WEEK OF NOVEMBER 20, 2024
VOLUME 63, NUMBER 1
Fire board OKs alerting system, union agreement By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
FISH to host Community Thanksgiving Celebration By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
The island community is invited to gather with family and friends to enjoy a free holiday meal. FISH of Sanibel-Captiva will host its Community Thanksgiving Celebration on Nov. 26 from 4 to 6 p.m. at The Community House on Sanibel. The event will include the holiday dinner, plus more. FISH Executive Director Maria Espinoza explained that one of the focuses of the organization is celebrating the “sense of the community” on the islands and fostering that community spirit. “Our community has faced so much these last two years, these last two months,” she said. “It's an opportunity to come together, share a meal — and continue to rebuild like we have in the past.” The event is free and open to the public; no reservations are required. “It's open to everyone,” Espinoza said. “We welcome islanders, we welcome the workforce. Anyone who would like to come out and enjoy a meal together.” The traditional Thanksgiving dinner will be provided by Jerry's Foods on Sanibel. “We're are going to have all of the holiday fixings available to folks,” she said. “Turkey, mashed potatoes, casseroles, pumpkin pie.”
The Midwest Food Bank will provide the beverages. “We'll have soda, water, juice,” Espinoza said. Additionally, FISH will have holiday games and crafts available. “Activities for the kids to do because we want it to be a family event,” Espinoza said. Attendees will also receive a ticket for a raffle giveaway, with the opportunity to win two tickets to FISH's JOG N JAM concert set for Dec. 7 at the 'Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa on Captiva. The islands are invited to take part in the community gathering. “About a month ago, FISH was at The Community House, displaced from its own facility. We were giving out cleaning buckets, giving out hot meals, because there wasn't any electricity,” she said, referring to the recent hurricanes. “I think it's important on a day like Thanksgiving to come out and enjoy that time when it's not under such harsh circumstances. To come together, reflect on everything that's happened and just enjoy each other's company.” For more information, call 239-472-4775 or visit F.I.S.H. on Facebook, X/Twitter or Instagram. The Community House is at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District's commission approved equipment for the fire station under reconstruction and a new collective bargaining agreement with the union at its recent meeting. On Nov. 13, the commissioners voted unanimously 3-0 on a resolution to approve the purchase and installation of an alerting system for Station 172 on Sanibel-Captiva Road. The alerting/dispatch technology package will be provided via contract from Digital Design/Honeywell for about $70,423. Prior to the vote, Fire Chief Kevin Barbot explained that the equipment will be bought using the insurance proceeds for the station rebuild. It will include speakers, alert lighting and a countdown clock in the apparatus bay. Also, the district will piggyback off a county procurement process to buy it. The board also voted 3-0 to approve certification of compliance with fair housSee FIRE BOARD, page 18
IslanderInsIde
School district receives state grant funding for programs By MEGHAN BRADBURY
news@breezenewspapers.com
A $2 million state grant will benefit 13 high schools in Lee County. For the second year in a row, the School District of Lee County is a recipient of the Florida Department of Education Workforce Capitalization Incentive Grant Program. Adult and Career Education Director Brian Mangan said the district followed the Florida Department of Education Workforce Capitalization Grant process,
which the state released a request for proposals in June. “The district’s CTE (career and technical education) and grants departments then worked with our public and charter high schools to develop the proposal. Data was gathered from the Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CLNA), Futuremakers, Lee County EDO and FGCU to identify programs,” he said. “The schools used the same information and added additional layers of student interest and facility capacity.”
With $2,066,751 in grant funding received, Mangan said they will now work on the request for application and submit it to the state by Nov. 22. “This is the second year of the Workforce Capitalization Grant that has been funded and our second year as a district benefiting from it,” he said. The grant will impact 13 high schools — 10 public and three charter schools — by expanding and enhancing 10 programs and initiating four new programs. “The new programs are applied robotics at Island Coast High School, solar at See GRANT FUNDING, page 11
alsOInsIdetOday Guest Commentary........................4 Web Poll.........................................4 Captiva Current..........................6-7 Business......................................8 Preserving Paradise.....................12 Island Living................................14 Sports.........................................16 Classifieds 30
Residential Customer ECRWSS
Ft MYERS, FL Permit #5733
PRSTD STD US POSTAGE PAID