Gwendolyn Salata
FGCU Journalism student-
Fewer than half of Southwest Florida third graders are currently reading at grade level as reading skills have declined across the state in recent years. Now the Collaboratory and other groups are making new efforts to improve reading proficiency.
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Lee and Collier counties are taking a new approach to eradicating poverty by offering education to residents across diverse income brackets.The first step was a recent two-day event involving role-play by various people who work for businesses and agencies dealing with hunger and homelessness.
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Lee County ranked number one for roadway fatalities and injuries last year, marking the fifth year in a row. Now a group of local organizations are calling for immediate action.
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A Fort Myers maternity home for teenage mothers was on the verge of terminating its expansion project and selling its building after major setbacks from Hurricane Ian – until its vision was revived through loans, grants and community support.
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Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties, in partnership with Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, held a ceremony in Fort Myers Tuesday to welcome Christie Sowell and her family to their new four-bedroom home. Sowell's home was the firtst completed in the 6-acre Habitat HOA community situated between McCormick St. and Prospect Ave. that will eventually feature 29 single-family homes once completed.
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After months of community engagement, the ResilientLee & Recovery Task Force concluded its first phase of Hurricane Ian recovery with an estimated $7 billion, and counting, in countywide projects.
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SWFL survey: Affordable housing, homelessness are top concerns; food security, social justice listedA community-wide survey to gather information on what Southwest Floridians found to be the most pressing need identified affordable housing and homelessness as the top concerns.
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Shy Wolf Sanctuary is providing members of Home Base Florida, a local non-profit dedicated to supporting veterans and military families, the opportunity to take part in the sanctuary’s Healing Hearts Program.Veterans enrolled in Home Base Florida’s Adventure Series participate in an educational encounter with the Sanctuary’s rescued animals that have experienced similar challenges in their lives.
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The School District of Lee County is hosting a virtual recruitment fair Monday to fill several positions for the 2023-24 school year, including staff for two new schools.From 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., the district will be seeking to fill 400 teacher positions, 80 of which will operate new locations in Lehigh Acres.
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After 170 applicants applied, the candidates for Fort Myers police chief were narrowed down to four: Reo Hatfield, deputy police chief for the Virginia Beach Police Department; Victor Medico, a Fort Myers Police Department captain; Gina Hawkins, retired Fayetteville police chief; and Jason Fields, acting major for FMPD.