A recent study released by law firm Steel Adams Hosman looks at which states offer the best road trip experiences in the summer. Florida snagged the third spot nationwide, just as Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer.

What pushed Florida so high? The state’s roads are in great shape, with 87% getting the “acceptable” rating, according to the report. Good infrastructure makes for smoother drives, and Florida has clearly invested in keeping its highways and byways ready for travelers.

To score each state, analysts weighed several factors: road quality, the number of auto repair shops along every 1,000 kilometers of road, road fatalities per 100,000 vehicles, and a few other odds and ends.

Florida landed a total score of 70.45, just a couple of points behind Maryland at 74.13, and well behind New Jersey’s top score of 83.

No other Southern state scored higher. Tennessee and Virginia followed close behind, earning the fourth and fifth spots, but Florida led the region.

Analysts described Florida’s roads as welcoming, almost a playground for anyone traveling by car. There’s plenty of support along the way. The state offers nearly 80 auto repair shops and over 42 gas stations per 1,000 kilometers. You’re not likely to get stranded without help. For those who want to spend time outdoors, Florida packs in over one National Park Service campground for every 10,000 kilometers.

At the other end of the spectrum, New Mexico finished last, earning a road travel score of just 17.02. Alaska and Mississippi fell within the bottom three in the study.

The post Sun, Sand, and Steering Wheels: Florida Scoops Third Place in the Ultimate Summer Road Trip Rankings appeared first on Englewood Review.

Sarasota County still enforces a countywide burn ban, in effect since April 19 because of high drought conditions. The county prohibits bonfires, campfires, and outdoor burning of yard debris. Cooking on a barbecue grill is the only activity permitted. Check the Sarasota County Fire Department portal for more details.

In Lee County, the ban expired on May 27. Thanks to seasonal rains, fire risk dropped, so burning restrictions are no longer in place. See the Lee County Government website for updates and tips on safe burning. Manatee County has also lifted its burn ban.

Charlotte County’s case is a bit more complicated. Back in March, commissioners pulled back their ban, but by April 28, they reinstated it countywide. Severe drought and increased fire danger forced the move, and the ban remains active for now. For more information, go to the Charlotte County website.

The City of Cape Coral no longer enforces its temporary burn ban. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index dropped below 600, improving conditions enough for the Cape Coral Fire Department to rescind the ban on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Residents can use recreational and cooking fires but should remain cautious. City codes require these fires to stay 25 feet away from any structure and always have a way to extinguish a fire nearby. Keep recreational fires under 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height. These are for enjoyment, not for burning trash or yard waste. 

Burn bans are a direct response to the historic drought gripping Florida. According to the NOAA Climate Prediction Center, this severe drought should ease by late August. Florida’s summer rains can dump a lot of water in a short time, but quick bursts aren’t enough. Steady rain is what it takes to really soak the deeper soil and rebuild regional water tables.

The post Lee, Manatee Counties and Cape Coral Lift Burn Bans, While Sarasota and Charlotte Counties Remain Active appeared first on Englewood Review.

15 Ways to Create “More Good Days” (Mental Health Awareness)

Built around the 2026 Mental Health America theme, these ideas focus on both group and personal well-being.

1. Decide What “Good” Means for You: Perfection’s overrated. Sometimes a good day is simply making it through something tough.

2. Start with a 30-Second Breathing Break: Take half a minute in the morning to just breathe and be present.

3. Use the “4 C’s”: Build Connection (relationships), show Compassion (toward yourself), practice Courage (take a step forward), and tap into Creativity.

4. Take a Tech Timeout: For one hour every day, put away the devices—no scrolling, no pings, just be.

5. Try Micro-Volunteering: Tiny actions count. Smile at someone, help a neighbor, hold a door.

6. Map Your Gratitude: Jot down three things you’re thankful for before bed. You’ll notice the shift.

7. Do a Free Mental Health Screen: Check up on yourself using online resources like mhascreening.org.

8. Move for Your Mind: Pick an activity that feels good—not like punishment.

9. Set Digital Limits: Turn off notifications that aren’t urgent and retrain your ability to focus.

10. Remember, Connection Guards Wellbeing: Text a friend just to chat, not to discuss work or stress.

11. Cheer for Small Wins: Give yourself credit for little victories, like staying hydrated or getting up with your alarm.

