by Bea Youngs- Paxson
Special to the Gazette

According to the US Census Bureau, Lehigh Acres had a population of 86,784 in 2010. There were 38,995 households of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them.  To accommodate the growing population, specifically for the teenaged youth, Lehigh Acres is home to five high schools and six middle schools.  With so many teenagers alone living in Lehigh Acres, what activities are available in which they can participate? The Sheriff’s Youth Activity League (SYAL) has hosted a “Teen Night” at Veteran’s Park Academy for the Arts for the past two years now. Hosting this Teen Night isn’t the only activity the SYAL provides, either.  Other activities include archery, basketball and mechanics.

SYAL’s mission is “to fulfill the need for recreational, educational, cultural and social activities for the youth of our community by partnering with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. We instill leadership, good sportsmanship, high morals, and character through diverse programs and community outreach.”  SYAL doesn’t only reach out to the community of Lehigh Acres, but serves the youth within the entire community of Lee County. (more…)

Will Bronson

The Lehigh Acres Democratic Party hosted a “Meet and Greet” with 17^th Congressional district Candidate Will Bronson on Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at 7pm at Veteran’s Park Recreation Center .  Bronson, a retired Delta Airlines captain and USNR veteran with a BA, MA, MTS and Doctorate in Ministry was introduced to the crowd by Joan Patterson, chair of the Lehigh Acres Democratic Party.

During Bronson’s speech, he touched upon topics of the economy, the current American need for infrastructure, and Big Money’s corruption of Washington.

“It’s very important to get out and vote this year. The reason I’m running is money has too big an influence in Washington,” Bronson said.

When asked about taxes, he replied, “The money from American taxes should benefit the American people.”

Bronson (left) speaks with local resident Neil Cahill during a recent 'Meet and Greet'

When asked about reforming business models, Bronson answered, “We need new business models, ones that are not speculative”.

Asked about foreign policy Bronson said, “(As it is) Our foreign policy has been privatized, going around putting our nose in everybody’s business is not the way.”

After the speech, people attending spoke with one another until the meet and greet ended at 9pm.

Bronson said hopes to raise $10,440 dollars to put his name on the ballot for the newly formed 17^th Congressional District. Bronson has been a resident of Lehigh Acres for the past 10 years. The newly formed 17^th Congressional District includes parts of Hendry county, half of Lehigh Acres, some of Alva and most of Charlotte County.

Anyone interested in volunteering for Bronson’s Campaign can contact him at webronson@gmail.com ,  or call the campaign at 239-940-6080.

Lehigh Regional Medical Center Celebrates Everyday Heroes

May 20-26

Spotlight on Emergency Medical Services Technicians During National EMS Week

To commemorate annual National Emergency Medical Services Week, the theme “Everyday Heroes” has been chosen to aptly describe the life-saving services our hard-working technicians and team members provide on a daily basis.  National EMS Week 2012 is May 20 through May 26.

The point of National EMS Week is to bring together local communities and medical personnel to publicize safety, as well as honor the dedication of those who are truly on medicine’s “front line.”

“The procedures EMT/ paramedics use can mean the difference between life and death for a patient.  Their medical knowledge combined with everyday experience and speed helps our hospital’s physicians and staff prepare for the next step of diagnosis and treatment, all in the time it takes them to get to our hospital.  We can’t thank our EMS partners enough for their commitment,” said Joanie Jeannette, CEO. (more…)

Lee County Domestic Animal Services will hold Pet Microchip ID Clinics for dogs and cats the first Friday of every other month beginning in June. The clinics will run from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the agency’s veterinary clinic, 5600 Banner Drive, in Fort Myers. Only pets that are both micro chipped and sterilized will qualify for reduced license fees so pet owners should definitely take advantage of the opportunity. The cost of the microchip ID is just $15 or $5 with proof of public assistance. (more…)

The Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce Education Award Dinner is scheduled for Saturday, May 19, at Microtel Inn & Suites. There’s a social hour at 5 p.m. with a cash bar and dinner at 6 p.m. For more information, call the chamber at 369-3322.

