Good morning, Fort Myers.

Mangrove Community Church (formerly Beach Baptist) is hosting a backpack drive to help kids in need.

An Amazon Wish List is available for donations, and items will be delivered to Ed Ryan at 12700 Vista Pine Circle.

Four alligator attacks across Florida this summer have injured four people, including the fatal attack of Brittany Clark and the severe injury of an 11-year-old boy (one incident occurred behind a North Fort Myers home), and experts note that such events remain rare despite high statewide gator numbers.

Roadhouse Café will return mid-October as Roadhouse 2.0 at Miners Plaza—featuring a new kitchen, dance floor and bar.

The revamped venue will boost local dining and nightlife for Fort Myers residents.

Ikea will open a new 48,000 sqft store this winter 2027 in Sarasota—inside University Town Center at 147 N.

Cattleman Road—offering home furnishings, a Swedish deli and personalized design services that shorten the long drive for Fort Myers shoppers.

Rolling Stones' new song 'Never Wanna Lose You' from the album 'Foreign Tongues' nods to Naples, likely referring to the local city given Mick Jagger's past in Lakewood Ranch; the band filmed their album cover on Sanibel in 1976 + this deepens their Southwest Florida ties.

Lee County says work on the median along Estero Boulevard is 25% complete and slightly ahead of schedule; it is set to finish in fall next year, weather permitting — a $9 million project addressing Hurricane Ian damage from Crescent Street to Big Carlos Pass.

Florida Highway Patrol is increasing its patrols during Operation Southern Slow Down, which runs from July 13 to July 18 across major highways, and drivers are urged to obey speed limits to avoid fines and penalties under Florida's new dangerous excessive speeding law.

Lee County health officials detected harmful blue-green algae toxins in Carousel Lake (South Shore) from a water sample taken on July 8.

Residents and visitors should avoid drinking, swimming, wading and using personal watercraft and keep pets away.

Eight local players were picked in this year’s MLB Draft, including five from FGCU & three from Southwest Florida high schools, with teams from the Tigers to the Blue Jays selecting standout talent.

This success highlights the strength of local baseball talent.

Southwest Florida’s top 25 volleyball players from the past 25 seasons was released recently.

The list spans local high school and college stars, highlighting records in assists, kills, and digs while recognizing achievements from Fort Myers among others.

Mind Over Muscle: A Wellness Party for a Purpose

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Backyard Social — $5 — Celebrate wellness with fitness classes, local vendors, and support for mental health scholarships.

Spanish Comedy Night with Francisco Ramos

9:30 PM — Snappers Comedy Club Fort Myers — Ticket prices vary — Experience an evening of laughter with renowned Latino comedians sharing their humorous stories.

Nike Basketball Camp at South Fort Myers High School

9 a.m.-3 p.m. — South Fort Myers High School — $420 — Elevate your basketball skills with expert coaching and fun competitions.

Group Ukulele Lessons

2-3 p.m. — Alliance for the Arts — Free — Strum, sing, and connect through music in a welcoming ukulele class for all skill levels.

The Wizard of Oz

7:30 p.m. — Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Follow the Yellow Brick Road in this beloved musical adventure with memorable songs and characters.