12. Listen and Learn: Tune into mental health podcasts while you drive or walk.

13. Try Therapy, Even When You’re Fine: Think of it as maintenance, not just for emergencies.

14. Build a Sensory Oasis: Make your bedroom calmer, darker, cooler, quiet. Sleep hygiene matters.

15. Support Kids and Teens: Gently nudge them to unplug and do something face-to-face.

12 “Sneaky” Ways to Move More (Physical Fitness Month)

Get creative with exercise; no gym membership is required.

1. Follow the 20/30 Rule: Walk ten minutes twice a day, or just do one solid 20–30-minute walk instead of another episode.

2. Park Farther Out: Choose a spot at the back of the parking lot and walk.

3. Dance Through Chores: Crank up the volume. You can burn calories with a vacuum cleaner or a broom.

4. Take the Stairs: If it’s three flights or fewer, skip the elevator.

5. Make Yard Work Count: Rake, dig, or plant; think of gardening as a workout.

6. Unload Groceries in Rounds: More trips means more steps.

7. Walk at Lunch: Use fifteen minutes for a stroll, either at work or outside.

8. Stretch While Streaming: Do a few squats, calf raises, or stretches while the kettle boils or during TV breaks.

9. Walk with Kids (or Pets): Ditch the car for short trips and go on foot or bike instead.

10. Wash the Car Yourself: Trade the drive-through wash for some honest scrubbing.

11. Sample a New Sport: Try cycling, hiking, or join a community team. Variety is the spice of life, so mix up your routine.

12. Set and Raise Your Step Goal: Track your steps and aim to boost them by 5–10% every week.

10 “Skin & Soul” Health Tips (Melanoma & Preventative Care)

May is a good time to take care of your skin, and the rest of you, too.

1. Check Your Skin: Look for new or changing moles; early detection matters.

2. Wear Orange: Show support on Melanoma Monday with something orange.

3. Make SPF a Habit: Use SPF 30+ every day, clouds or sunshine.

4. Book Your Screenings: Schedule annual check-ups and screenings. Don’t put them off.

5. Know Your Numbers: Have your blood pressure checked. High blood pressure rarely shouts for attention.

6. Eat More Antioxidants: Pile on the dark fruits and veggies, which are great for your skin and your health.

7. Protect Your Eyes: Wear sunglasses with UV protection to keep your eyes safe.

8. Get Vitamin D, but Don’t Overdo the Sun: Ten minutes of morning sun with protection is enough.

9. Hydrate: Aim for at least eight glasses of water. It helps with energy and focus.

10. Address Allergies: Treat spring allergies early so they don’t snowball into bigger problems.

These tips are designed for real life, not an idealized version of it. Start small, adjust as you go, and remember: every step counts.

The post May 2026 Power-Up: Simple, Real Ways to Create More Good Days Together appeared first on Englewood Review.

The school at 2350 Dr. Martin Luther King Way hosted the ceremony. The gathering brought together people who stood inside Booker Elementary on September 11, 2001, along with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Sarasota County Schools officials, local leaders, first responders, and law enforcement. They honored the memory of that day, and paid tribute to the courage and unity that defined those moments that linger still.

Steel Across America will cover over 10,500 miles, stopping in 21 states and Washington, D.C. at landmarks, town squares, sports stadiums, and community centers. The tour’s journey began May 2 and should finish back at Ground Zero on 9/11’s 25th anniversary. Sarasota marked stop number seven on this journey.

On September 11, President Bush was sitting in a classroom at Booker Elementary reading to a classroom of children. Andrew Card, his chief of staff, came in, whispered in his ear, and the president got up and made his way to the media center. The world learned what had happened. When asked if he’d heard a second plane hit, Bush replied, “We’re going to deal with that.” It was in the media center that President Bush announced America was under attack.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation forged itself in the aftermath of 9/11. It now provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star families and the families of fallen first responders with young children, and builds smart homes for severely injured veterans and first responders. Its work, and the steel beam, carry the story forward; a story rooted deep in tragedy, resilience, and hope.

