The search is on for men and women who are ready to find true love.  Lee County Domestic Animal Services invites you to meet the BachelorPets now available to loving homes.  The shelter has reduced adoption fees from 30 to 50 percent throughout the month of February.  Dogs over 40 lbs. and adult cats are only $25 and puppies, small breed dogs, and kittens are just $65.  A special treat for the pets and new owners will accompany each adoption while supplies last.

True love comes in all shapes and sizes!  Whether it’s a lap kitty or an energetic little dog that would make a perfect jogging companion, LCDAS can find your perfect match.  For those that would like to view their matches first, love is just a click away when you visit the website at www.LeeLostPets.com.  All pets available for adoption are featured online with your perfect match’s personal information.  Adopters may also submit their adoption application online so they can focus on the pets instead of the paperwork during their shelter visit. (more…)

There has been an accident involving a school bus, according to crews with the Tice Fire Department.

Officials we spoke with say the accident happened near the intersection of Buckingham Road and Park Road.

Buckingham has been closed in both directions because of that crash; but the road has since reopened.

FHP is handling the accident and troopers say they got the call around 4:30 p.m. (more…)

Left to Right – Jarvis Martin, Jevon Matthews, Danny McCulley and Coursean Thimas

On January 17th a combination of the boys and girls basketball teams at Lehigh Acres Middle School played two basketball games against a school faculty team.

The student team was led by Jarvis Martin, London Williams and Coursean Thomas.  Faculty members were led by Jevon Matthews, Danny McCulley and Forest Walker.

Left to Right- (cheerleaders) Laura Mulvey, Sandi Nichols, Terroncia Simons, Yamilee Francois and Johnnie Mae Hawkins

The students played hard and held their own, but in the end the faculty won both games by the scores of 47-35 and 36-34.

The game was organized as part of the school’s PBS Program which rewards the students for positive behavior and over 900 students attended the game and cheered on their favorites.In addition several faculty members dressed as cheerleaders and performed “Gangnam” Style and The” Wobble” at half-time during each game.

The game was a total success and fun was enjoyed by all.

Studio G is under new ownership and management. Catherine Barnes of Lehigh has purchased the refurbished and redecorated hair salon and offers specialized services and make-overs.

Barnes said she purchased the salon earlier this month. She has been a stylist there for at least five years.

With Valentine’s Day just two weeks away and there will be a special drawing on that day for a free hair and a mini pedicure at Studio G Hair Salon of Lehigh, which is located at 3020 Lee Blvd.

In addition to Barnes, the owner, others who are associates of her in the business include Tabitha Navarr, Jenna Ollie-Youngs, Debbie Grindell and Kristina Lesher.

Studio G is open Sunday and Monday by appointment only. Customers can call 239-368-7474 to make an appointment. Studio G is open on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays, from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and on Fridays from 9 to 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, the hair salon is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Chili Cook-Off Peter’s Sports Bar at 902 Lee Boulevard is hosting their first ever Chili Cook-Off Feb 3, 2013 from 5-8 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to the hottest, most original, and the people’s favorite chili.
There is no entry fee for the cook off. Contact (239) 303-0688 for more information.

Bingo! February 4, 2013 at First Community Congregational Church located at 200 E. Leeland Heights Blvd in Lehigh Acres. Early bird begins at 6 pm, regular bingo starts at 6:30, doors open at 5 pm. $15 to play.

Poetry – Calling all teen poetry lovers! You are invited to join other teens to talk about poetry. Bring a favorite poem or one you have penned yourself and share it with others. Snacks provided by the Friends of the East County Regional Library. Registration is not required but program is limited to 25 participants. Monday, February 04, 2013 – 2:00 p.m. at the East County Regional Library at Meeting Room

Three-vehicle chain reaction crash caused a traffic backup on SR-82 at Shawnee Road on Wednesday.

Authorities say a maroon Nissan Altima rear-ended a Chrysler minivan, which in turn, rear-ended the white sedan in front of them.

Three people in the minivan, three people in the Altima and the single occupant of the white sedan, were all treated and transported to area hospitals with minor to moderate injuries.

The crash will be investigated by FHP. The roadway was cleared by 11 a.m.

Fifth graders at Lehigh Elementary School are learning the art of ballroom dancing, but there are many other lessons that come along with it.

The school is part of the Lee County School District’s Dancing Classrooms program. The Foundation for Lee County Schools hosts the program in seven Lee elementary schools, watching the program grow since 2008 to now reach more than 600 kids.

The cafeteria stage becomes a studio and sneakers turn into dance shoes as the kids learn different styles of dance.

Teaching artist Steve Wilcox says it’s about a lot more than just dance moves. It teaches the kids manners, respect, and that they are all on the same foot. Wilcox says, “it’s really gratifying to see them, getting them into dance frame the first day and then actually dancing with a partner is a little bit of a fight. Everyone’s got cooties and no one wants to touch. By the end of 10 weeks they dance upright and elegant and frame isn’t a problem, it’s very rewarding.” Wilcox adds, “I think the music speaks to a lot of us in ways that words don’t always successfully do.” (more…)

From Jim Hughes President of Lehigh Acres Little League; “for all the teams that usually practice on Saturday from 8 to 12 there will not be any practice. Challenger will be playing their games on our fields”.

Zephaniah Villarreal, age 17, of Lehigh Acres, Florida passed away with his loving family at his side on Monday, January 28, 2013 following a long illness.

He was born on October 8, 1995

Arrangements for Zephaniah’s final care have been entrusted to Anderson-Patterson Cremation and Funeral Services, 2701 Lee Boulevard, Lehigh Acres, Florida 33971, (239) 368-7080.

The Goodwill Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise Institute hopes to increase the number of successful small businesses in Fort Myers and Southwest Florida.

The program, which provides small business training for individuals with low-to-moderate income or are otherwise disadvantaged, will begin a new session Feb. 18.

Applications are available at:www.goodwillswfl.org/microenterprise.

Program participants will complete a six-week training course, made up of three-hour classes, two nights a week. Mentors will work directly with participants to help the potential small business owners prepare a business plan. (more…)