Grandparents’ Day
Pine Island Elementary School holds special celebration
County utilities director discusses islands’ aging septic systems at latest GPICA meeting
MCA President Scott provides update on group’s holiday plans
By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Lee County Utilities Director Pam Keyes discussed the island’s aging septic systems at the Greater Pine Island Civic Association meeting last Tuesday, Sept. 9. She began by telling members the last chance she’d had to speak with members was before Hurricane Ian.
“Since then, of course, there have been a lot of recovery efforts and a lot of your community coming together to deal with those issues, so this is probably a timely topic to get back to,” Keyes said.
This meeting’s discussion, she said, would be about how the organization came to work with the state and looked at aged septic systems. There are many within the state, that need to be replaced, she said. The state began looking at this issue around the same time as the natural resource organizations, who were able to combine water quality issues with aged septic systems, she said.
“The state came in. Their studies showed that really the conventional septic systems didn’t treat all of the nutrients. There’s advanced septic systems where there’s a narration chamber and there’s more treatment and
Celebrating a milestone
Island store marks Winn-Dixie’s 100th year in business
By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Winn-Dixie celebrated its 100th birthday Friday, Sept. 5. St. James City store manager Dan Loughren, along with SE Grocers, invited the public to the birthday party, which had in attendance local firefighters, Pine Island Elementary students, Beacon of HOPE staff and board members, as well as representatives from the Pine Island Food Pantry and the Lee County Sheriff’s Department.
Loughren said, as usual, during a store event, watching the kids enjoy themselves, made up most of his favorite moments.
“The kids from Pine Island Elementary made banners. They were made up of a one and two zeros, to celebrate Winn-Dixie’s 100 year birthday. It’s amazing that they did — it was an art project made of all handprints. That was one of my favorite parts of the day,”
See WINN-DIXIE, page 14
that improves removal of nutrients. The next step is our central wastewater treatment plants and then, of course, you get the most removal of nutrients when we go to advanced systems,” Keyes said.
The state’s goal, she said, is to encourage people to go to advanced systems or to connect to central systems. The task of going with a central system is more complicated than it may seem, although it may be a good option for many areas.
“We’ve got about 800 connections to the wastewater plant. The plant is about 400,000 gallons per day—that’s a very small plant. We have a project going
See SEPTIC SYSTEMS, page 10
Tropical activity expected to increase; hurricane season quiet so far
By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
While it’s been a relatively quiet Atlantic hurricane season thus far (knock on wood), top forecasters say activity could be ramping up in the near future.
According to AccuWeather experts, businesses and officials should remain prepared for an expected increase in tropical activity later this month.
Experts state that water temperatures at the surface and hundreds of feet in depth have “surged to record territory for this time of year in the Gulf, which increases the risk of rapid intensification.”
“The climatological peak of hurricane season is Sept. 10. This is the time of year when water temperatures in the Atlantic typically peak, and atmospheric conditions are most conducive for tropical development,” stated AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva. “The frequency of storms in the Atlantic basin is highest on average on Sept. 10, according to historical data. This will likely be the first time in nearly a decade that the peak of hurricane season passes without a named storm. This rare occurrence has only happened three times in the last 30 years.”
AccuWeather points out that this year marks the first time in more than 30 years of back-to-back years without a named storm in the Atlantic basin on Labor Day, and that a surge of dry air has limited tropical development in the main development region of the Atlantic this week. Tropical Storm Barry in June has been the only storm to move through the region this year.
“It is unusual for the tropics to be this quiet, but not unexpected. AccuWeather predicted in March, when we issued our hurricane season forecast, that surges of dry air could lead to a midseason lull,” DaSilva explained. “We have been forecasting the second half of the season to be See TROPICAL
page 9
Winn-Dixie recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, and the Pine Island store was among those marking the milestone. PHOTOS PROVIDED
Grandparents’ Day celebrated at Pine Island Elementary School
Grandparents’ Day was celebrated Monday, Sept. 8, at Pine Island Elementary School. It was a huge success, according to organizers.
P.I.E. welcomed grandparents and grand-friends on campus to honor them. There were lots of smiles, laughter, and hugs!
“It was a special time to have grandparents on our campus. Everyone had a great time visiting and making memories together,” Principal Dr. Michael Galbreath said.
Pine Island Elementary School is at 5360 Ridgewood Drive, Bokeelia. Call (239) 283-0505 for information.
West Zone schools reaching capacity
District’s
capital construction plan calls for three new schools per year for 2026-28
By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com
The School District of Lee County continues to address the challenges of having enough student stations at its schools.
“The students have not stopped coming when we look at our initial enrollment,” Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin said during Tuesday’s board meeting. “People have discovered Southwest Florida, and they will continue to discover it.”
Capital Planning Assistant Director Dr. Adam Molloy said on Sept. 2, the district had 88,043 students enrolled in traditional public schools. The enrollment has since increased by 100 students.
The projected 10-year student enrollment will reach 106,956 traditional K-12 students by 2034-2035 – an increase of 18,913 students, according to the forecast.
Molloy said there are currently 34 schools operating above 100% of their assigned building capacity.
The capacity pressures are not evenly distributed across the district as nearly half of the schools are located in the East Zone, he said.
Board Chair Sam Fisher said although the East Zone has become a priority, the West Zone — essentially Cape Coral and
North Fort Myers — is quickly filling up. There is a little bit of space at Island Coast High School, and there are some seats available at Mariner Middle School, Challenger Middle School, and Hector A Cafferata, he said.
Fisher said although there is not going to be a full high school build in the West Zone, they may be able to do an expansion of an existing school, or work with a Public-Private Partnership to build a school.
“We don’t have enough seats in the West Zone,” Board member Melisa Giovanneli said. “If we don’t address that now, we are leaving that for someone to figure out down the road. (I would) hate to leave legacy of what we are leaving with the East Zone now in the West Zone.”
Board member Bill Ribble agreed that they have to start getting into some joint venture to share the pain in the capital expense. The district needs to ask how it can partner with others and save the district a ton of money.
“Think outside of the box,” Ribble said.
The district is looking at different solutions, one of which is designing larger middle and high school prototypes. For
PHOTO PROVIDED
Kayson Petkus and Lisa Dence on Grandparent’s Day at P.I.E.
OPINIONS
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How democracy dies
Last Wednesday was a day of grieving for America and Americans.
The political assassination of a renowned conservative activist on a university campus in Utah.
