One lane blocked due to crash on Corkscrew and TPI Rd.‘We see about 15,000 patient visits a year’ Gulf Coast Humane Society plans to build new veterinary clinic
‘We see about 15,000 patient visits a year’ Gulf Coast Humane Society plans to build new veterinary clinic
ESTERO One lane blocked due to crash on Corkscrew and TPI Rd. Estero Fire Rescue is on the scene of a car crash at Corkscrew Road and TPI Road.
FORT MYERS ‘We see about 15,000 patient visits a year’ Gulf Coast Humane Society plans to build new veterinary clinic At a workshop Monday afternoon, the Fort Myers city council approved the Gulf Coast Humane Society’s request for additional land for future expansion.
ESTERO Attorneys meeting with landowners over BERT fallout If a railroad-turned bike path was cutting through your backyard, would you be concerned? Neighbors voiced their specific concerns Monday.
Solar tech dos and don’ts: How to avoid solar trouble Investing in solar power can save you big bucks on your energy bill, but con artists and unlicensed sales reps can leave customers high and dry.
Voters react to Glades Commissioner not living in his district Glades County District 1 Commissioner, Tony Whidden, doesn’t live in his district; and voters are not happy.
FGCU FGCU softball returns to NCAA Tournament after ASUN title FGCU softball wins the ASUN Tournament title and are back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 12 years.
NAPLES Naples police and fire rescue departments ask city council about hiring more staff The city of Naples Police and Fire-Rescue chiefs talked about the past, present, and future of their departments.
New Lee County teacher contract still doesn’t compete Last week, we told you how teachers and Lee County settled on contracts. Next, teachers will vote to approve the contract.
CAPE CORAL Well digging in Cape Coral soars amid water concerns A city’s water issue is coming to a head, and authorities said they are digging four times more than usual to keep the water flowing.
ESTERO Brush fire shuts down portion of Corkscrew Road in Estero Authorities are on the scene of a 15-acre brush fire in Estero, which is affecting traffic.
CAPE CORAL Human skull found in Cape Coral canal, forensic testing underway A human skull was found in a canal in Southwest Florida’s largest city, leading to an investigation and testing.
NORTH FORT MYERS Deputies searching for endangered North Fort Myers woman Deputies are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing woman from North Fort Myers who they believe could be endangered.
ESTERO Motorcyclist speaks out about road rage attack in Estero A man is in jail for ramming a motorcyclist with his SUV.
CAPE CORAL ‘I’m done with Cape Coral;’ Water shortage continues to frustrate residents Why are the people in Cape Coral having such a hard time getting any? The answer? The 2008 housing crisis. Help from a water treatment facility that never came.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh football prepping for second season under young leadership Antwan Dixon is one of the youngest head football coaches in southwest Florida which he sees as a blessing and a curse.
ESTERO One lane blocked due to crash on Corkscrew and TPI Rd. Estero Fire Rescue is on the scene of a car crash at Corkscrew Road and TPI Road.
FORT MYERS ‘We see about 15,000 patient visits a year’ Gulf Coast Humane Society plans to build new veterinary clinic At a workshop Monday afternoon, the Fort Myers city council approved the Gulf Coast Humane Society’s request for additional land for future expansion.
ESTERO Attorneys meeting with landowners over BERT fallout If a railroad-turned bike path was cutting through your backyard, would you be concerned? Neighbors voiced their specific concerns Monday.
Solar tech dos and don’ts: How to avoid solar trouble Investing in solar power can save you big bucks on your energy bill, but con artists and unlicensed sales reps can leave customers high and dry.
Voters react to Glades Commissioner not living in his district Glades County District 1 Commissioner, Tony Whidden, doesn’t live in his district; and voters are not happy.
FGCU FGCU softball returns to NCAA Tournament after ASUN title FGCU softball wins the ASUN Tournament title and are back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 12 years.
NAPLES Naples police and fire rescue departments ask city council about hiring more staff The city of Naples Police and Fire-Rescue chiefs talked about the past, present, and future of their departments.
New Lee County teacher contract still doesn’t compete Last week, we told you how teachers and Lee County settled on contracts. Next, teachers will vote to approve the contract.
CAPE CORAL Well digging in Cape Coral soars amid water concerns A city’s water issue is coming to a head, and authorities said they are digging four times more than usual to keep the water flowing.
