equipment and speak with other operators to make sure they can reach everybody they need to reach.

“It’s preparation for an emergency and it’s also a contest. Lee County is blessed to have 1,500 operators,” Petrano said. “Not all of them are very active but we’re getting more activity from more ham operators, which would be very beneficial to the county.”

When traditional communication infrastructure fails, amateur radio becomes an indispensable lifeline. This event highlights the resilience and resourcefulness of amateur radio operators and their ability to provide vital communication services during emergencies and disaster recovery efforts.

The 24-hour event showcased how amateur radio can function under emergency-like conditions, utilizing emergency power and deployable antennas. Visitors had the opportunity to observe operations, ask questions, and even get on the air under supervision.

FMARC, a volunteer group of licensed ham radio

operators affiliated with the ARRL, the national association for amateur radio. Members of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, who provide backup communication systems during emergencies, also participated.

Jeff Kennedy, spokesperson for Lee County AREAS, said they are independent of any other service. They can run on emergency power and can communicate anywhere.

“The reason Lee County likes having ham operators around is because we’re a great backup. Here, we have an outdoor location where we won’t get rained on,” Kennedy said. “We have expensive equipment that all belongs to these individuals.”

The amateur operators simulated emergency conditions and worked remotely from a location in an attempt to reach fellow operators nationwide. The group is awarded points for each operator they reach in a certain area.

It also serves as an educational opportunity for the public to understand the importance of amateur radio preparedness.

Many of these operators have been deployed during emergencies. During Hurricane Ian, operators were located at emergency shelters and at Lee County Emergency Management, relaying important information after power and the cell towers went down.

Radio operators were also in their communities, relaying information to emergency crews in the event someone had a health condition and needed to get to the hospital.

Tom and Kathy Provenzano came to put their skills to the test. Kathy is a relative novice, having worked ham radios for a year. Tom had started ham radio in 1960 and stopped for a while before coming back to it.

“We went to the winter field day in January and nearly froze to death. We love getting out with our club and I’m new at this,” Kathy said. “I like that you can talk to people all over the world. I contacted China, Russia, Japan, Australia…”

“What I like about this event is it allows us to practice our emergency activation skills. We’ve activated two hurricane stations over the past several years at shelters,” Tom said. “When all else fails, ham radio will always be there.”

Cape Coral man sentenced to life in prison in Barry Schmalbach murder

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

A Cape Coral man has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of second-degree murder.

Christopher Gregory Davis, 37, was sentenced Thursday in the death of Barry Schmalbach, 56.

Davis was also sentenced to five years in prison for tampering with physical evidence, and five years on each of eight counts of fraudulent use of, or possession with intent to fraudulently use personal identification information concerning a deceased individual.

All counts are to run consecutively.

Davis was sentenced immediately after a jury returned a guilty verdict following a four-day trial in Lee County.

Schmalbach was last seen alive on the evening of July 19, 2023, and his body not been found.

Davis lived with the victim and was aware the victim had planned to end their relationship, according to the prosecution’s case.

Schmalbach was at a Cape Coral bar with Davis on the night of July 19, 2023, and that a witness said “it appeared that they were not getting along.”

Prosecutors contend that just after 7 p.m., Schmalbach texted a friend that he did not want to continue being with Davis, but that the pair walked back to the victim’s condo.

“The last image of the victim alive is on a surveillance camera from an area business they walked past,” a release from the State Attorney’s Office states. “That night, a neighbor at the condo complex reported hearing banging noises like someone was being slammed around and the sound of someone moaning twice. (Davis) was seen on store surveillance video soon after, purchasing two rolls of duct tape and a tarp. He had (Schmalbach’s) wallet and was wearing the (Schmalbach’s) watch. A neighbor later heard something being dragged in the condo hallway, but the light was out in the hall so could not see what was going on. When the light was turned back on, (Davis) was standing there.”

The SAO stated that Davis, driving the Schmalbach’s Jeep, then rented an Airbnb in a remote area, using a false identity. He purchased a pickax and shovel at a hardware store using cash. The rented home was left with furniture askew and sand and dirt on the floor and in the bathtub.

Schmalbach was not reported missing for several days and, during that time, Davis called Schmalbach’s bank, pretending to be him, to make sure the debit card worked, officials state.

“The bank call was played in court as evidence,” the SAO stated. “(Davis) then used the card to get cash out of local ATMs at multiple locations. (Davis) also got a cosmetic procedure with Botox filler and shopped at multiple businesses, using Schmalbach’s credit cards. He also purchased an air freshener which was found in Schmalbach’s vehicle. Cadaver dogs alerted to the scent of human remains in the vehicle.”

The Cape Coral Police Department led the investigation in this case.

Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore issued the following statement Thursday following the guilty verdict:

“Today, I had the honor of sitting alongside the family of Barry Schmalbach in the courtroom as the jury deliv-

See MURDER, page 31

Christopher Davis

CHUCK BALLARO

Brenden Fruauff takes home a gold at national championship

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com

A Lee County student recently took home the gold in the 2025 Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship in Grapevine, Texas, earning him a spot at the Microsoft Office World Champions later this month in Orlando.

Brenden Fruauff, a Lehigh Acres resident who attended Dunbar High School, found about the competition from his school and, after learning that he could earn money, a scholarship, and other things by competing in a PowerPoint competition he decided to start practicing.

“I took my certification for PowerPoint and pretty much aced it. Since then, I did practice for it and got fairly decent at it,” the recent high school graduate said.

He made use of many resources before the competition, which was held last month, June 15-18.

“We were put in front of laptops and tested on knowledge through multiple choice questions,” Fruauff said, adding that they also had to write an essay at the end of how the program affected the world at the time. “It wasn’t as interactive as I thought it would be. It was straight forward.”

There were 190 finalists at the event in Texas.

There were thousands of students across the United States aged 13 to 22 who entered one of six competition tracks by submitting a qualified passing score on one of the certification exams — Microsoft Office Specialist Word, Microsoft Office Specialist Excel, and Microsoft Office Specialist PowerPoint.

They were given an hour and a half to complete 40 questions and an essay.

PROVIDED

Brenden Fruauff, took home the gold in the 2025 Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship in Grapevine, Texas, earning him a spot at the Microsoft Office World Champions later this month in Orlando.

Director, Pearson VUE, said in a prepared statement. “These students have not only proven that they are the best in the U.S, at using Microsoft Office products effectively, but they have also earned an important distinction to include on their resumes: a desire to learn and validate in-demand skills. The certification that they have earned as well as the title of “Microsoft Office Specialist” will serve them well in their future academic and career pursuits.”

Fruauff will travel to Orlando for the World Champions, which will be held July 27, through July 30.

Of course he wants to do well in the competition, but he is also looking forward to meeting and networking with people from all over the world.

“At the end of the day connections are so important and worth so much. I want to expand as much as I can while I am there. The connections will help me more in the long run,” Fruauff said.

He will spend time doing a practice test, going over information and making a few custom presentations using as many features as possible before traveling to Orlando.

“My prompt was about how PowerPoint has helped with digital literacy and technological competency in the real world,”

Fruauff said. “I claimed it has helped our digital literacy and competency by so much. It makes it easy by learning Word, PowerPoint and Excel — you are familiar with the programs already even if they are not the same. By working with these programs, you’ve learned a lot.”

Building the Social Self: How Children Learn Social Skills in Childcare Settings

By: Kelley Thompson

He earned $3,000 by winning first place to go towards college, a laptop, a trophy and medal.

“The students have shown a remarkably high standard in their understanding and use of the Microsoft programs, and the top performers will join us at the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship later this year,” Dr. Gary Gates, Managing

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Peer Interactions: The Foundation of Social Competence

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Guided Play: Educators as Facilitators of Social Learning

Early childhood educators play a pivotal role in fostering social skills through guided play. By creating structured yet flexible play scenarios, teachers can encourage children to practice cooperation, turntaking, and problem-solving. For instance, educators might set up collaborative projects that require group effort, thereby promoting teamwork and mutual respect among children.

The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) emphasizes the importance of prompting and acknowledging positive social interactions. Teachers can provide cues to guide children’s behavior and reinforce successful social exchanges through praise and encouragement.³

This intentional support helps children internalize appropriate social behaviors and apply them independently.

Educators also utilize storytelling and role-playing activities to teach empathy and perspective-taking. Discussing characters’ feelings and actions helps children learn to understand and

Technology became more of an interest of his when he entered Dunbar High, especially since the school is known for its tech academy and certifications one can earn. He said he knew he wanted to go there and take classes — cyber security, hardware, software — all to hone his skills.

