Post Comments, share Views, read Blogs on CaPe-Coral-daily-Breeze.Com County tourney CAPE CORAL Little League down to final four DAILY BREEZE — SPORTS WEATHER: Partly Cloudy • Tonight: Partly Cloudy • Friday: Mostly Sunny — 2A cape-coral-daily-breeze.com Vol. 48, No. 106 Thursday, May 7, 2009 50 cents Co-defendants, others testify in ‘Cash Feenz’ trial Alleged "Cash Washington taking stand uncertain Feenz" defen- Jeffery Sosa during a 2006 the stand in his own defense, dant Roderick By CONNOR HOLMES Washington, [email protected] birthday party. said defense lawyer Paul The state rested its double After one day of a daunting Sullivan. right, listens murder case against Roderick 70-person jury selection and If Washington testifies, he to testimony Washington after only one day another day of testimony point- will be the defense’s only wit- during his trial of testimony from co-defendants ing to Washington as the man ness. Wednesday. and witnesses who said they saw who held the Sosas at gunpoint The state said it may have a and heard the horrific beating, while they were beat, tied, cut rebuttal witness depending on CONNOR torture and killings of Alexis and and tortured, Washington must HOLMES now decide whether he will take See TRIAL, page 3A Program prompts residents to ‘Take Pride in the Cape’ Campaign aims to curb blight in tight economy By GRAY ROHRER [email protected] “I think our crew has Apart from driving home values done an excellent job. down, rampant foreclosures in Cape However, we’re really at a Coral lead to overgrown, unkempt really critical point in lawns which sink home values fur- keeping control over ther. areas. Our resources are A new city initiative is trying to starting to dwindle.” combat that trend, urging residents and neighborhood organizations to — Frank Cassidy, conduct cleanup campaigns code enforcement MICHAEL PISTELLA throughout the Cape. division manager “Take Pride in the Cape” seeks to gather community volunteers to Frank Cassidy, code enforce- Changes to commute help keep the city clean in tough ment division manager, said the Work at the intersection of Diplomat Parkway and Del Prado Boulevard began this economic times. See CLEANUP, page 3A week. The intersection is expected to be closed until August for roadway work on the ongoing Del Prado widening project. For more information about ongoing and com- pleted roadway improvement projects, call 707-9050 or visit: www.capecoraltrans- portation.com. Chick-fil-A to open 2009 ‘Weight Loss Wars’ rouses store in Cape Coral community to shed extra pounds First for city; sandwich Pledge money for weight loss will go toward the giveaway this weekend North Fort Myers chamber’s fund-raising efforts, specifically for the Educational Foundation to provide scholarships. By DREW WINCHESTER This is Cantrell’s first proclamation as honorary mayor, one that he believes will benefit the communi- [email protected] To go For all the chicken lovers liv- officials leading ty. What ing in Cape Coral, their wildest “2009 is the year about getting in shape and get- Chick-fil-a grand opening dreams are about to come true. ting healthy,” he stated in the proclamation. On Thursday, the Cape will get When “Our Honorary Mayor Jarrod Cantrell is the driv- Thursday, May 14 12-week program its first Chick-fil-A, and along ing force behind this challenge, and he is going to be with it all the pomp and circum- Where By ANDREA GALABINSKI actively participating,” said chamber board member stance that generally comes with 1790 N.E. Pine Island Road [email protected] Wendy Murray. “We lead hectic lives with busy work the opening of these fan favorite North Fort Myers Honorary Mayor Jarrod Cantrell schedules, and it’s very challenging to eat healthy and restaurants. has issued a “Mayor’s Challenge” to the North Fort stay active.” attend a store’s opening. Like all Chick-fil-A openings, Myers Chamber of Commerce president to launch Individuals can join the mayor’s team or the pres- “They make it like a celebra- people will start to line up outside what he calls the “2009 NFM Weight Loss Wars.” ident’s team for the challenge. tion, an old-fashioned barn-rais- the store days in advance, hoping Cantrell and John Gardner will assemble teams for “We’re looking for residents and businesses to join ing,” said Chick-fil-A spokes- to be one of the lucky first 100 the event. The weight loss challenge kicks off May 15 us,” she said. woman Cindi Pickett. “People are customers who receive free food as a 12-week program. Private weigh-ins will be conducted every other passionate about Chick-fil-A and every week for a year. “Anyone can participate and join either team,” said week. The final weigh-in is Aug. 17, where one team about