Tuesday, July 15th, 2025

Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Daily Fort Myers.
Good morning, Fort Myers. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 15th of July.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ City Tavern's annual Fourth of July Block Party and Chili Dog Eating Contest raised more than $20,000 for Family Initiative to fund a new early intervention program for children on the autism spectrum this fall. Hundreds attended the free downtown event, enjoying live entertainment, games, and a chili dog contest — where one contestant ate 11½ chili cheese dogs. North Fort Myers Neighbor
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Captiva Island’s Bubble Room reopened yesterday after nearly three years of repairs from hurricanes Ian, Helene, and Milton, and it now offers its famous cakes and restored vintage decor—helped by local businesses. General Manager Rachel Peach said the restaurant also features a gift shop with antiques for visitors to enjoy. ABC7
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Fort Myers Police blocked off Renaissance Preserve Apartments on Sunday night when a man named Jade Smith, 32, barricaded himself in a unit on Capulet Lane and held at least one person inside—he surrendered after several hours and now faces multiple felony charges. ABC7
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The iconic Bubble Room reopened its doors on Captiva Island today after nearly three years down from Hurricane Ian — its towering cakes and Hollywood memorabilia drawing a long line of eager visitors. Staff said renovations were challenging but they worked hard to bring the beloved landmark back for the community. WINK News
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Most Florida school districts will start classes on August 11 for the upcoming school year with 56 counties beginning then while others open later in the week—state rules now ban cell phone use during school hours in elementary and middle schools and restrict their use in high school unless a teacher directs it. A month long sales tax holiday on school supplies runs from August 1 through August 31. The News-Press
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles extended the deadline until August 1 for new teen drivers aged 15-17 to complete the online Traffic Law Substance Abuse Education Course and be exempt from the six-hour Driver Education requirement needed for a learner’s permit. Cape Coral Police said this extension is part of efforts to lower teen crash rates—Florida ranked sixth nationally for fatal crashes among young drivers. North Fort Myers Neighbor
- ➤ The Florida Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol launched Operation Southern Slow Down on July 14 to clamp down on dangerous speeding on interstate and state highways. The program uses the new Super Speeder law — which makes excessive speeding a criminal offense with fines and jail time—to help reduce speed-related crashes. The News-Press
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ At Seascape Condos on Little Hickory Island, residents are still rebuilding nearly three years after Hurricane Ian brought over 12 feet of storm surge and now face rising annual fees and extra repair assessments—FGCU professor Shelton Weeks noted that many Gulf Coast condo associations may soon decide to terminate and sell after new safety rules and aging buildings boost costs. The changes add pressure for condo owners and signal a significant shift in the local real estate market. ABC7
SHOP NEWS
- ➤ TODAY'S SPONSOR We never have to worry about dead batteries and missed calls thanks to this portable power bank that can charge up to five devices at once. The Buy
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Daily Fort Myers.
-
Valvoline Instant Oil Change School Supply Drive
Join Valvoline Instant Oil Change® for our annual #DriveForSuccess School Supply Drive to support students in Lee and Collier County. Donate new school supplies and receive 20% off your total purchase as a thank-you for giving back from July 14th - August 3rd!
-
LIFCON 2025
All day — Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa — $449.00 – $499.00 — Experience the annual LaBlast® Fitness convention with like-minded fitness enthusiasts.
-
The Little Mermaid Musical
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM — Fort Myers Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Dive into a magical underwater adventure with Ariel and her enchanting journey.
-
ABWA Sunset Cruise on the Gulf!
6-9 p.m. — Salty Sam's Marina — Ticket required — Enjoy a picturesque sunset cruise with fellow members and raffle opportunities on the Gulf.
-
Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy Screening with Kevin McDonald
7-9 p.m. — Fort Myers Theatre — $ — Experience a special screening of the cult classic Brain Candy followed by an engaging Q&A with Kevin McDonald.
-
Basketball Camp: Point Guard College
July 21-25 — Florida Southwestern State College — $995 — Elevate your basketball skills and become a smarter player on the court at this immersive camp experience.
-
Fort Myers Art Night: Swimming with Turtles
6-9 p.m. — Sea-Craft Waterfront Tiki — Cost of painting supplies — Get creative with tropical vibes while painting sea turtles and enjoying delicious food and drinks.
-
Open House for Stunning Villa
1-4 p.m. — 10406 Santiva Way — Free entry — Explore an immaculate 2-bedroom villa with luxury upgrades and a serene preserve view.
-
Owl Pellet Dissection Workshop
1:30-3:00 p.m. — Collaboratory — Registration required — Discover the fascinating world of owls through hands-on dissection activities.
-
After Hours Networking Mixer
4-5 p.m. — Milhous Pub — Free entry — Connect with local entrepreneurs and expand your network in a relaxed setting.
-
Back to School Bash
10 AM – 1 PM — Bell Tower — Free entry — Celebrate the end of summer with family fun and excitement at a community gathering.
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.

Stay Connected Anywhere with This Powerful Portable Charger
Never worry about dead batteries or missed calls again. This high-capacity, portable power bank is a game-changer for anyone who relies on their devices throughout the day. With the ability to charge up to five devices at once, it’s perfect for families, professionals, and travelers alike.
Its compact design makes it easy to carry, while its powerful output ensures your phone, tablet, earbuds, and more stay fully charged no matter where you are. Say goodbye to low-battery anxiety and hello to uninterrupted productivity.
Whether you’re commuting, on vacation, or working remotely, this charger is your ultimate power solution. Stay connected, stay powered, and never miss a moment.
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Daily Fort Myers.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The wound is the place where the light enters you.
~ Rumi
About 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