Fruauff said he earned 33 technology certifications before graduating from high school.

He plans on attending Florida SouthWestern State College to earn his AA degree before transferring somewhere else to earn his bachelor’s degree.

respect diverse viewpoints. According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), reading and discussing children’s books is an effective way to help children identify emotions and relate experiences to their own lives.¹ These strategies ensure that children not only learn about emotions but also connect them to real-world social dynamics.

Integrating Social-Emotional Learning into Daily Routines

Incorporating social-emotional learning (SEL) into the daily routines of childcare settings ensures that the development of social skills is continuous and consistent. Simple activities such as group discussions during circle time or collaborative clean-up tasks provide natural contexts for practicing social behaviors. These routines help children understand expectations, develop self-regulation, and build a sense of community within the classroom.

The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) identifies five core SEL competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.4 By embedding these into everyday activities, educators support children’s holistic development. For example, encouraging children to express their feelings and recognize emotions in others fosters both self-awareness and social understanding.

Additionally, consistent routines and clear expectations provide a sense of security for young children, enabling them to engage more freely in social interactions. When children know what to expect, they are more likely to participate actively and confidently in group activities, further enhancing their social skills. According to NAEYC, high-quality early childhood programs integrate SEL in developmentally appropriate ways across all areas of learning.¹

Conclusion

Childcare settings are instrumental in the development of children’s social skills through structured peer interactions, guided play facilitated by educators, and the integration of social-emotional learning into daily routines. These environments not only prepare children for academic success but also lay the foundation for healthy interpersonal relationships throughout their lives. By prioritizing social skill development in early childhood, educators and caregivers contribute significantly to the holistic growth and lifelong well-being of young learners.

Works Cited

1. National Association for the Education of Young Children. “Promoting Young Children’s Social and Emotional Health.” NAEYC, Mar. 2018, www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/mar2018/ promoting-social-and-emotional-health.

2. Custode, Stephanie A., et al. “Preschool Language Environments and Social Interactions in an Early Intervention Classroom: A Pilot Study.” Journal of Early Intervention, University of Miami, 2023, local.psy.miami.edu/faculty/dmessinger/c_c/rsrcs/rdgs/emot/custode-et-al-2023-preschool-languageenvironments-and-social-interactions-in-an-early-interventionclassroom-a-pilot.pdf.

3. Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning. “Tucker the Turtle Takes Time to Tuck and Think.” CSEFEL, Vanderbilt University, csefel.vanderbilt.edu/briefs/wwb17.pdf.

4. Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning. “Core SEL Competencies.” CASEL, https://casel.org/fundamentals-of-sel/what-is-the-casel-framework/.

The Breeze CommuniTy

July 4, 2025

By ANN BLOCK news@breezenewspapers.com

Eight years ago, when we moved here, I went to an orchid seminar but it seemed overwhelming. However, recently I have started to enjoy the Phalaenopsis orchid. I bought some at Publix and received some as gifts! I had a lot to learn!

Did you know that a Phalaenopsis is also known as the “moth orchid?” It is a genus of around 70 orchid species native to Southeast Asia, southern China and India. Now I understand why they make such great houseplants!

Bozek’s paintings to be on display in Cape Coral Library Art Gallery

Over 40 paintings, in a variety of sizes, by artist Robert “Capt. Bob” Bozek will be on exhibit in the Cape Coral Lee County Public Library’s art gallery. Larger ones will adorn the walls, and smaller pieces can be viewed in the three illuminated display cases of the gallery.

Bozek, an artist born and raised in New York, maintains a home as well as a studio here in Cape Coral. His varied paintings that range in subject from lighthouses and seascapes all the way to abstracts have been widely exhibited and sold throughout the Hamptons of New York. Bozek has shown his artwork at the Hampton Bays Library, Sag Harbor Art Fair and Harbor Festival, the Olish Farms Fair (held three times per year in Eastport, N.Y.), the East Quogue Street Fair plus numerous other New York art festivals held in Montauk, Oceanside, Hicksville and Cutchogue. He also has an upcoming exhibit at the Westhampton Beach Library.

Over his 90-year lifetime, Bozek worked as a layout manager for Newsday for 43 years and as a licensed boat captain holding a masters 100-ton rating. All the while, his interest in painting has persisted ever since he first began studyingaArt at the tender age of 12. He was the first art major in his high school, earning him the designation of “Oceanside’s Rembrandt” in his graduation year book.

Changing exhibitions in the Cape Coral Library’s expansive art gallery are sponsored by the Friends of the Cape Coral Library and are designed to afford the public an opportunity to enjoy the work of talented local artists. The library is located at 921 S.W. 39th Terrace, off of Mohawk Parkway, and the Bozek exhibit will be open

during regular business hours from July 8 through Aug. 28.

For information, about the Bozek exhibit or the gallery, contact Art Gallery Chairperson Monica Rahman by email to gallery@capefriends.org or visit www.capefriends.org. Follow “Friends of the Cape Coral Library” on Facebook.

Coast Village and The Preserve awarded Nursing Care Center Accreditation from The Joint Commission Garden Club of Cape Coral

Their flowers are long-lasting, they can last two to four months. Phalaenopsis orchids have short stems with elongated leaves, long coarse roots and beautiful flowers on a branching stem. Excitement, as I recently found a yellow flowering moth orchid with dark pink stripes (pictured above). The usual bloom colors are white, pink and purple.

Don’t throw your orchid out once it loses its flowers. I learned that a dehydrated orchid can be revived in a couple of months, while an orchid on the brink of death could take years to get back in good shape.

How can I make my orchid re-bloom? After an orchid’s blooms fall off, you should trim the flower spike, adjust watering and light, and consider fertilizing and repotting. Specifically, you can either leave the flower spike intact, cut it back to a node or remove it entirely.

For a more detailed instruction:

Trim the flower spike:

If the spike is still green: You can leave it as is, as some orchids can rebloom from the same spike.

If the spike is turning brown: Cut it back to a node (a small bump on the stem) or all the way to the base of the plant. This encourages the orchid to focus its energy on new growth.

Water:

Don’t reduce watering just because the blooms are gone. Allow the potting mix to dry out slightly between waterings to prevent root rot.

Provide indirect light:

Place your orchid in a location where it receives plenty of light but avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.

Maintain humidity:

You can mist the plant but we have so much humidity, you may not have to do that.

Gulf Coast Village and The Preserve, two senior living communities owned by Volunteers of America National Services, have earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Nursing Care Center Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.

The communities recently underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review. The process involves a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluating compliance with nursing care center standards spanning several areas, including emergency management, environment of care, infection prevention and control, leadership, medication management, rights and responsibilities of the individual and more.

The Joint Commission’s standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. They are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help health care organizations measure, assess and improve performance. The surveyors also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

“It’s an honor for us at The Preserve and Gulf Coast Village to have a Gold Seal,” says Ryan Keller, regional vice president of senior living operations for VOANS. “This accreditation reflects the dedication and commitment

that these two communities have toward bettering the lives of our residents, but it also serves as a reminder to continue to advance our operations to meet our greater goal – to ensure a high quality of life for those counting on us.”

Once the decision to apply for Joint Commission accreditation for Gulf Coast Village and The Preserve came to fruition, the Performance Excellence Team spent countless hours becoming familiar with each of the 250 individual standard elements by reviewing and assigning responsibilities and developing a tracking system for each category with a focus on the intent of each standard. By doing so, the team was able to identify areas of compliance or areas of opportunity to improve. The teams worked to develop a plan to achieve compliance in identified areas in preparation for onsite surveys, such as policies, systems and processes, and education. These areas were then implemented in day-to-day work and continue to be monitored throughout each term in preparation for continued accreditation and the communities’ dedication to quality that reflects their overall commitment to meeting high performance standards.

For more information, please visit JointCommission. org. To learn more about Gulf Coast Village, Cape Coral’s only life plan community, visit GulfCoastVillage.org or call 239-510-8712. To learn more about The Preserve, visit ThePreserveVOA.org or call 239-722-6167.

Cape Coral Art League schedule for July/August

The Cape Coral Art League has announced its schedule of shows and events for the months of July and August. For additional details, please visit CapeCoralArtLeague.org or phone the Art League at 239-772-5657. The Cape Coral Art League is at 516 Cultural Park Blvd.