Florida Lung & Sleep Associates presents a Kids Fishing Tournament. The event will take place Saturday, June 2, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (weather permitting) at Mirror Lakes. Cost: $25 donation per participant, with lunch included All children must be accompanied by an adult. There will be raffle prizes. Please RSVP with Ahmed Fahmy by calling 369-8314 or emailAFahmy912@Yahoo.com. www.fundly.com/2ndfishing

VBS Operation Overboard will be held Wednesdays for five weeks from May 30 through June 27 at Christ United Methodist. It starts in the sanctuary at 6 p.m. and ends at 8:30 p.m. for kids ages 5 through those who have completed fifth grade. Pre-registration is recommended by calling 369-1433. An offering will be collected for children’s missions. The church is at 1430 Homestead Road N., Lehigh Acres.

by Bea Youngs- Paxson

Special to the Gazette

There is only one dance studio in Lehigh Acres – Footnotes Dance and Music. Located at 25 Homestead Road in Suite #35, they have been established now for 6 years. Footnotes co-owners Barbara Lambert McKenzie and Wayne Christiano have been involved in dance and music for over 30 years. McKenzie is a Lehigh Acres native and attended both Riverdale High School and Edison Community College. Christiano brought the music aspect to Footnotes and is a very successful guitarist and drummer who still performs weekly. The two not only own Footnotes together, but are married with five children.

This weekend, Footnotes will have their sixth Annual Dance Recital on Sunday, May 20th. There are two shows: one at 11:30am and another at 5:30pm. The Dance Recital will be held at East Lee County High School located at 715 Thomas Sherwin Avenue in Lehigh Acres. Admission is free to the public. (more…)

After many years of trying to build a building, today marks a new chapter in the East County Water Control District as they finally celebrated their new 6,800 square foot administrative offices including the multipurpose / board room named and dedicated to former Commissioner Desmond Barrett.

The celebration at 601 East County Lane lasted two and hours with more than 120 residents and community leaders in attendance including Lee County Commissioners Ray Judah, Frank Mann, Brian Bigelow, Sheriff Mike Scott, Representative Matt Caldwell and others. (more…)

By Renee’ Chupashko Lee County Parks & Recreation 

Special to the Gazette

Youth Soccer Academy

Ages 4-14 

Learn the basics of soccer.  Let your child experience participating in a team sport while having fun and getting a little exercise. This new monthly class will be held inside the rec center gymnasium. A $10 facility membership fee is required to participate in this class.

Saturday, June 9, 16, 23 and Sunday, June 10

9:30-11 a.m. ~ $30 for four classes

July Classes To Be Announced

For more information contact Veterans Park Rec Center (239) 369-1521 or

Coach Danny at (239) 271-4772 / Email hdsoccer76@yahoo.com

by  Debbie Tower, FDOT
Special to the Gazette 

For people  traveling northbound I75 in Charlotte County on May 16 and 17, please pay close attention to the following advisory: (more…)

Burger King on Homestead Rd is closed for remodeling.

Haney’s Café and Pub at the Microtel is closed down, but Vern Haney said “We will temporarily miss the good people of Lehigh that have supported us for the past three and half years but we are looking for a new location to reopen the restaurant soon.”

WGCU’ s transmission tower was hit by lightning Sunday night some shows will remain off air until a tower crew makes the necessary repairs to 90.1 FM and 90.1-2 HD channels

Nearly half the 31 men arrested in a Sarasota County underage sex sting were from Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties but 2 from Lehigh Acres.

One brought a pistol to the meet-up – another arrived with a four-year-old child.

The six-day “Operation Intercept” nabbed 31 people in all.

Deputies posted an ad on the internet that the suspects responded to. All of them allegedly agreed to head to Sarasota County to have sex with a child or children.

When they arrived, deputies were waiting for them. (more…)

Brush Fire - File Photo

Lehigh Acres fire crews worked quickly to save one home from a half-acre brush fire.  The Gazette learned lighting struck a vacant lot on the 1200 block of Highland Avenue around 5 p.m. sparking the blaze. One home was threatened. The fire is 100 percent contained.

A nonpartisan organization called the Foundational Education of Voters Rights and Responsibilities, or FEVRR, will be conducting voter registration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, now through September, in front of the Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber Commerce office in Lehigh Town Center.

Its ultimate goal is to register 5,000 to 8,000 voters and to see them at the ballot box by November 2012.

“We’ve got to realize no one needs to listen to us because we don’t vote,” said Jere Carrick, who is on the FEVRR board.