Hayley Lemery
FGCU Student-
On Saturday, two maintenance crew workers were attempting to cross I-75 in a Gator utility vehicle for debris removal and were struck by a vehicle. They faced non-incapacitating injuries and expect to make a full recovery.
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Hurricane Ian brought in 11 feet of storm surge into the Chapel By The Sea Presbyterian Church on Fort Myers Beach and destroyed everything in its path. The surge washed through the sanctuary and the fellowship hall, known as Silver Hall, and the connecting patio.
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Lee County commissioners met for a workshop earlier this week to discuss plans for building stronger Sanibel Causeway and Cape Coral bridges.Multiple sections of the Sanibel Causeway were swept away by Hurricane Ian’s storm surge. The causeway was temporarily repaired just three weeks after Ian hit.
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Salty Sam’s Marina and Pirate Cruise barely survived Hurricane Ian’s destruction. The pirate ship, called Pieces of Eight, is a 65-foot replica Spanish galleon, and made it through the storm. Pieces of Eight reopened its 90-minute interactive comedy show on Jan. 21, and has been hosting shows since.
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The Wilson Pigott Bridge was built in 1960 with a 50-year design life. Now state transportation planners are looking for ways to renovate or replace the lift bridge that serves a fast-growing part of Lee County. A stretch of State Road 31 also may have to be widened.
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The final day of Lee County’s annual census count of the area's homeless population concluded with the Homeless Service Day and Veterans Stand Down. The event was hosted Saturday by the Lee County Homeless Coalition at the City of Palms Park and Sports Complex.
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The developers of Margaritaville Beach Resort hosted a topping off celebration to acknowledge the DeAngelis Diamond construction team and how Fort Myers Beach is progressing since Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida 114 days ago.
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The efforts to help Southwest Florida recover from Hurricane Ian damage extend far outside state lines.A company in Maryland has been selling T-shirts to help the Gulf Coast Humane Society with repair costs and to make up for lost revenue.
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The Special Equestrians center in Buckingham is preparing to reopen November 1, after volunteers repaired damage and cleared debris from Hurricane Ian. The center allows children and adults with disabilities to ride horses.
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The school district superintendent in Lee County has been an appointed position since 1974. In the November general election, voters will get to decide whether to make it an elected position.