Open painting

Wednesdays, September through July, from 1-4 p.m. Members $3 / Non-members $6 Open to the public

Gallery shows 2025 - 2026

n October — Off Season Art/Members Month/Hispanic History

n November — Art and Emotion/Members Month

n December — Holiday Silent Auction

n January — Sun Seekers/Leadership

n February — Wild About Wildlife/Black History Month

n March — Purple Reigns/Class Act

n April — Celebrating Color/Season Highlights

n May — Florida Life/Members Month

The prospectus for an upcoming show can be found in the show description on capecoralartleague.org.

One of Robert Bozek’s paintings that will be on display a the Cape Coral LIbrary starting July 8.

PHOTO PROVIDED

CCRC-organized ‘Trump Car Parade’ set for July 12

Public invited to take part in event intended to show support for the president

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

The Cape Coral Republican Club is inviting the public to take part in a car parade to support the president.

On July 12, the CCRC is organizing a “Trump Car Parade” event to show they stand behind President Donald Trump and the efforts of his administration.

CCRC members are asking those who wish to participate to gather at the old Military Museum parking lot at 4820 Leonard St. at 9:30 a.m., with the caravan

“We put it together in response (to the) anti-Trump protest on Daniels Parkway. We were out on Flag Day and Trump’s birthday as well. We want to support the president. We’re trying to make a difference.”

— Chris Cammarota, CCRC president and event organizer

starting at 10 a.m.

“We put it together in response (to the) anti-Trump protest on Daniels Parkway,” said Chris Cammarota, president of the

CCRC and event organizer. “We were out on Flag Day and Trump’s birthday as well. We want to support the president. We’re trying to make a difference.” Participants are encouraged to decorate

their cars and fly flags.

The route will travel up Cape Coral Parkway, down Agualinda Boulevard to Veterans Parkway, and back up Santa Barbara Boulevard.

The car parade is expected to last an hour.

“We’re just trying to do the right thing and make our voice heard that we support the country and are happy with how the way things are going,” Cammarota said. For more information, visit www.republicanclubofcapecoral.com.

The CCRC meets the last Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Cape Cabaret.

Parks & Rec: Variety of events and activities set to showcase amenities

From page 1

July 11; a free block party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the William Austen Youth Center on Saturday, July 12; and a Native Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at Rotary Park.

For Lee County, there will be free pool admission and free parking on Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, at select parks, beach sites, boat ramps, and pools.

Those sites include:

∫ Parks: Lakes Park, Manatee Park, Hickey Creek Mitigation Park, Caloosahatchee Regional Park and Six

Mile Cypress Slough Preserve

∫ Beaches: Bonita Bach Accesses No. 1 and No. 10, Bonita Beach Park, Bowditch Point Park and Lynn Hall Memorial Park, San Carlos Bay-Bunche Beach Preserve, Bowman’s Beach and Turner Beach, north side of Blind Pass

∫ Boat Ramps: Alva, Davis, Imperial River, Matlacha and Pine Island Commercial Marina

∫ Pools: Lehigh Community Pool, North Fort Myers Community Pool, Pine Island Community Pool, and San

Carlos Community Pool

In addition, the county will host various other programs including guided walks, nature activities, photography classes, book walks and more, which can be found at www. leeparks.org.

The community is encouraged to share their stories, photos and memories by using hashtag #BuidTogetherPlayTogether when visiting parks throughout Lee County.

Councilmember Kilraine to host District 5 Town Hall July 26

Cape Coral District 5 Councilmember Joe Kilraine will hold a Town Hall meeting Saturday, July 26, at 10 a.m. at Cape Christian, 2110 Chiquita Boulevard, in the Student Center.

This community-focused event is intended to allow neighbors to connect with each other and the councilmember.

The topic of this town hall meeting is the Bureau of Transformative Change, a program to continuously improve government effectiveness. Residents are encouraged to share their concerns, ask questions, and discuss ideas for

the future of District 5 and the City of Cape Coral.

Joe Kilraine

July 4, 2025

Education BriEfs

White named to Dean’s List at University of Maryland Global Campus

ADELPHI, MD.— Matthew White of Cape Coral was named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2025 term at University of Maryland Global Campus. To be eligible for the honor, a student must complete at least six credits during the term, earned a grade point average of at least 3.5 for the term, and maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 at UMGC.

The Breeze educaTion Cape and Cypress High students win state piano duet competition

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com

University of Maryland Global Campus was founded more than 75 years ago specifically to serve the higher education needs of working adults and military servicemembers. Today, UMGC is the largest provider of postsecondary education in Maryland and continues its global tradition with online and hybrid courses, more than 175 classroom and service locations worldwide, and more than 135 degrees and certificates backed by the reputation of a state university and the University System of Maryland.

For more information, visit umgc.edu.

Graves named to Spring 2025 Dean’s Honor Roll at the University of Mississippi

UNIVERSITY, Miss. — Christopher Graves of Cape Coral was named to the University of Mississippi’s Spring 2025 Honor Roll lists.

Graves, majoring in multi-disciplinary studies, was named to the Dean’s Honor Roll, which is reserved for students who earn a semester GPA of 3.50-3.74.

To be eligible for honor roll designation, a student must have completed at least 12 graded hours for the semester and may not be on academic probation during the semester.

The University of Mississippi, affectionately known as Ole Miss, is the state’s flagship university. It has 16 academic divisions, including a major medical school, nationally recognized schools of accountancy, law and pharmacy, and an Honors College.

For more information, visit https://olemiss.edu/

Gossett earns Emerson College Dean’s List honors for spring 2025 semester

BOSTON, Mass—. Jaclyn Gossett of Cape Coral earned Dean’s List honors for the spring semester at Emerson College. Gossett is majoring in theatre and performance and is a member of the Class of 2028.

The requirement to make the Dean’s List is a grade point average of 3.7 or higher for that semester.

Emerson College is dedicated to the arts and communication, educating and inspiring storytellers and artists to impact and advance creative industries and media throughout the world. Distinguished faculty spearhead a dynamic curriculum, and guide several thousand undergraduate students and 1,300 graduate students

Based in Boston, Massachusetts, the college offers programs in Boston and across the globe: at Emerson Los Angeles, located in Hollywood, at its 14th-century castle; in the Netherlands; and at 28 global programs.

For more information, visit emerson.edu.

Burgess earns spot on University of Arkansas Dean’s List

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas announced students who earned a spot on the Dean’s List for the Spring 2025 semester.

To qualify for the Dean’s List, undergraduates must achieve a grade-point average of 3.75 (or higher) during the semester while completing at least 12 credit hours. School of Law students must earn a 3.0 grade-point average or higher during the semester to be included on the Law School Dean’s List.

Cape Coral residents making the Dean’s List were Kaylee Burgess, who is studying Human Development & Family Science, and Mackenzie Winger, studying Exercise Science

As Arkansas’ flagship institution, the U of A, which was founded in 1871, provides a competitive education in more than 200 academic programs.

Learn how the U of A at https://arkansasresearch. uark.edu

Two students, who want to continue to perfect their talent, recently earned top honors at the Florida State Music Teachers Association’s prestigious Byrd Memorial Piano Ensemble Competition held at Hillsborough Community College.

Mason Huffman, an upcoming senior at Cape Coral High School, and recent Cypress Lake High School graduate Jameson Moore played works by Dvořák, Brahms, and Poulenc, earning them first place in the Pre-College Division of the ensemble competition.

This annual competition encourages collaboration among young pianists – duos including four-hand and sixhand ensembles.

Huffman began playing the piano 11 years ago as a 5-year-old when he had basic piano and training at his elementary school. The past four or five years he began training with Dr. Michael Baron, the head of the piano music studies program at the Bower School of Music at Florida Gulf Coast University.

“My experience and overall playing style has exponentially grown. He’s a great support and is opening me up to new opportunities and more competitions to showcase my talents to other people across Florida,” Huffman said.

Moore began playing the piano almost 14 years ago when he was 4.

“For me, my favorite thing about playing is showing people what I can do and sharing an experience,” he said, adding that he has played in recitals and in bands. “Performing is probably the most fun part about playing piano.”

The two pianists began playing together under the direction of Dr. Baron

“Thanks to Dr. Baron, as well as our rigorous training, we usually met every week and rehearsed constantly,” Huffman said. “It was a lot of fun to be able to play there and showcase to other students across the state and hearing their piano performance. It’s a great way to connect with other pianist from Florida.”

For Huffman, the competition meant bragging rights, as well as being a great motivator.

