Category: Island Update

Governor Ron DeSantis and State Attorney General James Uthmeier are advocating for a new census count, arguing that Florida was undercounted by nearly 700,000 residents in the 2020 Census. They believe an updated count could result in at least one additional congressional seat for the state, prompting the Florida Legislature to redraw district maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Support for their request is backed by recent Census Bureau data and the state’s population growth of nearly 2 million people since 2019. Currently, Florida holds 28 U.S. House seats, but state leaders contend that the existing congressional map does not accurately reflect the state’s recent growth.

In response, state officials have sent a formal letter to the Census Bureau and the Commerce Department, requesting a recount to more accurately represent Florida’s population.

Lee County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has been honored with the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold achievement award for the 11th consecutive year. This prestigious recognition highlights Lee County EMS’s commitment to providing rapid, research-based care for patients experiencing severe heart attacks and strokes, ultimately saving lives.

The Mission: Lifeline EMS program is a national initiative by the AHA aimed at improving care for patients with high-risk, time-sensitive conditions like severe heart attacks and strokes. It works to reduce barriers to prompt treatment, starting from when 911 is called, through EMS transport, and continuing through hospital care and discharge. This coordinated system ensures optimal care for heart attack and stroke patients, with a strong collaboration between prehospital providers and healthcare systems.

The Mission: Lifeline EMS achievement award specifically recognizes the on-scene care provided by EMS agencies, highlighting their vital role in patient care during emergencies.

According to Kacey Kronenfeld, M.D., Chair of the Mission: Lifeline EMS Taskforce, “The most important link in the chains of survival for acute stroke and cardiovascular emergencies is emergency medical services and prehospital professionals. The Mission: Lifeline EMS awards recognize the crucial roles EMS personnel play in the care of stroke and cardiac patients.”

In 2024, Lee County EMS responded to:

3,420 chest pain patients

1,836 stroke patients

Approximately 1,000 cardiac arrest patients

To maintain high standards of care, each EMT and paramedic in Lee County EMS completes an average of 35 hours of training annually to be prepared for these critical situations.

Lee County EMS is part of Lee County Public Safety, which also encompasses emergency telecommunications, fire/EMS dispatch, Emergency Management, and all E-911/government communications network infrastructure.

For more information, contact Lee County Government by email.

FISH of Sanibel-Captiva has announced that the My Safe FL Home (MSFH) application portal is now open, offering Florida homeowners the opportunity to apply for wind mitigation inspections and grants.

The Florida Legislature has allocated $280 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year to fund new wind-mitigation inspections and grants under the MSFH Program. These grants are exclusively for wind mitigation upgrades.

Funding is limited, and grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible homeowners are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible to increase their chances of receiving funding.

About the MSFH Program

Re-established during the 2022 special session of the Legislature, the MSFH Program provides financial assistance to eligible Florida homeowners to retrofit and strengthen their homes against storm damage. The program has two key components, both managed by the Florida Department of Financial Services:

Free Hurricane Mitigation Inspection: Homeowners can receive a free, no-obligation inspection that assesses the current hurricane-resistant features of their home. The inspection will also recommend improvements to further strengthen the home against future hurricanes.

Hurricane Mitigation Grant: Homeowners can apply for a grant to cover the costs of the recommended improvements, enhancing the home’s hurricane resistance. These upgrades may also help homeowners qualify for discounts on their home insurance premiums.

Matching Grants

The MSFH Program Matching Grant operates on a reimbursement basis. Homeowners must have their grant application approved before proceeding with construction work. Payment requests are submitted at the end of the project via a draw request, accompanied by a paid-in-full invoice. If approved, homeowners will be reimbursed for two-thirds of the total project cost, up to a maximum of $10,000, subject to legislative appropriation.

Low-Income Grants

Low-income homeowners who meet the program’s other requirements are eligible for a low-income grant of up to $10,000. These homeowners are not required to provide a matching amount and do not need to submit a paid-in-full invoice. They are also exempt from the insured value requirement.

For more details on eligibility and how to apply, visit https://mysafeflhome.com

For inquiries, FISH of Sanibel-Captiva can be reached by email.

The public was invited to join government officials on August 21 at 10 a.m. for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the soft reopening of Lee County Parks & Recreation’s restored Punta Rassa Boat Ramp.

This event also signified the conclusion of the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Sanibel Causeway Emergency Restoration project.

The ceremony featured brief remarks from Lee County commissioners, FDOT representatives, and other officials. The boat ramp officially opened for public use at noon that day, with limited amenities including the ramp, partial docks, parking, and restrooms. Additional work was scheduled to continue at the site over the coming months.

Future improvements at the Punta Rassa Boat Ramp were reported to include the completion of dock access, a fish cleaning station, landscaping, and additional lighting. Temporary signs and buffers were put in place to ensure safety during construction. Boaters were advised to avoid the docks still under construction and to refrain from climbing on the riprap along the causeway. Lee County Parks & Recreation staff and rangers were stationed on-site to assist.

The reopening marked the first time since Hurricane Ian that boaters were able to access the Punta Rassa ramp. In partnership with FDOT, the ramp had served as a staging site for permanent causeway repairs and played a crucial role in the restoration of the main road connecting the barrier islands to the mainland.

For those unable to attend, the ceremony was available for viewing through a livestream on the county’s YouTube or Facebook channels.

The public was encouraged to follow the progress of the ramp and other related projects through the Lee County Parks Project Information Tool at www.leegov.com/parks
, which provided updates on project design, construction, and completion.

The Punta Rassa Boat Ramp is located at 15001 Punta Rassa Road, Fort Myers.

