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Local and Regional News If you have a news story or idea contact us at email us at news@lehighacreswatchdog.com Current news also on bottom left of Home page New Features ......
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LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ************************* Paige Kreegel could face a reprimand, censure or removal.
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Car strikes power pole, plunges into canal
Some questions for Rep. Kreegel Legislative aide accused of improper use of state equipment From paintballs to bullets - neighbors worried *************************************** Learn the TRUTH about Rep Kreegel's aide Barry Millman
House examines legislator's tactics
For more than two years, state Rep. Paige Kreegel has pursued a libel lawsuit he says he hopes will derail dirty politics. But as he gears up to run for re-election, not only has he done some negative campaigning of his own, he did it with state resources.
Water treatment plant security breach Lee County, Fla. - WINK News Now uncovered a major security breach at the FGUA Waste Water Treatment Plant in Lehigh Acres. A gate was left wide open for days, violating Homeland Security rules.
Racial graffiti sprayed on Lehigh signs
State Road 82 widening * * * * * * * * * * * * Deputy Chief of Support Services of the LAFD Admits on camera that the new fire stations are Taj Mahals!! * * * * * * * * * * * * 4am Shooting in Lehigh Acres * * * * * * * * * * * * Admiral Lehigh's back nine sold for $2.35 million * * * * * * * * * * * *
Crist, Publix announce free antibiotics program * * * * * * * * * * * * Bloated reserves cheat tax payers * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lehigh taxing district flush with cash * * * * * * * * * * * * Term on advisory panel cut short * * * * * * * * * * * * Lehigh streetlights get revamp * * * * * * * * * * * * Lee County to take down paid ads on Light poles on Homestead * * * * * * * * * * * * You may have money in an unclaimed account; check it out Lehigh Acres residents may be among thousands of Floridians who are owed money being held by the State of Florida. Nearly $1 billion worth of unclaimed accounts have been reported in Tallahassee with more than $36.7 million of which belong to residents in Southwest Florida.
YouTube video probe concludes no wrongdoing An informal probe by the Lehigh Acres Fire Dept. into a YouTube video on the Internet has concluded there is no finding of any wrongdoing by local firefighters, if indeed they are firefighters or employees of the fire district. That’s the word today from Patrick Comer, a spokesman for the fire department. * * * * * * * * * * * * You can make up your mind now http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9GxRoVSCNw Email your opinion to watchdog@lehighacreswatchdog.com
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Lehigh Acres Fire department investigating YouTube video
No water at East Lee County High or Fire Station 5 The current no water issue is the lack of communication between each other including governmental agencies, LAFD wants this , School board needs this and FGUA wants that …….. and then they leave the citizens out to dry …. Come on agencies get your acts together If the documents FGUA needs are not signed in time the East Lee County High School and Fire Station #5 will not open on time. Where are the 900 + students going to go and is the safely of Lehigh Acres be effected if the station#5 is not opened on time. And for Station #4 on Sunshine, I personally told the LAFD Board over 18 months ago they need to get their act together, now at the 11th hour and still NO water or water line to service the fire suppression for the fire house. Why? Where’s the leadership on these boards that effect Lehigh Acres and where is communication that is so desperately needed? * * * * * * * * * * * * Microtel Hotel breaks ground in Lehigh Acres * * * * * * * * * * * * Request a $10 check be mailed to YOU. * * * * * * * * * * * * Open Board Member Position with the LACPC If interested in applying for a Board position at the next meeting, August 8th, 6:30 p.m., at Veterans Park, please send a note or resume to web@lehighacresplanning.com or 516 Lake Avenue, Lehigh Acres, FL 33971 by August 1, 2007.
Should illegal's be sent back home? To the Editor, Editor comment -Ms. Hunt is the Grandmother of Desmond Barrett Supervisor of ECWCD PLEASE EMAIL YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS SUBJECT TO WATCHDOG@LEHIGHACRESWATCHDOG.COM Response ---- You are talking about true americans?? true american were the indian all the rest came from somewhere else or not? First inmigrant came legally ? oh yeah sure they came to kill indians and take their lands if they were found people like you may be you where not sitting whatever you are ... have a nice day! From O.C.