Another school shooting, this one is Colorado, which left two teens injured — one critically — and the 16-year-old shooter dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Reaction was immediate.
Charlie Kirk, who had a large and nationwide following, is the founder and president of Turning Point USA, a student movement “dedicated to identifying, organizing, and empowering young people to promote the principles of free markets and limited government.”
He was shot at a “The American Comeback Tour” rally attended by thousands of students at Utah Valley University, according to reporting by our sister paper, the Daily Herald, in Utah.
Family photos of the 31-year-old husband and father of two with his smiling wife and young daughter and son at their side brought the issue home to most of us.
“This is a dark day for our state; it’s a tragic day for our nation,” said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. “I want to be very clear that this is a political assassination.”
The shooting at Evergreen High School outside of Denver garnered similar expressions of horror from officials.
Colorado Public Radio covered a press
In Memoriam: Charles James
‘Charlie’ Kirk
(1993–2025)
To the editor:
On Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, tragedy struck during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University, when a coward fatally shot Charlie Kirk at approximately 12:10 p.m. MT while Charlie was engaging with students in his “American Comeback Tour,” “Prove Me Wrong” debate. The bullet struck his neck, and despite immediate efforts, he succumbed to his injuries within hours..
Why was Charlie Kirk shot and killed?
He expressed opposing views in what he called “a lively discussion of freedom and America.” The promotional literature for the Utah event suggested students, “Join
Letters to the Editor Editorial
conference called by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday afternoon and quoted the agency’s public information officer:
“This is the scariest thing you could ever think could happen. Honestly, I don’t know if our suspect is old enough to even drive,” said PIO Jacki Kelley.
These occurrences — and ones before them, and the ones before that and before that — are our country’s shame.
Many of us who “cover the news” have never come to terms with that.
Nor will we ever come to terms with the ugliness that followed Wednesday’s horrific acts of violence.
In Evergreen, a church called a vigil.
In our nation’s capitol, members of our governing body allowed a moment of silence for Mr. Kirk which devolved into a politicized shouting match after a Republic member asked for a spoken prayer.
The Hill quoted House Speaker Mike Johnson’s call back to order.
“This is detestable what’s happened. Political violence has become all too common in American society, and this is not who we are. It violates core principles of our country, our Judeo-Christian heritage, our civil society, our American way of life, and it must stop,” Rep. Johnson told reporters.
Charlie Kirk on campus for a lively discussion of Freedom & America! Don’t agree with Charlie? Great, you go to the front of the line. See you there!” the group posted.
Someone killed Charlie Kirk, a nonviolent, 31-year-old conservative husband, father and friend, because he expressed views different from his killer.
Charlie Kirk was more than a conservative activist—he was a formidable force in American political discourse, especially among young conservatives. At just 18 years old, in 2012, he co-founded Turning Point USA, an organization that would come to influence tens of thousands of students across hundreds of campuses. Turning Point USA became a powerful engine for free-market principles, patriotism, and political engagement.
Kirk’s sharp debating style, unapologetic
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 mailed to: Pine Island Eagle, 10700 Stringfellow Road, Ste. 60, Bokeelia, FL 33922; e-mailed to pineisland@ breezenewspapers.com; posted to our Virtual Newsroom at www.breezenewspapers.com or faxed to 283-0232. All letters and guest columns must be signed and must contain a phone number for verification purposes. You also can comment on any letter or editorial opinion online at: pineisland-eagle.com We Want Your Opinion
“We need every political figure, we need everyone who has a platform to say this loudly and clearly. We can settle disagreements and disputes in a civil manner, and political violence must be called out and has to stop,” he said.
It gets worse, much worse, as across social media, across various platforms and sites, “influencers” and would-be pundits gave rally calls for civil war, the criminalization of our two-party system and more.
We write this on the day that has come to be known as 9/11.
We write this on the day that Americans put aside politics to unite, to come together not only as a country but as the greatest and most enduring democratic republic the world has seen.
Is this — the cry and rally to divisiveness — what we have become?
Is this the country our sons, our husbands, our brothers and sisters, daughters and wives have fought for through the near 250 years we have striven to maintain the unique principles upon which our nation was founded?
We say no.
We, and the majority of Americans, say no.
Rep. Johnson speaks for us.
For if the answer is yes, this is how democracy dies.
rhetoric, and media savvy turned him into a household name within conservative circles. Through podcasts, radio, and the “Prove Me Wrong” tour itself, he mobilized a generation of young Americans to take up the conservative banner.
President Donald Trump shared the heartbreaking news on Truth Social, calling Charlie “A great, and even legendary figure.” President Trump ordered flags flown at halfstaff at Trump-related properties and federal institutions in his honor.
President Barack Obama called the assassination “despicable,” emphasizing that such violence has no place in a democratic society.
Charlie Kirk’s life embodied the passion and fervor of a generation. Despite his youth, he wielded his influence with intensity—respectfully challenging prevailing narratives, shaping campus conversations, and drawing young people into the civic fold. More than just a firebrand, he was a devoted family man—loved by his wife, Erika, and their two children.
Today, as we mourn his loss, we should reflect not only on the political legacy he leaves behind but also on the human—husband, father, friend—he was to many.
May his memory be a reminder of both the power of civic engagement and the urgent need to reject every form of political violence.
Ed Franks North Fort Myers
Celebrating American Founders Month
As we step into September, it is hard to believe that another school year has begun. As your school board member, I want to take a moment to reflect on the first month of this exciting and sometimes challenging journey. Navigating the school system isn’t always easy but please know I am here to support you every step of the way.
The start of the new school year is filled with energy, new students, new teachers, and a flurry of activities. We recognize there are challenges, especially with transportation. This year we introduced the new bus schedules as part of our Safe Start Initiative, and we appreciate your patience as our dedicated staff work through the initial adjustments.
Rest assured that we remain committed to ensuring reliable and safe transportation for all students. Our team is continuously working to fine tune the process, so students arrive safely and on time. If your student is not arriving at school safely and punctually, please fill out the Transportation Reporting form on the School District’s website. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us improve.
This month the board will approve 10Year Capital Plan and 2025-26 Budget totaling $2,798,172,189, a decrease of $113,221,207 from the previous year. The reduction demonstrates the School District’s strategic approach to managing resources while maintaining high-quality education. The half-cent sales tax provides essential funding for capital
projects, contributing more than 30% of total revenue and showing consistent growth since 2019. The Capital Plan includes 10 new schools and one portable swing site, projected to add 14,188 new student stations to accommodate district growth. This year alone, 148 capital projects are planned, covering athletics, drainage, electrical, fire systems, HVAC, paving, playgrounds, plumbing and roofing.
