The latest from Fort Myers Beach, Lee County: public safety, courts, local government, schools, business and the cost of living. Every story names its source and links the record.
Lee County
A Nov. 3 referendum will decide whether the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District is abolished and its territory, assets and liabilities move into the Iona-McGregor district.
Fort Myers Beach will raise its street parking rate from $5 to $6 an hour on October 1. Annual resident parking permits will increase from $50 to $75.
Gulf Coast News reports that a Jeep struck The Whale on Fort Myers Beach late Tuesday. Crews repaired damaged stairs Wednesday, and county records show a man booked on three DUI-related charges.
Gulf Coast News, reading the Lee County Sheriff's Office arrest report, reports a 23 year old Cape Coral maintenance worker at Pointe Estero Beach Resort was arrested Monday on three counts of grand theft after guests found him in their room.
WINK News reports the council approved the September 11 to 13 event and waived the noise ordinance. Organisers dropped an earlier request for open containers across the island and expect 16 to 18 racing teams.
The ceremony was held this morning in Crescent Beach Family Park, almost four years after Hurricane Ian took the pier. The replacement runs 1,000 feet by 12 feet, opens in summer 2027, and the county puts design and construction at 14.4 million dollars.
Crews are fencing the site and moving equipment in, with demolition next and completion expected in 2027. FEMA has awarded Lee County 5.5 million dollars against a contract reported at 11.7 million, with tourist tax and RESTORE Act money covering the gap.
The town council confirmed the two are community development director Frankie Kropacek and community services director Jeff Hauge, both on paid leave. No wrongdoing is alleged. The town says the review does not touch FEMA or Ian funds.
The town says it started an independent review of procurement and administrative practices tied to certain grants and contracts, and that the two staff went on leave as a precaution to protect that review. It has not named them or the grants.
The National Weather Service continued the Coastal Lee rip current statement at 3.45 a.m. Monday, and it now ends at 8 p.m. Monday, August 3, a day later than this site last reported. It is the same event the service opened on July 28.
The National Weather Service pushed the Coastal Lee rip current statement out another twenty four hours at 8.01 a.m. Sunday. It had been due to end at 8 p.m. Sunday and now runs to 8 p.m. Monday. Collier is not in it.
The National Weather Service pushed the Coastal Lee rip current statement out by another twenty four hours at 1.34 a.m. Saturday. It had been due to end at 8 p.m. Saturday and now runs until 8 p.m. Sunday, August 2.
The National Weather Service extended its Coastal Lee rip current statement on Thursday afternoon. It had been due to end at 8 p.m. Friday and now runs until 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 1.
A partial closure of Estero Boulevard is in effect at the southern end of Fort Myers Beach on Thursday, July 30, while emergency crews work a house fire.
The National Weather Service warned that dangerous rip currents are expected from Wednesday morning through Friday evening along Coastal Lee and Coastal Charlotte counties, including Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Captiva, Bonita Beach and Lovers Key.
The signal at the intersection of Old San Carlos Boulevard and Estero Boulevard, the junction traffic passes through coming off the Matanzas Pass bridge onto Fort Myers Beach, is back in service.
Crescent Beach Family Park at 1100 Estero Blvd. on Fort Myers Beach is set to reopen at sunrise Wednesday, July 29, after a $1.3 million restoration of the beachfront park damaged by Hurricane Ian.
Set at the county level, and it lands on every parcel in Fort Myers Beach.
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Lee County ends its 5 a.m. summer trash set-out requirement October 26 for unincorporated areas, Bonita Springs, Estero and Fort Myers Beach.
What it changes →
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Sanibel Fire and Rescue District adopted a tentative 1.3016-mill property tax rate and a $30,853,878 fiscal 2027 budget. The final hearing is September 21.
What it changes →
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The School Board of Lee County approved a $3.055 billion fiscal 2027 budget and cut its total property tax rate to 5.271 mills, down 0.048 mill from fiscal 2026.
What it changes →
