Good morning, Fort Myers.

Commercial property owners near DiamondHead Beach Resort on Estero Boulevard can offer empty lots for parking during the 36th annual American Sand Sculpting Championship from Nov.

19 to 23. They should contact Jacki Liszak ([email protected]) at the Chamber of Commerce to join the event.

Sizzle Dining kicks off its 10th year today with over 100 restaurants serving curated menus that donate one dollar per meal to Blessings in a Backpack.

Organizers aim to exceed 100,000 meals sold this month to help children facing food insecurity in southwest Florida.

Publix is building a new 55,000 sqft store in Babcock Ranch to anchor the MidTown Marketplace east of Fort Myers.

There is no set opening date but it is expected to open in 2027 as the community continues to grow.

The longtime Bahama Breeze at 14701 S.

Tamiami Trail will close in May 2027 after 27 years, and will reopen as Yard House in June — part of Darden’s conversion plan as local diners still have nine months to enjoy its Caribbean menu and happy hour.

Fort Myers Beach will host Bash On The Bay during Labor Day weekend, starting Saturday at 10:00 AM and ending Monday at 6:00 PM.

The three-day waterfront festival will offer live music with headliners Jacquie Roar and Ben Allen Band, boating, food, and family contests.

Google DeepMind, in collaboration with the National Hurricane Center and Colorado State University, has developed an AI hurricane model that predicts storm tracks, intensity, and wind-field up to 15 days ahead.

Its three-day forecasts match current two-day predictions (a finding that could influence Gulf Coast evacuation decisions).

Florida will offer 215 bear-hunting permits starting Sept.

11 for a hunt running Dec. 5-Dec. 27 in four regions — including Lee County — with 193 permits allocated by random drawing and 22 reserved for qualifying private landowners to manage bear populations.

A joint study by NPR & Boston University finds that heat causes more than 1,900 deaths a year in Florida, nearly 40 times the official tally.

Experts warn rising heat waves increase risks and advise Fort Myers residents to take precautions.

HM Restaurant Group will sponsor the ROAR Offshore Powerboat Races from Friday, Sept.

11 through Sept. 13 at The Marina at Bonita Fish Company as events resume after a five-year hiatus due to Hurricane Ian, offering free public access + live entertainment and qualifying heats.

Local high school boys are competing in a poll held by the News-Press and Naples Daily News based on standout athletic performance from Aug.

24-29. Voting ends Thursday at 10 a.m. and the winner will receive a BSN Sports T-shirt plus a tote bag.

FGCU freshman Maju Hildebrand broke a school record this weekend with 45 kills in three matches at the FGCU Invitational (including 16 kills against Florida State in a double-double) and the team will face Florida Atlantic on Thursday.