getting together with other The “First 100,” as its come to Cantrell. “I think we can help improve each other’s will be declared the winner. people who are just as passionate be known, has turned into the de health and longevity with this challenge. We also There will be plenty of incentives and offers ... they’re just eating and celebrat- facto event for Chick-fil-A want to make it a fun and exciting event and raise throughout the 12-week program, and prizes will be ing.” money for high school graduates.” groupies, with foul fans often The new store’s owner, See WEIGHT, page 2A traveling hundreds of miles to See CHICKEN, page 3A Spring Creek Elementary reopens after cleaning “It’s done. They worked all day Health officials move date up 2 days (Tuesday). There may be a little bit of follow up today, but the buses were By LESLIE WILLIAMS school today, two days earlier than Health Department to work with the the expected Monday reopening school district to close Spring Creek done long ago — they were done Special to the Breeze Friday.” They scrubbed and they sani- date. for one week, but the change in tized. It was moved up after federal course Wednesday was cited as the health officials reversed their stance reason for reopening it two days — Joe Donzelli, Lee County And today, they will say “hello” School District spokesman a little earlier than expected to their recommending school closures of up early. students. to two weeks to respond to con- Opening the school’s doors earli- Spring Creek Elementary School firmed H1N1 flu cases. er presents no problems for the “It’s done,” he said Wednesday. today, but the buses were done long students without flu-like symptoms The recommendation, issued cleaning effort, said district “They worked all day (Tuesday). ago — they were done Friday.” will return to their Bonita Springs Friday, prompted the Lee County spokesman Joe Donzelli. There may be a little bit of follow up See FLU, page 6A ATAGLANCE AROUND THE CAPE NEWS OF NOTE WHAT’S INSIDE Studio to host annual Annual food drive nearing Annie’s Mailbox........5A NASCAR..........14A The annual National Letter Carrier Food Florida May’s Bouquets exhibit Drive will be held Saturday. Letter carriers Classifieds ............1-4B Nation ................8A The Cape Coral Arts Studio will host will collect non-perishable food that has been the annual May’s Bouquets, an open Comics ............10A Obituaries ..........2A Lottery left by mail boxes. CASH 3: themed exhibit, Friday-June 12 at 4533 The 2008 food drive resulted in the col- Crossword........10A Police Blotter ....2A 6-6-1 / 5-5-8 Coronado Parkway. lection of 371,000 pounds of items. More Dr. Donohue........5A Sports ........11-13A PLAY 4: Works depict the theme of flowers than 65 volunteers assisted the mail carriers 9-5-0-2 / 3-8-9-3 and are open to creative interpretation in Editorial..............4A State ..................6A by helping collect the donated items on rural Fantasy 5 all media, with traditional imagery or routes, where the carriers use their private Health ................7A TV Listings..............9A 5-16-24-29-33 imaginative interpretation of the floral Lotto vehicles and have limited space. world. More than 300 individuals assisted at Horoscopes........5A Weather ............2A 11-13-14-15-16-34 A reception to meet the artists and Florida Powerball eight post offices sorting the items for the 7-8-12-22-31 present awards will be held from 5-7 local food banks. Most of the food goes to the PB 18 x 5 p.m. May 15. Harry Chapin Food Bank, which distributes For information, call 574-0802. the food to its 165 participating agencies. Individuals who can volunteer Saturday 7 48445 46010 1 should call 573-9638. Page 2A Thursday, May 7 2009 cape-coral-daily-breeze.com CAPE CORAL DAILY BREEZE POLICE BLOTTER (The police blotter contains Blvd., was charged Wednesday charged Tuesday with fraud charged Wednesday with DUI. cocaine. public information obtained with DUI. impersonation use possess iden- I Daniel Jacob Jackson, 38, I Jeremy Michael Murphy, from the Cape Coral Police I Tiffany Christine Dupre, tification of another person of 2010 N.W. 15th Place, was 27, of 248 S.E. Sixth St., was Department, the Lee County 22, of 2019 N.E. Fifth St., was without consent. charged Wednesday with DUI. charged Wednesday with DUI. Sheriff’s Office and the Lee charged Tuesday with DUI I Christopher Thomas I Craig Kenneth Koene, 25, I Baldo Noa, 34, of 3405 County Jail booking log. Arrests unlawful blood alcohol content Faber, 41, or 227 S.E. 30th St., of 723 S.W. 32nd Court, was Andalusia Blvd., was charged made are suspicions of crime(s) .15 or higher with person under was charged Wednesday with charged Wednesday with DUI.