Good morning, Fort Myers.

Lee County held a ribbon cutting yesterday at Lakes Park in Fort Myers for two rebuilt splash pads that replace those lost to Hurricane Ian in 2022 & county officials highlighted the new water features.

Salty Sam’s Marina is hosting Pirate Fest, a pirate-themed celebration with treasure hunts, live music and themed dining — it will be held on Saturday, Sept.

19 at 2500 Main St. featuring free admission, parking and docking.

Goodwill Southwest Florida will host its fourth annual Pathways to Opportunity Vice and Vogue Fashion Show at (the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center) this Saturday, Aug.

29 (5 p.m.). The Royal Flush Casino Night event raises funds for life skills training for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Young musicians in Fort Myers are invited by MOSAIC to join its upcoming ensembles at The Heights Center (15570 Hagie Drive); Youth Philharmonic auditions are scheduled for Monday, Aug.

31 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. while registration for the Advanced String Ensemble is now open.

Cape Cabaret, a live entertainment venue in South Cape, will continue operating without interruption starting Sept.

1 under new local ownership by arts advocate Amy Ginsburg. The new owner said she will gradually expand entertainment options while preserving current bookings and staff.

The district lifted a pause to merge Buckingham Exceptional Student Center & Royal Palm Exceptional Center into a state-of-the-art flagship campus set to open in August 2027, following input from parents and staff.

After Dolly Parton died on Aug.

25, fans donated to her Imagination Library that sends free, age-appropriate books to children. The program works with local groups in 34 Florida counties and accepts donations online despite website delays.

A giant crane arrived at Fort Myers Beach as construction began on the new pier — a replacement for the one lost to Hurricane Ian in 2022.

The government-funded project will finish by late summer 2027 at a cost of $14.4 million.

Lee Health announced on Wednesday that its hospitals and doctors will be out-of-network for UnitedHealthcare starting January 1, 2027 (the current contract ends December 31, 2026).

Patients on UnitedHealthcare are advised to schedule care before the change.

The News-Press and Naples Daily News released rankings of the top 10 local high school volleyball teams ahead of the new season.

First Baptist Academy is ranked number one after a state final appearance last year, and teams from Lee, Collier and LaBelle are also included.