“It’s a form of motivation to constantly train and hone your skills in piano and trying to fixate on a certain technique and articulate dynamics to portray a story. Being ranked first in duets is nice. Overall, as a competition, it is a great motivator for me to continue practicing myself and the piano,” he said.

Moore said the piano ton which hey played three pieces at the competition was awesome. A few of the pieces they played at a previous competition last fall.

“We practiced on our own for a bit and came together for a month and a half for the competition,” he said.

Huffman said he and Moore are kind of at an equal level, and being able to play with him is a great motivation, which has helped him improve.

To have the opportunity to “connect with another pianist and learn more things about how they approach piano is a great way to learn,” he said.

Moore said playing a duet is fun, but also makes him a little more anxious as they are both playing by themselves, while also relying on another person. With that said, he

still enjoys playing with Huffman because he is sharing the experience, while also making a new friend.

Moore’s experience is extensive, as he has playing in the Youth Jazz Ensemble, the Naples Concert Band, as well as the wind ensemble, jazz band and marching band in school. In addition, he has also played in a couple contemporary bands – All State and All County Band, and the Southwest Florida Community Band.

Moore is majoring in mechanical engineering at the University of Miami and minoring in music, so he can continue with classical, jazz and percussion.

Huffman mainly takes private lessons, and focuses on studying music theory outside of school, so he can understand how music is written. He said he will be working on level 12, the last level, next year for the Florida State Music Teacher Association Oral Music Theory Performance Exam.

After he graduates from high school next year, he said he would like to blend mathematics with music. He said to be able to continue his passion through research at the university level is definitely one pathway he would like to explore.

“Overall, I would really like to thank my teacher Dr. Michael Baron for the incredible support that he has given Jameson and I, as well as being able to teach us new forms of music, ways of interpreting music and how we can express that in our playing style,” Huffman said. “Without him, for sure, my experience and playing style would be completely different. He has been incredible. I could see that my performance was definitely improving with him.”

Blue Horizon Academy to open Fort Myers location

Blue Horizon Academy is expanding its footprint in Southwest Florida with an 11,515-square-foot lease at 13751 Metropolis Ave., in Fort Myers. The additional location will serve as a learning academy focused on providing therapeutic and academic support to students with disabilities.

Well known for its speech therapy, occupational therapy and academic programs, Blue Horizon will extend its services beyond its additional Lehigh Acres campus. Owned and operated by the same leadership team, the new Fort Myers facility will allow the organization to bring individualized care to more families across the region.

“This location will allow Blue Horizon to make a sig-

nificant impact in the community by serving students who benefit from tailored education and therapeutic support,” said Adam Palmer, CCIM, SIOR, managing principal at LQ Commercial. “We’re proud to be part of a transaction that will positively affect so many families in the area.”

The new academy, which operates independently from the Lee County School System, will offer on-site services in a focused learning environment and will provide student pick-up from surrounding schools.

The facility is expected to open in time for the 2025–2026 school year.

For additional information about Blue Horizon Academy, visit https://bluehorizonschool.org/

PHOTO PROVIDED Mason Huffman, left, and Jameson Moore, right, accepting their awards alongside their instructor Dr. Michael Baron, at the Byrd Memorial Piano Ensemble Competition.

CAPE CORAL ROWING CLUB

LEARN TO ROW COURSE Orientation Aug 8th at 6pm. 206 Old Burntstore Rd. N.

Our Summer 2025 Learn to Row (LTR) Course for Adults (high school graduates and older) starts with an orientation at 6pm on Aug 8th. The course consists of approximately 16 hours of coached instruction. This typically translates to about 7 or 8 class sessions over a 3-week time period. The first 3 classes are mandatory. If you know in advance that you can not make the first 3 classes, we suggest you wait for the next session. Due to summer weather there may be a need to move a week-day class to a Sunday morning.

For more information, course schedule, and to register go to www.rowccrc.org/learntorow or scan the QR Code. Send questions to ltr@rowccrc.org

Lee Clerk to host two free how-to classes

Lee County Clerk and Comptroller

Kevin Karnes’ office will offer two free how-to classes this month:

How to Seal and Expunge a Criminal Record

On July 9 from 2-3 p.m., via the online platform Zoom, Karnes will host a class for the community to learn how to seal and expunge a criminal record. Florida law allows for some people to seal and/or expunge their criminal records. In both instances, these records are no longer available to the public. This process is targeted to those whose cases were dismissed, dropped by the state, or for those with not-guilty outcomes.

During the class, attendees will learn:

n General overview of sealing and expunging

n Eligibility & required forms

n Steps in the application process

n Steps in the filing process

n Related fees & hearing information

n Post sealing/expungement information

n Available contacts & resources

How to File and Respond to an Eviction Case

On July 23 from 2-3 p.m., via the

online platform Zoom, Karnes will host a class for landlords and tenants who need information about the eviction process.

This virtual class will cover the following:

n General eviction case information

n Required forms to file

n Steps in serving & responding to a summons

n Time limits & related fees

n Post filing & responding information

n Available contacts & resources

n A representative from the Lee County Legal Aid Society will be available for a Q&A session immediately following this presentation.

Both classes are free, but registration is required so participants can receive the Zoom link. Anyone interested in attending either or both can register at www.leeclerk. org/seminar.

These classes are part of the “How-To” series provided by the Lee Clerk’s office to educate the community about all of the resources available to them. Recorded tutorials of past “How-To” classes are available at www.leeclerk.org/howto.

Florida law prohibits the Clerk’s office from providing legal advice, and these seminars are solely for informational purposes. For legal inquiries, customers should speak with an attorney.

In addition to the role of Clerk of the Circuit Court, the Clerk is the County Recorder and Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, and the Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Auditor for Lee County.

In most cases, no income tax levy on sale of primary residence

Dear Mr. Feichthaler:

I am considering selling my primary residence in Cape Coral and moving to a new house in Fort Myers. I bought our home in 2014, so I expect I will have a significant profit. Is there anything I can do to eliminate or postpone paying taxes on the sale?

- Stephen R.

Dear Stephen:

Real Estate Law

As a starting point, a seller is required to report and pay tax on profits from any source. However, our congress has carved out several ways to reduce or eliminate income tax on sales of real estate. For the sale of a primary residence, the IRS allows you to exclude up to $250,000 in gain upon the sale. If you are married and file taxes jointly, the exemption amount doubles to $500,000 gain. You are required to live in the home for two years for this exemption to apply. In most cases, you will not have to pay any income tax on the sale of a primary residence as a result.

Another consideration is the cap on your property taxes provided by the homestead exemption and “Save our Homes”. You should be able to transfer a portion or all of your current cap savings to your new primary residence in Fort Myers. There is excellent information regarding “Save Our Homes” portability at www.leepa.org.

If the property you are selling was an investment property, and you were buying a new investment property, a 1031 deferred like-kind exchange is an excellent way to defer income taxes on the gains on the sale. It is important to confirm the lawyer or business hired for a 1031 exchange can serve as a qualified intermediary. It is vital that your intermediary understands the Internal Revenue Code so you do not receive any surprises from the IRS after the sale.

I wish you and all of our friends and neighbors a happy and safe Fourth of July!

Eric P. Feichthaler has lived in Cape Coral for over 37 years and graduated from Mariner High School in Cape Coral. After completing law school at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., he returned to Cape Coral to practice law and raise a family. He served as mayor of Cape Coral from 2005-2008, and continues his service to the community through the Cape Coral Caring Center, and Cape Coral Kiwanis where he serves as president. He has been married to his wife, Mary, for 24 years, and they have four children. He earned his board certification in Real Estate Law from the Florida Bar, and primarily practices in real estate law and wills and trusts. He is AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell for professional ethics and legal ability, and is a Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator. He can be reached at eric@capecoralattorney .com, or 239-542-4733. This article is general in nature and not intended as legal advice to anyone. Individuals should seek legal counsel before acting on any matter of legal rights and obligations.

2803 SE 22ND PL CAPE CORAL, FL 33904

• 1/2 acre on the River

• 5 beds/5 baths/POOL

• 4,373 sq ft living space

•

• Big Water View

Eric P. Feichthaler

PROPERTY TRANSFERS

Source: Lee County Property Appraiser

We have a problem and it’s not just interest rates

One does not need to do an in-depth search about the Florida housing market on the Internet to come across some rather dire predictions about the current and future direction of home values and sales prices. This is far from a localized issue for home sellers in Southwest Florida, as the problems have been spreading to other parts of the country. It seems that everywhere one looks, there are video headlines screaming about a housing market crash.