ESTERO Brush fire shuts down portion of Corkscrew Road in Estero Authorities are on the scene of a 15-acre brush fire in Estero, which is affecting traffic.
CAPE CORAL Human skull found in Cape Coral canal, forensic testing underway A human skull was found in a canal in Southwest Florida’s largest city, leading to an investigation and testing.
NORTH FORT MYERS Deputies searching for endangered North Fort Myers woman Deputies are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing woman from North Fort Myers who they believe could be endangered.
ESTERO Motorcyclist speaks out about road rage attack in Estero A man is in jail for ramming a motorcyclist with his SUV.
CAPE CORAL ‘I’m done with Cape Coral;’ Water shortage continues to frustrate residents Why are the people in Cape Coral having such a hard time getting any? The answer? The 2008 housing crisis. Help from a water treatment facility that never came.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh football prepping for second season under young leadership Antwan Dixon is one of the youngest head football coaches in southwest Florida which he sees as a blessing and a curse.
Credit: WINK News More schools are getting the go-ahead to open next week in Lee County, along with temporary campuses and hot spots to help with internet access. That’s just some of the important information Lee County school officials discussed during a Thursday news conference. The 13 schools that are expected to open Monday are listed below: Bonita Springs Elementary Bonita Springs Middle Colonial Elementary Diplomat Elementary Franklin Park Elementary Gulf Elementary Fort Myers Middle Orange River Elementary Orangewood Elementary Three Oaks Elementary Tice Elementary Trafalgar Elementary School Tropic Isles Elementary School The district coined those schools the lucky 13. Fifteen schools will open to students on Tuesday: Allen Park Elementary Buckingham Exceptional Center Cypress Lake High School Edison Park Elementary Hancock Creek Elementary Ida Baker High School J. Colin English Elementary James Stephens Elementary Littleton Elementary Manatee Elementary Pinewoods Elementary Royal Palm Exceptional Center Tanglewood Elementary Three Oaks Middle Villas Elementary Superintendent Christopher Bernier believes another 38 schools will get the green light to open their doors on Wednesday. Before students, teachers and staff get back to the classroom, air quality tests have to be completed in each building. Dr. Bernier said those results are one of the biggest things they’re waiting on to get kids back in the classroom. They’re testing the air quality of every school, even if it didn’t sustain that much damage. It’s one of the nine criteria the schools must meet before opening. The others include reliable water, power, air conditioning, functioning fire alarms and speaker systems. Governor Ron DeSantis came to Southwest Florida on Thursday to reinforce his message that will do whatever he can to get kids back in school in a safe environment. “Here in Lee County, under secretary Diaz’s leadership, they have worked directly with the utility companies to prioritize power restoration to the schools. They worked with the Department of Emergency Management to bring generators to the schools where those were necessary. They worked with our department of management service to provide Elon Musk’s Starlink internet for the schools. I mean, some of the internet isn’t connected yet with some of the cable companies, so you have that Starlink that can be the difference on being able to do everything. Department of Education’s also facilitated the movement of portable classrooms and classroom supplies, and, of course, our Department of Transportation has helped clear debris from bus stops, bus routes and from campuses. And, of course, they’ve done a lot more,” said DeSantis. Once the schools get cleared to open, teachers and staff will have a reunification day, then the next day will operate like an open house for students and families. They can check out their old or new classroom and get a glimpse into the rest of the school year. For the teachers coming back to the classroom on Monday, Thursday was about reunifying with other teachers and staff. On Friday, parents and students will walk through the halls, unite with the teachers, and get a glimpse into how the rest of this year will look. All teachers will have those two days before students are in their seats again. The first day in the classroom will also look a little different. The district said in a meeting Wednesday that teachers won’t jump into the lesson plan on day one. They are taking that day to gauge how their students are doing mentally and emotionally after this traumatic storm. Rachelle Resendes, a teacher at Gulf Elementary School said getting back on schedule means getting back to normal for everyone. “It’s been about two weeks, and we’re looking forward to it, you know, that return to stability? I think a lot of our families need it. I know we all do. You know, it’s great to get back in here today and see everyone together again, just sharing stories and supporting one another,” said Resendes. The biggest thing the district is waiting on to reopen additional schools is the results of the air quality tests. Superintendent Bernier said the district is waiting on the results for 68 schools. Submit Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.