* * * * * * * * * * * * Read WRT's VISION of Lehigh Acres The draft “Vision” and summary of community forum input prepared by Wallace Roberts and Todd LLC (WRT) is now available! * * * * * * * * * * * *
Come Support The Fountains at the next LPA Hearing – CHANGE OF DATE July 23rd, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. and County Commission Meeting– August 30th, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. Click here for information about the Fountains
Waterman Development is looking to have that area re-zoned on Homestead Rd Their proposal includes appx. 300,000 square feet reserved for commercial development and 756 residential units Come to the zoning hearing 9 am at second floor 1500 Monroe St Ft Myers * * * * * * * * * * * * * Fort Myers Planning Board recommends approval of Lee Blvd. wastewater treatment plant A handful of Lehigh Acres residents raised a stink about being a dumping ground for a planned sewage treatment plant Wednesday afternoon.
READ THE LEE SHERIFF'S 2007 BUDGET How do this effect Lehigh Acres ... Join the forum and discuss this issues
Saturday's Schooner Wharf 8K race through the historic Old Town section of Key West Lehigh Acres’ own Vicki Culver, come in second in her age group …. Congrats Vicki
The Lehigh Acres Watchdog PAC learned by a county source that Steven “Sonny” Haas so-called “town hall”-style meeting at the East County library on June 6th at 7:00 p.m. where Sonny Haas, candidate for Lee County Commissioner, District 5, will discuss his platform and answer any questions. Was canceled by Lee County because they do not allow candidates to use publicly owned facilities for political gain.
About 120 residents showed up to a town hall meeting in Lehigh Acres on Tuesday night to discuss property taxes and insurance rates with State Sen. Dave Aronberg, State Rep. Nick Thompson and State Rep. Paige Kreegel. "In about two weeks, we are going to do something about your taxes," said Kreegel. Aronberg said discussions about tax reform have taken a long time, but legislators want to make sure it is done right in this special session. "We have to do it right the first time because the repercussions of doing it wrong would be overwhelming," Aronberg said. "There is no magic formula here," said the State Lawmakers. "We need to harden our structures and build better structures for the future." Kreegel said, Citizens can go to http://www.mysafefloridahome.com , the mission of this website is to help Floridians learn how to harden their homes to better protect themselves and their fa
6/6/2007 7:00 PM Sonny Haas to speak/answer questions at East County Library (CANCELED) 6/12/2007 5:00 PM 6/12 5:00 p.m. - BCC public hearing re. proposal for 2 entry/exit points req'd for Lehigh developers 6/13/2007 6:30 PM I-75 Toll Lane Concept Veterans Park Recreation Facilities, 55 Homestead Rd 6/13/2007 6:30 PM LACPC Monthly Board Meeting 6/14/2007 Flag Day 6/20/2007 6:30 PM FGUA UAC Meeting 6/21/2007 7:30 PM LAFD Board Meeting 6/25/2007 6:30 PM ECWCD Board Meeting 6/26/2007 5:00 PM 6/26 5:00 p.m. - Final PUBLIC HEARING re. proposal for 2 access points req'd for Lehigh developers 7/4/2007 Independence Day
The Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is soliciting public input on improvements to county roads! At this time, the MPO is especially interested in identifying traffic problems in Lee County that might be alleviated using relatively low-cost or "quick fix" improvements within existing rights of way – things like traffic signal re-timing or synchronization, the construction or extension of turn lanes or other minor intersection improvements, the designation of reversible lanes or one-way streets, changes in road signing or striping, encouraging employers to stagger their business hours, or providing incentives to increase car pooling or the use of buses, bicycles or less congested routes – that could improve the operation and safety of the existing transportation system without resorting to major construction projects such as adding travel lanes or building new roads, bridges or overpasses. Do you have any suggestions for possible solutions? Before filling out the online form to report an issue, please check the document(s) at http://www.mpo-swfl.org/mpootherissues.shtml to ensure you are not reporting something that is being worked on or already reported by another citizen. Then, provide your input at: http://www.mpo-swfl.org/mporeportcongestion.shtml . Another chance for our voices to be heard … Please take advantage of it! If anyone is interested, Commissioner Mann of District 5 has an opening on the Citizen’s Advisory Committee. Click the link 'read more' below for further information...
