Democracy Watch

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.

Owners of some businesses in Fort Myers that flooded during Hurricane Ian are cleaning up and hoping to re-open. But the downtown shop owners are dealing with many issues since the storm, including loss of homes, vehicles and income.

Hundreds of Lee County residents remain in a shelter more than three weeks after Hurricane Ian swept through the region. Some are hopeful of getting jobs and places to live, but those who were homeless before Ian face an even tougher recovery.

Representatives from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration hosted a town hall Thursday night to answer questions from applicants entering the financial assistance process.

Bonita Springs City Council approved the Barron Collier lease agreement for the Imperial Crossings area in a unanimous vote this morning after a second hearing and public comment.

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.

Dolphins Tanner Connor and John Lovett arrived with their team earlier in the day ready to help and their teammate and North Fort Myers alumnus, ZaQuandre White, was on scene meeting with families and taking pictures with fans.

Cape Coral voters will decide in November whether to grant property tax breaks to new businesses that meet certain guidelines. If approved, the exemption also would cover existing businesses that want to expand, if they meet certain guidelines on hiring and investment. The city said the goal is to attract large new businesses with high-paying jobs, and encourage existing ones to stay and grow.

Members of the Fort Myers City Council want to see specific plans for redeveloping the Midtown area, just south of downtown. Council members also want bidders to present ideas for little-used City of Palms Park - the former spring training home of the Boston Red Sox. Fort Myers said it pays about $240,000 a year to maintain the stadium and surrounding grounds.

The Collier County Board of Commissioners will meet May 10 to vote on a Local Rental Ordinance which would require landlords to give their tenants 60 days written notice for rent increases over 5%.