Mama’s Italian Restaurant, located at 2091 South McCall Road, was originally established in 1982 by Sicilian-born Joseph Recca, who set out to serve authentic Italian cuisine inspired by his mother’s recipes. Through decades of dedication and community support, Mama’s became known for its homestyle cooking and welcoming atmosphere.

In 2018, Roberto and Ana Rosa Guido took ownership, carrying forward Recca’s vision while building on their own long history with the restaurant. Roberto Guido, now executive chef, has worked at Mama’s for 26 years, while Ana Rosa Guido, a hostess, has been part of the team for 20 years.

Edgar Guido, the couple’s son, said it is important to their family to continue the restaurant in the tradition established by Joe and Paula Recca, both for the community and the Recca family.

The restaurant faced a major setback after Hurricane Ian caused significant damage, but it has since reopened with a renovated interior, including a new bar area. Today, Mama’s offers a casual, family-friendly setting with both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as takeout options and a children’s menu.

Known for its Italian specialties, Mama’s also draws praise for its desserts, coffee and cocktails. The restaurant remains a popular destination for both locals and visitors, offering lunch and dinner at moderate prices. Some customer favorites include lasagna, chicken or veal parmigiana, and of course, their pizza!

Mama’s is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is closed Sundays. For more information, call 941-475-5656 or email mamasenglewood@gmail.com.

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They’re going after gun violence and drug trafficking, upping their game on the roads, and putting more focus on officer training, especially in crisis response and de-escalation. All this comes thanks to a mix of state and federal grants, plus money from the city’s own budget. City Council gave the green light at their first meeting of the year on January 5.

Here’s what’s new: Council approved three major tech subscriptions, starting with a three-year, $868,000 contract renewal with SoundThinking Inc. for the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system. This setup covers four square miles of Fort Myers, tracking and pinpointing gunfire down to about 82 feet. When shots are fired, officers see real-time alerts, complete with exact coordinates and addresses, sent straight to dispatch, squad cars, and even their phones. And it’s more than just fast alerts; ShotSpotter gives prosecutors court-ready data, like how many shots were fired, the timing, and if more than one shooter was involved.

The Council also signed off on a five-year, $1,069,405 agreement with Mark43 Inc. for a cloud-based dispatch and records system. This keeps 911 calls, police dispatch, and other critical operations running smoothly. On top of that, there’s a $249,596 contract for annual radio support through Lee County Public Safety.

That’s just the tech side. Grant money is also fueling several other public safety efforts for 2026. The Department of Justice is chipping in $175,000 to help fight drug trafficking. This backs Operation SAFE, a program that targets opioid trafficking rings—especially those dealing fentanyl. The funds pay for detective overtime, a mass spectrometer for on-the-spot drug testing, and educational materials for the community, all in partnership with local health care and emergency services. The goal? Mix real-time investigative tech with public outreach for a bigger impact.

Another DOJ grant in the amount of $300,000 will fund crisis-response training across the whole department. Officers will get hands-on, evidence-based training in de-escalation, helping them make better decisions and communicate more clearly in tense situations. It’s about keeping both the public and officers safer when things get unpredictable.

The DOJ is also covering half the cost for new bulletproof vests, $43,680 in total. These vests, with five-year warranties, go to field staff, including both sworn officers and community service aides.

Finally, the Florida Department of Transportation is putting up $90,000 for the city’s Teen Highway Safety Initiative. That money covers overtime and benefits for traffic officers focused on teen driving, plus new speed-measuring gear to cut down on crashes and violations.

All said, the department is gearing up for a safer, smarter Fort Myers in 2026, with big investments in tech, training, and targeted public safety campaigns.

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People keep spotting and even catching these giant snakes in places like Charlotte County, far from their old stronghold in the Everglades. Their numbers keep growing, and as they spread out looking for food and space, they’re turning up in new neighborhoods.

These pythons didn’t belong here to begin with. They arrived through the exotic pet trade, and now they’re throwing the local ecosystem out of balance. Native mammals and birds are disappearing, panthers, bobcats, even alligators are affected. The food web’s taking a hit, and the problem isn’t small. Just last year, trappers found an 18-foot female python packed with 122 eggs. That’s not just one snake; that’s the next generation, ready to scatter.

Agencies like the South Florida Water Management District and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are stepping up their efforts and running programs to track and remove these snakes. One method involves using “Judas” pythons, males fitted with transmitters, to find hidden females during breeding season. Community events like the Florida Python Challenge turn removal into a public mission.

Scientists are tracking new behaviors as well. Some reports mention pythons courting in open water, which makes them even harder to find and capture. Their adaptability keeps experts on their toes. The Florida Gulf Coast News and FWC both confirm that these snakes are steadily moving north and west, settling into Collier, Charlotte, and other Gulf Coast counties.

