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Residents who want to drop off household chemicals for proper disposal can resume bringing their old paint, antifreeze, motor oil and solvents to the Lee County facility designed to accept these and other materials next week. The Topaz Court Solid Waste Annex, 6441 Topaz Court, Fort Myers, will reopen at 8 a.m. Monday, for residential chemical waste and electronics drop off. The county had previously closed the site to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. There is no charge to residents for the service. For a list of what people can bring to the site, visit www.leegov.com/solidwaste/residential/dispose/chemicals. Also opening Monday [Read More.]

The COVID-19 test site at the CenturyLink Stadium is to test for the COVID-19 virus; it is not a testing site for antibodies.  This site is for those that believe that they currently have COVID-19.  Here is what you need to know before going to the testing site: You will wait in a long line; it is an approximate two-hour processing time from the front gate to the final test tent. You must bring a valid photo ID for everyone being tested. Only people 18 years and older can be tested. Bring a face covering/mask, you must cover your mouth [Read More.]

There are two locations in Lee County for coronavirus testing. One is located at the CenturyLink Sports Complex, 14100 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, in Fort Myers. Testing will be free and begin there on Monday, May 4. Drive-through testing will start at 9 a.m. through 5 p.m., Monday through Friday for an indefinite period. You don’t need a doctor’s order or to be exhibiting symptoms to be tested at this site. The other site is located at the Walmart at 2524 Lee Boulevard in Lehigh Acres. This site is scheduled to be open from 7 a.m. – 10 a.m. and there is a fee. You [Read More.]

South County Regional Library patrons will be able to pick up materials being held for them as the Lee County Library System starts contactless, curbside pickup on April 29. The library is located at 21100 Three Oaks Parkway. To use contactless, curbside pickup, patrons with holds available for pick up can drive to the main entrance of the library, stay in their car, and call the telephone number provided on the signs at the location. The staff member who answers will ask the patron for their library card number, check out their materials and bring them out to the designated [Read More.]

The Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted to re-open county parks and preserves including all beaches and beach access points, parking lots and free-standing bathrooms. Staff will be onsite to help encourage following the CDC guidelines, including social distancing. Parks and preserves will open with regular hours Wednesday, April 29. This is part of the county’s phased-in approach for residents while still observing the Governor’s Executive Order. Commissioners offered guidelines and stressed it is imperative that residents remain vigilant to continue to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The county beach sites include: Beach Parks Bonita Beach Park Bowditch Point [Read More.]

The Village of Estero would like to acknowledge a major step toward protecting the environment of Florida, particularly Southwest Florida. On Friday, the Army Corps of Engineers signed off on a permit to build a 6,500-acre marsh south of Lake Okeechobee, and the South Florida Water Management District had their construction crews at the site on Monday. When completed, the marsh will work together with a 10,100-acre reservoir the Corps is building in the same area to filter the water before it moves south into the Everglades. Together, they form the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir. The marsh is expected to [Read More.]

School facilities The Lee County School District has determined that a new elementary school and a new middle school are necessary in the Estero area due to the growing population. They are seeking Council’s consensus on the best location to place these schools, which they plan to have operational by 2023. Two sites were under consideration: a 76-acre Three Oaks Parkway site which is owned by the School District and a 15-acre site adjacent to the Estero High School off of Williams Road and Via Coconut Point. If neither of these sites were to be selected, the school district would [Read More.]

As seasonally dry conditions continue in Lee County, residents are encouraged to conserve water where they can and to limit lawn irrigation in accordance with the Lee County year-round water conservation ordinance. The ordinance must be followed, regardless of a home or business' water source. Conserving now during the dry season will help protect declining groundwater levels throughout the county. Groundwater conditions should improve with the onset of rainy season, which normally commences in June. However, the increase in usage because of drier-than-normal conditions combined with additional demand from the “Safer At Home” Executive Order has led to short-term stress on [Read More.]

As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to affect our community and beyond, Lee Health wants to keep you up to date on the many ways Lee Telehealth or scheduled MyChart Video Visits can serve your family’s health care needs. Lee Telehealth is an on demand virtual care visit that allows patients to connect to a physician from the comfort of their own home. Use your smart phone, tablet or computer to download the Lee Telehealth app here or sign up online by visiting wwww.leetelehealth.org. Physicians are available 24/7 to treat minor conditions such as cold and flu, sinus infections, rashes, pink eye, [Read More.]

The Florida League of Cities (FLC) has recognized Mayor Bill Ribble with a 2020 Home Rule Hero Award. Ribble earned this prestigious award for his tireless efforts throughout the 2020 legislative session to promote local voices making local choices, protect the Home Rule powers of Florida’s municipalities and advance the League’s legislative agenda. This is the third year in a row Ribble has been honored with this award. The FLC stated in a letter, “Your outspoken protection for municipal home rule preparing for and during the legislative session is an inspiration and a model for municipal officials statewide. Efforts such [Read More.]