Good morning, Fort Myers.

Lakes Park will host its Fall Festival starting Friday, Oct.

9, with hayrides, a pumpkin patch, scarecrows, bounce houses and the Halloween Express train through Saturday, Oct. 31. The event at Lakes Park (7330 Gladiolus Drive) also features a weekly Farmers Market on Wednesdays until May.

Journalist Tayeba Hussein reported an almost 2000% surge in senior homelessness since COVID by meeting local seniors and a Southwest Florida Homeless Coalition case manager to share challenges like heat risks + no refrigeration for medications.

The piece shines a light on an often unseen community issue.

A Cars and Coffee event held Sunday morning at Mango Rita’s Rhythm House marked the eve of Hurricane Ian's four-year anniversary when the storm destroyed the restaurant’s original building on Fort Myers Beach.

The gathering celebrated the venue’s new location on U.S. 41 and its ongoing traditions.

Southwest Florida businesses defy a 24% failure rate as names like Tyson Eye & Crews Bank & Trust and new spots like Tap & Tees Golf Lounge push ahead, with the Industry Appreciation Awards honoring trailblazers on Oct.

23 at downtown Fort Myers Caloosa Sound Convention Center.

The News-Press, with local high school principals, has launched a Student of the Week poll for the 2026-27 school year; the poll stays open until 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct.

1 + the winner will be announced Friday, Oct. 2.

Moderna’s mFlusiva, the first mRNA flu vaccine for adults 50 and older, is now available at select local pharmacies (Walgreens and CVS have limited supplies) after FDA approval in August; Fort Myers residents are encouraged to check with their pharmacy for more details.

Nearly 500 participants raced in the annual South Seas Captiva Island Triathlon this morning on Captiva Island, marking the first event held since the resort reopened after Hurricane Ian.

Racers competed in options from super sprints to full triathlons to celebrate the milestone.