In 2026, at least 3 SW FL endeavors emerge with Mercato-like ambitions
With seemingly everyone wanting their own Mercato, similar versions of the popular Naples entertainment destination will be coming together in 2026 to transform various Southwest Florida corridors. That, all while the original looks to make improvements of its own. It's as though Lee and Collier county residents are...
Newsweek Names SanCap Community Bank to ‘America’s Best 2025’ List
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank is honored to announce that it has been selected as one of the top regional financial institutions in the United States, earning a place on the 2025 list of “America’s Best Regional Banks & Credit Unions” by Newsweek and Plant‑A Insights Group.
Fort Myers Beach regains 25% flood insurance discount after FEMA rating rebound post-Ian
FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. — The town of Fort Myers Beach announced that it has regained its Class 5 Federal Emergency Management Agency rating, unlocking a 25% flood insurance discount. For residents, the town says, this means that most flood insurance policies will receive a 25% discount. They add...
Fort Myers police pull over car with no windshield, bumper and airbags blown; Driver...
FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Fort Myers Police Department is reminding drivers to make sure that their vehicles are roadworthy before hitting the road. Officers stopped a vehicle on the Edison Bridge with no front bumper, no windshield, and multiple deployed airbags. They say that due to serious safety hazards, the vehicle...
Restaurants open on Christmas Day in Southwest Florida
FORT MYERS, Fla. — If you're out and about on Christmas Day or want to enjoy a nice meal instead of spending half of Christmas in the kitchen, multiple restaurants across Southwest Florida are open on Christmas Day. While there are plenty of options, here are 15 restaurants across...
One Injured, One Arrested After Argument at Port Charlotte Homeless Camp
PORT CHARLOTTE — December 22, 2025 — A woman was arrested after a man was injured during an argument at a homeless camp in Port Charlotte, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded just after noon on December 21 to the area of Kenesaw Street...
Wood storks flourishing at Joe Coviello Park
Joe Coviello Park has become a sanctuary for the protected Wood Stork, a species that has seen a remarkable resurgence in recent years. Named after the late Cape Coral Mayor Joe Coviello—who was a strong advocate for expanding green spaces and preserving the city’s natural environment—this 50.4-acre nature preserve...
Driver arrested in Fort Myers for going more than 120 mph over the Edison...
FORT MYERS, Fla. — A man was arrested Monday night after police say he was driving more than 120 mph in a 45 mph zone on a bridge in Fort Myers. According to the Fort Myers Police Department arrest report, the driver, identified as Jose Wilfredo Salazar Cax, 27, was spotted around 10 p.m. by an officer conducting...
Free Movie Friday Turns Estero Park Into an Outdoor Theater
If you know me, you know I’m a sucker for anything that lets me hang outside, eat food from a truck, and feel like a kid again. So when I heard about a free movie night under the stars coming to Estero, my inner 9th grader immediately went, “Oh heck yes.” This is exactly the kind of thing that makes living in...
‘Fix the Bridge’ sign sparks questions for those driving past it in Fort Myers
People driving on Bayshore Road recently started seeing a new sign calling for action to be taken on the SR 31 bridge.

