The post 9/11 WTC Steel Relic Returns to Sarasota’s Booker Elementary for 25th Anniversary Tour appeared first on Englewood Review.

Devitt’s side presented a lengthy, 90-page legal filing on May 19. His attorney didn’t hold back, calling WINK’s allegations about Devitt’s personal life “scandalous” and “inflammatory.” At the heart of his counterclaim is the argument that his social media following, over 1.3 million followers, belongs to him, not the station. He also clarified that WINK News’ efforts to close his WeatherView brand have no legal footing.

Digging deeper, Devitt’s asking the judge to get rid of two counts in WINK’s complaint, saying they’re legally redundant or just improperly filed. The first, a breach of fiduciary duty, accuses Devitt of failing the station’s interests and earning outside income on the side. Devitt’s team insists this “repackages” a contract claim as a tort, and by Florida law, these have to be based on separate facts, something, he says, WINK has not done. The second, a request for a declaratory judgment on past conduct, is, according to Devitt, just WINK asking the court to rule on “what happened,” not on current legal rights, which is not how the law works.

He’s also asking the court to strike out parts of WINK’s complaint that paint him as a problem gambler. These claims, Devitt says, aren’t relevant and serve only to smear his reputation. Similarly, the lawsuit mentions his social media persona as a “family man.” Devitt’s attorney points out that this is just inflammatory and has nothing to do with the legal issues at hand.

Meanwhile, Devitt’s counterclaim zeros in on ownership of his massive online audience. He says his employment contract never transferred social media or outside income rights to the station, and Fort Myers Broadcasting has no stake in his personal accounts. Devitt wants the court to say unequivocally, the station can’t take over or shut them down.

Evidence from the filing bolsters his argument. His attorneys highlighted that the station openly celebrated his online presence in writing. Former News Director Tom Doerr once praised Devitt’s “impressive social media following” of over half a million fans when promoting him to Chief Meteorologist. And when Devitt hit a million Facebook followers in April 2025, WINK News posted a public “congratulations.” Devitt’s legal team points to this as proof the company can’t suddenly claim ownership of the accounts it spent years promoting.

Public interest plays a role here as well. WINK sent a cease-and-desist letter over Devitt’s planned hurricane preparedness talk in Charlotte County. The station claims it violated his non-compete, but Devitt says that’s a ridiculous stretch, especially for unpaid, public safety work. Blocking communications that keep people safe, he argues, would hurt the public, not just him.

The roots of this suit go back to Devitt’s firing in January, which the station says followed repeated disciplinary issues, everything from tardiness and unapproved graphics to questionable HR moves. Meanwhile, Fort Myers Broadcasting accuses him of building a competing brand and even recruiting staff while still employed. Public documents reveal he registered Matt The Weatherman Inc. as a company in Florida and applied for the federal “WEATHERVIEW” trademark, covering everything from weather news to digital content.

The fallout hasn’t stayed in the newsroom. The case’s high profile bled into local politics, with congressional candidate Catalina Lauf dragging her opponent into the mix. Her rival, Jim Schwartzel, swiftly denied any business link to WINK News, calling the rumors pure politics.

For now, Devitt remains defiant. He’s demanded a jury trial on every count. While the case moves through Lee County court, he keeps running WeatherView, updating his audience and rebuilding his social media after Facebook temporarily booted, then restored, his page. It is clear this fight’s about far more than weather updates. It’s about control, reputation, and who really owns a following in the digital age.

Track the latest updates directly through the Lee County Clerk of Court public portal as this stormy legal battle unfolds.

The post Matt Devitt’s Weathering the Storm: Meteorologist Forecasts a High Chance of Countersuits Against Former Employer appeared first on Englewood Review.

Boiled peanuts have always been part of the Southern road trip experience. As a native Floridian, I have fond memories of hopping in the car, hitting the back roads of Florida, and grabbing a bag at the first boiled peanut stand we passed. 

Those stops weren’t just about peanuts, either. There were always fresh fruit and vegetables stacked in baskets: more oranges than you could ever eat, tomatoes so red they practically glowed, homemade fudge, and from time to time, a bucket of baby alligators or turtles wriggling around near the counter. Thankfully, it is now illegal to sell these baby turtles and alligators. 

