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A future for branch banking? While so many have closed, our local banks vow to remain viable

Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Despite at least a dozen local bank branch closures in as many years, local “brick-and-mortar” banks are still a part of local banking habits. And they may well be around for the foreseeable future.

“My card got stolen the other day.” said Doug Izzo, director of the Englewood Chamber of Commerce. His first move? Go into a bank branch to sort it out. While the bank ultimately had to resolve the issue online, there was at least a person there to intercede.

“That’s why I like the hometown banks,” said Izzo. “They actually pay attention.”

Noticing non-natives? Report them if you do

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News.

There’s been a surge of non-natives on the Cape Haze Peninsula … and we don’t just mean iguanas. Lately, numerous constrictor snakes have been found in Rotonda and South Gulf Cove, which clearly shows that these apex predator snakes we normally only think of being in The Everglades have made their way to Southwest Florida.

Lee County vote increases Captiva building height in the name of ‘resilience’

Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News.

Last week, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted 4 to 1 to overturn longstanding height restrictions due to a storm “resilience” initiative and a need for the rebuilding of the South Seas Resort on Captiva.

“We were very, very disappointed with the 4-1 vote to move that forward,” said James Evans, CEO of the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation, which advocates for the islands and manages 2,100 acres of coastal lands. They presented over 13,000 signatures against the changes, 6,000 of which where from across Lee County.

Evans said that it was incredible that density and building heights were increased in what is defined as a Coastal High Hazard area in the “guise of resiliency.”

An old treasure in the trees on Placida Road

Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community History, Featured News.

A parcel on Placida Road, with an empty 1920s cottage just south of the Hacienda condominiums and across from Cape Haze Resort, may have a new owner.

The property was originally listed on the commercial real estate website Loopnet as an 11-acre waterfront development site and offered at $2,750,000. It had been listed by Sunmark Realty Agent Sage Andress, and is now marked as “under contract.” Andress, reached by email, was not able to talk about the sale until “all deals are closed.”

The parcel, also advertised as 8019 and 8436 Placida Road, includes a historic bungalow that has had an extensive history discussion on the Placida/Cape Haze Memories Facebook page. 8019 Placida was advertised at 4.22 acres, and 8436 Placida was advertised at 3.12 acres.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Marc Vee

Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Featured News, Profiles.

Marc Vee discovered his love of music when he was not much more than 7 years old. His mix of classical, rock, jazz and a few other styles of guitar music can be heard at least weekly at the Key Lime Bistro in downtown Boca Grande.

Marc’s interest in music was originally piqued when his parents bought him a Sears Silvertone electric guitar when he was 7. The guitar case had a built-in amplifier and it was great for making lots of noise … probably more than his parents bargained for. Marc knew nothing at that point about playing, but that did not keep him from working at it.

Work continues on emergency radio communications plan

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.

The Fire Department’s “Island E.O.C. Emergency Communications and Interoperability Working Group” responsible for creating a new network of emergency communications – both on and just off island – is steadily moving forward. In fact, their efforts have now been stepped up to “Mission Critical” status, after a near-miss from Hurricane Idalia and other systems out in the Atlantic on the move.   

The Group’s communications subcommittee is working with Motorola and Suncoast Expeditionary Associates to optimize their efforts in creating a backup auxiliary emergency communications system.  Which will allow representatives from all of the island’s key organizations – such as the school, fire, deputies, the GICIA, the Boca Grande Community Center and others – to communicate with each other in the event we have no cell service for any reason.

Flamingos! Flamingos everywhere! Even in Boca Grande and  … Ohio?

Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, News.

Hurricanes don’t always bring good things, but the latest hurricane, Idalia, has not only brought the American flamingo back to Florida, but highlighted the potential for the eventual restoration and return of the species to Florida on a permanent basis.

Like so many Floridians, Ashley Scarpa had never seen them in Florida, even as an experienced birder.

“To be honest I went searching for them,” said Scarpa, who has in the past monitored birds for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. “Someone had posted that they had been seen in the area, and I sprinted to where they have been seen.”

New ultrasound equipment is a game changer for Clinic

Written by Boca Grande Health Clinic on . Posted in Health & Wellness, News.

Thanks to the generosity of MaryLee and Jack Hollis, Boca Grande Health Clinic patients now get faster diagnoses without having to leave the island. A gift from the Hollis family provided the means to acquire a Clarius HD3 portable ultrasound machine. Ultrasound imaging, also known as sonography, is a crucial diagnostic tool in modern medicine. […]

When your brain says to leave but your heart says no – why so many would rather stay at home with their pets than evacuate (Part II)

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community, Health & Wellness, News.

Your pets look to you as a provider of sustenance, comfort and safety. It is your responsibility to learn to think like them, understand how they feel pain and stress, understand that they do not always deal with these things like humans do and find ways to optimize your communication and relationship with them.