Melisa W.
Giovannelli Guest Commentary
I also want to take a moment to recognize and honor the many meaningful events and observances that are highlighted in our schools this month. The School District’s Curriculum Department, in conjunction with the Florida Department of Education, is actively working within our schools to build strong, civic literacy and historical awareness within our students. We stand committed to share and educate our students on our history, values, and commitment to freedom, justice, and unity. Below are highlights of each observance.
n American Founders’ Month
September is dedicated to celebrating the vision and challenging work of the founding fathers who established the principles of liberty, democracy, and
opportunity that continue to guide us today. As George Washington once said, “The constitution is the guide which I will never abandon.” This quote highlights Washington’s deep respect for the Constitution and his commitment to upholding the foundational principles of our nation. As we observe Founders’ Month, it serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring importance of the constitutional framework that secures our freedoms and guides our democracy. It’s an inspiring time to reflect on the ideals that shape our nation.
n Patriot Day and 9/11 Remembrance - Sept. 11
On Sept. 11, we remember the tragic events of 2001 and honor the lives lost. It is a moment of reflection on resilience, unity, and the enduring strengths of our nation in the face of adversity. We will never forget.
n U.S. Constitution Day is Sept. 17
This day commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution, the foundational document that establishes our rights, freedoms, and the framework of our government. It is an opportunity to renew our commitment to the democratic
principles that serve as the foundation of our society.
n Freedom Week - End of September
As we conclude September, we celebrate Freedom Week — a time to appreciate the liberties we enjoy and the ongoing efforts to ensure those freedoms are accessible to all. It is a reminder of the importance of civic engagement, respect, and inclusion.
Throughout this month, students will engage is grade level appropriate instruction on all these topics. I encourage everyone — students, families, and community members to participate in these reflections and celebrations, and recommend using the Table Talk questions and resources on the School District’s website so start a conversation at home. Let’s come together to honor our history, uphold our values, and foster a community rooted in respect, understanding, and shared purpose.
It truly takes a village to raise a child. Thank you to all the teachers, staff, families and community members for your ongoing support and dedication to making our community a better place for everyone.
Melisa W. Giovannelli represents District 2 on the School Board of Lee County.
Garden Club meeting to feature presentation by Lee County Mosquito Control District
This Thursday, Sept. 18, the Pine Island Garden Club, at its monthly meeting beginning at 9 a.m. at the Fishers of Men Lutheran Church, will host Jennifer
McBride, who serves as the communications director for the Lee County Mosquito Control District. She will discuss the unique mission and operations of the LCMCD as it tackles one of the most mosquito favorable habitats in the world.
Powered with undergraduate and graduate degrees in education, McBride spent much of her early career as an educator and administrator with the School District of Lee County before accepting her present position. Married with three daughters, she boasts her favorite hobby is, of course, gardening.
Founded in 1975, the Pine Island Garden Club mission includes the protec-
Lee Health Bloodmobile to be at Pine Island Moose Lodge Sept. 27
The Lee Health Bloodmobile will be visiting The Pine Island Moose Lodge at 8903 Stringfellow Road in St. James City on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 8 a.m. to noon. All the blood collected remains in Lee Health, which includes the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, the Regional Cancer Center and the only Trauma Center (which is located in the Lee Memorial Hospital) within a fivecounty radius. The blood also supports Cape Coral Hospital and Gulf Coast Medical Center.
One in three people will need blood in their lifetime. You never know when you or someone you know will need blood.
All donors will receive a free health checkup, cholesterol screening and gift.
New studies show that donating blood improves your overall cardiovascular health. Regularly donating blood helps men in particular to reduce the amount of iron in the blood. This can reduce the chance of heart attack by 88%. Additionally, regular blood donation can
lower the risk of severe cardiovascular events such as stroke by 33%. You also burn 650 calories! It’s a win-win!
Please help us make our goal of 15+ units of blood.
Requirements for donating blood: weigh at least 115 pounds, be at least 16 years old (16 requires parental written consent), be relatively healthy, provide photo ID and have 56 days between donations
Eat a meal before donating blood and be sure to drink plenty of fluids before and after donation.
Questions about donating? Call us at 343-2333
tion and conservation of natural resources, encouraging island beauty and stimulating the study of the fine art of gardening. Its civic duties include the creation and main-
tenance of the grounds at Philips Park, Museum of the Islands, Bokeelia Post Office, Kiwanis Children’s Park and the butterfly garden at Pine Island Elementary School.
The club produces the annual Garden Gala, the proceeds from which are utilized to financially support several of the island’s benevolent organizations, such as the Beacon of Hope, the Calusa Land Trust, CROW and the Pine Island Food Pantry.
For additional information, please visit pineislandgardenclub.org or contact Marty Kendall at (239) 283-8175
Free pastel painting classes for youth at library in November
The Pine Island Library and Friends of Pine Island Library are co-sponsoring a pastel painting class for 11 to 16-year-olds on Saturdays on Nov. 1, 8 and 15, from 2-4 p.m.
The workshops will be taught by noted Pine Island artist Zan Lombardo. She brings 34+ years of art teaching experience and joy to each group she works with.
No art experience is necessary. Registration opens Wednesday, Oct. 1,
at the library on first-come, first-served basis. Class size is limited to 15.
Participants will be working with pastels (bring an apron or wear old clothes that can get dirty) to create a work of art that will then be turned into a note card. Two previous workshops successfully resulted in printed cards that were then sold as a fundraiser to support Pine Island Library’s Summer Reading Program.
The library is at 10701 Russell Road, Bokeelia. Call (239) 533-4350 for more.
Hookers kick off Lucky Hook Up fundraiser
The Matlacha Hookers are kicking off their Lucky Hook Up fundraiser, giving supporters a chance to win cash prizes while helping local students.
For $20, each ticket provides 24 chances to win $100, with drawings held on the 1st and 15th of every month in 2026.
Winning tickets go back in for more chances to win. Need not be present to win
Tickets are available now through Dec. 15, online or from any Matlacha Hooker volunteer. Proceeds benefit the Hooked on Education Scholarship Fund, supporting students in the community for over 25 years.
For details, visit matlachahookers.org.
The Matlacha Hookers are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit women’s organization. CH22743
FILE PHOTO
The Lee Health Bloodmobile.
