VOLUME 63, NUMBER 27
School district seeks funds for safety upgrades By MEGHAN BRADBURY
Page 1 n Week of Wednesday, May 21, 2025
WEEK OF MAY 21, 2025
news@breezenewspapers.com
On-island summer
programming available for youths By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
BIG ARTS, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), FISH of Sanibel-Captiva, the Sanibel Recreation
or families looking for something for their children to do over the summer, the city of Sanibel and island organizations and churches are taking registrations for a variety of programs and camps.
See SUMMER PROGRAMMING, page 20 The Sanibel Sea School will offer its Summer Camps from June through August.
F
The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District’s commission received updates on the reconstruction of one fire station and the construction of the second at its recent meeting, as well as heard about staff training. On May 14, Assistant Fire Chief Chris Jackson provided an update on the Station 172 reconstruction project on Sanibel-Captiva Road. He reported that the heating, ventilation and air condition-
ing (HVAC) duct was being installed on the second floor and they were starting the installation wrapping. On the first floor, the contractor was beginning to do the rough-in. Jackson added that once they are at about 90% on the second floor, the walls and such will go up. Also during the meeting, Fire Chief Kevin Barbot gave a brief update on the construction project for Station 171 on
ALSOINSIDETODAY
Palm Ridge Road. He reported that a committee has been formed to include a crew member from each shift to provide the design-engineering firm with guidance about what is needed. Also at the meeting, Deputy Fire Chief John DiMaria talked about recent personnel training. He reported that Capt. Rob Wilkins, engineer-EMT Ed Zarick and firefighter-EMT Dayan Concepcion attended Vehicle & Machinery Rescue Operations and Technician courses with National Rescue Consultants.
Guest Commentary........................4 Web Poll...........................................4 Captiva Current...............................6 Business......................................8 Preserving Paradise.....................12 Island Living..................................14 Sports.........................................16
See FIRE BOARD, page 22
Classifieds 35
PROPERTY OF THE WEEK
Residential Customer ECRWSS
Ft MYERS, FL Permit #5733
Eric Pfeifer | 239.472.0004
COTTAGE COLONY WEST, UNIT: 132 Top-Floor Condo with Direct Gulf Views
Island Reporter
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
ISLANDERINSIDE
SANIBEL SEA SCHOOL
Sanibel fire board hears updates on station projects, more
By TIFFANY REPECKI
captivasanibel.com
The School District of Lee County is seeking federal dollars through Community Project Funding for hardening school facilities and enhancing safety and security. The two requests from the district include enhancing safety and security by upgrading the district’s outdated intercom systems and hardening school facilities through secure entry vestibules, “enclosed spaces between exterior and interior doorways.” The upgraded intercom systems will address technical challenges at 57 schools, district Government Relations Director Krissy Houlihan said, adding the upgrade will protect approximately 57,000 students and 11,400 staff members across the district. The district is requesting $7 million, See FUNDS, page 21
PRSTD STD US POSTAGE PAID