Good morning, Fort Myers.

The Fort Myers Beach Lions Club is inviting local businesses to sponsor the 2027 Shrimp Festival set for Saturday, March 13 and Sunday, March 14 at the new Bay Oaks field — a change aimed at reducing road closures and safety costs at Old San Carlos.

City of Fort Myers is accepting donations through Aug.

26 to aid Colombia earthquake relief; Councilperson Diana Giraldo and local businesses lead the drive with drop-offs at eight Fire Department stations, collecting new items like diapers + first aid kits.

The $17 million Fort Myers Beach pier reconstruction project, destroyed by Hurricane Ian, begins with a groundbreaking ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday + parts of the beach will be cordoned off for safety + marking a major milestone in the town's recovery.

FPL is partnering with the Harry Chapin Food Bank to distribute energy savings kits and food to local households as part of a community energy efficiency effort.

The initiative will roll out in the coming months across Fort Myers.

Four Floridians, including Telemundo exec Jose Alberto Suárez and restaurateur Roger Duarte, died in a helicopter crash (in northern Kenya) on Aug.

19 while flying for a charter service; the investigation into the cause is underway.

Chop It Up Sandwiches now offers a fresh take on classic sandwiches at 1001 Palm Ave, North Fort Myers.

Opened in January 2026 by Evan Cassell and Corrina Hohl, the restaurant chops meats, cheeses, and toppings and partners with local events (including appearances at JetBlue Park).

Florida’s minimum wage will rise to $15 for non-tipped workers and $11.98 for tipped workers on Sept.

30 following voter-approved annual increases from 2020. Future changes will tie wage adjustments to inflation starting in 2027.

A Lee County teacher at Three Oaks Middle School in Fort Myers had her suspension recommended to be ended and was advised to receive back pay after an administrative court judge found her private Facebook post about slain activist Charlie Kirk caused minimal disruption.

Florida health officials reported 43 new cyclosporiasis cases across 17 counties in the latest weekly update, bringing the state total to 450 since May 1, though new case rates are slowing & no specific outbreak has been linked to the illness.

Health officials report that Florida has recorded 17 Vibrio vulnificus cases and 2 deaths this year from infections linked to raw oysters and brackish water exposure.

They advise those at risk to avoid undercooked seafood and protect open wounds in contaminated water.