Ensuring smooth and successful elections
Although the 2026 midterm elections are a year away, my team and I are preparing at every level to ensure a smooth and successful election process.
We are updating our poll worker lists and Election Day procedures manual and actively recruiting for the upcoming year.
Elections would not be possible without the incredible work of our dedicated poll workers! If you are looking for a rewarding way to contribute to your community, I invite you to join our team. You can complete the poll workers application on our website at www.lee.vote.
Tommy Doyle Guest Commentary
Our election preparation also includes routine maintenance of our voting equipment. This involves verifying inventory and a thorough inspection. Voters can trust that every piece of equipment is accounted for and in excellent working condition. We will repeat this process in 2026 before the election season begins.
Network security continues to be a top priority. I am pleased to share that our security and defense system received high marks from a recent Department of State evaluation. We will uphold those strong protections and implement new measures when needed. Visit our website to learn more about the many safeguards we have in place to ensure secure and accurate elections.
In other news, we are on track to
complete the second phase of our voter registration list maintenance. On Sept. 15, we will mail an “Address Confirmation Final Notice” to approximately 32,000 voters. Per state law, these notices will be mailed to voters who have not voted in the last two general elections (or an intervening election) and have not updated their voter registration. Voters receiving the notice must respond promptly to prevent voter registration issues and help keep our voter rolls current for the upcoming elections.
Make your voice heard! Now is the perfect time to get election-ready. If your address, name, party affiliation, or your Florida’s driver’s license or ID number has changed, please take a moment to update your voter registration with our office. If you plan to vote by mail, you must renew your request with our office, as all requests from previous years have expired. Request your vote-by-mail ballot and ensure your voter registration is upto-date at www.lee.vote.
We are ready to assist you. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at elections@lee.vote or 239-5338683.
Tommy Doyle is the Lee County Supervisor of Elections. For more information, visit https://www.lee.vote/ or call 239-533-8683
Work on Little Pine Island Bridge continues
The Florida Department of Transportation has issued its latest update on the Little Pine Island Bridge project Pine Island Road Causeway and Bridge Permanent Repairs:
Construction project: Phase 2 of construction has begun on the Little Pine Island Bridge. All traffic has shifted onto the newly constructed westbound side of the bridge, allowing two-lane traffic on the new bridge.
Safety remains the top priority, so FDOT reminds everyone:
n Motorists are asked to exercise caution and reduce their speed while driving through the work zone.
n Pedestrian access to the bridge is not allowed during construction, which includes fishing and all other recreational uses.
n Motorists are reminded not to block driveways or entrances and to follow all posted signage throughout the construction zone.
n Noise from construction equipment in the area is to be expected.
n Since the start of construction of the Little Pine Island Bridge, boaters are asked to be aware of construction equipment and erosion control measures that are in place.
For inquiries, please contact the FDOT Communications Team at 239-800-6391.
Less is more, constitutionally speaking
Florida has a chance to do something rare in politics. It can put liberty back at the center of its legal order, not as an afterthought or a campaign slogan, but as a principle built into the very Florida State Constitution itself. The idea is simple enough. Whenever a law, rule, or regulation is written or interpreted, the starting point should be this: Use the least possible coercion and take the least possible money.
In other words, liberty comes first. Government force comes last.
This amendment would not erase a single statute. It would not tear out pages of the law books. What it would do is set the compass by which those laws are read and applied. Courts would be reminded that their duty is not to enlarge the power of the state but to contain it. Agencies would be reminded that fines, mandates, and threats are not default tools. Legislators would be reminded that the people sent them to Tallahassee to safeguard freedom, not nibble away at it in the name of expedience.
Libertarians have been saying this for decades. The national party platform is blunt: Every person has the right to the fruits of his or her labor, and the forcible collection of money or goods is wrong. The Libertarian Party of Florida has carried that same torch, arguing for voluntary means of raising revenue and resisting the steady creep of new taxes. Both platforms insist that government must not be the first resort for solving problems. Free people, voluntary association, private enterprise, and personal responsibility come first.
Even so, Florida too often falls into the same bad habits as other states. Laws default to coercion. Agencies default to com-
pulsion. The hammer swings before anyone thinks to offer an open hand. Fines are piled on. Permits and licenses choke enterprise. Taxation is treated as inevitable. This proposed amendment would flip the presumption. Instead of assuming that force is normal and liberty an exception, it assumes liberty is normal and force is what must be justified.
My text is plain and without flourish:
Larry
Gillis
Guest Commentary
“In interpreting any law, regulation, or administrative rule enacted or enforced by the State of Florida or its political subdivisions, it shall be presumed that such enactment seeks to achieve its stated ends through the minimum necessary use of governmental coercion and taxation. Courts shall resolve ambiguities in favor of interpretations that reduce the scope, intensity, and fiscal burden of governmental action, consistent with the protection of individual rights and public safety.”
Note carefully what this language does not do. It does not prohibit taxation. It does not strip the state of the power to act. It does not repeal whole categories of law. What it does is set a presumption, rebuttable but powerful, that government must be modest. Judges will have to explain why more force is justified. Agencies will have to show why a program needs compulsion instead of persuasion. Legislators will be pushed to write laws that look to incentives, education, and voluntary coop-
eration before they reach for mandates.
This kind of interpretive principle is not foreign to the law. Courts already apply canons of construction. They avoid interpretations that create constitutional conflict. They read criminal statutes narrowly to protect the accused. They presume rights unless the legislature clearly takes them away. Florida’s constitution itself contains guiding instructions in areas such as environmental protection and privacy. To place minimal coercion alongside those values would not be reckless. It would be consistent with the tradition of protecting the individual first and the state second.
The Libertarian Party of Florida has long fought to shrink the footprint of government. It has opposed civil asset forfeiture, fought red-light cameras, and called for the abolition of occupational licensing. It has warned against taking
Capacity
From page 2
middle school the capacity went from 1,200 students to 1,500 students and high school went from 2,000 students to 2,800 students.
The 2025 capital plan for new construction includes 10 schools and one portable swing site for 14,188 estimated new student stations.
“From 2026 to 2028 it is one of
federal money that comes with strings attached. The amendment is in the same spirit, but instead of fighting battles one by one, it arms every citizen, every court, and every legislator with a principle. The default setting becomes liberty.
Critics will say this ties government’s hands. They will warn of endless litigation. They will complain that public programs will be harder to run. To which the proper reply is: Good. Good if government must pause before it compels. Good if courts demand clarity before they allow more taxes. Good if agencies must prove that fines and threats are necessary. The burden ought to be on the state, not the citizen.