Boiled peanuts steal the show. They’re a beloved Southern classic, and their roots run deep. Enslaved West Africans brought the culinary tradition to the American South, taking fresh, green peanuts and boiling them into a snack that feels both communal and special. Even though peanuts originated in South America, it’s the practice of boiling them, something common with legumes and nuts in Africa, that shaped them into the Southern staple we know.

During the Civil War, soldiers on both sides faced empty pantries, so they boiled peanuts over campfires. The result was a snack that’s full of protein and keeps for days. Fast forward to the early 20th century when peanuts became a cash crop, and roadside vendors in the South began selling boiled peanuts from makeshift stands and carts. A nickel was all you needed.

In Florida and the Deep South, boiled peanuts and the pop-up roadside market go hand in hand. You spot them on the side of the highway, sometimes in an old truck, other times from a folding table under a tarp. They steam in big slow cookers, and you can buy them by the pint or quart, usually in a plastic bag or a Styrofoam cup. You get two choices: classic salted or Cajun spicy. Crack open the shells, toss them (or let the local wildlife enjoy them), and eat the soft, salty nuts inside.

A few fun facts if you’re curious:

– “Green” peanuts aren’t green. It just means they’re fresh, raw peanuts, not the dried or roasted kind you find at a ballgame. Devoted fans say green peanuts make the best boiled peanuts.

– Boiled peanuts are so popular that South Carolina even made them the state snack in 2006.

– The word “goober” comes from “nguba,” a term from Kikongo and Kimbundu, brought to the South by enslaved Africans.

Want to try making your own? Here’s the simple way:

Classic Southern Boiled Peanut Recipe

Ingredients:

– 2 lbs fresh, raw, in-shell (green) peanuts

– 1/2 to 1 cup kosher or sea salt (your call)

– 1 gallon water

– Optional: 1/4 cup Cajun seasoning, a chopped jalapeño, or diced garlic if you like them spicy

Instructions:

1. Rinse the peanuts in a colander to wash off dirt.

2. Bring a gallon of water and salt to a boil in a huge pot. Toss in any seasonings you want. Stir to dissolve the salt.

3. Add the cleaned peanuts. Drop the heat, cover, and simmer for 3 to 4 hours. Keep an eye on the water and add more boiling water if it looks low.

4. Test one: crack it open. It should be soft, almost like a cooked bean. If it’s crunchy or bland, simmer for another hour.

5. Once they’re done, turn off the heat and let them soak in the salty water for an hour or two. Don’t skip this step, as that soak pulls all the flavor into every shell and nut.

6. Scoop out what you want, drain them, and eat them warm.

You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to five days, or freeze them and pull out a batch anytime you want a snack.

If searching for local boiled peanut stands or markets, check Florida’s visitor guides or community forums. The next time you’re driving back roads, pull over and give them a try. It’s worth the stop.

The post Summer Road Trip? Shell Yeah: The Glorious, Goober-Filled Evolution of the Florida Roadside Stand (Recipe Included) appeared first on Englewood Review.

Memorial Day started out as Decoration Day, a name that came from the early tradition of laying flowers, wreaths, and flags on soldiers’ graves. It’s a day for remembering those who died serving the United States. 

On May 30, 1868, for the first time, Americans across the country set aside a day to honor Union soldiers lost in the Civil War. General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, a group formed by Union veterans, officially called for this national day of remembrance.

At that first major event, James Garfield, once a Union general and then a congressman from Ohio, stood before a crowd at Arlington National Cemetery and delivered a speech. Afterward, about 5,000 people fanned out to decorate the graves of over 20,000 soldiers from both the Union and Confederate armies. This act of collective remembrance emerged from earlier local memorial events, like the one held in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1865. There, freed slaves organized a tribute and proper burial for Union troops, a powerful gesture of respect right after the war ended.

In 1873, New York took the lead and became the first state to make Memorial Day a legal holiday. Within a few decades, it caught on across the country, with many cities and states following suit. The meaning of the holiday stretched as well. After World War I, Memorial Day grew to include all American military personnel who died in any war, not just the Civil War. When Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1971, Memorial Day landed on the last Monday in May and became a federal holiday.