Lee County Domestic Animal Services is participating in NBCUniversal Local’s 11th annual Clear The Shelters pet adoption campaign this August, featuring special adoption fee reductions and a waived adoption fee event.

Starting on August 21, adoption fees will be reduced to $20 for approved applications. The main highlight of the event will take place on August 23, when adoption fees will be completely waived from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lee County Domestic Animal Services facility, located at 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers.

As part of this nationwide initiative, NBC and Telemundo stations team up with local animal shelters and rescues to promote pet adoption. Since its inception in 2015, the Clear The Shelters campaign has helped nearly 1.2 million pets find loving homes.

For more details, visit www.leelostpets.com
or call 239-533-7387.

To learn more about the Clear The Shelters campaign, visit ClearTheShelters.com

A laughing gull, rescued after becoming entangled in discarded fishing line at Causeway Islands Park, has been treated and successfully released back into the wild.

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) announced that the bird was released on August 15, following expert care at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) on Sanibel. SCCF expressed gratitude to Lee County Parks & Recreation Supervisor James Pittro, who first alerted the team to the gull’s plight and had the honor of releasing it.

While the rescue had a positive outcome, SCCF reminded the public of the ongoing dangers fishing debris can pose to wildlife: “This rescue ended well, but not all do. Please dispose of your fishing line properly in designated receptacles, such as our Mind Your Line recycling stations, available across Sanibel and nearby areas.”

The incident occurred on August 4, when SCCF staff, monitoring the causeway, were notified of the entangled gull. They quickly partnered with Lee County Parks & Recreation to rescue the bird, which was then transported to CROW for urgent treatment.

Upon examination, CROW found that a hook with a short line had embedded itself in the bird’s mouth, passing through sensitive tissue near the glottis and exiting at the base of the tongue. There was mild bruising and inflammation, along with damaged tail feathers and a minor injury on the bird’s left wing—likely from its efforts to free itself.

CROW’s medical team was able to remove the hook successfully, administer pain medication, and begin antibiotics to aid in the bird’s recovery. The gull began eating on its own soon after.

“This case highlights the dangers fishing gear can present to wildlife,” CROW emphasized.

To help prevent similar incidents, CROW and SCCF encourage the public to:

• Properly dispose of fishing lines and hooks.

• Retrieve lost tackle when possible.

• Stay aware of wildlife near fishing areas.

If you notice an animal with a swallowed fishing hook, do not cut the line. Instead, contact CROW at 239-472-3644, ext. 222, or your local wildlife rehabilitation center for guidance.

There are four monofilament recycling stations located on the causeway. For a map of recycling stations, visit Mind Your Line Recycling Stations.

To see a video of the gull’s release, visit Facebook.

FISH of Sanibel-Captiva has named MudBugs Cajun Kitchen and Sanibel Captiva Community Bank as official sponsors for the upcoming 2025 JOG N JAM fundraiser.

The event features two exciting components:

• Race Day: Nov. 1 at The Community House, Sanibel

• Concert Night: Dec. 6 at ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa, Captiva

Registration & Ticket Details

• Race Entry:

  • $45 for the 10K or 5K

  • $35 for ages 16 and under

  • Prices increase after Aug. 30

  • Virtual participation available

• Concert Tickets:

  • $75 for adults

  • $50 for ages 7–18

  • 4-ticket pack for $200 (while supplies last)

Proceeds from the JOG N JAM support FISH’s programs and services for the island community.

For race registration, concert tickets, and sponsorship opportunities, visit fishofsancap.org.

Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church invites the community to its next Messy Church gathering on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 4 to 6 p.m. at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.

The theme, “Back to School: Starting Fresh with God,” will encourage families to explore what it means to begin a new school year with courage, kindness, and faith.

Event Highlights

• School-Themed Crafts & Activities for all ages

• Interactive Story on new beginnings

• Blessing of Backpacks and special backpack tags

• Kid-Friendly Family Dinner

Messy Church is held monthly and is a free event open to the entire community.

For details, visit saintmichaels-sanibel.org.

The City of Sanibel has been awarded a 2025 City Catalyst Grant from the Florida League of Mayors, securing additional support for SanCap Resilience, a community-driven initiative focused on building a stronger, more sustainable future for the islands.

“We’re grateful to the Florida League of Mayors for this grant,” said Mayor Mike Miller. “These funds will help support outreach efforts by SanCap Resilience, a coalition of nonprofits and citizens devoted to making the island stronger and more resilient. We know the community will support these important efforts.”

The $2,500 grant will help cover outreach expenses as SanCap Resilience continues its mission to lead a community-based effort to protect the vibrancy of Sanibel and Captiva. The group focuses on education, resources, and civic engagement to help the islands rebuild more resiliently after recent hurricanes.

Plans for the Coming Season

With this funding, SanCap Resilience will launch several initiatives, including:

• Community Needs Survey – An online follow-up survey to assess current concerns and priorities.

• Educational Presentations – Public talks on resilience topics guided by survey feedback.

• Information Campaigns – Multi-channel outreach through email, social media, and partnerships.

• Civic Engagement – Community participation in city planning projects such as the vulnerability assessment, adaptation plan, stormwater management plan, transportation plan, and updates to the Sanibel Plan.

Continuing a Commitment to Resilience

Since its founding, SanCap Resilience has actively engaged the community through surveys, educational materials, expert-led presentations, and policy discussions — all aimed at hurricane recovery and long-term resilience.

“We are so grateful to the city and Mayor Miller for helping secure these funds,” said Steering Committee Chair Bob Moore. “The feedback we’ve received shows overwhelming support for making Sanibel a model of resilience for a coastal community, through both infrastructure adaptation and sustainable energy practices.”

For more details on SanCap Resilience’s work and upcoming programs, visit sancapresilience.org.