WEEK OF NOVEMBER 1, 2023 FLIER INSIDE
SCCF-tagged box turtle found on Pine Island — INSIDE PINEISLAND-EAGLE.COM
VOLUME 47, NUMBER 26
School district provides updates on school safety efforts By MEGHAN BRADBURY
“Every single law enforcement officer, if had to respond to a school, had immediate access to that school. That has been completed. An officer can get into that school immediately.”
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The School District of Lee County continues to boost the safety and security of its campuses. During the school board’s recent meeting, Safety, Security & Emergency Management Executive Director David Newlan discussed some of the district’s best practices in terms of school safety and security as a result of the Florida Safe Schools Assessment Tool, which is intended to identify threats, vulnerabilities and appropriate safety controls for
— David Newlan, Safety, Security & Emergency Management executive director schools. Newlan said practices include security camera upgrades in such areas as exterior parking lots, blind spots and enhanced single point of entry. He said access control will be complet-
ed this year for exterior and interior doors. Law enforcement also has access to the school cameras and access control in case of an emergency. “Every single law enforcement officer, if had to respond to a school, had immedi-
ate access to that school,” Newlan said. “That has been completed. An officer can get into that school immediately.” Schools also have interior and exterior Knox boxes at the school sites that provide law enforcement officers direct access to secure areas of the school. Law enforcement also has Collaborative Response Graphics — grid mapping of the schools — enabling them to understand the layout of a campus, so they know where to respond. Newlan said See SAFETY, page 19
Creative Coast Preschool receives scholarships from Beacon of Hope By PAULETTE LeBLANC
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Deb and the Dynamics coming full circle to the Saint James City Civic Center By PAULETTE LeBLANC
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Many Southwest Floridians have seen Deb and the Dynamics performing around town, but what many fans may not know, is they got their start at Bert’s Bar and Grille on Pine Island. Now they look forward to playing at the Saint James City Civic Center on three Sundays in November, as well as this year’s Stone Crab Fest. According to band leader, Deb Biela, what started as a three-piece ensemble has now blossomed into an eight-piece band. “I just want to bring our music back to Pine Island because I love the people there—we started there,” Biela said. Over the years, the group has gained popularity, becoming known as a local favorite flavor. However, Biela said, no matter what event the band plays, she is always interested in bringing the party back to Pine Island, where she can play to dear old friends. The music will cover a wide variety, incorporating some new songs for the band, as well as classics, such as Janis Joplin, which Biela admits is one of the her favorites. “Every little thing’s gonna be all right—bring the
IF YOU GO: What: Deb and the Dynamics “Party in the Park” When: Nov. 5, 19 and 26, from 1 to 4 p.m. Where: St. James City Civic Center, Fourth Avenue and Lemon Street Tickets: For tickets visit eventbrite.com party back to Pine Island and forget about the past, we’re moving on and we’re gonna have a good time. Hopefully we’ll get some people out there having a great time. Bring your golf-cart,” Biela said. PHOTO PROVIDED BY DEB BIELA
According to Beacon board member, Mary Ryan, the Beacon of Hope has worked to support Creative Coast Preschool since Hurricane Ian hit last year. “We purchased a playground for them because it got lost in the storm and the fence required in order to have the daycare open. We’ve also purchased equipment, like computers and some other odds and ends,” Ryan said. The Beacon of Hope funded 10 scholarships for the months of October and November, and is already discussing a long-term strategy to further education for the island youngsters of Creative Coast throughout the end of the year, or possibly longer, Ryan said. She explained that the only preschool on the island needed some help since many folks lost jobs and homes during the storm and couldn’t keep up with the cost of daycare or preschool. Due to her love for the children, Creative Coast operator owner, Maria Ramirez often finds herself going above and beyond in looking after her students. News that the Beacon of Hope has decided to fund 10 of her kids was nothing short of extraordinary, and couldn’t have come at a better time. “It was amazing because I didn’t know how much longer I could keep my doors open. We lost 11 kids after July first, so I was drowning, I couldn’t sustain. We’ve been cutting back on a lot of stuff but it was just getting too hard for me to keep my doors open,” Ramirez said. It was at that point, Ramirez reached out to Ryan at the Beacon asking for help. Ryan asked her if some of the students who have left might come back if they were offered financial assistance. Ramirez was more than certain those kids would come back if the school was more affordable to them. See SCHOLARSHIPS, page 18
Athlete of the Week.........28 Island Mahjongg...............9 Local Tides......................29 insidetoday Cat of the Week...............12 Letters to the Editor..........4 On the Water....................22 Classifieds & Obituaries