WEEK OF JUNE 5, 2024
VOLUME 62, NUMBER 29
Jury finds Trump guilty on all counts By CJ HADDAD
cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
Former President Donald J. Trump has been found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records, each a first degree felony. The jury delivered its verdict in a Manhattan court on May30. Trump, who said he is innocent, called the proceedings “a rigged, disgraceful trial” when talking to reporters following the verdict. “I’m a very innocent man,” he said. “This was done by the Biden administration in order to hurt or wound a political opponent. “We’ll fight until the end.” The trial began in mid-April, marking the first time in history a former U.S. president had been on trial for criminal charges. Trump, who is the presumptive GOP presidential nominee for the ballot in November, was on trial to determine if he
Island school students, staff mark last day of year By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
The Sanibel School held its final day of school on May 31 as classes let out for the summer. “We've had a really wonderful school year,” Principal Jennifer Lusk said. “We've had a lot of accomplishments, a lot of celebrations, a lot of field trips.” Students took part in the annual Talent Show on their last day. Eighth-graders moving on to high school participated in the traditional parade through the hallways, cheered on by students and faculty. The last week also included a middle-school
field day, as well as student parties and celebrations. The school year began with 235 students enrolled and ended with 227. “We are looking at an increase in enrollment,” Lusk said of total anticipated for 2024-25. As far as academics, the school focused on enhancing its existing curriculum, such as its STEM — Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math — program and STEAM program, which adds Art.
See TRUMP, page 18
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See LAST DAY, page 18
Sanibel fire district to host groundbreaking for new station By STAFF REPORT
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
The community is invited to mark the start of construction for a new fire station this week. The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on June 7 at 10 a.m. for Station 172, at 5171 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel. The station is being rebuilt due to Hurricane Ian. “The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District and the Board of Fire Commissioners
would like to formally invite you to a very special event as our island community turns another page and begins a new chapter,” the district reported. It noted that the reconstruction of the station would not have been possible for several years without the continued support from elected officials, the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency, city of Sanibel and many others. See GROUNDBREAKING, page 18
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