Daily
Fort Myers
Thursday, October 16th, 2025
Good morning, Fort Myers. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 16th of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Sizzle Dining 2025 ended last month as 127 restaurants raised over $87,000 to support Blessings in a Backpack for children facing food insecurity—organizers plan to expand the event to all of September next year. ABC7
- ➤ Sizzle Dining wrapped up its record dine with purpose event—127 local restaurants sold 87,483 meals that each added a $1 donation to Blessings in a Backpack. The event boosted local spending with over $5 million in business and is set to return next September. WINK News
- ➤ Today, Fort Myers Beach offers a free, specialized beach wheelchair designed to move on sand for residents and visitors with mobility challenges. The chair is available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be reserved up to seven days—funded by the Lee County Tourist Development Group. The News-Press
- ➤ The concrete pillars from the old Fort Myers Beach Pier, damaged by Hurricane Ian three years ago, now lead to a plan for a wider, longer and stronger pier—new renderings show a design expected to boost tourism and excite locals and visitors. WGCU
- ➤ Lee County Parks & Recreation is hosting several fall events in Fort Myers and nearby communities through October, with the Fall Festival at Lakes Park featuring a pumpkin patch, inflatables, hayrides, and more until Oct 31 and other events offering trunk-or-treating, movies, food trucks, and donation drives on Oct 18, 24, and 25 — each with free admission or low parking fees. These events provide families with a variety of seasonal outdoor activities — ensuring fun for all ages. North Fort Myers Neighbor
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Chick-fil-A is reopening its drive-thru-only location on Six Mile Cypress Parkway and Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers today, operating from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday; the restaurant closed in May for renovations to boost efficiency+support mobile ordering. WINK News
- ➤ Sunshine Ace Hardware in Babcock Ranch will host a two-day grand opening celebration on Oct. 25–26 with grilling parties, giveaways, live music and special donation buckets that offer 20% off qualifying items when guests donate at least $5 to Children’s Miracle Network. The store, which opened in May and provides a wide range of hardware and helpful services, will run activities from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on both days. North Fort Myers Neighbor
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Lee County Schools received a swatting email on Tuesday night that falsely claimed a bomb threat at several schools and prompted law enforcement to increase patrols and investigate the matter—LCSO detectives worked through the night and officials stated the threat was not seen as credible. ABC7
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Encanto Boutique in Cape Coral offers handpicked, imported Quinceañera dresses that honor tradition for young girls turning fifteen, and owner Laura Vidal works closely with families to ensure each gown is perfect. She will host a runway show in January to reveal the shop’s newest styles for upcoming celebrations—keeping this cherished custom alive in our community. WINK News
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Five local youth were awarded scholarships at the SWFL Ag Expo 4-H/FFA event with prizes ranging from $500 to $1,200 to help pay for college or trade school. UF IFAS Extension Lee County 4-H Agent Arielle Pierce said the awards reward hard work and life skills—while next year’s expo is set for Feb. 26 through March 8 at the Lee County Civic Center Complex. North Fort Myers Neighbor
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Rainy season 2025 ended in Fort Myers with 30.15 inches of rain—a 12.50-inch shortfall from the normal total, making it the 14th driest season on record. The lower rainfall helped reduce flood alerts from last year's record levels but has raised concerns about a drier dry season and early drought signs. ABC7
- ➤ Wildlife managers in the Everglades tested a remote-controlled robotic bunny to lure Burmese pythons so trappers can capture them. The decoy—designed by a UF biology professor to mimic marsh rabbits—may help slow the spread of the invasive snakes that harm native animals. WGCU
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Construction has begun on Palm Beach Boulevard to improve road safety by installing new hybrid pedestrian beacons at six intersections along nearly three miles after over 10,000 crashes this year raised concerns, including a fatal accident in May. FDOT will close interior eastbound and westbound lanes overnight from 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m.—the beacons are expected to reduce pedestrian crashes by 55% and total crashes by 29%. WINK News
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Shrek the Musical
7 PM – 8 PM — Fort Myers Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the beloved story of Shrek brought to life with new songs and laughter on stage.
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Let's Sing Taylor - A Celebration of Taylor Swift
8-9:30 p.m. — Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW — Ticket prices vary — Experience an evening of live band performances paying tribute to the iconic music of Taylor Swift.
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Ryan Bingham & The Texas Gentlemen Live
7:30-9 p.m. — Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW — Ticket info not specified — Experience the authentic sound of Grammy-winning artist Ryan Bingham and his captivating storytelling through music.
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The Rock Orchestra By Candlelight
8:00-9:30 p.m. — Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW — Check for pricing — Experience a spellbinding fusion of classic rock and metal anthems performed by a captivating orchestra in candlelight.
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Rodney Carrington Live
7-9 p.m. — Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall — Ticket prices vary — Experience the hilarious and multi-talented comedian known for his chart-topping comedy albums and engaging performances.
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Fort Myers Halloween Pub Crawl
4:30-9 p.m. — City Tavern — Tickets available online — Enjoy a spooky night filled with contests, prizes, and ghoulish fun in your best costume.
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Awakening Events - Christian Music Concert
7-11 p.m. — Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall — Ticketed event — Experience uplifting performances at this exciting Christian music concert.
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Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat
6-8:30 p.m. — Fort Myers Stars Complex — Free admission — Celebrate Halloween with activities like Trunk or Treat, games, and family-friendly entertainment.
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Strangelove - Depeche Mode Tribute Band
7:30-9 p.m. — Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall — Starting at $43.01 — Experience a pitch-perfect tribute to Depeche Mode that spans their iconic career.
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Child's Anthem - The Music of Toto
7:30-9 p.m. — Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW — Starting at $51.54 — Enjoy a captivating tribute to Toto featuring some of Nashville's finest musicians.
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