Good morning, Fort Myers.

Whataburger will open a new restaurant in Fort Myers this month (and a second in Estero in October) as part of a nationwide rollout of 17 new locations by the end of November.

On Aug. 31 and Sept. 2, Collaboratory awarded $90,000 in Arts and Animals grants to 14 local nonprofits, including the Animal Refuge Center in North Fort Myers and Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary, to support vital animal care and arts programs in the community.

ParrotPhest returns to Fort Myers Beach from Oct.

1-4 with live trop rock performances planned at Margaritaville Beach Resort. Parrotheads can party with a purpose and enter a raffle supporting the Alzheimer’s Association + enjoy island tunes.

The Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency voted unanimously today to not recommend DiamondHead Beach Resort’s plan to add two buildings and 57 rooms on Estero Boulevard; the resort owners may revise their proposal while the Town Council still may act.

Motorists on Sanibel Causeway, Cape Coral Bridge and Midpoint Bridge must drive slowly due to temporary lane closures for toll plaza technology upgrades.

Work is underway at Sanibel and will begin Sept. 14 at Midpoint with additional lanes opened & traffic eased to complete the project before the busy season.

Cape Coral City Council, acting as the South Cape Community Redevelopment Agency, will vote today at 9 a.m. at Council Chambers on a Tax Increment Rebate Agreement of over $45 million with Crowne Development and Bimini Basin Redevelopment to build a mixed-use project with retail, medical, residential, and public spaces.

The Tonkonoh family, who came to Fort Myers in 2022 under Uniting for Ukraine after fleeing war in Ukraine, now faces uncertainty as most members rely on expiring status set to end on Oct.

19 while only one member benefits from a six‐month TPS extension.

The South Cape Hospitality and Entertainment Association is hosting a blood drive on Saturday, Sept.

26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of Backstreets Sports Bar to meet Lee County’s need for donors — appointments are available to reduce wait times.

The LPA approved a project for a boutique resort with 30 units and commercial space at 5601 and 5607 Estero Blvd, sending it to Town Council public hearings.

If approved, permitting and construction will take about 12 to 18 months each (after public input).

Southwest Florida sports media launched a Top Plays video (featuring August high school highlights) on Sept.

8 at 10:00 a.m. ET. Fans are invited to vote and submit their play videos for future contests.

After an 0-3 start and being outscored 166-0, Lely High School fired its first-year head football coach Dan Nieboer on Sept.

8. The school has named two assistant coaches as co-interims as it begins a national search for a permanent replacement.

After a five-year pause due to Hurricane Ian, world champion powerboat racer Shaun Torrente brings back the ROAR Offshore races on Fort Myers Beach.

Qualifying is on Friday and Saturday while the main race runs Sunday at 2 p.m. near Margaritaville Beach Resort.