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Weekend Edition, April 21, 2023
www.capecoralbreeze.com
Early forecast: 6 hurricanes predicted in ’23 Some uncertainty, but slightly below averages season with 13 named storms, 2 major hurricanes prognosticated By CJ HADDAD
cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
Following seven straight years of predicted “above-average” activity, top hurricane forecasters feel the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season will buck the trend. Researchers at Colorado State University, now in its 40th year of forecasting the upcoming hurricane season, are
“It takes only one storm near you to make this an active season for you.” — Michael Bell, professor in the Colorado State University Department of Atmospheric Science predicting a slightly below-average Atlantic hurricane season, which starts June 1. CSU is forecasting there will be 13
named storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes. Last year, CSU predicted 19 named storms, including nine hurri-
canes and four major. CSUps Meteorology Project team anticipates the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season to be below average due to a number of factors, but uncertainty still remains. Often used to paint a picture of the upcoming season is the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) — whether the waters
See HURRICANE, page 8
New food truck rules go into effect April 25
AOW
By DEVON CRUMPACKER
news@breezenewspapers.com
The Cape Coral Breeze presents Athletes of the Week — Page 33
INDEX Classifieds.......................40 Commentary..............4. Community..............31 Education....................26 Obituaries.........................42 Puzzles..........................40 Real Estate.................14 Sports........................32 Web Poll......................4A
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Event set for Saturday at Cultural Park By CJ HADDAD
cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
day celebrating a multitude of cultures is set for this Saturday at Cultural Park in Cape Coral. The city of Cape Coral will host the inaugural Cape Coral Culture Fest from noon to 5 p.m. The event is free and geared towards all ages. City officials said they will celebrate different cultures through live music, performances, international food, a variety of vendors, and more. The aim of the event is to connect residents with the community and explore sights, sounds, and flavors from around the world. “Our goal with Culture Fest is to celebrate each other and break down barriers that may be
A
See CULTURE FEST, page 20
IF YOU GO: What: Cape Coral Culture Fest When: Saturday, April 22 from noon to 5 p.m. Where: Cultural Park, 528 Cultural Park Blvd. More information: For more information, visit www.capeculturefest.com.
A new Cape Coral food truck ordinance that encourages the businesses to “stay mobile” is set to go into effect next Tuesday, April 25. Once enforced, food trucks in the city will no longer be allowed to stay parked at their service locations overnight. They also won’t be allowed to provide seating for customers. And they won’t be allowed to connect to nearby brick and mortar businesses to draw electricity or running water. The ordinance will lay out certain zones where food trucks aren’t allowed to park as well. “If you have wheels, you’re supposed to be mobile,” said Cape Coral City Councilmember, Tom Hayden, to the Breeze. “And this ordinance defined that.” Hayden voted in favor of the ordinance when it was approved 6-2 by City Council back in January. In his eyes, food trucks had an unfair advantage over brick and mortar establishments. “What we were seeing throughout the city was: we had food trucks that had permanently established themselves in various spots throughout the city,” said Hayden. “It allowed them an advantage over the brickand-mortar restaurants that have to follow a
See FOOD TRUCKS, page 17