Trying to determine how much of this is based on factual data versus just being click bait noise is not always easy. For example, we remember back in 2006 and 2007, when a lot of experts dismissed the relatively small group of people warning about problem mortgages and a looming housing market crash. The “experts” wrongly insisted that there was no problem and besides, home prices never crash, until they did.

The fact is, there are some problems in today’s housing market that have led to a slow motion deterioration in home values and sales prices over the past three years. We continue to see negative trends in place, which suggest we are probably not at a bottom yet, but where it goes from here is harder to predict after we have witnessed the massive interventions and bailouts by the Federal Reserve and the politicians in Washington over the past 18 years. One other fact is that home prices have come down enough to be attractive to some buyers as homes are still being sold.

The main theme in the real estate market continues to be the thought that high mortgage rates are hurting the real estate market and when mortgage rates drop, there will be a mad rush of buyers coming back into the market and home prices will rocket higher again. For the past several years we have been in the camp that believed interest rates were likely to stay higher for longer, and that home prices are still arguably overvalued. Were the problem in the housing market only because of higher interest rates on mortgages, a lot more buyers would be able to make an adjustment and buy a home, but interest rates alone are not the problem.

The other major theme impacting the real estate market is “affordability.” In the past five years, the cost of just about everything in life has gone up, including everything related to owning a home and living in Florida. Prices for home owners and flood insurance, property taxes, home maintenance and repair costs, HOA fees – you name it – are not only higher today than they were five years ago, but in many cases a lot higher. Even with the declines we have seen in home sales prices over the past three years, prices in Cape Coral are still about 50% higher than they were five years ago.

Where the problem comes in for the real estate market that almost nobody is talking about, is that in most cases incomes have not gone up enough to keep pace with the rising costs of buying and owning a home. As one real estate analyst we follow put it, either the incomes for a lot of people need to go up a lot, or home prices will need to come down to get the income-to-mortgage debt ratios back in line.

foreclosures are up 110% in Cape Coral in the first six months of this year. But right now, this is not a big problem, especially when compared to what happened back in the Great Recession. However, it is an early sign that there are some problems brewing underneath the surface of our market.

Moving over to pending sales, as of June 30, there were 644 Cape Coral single-family homes under contract with buyers in the MLS at prices ranging from $160,000 to $3.6 million, with the median pending home sales price coming in at $379,250. The two lowest priced pending home sales at $160,000 and $169,000 are both “mid-construction” homes from the same builder mentioned above who has four other active mid-construction listings. The first “normal” pending home sale was for an existing home in the Northeast Cape built in 1986 and it was priced at $180,000. Back on Jan. 1 of this year there were 378 pending sales in the pipeline and we reached a seasonal peak of 789 pending home sales in the Cape on April 17. We have been below 700 pending sales in the pipeline since May 31. At the beginning of this year, we had 10 additional pending home sales that were shown in the MLS as short sales and foreclosures. As of June 30, there were an additional 25 homes in the Cape’s pending sales pipeline that indicated they were either short sales or foreclosures.

History of the new highest-priced listing

We noticed a former “highest-priced listing” for a Cape Coral single-family home that was taken off the market unsold last year has recently come back on the market as the newest highest-priced home on the market. This home, which is being described in the MLS as a “stunning new construction ultra luxury waterfront home,” looks like it was actually completed as a spec home on the river in the Yacht Club section of the Cape in 2023. Records indicate the owner bought it as a vacant lot for $600,000 in 2017, and pulled a new construction building permit in March 2018. As some of you may recall, following Hurricane Irma in 2017, we suffered through a severe blue green algae and fish kill problem in the river and in some canals, which we would speculate caused a delay in the building of this home. This home was first listed for sale at $11.9 million in October 2023, with that listing being terminated in February 2024. It went back on the market as a new listing less than a week later on March 4, 2024, at $10.9 million, with the listing withdrawn by the seller (a Miami-based LLC) two months later, and the listing eventually expired unsold in February 2025. This home just came back on the market on June 20, with a new list price of $8.9 million. So this home is now listed for $3 million or 25.2% less than its initial list price from back in October 2023.

This fact about something needing to give between incomes versus home prices is illustrated by the “Home Ownership Affordability Monitor” provided by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. It shows that home affordability in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers area metro is out of whack and home affordability here is quite a bit worse than on a national basis. It would appear that something has to give. Either incomes here will need to go up a lot to justify current home values, or home prices need to come down. We probably can’t have it both ways, and we are not betting on incomes here going up as much as they would need to.

Active listings and pending home sales

As of Monday, June 30, there were 3,045 active listings (not including short sales and foreclosures) in the MLS for Cape Coral single-family homes ranging in price from $169,900 to $8.9 million, with the median list price at $474,900. It should be noted that the lowest priced home listed for $169,900 is in “mid-construction” and the buyer will take over the construction of this home. The buyer can bring in their own builder or continue using the current builder, who has a total of four mid-construction homes listed for sale in the MLS at prices ranging from $169,900 to $190,000. It looks like they had buyers who contracted with the builder to build them a home, and the buyers have walked away. There is another mid-construction home with another builder listed at $209,900 and the first “normal,” as in completed, existing home listed for sale in the MLS is at $215,000.

At the beginning of this year on Jan. 1, we had 3,044 single-family homes listed for sale in the Cape through the MLS with a median list price of $475,000. We reached a peak of 3,520 active “seasonal” listings on Feb. 24. Back on Jan. 1, there were an additional 20 homes on the market that were listed as either short sales or foreclosures. We now have an additional 42 homes on the market in the Cape that are listed in the MLS as short sales or foreclosures, so we could be dramatic and say that listings for short sales and

The sales data for this article was obtained from the Florida Realtors Multiple Listing Service Matrix for Lee County, Fla., as of June 30, 2025, unless otherwise noted. It was compiled by Bob and Geri Quinn and it includes information specifically for Cape Coral single-family homes, and does not include condominiums, short sales or foreclosures. The data and statistics are believed to be reliable, however, they could be updated and revised periodically, and are subject to change without notice. The Quinns are a husband and wife real estate team with the RE/MAX Realty Team office in Cape Coral. They have lived in Cape Coral for over 45 years. Geri has been a full-time Realtor since 2005, and Bob joined Geri as a fulltime Realtor in 2014. Their real estate practice is mainly focused on Cape Coral residential property and vacant lots.

Sat. 7/5/2025 11-2pm 1414 Shelby Pkwy, Cape Coral

Sat. 7/5/2025 12-2pm 2911 SE 22nd Ave, Cape Coral, FL 33904

Sat. 7/5/2025 12-3pm 4524 SE 1st Pl, Cape Coral, FL 33904

Sat. 7/5/2025 11:30-3pm 501 SE 7th St, Cape Coral, FL 33990

Noel Blanco Florida’s Link Realty

Sat. 7/5/2025 12-3pm 11860 Princess Grace Ct, Cape Coral, FL 33991 $618,000 Ron Kohl Real Broker

Sat. 7/5/2025 12-4pm 626 SW 30th Ter, Cape Coral, FL 33914 $265,999 Michele Santorosla Marzucco Real

Sat. 7/5/2025 2-5pm 2729 SW 4th Ter, Cape Coral, FL 33991

Sat. 7/5/2025 1-4pm 405 Mohawk Pkwy, Cape Coral, FL 33914

Sat. 7/5/2025 10-1pm 1403-1405 Nelson Rd N, Cape Coral, FL 33993 $555,000 Yordana Saracione RE MAX Trend

Sat. 7/5/2025 10-3pm 4930 Edith Esplanade, Cape Coral, FL 33904

Sat. 7/5/2025 10-12pm 5 SW 37th Ave, Cape Coral, FL 33991

7/5/2025 11-2pm 1718 SE 44th Ter, Cape Coral, FL 33904

Sat. 7/5/2025 11-2pm 3416 SW 5th Ave, Cape Coral, FL 33914

Sat. 7/5/2025 12:30-2:30pm 10 SW 33rd Ave, Cape Coral, FL 33991

Sat. 7/5/2025 11-1pm 3934 Madison Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33916

Sat. 7/5/2025 1-3pm 2524 SW 22nd Pl, Cape Coral, FL 33914

7/5/2025 12-2pm 1262 Carlene Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33901

7/6/2025 12-3pm 11860 Princess Grace Ct, Cape Coral, FL 33991

7/6/2025 12-4pm 626 SW 30th Ter, Cape Coral, FL 33914

7/6/2025 1-3pm 911 SE 15th St, Cape Coral, FL 33990

Danene Bazon RE MAX Realty Group

Quinn RE/MAX Realty

Lortz Nexthome South

Swads Realty Sun. 7/6/2025 1-3pm 3303 NW 14th St, Cape Coral, FL 33993

Beate Wunderer Synergy Realty Sun. 7/6/2025 1-4pm 2709 SW 4th Ln, Cape Coral, FL 33991

Sun. 7/6/2025 11-1pm 917 SW 47th Ter Apt 106, Cape Coral, FL 33914

7/6/2025 2-4pm 702 SE 36th St, Cape Coral, FL 33904

7/6/2025 1-3pm 5816 SW 1st Pl, Cape Coral, FL 33914

SporTS

Going ‘hand to fin’ with a rampaging

When’s the last time you fought a tarpon? No, I don’t mean with your favorite spinning outfit, I’m talking really fought a tarpon, as in fin to fist. When it comes to live, green, hell bent on people, tackle and boat destroying tarpon, for some odd reason I seem to draw the action.