Trappers say they’re getting more calls about pythons showing up in people’s yards and suburban neighborhoods. Experts expect this trend to continue as pythons expand their range. Trappers strongly advise against trying to catch or handle these snakes if you run into one. The risk isn’t worth it, as people end up needing stitches or worse. Call the professionals. Report any sightings, especially outside the usual range, to the FWC. If you’re trained and it’s safe, you can dispatch a snake on your property, but always let wildlife officials know.

Burmese pythons are spreading, and Florida’s wildlife, and people, feel the impact. Stay alert. Report what you see. And leave the snake wrangling to the experts.

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Charlotte Commission Chairman Joe Tiseo and Lee County Chair Kevin Ruane met at the Punta Gorda Library, facing a crowd of about 50 people. This was their first official step in trying to resolve the dispute, a meeting Charlotte had pushed to make happen.

Here’s what’s going on: Lee County approved new rules that limit non-residents to just three hours of parking in certain areas of Boca Grande. The kicker? While Boca sits in Lee County, Charlotte residents have flocked there for years, it’s their beach, too. Geographically, Boca is cut off from the rest of Lee by Gasparilla Sound, so most visitors actually have to drive through Charlotte County just to get there.

Boca Grande businesses are concerned these changes will hurt business. Tiseo thinks Lee County based its decision on stories, not facts. “What I am hearing is discussion that is more subjective than objective,” he said.

Ruane pushed back, saying Lee did its homework. He insisted the county studied the parking situation, held meetings, and listened to plenty of feedback before making any decisions.

Tiseo asked Lee to put the new rules on hold so both counties could look at the problem together.

Ruane wasn’t having it. He blamed Charlotte for approving too many new homes near Boca, which he said made parking chaos inevitable. “Parking has gotten much worse,” Ruane said. “People are creating a public safety issue. They’re blocking driveways. They’re urinating in people’s pools. All kinds of problems within the zone.” That’s why, he said, non-resident parking is off-limits in Boca’s residential neighborhoods now.

Both chairs said they’ll bring the debate back to their boards for a vote. Charlotte’s not ruling out a lawsuit if nothing changes. The fight over Boca Grande parking isn’t ending anytime soon.

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Christine Johnson, president of Big Waters, didn’t hold back her gratitude. “We’re so lucky to have such a dedicated, passionate conservation community,” she said. “Ann Van Cott’s commitment lets us achieve real impact across the region. Her ongoing support—her time, resources, and heart—make a huge difference.”

Ann’s not new to this. For decades, she’s poured her energy into connecting people with Florida’s wild places. She established the Natural Heritage Fund, which, over the years, has helped create nature trails, kayak launches, picnic spots, educational signs—pretty much anything that gets folks outdoors and appreciating nature. Her fingerprints are all over Big Waters projects, from Orange Hammock Ranch to Red Bug Slough, and the Rewilding the Quad Parcels at the Celery Fields.

Her drive and generosity haven’t just powered up land and water protection—they’ve also brought more people and partners into the conservation fold. Ann’s influence inspires others to get involved, and that ripple effect helps the entire region thrive, now and for the future.

This year’s Conservation Celebration took place at Big Waters’ Bay Preserve headquarters in Osprey. Along with honoring Ann, the event highlighted a year’s worth of conservation wins, all made possible by a growing network of supporters who care deeply about this community.

About Big Waters Land Trust

Big Waters protects land and water for the good of both people and nature. They team up with individuals, organizations, and government partners to make sure everyone can enjoy clean water, fresh air, healthy food, and beautiful wild spaces. Their work helps the region stand strong against storms and floods, makes life better for everyone, and keeps our community safe for generations. You can learn more at bigwaterslandtrust.org.

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The parcels were rezoned to Office, Professional, Institutional (OPI) to align with the county’s comprehensive plan and the State Road 776 corridor plan. The application, represented by Rhea Hunter, director of planning at RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture, updates two lots previously zoned Open Use Estate (OUE-2) and two already zoned OPI.

“This request simply extends the OPI zoning across all four parcels,” Hunter told commissioners. “We believe this will address compatibility concerns raised by the Planning Commission and bring the property into conformity with the comprehensive plan.”

Planning History and Staff Recommendations

The rezoning follows a September 4 Planning Commission vote recommending denial of an earlier request to change the site to Commercial Neighborhood zoning. The applicant revised the proposal in response to concerns about potential intensity of uses.