Florida stands at a familiar crossroads. One road leads to more of the same: more rules, more taxes, more mandates. The other road points to restraint. A state that does not simply tolerate liberty but presumes it. A state that treats coercion as a last resort. The amendment does not guarantee freedom, but it gives Floridians the legal footing to demand it. That alone makes it worth the fight.
Larry Gillis, is a director-at-large, Libertarian Party of Florida.
the largest capital construction efforts,” Molloy said, adding that there are three schools per year for a total of nine.
Hector A Cafferata Jr. in Cape Coral is among the pending projects. The new K-8th campus to replace the elementary school destroyed by Hurricane Ian is expected to be open by the state of the new school year next August.
C0-OP CONNECTIONS
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,
and much more. This is an entirely free offering just for being a member and another example of why . . .
Membership Matters
The Lee County Department of Transportation has announced the following project for Pine Island and Matlacha.
Stringfellow Road, Pine Island Lee County DOT and its contractor, Bush Hog Services Inc., will perform repairs and replacements of broken and damaged handrails along the sidewalk on
Stringfellow Road. Work was scheduled for Sept. 8 through Sept. 19.
No lane closures are anticipated; however, motorists and pedestrians are urged to use extra caution in the area as workers will be present.
For further information, please contact Avelino Cancel at (239) 533-9400 or email: acancel@leegov.com.
Matlacha Drawbridge
Work on the Matlacha Mechanical and Electrical Repair project commenced Aug. 25. Workers will be intermittently present on the site but may not be seen for extended periods of time as work is required inside the tender house.
While on site, motorists can expect to encounter construction workers and vehi-
cles on the roadway, as well as deliveries and the removal of old equipment from the bridge.
Please be aware that this is an active work zone, and drivers are asked to exercise caution when driving through the site.
For further information, please contact Avelino Cancel at (239) 533-9400 or email: acancel@leegov.com.
Lee DOT projects underway on Stringfellow Road, Matlacha Bridge SJCCA Update
The St. James City Civic Association has announced the following upcoming events and activities:
Wednesday, Sept. 17
n Little Learners Nature Group: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Open to all childrenweekly meetup to learn and play in nature.
Thursday, Sept. 18
n Mahjongg: 1 - 4 p.m. This is a great place to learn to play mahjongg Contact Terry at 239-233-2766 for additional information.
Wednesday, Sept. 24
n Little Learners Nature Group: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Open to all childrenweekly meetup to learn and play in nature.
Pine Island Kids Business Workshops and Fair Workshop 1 -- Saturday, Sept. 27,
Tropical activity
more active than the first.”
AccuWeather experts state that during hurricane season, between 40 and 60 tropical waves drift westward across the Atlantic. Experts state that on average, one in five evolves into a tropical storm or hurricane, but the percentage can be much higher during active stretches near the peak of the season.
AccuWeather hurricane experts say less dry air, less Saharan dust, and less disruptive wind shear is forecast in the Atlantic starting next week, and that sea surface temperatures and ocean heat content in the Gulf have surged to record territory for this time of year. Ocean heat content is a measurement of the depth of warm ocean waters.
“This exceptional warmth in the Gulf is troubling,” DaSilva stated. “The ocean heat content in the Gulf has soared to a new record high that has not been reported before at any point in the season, not just the climatological peak.
“This exceptional warmth in the Gulf
10-11 a.m. Learn product development, supplies, determining cost and profit, and marketing
Workshop 2 -- Saturday, Oct. 11, 10-11 a.m. Learn tablescape/set up ideas, product quality/quantity, packaging, signage, accepting payments, and customer service skills
Fair Pine Island Kids HandmadeSaturday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Open to the public
This is a day that teens can sell their handmade or self-created items.
For additional information, contact Michele at rainee0405@gmail.com or 239-691-1078.
Planning an event? Host it at the St. James City Civic Association! With a variety of rental options avail-
From page 1
is troubling, The warm waters can act as fuel for developing tropical storms and strengthening hurricanes. Atmospheric conditions are forecast to be conducive for tropical development in late September. We are concerned about the risk of rapid intensification if a storm forms or moves into the very warm waters of the Gulf later this month. Conditions are primed for explosive, rapid intensification.”
AccuWeather’s hurricane season predictions called for 13 to 18 named storms, with seven to 10 hurricanes, of which three to five would be Cat. 3 or greater.
AccuWeather also forecasted three to six direct impacts on the U.S. Experts state that Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, the Florida Gulf Coast, North Carolina, Atlantic Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands face a higher-than-average risk of a direct impact this year.
For additional information, please visit www.accuweather.com/en/news/ hurricane-center.
able, our venue is ideal for everything from intimate gatherings to weddings, baby showers, and quinceañeras. Visit SJCCAPI.ORG. for details and pricing!
SJCCA is looking for bands/musicians interested in earning money!
Contact Natalie Klimek at Natalieand -crew@gmail.com or text 320-815-2623 for information.
SJCCA photos wanted! Do you have photos from events or groups you would like to share for our album?
All activities are held at St
Civic Association, 3300 Fourth Ave., St James City. More details, contacts and ticket sales are available at
ORG
James City
SJCCAPI.
Septic systems
on right now—so that we can provide advanced treatment and we should have that project completed in Aug. of ’26,” Keyes said.
Pine Island is very important because it’s got a very sensitive environment and it’s kept steady and in consideration, she said, because it’s known how important environmental quality is to islanders. A study was done in 2022, she explained, in order to figure out what it would take to put everyone on a central system.
“What we would have to do is upgrade our transmission lines. We’d have to do a collection system, which means, lift stations—upgrade lift stations—and we would have to add capacity to our plant for more than double,” Keyes said.
There are cost estimates for this, but she said they are old estimates at this point. In order to get the whole island converted, she said, would be very costly.
Potential project areas have been observed already, she said, because there has been interest on Pine Island.
“When we looked at the numbers— just for Pine Island—you’re in the third tier—which is the lower tier, lower priority—I think we included about 200 connections. That’s what we could do
From page 1
without doing improvements to the plant. So, about 200 connections. At that time, our estimate was about $11 mil. So, that gives you kind of a scale of what these types of projects cost,” Keyes said.
After heading to legislators for funding, she said, they were presented with $1.1 million for a design for 90 connections. There has been a contract drawn up for the design services, which should end up going out to bid to better understand construction costs within roughly 12 months, she said.
