Friday, February 13th, 2026
Good morning, Fort Myers. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 13th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Tarpon and Riverside Pier reopened Monday, Feb. 9 after Hurricane Ian damaged them. City officials + Mayor Kevin Anderson hosted the ribbon cutting from 1-2 p.m. to mark the renewal. Florida Weekly
- ➤ St. Peter’s ELCA has announced its Easter schedule for the community with a Sunrise Service at 7:00 a.m. at Bayside Park on Easter Sunday & additional services held later at the church on Estero Blvd. Beach Talk Radio
- ➤ For 49 years, Lehigh Community Services has supported over 50,000 local residents by offering a food pantry, literacy classes, free tax and health services, plus a daily homeless happy hour. Executive director Charlotte Rae Nicely said the nonprofit helps boost the local economy. WINK News
- ➤ Joceli Coutinho, 78, was found after a nearly 24-hour search in freezing conditions in Lehigh Acres when K9 Remington tracked a scent from his flip-flop near Buckingham Road. His family celebrated his safe return at LCSO headquarters & he enrolled in ReUnite for future searches. ABC7
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Southwest Florida’s dining scene is buzzing on Feb. 13 as several new restaurants and coffee shops begin serving locals; Fat Tony’s pizza in Fort Myers holds its grand opening on Feb. 18 + Resurgence Brewing is set to open later this month with more spots debuting soon. The News-Press
- ➤ White Castle launched an automated kiosk today at Southwest Florida International Airport's renovated terminal food court (a collaboration with Just Baked and Evolvending) to serve freshly heated beef and chicken sliders on demand. The installation is set to speed up dining for travelers and expand the brand's airport presence. Cape Coral Breeze
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Alliance for the Arts held its second annual Feast for the Senses fundraiser dinner where five local chefs prepared courses for all five senses, raising $59,000 to support the art venue’s Mobile ArtLab program and culinary demonstrations in Fort Myers (helping boost local art opportunities). WINK News
- ➤ The 88th annual Edison Festival of Light begins on Valentine’s Day at Edison – Ford Winter Estates with the Spring Garden Festival and STEMtastic Day of Discovery — honoring Thomas Edison’s legacy — and features a Grand Parade from Fort Myers High School on Feb. 21. Cape Coral Breeze
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ FGCU's Board approved naming Academic Building 9 as Margaret Antonier Hall on Thursday, Feb. 12 to honor a $10 million philanthropic gift supporting The Water School on campus (the building houses STEM programs and research labs). WGCU
- ➤ The School District of Lee County received the first state approval needed to raze the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School campus during Tuesday’s board meeting — officials remain in mediation with town leaders over future plans. Further steps will be required before any demolition begins. Beach Observer and Beach Bulletin
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Experts warn that toxic algae blooms in Alva canals are risking pets and people today, fueled by nutrient runoff from Lake Okeechobee. Water discoloration has been noted (along Sebastian Court, Leavitt Road, and Iverson Street), and residents are advised to check official health websites for updates. ABC7
- ➤ The Minnesota Twins and Lee Health announced an open house and health fair on Monday, Feb. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lee Health Sports Complex where fans will enjoy free parking, free admission, half-price concessions, free screenings, and a chance for kids to play ball * with their favorite players. Beach Observer and Beach Bulletin
- ➤ Ave Maria University has reported over 50 measles cases since the semester began, with seven students quarantined as of Feb. 11 at 9 a.m. The MMR vaccine is available free at DOH-Lee County Michigan Clinic in Fort Myers plus health officials advise prompt vaccination to prevent further spread. North Fort Myers Neighbor
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
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
Reading is faster than listening. Doing is faster than watching.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Daily Fort Myers
Welcome to the Daily Fort Myers, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Fort Myers, Florida community. If you like the Daily Fort Myers, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Fort Myers.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Fort Myers and across Florida. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Fort Myers
A free Fort Myers community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailyfortmyers.com/sitemap