I’m starting to feel like the Roy Sullivan of the tarpon world. Many of you may remember Officer Sullivan the park ranger struck by lightning seven times during his long career surviving each time and earning a place in the Guinness Book of World records.

I’m not up to seven yet and haven’t looked at Guinness to see if there’s a “Jumped In the Boat Tarpon Battles” category, but this past week my lifetime score went up to five and still lived to tell the tale.

I left the snow and moved to Florida many years ago just to be close to my favorite fish Mr. Tarpon, not long after catching my first silver king down Islamorada way. Since the early ’90s I’ve caught more than my share of silver kings and as a guide for the last several decades I’ve helped countless other first-time tarpon dreamers’ wishes come true as well. Over these past years I’ve come to know quite a few captains, tarpon specialists and tarpon fanatics from Key West to Tampa that have impressive scorecards much larger than mine, but I think I may be up there when it comes to close encounters with nighttime, dangerous, steel plated and slime coated unwanted boat guests — with bad intentions.

My first two battles were fought under the Cape Coral Bridge many summers ago with several other boats anchored in a line all drifting live ladyfish and mullet under floats. The first intruder was a hooked fish from the boat next to me. After two close-to-the-boat jumps, the third one landed square in my skiff and went absolutely nuts kicking out tackle trays, coolers and two expensive rod combos before launching itself back into the river never to be seen again, only leaving a thick coating of slime as its calling card.

The second summer bridge encounter was similar except it was hooked to my client’s band new bride’s rod. These folks were from Toronto and had never been

July 4, 2025

The Cape Cyclones 2009 under 16 boys soccer team has advanced to the U.S. Youth

Presidents Cup in Tampa July 11-15.

Cape Cyclones 2009 squad headed to national soccer championships

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

A Cape Coral boys soccer team will compete for a national championship later this month after taking down competition at both the state and regional level.

The Cape Coral Cyclones 2009 boys black squad (U16) is heading to the United States Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup in Tampa, which runs from July 11-15.

After taking down the Florida championship, the team secured the Southern Presidents Cup this past June in Texas.

Coached by Martin Cardenas, the team is one of the top eight in the nation in its age bracket.

It’s been an up and down road for the group over the year. Results during the regular season put them just over .500, but they turned it on when the matches mattered most.

“As a team, we’ve been playing good soccer pretty much all year,” said Cardenas, who is also the head coach of the Mariner High School boys soccer team. “We lost some games we shouldn’t have lost by one goal, tied some games we should have won -- just unfortunate with mishaps. But come April, the boys started playing better and seeing better results. We started the state tournament probably in the middle of the road, and ended up making it to the finals and beating a team from Kissimmee to allow us to go to Texas as one of 12 representatives from the Southeastern United States.”

The Cyclones were all business in Texas, going undefeated over five games to raise the trophy.

They came out on top 1-0 against South Texas in game one, defeated a team from Mobile, Alabama, 3-0 in game two and took down a team from North Carolina 3-1 in game three to win the group.

“Our defense was stellar,” Cardenas said.

In the semifinals against Mississippi, the boys came out victorious 2-1 in double overtime, with Jayden Torres providing the winning goal.

“That was a really good match,” Cardenas said. “Jayden was able to get a one-on-one with a really great goalkeeper, and was able to beat him.”

In the finals against a New Orleans team that had yet to be scored on, the Cyclones came out firing early and captured the title in a 3-1 final.

The team netted its first goal in the first three minutes, and added a second just five minutes later.

“That kind of seemed to put them in a confused space that they hadn’t been in,” Cardenas said.

A third goal came before the 20-minute mark, giving the Cyclones a 3-0 lead, which they kept until the final

“As a team, we’ve been playing good soccer pretty much all year. We lost some games we shouldn’t have lost by one goal, tied some games we should have won -- just unfortunate with mishaps. But come April, the boys started playing better and seeing better results.”

-- Coach Martin Cardenas

moments of the match.

“In the second half, (New Orleans) kind of got their wits about them and put pressure on us, but at that point we were pretty settled in,” Cardenas said. “I think the entire tournament we played excellent defense.”

The Cyclones, as well as the team they defeated in the finals, will be two teams representing the Southeast in the U.S. Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup.

“We hope playing in Tampa will give us a little bit of an edge, weather-wise,” Cardenas said. “We still have quite a bit of work to do. Hopefully the boys will continue the streak they have going on and continue working hard to see a good result.”

The team is made up of 18 freshmen and sophomores from local high schools including Mariner, Ida Baker, Oasis, Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, Bishop Verot, and East Lee County.

“I think our early morning training helped -- it was really hot, and our kids kind of got used to that,” Cardenas said. “It played a role. We played five games in five days. It’s a lot. We managed to handle substitutes well. Everyone gave us good minutes.”

From being a just above .500 team to playing for a national championship, Cardenas said the team was playing good soccer without seeing the results they wanted when the final whistle sounded.

“I couldn’t be upset because we didn’t play poorly,” he said. “We’re not perfect, nobody is. We lost four of five games we shouldn’t have, as well as tied three or four we should have won.

“Heading into the tournament, one of the things we addressed was having a clean slate and having to fine-tune our final moments. We found a way to score when we had two, and our defense has been solid all year. We’ve kept our shape and tenacity. Offensively, we’ve created better opportunities and put the ball in the net.”

See CAPE CYCLONES, page 31

Capt. George Tunison

PHOTO PROVIDED

Soccer National

Tre Boston Foundation holds annual football camp

By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers.com

Tre Boston is one of the greatest football players to ever play at North Fort Myers High School, parlaying it into a seven-year career in the NFL.

When his playing days were over, he didn’t rest on his laurels nor did he forget where he came from. Instead, he has given back to those who are not as fortunate as him.

Boston does this through his Beyond Belief Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of young people and their communities. With a strong focus on education, mentorship and community engagement, the foundation aims to inspire and empower individuals to reach their full potential.

On Saturday, at Evangelical Christian High School in Fort Myers, Boston hosted nearly 500 kids for his signature event, his sixth-annual football camp.

Boys and girls between fourth and 12th grades came for a day of training, drills and learning about the game of football. They also came to hear Boston’s story.

Boston said his foundation is about giving the kids a safe space and the ability to learn from college and pro coaches and players.

“It’s not only about getting the kids coached up and learning skills, but also getting mentored in the community,” Boston said. “It’s all love. These people see what I’ve done for the community and want to be a part of it.”

Several current and former pro players came to help coach the kids. Jalen Watkins, Sean Jones and fellow North grad Fa’Najae Gotay were among the pros working with the kids along with Boston.

Many of them were friends who played with or against Boston in high school or college. Denzell Hagan and Andre Harris said it was about helping Tre and the kids.

“This is my first time coming to the event. I grew up with Tre and played football together,” Hagan said. “He reached out to me and I came this year. I feel obliged to give back to the community.”

“I’ve known Tre for a long time. I was working at the Boys & Girls Club six years ago when I volunteered to help out and I have ever since,” Harris said. “It’s always great to give back and work with the next group of athletes.”

Of course, the day was about the kids. Many of them hoped to play in high school and college, and some of them were girls, with an impressive number of them working alongside the boys.

A.J. Ramirez, 13, who plays for the Cape Jr. Sharks in Pop Warner, said it was great to come to the camp.

