Week oF AuGuST 14, 2024
Volume 62, number 39
New school year kicks off for county By MEGHAN BRADBURY
news@breezenewspapers.com
Debby causes localized flooding in areas for islands By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
When Tropical Storm Debby rolled by Southwest Florida on Aug. 4, it caused heavy flooding on Sanibel and Captiva before making landfall the next day in the Big Bend area as a hurricane. The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District and Captiva Island Fire Control District reported flooding in certain areas and impassable roads as the storm dropped 3-6 inches of rain around Lee County. “A lot of what we saw was localized flooding in areas,” Deputy Fire Chief John DiMaria, with the Sanibel district, said.
“We experienced a lot of wind and a lot of rain — but nothing really impactful.” Captiva Fire Chief Jeff Pawul described the situation as similar to what Sanibel experienced. “A lot of localized flooding from the surge level. Coupled with the high tide and the new moon, the surge levels were a little bit higher than we hoped,” he said. “I think the high tide See DebbY, page 18
More than 100,000 students walked through the doors of their school on Aug. 12, starting another school year — a year into which the district staff has put a tremendous amount of preparation. “We just so greatly take pride in trying to support their child every single day,” interim School District of Lee County Superintendent Dr. Ken Savage said of parents last week. “It’s such a privilege that they entrust their children to us every day. I know full well what it is like, I have two children in second grade.” His excitement for a new year kicking off boiled into his own children and all the See neW SCHool YeAr, page 20
IslanderInsIde
Flooding at the Periwinkle Park on Sanibel during Tropical Storm Debby on Aug. 4. SANIBEL FIRE AND RESCUE DISTRICT
Primary early voting opens as election draws near By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
Early voting for the Aug. 20 Primary Election has kicked off and it will run through Aug. 17. Sanibel and Captiva voters can cast their ballot early at 12 locations throughout Lee County from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Open to all regardless of their precinct, the Early Voting sites are as follows: ∫ Bonita Springs Election Office, at 25987 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit 105, Bonita Springs
∫ Cape Coral Elections Office, at 1039 S.E. 9th Ave., Cape Coral ∫ Cape Coral-Lee County Library, at 921 S.W. 39th Terrace, Cape Coral ∫ East County Regional Library, at 881 Gunnery Road N., Lehigh Acres ∫ Estero Recreation Center, at 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero ∫ Fort Myers Regional Library, at 1651 Lee St., Fort Myers ∫ City of Fort Myers Housing Authority, at 4224 Renaissance Preserve Way, Fort Myers ∫ Lakes Regional Library, at 15290
Bass Road, Fort Myers ∫ Lee County Elections Center, at 13180 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers ∫ Lehigh Acres Elections Office, at 600 Homestead Road S., Unit 9, Lehigh Acres ∫ North Fort Myers Recreation Center, at 2000 N. Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers ∫ Northwest Regional Library, at 519 Chiquita Blvd. N., Cape Coral The following local races will be on the See PrImArY eleCTIon VoTInG, page 20
alsOInsIdetOday Guest Commentary........................4 Web Poll.........................................4 Captiva Current..........................6-7 business......................................8 Preserving Paradise.....................12 Island living................................14 Sports.........................................16 Classifieds 31
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