Florida League of Cities Director of Advocacy Allison Payne, Dist. 1 Councilmember Joanne Ribble and Florida League of Cities Member Relations Shwanda Barnette The Florida League of Cities (FLC) recognized District 1 Councilmember Joanne Ribble with a 2021 Home Rule Hero Award.  Ribble earned this prestigious award for her work and advocacy efforts during the 2021 Legislative Session. Ribble was among a select number of local officials honored for going above and beyond during the 2021 Legislative Session. FLC Director of Legislative Affairs Casey Cook stated, “They made an extraordinary effort, were actively engaged and highly effective in their [Read More.]

Lee County Utilities on Monday, May 24, will end the free chlorine flush, which will involve converting its disinfection process from a free chlorine residual back to chloramines as the primary disinfectant. The free chlorine flush, which began May 3, is a routine measure common among water utilities that use chloramines as a primary disinfectant. Anyone who uses a kidney dialysis machine at home should contact an equipment supplier so the proper filtering equipment may be installed. Tropical fish or aquatic animal owners should contact a local tropical fish store for appropriate pretreatment of water before adding it to tanks. [Read More.]

Yesterday, the FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine for use by those aged 12-15 (this vaccine was previously approved for use by those aged 16+). This is expected to be available via the existing channels, as well as new pharmacy locations.   HEALTH DATA: https://fdoh.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/8d0de33f260d444c852a615dc7837c86 Global Confirmed Cases: 164,431,521 (3,408,536 deaths) S. Confirmed Cases: 33,016,539 (587,640 deaths) Florida Confirmed Cases: 2,299,596 (36,999 deaths, 93,598 hospitalizations, 68,653 tests yesterday, 4.16% positive rate yesterday) (the State dashboard no longer provides cumulative testing totals) Lee County Confirmed Cases: 72,561 (988 deaths, 2,341 hospitalizations, 2,133 tests yesterday, 5.91% positive rate yesterday) (the State dashboard no longer provides cumulative [Read More.]

Left to right: Vice-Flotilla Commander Bob Barber, Flotilla Commander Ellen DeLeo and Mayor Katy Errington The meeting started with Village Mayor Katy Errington presenting a proclamation to Flotilla Commander Ellen DeLeo and Vice-Flotilla Commander Bob Barber in honor of National Safe Boating Week.  The week is dedicated to bringing attention to important lifesaving tips for recreational boaters so that they can have a safe, fun experience out on the water throughout the year.  (Proclamation) Public Comment on non-agenda items:  The president of the Estero Council of Community Leaders gave a short overview of the organization, and a resident toxicologist volunteered [Read More.]

Yesterday, the FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine for use by those aged 12-15 (this vaccine was previously approved for use by those aged 16+). This is expected to be available via the existing channels, as well as new pharmacy locations.   HEALTH DATA: https://fdoh.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/8d0de33f260d444c852a615dc7837c86 Global Confirmed Cases: 163,234,776 (3,382,692 deaths) S. Confirmed Cases: 32,961,514 (586,252 deaths) Florida Confirmed Cases: 2,293,980 (36,857 deaths, 93,148 hospitalizations, 45,033 tests yesterday, 4.42% positive rate yesterday) (the State dashboard no longer provides cumulative testing totals) Lee County Confirmed Cases: 72,272 (987 deaths, 2,336 hospitalizations, 1,530 tests yesterday, 6.99% positive rate yesterday) (the State dashboard no longer provides cumulative [Read More.]

“American Idol” will not be holding a beach-side concert for Casey on Tuesday, May 18 as she did not make it to the Top 3. The Village of Estero still wants to honor her with a key to the village. Plans are still in a state of flux as it’s uncertain as to when she will return from California to her hometown. While Casey didn’t make it through to the finale, she certainly has a bright, promising future ahead of her and can be proud, as we all are, of her outstanding appearances and the many high praises she received [Read More.]

Council will start the meeting at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, with a proclamation for National Safe Boating Week. Next, there will be a review of the Coconut Landing final plat, which is a 10-acre parcel on Coconut Road adjacent to El Dorado Acres that was annexed into the Village in 2019. A workshop will then be held regarding the 2021/2022 budget and capital improvement program. The full agenda is available here: https://estero-fl.gov/agendas/ Meetings are held in the Council Chambers, Village Hall, 9401 Corkscrew Palms Circle, near the entrance to the Estero Community Park. The Council Chambers will be available for public [Read More.]

Council will review a Comprehensive Plan Amendment for a proposed school site on Three Oaks Parkway at a public hearing on Wednesday beginning at 9:30 a.m. The School District of Lee County is requesting the Comprehensive Plan Amendment in order to develop an elementary and middle school on Three Oaks Parkway. The property is a 68.5-acre undeveloped parcel, located south of Copper Oaks, southeast of the Post Office and bounded by Three Oaks Parkway on the west and I-75 on the east. Copies of the proposed Ordinance, Comprehensive Plan Amendment, and staff report will be available one week prior to [Read More.]

Lee County Commissioners, left to right, Ray Sandelli, Cecil Pendergrass and Frank Mann Lee County Commissioners, Village of Estero Councilmembers, Estero Fire Rescue and the Lee County Sherriff’s Office were all represented at this special groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 1 of the Corkscrew Widening Project. The widening project is a top-tier transportation priority for the Lee Board of County Commissioners. The first phase will create a six-lane, divided arterial road from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway east to Fire House Lane and a four-lane divided arterial road from Fire House Lane east to Bella Terra Boulevard. The project also [Read More.]