North holds on for fifth straight title
By CHUCK BALLARO - | May 5, 2021 Taylor Rosciti went 4-for-4 in Friday’s district championship. File photo/Michael Pistella
Kendell Wylie wasn’t her typical dominating self in the pitching circle, but she more than made up for it at the plate.
Wylie hit two home runs and drive in five as the North Fort Myers High School softball team hung on to defeat Charlotte 9-8 in the District 5A-8 championship game in Punta Gorda Friday for the Red Knights’ fifth consecutive district crown.
Actually, hung on for dear life would be more accurate, as the Tarpons came back from an 8-2 deficit by scoring four in the sixth and, after North got one back in the top of the seventh, scored two more and had the tying run on base before a pop up ended the game.
Tarpons nip Knights’ winning streak
By CHUCK BALLARO - | Apr 21, 2021
North Fort Myers pitcher Kendall Wylie delivers a pitch during their April 13 game against Charlotte. CHUCK BALLARO
The North Fort Myers softball team has really been playing its best ball as the postseason comes next week. It had won nine straight going into its district game at Charlotte last Tuesday.
However, it was the Tarpons who took advantage of opportunities given to them by the Red Knights, and with great pitching and defense, Charlotte was able to end North’s winning streak with a 5-2 victory.
This will likely mean the road to the District 5A-8 championship will go through Charlotte, which has given North a challenge in recent years.
UPDATE: Lake Okeechobee sediment study releases scheduled
By USACE - | Apr 20, 2021
UPDATE:
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Jacksonville District reported that it will postpone Lake Okeechobee releases planned for April 21 from the Port Mayaca Lock and Dam (S-308) to support a U.S. Geological Survey and South Florida Water Management District ongoing Lake Okeechobee sediment study. Based on the current conditions, the SFWMD asked to reschedule the study at S-308 until a later date, but the releases supporting the study at the Moore Haven Lock and Dam (S-77) went forward today as planned. To learn more about the deviation, visit https://go.usa.gov/xHKFH.
DOH-Lee rescinds multiple red tide health alerts
By DOH-LEE - | Mar 12, 2021
Today, the Florida Department of Health in Lee County rescinded healths alert for the red tide bloom near Bonita Springs Beach Park, Little Hickory Island Beach Access, Lover’s Key State Park, Fort Myers Beach (Beach Access 13), Lynn Hall Beach Park, Lighthouse Beach Park and Tarpon Bay Road Beach Access.
According to the DOH-Lee, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Website reported that red tide is not present or is at background levels near the listed beach parks and beach accesses.
Florida Poison Control Centers have a toll-free 24/7 Hotline for reporting of illnesses, including health effects from exposure to red tide at 800-222-1222.
SCCF launches new land acquisition campaign
By SCCF - | Mar 10, 2021
SCCF
For more than two decades, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation members have seen yellow ropes go up along property borders to signal that a new land acquisition campaign is launching.
The SCCF’s 2021 acquisition target? A 12-plus acre parcel featuring wetland habitat extending 1,800 feet back from Periwinkle Way to the freshwater river known locally as the Sanibel Slough, officials reported. Look for the bright yellow rope on the south side of Periwinkle between Purdy Drive and Martha’s Lane.
The property, dubbed Periwinkle Wetlands during the fundraising campaign, is home to more than 40 different animal species, countless invertebrates and hundreds of different native plants. Alligators, river otters and bobcats are among the wildlife that has been observed in the interior acreage.