It is with pride that I am asking you to print, sign, and mail this petition for a citizen's initiative in order to provide "Portability of the Save Our Homes Assessment Cap." We are incorporated as a non-profit issue-oriented corporation for the sole purpose of gathering the necessary signatures to have this issue on the ballot in the next general election in Florida. Please place this initiative on the ballot; then you and we will be able to go home feeling the satisfaction of a job well done. Respectfully requested, Kenneth M. Wilkinson, President Save Our Homes / Portability, Inc.
Lehigh Acres Watchdog Inc has learned that there are more than 400 people or companies in Lehigh Acres that have property is being held by the Bureau of unclaimed property, such as from dormant accounts in financial institutions, insurance and utility companies, securities and trust holdings.
We tested this site and didn't find any significant problems with www.lehighacreswatchdog.com
Lee County emergency dispatchers are receiving numerous calls from nervous residents worried about the “smell of smoke” outside, according to Lehigh Acres Fire and Rescue.
Cookie-cutter commercial development …. "All we have are strip malls," Conover said. "I'd like to see an architect show some imagination and develop a plaza or square with a little bit of charm."link to story Want do you think …. Join the community forum today
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency Thursday as more wildfires — blazing across parched Florida — ignited overnight. LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. — Firefighters are battling a brush fire in Lehigh Acres Florida that consumed almost 900 acres and claimed two homes, officials said Monday. The blaze burning east of Fort Myers was about 60 percent contained by midday Monday, Lehigh Acres Fire Department spokesman Patrick Comer said. No other homes were in immediate danger, but firefighters were wary because of variable winds Monday, Comer said. About 125 firefighters from nine departments were on scene today. The cause of the blaze, which started Sunday afternoon, is under investigation, he said.
FHP raid house in Lehigh ….. Florida Highway Patrol troopers raided a Lee County marijuana grow house Thursday evening, seizing 51 mature pot plants. Troopers became aware of the cultivation operation at 1510 Moore Avenue in Lehigh Acres. When investigators rolled up on the home, they saw the stench of growing marijuana plants was overwhelming near the south part of the house. The also heard a constant humming noise coming from the inside of the home, even though the air conditioner wasn't running. All that was enough to get a search warrant for the home, and when troopers went in they say they found the entire south portion of the house had been converted into a marijuana cultivation operation, with lights, transformers, capacitors, fans, water-cooled air conditioners, CO2 distributors, timers and converted electricity. Investigators say the pot seized has a street value of $120,000. Troopers are continuing their investigation and say they plan to make an arrest very soon. Lehigh man charged in girlfriend's death A 19-year-old man is in jail today on homicide charges after a young woman said to be his girlfriend was found dead, wrapped in a blanket inside the closet of his Lehigh Acres home.
Utility system should be priority Currently, the legislators are in Tallahassee for the 2007 Legislative Session. They are considering many important issues including property insurance, property taxes and transportation. Our water and sewer plants are undersized, the infrastructure needs to be better maintained and we need to make sure that the thousands of septic tanks are not polluting our groundwater. Did you know that the Lehigh Wastewater plant has been discharging treated effluent into our canal system for at least three summers? FGUA is making improvements, but their intent is to not be here for the long-term. Our utility system needs attention and is in limbo. The district is organizing its resources and information in the spring of 2007 to make sure that the community, legislators, state offices and the media are all in the know. They need to understand the county's real intent and the willingness of the community to move forward on the purchase of FGUA's utility system here in Lehigh Acres.
Editorial ….. We would like to thank all the citizens and Local Fire Fighters that confirmed our Presidents good standing with the Florida Freelance Writers Assoc.
Lehigh firefighter dies at age 49 Firefighter Paul J. Dube, 49, of Lehigh Acres, passed away Tuesday, March 27, after a long battle with cancer. Dube worked for the fire dept for 23 years
Watering Law in effect …….. If your home’s address ends in an odd number, you can water on Wednesday and Saturday. If it ends with an even number, you can water on Thursday and Sunday.
Lehigh Acres Fire .........Lee County remain so dry that Lee County has extended the burn ban for another week. The fire that scorched 270 acres and damaged several homes on Monday in Lehigh Acres is now 100 percent contained. Officials made that announcement at a briefing on Tuesday morning Firefighters say the fire was man-made. Lee County Sheriff's Office lead investigator on the blaze started at 618 Thompson Avenue, but authorities still don't know what exactly sparked the fire.
