Please Stop Calling
Lee Health says its switchboard has been overwhelmed with people calling to make appointments for the COVID-19 vaccination. And, they're asking the community to stop making calls so people who need to reach the hospitals can get through.
Christmas is in December, Not January
Sanibel homeowners and businesses, holiday decorations, lighting and displays are permitted through Saturday, January 09, 2021. According to city code, as of the 10th, they must be down. If you need further explanation, call the City of Sanibel Community Services Department at 472-4136.
DeSantis Says More Vaccination Sites Are Coming
During a press conference Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced four new actions the state is undertaking to increase vaccinations, especially for Floridians 65 and older and health care workers. The state is also planning to convert testing sites to vaccination sites.
COVID Vaccine Allocated Through Thursday
There were 5,000 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine available this week here in Lee County and they've all been reserved. Within the first 30 minutes of the phone line going live, there was an average of 50,000 calls per minute, with a peak call volume of 84,000 calls per minute.
The Spirit of Christmas Raises $20,000
Despite COVID-19, Jim and Sharon Jamieson's Spirit of Christmas Foundation raised approximately $20,000 this year. The money was used to give 250 children a better Christmas. The annual auction to raise money for the kids had to be held online this year.
Woman’s Club Membership Meeting is Tomorrow
The Fort Myers Beach Woman's Club will host its annual membership meeting Wednesday night at 6:30. Dr. Nicole Bennett (pictured) from Bennett Chiropractic on Fort Myers Beach will be on hand to discuss ways to reduce stress and create a more balanced lifestyle in the new year. Learn more about the membership meeting HERE
.
No Permit? Pay The Fee.
As of this week, following the recent approval of ordinance 20-007, there's a new $20 boat ramp facility fee at the Sanibel Public Boat Ramp located at 888 Sextant Drive. The fee is good at the Sanibel Boat Ramp only and is required for all facility users without a valid City of Sanibel Boat Ramp Permit. The fee is paid at the on-site parking meter kiosk.
619 Manatees Killed in 2020
Those are the official numbers from Florida Fish and Wildlife, which includes 68 deaths in Lee County, second behind only Brevard County which had 163 deaths. In Lee County, 7 of the 68 were killed by watercraft. Check out the report, which lists every county, HERE
.
C.R.O.W. Announces Virtual Speaker Series
The 2021 C.R.O.W. Speaker Series will all be hosted on Zoom due to COVID-19. Advanced registration is required HERE. Presentations begin at 4:00pm, last approximately one hour, and will cover topics including Saving Florida's Wildlife Corridor, Why Snakes Are Important and Living With Burrowing Owls.
Lee County Launches COVID Reservation System
The Florida Department of Health and Lee County government have launched a reservation system and a new, larger site for free COVID-19 vaccinations for frontline healthcare workers and those 65 and older. Vaccinations resume today at a new site east of I-75 off of Daniels Parkway. It’s the site of the old airport terminal parking lot.
Captains Releases Annual Impact Report
Captains For Clean Water reports that 2020 was a year that shook the world. The water watching organization says thanks to so many supporters they were able to stay the course and make an explosive impact. They've released their annual report in the form a video, which you can watch HERE
.
Join Us Tonight At Sunset Grill
The Chamber is hosting a launch party and Ribbon Cutting for Sanibel Carts tonight from 5:30 to 7:30 at The Sunset Beach Tropical Grill. Sanibel Carts is owned by Jeff Blackman and Laura DeBruce and they offer door-to-door cart delivery. We had Laura and her nephew Nick Sisson on Episode #146
to talk about the business.