WEEK OF JANUARY 18, 2023 FLIER INSIDE
Island concert Uproot Hootenanny returns for a performance at the St. James City Civic Center — INSIDE PINEISLAND-EAGLE.COM
VOLUME 46, NUMBER 37
County, FEMA officials address post-hurricane issues on island at GPICA’s January meeting By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Lee County officials and FEMA representatives provided post-storm updates at the Tuesday, Jan. 10, meeting of the Greater Pine Island Civic Association at Pine Island United Methodist Church. GPICA President Helen Fox reminded members that they currently support the largest civic organization on the island, as the GPICA has nearly 300 members, kept up to date on everything for which the organization stands. “The GPICA has been confronted with unique chal-
lenges in the wake of Hurricane Ian,” Fox said. While the island is beginning to come back, thousands of islanders are still struggling, he said. Several Lee County officials as well as some FEMA representatives were present, as they were invited to address post-hurricane concerns, such as road reconstruction, planning, rebuilding, permitting, waste removal and flood insurance. Among those present were Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane, Assistant County Manager Glen Salyer, Director of Lee County Department of Transportation Randy Cerchie, as well as Director of Community Development Dave Loveland and Director
of Solid Waste Doug Whitehead. Ruane said he has been meeting with the Greater Pine Island Alliance each week to address concerns and will continue to avail himself to islanders. The first of everyone’s concern has been debris, he said. For this reason, Gov. Ron DeSantis has gotten involved in the task of removing debris, which is unusual at the state or county level, Ruane said. “It was approved by FEMA for the first 75 days for 100 percent reimbursement. Thereafter, it goes to a See GPICA, page 15
Hospitalizations hit historic high ‘Staggering’ number of patients has officials urging alternatives to ER for non-emergencies
The damaged interior of the Blue Dog Bar & Grill in Matlacha after Hurricane Ian. Owners John Lynch and Jesse Tincher have been hard at work repairing the popular establishment, which recently reopened.
By CJ HADDAD
cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
“Some people said it seemed as though time had stopped until they walked through the door and then the clock started ticking again,” Tincher said. Lynch found the whole experience very overwhelming, he said, referring to the post hurricane period as dark days, although he and partner Tincher couldn’t help but feel thankful because that they still had a standing structure to work with. “We could still turn the building back into our restaurant. So many other people didn’t have that opportunity.
Local health officials on Wednesday detailed why hospital beds have become scarcer in recent weeks as an unprecedented number of patients are being treated. During a press conference at Gulf Coast Medical Center, Lee Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Iahn Gonsenhauser said hospitals are at “nearly 100% capacity.” Gonsenhauser said contributing factors include the usual rise in patients this time of year due to a seasonal influx of residents, a slew of viruses, and an increase of COVID-19 hospitalizations over the past few months. “Thankfully, the most recent spike (in COVID-19) has been trending down, but the overall increase, along with seasonal visitors, has brought additional challenges for us that have placed a strain on our hospital capacities and our health care resources,” Gonsenhauser said. Health officials noted that of the roughly 1,700 beds currently in use, only 80 are for COVID-19 hospitalizations. Prior to the pandemic, Lee Health had never had 1,500 patients being treated at one time. At the height of the pandemic, that number climbed to 1,674. Last week, Lee Health was treating 1,750 patients. “We are seeing an incredible volume of patients,” said Lee Health Chief Officer of Hospital Operations, Armando Llechu. “(Some) because they were delayed access to care while the pandemic was taking place. This year, upper-respiratory issues flew, viruses (have seen) high numbers. We are experiencing a much greater surge of patients this year as we did last year. We’re managing it better. We learned a lot of lessons. But the numbers are staggering.” On Tuesday, he said Lee Health emergency departments saw more than 1,040 patients, and is hopeful that members of the community will look for the most practical place to seek medical help, including places other
See BLUE DOG BAR & GRILL, page 16
See HOSPITALIZATIONS, page 17
PHOTO PROVIDED
When the clock started ticking again at the Blue Dog Bar & Grill By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Blue Dog Bar & Grill owners John Lynch and Jesse Tincher weren’t sure where to even begin picking up the pieces after Hurricane Ian blew through the island, flooding their iconic island watering hole. “I said to myself, I guess you just start with the first chair as you walk in the door and then go from there,” Tincher said about his first reaction to seeing the damage. Both owners got what they’d wanted when they were hoping people today would say everything looks just as it did before the hurricane.
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Athlete of the Week...........8 Guest Commentaries...4&5
Letters to the Editor..........4 Obituary...........................17
Web Poll.............................4 Worship Directory.............6
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