Daily
Fort Myers
Friday, January 2nd, 2026
Good morning, Fort Myers. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 2nd of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Lee County welcomed its first baby of 2026 when Cape Coral residents Cheyenne Smith and Michael White gave birth to baby Rowan White at HealthPark Medical Center on Jan. 1 at 12:49 a.m. She is their third child (and first daughter). The News-Press
- ➤ Residents in the Mariners Cove community in Estero raised concerns after a mobile home caught fire early Wednesday morning, which led emergency crews to respond when neighbors called 911 (around 4:30 a.m.). The incident highlighted ongoing worries over outdated utility infrastructure. WINK News
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ The coldest New Year's Eve in 25 years brought a change to downtown Fort Myers celebrations as businesses adjusted by boosting indoor options with heaters — and extra blankets for customers. Restaurants and bars shifted patrons indoors when needed and still welcomed a busy crowd. Fox 4
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Florida fashion roots run deep with icons like Lilly Pulitzer and Chico’s inspiring vibrant styles; new CEO Trish Donnelly begins work at KnitWell Group + local designers capture the Sunshine State spirit in innovative apparel and accessories. Florida Weekly
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Town of Fort Myers Beach planted 75 Royal Palm trees at Bay Oaks Recreational Campus today using $37,500 in U.S. Forest Service grant funding through FDACS to restore its canopy damaged by Hurricane Ian. Future plantings will extend across parks and beach access points as part of ongoing recovery. Florida Weekly
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ FGCU men's and women's basketball prepare for ASUN conference play, with the men's team recovering from a five-game skid and the women's squad defending their top preseason ranking. Coaches Chambers and Harmon say both teams aim to excel as they start a challenging season. ABC7
- ➤ FGCU women secured their first ASUN win by beating North Alabama 51-44 at Alico Arena on Jan. 1 + the men's team lost to Central Arkansas 85-83 at the Farris Center; both teams will return to ASUN play on Jan. 3 as they chase conference wins. The News-Press
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Cops n Joggers 5K Family Fun Night
6-12 p.m. — Downtown Jewelry & Watch Company — $30 Adult/$20 Youth — Participate in a family-friendly 5K night race benefiting local heroes with food, music, and activities for all ages.
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2026 Highlander Golf Classic
11 a.m. — Bonita Bay Club — Entry Fee Required — Swing into action at a charity golf event benefiting cancer care and support.
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2026 Gulf Coast Boating & Marine Expo
9 AM–5 PM (Jan 15-17), 9 AM–4 PM (Jan 18) — JetBlue Park — Free entry — Explore versatile boats perfect for the Gulf Coast lifestyle and enjoy exclusive incentives on upgrades.
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2026 Gulf Coast Boating & Marine Expo
9 a.m.–5 p.m. — JetBlue Park — Free entry — Celebrate the Gulf Coast’s boating culture with a range of boats and marine technology.
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Candlelight Concert: Queen vs. ABBA
8:30 p.m. — Music & Arts Community Center - Gulf Coast Symphony — Tickets selling fast — Experience a magical candlelight concert featuring the hits of Queen and ABBA.
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The Creative Collective
7-9 p.m. — Florida Gulf Coast University — Free entry — Gain insights into creating impactful content through a Christ-centered lens with award-winning professionals.
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Yacht Rock Revue Concert
6-9 p.m. — Caloosa Sound Amphitheater — Food concessions available — Drift away to the smooth classic sounds of Yacht Rock with live tunes from the 70s and 80s.
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Candlelight Concert: Tribute to Taylor Swift
6-7:04 p.m. — Music & Arts Community Center - Gulf Coast Symphony — Tickets available — Experience Taylor Swift's music in a captivating candlelit setting.
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Little Women - The Musical
7:30-10:30 p.m. — Players Circle Theater — Cost Info Not Provided — Experience the beloved tale brought to life in this epic musical.
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Candlelight: Tribute to Adele
6:00 – 6:59 PM — Florida Repertory Theatre — Check event page for ticket prices — Experience a magical candlelight concert honoring the music of Adele.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.
~ Seneca
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