The Santiva Chronicle is releasing the top 10 most-read stories of 2025, most of which covered Sanibel’s recovery from Hurricane Ian in September 2022, and Hurricanes Helen and Milton in 2024. Captiva’s legal fight against Lee County and South Seas Resort, and the listing of the Rauschenberg property for sale, also made the list.
Sanibel Causeway Nears Completion; Parks Project Begins
Since Hurricane Ian swept away the two artificial Causeway Islands, taking the roadway with them, the Florida Department of Transportation worked for 2.5 years to fortify the islands and the bridge against future storms.
“The bridge now stands as a fortress against nature’s fury,” Janella Newsome, FDOT District One Director of Public Information, said in February 2025 at a Tourist Development Council meeting.
“This engineering marvel not only safeguards the island’s connection to the mainland but also brings new life into the local economy. Ensuring that tourism and beachside beauty will continue to thrive for generations to come,” said Newsome.
As FDOT neared the finish line on the bridge, Lee County Parks and Recreation began restoring the Causeway Island Parks A and B. Lee County is breaking the project into two phases, with the first phase completed last summer. There are now over 800 designated parking spaces, portable toilets, and trash available.
Lee County plans to begin the second phase of the causeway parks project in the second quarter of 2026, focusing on long-term improvements. The second phase will include rebuilding and redeveloping the islands, for which design plans are underway, and the county will continue making changes to the long-term plan.
The Sanibel Causeway project was the most-read story last year.
What’s Up With Dairy Queen?
The iconic Dairy Queen building was slowly dismantled last year, and the top half will be restored to its original condition. However, it will no longer be a Dairy Queen after more than five decades. The new owner has proposed a different restaurant, since the DQ franchise agreement required the building to be an architectural style not allowed on Sanibel.
The loss of the blizzard on the island was the second-most-read story last year.
First ‘No Kings’ Protest Held on Sanibel
It’s rare for national issues to make our hyper-local news, but even Sanibel was not immune to the nationwide ‘No Kings’ protests last year. More than 100 demonstrators hoisted signs along Periwinkle Way in June in protest of President Donald Trump’s agenda. The local protest was spearheaded by the Progressive Club of the Islands and joined by the local League of Women Voters chapter.
The demonstration was the third-most-read story last year.
Public Has Much To Say at City Workshop
A joint workshop in February with the City Council and Planning Commission, in which residents addressed the island’s recovery after Hurricane Ian, was the fourth-most-read story last year. Many of those who spoke were unhappy with the pace of recovery and concerned about the economic recovery. City leaders were encouraged to look at the “big picture” and accelerate recovery where they could.
City Holds Hearings on Two Distressed Properties
A code enforcement hearing in October addressed two distressed residential properties and an outdoor lighting violation that resulted in tragic consequences for a sea turtle nest. It came in as the fifth-most-read story of the year.
Casa Ybel Resort was fined for installing improper outdoor lighting on a staircase, which disoriented a nest of baby sea turtle hatchlings and caused them to crawl toward the property rather than into the water. General Manager Froiland Ramierz took prompt action upon being notified of the situation and said he felt “terrible” about the baby sea turtles.
Ramirez pointed out in the hearing that 98 percent of the resort’s lighting is in compliance, and they have worked closely for years with the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation to share resources in support of the island’s wildlife. “We’ve taken measures to ensure this does not happen again,” he said.
In that same hearing, residential properties on Southwinds Drive and Cardium Street were addressed. The Southwinds owner was ordered to pay administrative fees and given more time to demolish the house and pass inspections. The owner of the Cardium Street property was ordered to pay a $250-per-day fine until the property was cleaned up.
Citizen Presents Suggestions to Council
Resident and Realtor Eric Pfiefer appeared before the City Council in March, a month after he spoke at the joint workshop, to further address concerns with the pace and scope of the island’s recovery from Hurricanes Ian, Helene, and Milton. Representing a group of long-time residents who had come together over shared concerns, Pfeifer presented a list of eight initiatives they wanted the council to implement.
“Our goal is broad-based prosperity and economic stability for homeowners and businesses alike,” Pfeifer said at the top of his address. His full statement, including the list of initiatives, which was reprinted here, was the sixth-most-read story last year.
Rauschenberg Property Goes Up for Sale
In August, the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation announced it would sell its Captiva property and relocate from the island due to rising maintenance costs for the 20 acres, given the challenging environmental conditions. The Captiva Community Panel discussed in its September meeting ways to preserve the property.
Rauschenberg, a renowned artist whose work was wide-ranging in subjects, styles, materials, and techniques, purchased the property in 1968. Today, it serves as the Rauchenberg Residency, a creative center that has welcomed artists of all disciplines from around the world since 2012.
The Residency at Captiva will conclude in August 2026.
CCP President David Mintz said in the September meeting that a community committee was being formed to explore purchasing the land for preservation, which could include a refuge, public space, and a stormwater retention pond.
The announcement of the sale of the property, and Captiva’s interest in preserving it, was the seventh-most-read story last year.
Captiva Has Legal Setback Against Lee County, SSIR
The Captiva Civic Association, along with other local organizations, launched a legal fight more than two years ago against Lee County and South Seas Island Resort over the resort’s rebuilding plans.
Captiva argued in an administrative hearing last year that adopted amendments to the county’s Land Development Code will increase building height and remove density restrictions on the island, with negative environmental and community impacts.
The State of Florida Division of Administrative Hearings found the CCA failed to prove beyond fair debate that the adopted Lee County Ordinance 23-22 is inconsistent with the cited provisions of the Lee County Comprehensive Plan.
The CCA said at the time that it would appeal the judge’s decision on the grounds that it violated the Lee Plan’s requirements, limiting development to what is in keeping with the island’s historic development pattern. While this is an ongoing complex legal battle, Captiva’s setback was the eighth-most-read story of last year.
New Restaurant Approved at Former T-Shirt Hut
In May, the Planning Commission approved a new restaurant in the former T-shirt Hut building at 1504 Periwinkle Way. Spatini Tea Bar, which has since opened in the space, serves tea, coffee, and cookies with counter service only and seating for eight customers. Spatini was formerly a full spa located in Jerry’s Shopping Plaza. The move was the ninth-most-read story of the last year.
City Manager Gives Update on Distressed Properties
The City Manager’s March update on the 44 distressed properties at the time was the 10th-most-read story last year. The city continues to work to bring all distressed properties into compliance.
Publisher’s Note: All of the top 10 stories were written by the SC team of writers who work hard to keep our community informed on a daily basis. We thank you for reading.
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