“Everybody is here getting their work in nice facilities. It’s all good. Learning from the pros motivates me and lets me know I can go higher,” Ramirez said. “I’ve learned to work hard and you can do anything.”

Jemmie Lee, 13, said she was hoping to make a flag football team, so she came to the camp to learn more about the game.

“Not a lot of girls like to do sports. I’ve learned you have to work hard and have determination to get where you want to go,” Lee said. “I like this camp. You get to learn different things from these drills.”

For more i on the Tre Boston Beyond Belief Foundation, go to www.trebostonbeyondbelieffoundation.org.

Tre Boston gets things going during the sixth-annual Tre Boston Beyond Belief Foundation football camp at Evangelical Christian High School in Fort Myers on Saturday.

CHUCK BALLARO

Cape Cyclones: Under 16 team headed to national soccer tournament

From page 30

Cardenas said the group is a tight-knit one that gets along well despite representing different schools.

“They work hard for each other,” he said. “They put it all on the line and have been getting the job done. They’ve all had their moments to shine. I don’t think there’s a kid

on the team that didn’t play or didn’t make a huge contribution.”

The team roster includes Jack Fish, Carlos Santana, Brighton Levi, Jayden Torres, Daniel Barata, Jayden Ramirez, Jeovani Castro, John Threlkeld, Sean Conger, Townsend Orelus, Daniel Zea, David Alvarez, Derek Johansson, Erik Martinez, Jacobo Herrera, Sebastian Diaz

and Alexander Villada.

Cardenas also extended a big “thank you” to team manager Carmen Fish, who helped raise funds for the trip to Texas, as well as the Cape Coral Soccer Association and parents.

Rampaging tarpon: Another tale of a silver king jumping in the boat

From page 30

on saltwater but had “Caught some sunnies and crappies.” The float went down, the tarpon went up, back down, went under the boat then rocketed straight up this time landing in the boat. Within an instant, I could hear the smacking and thudding of the crazed fish as it went on a rampage but this noise was easily drowned out by the hysterical shrieks and screams from the terrified bride now perched on the very back edge of the skiffs poling platform, which was the furthest point away from this huge sea monster that

had attacked our boat. She was hysterical and demanded to be taken in.

Odd, they never called to book me again.

Two more Keys bridge battles long ago, but thankfully all quiet for the last several years, until this past week at Boca Grande which resulted in injuries. I was a guest on a new boat and hooked up not long after starting to fish. The fish made one jump, sounded and then came back up, making a long graceful leap landing in the boat and then started dancing. I threw a beach towel over it and rode the 80-pounder rodeo style till it somewhat calmed, finally

managing to get it back in the drink. As my friend turned, he slipped on the slime, went up then down hard, fracturing his elbow. Great way to break in your new boat! Doesn’t happen to everyone but I do know several others that have had to endure rowdy boat guests. It’s the complete tarpon experience with the big surprise ending.

Capt. George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide. You can contact him at 239-579-0461 or via email at captgeorget3@aol.com.

Moth orchid: Some tips on caring for this colorful flowering plant

From page 17

Fertilize:

Once a month us a balanced orchid fertilizer to provide the plant with the nutrients it needs.

Repot if necessary:

If the orchid has outgrown its pot or the potting medium is decomposing, repot it into a new pot with fresh orchid potting mix.

My favorite way to make my Phalaenopsis orchids happy after they lose their flowers is to clean the roots of the orchid completely, cut off soft or brown roots and attach to my palms. I put them in a palm to provide shade and moisture. They are epiphytes which means that they grow on trees and palms but won’t harm them. They prefer

any palm or tropical hardwood tree with rough bark.

Right location:

Phalaenopsis orchids prefer shade and can be damaged by direct sunlight. Choose a location on the tree that offers protection from the afternoon sun, such as the north or east side. In Southwest Florida’s humidity, the roots can usually retain enough moisture, but you might need to mist them daily, especially in the beginning. I usually don’t bother, especially during rainy season.

Attach:

Use a any material that will eventually decompose, like cotton string.

Fertilize:

You can fertilize monthly with a specialized orchid fertilizer. Again, I haven’t bothered with fertilization once

attached to my palm and they are doing extremely well. Tips:

Start with healthy plants: Choose a healthy Phalaenopsis orchid (moth orchid) with good roots.

Best options when considering putting your orchid in palms or trees, choose shady palms or Tropical hardwoods. Be patient…it can take several months for the roots to attach and for the orchid to fully adapt to its new environment.

Happy gardening!

Ann Block is Past President of the Garden Club of Cape Coral. Visit our website…www.gardenclubofcapecoral. com. Like us on Facebook and Instagram

Murder: Cape Coral man convicted and sentenced to life in prison

From page 15

ered its verdict: Christopher Davis was found guilty of second-degree murder and fraud.

“This case has weighed heavily on all of us, and while no verdict can erase the pain of such a loss, today’s decision delivers long-awaited justice for Barry and his loved ones.

“I am incredibly proud of the dedicated work by our detectives, forensics personnel, and the entire Investigative Services Bureau. Their relentless pursuit of the truth, combined with a strong prosecution by the State Attorney’s Office, ensured that the facts were heard clearly and convincingly in court.

“Being with Barry’s family today as the verdict was read was a powerful reminder of why we do this work.

Their strength, resilience, and gratitude meant more than words can express.

“Christopher Davis was sentenced to life in prison. We stand with the Schmalbach family and remain committed to seeking justice for all victims.”

Assistant State Attorney Andreas Gardiner of the Homicide Unit and Assistant State Attorney Jennifer Justham prosecuted the case.

How to stay safe and make the most of your summer

Summer in Florida is a time to soak up endless sunshine, warm Gulf breezes and enjoy the great outdoors. For locals, especially kids, it means relishing in long days at the beach, splashing in the water and experiencing the natural beauty that makes Southwest Florida so special.

While Florida’s paradise offers endless fun, it’s important to stay mindful of the unique safety concerns that come with living here. From jellyfish and stingray stings to intense heat and frequent lightning storms, being prepared can ensure your summer memories stay joyful and carefree. Here are some essential tips to keep you and your loved ones safe and protected.

Jellyfish and stingray stings

During the summer months, jellyfish populations in the Gulf of Mexico surge, thriving in the warmer waters. While jellyfish and stingrays are not aggressive by nature, they may feel provoked if they are accidentally disturbed.

It’s crucial to be aware of what’s beneath the surface and know how to respond if you get bitten or stung. Jellyfish stings can cause rashes, severe pain and welts. Immediate treatment involves rinsing the affected area for 15 to 30 minutes with white vinegar, ocean water (never fresh water) or 70 percent alcohol. If symptoms worsen or don’t improve, seek medical help immediately.

Stingrays typically lie hidden in the sand, and a quick way to avoid stepping on one is by shuffling your feet while walking in shallow water—a technique known as the “stingray shuffle.” If stung, immerse the area in hot water or apply a hot pack to neutralize the toxin and reduce pain. If you

experience sharp pain, bleeding, dizziness or vomiting, head to the emergency room immediately.

Pool safety

Many children and teenagers travel to Southwest Florida during the summer to visit their families. But without proper pool safety, those happy memories can turn into heartbreak.

Florida has one of the highest rates of accidental drowning deaths among children under the age of 5. To help prevent any incidents, make sure to consistently lock all sliding doors leading to the pool. And consider adding extra layers of protection, such as door alarms or a pool fence, to keep children safe around water.

Staying cool in the summer heat

Dr. Timothy Dougherty Guest Column

Florida summers bring not only sunshine but also intense heat. Heat-related illnesses are a serious concern, with thousands of deaths recorded nationwide each year. Residents and visitors must remain vigilant, especially when spending time outdoors or working in the sun.

Heat illnesses can range from mild to life-threatening and include:

n Heat rash appears as clusters of itchy pimples or blisters in sweat-prone areas of the body

n Heat cramps cause painful muscle spasms from loss of salt in the body

n Heat syncope can mean fainting or dizziness due to standing up too quickly

n Heat exhaustion’s telltale signs are

heavy sweating, weakness, nausea, and an elevated temperature

n Rhabdomyolysis involves muscle breakdown, weakness, dark urine, and possible kidney issues

n Heat stroke means the body is having a hard time cooling down on its own, raising your core temperature and causing confusion, seizures, unconsciousness, and potentially permanent damage or death

If you or someone you’re with shows symptoms of heat illness, move to shade or indoors immediately. Remove excess clothing like jackets, shoes and socks; cool the body with a cold water or ice bath if possible, wetting the skin or placing cold wet cloths on the skin; place cold, wet cloths on the head, neck, armpits and groin, and circulate the air to help speed up the cooling process.