Officials with the Lee County School District have issued a statement for families living in the east zone of Lehigh Acres who may have been affected by the brushfire. Any family displaced due to evacuation or damage caused by the brush fire should try to contact their child's school to alert administrators. Any family whose child's bus stop has been affected and is not operational should contact Pupil Transportation at 239-334-0211 and select the EAST ZONE option. (Press 1 when prompted) Information will be provided on what the nearest working bus stop is for the family to use until further notice. Families who cannot contact Pupil Transportation but can get their child to an operational bus stop in their area can do so - even if the operational stop is not for their child's school. The child will be taken to the school the bus is going to, and then the student will be "shuttled" to their home school. Any student who is affected by the brush fire and cannot make it to school will be granted an excused absence.
Lehigh Acres Watchdog, Inc is pleased to announce there President Robert J Anderson is a member of
So one taxing district paying, another taxing district so a third district gets the water line basically for free. The East County Water Control District is approving the placement of a 1.3-mile-long water line on its property to provide water to a Lehigh fire station, but with certain conditions. But when it’s all over LAFD will pay close to half of million dollars and FGUA will own the pipe, is that fair for the taxpayers of Lehigh Acres
One of Lehigh Acres' oldest golf courses is set to close down One of Lehigh Acres' oldest golf courses is set to close down. Right now, plans are in the works to develop the Admiral Lehigh Golf Club and Resort. But people who live near the course aren't pleased with the plans and they have made their grievances known. The golf course is scheduled to close in the next couple of weeks. But there's a difference in opinion as to what should be done with the land.
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Commissioners are at odds over whether the controversial expansion of a Lee County landfill is even legal. Florida law and a county ordinance appear to prohibit approving vertical expansion of Gulf Coast Landfill, Commissioner Frank Mann said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Kreegel staff member at library 4th Thursdays | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A staff member of State Rep. Paige Kreegel, R-Punta Gorda, will be in Lehigh Acres every fourth Thursday to answer questions and listen to concerns from residents. The representative from Paige Kreegel's office will be available from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday at East County Regional Library, 881 Gunnery Road.The representative can answer questions about what happened during the last legislative session and discuss any comments or problems. For more information, call Cynthia Beckett at (941) 575-5820. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Consolidating Lee County's independent fire districts into one mega agency would cost taxpayers more money without providing better service, says a former local fire district commissioner. "The overwhelming majority of Lee County communities enjoy some of the best fire protection in the state ... at a cost that is lower and better than what is paid elsewhere," Brian R. Juntikka said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Members of the Lee County School Board could see their pay increase to $38,326 based on a recommendation by the Florida School Boards Assn. The board will discuss the proposal at the Dec. 5 school board meeting. FSBA makes salary suggestions to every school board in Florida, using a formula based on student enrollment, the cost of living, and other factors. Lee County is the only district in the state whose school board members, rather than legislature, set their own salary. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Christmas songs resounded through the night Friday as about 175 people awaited the arrival of Santa Claus to the Lehigh Regional Medical Center's Eighth Annual Tree Lighting. Click here to see pictures | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fifty years ago a church began in a small building on the corner of Leeland Heights Boulevard and Homestead Road the corner known as confusion corner. It was 1956 and Lehigh Acres was bare, with a population of less than 1,000 people. There were few houses and traffic wasn't an issue. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Lehigh Acres Watchdog is a community education resource and news service published every Saturday night. The website covers the international, national, state and Southwest Florida political issues affecting Lehigh Acres, Florida. Extra news and other items of interest are published during the week. Major news events may appear minutes after happening. We will be adding other features in the months to come such as a community calendar, community forums, opinion column and a classified shopping section. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Fire board reorganizes; Hemingway is elected chairman; Berndt is co-chairman | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District has a new board. Ralph Hemingway, who won a seat in the election, was chosen as the boards new chairman. Jeff Berndt was chosen as the new vice chairman. Joel Guzman remains the treasurer and newly elected Julie Barrett is the board’s new secretary. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If you have a news story or idea contact us -- email us at news@lehighacreswatchdog.com
Notice to Lehigh Acres FGUA customers Temporary Modifications of Disinfection Treatment Procedures | |
