WEEk of JaNuarY 15, 2025 FLIER INSIDE
Statue found Islander seeking owner or information about item he recently discovered — INSIDE pINEISlaND-EaglE.com
VolumE 48, NumbEr 37
FDOT seeks input on Pine Island Road expansion By CJ HADDAD
cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
Local residents will have their opportunity to give their input when it comes to an upcoming project that will see lane expansion along Pine Island Road. The Florida Department of Transportation is conducting a Project Development and Environment study for the proposed improvement to SR 78 (Pine Island Road) extending from Veterans Parkway to the west of US 41 in Lee County. The study will evaluate the widening of SR 78 from four to six lanes, including safety improvements and multimodal accommodations. SR 78 is a designated Hurricane Evacuation Route and the only access road on and off of Pine Island. According to FDOT, primary objectives include providing additional capacity, enhancing traffic safety and
“Public involvement is very important for this project. We will use the comments and input we receive from the community to assist in the development and refine alternatives, as the study progresses.” — FDOT Public Information Specialist David Scarpelli emergency evacuation capabilities, as well as accommodating population and employment growth, and increased freight activity. “The goal of this Project Development and Environment Study is to collect and analyze information about State Road 78 to develop the best solution for transportation needs,” FDOT Public Information
Specialist David Scarpelli said. “It is integral to a successful project because it allows us to provide alternatives for improvement to enhance safety conditions, add capacity, and accommodate future traffic demands.” Public Involvement is an important part of the SR 78 Project Development and Environment study. FDOT officials state they will use various activities to engage interested parties in the study process and provide several opportunities for public input including an online interactive survey. Public meetings will be held including an Alternatives Public Information Meeting and a Public Hearing. Newsletters will be sent upon project kickoff, before each public session, and after the completion of the study. An in-person kick-off meeting will be held Thursday, See FDOT, page 11
GPICA holds first meeting of new year Adopt a pine seedling effort lauded, board elections, zoning issue discussed By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Kiwanis to host 44th Annual Junior Olympics Saturday By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Mike Shevlin has been running the Kiwanis Club Junior Olympics event for a long time. This Saturday marks the 44th year of the local competition for kids from kindergarten through the fifth grade. Beginning at 10 a.m. at the Phillips Park ball field at The Center, island youngsters will do their best to compete in a number of sporting events, such as softball, Frisbee, quarter-mile run, 50-yard dash and the See JUNIOR OLYMPICS, page 11 Top, Kiwanian Mike Shevlin organizes the youngsters in a previous Junior Olympics. At right, young competitors are off at the start of the 50-yard dash.
The Greater Pine Island Civic Association held its first meeting of the new year Tuesday, Jan. 7, with Board President Deb Swisher-Hicks announcing that 1,000 trees were adopted this year and she asked members if they might be interested in adopting a pine seedling again next year. “We were hoping to do a separate species because this time we did long-leaf,” Hicks said. GPICA Board Vice President Nadine Slimak explained that this year’s trees (seedlings) were purchased through the State Division of Forestry, which will only sell trees that are native. Hicks also made an announcement that four seats are open for this year’s annual board elections, which are a three-year term, from 2025-2028. “Please consider becoming a board member. Next month we will have our annual elections. If anybody can come to that it would be greatly appreciated,” Hicks said. Requirements for board election are 6 months of good standing as a member and the agreement to take an active role in board duties. In order to be considered for nomination, Hicks told members to send an email to info@gpica.org Added to the agenda was a zoning change request from Ron Gratkowski from commercial to agricultural (AG). Gratkowski was in attendance to answer any questions. He explained that his property was originally zoned
FILE PHOTOS
Athlete of the Week.........17 Dolphin Tales.....................6 On the Water....................10 insidetoday Bridge Beat......................16 Mahjongg Scores............15 SJCCA Update...................9
See GPICA, page 15
Classifieds