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Editorials

Help ‘end the stigma’ with public survey

Unless you are one of the very lucky ones, addiction has touched your life or that of someone you know. A neighbor. A co-worker. A family member or someone else you love. Addicts — those with what is now called substance abuse disorder — are not limited to that “druggie,” ...

Ways to go but headed in right direction

Workforce Now has released its 11th annual Southwest Florida regional educational and workforce outcomes study. This year’s 121-page report compiled by researchers from Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida SouthWestern State College and the FutureMakers Coalition is another deep dive into ...

This is what America stands for

Today in Florida flags fly at a half-staff in honor of the victims of the terrorist strike against Israel. Today until sunset, our state Capitol remains lit with lights of blue and white. And today, tomorrow and through the fight that has followed the heinous holiday attack by Hamas ...

One year since Hurricane Ian hit

Hurricane Ian, a near Category 5 monster of wind, waves and catastrophic storm surge, roared ashore at Cayo Costa a year ago on Sept. 28, 2022, destroying much of Fort Myers Beach and heavily damaging Sanibel, Captiva, Matlacha and parts of Cape Coral, North Fort Myers and Fort Myers. Winds ...

Southwest Florida: It’s not just for tourists

Nothing says “normalcy” better than a return of events, festivals and other traditions. The roof many still have a tarp, the insurance company may still be balking, but the ability to walk away for an afternoon or evening and enjoy a little music, a little food and a beverage of choice ...

Five-pronged path to economic recovery

There are multiple efforts underway to aid in the recovery of Southwest Florida's hospitality-related businesses. Just shy of one year since Hurricane Ian wiped out Fort Myers Beach, devastated Sanibel, Captiva and Matlacha, and whacked Cape Coral and Fort Myers, many of our tourism-reliant ...

Sales tax holiday much welcomed this year

Approximately 100,000 students will head back to Lee County schools next month and parents are gearing up for a first step to get them there: Back-to-school shopping. The National Retail Federation is projecting a pretty big number this year as parents break out the wallets to buy clothes, ...

Pilot program for property title transfer protection is good start

Google “deed theft scams in Florida” and you will find that the real estate market is not only hot for those looking to buy or sell. It’s a market ripe for property thieves who use forged documents and identity theft to transfer title and then sell or mortgage homes or lots they do not ...

Make way for the American Dream

The Lee County Homeless Coalition released its “Point in Time Homeless Snapshot” for 2023 earlier this month. As expected, the count, conducted Jan. 23-28, four months after Hurricane Ian showed Southwest Floridians how easy it could be to find one’s self among the numbers showed an ...

Summer slide

If there is one thing students of all ages look forward to, it’s summer. Teachers, too, we suspect, though educators do see a down side — and it’s a steep one. Call it summer slide, call it learning loss, call it what you will, students lose an estimated 2 to 2-1/2 months of learning ...