Good morning, Fort Myers.

Thirty-eight surfers and dozens of volunteers gathered on Fort Myers Beach for the 10th annual Surfers for Autism event, which gave kids, teens and young adults with autism a chance to learn surfing.

Organizers said the event returned after storms kept it away for several years and will come back next year.

An early Saturday morning fire forced guests to evacuate the Holiday Inn along Cleveland Avenue when a guest's speaker started the blaze—firefighters arrived at 3:45 a.m.

The summer heat in downtown Fort Myers has reached the 90s and feels close to 100—residents and visitors are taking extra care by finding shade and drinking water to avoid heat exhaustion.

The National Hurricane Center is tracking a tropical disturbance in the Atlantic that is unlikely to develop further—Florida is under a heat advisory with heat indices reaching up to 110.

Fort Myers residents can expect sunny skies and strong heat as the state braces for an ongoing heat wave this weekend.

Today, the National Hurricane Center said a tropical wave and an area of low pressure in the Atlantic are being watched as they slowly move west-northwest while the Gulf remains calm.

The Center estimates a 10% chance of tropical development in the next 48 hours and 20% over the next week — conditions expected to become less favorable by midweek.

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!

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.

Yappy Hour at Bell Tower

6-8 p.m. — Bell Tower — Free entry — Celebrate happy hour with your furry friends in a fun community atmosphere.

SWFL Anime-Fest Summer 2025

10 AM – 5 PM — DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops — Ticket details TBD — Celebrate all things anime in a vibrant collectors' paradise.

Estero Paint Night – Coastal Seashell Serenity

6-9 PM — Tony Sacco's Coal Oven Pizza — Ticket price varies — Create a beach-inspired painting with expert guidance and enjoy delicious pizza and drinks.

Monthly Music Walk

6:00-9:30 p.m. — Cigar Bar Live — Free entry — Enjoy a diverse lineup of local musicians from jazz to rock in downtown Fort Myers.