×
×
homepage logo
STORE

Local Columns

How Do We Make Fort Myers Beach Green Again?

Wow … what a struggle we’ve been having! Lots of people, both residents and commercial business owners, were replanting their landscapes in 2023 and then Hurricane Idalia flooded their properties with salt water in August. Then the wind and high tides in December caused additional flooding ...

Saying no to fertilizer ban

Given the recent releases from Lake Okeechobee, Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt joined more than 50 other elected officials from around the state calling on Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state legislature to reject any legislation that would attempt to restrict the ability of local ...

Shoreline Spotlight: Endangered Species Act critical 50 years later

It's been more than 50 years since the Endangered Species Act was adopted by Congress in 1973. Since that time, many of the plant and animal species originally listed have been brought back from the brink of extinction. And approximately 50 have even been removed from the list. Yet today there ...

Bridging Futures

Bridging Futures: The Crucial Need for Expanding Career and Technical Programs in Lee County Public Schools Lee County, Florida, known for its stunning beaches and vibrant communities, is also home to a growing need for a diversified and skilled workforce. In recent years, the importance of ...

Lee County Schools benefitting from sales tax

Thank you, Lee County. This week provides a fitting moment for gratitude and expressing thanks to our community. On behalf of the Lee County School Board and all Lee County School District employees, I extend a heartfelt thank you for your continued support as we strive to maintain a ...

Shoreline spotlight: snowy plovers

Months after Ian's landfall, most of the debris had been cleaned from the beaches but they remained deserted. Open lots, empty buildings and limited amenities were a daily reminder of the storm and in part, responsible for the lack of visitors. The normal crowds had vanished. One ...

Shoreline Spotlight: Where’s the food?

Oh yes, where’s the food on Ft Myers Beach for the many and diverse animals who live here or stop by as they migrate either north or south? We humans all know we must either pack enough food and beverages for a day on the beach or be prepared to buy these essential supplies for our beach ...

New legislation for veterans needed

At any VFW Post in the nation, we are extremely proud and protective of our members. Since they have done so much to serve our country, we feel it is only fair we find a way to serve them now and thank them for their service. We want to be able to help Florida disabled veterans and have found a ...

Planned Changes to Land Development Code Imperil Captiva and Sanibel

In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian many discussions on how to rebuild our communities have centered around the idea of resilience. Our communities in Southwest Florida must determine how best to ensure that the places where we work, live, and play are rebuilt in a way that prepares us for ...