Sanibel Island

The documentary unit for WGCU has been interviewing Sanibel residents for a new program coming out next year. Recently, they interviewed Kenneth and Eugene Gavin, who grew up on Sanibel Island and are now in their early 80s. Their grandparents were among the first Black families to settle on Sanibel. Kenneth Gavin described how their grandparents chose the island.

The pig frog is the only one of the species that inhabit Sanibel and Captiva islands that did not make it through Ian or made its back to the islands during the last year-plus.

For the remainder of December, motorists crossing the Sanibel Causeway should expect periodic lane closures and traffic shifts during the nighttime/overnight hours of 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. throughout the week.

Southwest Florida Business Today Publisher Karen Moore talked with Lee County Economic Development Director John Talmage, who shared current information regarding post Hurricane Ian tourism impact and overall jobs recovery in Lee County.

When September 2022, Hurricane Ian swept through Southwest Florida, C.R.O.W. on Sanibel Island was one of the many places affected. Now, more than 14 months later, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife is rebuilding and recovering still, while continuing to care for wildlife.

Lee County leaders are planning to do away with language that currently restrict heights of homes on Captiva Island to two-stories. Islanders fear the charm will be lost and they will be in harm's way as more people pack onto the island.

Southwest Florida’s Legislative Delegation will consider a draft bill that could stymie attempts build considerably taller homes and buildings on Captiva Island, as the island community and other barrier island town rebuild after Hurricane Ian.The draft bill creating the Captiva Island Conservation Area Act is modeled after the Gasparilla Island Conservation District Act which has protected building heights and density on Boca Grande since the 1980s.

Beach parking passes can be purchased starting on Monday, November 13, at the Sanibel Recreation Center, 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road.

Repairs to damage inflicted on the Sanibel Causeway by Hurricane Ian includes restoring five bridge approaches will force a limit of one lane for both directions of travel on weekends through November and December.

Sales of Sanibel resident beach parking permitsfor 2024 begin Monday at Sanibel Recreation Center.