Tradition still holds at Arlington every year. Each grave receives a small American flag, and either the President or the Vice President lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Memorial Day serves as a federal holiday now, setting aside time for Americans to honor men and women who died in uniform. Some visit cemeteries or join parades, while others gather with family, quietly mindful, even as the holiday unofficially signals the start of summer.

A few facts about Memorial Day:

– Memorial Day honors U.S. military members who died in combat.

– People once called it Decoration Day because families and friends decorated soldiers’ graves.

– It became a federal holiday in 1971, though its roots reach back to the 1860s.

– Memorial Day centers on honoring the fallen, while Veterans Day focuses on all who served, especially living veterans.

For service members, veterans, and their families, Memorial Day can be an emotional and sacred time. In an interview with The Wounded Warrior Project, Army veteran Edwin Martinez put it plainly: “Memorial Day is important to me because I honor those who have sacrificed their lives and their family’s lives in pursuit of freedom for our nation. What greater gift can one man or woman sacrifice to keep the U.S. free and maintain our way of life?”

U.S. Marine Corps veteran David Daly feels the day deeply, too. While many Americans look forward to the long weekend, he challenges us not to forget why the day exists: to remember bravery and loss, not just to enjoy time off. “For me, the day reminds me of friends lost and the horrors of war,” Daly said to The Wounded Warrior Project. “At the same time, it reminds us all that while the day-to-day events of the world often paint a picture of gloom and doom, we still live in a place where heroes are among us. While these brave souls have passed in service, their memory is honored on Memorial Day to remind us that we had the privilege of existing on the same plane as them, even if it was only for a moment.”

The post The History of Memorial Day: Honoring the Heroes Behind the Bravery and Loss appeared first on Englewood Review.

According to the National Safety Council data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, and sounded the alarm. For Memorial Day weekend in 2026, according to statistics, they predict 393 people will die in traffic crashes across the country. The holiday period runs from 6 p.m. Friday, May 22, until just before midnight on Monday, May 25. They expect almost 40 million people to drive, leading to jam-packed highways.

Historically, more people die on Memorial Day weekend than on the weekends right before or after, approximately 6% to 10% more, to be exact. The leading causes are drinking, speeding, and not wearing seatbelts. These are the same factors the NHTSA highlights every year, especially with the start of what’s called the “100 Deadliest Days.” These are the summer months when teen drivers, in particular, are involved in more fatal wrecks.

If you’re driving anywhere in Florida, especially through Orlando or along the Gulf Coast, check ahead with Florida 511 for up-to-the-minute traffic info. If you want to dig through the actual crash data yourself, the NHTSA FARS Query System is available.

The advice stays the same every year: Drive sober. Keep your phone down. Wear your seatbelt. And make sure your car is up to the trip. If you spot someone driving aggressively or clearly impaired, don’t hesitate, dial *FHP (*347) to reach the Highway Patrol. Your call goes straight to their communications center and out to the closest trooper. It could save lives.

The post Drive Safely This Holiday Weekend: The Deadliest Memorial Day Roads in Florida Are I-75 and US-41 appeared first on Englewood Review.

In Englewood, you’ll find the heart of tradition front and center at the Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony. According to the Englewood Chamber of Commerce website, the public is invited to the Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony on Monday, May 25, 9:00 a.m.  to 11:00 a.m. at Gulf Pines Memorial Park, 2401 Englewood Road. 

At Gulf Pines Memorial Park, people gather for a wreath-laying, a 21-gun salute, and words from guest speakers. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call Gulf Pines at 941•474•2413.

Meanwhile, area VFWs, including Post 10178, welcome residents for solemn services, shared lunches, and time with neighbors who understand the meaning of the day firsthand. VFW Post Officer Danny Fuson says, “For Memorial Day, we’ll be at the cemetery.” Danny handles the flag placement. He’s done it for about ten years, putting flags at the old Lemon Bay Funeral Home cemetery.

