Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 15th of August.
Good morning, Fort Myers.
🏘️ Community
Fort Myers Beach will begin rebuilding on August 21 at 10 a.m. when county officials break ground at Crescent Beach Family Park (the original pier was destroyed on Sept.
28, 2022), with the new structure expected to be completed in late summer 2027.
River Nights returns to downtown Fort Myers on Friday, Sept.
25, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center; the event offers a night in ancient Egypt with dinner, cocktails, live music, and an auction to support YMCA community programs.
💼 Business
On Tuesday, Aug. 11, community leaders gathered at Collaboratory for the Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce's ribbon-cutting ceremony marking its new headquarters.
The facility will host meetings, networking events and educational programs to strengthen regional partnerships.
A new report by Travel Bulletin ranked Southwest Florida International Airport 11th nationally for baggage complaints at 0.45 incidents per 100,000 passengers.
The report advises travelers to use carry-ons and luggage trackers—federal rules protect passengers when issues occur.
🎭 Culture
Florida Horror-Fest arrives in Fort Myers on Saturday, Sept.
19 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops. The single day event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — offering a marketplace, celebrity meet and greets, and family friendly pricing.
Smithsonian traveling exhibit 'Americans' will be at Edison & Ford Winter Estates from Dec.
12 to Feb. 6, showcasing American Indian history & culture. The exhibit is presented by the Smithsonian Museum on Main Street program, the National Museum of the American Indian & Florida Humanities.
Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre is hosting local auditions on Sunday, Aug.
16 at 10 a.m. (1380 Colonial Blvd.) as it casts performers 16 and older for its 2026–2027 season featuring musicals such as Oklahoma and Grease.
📰 Finance
A Racetrac ticket on Cleveland Ave in Fort Myers won $1 million in Wednesday’s Powerball drawing, and the winner already claimed the cash option.
Additional Florida lottery wins in Lakeland have drawn statewide attention amid the multi-million jackpot event.
🏥 Health
On Friday, Cape Coral officials and HCA Healthcare announced plans for a new hospital at 322 S.W.
Pine Island Road to expand emergency and inpatient care for over 200,000 residents. The $300 million project will begin construction in 2027 (opening in 2029) and create 350 jobs.
HCA Florida Healthcare and city officials announced plans to build a full-service hospital in Cape Coral at 322 SW Pine Island Road.
Construction begins in 2027 on a three-story facility with up to 100 acute care beds & various medical services, scheduled to open in 2029.
Fort Myers teen Owen Jacoby, who battled leukemia and lost his mom four years ago, published his first comic book after receiving help from volunteer cartoonist Doug MacGregor at the hospital.
He is now in remission and working on his seventh comic book, showing new hope.
📰 Lifestyle
SCHEA’s BaconFest Pub Crawl returns Aug.
22 in the South Cape, where 13 stops serve bacon-themed appetizers and drinks with driving provided by limo buses (tickets $25 in advance or $30 at the door). The fundraiser supports local families through the Santa Life Foundation and encourages creative costumes among guests.
🏈 Sports
Gateway High School hosted its season opener against Island Coast on Saturday, Aug.
15 and lost 16-13 after a weather delay (new head coach Chris Strykowski is setting a fresh course for the team).
🎉 Fort Myers Events
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