“It’s difficult right now to estimate construction costs. It’s very market driven, especially in this area—there’s a lot of recovery work going on—there’s a lot of work with all the utilities, but once we put it out to bid, then we’ll be able to report to you—what do those real costs look like?” Keyes said.
She reported that the utility company went back to legislators with an estimate of approximately $4 mil and they were able to obtain the funds. For the project of about 90 connections, there is approximately $6 mil, she said.
See SEPTIC SYSTEMS, page 11
PHOTO PROVIDED
Lee County Utilities Director Pam Keyes, right, addresses the members of the Greater Pine Island Civic Association at its meeting Sept. 9. Keyes talked about the islands’ septic systems.
Taste of Pine Island
There will be reported updates to Pine Island, she said.
Matlacha Civic Association President Carol Scott gave a community update to members regarding a plan for Christmas on the island.
“The Matlacha Civic Association is prepping for holiday time. We’re going to, of course, have our tree lighting—George Williamson has a lot at the corner of Island Avenue and Pine Island Road and we have our tree lighting there every year. Gonzales always gives us a palm tree to decorate, that’s the big event. This year, our plan is, we would like to have a little forest of trees, because we’ve learned the tall Christmas trees—we always seem to get a really bad storm in December and they snap, so we’re looking to do little 6 foot trees, but a lot of them,” Scott said.
The next MCA meeting is on Sept. 29. Scott asked folks to please bring fishing ornaments to help decorate trees.
To watch this meeting in its entirety, visit the Greater Pine Island Civic Association Facebook page.
The next GPICA meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the First Baptist Church of Pine Island, 5363 Avenue D, Bokeelia.
From page 10
Keep Lee County Beautiful Inc. invites the public to take part in the Annual International Coastal Cleanup Saturday, Sept. 20, at sites throughout Lee County. Now in its 36th year, the ICC is a global initiative led by Ocean Conservancy, with KLCB serving as the local organizer.
Each year, the International Coastal Cleanup mobilizes millions of people across the globe to protect oceans and waterways by removing harmful trash and debris.
Since its launch, more than 18 million volunteers have worked together to collect over 380 million pounds of litter—transforming concern into action and setting an example of environmental stewardship.
KLCB encourages both residents and visitors to be part of this powerful movement by volunteering at cleanup sites across the county.
Pre-registration is required. To sign up or for additional information, please visit www.klcb.org/events/coastal-cleanup. KLCB
PHOTO PROVIDED
Matlacha Civic Association President Carol Scott, right, provided an update on MCA’s plans for the Christmas holiday season at the Greater Pine Island Civic Association meeting on Sept. 9.
It was a slow week out on the water
It’s slow season on the water with not a lot of boats fishing mid-week, then picking up on weekends. It is tournament season, with at least one scheduled every week locally. Most occur over the weekend, but a lot of angler’s pre-fish or scout on weekdays. Again, this week the weather was up and down, and anglers that did fish often found a good bite with a variety of species.
Capt. Bill Russell
On the Water
Spotted seatrout were caught over grass flats inside Redfish and Captiva Passes, south of Rocky Channel, around Bokeelia and north Matlacha Pass off the channel. Fish are averaging 12-16 inches with a few over 20 inches. Live bait and lures fished around bait schools and feeding birds gave the best action.
Shrimp, small pilchards and pinfish, plus a variety of lures including Z-man and MirrOlures worked best. Big ladyfish, jack crevalle and small sharks were also hooked.
With a little effort, anglers are boxing limits of mangrove snapper across the inshore waters and Gulf passes. In Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor, snapper were chummed up around bait schools, bar drop-offs, mangrove shorelines and structure. Inshore snapper are averaging 8-15 inches. If you catch the slower stages of the tides, drifting hard bottom in the passes or the Sanibel Causeway are good choices. Mangrove snapper were caught around nearshore reefs as well.
Redfish catches were good around the inshore waters. Larger fish 27-32 inches were hooked around the Gulf
passes and smaller slot or keeper-size reds were found around oyster bars, creeks and mangrove shorelines from Bokeelia’s Jug Creek, south to St. James and areas in between in the Sound and Matlacha Pass. Seatrout, mangrove snapper, jack crevalle and snook were caught from the same areas.
Snook fishing remained steady around the barrier islands and passes of Sanibel, Captiva and Cayo Costa islands, plus inshore from Bokeelia south to Galt Island, plus south Matlacha Pass. From land, snook were hooked from the Matlacha Drawbridge.
Chris Marble visiting from New Jersey with his first redfish, caught just ahead of the rain storms in Charlotte Harbor fishing with Capt. Bill Russell
Anglers continue to report dolphin to be aggressive with hooked fish around the Gulf passes. Snook season remains closed through the month.
Tarpon sightings and hook-ups came from the southern Sound near the powerlines, around Boca Grande Pass and way up Charlotte Harbor near the bridges. A few were hooked on live and cut mullet, plus big Bomber lures.
Tarpon are often hanging around bait schools and ladyfish schools. If you are fishing around either, it’s a good plan to fish a bigger bait or lure for tarpon.
Offshore, working around unsettled weather, gag grouper up to 31 inches, plus mangrove and lane snapper was caught from reefs, ledges, and hard bottom over depths from 40-80 feet. Cobia was also hooked or sighted around artificial reefs.
Stay up to date with fishing regulations by visiting www.myfwc.com. Also, upload the Fish Rules app on your phone. It has current regulations with pictures to help identify fish.
If you have a fishing report or for charter information, please contact us at Gulf Coast Guide Service; phone (239) 4108576, email gcl2fish@live. com or you visit us on the Web at www.fishpineisland.com
Have a safe week and good fishin’.
As a lifetime resident of Matlacha and Pine Island, Capt. Bill Russell has spent his life fishing and learning the waters around Pine Island and Southwest Florida, and as a professional fishing guide for over 20 years.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Persons proposes local initiative to ax vax mandates School Board member says parents should make vaccine decision
By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com
If a Lee County School Board member’s peers agree, local schools may not only support Florida’s plan to end vaccine mandates for students, but implement such an initiative on its own.
Lee County School Board Member Armor Persons said Tuesday he will bring forward a resolution to remove mandatory vaccines for students within the district. He said while the state is looking at removing requirements for several vaccines, there are other inoculations mandated in statutes that may not be part of the state effort initially.
“This is parental rights,” Persons said. “A parent should be making that decision if a child should take a vaccine or not.”
