Community News
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 · North Fort Myers
Lee County schools hit 98% on-time bus rate after enrollment surge
Lee County schools achieved a 98% on-time bus rate this year, up 15 percentage points, while absorbing 14,000 additional daily riders through a tiered start-time system.
Fort Myers City Employees Raise $25,764 for United Way
Fort Myers city employees raised $25,764 for United Way during the organization's annual campaign, part of more than $400,000 contributed by city staff over three decades.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Fort Myers Fire Department Marks 122 Years Serving 102,000 Residents
The Fort Myers Fire Department has protected the city since 1901 and now serves 102,000 residents across eight stations.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Fort Myers Plans July 4th Celebration, Earns Top Bond Rating
Fort Myers celebrates America's 250th birthday July 3-4 with a free downtown event. The city earned an A+ bond rating for its financial stewardship.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Downtown Fort Myers Celebrates America's 250th With Two Days of Music, Art and Fireworks
Downtown Fort Myers celebrates America's 250th birthday July 3-4 with free concerts, an art walk featuring 60+ artists, and a fireworks and drone show.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Division of Professional Standards Oversees Department Development
Fort Myers' Office of Professional Standards manages professional development, training, and accreditation for the department, ensuring high operational standards.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Fort Myers Fire Department Trains Personnel in Emergency Medical Services
Fort Myers firefighters complete rigorous annual medical training through the department's Division of Emergency Medical Services and Health & Safety, established in 2021.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Fort Myers Fire Department Administration Oversees Budget, Personnel, Long-Range Planning
Fort Myers Fire Department Administration manages budgets, personnel, and long-range planning for the department's facilities and operations.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
New Year’s Eve Dinner at Toro Toro Miami
Toro Toro Miami will offer a four-course prix fixe menu with live entertainment for New Year’s Eve 2024, featuring dishes like Wagyu Short Rib and Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Diocese of Venice Opens Extended Confession Hours Before Easter
The Diocese of Venice opens extended confession hours Friday and Saturday before Easter, giving Lee County Catholics the chance to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Sheriff Warns of Job Offer Text Scams Targeting Fort Myers Residents
Sheriff Carmine Marceno warned Fort Myers residents Wednesday about a surge in job offer text scams that have cost Florida residents more than $9 million in the past year.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Sheriff Warns of Job Offer Text Scams Targeting Florida Unemployed
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno warned residents of a surge in job offer text scams targeting unemployed Floridians, which have cost victims over $9 million annually.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
NSU Fort Myers Launches Public Accounting Certificate
Nova Southeastern University's Fort Myers campus offers a Public Accounting Certificate designed to prepare students for CPA and CMA credentials.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Groundbreaking Held for Affordable Housing in Immokalee
A groundbreaking ceremony was held in Immokalee for Casa San Juan Diego, an 80-unit affordable housing development by the Diocese of Venice and National Development of America, Inc.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
DeSantis Rejects Florida Gas Tax Pause Amid $4/Gallon Spike
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shot down calls to suspend the state's 25-cent gas tax, warning drivers won't feel relief at pumps hitting $4 a gallon. Despite pleas from Democrats and Palm Beach County leaders, he cited past failures and oil market volatility. As global tensions rise, Florida motorists brace for pain at the pump.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
DeSantis Signs 9 Key Florida Laws on Safety, Schools and Traffic
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed nine new laws Thursday in Tallahassee, tackling unlicensed drivers, church security and body camera privacy amid rising public safety concerns. Most take effect July 1, joining nearly 60 others passed this year. From stricter traffic penalties to expanded school guardians, the measures aim to bolster security across the Sunshine State.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Florida's Lab-Grown Meat Ban Survives Federal Court Challenge
Nearly two years after Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation banning cultivated meat sales in Florida, a federal appeals court upheld the controversial law as constitutional. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a challenge from California-based Upside Foods, cementing Florida's status as the first state to prohibit lab-grown meat—a move critics say protects the traditional livestock industry rather than consumers.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Florida Launches Mandatory Hurricane Drills Across All 67 Counties
With hurricane season looming just weeks away, Florida's Division of Emergency Management has rolled out mandatory public safety drills statewide to sharpen readiness. The initiative targets all 67 counties, urging residents to stock seven days of supplies and master evacuation protocols. Officials warn that recent storms underscore the need for swift action amid rising threats.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
DeSantis Greenlights UFC, Colleges in Florida's New License Plates
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill unleashing eight new specialty license plates, from UFC fighters to South Florida high schools and military academies. Drivers can start pre-ordering Oct. 1, but only if 3,000 vouchers sell in two years. With over 2.3 million special tags already on roads, these could boost scholarships, mental health and more.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026