Sarasota County Planner Evan Claessens said staff recommended approval with conditions limiting access from State Road 776 and requiring compliance with the corridor plan. Staff did not object to the applicant’s request to reduce a required 50-foot landscape buffer to 20 feet along the highway.

Public Concerns Over Buffer and Flooding

Nearby residents spoke in opposition to the buffer reduction, citing flooding and environmental impacts.

“I oppose reducing the buffer from 50 to 20 feet,” said resident Nicole Becker. “It will reduce green space, worsen flooding, and set a precedent for future waivers.”

Derek Silcox, another nearby homeowner, echoed those concerns. “After Hurricane Ian, that intersection flooded badly,” he said. “Even small changes in impervious surfaces can make a big difference.”

Commission Debate and Decision

District 1 Commissioner Teresa Mast supported the rezoning but emphasized the need for thoughtful design. “We may not know what will be built there, but we can be good neighbors in advance,” Mast said, calling for enhanced buffering and lighting considerations.

District 5 Commissioner Ron Cuttsinger, who represents Englewood, defended the buffer reduction. “If we required 50 feet plus another 25 feet for a buffer, we’d essentially make the property undevelopable,” he said. “This is a small, benign project that will likely result in a modest office building.”

Chairman Joe Neunder acknowledged public concerns but joined the unanimous vote. “It’s a beautiful area,” he said. “My only heartburn is the reduction from 50 to 20 feet, but I respect the property rights involved.”

The motion to approve both parts of the application passed 5-0.

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According to Sarasota County, the following offices and facilities will be closed: all Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources locations, Sarasota County Breeze Transit administrative offices and ticket outlets, and all county recreation facilities including the Knight Trail Park pistol and rifle range and the Englewood Sports Complex.

Solid waste administrative offices, including the Central County Landfill Administration Office, Solid Waste Administrative Office, Chemical Collection Center and the Re-Uz-It Shop,  will also be closed. The Jackson Road Chemical Collection Center remains closed due to damage from Hurricane Ian.

Additional closures include Sarasota County UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability, the Florida Department of Health – Sarasota, the Sarasota County Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller, and the Supervisor of Elections. Clerk services remain available online at www.SarasotaClerk.com

Sarasota County Utilities Customer Service Operations will be closed to the public from Thursday, November 6, at 4:30 p.m. through Tuesday, November 11, for a system transition to a new customer information platform. Payments will not be accepted during that period. Residents can make payments in advance at scgov.net/BillPay. 

Residents seeking more information can contact Sarasota County by calling 311 or visiting scgov.net

Open in Sarasota County

Curbside collection of trash, recycling and yard waste will continue on its regular schedule in unincorporated areas. Residents should place items at the curb by 6 a.m. on their pickup day.

Disposal operations at the Central County Landfill (4000 Knights Trail Road, Nokomis) and the Citizens’  Convenience Center (4010 Knights Trail Road, Nokomis) will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Customers unloading by hand should arrive at least 30 minutes before closing.

Breeze services, including Breeze OnDemand and Breeze Plus, will operate regular hours. Sarasota County Public Schools will remain open on November 11, 2025.

Charlotte County Closures

Charlotte County Government offices will also close Tuesday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day. The Charlotte County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller’s Office, Tax Collector offices, and all branches of the Charlotte County Public Library will be closed.

The U.S. Postal Service will suspend regular mail delivery and retail services. Priority Mail Express will still be delivered, with normal service resuming the following day.

Open in Charlotte County
Banks are expected to remain open, though some may have modified holiday hours. Most retail and grocery stores will operate as usual. Federal government offices will close for the holiday, but essential services will continue. Charlotte County Public Schools will remain open on November 11, 2025. Please click here for up-to-date Veterans Day closures for Charlotte County.

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Police said lifeguards and emergency crews responded immediately, but the man could not be revived. “Despite immediate life-saving efforts, the visitor sadly passed away,” the department said in a statement.

Investigators believe the incident was the result of a medical episode, and there is no indication of suspicious activity, officials said.

The park will remain closed during the investigation and is expected to reopen at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, October 29. North Port Police, North Port Fire Rescue, and Warm Mineral Springs lifeguards all responded to the scene.

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With the addition, four of the department’s six frontline fire apparatus are now ALS-certified. These units are staffed with firefighter/paramedics and equipped with advanced medications, cardiac monitoring technology, and life-saving tools designed to treat severe medical and trauma emergencies before patients reach the hospital.

The upgrade is part of a broader initiative to strengthen emergency medical services in response to Englewood’s growth. Officials say expanding ALS coverage improves response times, increases access to advanced pre-hospital care, and supports better patient outcomes across the community.

The move underscores the department’s focus on prioritizing community service and enhancing resources to meet evolving public safety needs.

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