He said that the district has on the side of parental rights concerning requiring masks at school during the pandemic, among other issues.
“I think we should stay consistent,” Persons said.
If the resolution passes, Persons said he believes it should be put on the district’s legislative agenda to ask legislators to remove mandatory vaccines period.
Among the reasons he provided was that they do not know whether the vaccines cause autism or not, as 22 years ago
it was one in 150 children diagnosed with autism. Now it is one in 31.
“Something is going on. Until we know, people should be more cautious than they are now,” Persons said. “I am sure there will be some people against it, and some people for it.”
Ron DeSantis announced last Wednesday that he has ordered the Florida Surgeon General to end all mandates of vaccines for schoolchildren to attend public schools.
Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo said he would be acting with the Florida Department of Health to begin ending mandates for the vaccines that the de-
partment controls under Florida law, and that approval from the Florida legislature would be needed for the rest.
The moves announced by DeSantis and Ladapo would seek to end vaccine mandates for school children for a whole host of diseases and infections from polio to chickenpox, smallpox, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus and hepatitis.
Ladapo said he would work with the Florida Department of Health and DeSantis to ultimately end all vaccine mandates in Florida.
“All of them, every last one of them,” Ladapo said.
— Nathan Mayberg contributed to this report.
School District approves near $3 billion budget
By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com
The Lee County School Board approved a $2.9 billion budget during its final budget hearing Tuesday.
The board approved the required local effort millage rate of 3.071, $498,608,981 to be raised; .0748 basic discretionary millage with $121,445,626 to be raised; and a capital outlay millage
of 1.500 to raise $243,540,694.
The total millage rate of 5.319 — a 1.43% increase over the rollback rate of 5.2441 mills — will raise $863,595,301 from property taxes.
One mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of taxable property valuation.
The required local effort mills is 3.038 mills for the 2025-2026 school year, a .033 increase. Budget Director Kelly
Lee School District bus drivers get additional ‘scenario’ training
By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com
For the first time, the School District of Lee County offered bus driver training that included various scenarios.
Safety, Security and Fleet Operations Chief David Newlan said with knowing one of the district’s vulnerabilities being the buses, drivers went through an active shooting training and de-escalation techniques before the start of the new school year.
“Our drivers absolutely loved the training. They were excited to try something new – knowing and having an idea of how to respond to the event,” Transportation Executive Jarriad McKinney said. “They were very excited and thankful for it.”
Training can be repetitive, leaving participants without anything new to take away, McKinney said.
Transportation partnered with various departments, including academics, human resources, ESE, and health ser-
vices, to offer more areas of training,
“There are ways to create an environment to be safe and happy,” McKinney said, adding that collaborating within the district lets bus drivers know there are resources available to them.
He said a happy bus is a culture and environment where kids feel safe and respected.
“We are teaching the drivers how to maintain their attitude and their tone and make sure they feel safe on their ride,” McKinney said.
Board member Melisa Giovannelli said bus drivers are key to getting students to school to learn.
“They are the key role to everything for us,” she said.
Newlan said they are working with the State Attorney’s Office and law enforcement partners on statutes to protect bus drivers and students from people cutting off a bus and/or forcing their way on the bus.
Letcher said this is a required levy to participate in the Florida Education Finance Program.
She used an example.
A taxpayer with a $100,000 home value last year, and a new value of $105,390 this year, would see a bill of $560.57, a difference of $31.97.
For taxpayers with Save Our Home, taxable value can not go up more than 3%. So, for a $100,00 home value, the new value would be $103,000. At the 5.319 tax rate, the bill is $414.88, an $18.43 increase.
The board also approved the final budget of $2,919,795,073. The budget is broken down into five funds – General Operating
of $1,281,739,638; Special Revenue Budget of $131,705,825; Debt Service Budget of $99,018,536; Capital Outlay Budget of $1,181,726,237 and Internal Service Budget of $225,604,837.
The overall budget is a decrease of $114,667,599 from the previous year’s budget of $3,034,462,672.
“We had some cutbacks, right sizing,” Board member Bill Ribble said. “The end result will show in how we spend our money in 2026. I thought we did a great job in putting out to the community, all of these numbers. A great job in being transparent and communicating.”
Winn-Dixie
Loughren said.
The first 100 people to arrive at the celebration received gift cards, he said, with five $100 gift cards mixed in. Although Winn-Dixie began in 1925, Loughren said the store he runs in St. James City got its start on Pine Island in 1982. He admits he’s very proud of the store, as they were only one of six stores selected by SE Grocers to take part in the in-store birthday party celebrations across the nation.
“Because we do so much with the community, they picked us. They picked a store in each area, like West Florida, South Florida, Tampa and there were three others up North. I love doing things for the community, even though it’s often a lot of extra work, it feels good to help the community out,” Loughren said.
In addition to all the celebratory activities at the event, Loughren said the store was able to hand out free slices of Winn-Dixie gourmet carrot and rainbow cake for the customers to take home. The cakes, he said, will be left on sale for the rest of September.
The island Winn Dixie is at 9864 Stringfellow Road, just south of The Center, St. James City.
For more information about the long-time island store, please call 239-283-4404.
For more about SE Grocers, please visit its website at https://www.segrocers.com/
PIE helps store celebrate
Pine Island Elementary’s students helped WinnDixie celebrate its 100th birthday with a special piece of art to mark this monumental event. Art teacher Nichole Pichon and the PIE students helped to create the big 100 with their handprints. Students were excited to be a part of this celebration. A big thanks to WinnDixie, especially the manager Dan Loughren and all the employees at the Pine Island store. Island residents and the school community appreciate all that Winn-Dixie does to support everyone!
Island Winn-Dixie Store Manager Dan Loughren, center above, and staff welcome shoppers to the special celebration marking Winn-Dixie’s 100th anniversary. The first 100 people to arrive for the party received gift cards. The celebration also featured a number of other treats and giveaways. Below is a special birthday cake made for the event.
One of the many special in-store decorations marking the Winn-Dixie 100th celebration.
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY DAN LOUGHREN AND SE GROCERS
From page 4
Open dialogue -- and choice -are answers to U.S. health crisis
To the editor:
Prior to this administration, the authorities — federal and state officials — were largely accepting of the use of additives and colorants in our food supply, disregarding the fact that European countries have banned the sale of many American food products due to the unnecessary health risks associated with these additives like red dye. This oversight raises questions about the priorities of food safety and public health in the United States, especially when contrasted with the regulations in Europe.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a troubling disparity emerged: Young, healthy American adults and children were mandated to receive the vaccine, were not allowed outside to protest, and schools closed. Many undocumented immigrants crossing the border were not subject to the same requirements and some select organizations were allowed outside to protest.
