Daily
Fort Myers
Friday, January 16th, 2026
Good morning, Fort Myers. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 16th of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Beach Talk Radio and partners are raising $8,000 to help local musician Frank Thomson, who suffered a massive heart attack on New Years Eve and now needs help covering his medical bills + community donations will support his recovery. Beach Talk Radio
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Southwest Florida International Airport finished 2025 with over 11,154,000 passengers, setting a record despite a slight decline in December; Delta led travel with 217,698 passengers, and CEO Steven C. Hennigan said it was the airport’s busiest year (exceeding the 2024 record). WGCU
- ➤ WINK News fired its chief meteorologist, Matt Devitt, on Jan. 15 — his unexpected departure has disappointed Fort Myers viewers while the station has yet to name a replacement amid additional exits from the weather team. The News-Press
- ➤ A North Fort Myers man struggled with dropped calls at home and an $1,800 bill despite a visible cell tower; however, WINK News reached out to AT&T and cleared his bill today, ending his long period of frustration & restoring his confidence in service. WINK News
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The 65th annual Cracker Day Rodeo returns to its roots at Lee County Posse Arena on Jan. 23 and 24. The event features team competitions in colt saddling, cow decorating, and buddy pick-up plus traditional rodeo contests like bronc riding, bull riding and barrel racing. North Fort Myers Neighbor
- ➤ Fort Myers' Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall marks 40 years since 1986 — it hosts Broadway tours, concerts and family shows while currently staging the Tony Award-winning musical Some Like It Hot until Jan. 18. ABC7
- ➤ Southwest Florida Children’s Charities announced three additional Chef Vintner Dinner events for the Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest beginning Friday, Feb. 27. The dinners held in luxury homes and acclaimed restaurants – including a Dr. Seuss-inspired event in Fort Myers – will benefit Golisano Children’s Hospital and healthcare scholarships. Florida Weekly
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Southwest Florida schools set new graduation records as the class of 2025 reached 92% statewide and Lee County hit 89.8% in the 2024-2025 school year — educators provided personal support to help students succeed. WINK News
- ➤ On Thursday night, Fort Myers High School held a surprise retirement party for Coach Sammy Sirianni Jr. (a Lee County Athletic Conference and Florida Athletic Hall of Famer) as over 100 students and staff gathered to celebrate his career; he will officially retire at the end of the school year. NBC2
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Following a cold front, manatees have started seeking warmer waters at Manatee Park in Fort Myers and are expected to appear in greater numbers as temperatures drop (Thursday saw only a few). The News-Press
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Lee County is coordinating warming stations and shelters today as cold fronts drop temperatures into the 30s, offering buses in the area; the Salvation Army opened a shelter at 2400 Edison Ave. on Jan. 15 and will offer limited beds until Jan. 20 & warmth. The News-Press
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ As cold weather settles in, many residents are turning on their rarely used heating systems and local officials advise keeping space heaters three feet from flammable items + testing smoke alarms to help prevent house fires. Fox 4
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Cottages of Paradise Point broke ground on a Gulf-front redevelopment at 452 Estero Boulevard near the Best Western Resort this week, hosted by Marvin Homes and the local Chamber of Commerce. The project includes a 2,143 sqft cottage with plans for additional homes in 2026 to meet enhanced FEMA flood standards. Beach Talk Radio
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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.
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Little Women - The Musical
7:30-10:30 p.m. — Players Circle Theater — Ticket prices vary — Experience the beloved story of sisterhood and dreams through music and song.
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Million Dollar Quartet Performance
2-3 p.m. — Music & Arts Community Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience the legendary jam session of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins.
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Little Women - The Musical
3-6 p.m. — Players Circle Theater — Ticket prices vary — Experience an epic musical adaptation of a beloved classic with showstopping melodies.
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Little Women - The Musical
3-6 p.m. — Players Circle Theater — Ticketed event — Experience the beloved tale of sisterhood through stunning melodies and uplifting performances.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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