On Memorial Day, the VFW post partners with Lemon Bay High’s Navy Junior ROTC, led by Darren Glaser, a retired Navy captain and the post’s senior vice commander. Danny says, “The cadets bring up their sabers for the Gold Star families. I’m recruiting people from each branch of service to help place wreaths.”

Up the highway, Punta Gorda’s Military Heritage Museum hosts its own ceremony from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Expect the color guard in their dress blues, re-enactors bringing history to life, and documentaries rolling, each one a reminder of the sacrifices made. The ceremony is free, while admission to the Museum is $18 for adults, $5 for children, Veterans are $14, and Gold Star Families are free. The Military Heritage Museum is located at 900 West Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda. 

If you’re looking to join in the music and sunshine, the Boca Grande H20 Sandbar Music Festival delivers, with live bands, food boats anchored out by Dog Island, and that unmistakable sun-soaked Florida energy. This event takes place on Saturday, May 23, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., kicking off the summer boating season during Memorial Day weekend. This highly popular floating festival is completely free to attend and requires a boat, kayak, or float to reach the sandbar off Gasparilla Island, which is the water between Gasparilla Island and Placida, Florida.

Memorial Day Events Throughout Southwest Florida

In Bonita Springs, the Veterans Advisory Committee holds a service downtown on the Liles Hotel Lawn at 9 a.m., featuring Ray Sandelli, a retired Navy lieutenant and Blue Angel, sharing his story. Cape Coral hosts its 45th annual tribute at Coral Ridge Cemetery, led by Air Force veterans Chuck and Annette Warren.

On Marco Island, the Veterans Community Park hosts a striking ceremony, a posting of the colors, and a 21-gun salute, starting at 11 a.m. Manatee County’s official commemoration at Donald L. Courtney Veterans Park pays homage to over 300 Florida servicemen and women lost since 9/11 with a photographic memorial and speeches from local leaders.

Sarasota plans a downtown parade at 10 a.m., followed by a J.D. Hamel Park ceremony. The city’s National Cemetery begins its own events even earlier: a wreath-laying, speakers, and military honors at 7:30 a.m. And if you’re looking for something active, SRQ VETS hosts its annual Memorial Day 5K hike, which ends in a park cookout with music and games.

Captiva kicked things off on Friday at South Seas Resort. There’s a tarpon fishing tournament, the inaugural South Seas Golf Scramble, and even a Little Anglers competition for kids, all raising funds for Folds of Honor. Special tributes include a paratrooper landing and a helicopter golf ball drop, mixing remembrance with community spirit.

Despite rising fuel prices, travel doesn’t slow down. AAA projects about 2.6 million Floridians will hit the road for Memorial Day weekend, many venturing 50 miles or more, but just as many staying close, discovering the rich events in their own backyards. Between Thursday and Monday, over 2.3 million will drive, over 236,000 will fly, and thousands more will travel by bus, train, or cruise.

No matter where you find yourself this Memorial Day in Southwest Florida, you’re never far from a way to honor the sacrifice of veterans and come together, whether at a parade, a picnic, a ceremony, or simply a quiet moment of thanks.

Check out this website link for more information about the local Memorial Holiday events.

The post Sacrifice and Remembrance: A Guide to Englewood and Southwest Florida’s Memorial Day Weekend Events appeared first on Englewood Review.

In my town there is an attempted rezone of an area. The request would change the area for the worse forever. The area in question is residential, with our state park, Stump Pass State Park to the south. This park being. My happy place. A place where one could go and feel they could get away. Unencumbered by the world’s stress. This development directly negatively impacts it. Also the sea turtles and shorebirds that depend on it for reliable habitat and foraging grounds. 

My letter to zoning and commissioners. 

Members of the BOCC:

My name is Carol McCoy. I am a full-time resident and taxpayer in Charlotte County, and I have served as a volunteer sea turtle monitor with the Coastal Wildlife Club for more than ten years.

The application materials submitted for this rezoning appear to be incomplete, and I have specific questions that I want answered on the public record.