This situation highlights a broader issue within our healthcare system, as it reflects a lack of coherent policy and who calls the shots — unions, select groups or pharmaceutical companies — and raises concerns about the overall declining health of the nation. With obesity and use of pills soaring, it is imperative that we initiate significant changes to address these public health challenges. The recommendations issued by politicians and the CDC during the pandemic and the last
Letters to the Editor
30 years often lacked scientific backing, leading to a perception that the agency was improvising rather than providing evidence-based guidance.
Furthermore, the extensive vaccination schedule for children has faced scrutiny from medical professionals who question the necessity and safety of so many mandated vaccines. The response from CDC and pharmaceutical companies has often been to silence dissenting voices, creating an environment of fear among healthcare providers. It is crucial to engage in an open dialogue about which vaccines are truly essential and to inform the public about potential side effects.
Additionally, the FDA’s approval processes warrant reevaluation to ensure that they prioritize public health over corporate interests.
Ultimately, removing vaccine mandates should empower individuals with choices rather than restrict their options, and a shift towards preventative medicine is long overdue in our healthcare system.
Lou Walker Cape Coral
Bowing down to Russia may be a fatal mistake
To the editor:
When I was a little girl, I remember seeing the smoke on the horizon from the World Trade Center going down on Sept 1, 2001. The events of that day are central to the global upheaval now underway. Twenty-four years ago, before the attacks on our Twin Towers, Russia was prioritized as the U.S. top national
security threat. After 9/11, the Bush administration removed Russia from the threats list. At the time, the U.S. wanted to topple Al Quaeda in Afghanistan, and we pinpointed Uzbekistan as a good military launch point to enter. Being a Eurasian country within Russia’s sphere of influence, the U.S. cowered to Russia in order to operate out of Uzbekistan. At that point, practically eating out of the palm of Russia’s hand, the U.S. got right to work on GWOT. But that was only after the often forgotten Pankisi Gorge Conflict, wherein the U.S. fought side-by-side Russian military in Georgia as one of our first foreign interventions post 9/11 in search for “Weapons of Mass Destruction” — which were never found.
What are the precedents we suffer today from bending to Russia during GWOT?
About 1,300 days ago, on Putin’s Feb 23, 2022 declaration of war against Ukraine, Putin stuck his finger in the healing wounds of our recent past, mocking the U.S. for false pretext of war and blaming the Iraq War on so-called “U.S. imperialism,” a pretext which he himself used as a basis to invade Ukraine, one
of the most destroyed countries on Earth now thanks to Russian invasion. Flash forward to this very week, article 4 of NATO has been enacted after Russian drone attacks on Poland. We are more close to Article 5 than ever before, which could mean the beginning of NATO-based U.S .troops in direct combat with Russia’s military. If we do go to war with Russia, the U.S. can suffer massive casualties. Rolling out the red carpet for Vladimir Putin at the U.S. military base in Alaska was a very very big mistake by President Trump and his cabinet, and it will have serious consequences in the coming time.......we just may not see it just yet. Ukraine has already taken many willing American volunteer soldiers away from us. In the wake of World War III, let us pray for our American troops over there, and our American troops back home and around the world, that our leaders may bring us closer to a lasting peace through strong defense policy, so we do not repeat the same mistakes by bending to the Russian terrorist state.
Alexandra Zakhvatayev Cape Coral
PINE ISLAND TIDE CHART SEPTEMBER 2025
Gulf Coast Tide Tables
Gulf Coast Writers to mark 30th anniversary with luncheon on Nov. 1
Program to feature presentation by award-winning author Robert Macomber
Founded in 1995, The Gulf Coast Writers Association (GCWA) is celebrating 30 years in serving Southwest Floridians and others from around the world in the art and business of writing.
To mark this momentous occasion, GCWA is hosting a public luncheon on Saturday, Nov. 1, where keynote speaker Robert N. Macomber, a multi-award-winning author, will share his expertise and advice on successfully navigating the writing world.
Seats are limited. Register today at https://gcwa30thanniversarylunche. rsvpify.com/ to secure your spot!
Mary Charles, president of GCWA, remarked, “Over the last three decades, The Gulf Coast Writers Association has seen its share of up and downs between hurricanes and the Coronavirus, yet our writers forage on.” Adding, “It is a privilege to provide a consistent forum for members and new members alike within our community. We invite anyone interested in the craft to join any time or visit us the third Saturday of each month to participate in our wide variety of monthly programs.”
To learn more about GCWA, visit the newly redesigned website at www.
GulfCoastWriters.Org.
About GCWA
Now in its 30th year, the Gulf Coast Writers Association Inc. provides a forum for fellowship, education, and information for writers, editors, and associates. GCWA’s book, “Storm Stories–Hurricane Ian,” is available on Amazon and at local outlets.
Based in Fort Myers, GCWA attracts members from throughout Southwest Florida. The association offers prominent speakers and dynamic workshops at monthly meetings (in-person or via Zoom), sharing expert advice on writing techniques, publishing, and marketing. The literary genres run the gamut from poetry, adult fiction, and nonfiction to children’s and young adult, historical fiction, romance, mystery/thriller, memoir, essay, and screenplay. Members include new and established writers, corporate professionals, teachers, and business owners, working or retired.
To join GCWA, sign up here. Follow at www.GulfCoastWriters.Org, @GCWA on Twitter/X, Linkedin, Meetup and on Facebook.
Kendall
If you’ve ever been to the shelter you may recognize Kendall. She is our office manager and she takes her job very seriously. Any item that comes in is very thoroughly inspected and all food/treats are tasted to make sure everything passes her rigid standards. Kendall has been at the shelter for 3 years now and she desperately wants to retire. When the other cats are adopted she always tries to crawl into the carrier hoping she can go home too. She may have a little attitude, but she’s a marshmallow at heart. Hopefully someone will finally choose her. (Objects in photo are larger than they appear.) Call Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary at 239-283-9100 for more info. If you’d rather just donate, our address is 10060 Mallory Parkway E, Unit D, St. James City, or there’s always our website www. helpingpawsanimalsanctuary.com
Cape Coral Breeze
Athletes of the Week
(Selected by The
Breeze Sports Staff)
Rooms For Rent
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