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New look for Breeze Web sites welcomes voices of our readers

3 min read

Breeze Newspapers has expanded its Web-presence by bringing a new, community-based interface to its publications throughout Lee County.

The new look is designed to bring reader participation to the forefront of local online news.

“First of all, the Web sites are interactive,” said Publisher Jack Glarrow. “That allows readers to reply and have their comments read by everyone that comes onto the site. It becomes a community discussion.”

The improved Web interface also allows for more accessibility to online news stories and photographs, including photos from the “CU'” online photo community hosted by Breeze Newspapers.

“Our news is updated daily and it’s updated on the spot as quickly as we can,” Glarrow said. “It becomes a daily electronic newspaper for the communities it serves.”

Breeze Newspapers’ online publications on Sanibel-Captiva and Fort Myers Beach have consolidated in each of those areas to offer a stronger community feel and a site where everyone can interact. Those sites can be found at www.captivasanibel.com and www.fortmyersbeachtalk.com.

“Its intent is to be the hub of discussion within the community,” Glarrow said.

Other weekly newspapers, including the North Fort Myers Neighbor, Gasparilla Gazette, Lehigh Acres Citizen and Pine Island Eagle will each host the discussion of local information for their respective communities.

Additionally, www.FLguide.com is in the process of being revamped. The site allows Breeze Newspapers to welcome newcomers and visitors alike to Southwest Florida with a host of information on the area.

The Cape Coral Daily Breeze underwent a similar transition last November when www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com launched its new look.

Other noted improvements of the new sites include message boards, monthly calendars, more fact boxes, pictures and polls and improved advertising options.

Local bloggers will provide up-to-date information about topics that are important to their community, and those who wish to blog for their local Breeze paper are encouraged to contact an editor with their ideas.

“We’re looking for anyone who could have a subject that’s of interest to the neighborhood,” Glarrow said.

Breeze Newspapers’ online advertising has also improved, allowing businesses more size options as well as an option to place their newspaper ad on their home page.

A “mobile edition” of the site is available on cell phones or PDAs, and e-mail alerts keep readers attuned to the topics that interest them, allowing readers easy access and up-to-date information from their local news.

To become a part of the discussion at Breeze Newspapers’ online communities, visit the following sites:

For Cape Coral, visit www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.

For Sanibel and Captiva, visit www.captivasanibel.com.

For Fort Myers Beach, visit www.fortmyersbeachtalk.com.

For North Fort Myers, visit www.northfortmyersneighbor.com.

For Lehigh Acres, visit www.lehighacrescitizen.com.

For Boca Grande, visit www.bocagrandetalk.com.

For Pine Island, visit www.pineisland-eagle.com.

For newcomers, visitors or those interested in learning more about the area, visit www.FLGuide.com.