I am against the re-zone for the reasons listed below:

THE SCALE OF THIS PROJECT DEMANDS SCRUTINY

The Manasota Key Resort currently operates 85 units. This application seeks to expand to 246 units — nearly three times the current size. This is a barrier island served by one narrow two-lane road — Beach Road and Gulf Boulevard, County Road 776 — and one drawbridge over Lemon Bay. There is already limited parking. The infrastructure of this island was not designed for development of this scale.

I am not opposed to business. I am asking whether this board has fully examined what a project of this magnitude means for the infrastructure, the taxpayers, the wildlife, and the human safety of this specific location — before it votes.

THIS BEACH AND SHORELINE SUPPORT PROTECTED WILDLIFE

The beach behind this resort is not simply a nice beach. In 2014, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service formally designated Manasota Key as critical habitat for the loggerhead sea turtle under the Endangered Species Act — an official federal determination that this beach contains the physical and biological features essential to the conservation of a threatened species. Manasota Key is also within the area proposed for critical habitat designation for the North Atlantic Distinct Population Segment of the green sea turtle, which would add a second layer of federal protection to this same beach.

The nesting area immediately surrounding this resort is a large, U-shaped stretch of beach — not a single linear strip, but an envelope of habitat that gives nesting sea turtles open, sandy access from multiple directions. CWC has documented nesting here by loggerhead, green, and in 2024, Kemp’s ridley sea turtles — the most critically endangered sea turtle in the world. A development expanding to 246 units, with its associated lighting, construction disturbance, increased foot traffic, and hard coastal structures, threatens that entire nesting envelope.

This beach and the adjacent Lemon Bay shoreline are also important habitats for migratory and resident shorebirds and seabirds. Florida’s Gulf Coast lies within the Atlantic Flyway — a major migratory corridor used by hundreds of bird species traveling between their northern breeding grounds and southern wintering areas.

Charlotte County’s own natural resources documentation confirms that county beaches, including this stretch, provide nesting and foraging habitat for state-threatened species including the least tern, black skimmer, American oystercatcher, and snowy plover. These birds nest directly on the sand, making them especially vulnerable to development, lighting, construction activity, and increased human presence. All native bird species are additionally protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, regardless of whether they migrate. Beyond the birds, this beach and surrounding area also supports gopher tortoises, another state-listed species.

The wildlife value of this location does not belong only to conservation advocates. It belongs to every resident, every tourist, every birder, every angler, and every family that visits this island. It is part of what makes this place worth protecting — and worth visiting.

Given the documented presence of three sea turtle species and multiple state-threatened shorebirds, this application should have been referred to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before reaching this board. FDEP has jurisdiction over coastal construction and the adjacent Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve. FWC has direct authority over sea turtle and shorebird protection in Florida. Neither agency appears to have been consulted, and that is a serious gap in this review process.

TWO PROTECTED DESIGNATIONS — ONE PROPERTY

Lemon Bay — the body of water the Tom Adams Bridge crosses, and the bay that borders this property on its eastern side — is a state-designated Aquatic Preserve and an Outstanding Florida Waterbody, managed by FDEP. This property sits between two formally protected resource designations: federally designated critical habitat on the Gulf side, and a state Aquatic Preserve on the bay side. That context is absent from this application and should not be.

QUESTION 1: THE SEA WALL

The sea wall of concern is located on the Gulf beach side of the property, behind the garage structure. There are additional, disconnected sea walls to the north and south. The U-shaped nesting beach wraps around this entire area.

This project involves construction on a federally designated critical habitat beach that receives federal funds for periodic renourishment. Rebuilding, expanding, or modifying a sea wall in this context may require authorization from the Army Corps of Engineers and a state permit from FDEP.

Has either permit been applied for? If so, those documents are public records and should be in this application. They are not.

QUESTION 2: THE ROAD AND THE BRIDGE

Tripling the resort’s capacity will generate a permanent and significant increase in traffic on a two-lane island road. Large construction trucks will cross the Tom Adams Bridge repeatedly over an extended construction period. The road and bridge may require reinforcement to handle both the construction phase and long-term increased use.

The Tom Adams Bridge is a drawbridge over the Intracoastal Waterway. As such, it is subject to U.S. Coast Guard regulatory oversight independent of county ownership.

