Hordes of mosquitoes are hatching across Southwest Florida – thanks to recent heavy rainfall. And mosquito control workers are stepping up their efforts. Techniques for counting mosquitoes are rather low-tech. Workers count the number of the stinging pests in traps. And they check so called “landing rates”. Ginny Day is a biologist with Charlotte County Mosquito Control.

“We have 20 stations – landing rate stations around the county – that’s where they actually stand and let the mosquitoes land on them and count the number of mosquitoes from the waste down in one minute's time.”

Eradication efforts vary – Charlotte County uses airplanes for blanket spraying large areas. Spray trucks drive through neighborhoods – and helicopters zero in on salt marches around Charlotte Harbor. The county will be using all its resources in the coming days to deal with a massive outbreak of mosquitoes.

Fort Myers native Deion Sanders returned home Friday to announce plans to build affordable housing in the City. Sanders – a former NFL Football and Major League Baseball player – has formed Prime Development…a play on his nickname “Prime Time”. He says the for-profit entity is not a charity. Sanders says he looks at where he grew up and sees great need.

“So many areas in the area that I grew up in are troubled – drug inflicted – and areas that I’m not proud of…but they’re trying. And I think that with a hand up, and helping not only financially, but name recognition also…I think we can bring some wonderful things to the community that we can be proud of.”

Sanders was joined by Fort Myers Mayor – Jim Humphrey – and City Council Member – Veronica Shoemaker. Sanders says Prime Development’s main focus is Fort Myers – but wouldn’t elaborate… nor would he say what price ranges would be available, or when building might begin. Mayor Humphrey says he wants the city to get involved—to ensure lot prices are low enough to stimulate new affordable housing.

Congress reconvenes later today after a Memorial Day recess. U.S. Representative Connie Mack used the break to meet with constituents. He attended a chamber luncheon in Fort Myers Friday… and spoke to Hispanic leaders Saturday. Mack’s primary message: Social Security reform. He’s co-sponsoring a bill based largely on the president’s framework… which includes personal—or private—investment accounts. Mack points to safeguards in his proposal—and says the reforms would NOT affect people now receiving benefits.

“We’re talking about ensuring that people 55 and older would stay in the current plan, the current system, that exists right now. So, nothing would change for them. In the bill that I have co-sponsored, there’s a minimum guarantee—regardless of whether you’re in the current social security plan or if you go into a personal account.”

More information about the bill is available on-line. It’s U.S. House Bill #1776. Opponents of the plan deny Social Security is in serious trouble. And according to the AARP, the program was never intended to be an investment plan that would compete with market returns, nor they say the sole source of retirement income.

A groundbreaking ceremony took place Thursday for a new high-rise condominium in downtown Fort Myers – despite concerns from the National Park Service and Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection. The Vue is a 27-story high-rise that will sit on about a third of an acre of Centennial Park. It’s already been approved by the Fort Myers City Council. When the National Park Service reviewed the project – it informed the Florida DEP of a number of concerns – including the need for an Environmental Assessment. Then on Wednesday, the DEP sent the City of Fort Myers a letter relaying those concerns. Agency spokesman—Matthew Mitchell—says there’s nothing wrong with a groundbreaking, as long as it’s purely ceremonial.

“The groundbreaking was news to me. A groundbreaking is a publicity event…if they’re bringing out booms & cranes and digging a major project I would be concerned…but a press event I’m not too concerned with. But I would recommend that they get the letter and take a look at it and respond before they get into anything with lasting effects.”

Besides asking for an Environmental Assessment – the DEP also wants details on Centennial Park’s original boundaries – and how the project will affect its use. Fort Myers Mayor – Jim Humphrey – supports going ahead with the project. He told WINK-TV – “The bottom line is, the State & Federal government don’t have the authority to say no.” – end quote.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the South Florida Water Management District are not doing enough to reduce pollution in the Everglades. That’s the ruling of a federal judge in Miami this week. The case involves phosphorous levels in the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge—southeast of Lake Okeechobee. The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians and a consortium of environmental groups filed suit… claiming D-E-P and local water managers weren’t living up to a 1991 agreement. It required a reduction of phosphorous levels by 2006—as part of Everglades restoration. The judge agreed. Lead Attorney for Earthjustic—which helped file the suit—David Guests says the judge agreed with the tribe.

