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East Lee News
Victory for Buckingham: Orange River Road Property Preserved Through Conservation 20/20
By: Katrina Salokar | East Lee County News In a landmark victory for conservation and community advocacy, Lee County Commissioners voted unanimously on April 1, 2025, to purchase 129.56 acres of ecologically significant land in Buckingham for $10.5 million. This acquisition, part of the county’s Conservation 20/20 program, marks the culmination of a 30-year grassroots […]
Celebrate Responsible Pet Guardian Month This May!
By: Dr. Veja Tillman, DVM | Owner of Just 4 Pets Veterinary Wellness Center May is Responsible Pet Guardian Month—a time to celebrate the bond we share with our furry companions and commit to giving them the best care possible. At Just 4 Pets Wellness Center, we believe responsible pet guardianship means going beyond food […]
Lee County Leaders Champion Government Reform with HB 4001
Push for Single-Member Districts Heads to Governor’s Desk Special to the East Lee County News A significant reform effort to reshape how Lee County voters choose their local leaders is now one step away from becoming law. House Bill 4001 (HB 4001)—a measure designed to bring single-member district elections to the Lee County Commission—has successfully […]
Freedom Fest 2025 – Sponsor the Spirit of Lehigh
Special to the East Lee County News Freedom doesn’t come from Washington—it starts in your backyard. Freedom starts in your home, your neighborhood, and your town. It begins when families make their own choices, when small businesses serve their neighbors and create jobs in Southwest Florida, and when local communities stand together to protect what’s […]
Safer Roads Ahead: Lee County’s Plan to Save Lives
By Katrina Salokar | East Lee County News Lee County is working on a big new plan to make our roads safer for everyone—drivers, bike riders, and pedestrians. It’s called the Safe Streets for All Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, and it’s one of the most important transportation projects our community has ever taken on. Why […]
Orange River, Then and Now: A Fisherman’s Tale of Change and Hope
By: Captain Eddie Yerdon I’ve been asked to share a little about the Orange River—and I suppose I’m qualified, having lived on it since 1966. Back then, it was some of the best bass fishing Florida had to offer. My dad used to row up and down the river to catch bream for dinner. Honestly, […]
David vs. Goliath in Alva: Residents File Legal Challenge Against Controversial Duke-Cary-Povia Rezoning
Special to the East Lee County News In a bold stand for rural preservation, residents of Alva have taken legal action to challenge a rezoning decision that threatens to forever alter the character of their historic community. On March 5, 2025, the Lee County Commission voted to approve a massive rezoning request by Neal Communities […]
It’s So Dry Here Even the Tap Water is Dehydrated
The Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society At River Oaks Preserve in Estero—home to the Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society—the north branch of the Estero River has stopped flowing. That’s more than just a warning sign. It’s a call to action: stop wasting water on lawns that were never meant […]
An Open Letter to Alva: Grow What Matters
By: James Kennedy, East Lee Wildlife Stewardship Group As Alva continues to grow, we need to ask ourselves deeper questions—not just what’s possible but what’s worth protecting and how we can preserve the quality of place that makes living here special. There’s no denying that change is coming to our corner of Lee County. Roads […]