Any structural modification involves federal jurisdiction. The bridge also sustained significant structural damage during Hurricane Milton in 2024 — undermining at all four quadrants — and has since been repaired by Charlotte County.

My question: are any public funds — county, state, or federal — anticipated for road or bridge upgrades as a result of this project? That disclosure is not in this application, and it should be.

QUESTION 3: PROCESS CONCERNS

A traffic study was conducted for this project — during the summer months. In Southwest Florida, summer is our lowest-traffic season. Peak season, when roads and the bridge carry their highest loads, runs fall through spring. A study conducted during the off-peak season does not reflect real-world conditions. I am asking this board whether it considers that study adequate, and if not, to require a peak-season study before any vote.

An environmental survey appears to have been waived for this project. On a federally designated critical habitat beach bordered by a state Aquatic Preserve, with documented nesting by three sea turtle species and state-threatened shorebirds, that decision demands a public explanation. I want to know, was a waiver authorized that waiver, who waived it, under what authority, and why. That answer belongs on the record.

QUESTION 4: EMERGENCY EVACUATION AND HUMAN SAFETY

Manasota Key is Evacuation Zone A — the highest-risk category in Charlotte County, ordered to evacuate first in every storm. Charlotte County issued Zone A evacuation orders for Manasota Key during Hurricane Ian, Hurricane Helene, and Hurricane Milton, three major events in three years. Charlotte County has no certified Red Cross shelters; evacuees may need to travel to another county.

This project would nearly triple the number of guests, employees, and visitors who would need to evacuate across one two-lane road and one drawbridge. Its long-term load capacity under storm conditions has not been publicly evaluated in connection with this application.

Emergency evacuation planning for a project of this scale on a Zone A barrier island is not optional. 

I am asking this board: have the following agencies been consulted, and where are the records of that consultation?

Charlotte County Office of Emergency Management — primary Zone A evacuation authority.

Florida Division of Emergency Management — state coordination required under Florida Statute Chapter 252.

Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office — evacuation traffic and public safety.

Charlotte County Fire and EMS — emergency response capacity on a barrier island.

Florida Department of Health, Charlotte County — medical evacuation and special needs planning.

U.S. Coast Guard — marine evacuation if road or bridge access is lost during a storm.

The Florida Legislature, in Chapter 252, specifically identified growth in coastal populations and seasonal visitors as factors complicating the state’s ability to coordinate emergency management. These are life-safety questions, not bureaucratic ones. They were not addressed in this application.

MY FORMAL REQUEST TO THIS BOARD

I am requesting that this board require the applicant to provide, prior to any approval vote:

1. Documentation of any Army Corps of Engineers or FDEP permit applications or determinations related to the Gulf-side sea wall.

2. Referral to FDEP for evaluation of coastal construction impacts and impacts to the Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve.

3. Referral to FWC for evaluation of impacts to sea turtle nesting habitat, state-threatened shorebirds (least tern, black skimmer, American oystercatcher, snowy plover), and other state-listed species including the gopher tortoise.

4. Documentation of any U.S. Coast Guard coordination related to the Tom Adams Bridge in connection with this project.

5. Documentation of any FDOT or U.S. DOT involvement related to County Road 776.

6. A complete disclosure of all public and private funding sources for every component of this project, including infrastructure.

7. A public explanation of who authorized the waiver of an environmental survey, under what authority, and why.

8. A peak-season traffic study that reflects real-world conditions, including bridge load capacity.

9. Written confirmation from the Charlotte County Office of Emergency Management, Florida Division of Emergency Management, Charlotte County Sheriff, Fire and EMS, and Florida Department of Health that each has reviewed and accepted the evacuation implications of nearly tripling resort capacity on a Zone A barrier island.

This beach is sandwiched between two formally protected resource designations. It is served by one road and one storm-damaged bridge. It sits in Evacuation Zone A in a county with no certified Red Cross shelter. A project proposing to triple the density of this location required a thorough, transparent, multi-agency review — an off-season traffic study and a waived environmental survey are not that. The people of this county, the visitors who would stay in those 246 units, and the wildlife this shoreline supports all deserve better before this board acts.

Thank you.
Carol McCoy
Englewood, FL 

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