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FGUA will temporarily change the disinfection process for the Lehigh Acres potable (drinking water) water supply. From December 7 through December 21, 2006, FGUA will disinfect the water with free chlorine rather than combined chlorine/ammonia (chloramines). This conversion to chlorine (which is a stronger disinfectant) from chloramines (which is a longer-lasting disinfectant) allows FGUA to perform a water distribution system purge as recommended by the Department of Environmental Protection for water utilities using chloramines as their primary disinfectant. We will start the process at 6:00 AM on the assigned day. This temporary change in disinfectant does not cause adverse health effects. However, during the period, customers may experience a slight increase in the taste and odor of chlorine. Customers on dialysis who use a proportioning machine to prepare dialysis are advised to contact their physician to obtain the appropriate steps to accommodate the change in water disinfection. Customers who have fish tanks or aquatic species are advised to contact a professional aquarist to avoid any problems associated with chlorine. Customers are asked to call FGUA at 239-368-1615 with any questions concerning this temporary change in disinfectants www.fgua.com
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| Lee seeks first grants for landfill biofuel Stoneybrook frustrated with nearby industrial site's smell | |
| Lee County will apply for $2.3 million in federal grants to turn used restaurant grease and oil into biodiesel fuel for county vehicles, and rotting landfill gases into energy. County commissioners' decision Tuesday comes amid complaints from Gateway residents about the proposed expansion of the Gulf Coast Landfill near Gateway. That's one of the landfills where methane gases would be harnessed and a small biodiesel plant built. For more information go to www.dumpthedump.info
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| Riverdale teacher loses boxing match via majority decision Jason Gant falls to opponent in Combat on the Caloosa IV | |
| Riverdale High School teacher and boxer Jason Gant lost by majority decision Tuesday night in the Combat on the Caloosa IV at Harborside Event Center. Gant had a lot of support from family, friends and students. What he didnĂ’t get was a favorable call from the judges. In a widely booed decision, two judges ruled in favor of Sarasotas Chris Nugin over Gant in the four-round bout. | |
| House to vote next week on Gulf drilling | |
| A vast area in the Gulf of Mexico could be opened to new oil drilling operations now that outgoing House leaders have agreed to vote next week on a Senate-passed energy bill. The decision announced Friday to bring the Senate bill to the floor broke a weeks-long stalemate between the House and Senate, which had passed very different energy bills. Gulf Coast lawmakers and energy industry representatives welcomed the breakthrough.
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DCF secretary steps down Hadi's resignation doesn't cite legal battles | |
| Florida's top child welfare official abruptly announced her retirement Friday, a day after a Pinellas judge fined her $80,000 for not moving mentally ill jail inmates to hospitals. Lucy Hadi, secretary of the Department of Children and Families and a 30-year veteran of state government, did not mention the legal confrontation in a letter to Gov. Jeb Bush, saying only that "it is time for me to do my advocacy from a different place. "In an interview, Hadi said her decision was prompted by "an accumulation of things," not just the court action. "I never wanted to be the punch drunk boxer in the ring not knowing when it was time to leave," said Hadi, 60. "You just know when it's time."
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| Florida panthers threatened as development overtakes habitat | |
| FLORIDA PANTHER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, Fla. Biologist Larry Richardson waxes philosophical about the Florida panther, equating its protection to the overall need to maintain nature in one of the fastest growing states in the nation. Among the most endangered species on the planet, the Florida panther may soon become a novelty seen only in captivity. The big cats once roamed by the thousands throughout the Southeastern U.S., but as development encroaches on their only remaining habitat in southwest Florida, extinction may be certain. It's the last of the puma population east of the Mississippi River. "The way we're building, we're going to push the panthers out. They're going to lose. My big concern is the panther will become a zoo relic," said Richardson, of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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| Protect your home from wildfires | |
| The people who manage Florida’s forests can tell you how to protect your home from a wildfire. What they're trying to find out, as another dry season approaches, is how much residents in fire-prone areas in Lee County know about protecting their homes. Their other question is how best to get that information to homeowners. To try to answer those questions, the state Division of Forestry has put a survey on its Web site and is distributing copies at fire stations and at East County Regional Library and Veterans Park Recreation Center in Lehigh Acres. Gerry LaCavera works for the forestry division and tries to find ways to moderate the impact of wildfires. He said the division hopes to find new ways to get information to residents, especially in Lehigh Acres neighborhoods damaged by brush fires that erupted on April 29. | |