The Great Chamber of Commerce of Lehigh Acres honored two Sheriff Deputies, Eric Marker and Christine Hall of the Bravo Substation. They were at the April 24 Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon along with their superior officers, Lt. James Loethan and Capt. Ron Curtis Jr. The two deputies received awards for what Curtis called “fine examples of the dedicated and determined law enforcement officers who serve and risk their lives every day for the people of Lehigh Acres.”

“Their well-considered response and choice of action with regard to an armed and dangerous felon resulted in his extended removal from our community and we are all safer because of their actions,” Curtis told the Chamber members.

Lehigh Acres Edible Gardening Exchange

Our May speaker will D&B Nursery, a local Lehigh Acres nursery. They will be speaking to us on selecting fruit plants and how to prepare the soil for planting fruit here in Lehigh.

The meeting starts promptly at 5:30pm on Thursday, May 18th at the Veterans Park Recreational Building. A once-in-a-lifetime membership fee to Veterans Park of $10 per person is required. (more…)

Every day, federal, state, and local law enforcement officers engage in exceptional acts of bravery while in the line of duty. Often, such acts place these officers involved at personal risk of injury or result in actually sustaining a physical injury. To honor these acts of bravery, Congress passed the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-298), creating the Federal Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery and the State and Local Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery. The act establishes an award to honor exceptional acts of bravery in the line of duty by federal, state, and local law enforcement officers. The badges are awarded annually by the U.S. Attorney General and are presented by the recipients’ Congressional representatives.
(more…)

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit is providing the information listed below in continuing efforts to increase traffic safety awareness and education, plus to emphasize the importance of obeying traffic laws to reduce traffic crashes, injuries and death on Lee County roads.

On Tuesday, May 1, 2012, the Traffic Unit will target at least one of the following three locations for enforcement:

(more…)

By Ruth Anglickis - Community Activist

Special to the Gazette

Leeland Lake

Please come to the 9:30 a.m. meeting of the Board of County Commissioners meeting on May 1 to once again promote county funding of 20/20. Board of County Commissioners meets it 2120 Main Street Fort Myers Florida.

We need to speak on behalf of buying property called Leeland Lake so we will never lose the ability to have a county, state and national park. (more…)

Fashion Show at Fountain Crest Retirement Community on Wednesday, May 9th, 2012 at 2pm  as we model Anthony’s Ladies Apparel from Fort Myers accompanied by “Elijah” on piano!  We will enjoy Wine & Cheese as well as door prizes!  Don’t miss the fun at this great spring event!  Seating is limited, so RSVP as soon as possible to 239-303-1230!

The month of May is Asthma Awareness Month! Florida Lung & Sleep Associates is raising awareness for World Asthma Day, an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to improve asthma awareness and care around the world.  We are raising awareness by hosting FREE Asthma Screenings at our office on Tuesday, May 1st, 2012 from11AM- 2PM (more…)

Runner up, Carrie Chase, entertainment chairwoman and the 2012 Miss Relay for Life

Low turnout and rain didn’t discourage supporters who walked around the track at Veterans Park Academy for the Arts with umbrellas for a shorty period of time.

Relay was pushed back one week because of rain expected last weekend and 14 of 28 registered teams walked during the event. Many couldn’t participate because of the date change, said Carrie Chase, entertainment chairperson for the event.

Supporters raised more than $18,000. Chase said she was confident the event goal of $58,000 could be reached this summer. “We haven’t missed our goal in six years,” Chase said. (more…)

By Bea Paxson

Special to the Gazette

Daughter Laura, Maria and son Luis, Jr.
Photo by Bea Paxson

In 2001, Maria Olga Guzman came to the United States with her husband and two children and, 11 years later, is a United States Citizen.  Guzman passed the test April 4, 2012, and an official swearing-in ceremony will be held in Tampa, May 3, 2012.  Guzman works part-time at the Lehigh Acres Kiwanis Thrift Store as the cashier, a part-time job she’s held four years.

Guzman has two children, Laura Jara, 21, and Luis Jara, Jr., 16. Guzman’s husband, Luis Jara, Sr., 55, is away in Colombia at this time. (more…)

Lehigh Acres Relay for Life

April 28 at 2:00 p.m. until April 29 at 8:00 a.m.

Veteran Park Academy for the Arts

49 Homestead Rd, Lehigh Acres Fl

Facebook page       Event Page

Last years Photos

2pm on Saturday is the Survivor Lap. Any cancer survivor may participate in the survivor lap. Just come out to the relay and register by 1:30 pm. Survivor form is attached. We want to have lots of survivors to open our relay. Please come and be recognized for the hard battle you fought. Form

Caregivers – The second lap of our relay is the Caregiver lap. We want all caregiver in Lehigh Acres to come out and be recognized. 2pm on Saturday, April 28 Form

9pm Luminary ceremony – Everyone is welcome to purchase luminaries for a donation to remember those loved ones who have passed away and honor those who have survived. It is a very moving ceremony. Form

East Lee County and Dunbar High Schools have the battle of the catwalk at ELCHS is evening. This program is not just for fun but taught the students self-confidence and poise. Both girls and boys participated in the event.

Though the event started late there were over 40 parents and families in attendance.

(more…)

Dr, John Armstrong

Governor Rick Scott appointed Dr. John H. Armstrong M.D. to serve as State Surgeon General and Secretary of the Florida Department of Health. He will assume this role on May 23, 2012.

“Dr. Armstrong is recognized as a national expert in medical team training and public health preparedness for disasters, and his leadership will be a great asset to the citizens of Florida,” said Governor Rick Scott.  “As an outstanding trauma surgeon, public health professional, educator and military veteran, he will be a great addition to my executive leadership team.” (more…)