Kate Cronin

An unlikely hero is helping empty out garages for Annual Tire Amnesty Day. Lee County Mosquito Control, located off Homestead Road, will collect up to eight tires from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan 17. The effort is a collaboration with Lee County Solid Waste and the Rotary Club of Fort Myers East to clear neighborhoods of discarded tires.

A Fort Myers eleventh grader was awarded first place in the U.S. District Court essay contest. Noah Moon described his experience founding a nonprofit organization that brings youth together through sports. As president of Athletes Activating Champions for Empowerment (AACE), Moon uses his love for sports to mentor those around him and provide a supportive space for kids from all backgrounds.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is boosting safety and convenience along I-75 with upcoming installations. A pre-construction information session covering new interchange construction at I-75 at Toledo Blade Boulevard and Sumter Boulevard in Sarasota County will be held on Tuesday, Jan 6.

More than 60 people gathered outside the Everglades detention facility known as Alligator Alcatraz for their 21st freedom vigil. Organized by The Workers Circle, a Jewish social justice organization, the group prayed for those inside.

More than 300 Harlem Heights families enjoyed a festive meal at The Heights Foundation located off Gladiolus in Lee County to celebrate an early Thanksgiving. The celebration offered a buffet, face painting, games, and even free karate lessons from National Karate Fort Myers. Each family left with a turkey and Publix gift card for their own Thanksgiving dinner.

More than 35 people turned out for a recent free spay and neuter coupons. Lee County Domestic Animal Services partnered with non-profit Fortunate Ferals for the first event teaching about Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR), a process to lower feral cat populations.

John Bohanek, a Pine Island army veteran, has spent three years in a trailer — two of those a FEMA trailer — with limited power and water after his home was destroyed by Hurricane Ian. He’s waiting for the final property assessment he needs to begin rebuilding, but that can’t happen until the government reopens.

College student Ava Williams united the community forces of Moorings Presbyterian Church and Gulf Coast High School to craft stuffed animals for Youth Haven, a children’s shelter in Naples. Williams taught both young and old to crochet and eventually donated over fifteen stuffed animals to the foster home.

In Florida, roughly 300,000 people live with vision impairment. Those dealing with vision impairment are forced to live with unfair stigmas, which include being described as helpless or incompetent.

Lakes Regional Library hosted its first White Cane Day event to bring attention to the struggles of living with a vision impairment. Over 25 attendees were educated on how to use a white cane and guided through the intersection of Gladiolus Drive and Bass Road by library staff and Lee County Sheriffs.