Week Of JANuARY 8, 2025
VOLuMe 63, NuMBeR 8
Flu season off to an early start By CJ HADDAD
cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
Feeling under the weather? You’re not alone. Lee County’s leading healthcare system is reporting an uptick in influenza and respiratory illness cases over the last few weeks, before the usual peak of flu season. Lee Health Medical Director of Epidemiology Mary Beth Saunders said the system has seen an influx of individuals exhibiting flu-like symptoms. “For this flu season, we’re seeing a much higher spike than we have seen in years past, early in the year,” she said. “Just a lot of influenza in our community. Though not necessarily a lot of people having to be hospitalized. It is concerning when you see such high numbers.” From Dec. 22-28, Lee Health reported See fLu SeASON, page 21
Environmental authors, experts to headline lecture series IslanderInsIde
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rom bird brains to world renowned nature photographers, python hunting to Indigenous Floridians, the 20th annual “Ding” Darling Winter Lecture Series will cover diverse and fascinating topics from Jan. 9 through March 20. The free lectures will take place in the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge's Visitor & Education Center auditorium on Sanibel, with all but one to be held twice daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge
(DDWS) co-hosts the lectures with the refuge and through financial support from sponsors. “We are honored to welcome such an impressive roll call of See LeCTuRe SeRIeS, page 21 A presentation by Clyde and Niki Butcher on Jan. 9 will kick off the 20th annual “Ding” Darling Winter Lecture Series at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel. REFUGE/DDWS
Act of terrorism in New Orleans hits close to home Canterbury grads among injured in incident that left 15 dead By CJ HADDAD
cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
What’s being called an “act of terrorism” in New Orleans during a New Year’s celebration turned deadly saw 15 killed and 35 injured, with two teens from Fort Myers among those harmed. Elle Eisele and Steele Idelson, both 19 and 2023 graduates of Canterbury School in Fort Myers, were in the French Quarter District early on New Year’s Day when the
See CLOSe TO HOMe, page 21
Matthias Hauswirth, of New Orleans, prays on the street near the scene where a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans' Canal and Bourbon streets on Jan. 1. AP PHOTO/GEORGE WALKER IV
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