“The judge is saying that the water management district and the DEP made explicit commitments – by way of a judicially approved consent decree (that they agreed to in writing) – and they’re not keeping their agreements. And the court is saying that a promise made is a dept unpaid.”

Phosphorous is a nutrient—which flows into the Loxahatchee from nearby agriculture and suburban yards. Speaking to the Miami-Herald, DEP Secretary Colleen Castille said—quote—“Florida remains steadfast in its commitment to clean up and restore America’s Everglades and will not deviate from the path of progress.”

Enrollment in Florida’s voluntary pre kindergarten program continues on a rapid pace. To date, 38 local school districts plan to partner with their local Early Learning Coalition by offering the school year program for four year olds. In the first five days of enrollment more than 50,000 children signed up. The deputy director for the office of early learning, Glady Wilson says now she hopes to get plenty of preschool providers to sign on.

“Right now we don’t have enough schools on paper but we have many, many providers who have submitted the applications and they’re getting through the process. Because they have to verify certain things so it’s not as easy as a child application. But we’re optimistic. We’re starting to get a lot more providers and they’re a couple policy decisions that we’re getting ready to issue that I think will help the providers make those decisions for those who are holding back.”

Some providers are waiting to see the contract with the state, which is about to be released. Others want to know how to work the program with students who are also eligible for childcare subsidies for before and after school care. The prek program runs three hours a day on a state-funded 2500 dollars per child. The Office of Early Learning has launched a prek information call center to take questions from parents and providers. The number is 1-866-FLREADY.

In Southwest Florida – when it rains – the croaking begins. But, that constant “chirp” comes not from birds, but from inch long male toads – each trying to attract a mate. Kathleen Moye reports.
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The Florida department of community affairs is sponsoring a series of disaster recovery workshops around the state… and they could result in money to help communities rebuild—even as they prepare for more storms. The first such workshop was Wednesday in Punta Gorda. Valerie Alker has more. (AUDIO)

Lee County’s school impact fees are appropriately calculated and assessed – that’s according to a ruling Tuesday by a state appeals court. The fees are collected for every new home built in the county – and used for school construction. Judge James Seals—of the 2nd District Court of Appeals—upheld a lower court’s ruling… in a case filed by the Lee Building Industry Association in 2001. Reporter Charlie Whitehead has been covering the story for the Naples Daily News…

“The building industry challenged the fees after the county commissioners adopted them in 2001. The local circuit court upheld the methodology after a weeklong trial. The ruling Tuesday likely ends the appeals…it basically said we agree with the lower court…and gives attorney’s very little on which to appeal.”

The ruling means the fees stand – and the district won’t have to give back any of the money it collected while the trials unfolded. School impact fees add about $2200 to the cost of a new single-family home. They generated more than $30 million last year.

According to the World Health Organization, tobacco is the second major cause of death on earth. That’s why health officials recognized Tuesday as “World No Tobacco Day.” Events took place as close to home as Fort Myers and as far away as Cape Town, South Africa.
By 2020, tobacco-related products are projected to result in the deaths of 10 million people a year. Smoking Cessation Specialist with Lee Memorial Health System—Marry Bonnette—applauds efforts to keep public spaces smoke-free.

“The greatest thing that we can do for smokers and former smokers is provide a smoke-free environment… and insist that we have public areas as a smoke-free environment. The atmosphere in the public is extremely important.”

Bonnette says she’s currently researching tobacco use and tobacco-related deaths in southwest Florida. She calls it a “significant” local health issue. The American Cancer Society sponsors an event similar to “World No Tobacco Day.” “The Great American Smoke-Out” takes place each November.