Search
Close this search box.

Log in

Top Stories

EHC new headquarters campus in Fort Myers
EHC new headquarters campus in Fort Myers
Lead Photo: EHC new headquarters campus in Fort Myers now open. Details below.

 

Video courtesy WINK News

LEE HEALTH READY, WAITING FOR COVID-19 VACCINE

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is being shipped out across the U.S., but when will you be able to get it in Lee County? Lee Health says it will be ready to roll out the vaccine as soon as it receives the doses, and its current expectation is within the next couple of weeks. The Pfizer vaccine requires special ultra-cold freezers, which have already been prepared. Dr. Larry Antonucci, president and CEO of Lee Health, said he is waiting to hear from the state on vaccine protocols. “Especially through this holiday season, the virus is still out there, it’s going to take a while before we can get everyone vaccinated. So, please, continue to social distance, wear a mask and handwash, especially if you’re going to be at family gatherings over the holidays,” Antonucci tells WINK News.
 
 

Video courtesy WINK News

SWFL NURSING HOME RESIDENTS, STAFF PREPARE FOR VACCINE

Nursing homes are next in line to receive the COVID-19 vaccine after hospital workers have received the first round. What is it like for these facilities that spent much of the pandemic in lockdown to be so close to preventative treatment? The distribution is going to take a few weeks, as the vaccine will not only be going to the nursing homes’ residents but all of their staff, WINK News reports.
 
 

Video courtesy WINK News

PANDEMIC WORSENS SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS IN LEE COUNTY

A shortage of teachers posed a problem even before the pandemic, but it has become a much more stark issue. Some teachers saw the pandemic as an opportunity to retire early, due to their own health concerns, while others saw it as a chance to change their profession. That’s left Lee County Schools with a challenge: filling those vacancies before 10,000 online students transition back to in-person learning after the winter break, WINK News reports.
 

LEE COMMISSIONERS VOTE TO EXPAND SANIBEL CAUSEWAY SHORELINE STABILIZATION PROJECT

A project planned to stabilize the shoreline along the Sanibel Causeway has been expanded to improve drainage, parking and amenities on both causeway islands. Lee County commissioners voted Tuesday to expand the project, accept a $4.25 million grant from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and allocate $2.4 million in tourism tax reserves for the project. The causeway connects the mainland to Sanibel Island and is the only roadway access to the islands of Sanibel and Captiva. There are two islands along the causeway; Island A to the east and Island B to the west.  Both islands frequently are used as recreational facilities. Construction is expected to begin with erosion control measures on Island B this summer, and all work will be completed by 2024. The total estimated cost to design, permit and construct the improvements and stabilize the shorelines is $8.5 million.
 
 

LEE COMMISSIONERS VOTE TO PURSUE PURCHASE OF 27 ACRES FOR CONSERVATION 20/20

Lee County commissioners voted Tuesday to pursue the purchase of two parcels totaling about 27 acres in Cape Coral and south Lee County. The parcels are about 22 acres in Cape Coral, along Yellow Fever and Hancock creeks, south of NE Pine Island Road and north of Pondella Road near Lee County’s Judd Park; and about 5 acres in southeast Lee County, considered an infill parcel for the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed. Each parcel was recommended for purchase by the Land Acquisition and Stewardship Advisory Committee (CLASAC) earlier this year. There are 30,424 acres within the Conservation 20/20 Land Acquisition Program. Conservation lands help protect drinking water, enhance water quality, provide nature-based recreational opportunities, protect areas from flooding and provide wildlife habitat, the county reports. 
 
 

LEE COMMISSIONERS ACCEPT GRANT FOR TRAILHEAD FACILITY AT JOHN YARBROUGH LINEAR PARK

Lee County commissioners on Tuesday voted to accept a $180,000 grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to develop trailhead facilities at the southern end of John Yarbrough Linear Park. The facilities would be built on 1.4 acres of a roughly 7-acre parcel off Ben C. Pratt /Six Mile Cypress Parkway, purchased by the Board of County Commissioners in 2018. The planned facilities will include paved parking, restrooms, picnic pavilions and other amenities. The project is expected to begin in February and take five months to complete, weather permitting.
 
