Daily
Fort Myers
Thursday, February 12th, 2026
Good morning, Fort Myers. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 12th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille raised $3,915 in 2025 with its specialty cocktail program to aid Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida on Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel. Its four locations have donated over $140,000 since 2006 to support vital pediatric healthcare. Beach Talk Radio
- ➤ Edison National Bank and Bank of the Islands is sponsoring Rotary South’s sixth annual Mini Golf Madness event on Saturday, Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The tournament offers prizes, a hole-in-one contest, and a silent auction, with registration costing $200 per foursome or $50 per person. Florida Weekly
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Chop It Up Sandwiches moved from a Cape Coral food truck to open in a brick-and-mortar location at Oasis Outdoors in North Fort Myers on Jan. 31 — owners Corrina Hohl and Evan Cassell now serve their popular chopped sandwiches with a personal touch. The News-Press
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Lee County offers a busy weekend with immersive art exhibits at Coconut Point in Estero starting tomorrow + a junior parade in downtown Fort Myers on Feb. 15 and a live show with Brian Kilmeade in south Fort Myers on Saturday. More cultural events are also planned for the coming days. The News-Press
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Celebree School in Estero will host its first Valentine's Day celebration on Saturday, Feb. 14, featuring mess-free finger painting for infants and creative mailbox crafts for older children that help build motor skills. Families are welcome with an open door policy for a festive community experience. WINK News
- ➤ The Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation is offering scholarships for local residents, including one at Florida SouthWestern State College (applications are due by March 1) to support post-high school education and personal advancement. Beach Talk Radio
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Lawns in Golden Gate are dry and brown after little rain and heavy water use have lowered underground aquifers, risking saltwater intrusion; water managers warn the drought will persist through May—affecting canals and lakes across the region. ABC7
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ A measles outbreak linked to Ave Maria University has raised concerns among local families as 57 cases have been confirmed and 7 individuals are under quarantine. Lee Health and NCH stress that current immunization guidelines remain in place and urge residents to stay updated on their MMR vaccines. WINK News
- ➤ Cape Coral parents Mike and Taylor Pudlin report that their 5-month-old baby, Blake, recovered after overcoming severe health challenges in the NICU (after nearly 2 months of intensive care); born weighing less than one pound, he faced sepsis and breathing struggles yet now is healthy with only minor oxygen treatments. ABC7
- ➤ On Friday, Shedly Appolon crashed her car into a pond during her birthday drive on a local highway and was rescued by a bystander before paramedics performed an emergency C-section that delivered her daughter, Ivory, seven weeks early (she called her miracle baby). ABC7
- ➤ Kids’ Minds Matter celebrated 10 years of expanding local mental health care with visits rising from 1,000 to 24,500 + school absences and hospitalizations dropping through Mental Health Navigators and youth groups. It also opened a new pediatric behavioral health site at Bimini Square to meet growing needs. Florida Weekly
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Southern Charm Bistro in Fort Myers will host a Valentine’s Day brunch and dinner featuring curated wine pairings (from Cellarbrate Wine) on Feb. 14, offering reservations for private parties and catering to enjoy its signature Southern comfort cuisine. ABC7
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Boston Red Sox pitchers and catchers began camp Tuesday at JetBlue Park while Minnesota Twins pitchers and catchers will start training Thursday at Lee Health Sports Complex. Fort Myers fans can attend free workouts starting at 9:30 a.m. + enjoy park tours through March 23. Beach Observer and Beach Bulletin
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RC Smith Live Comedy Show
7:30-10:30 p.m. — Snappers Comedy Club Fort Myers — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of humor with NYC comedian RC Smith known for his sharp improvisational skills.
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The Three Italian Tenors
7:30-9:30 p.m. — Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW — Starting at $30 — Experience beloved Italian opera arias and songs with charm and dramatic flair from this sensational new ensemble.
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Righteous Brothers Concert
8-10 p.m. — Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW — VIP tickets available — Experience the unforgettable harmonies of the Righteous Brothers live on stage.
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The Play That Goes Wrong
7 p.m. — Florida Repertory Theatre — Tickets available — Experience the hilarity of a play that goes awry with comedic mishaps and unexpected surprises.
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4th Annual SW Florida Ft. Myers Taste of Latino Festival 2026
12-5 p.m. — Centennial Park — Free entry — Celebrate Hispanic heritage with live music, food contests, and top Latino chefs.
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AWS Certified Machine Learning Training
Full day sessions — She The People Tactical Solutions LLC — $2100 — Gain hands-on experience in AWS Certified Machine Learning skills.
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Soup Kitchen Benefit
5:30-9 p.m. — Sam Galloway Ford, Inc. — Tickets on sale — Support the fight against hunger and homelessness at this annual charity event.
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Luis J. Gomez Comedy Show
9:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. — Snappers Comedy Club Fort Myers — $66+ — Experience an unforgettable night of laughter with comedian Luis J. Gomez.
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Yo! Taco Shrimp Run 5k
9-10 a.m. — Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille — Registration fees vary — Participate in a scenic 5k run leading up to the festive Shrimp Festival on Fort Myers Beach.
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Dinner on the Diamond
6 p.m. — JetBlue Park — Supports local children’s services — Enjoy dinner at the field while benefiting Golisano Children's Hospital.
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