Seek emergency medical care if symptoms are severe, persist or worsen.

Car-related heat stroke

Hot car deaths are the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related fatalities among children who are 14 and under. In just 10 minutes, the temperature inside a car can rise by as much as 20 degrees, a dangerous increase that contributes to an average of 35 deaths each year.

To stay safe, never leave anyone—especially children, pets or older adults—in a parked car without air conditioning, even for a short time.

Practicing proper lightning safety

Known as the lightning capital of the United States, Florida experiences more lightning strikes per square mile than any other state, averaging about 1.2 million strikes each year. Thunderstorms can be sudden and severe, posing serious risks during outdoor activities.

As we enjoy pools, beaches and other outdoor fun this summer with our friends and loved ones, it’s important to remember how to stay lightning safe.

To stay safe, always:

n Monitor weather forecasts closely

n Know how long it takes to gather everyone and get indoors from wherever you are

n Seek shelter at the first sound of thunder, even before rain starts

n Wait at least 30 minutes after the last lightning strike or thunder before resuming outdoor activities

n Use the 30-second rule: if you hear thunder less than 30 seconds after seeing lightning, seek shelter immediately

n Remember lightning safety yearround and stay in practice

If caught outside with no shelter, avoid high ground, do not lie flat on the ground and instead crouch low with your head tucked and hands over your ears. Stay away from power lines, barbed wire fences, trees and bodies of water.

By staying informed and prepared, you can protect yourself and your loved ones and fully enjoy all that summer has to offer. Here’s to a safe and memorable summer in Southwest Florida!

Dr. Timothy Dougherty is Medical Director of Lee Health’s Cape Coral Hospital’s Emergency Department.

Candelaria

joins EXIT Gulf Coast Realty in Cape Coral

EXIT Gulf Coast Realty has announced that David Candelaria has joined its growing team of dedicated real estate sales professionals.

EXIT Gulf Coast Realty, located at 3515 Del Prado Blvd., South, 105/106, Cape Coral, is a member of EXIT Southeast’s rapidly expanding network of independently owned and operated brokerages across the region.

Founded in Canada in 1996, EXIT Realty is a full service, progressive, real estate franchisor with offices across North America.

For more information, please visit www.exitrealty.com and www. joinexitrealty.com.

Just

Lovelee Boutique holding Holidays 4 Heroes Donation Drive through July 12

Just Lovelee Boutique in Cape Coral is holding a Holiday 4 Heroes Donation Drive now through July 12.

Holiday 4 Heroes is a nonprofit organization that sends up to 200 care packages each month to active duty military

Death Notices

Cape Coral

Business Briefs

members and has shipped over 20,000 packages to far. It also provides essentials to homeless and in-need veterans and their families.

Items needed include protein bars, jerky, hard candy, instant coffee and energy drink drops, body wash, wipes, lip balm, small games and playing cards, warm socks and hand warmers, ponchos, emergency blankets, small flashlights, sunscreen, bootlaces, multivitamins and gift cards for gas stations and fast food restaurants.

Those making a donation at Just Lovelee will receive a $10 in-store credit and one entry into a raffle to win a Just Lovelee gift card.

Just Lovelee Boutique, which features trendy clothing, jewelry and accessories for women of all sizes, is located at 1113 S.E. 47th Terrace, Suite 4, in South Cape. Contact the shop at 239-673-9194 or visit https://justloveleeboutique.com/

Topliff joins Crews Bank & Trust as

commercial banker

Crews Bank & Trust has announced the addition of Todd Topliff as its newest commercial banker. Topliff has more than 13 years of business banking experience,

Joan Bartkowicz, of Cape Coral Florida passed away June 27, 2025.

Fort Myers

Bennie W. Frazier, 83, of Fort Myers, Florida passed away June 25, 2025. Arrangements entrusted to Lee County Cremation Services-Fort Myers.

Jorge Enrique de Jesus Yepes Restrepo, 83, of Fort Myers, Florida passed away June 24, 2025. Arrangements entrusted to Lee County Cremation Services-Fort Myers.

Karen J. Hudson, 75, of Fort Myers, Florida passed away June 28, 2025. Arrangements entrusted to Lee County Cremation Services-Fort Myers.

David Nathaniel Thompson, 67, of Fort Myers, FL passed away June 20, 2025. Arrangements entrusted to Lee County Cremation Services-Fort Myers.

Joanne Marie Lee-Tucker, 66, of Fort Myers, Florida passed away May 7, 2025. Arrangements entrusted to Fuller Metz Cremation and Funeral Services. www.fullermetz.com

Anife Lato, 79, of Fort Myers, Florida passed away May 19, 2025. Arrangements entrusted to Fuller Metz Cremation and Funeral Services. www.fullermetz.com

North Fort Myers

Ruth Francisco Ramsey, 83, of North Fort Myers, passed away Thursday, June 26, 2025. Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.

having worked with a variety of financial institutions across Southwest Florida.

In addition to his banking background, Topliff previously owned two companies in the construction industry, giving him a strong understanding of the needs and challenges faced by local business owners. He holds an associate’s degree in business administration from Florida SouthWestern State College.

Originally from Watertown, New York, Topliff moved to Florida in 1983 and has lived in Southwest Florida for the past 34 years.

To connect with Topliff or to learn more about Crews Bank & Trust’s commercial banking services, please contact him at 239-218-2171 or at ttopliff@ crews.bank.

Deadline extended to nominate businesses for 2025 Industry Appreciation Awards

The application period to nominate an outstanding business or professional leader for the 2025 Industry Appreciation Awards has been extended through Thursday, July 10.

The Industry Appreciation Awards honors Lee County’s top businesses and

Difficulty: GOLD

business leaders that drive the local economy, employ the workforce and shape their industries.

Sponsored by the Horizon Foundation, Horizon Council and Lee County Economic Development, the award program recognizes local businesses in seven categories, including:

n Large Manufacturer of the Year

n Small Manufacturer of the Year

n Large Business of the Year

n Small Business of the Year

n Start Up of the Year

n Elevate Award

n Tech Catalyst Award

The Industry Appreciation Awards event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24, at Caloosa Sound Convention Center, 1375 Monroe St. in Fort Myers. Application forms are available at IndustryAppreciationAwards.com. Self-nominations are allowed.

For more about the Horizon Foundation, please visit HorizonCouncilFoundation. com, or call 239-533-6806.

Visit LeeCountyBusiness.com/Horizon-Council for more about the Horizon Council.

Visit LeeCountyBusiness.com for more information.

SUDOKU SHEFFER CROSSWORD

CYRPTOQUIP

Power Boats

1984 Aquasport 222 CCP 200HP Outboard, T-Top, coffin box, VHF/GPS, 85 gal fuel, Tandem trailer, leaning post, live wells, 4 spreaders, EBox, engine bracket / dive platform, VGC. $9,500.00, CALL JAY 812-621-2710

I BUY ALL RV’s I BUY ALL Boat’s HH I PAY CASH HH I will Come To You To See It Quick & Easy Sale. CASH ON THE SPOT! Vince~941-301-9946~Local

Dock Space Rental/Sales

Rooms For Rent

Sr. Lady, share mobile home Sr Lady 600 monthly Southwinds Village dlwooden61@gmail.com

Cape Coral Homes

Realtors

I BUY Houses & Real Estate Any Condition Probate - Foreclosure Vacant - As Is I Also Buy Notes - Mortgages Settlements - Annunities Ken 239-295-3820 KenBuysEverything.com

I BUY ALL RV’s I BUY ALL Boat’s HH I PAY CASH HH I will Come To You To See It Quick & Easy Sale. CASH ON THE SPOT! Vince~941-301-9946~Local

50 foot BOAT DOCK for rent

Wide enough for a Catamaran. 105 foot canal, best in Cape Coral. No bridges or locks.

Closet to the gulf. Private home $800 per month includes electric and water. Bill 239-910-1650

Wanted To Rent

Elderly man with well behaved dog looking for a place to live. Excellent references for me and my dog. Also able to do light jobs and/or security as needed. Call Bob 239-476-1547.

Custom built to fit your exact frame - only 3 dimensions required

• Replacement canopy lead time of 2 weeks + ship time

• Free shipping on all canopy orders