 

EHC NEW HQ CAMPUS IN FORT MYERS NOW OPEN

EHC, a construction company that provides pre-construction, earthwork and infrastructure services, is has opened its new headquarters campus at 2945 Van Buren Street in Fort Myers.  The six-acre campus includes the EHC corporate office, maintenance and repair facilities, equipment storage yard, water management facilities and additional property to triple the size of the operation when needed. EHC provided all the site work on the project including clearing, fill, utilities, pavement, curbs, sidewalks, fencing, storage yard, landscape, and irrigation. For more information, visit EHCconstruction.com.
 
 

MEETINGS & EVENTS

 

‘Practical Estate Planning Tips Often Overlooked’ webinar held Jan. 19

Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt P.A. Estate Planning Attorneys Gregory Herman-Giddens and Anthony Cetrangelo Jr. will present a virtual seminar titled “Practical Estate Planning Tips Often Overlooked,” at 9 a.m. on Jan. 19. The presenters will discuss simple estate planning tips to avoid probate, why medical directives are so important during these times, how to make sure your pet is cared for after you pass away, and more. This complimentary webinar is presented in association with WGCU Public Media. To register, click here.
 
 

IN THE KNOW

 

Lee Memorial Auxiliary celebrates the installation of 2020-21 leadership

The Lee Memorial Auxiliary celebrated the installation of its 2020-2021 board of directors at an outside ceremony in the garden at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. New officers include Sue Lester, president; Jim Andrews, president-elect/secretary; Sandy Heise, immediate past president and vice president of fundraising; Ketki Shah, vice president of HealthPark Medical Center; Jean Perkins, vice president of Lee Memorial Hospital; Bob Lotz, vice president of Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida; Karen Endersbee, vice president of membership; and Phil Fortin, treasurer. Board members-at-large include Ron Currie, Cathy Miller, Mary Jane Rockas, Tommie Schott and Patrice Swift. As a dynamic part of Lee Health, the Lee Memorial Auxiliary continues its mission by supporting healthier lives through care, compassion, volunteer service, funding, education and advocacy. Learn more at LeeHealth.org.
 

CHARITABLE NOTES

 

Iron Ridge Insurance Services empowers team to give back

This holiday season, Iron Ridge Insurance Services has empowered each of its employees to make a $500 donation to a local charity of their choice. Iron Ridge’s team members chose a variety of causes, including hunger relief, education, cancer support, and environmental initiatives. Child Care of Southwest Florida, Faces of Courage Foundation, Harry Chapin Food Bank, Midwest Food Bank and The Coral Restoration Foundation will each receive a $500 contribution. Iron Ridge also made a $1,000 contribution to Pickup the Ball Inc., a Fort Myers-based charity providing mentorship and support.
 

Youth Haven Inc. awarded $15,000 grant 

Youth Haven Inc. has received a $15,000 grant from The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation, a private family foundation working to meet the basic human needs of the most marginalized members of the human family. The funds received will benefit Youth Haven’s food and nutrition services. Youth Haven, founded in 1972, supports children and teens ages 6 -19 that have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or are homeless. For more information, visit youthhavenswfl.org.
 

Porsche Naples & Fifth Avenue South partner on Toy Drive

Christmas came early for dozens of school-age children attending the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County, Nichols Campus, as representatives of Porsche Naples and the Fifth Avenue South Business Improvement District (BID) delivered more than five full carloads of toys and other holiday gift items. The items were collected in the Porsche Naples storefront and along Fifth Avenue South during the recent “Christmas on Fifth” festival. The special delivery of gifts consisted of several Porsche vehicles and was escorted by representatives of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. Once at the Boys & Girls Club, Santa Claus made a special appearance to hand out the toys. Organizers of the event included Zachary Irvin, Dan Kao, Naples Mayor Theresa Heitmann, Col. Jim Bloom, Bruce Barone and Jeffrey Macasevich.
 
Don’t be the last to know what’s happening in Southwest Florida. Sign up for our free daily newsletter, Gulfshore Business Daily, to stay connected.

Copyright 2024 Gulfshore Life Media, LLC All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without prior written consent.

Don't Miss

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Please note that article corrections should be submitted for grammar or syntax issues.

If you have other concerns about the content of this article, please submit a news tip.
;