By: James Kennedy Lifelong cowboy and native Floridian Hobby Campbell is known for imagery so detailed it borders on photographic. But that description alone would miss the mark. A few months ago, he was kind enough to spend an afternoon with me. We talked not just about his work, but about Florida—its wild spaces, its […]
East Lee News
A Florida Gubernatorial Candidate Running on Slower Growth, Accountability, and Agriculture
By: James Kennedy Before the recorder was turned on, Bobby Williams was already working the crowd, shaking hands, answering questions, and moving from one conversation to the next. The setting was informal, but the message was consistent. “Its accountability. Its credibility. It’s what are they producing?” Williams said during the meet-and-greet. “The fruit tells you […]
Local Brightway Insurance Team Members Earn National Top 2% Recognition
By: Tyler Smith | Brightway Insurance, the Smith & Mitchell Agency Brightway Insurance is proud to announce that three members of Brightway Insurance, the Smith & Mitchell Agency-Michael Beeson, Kain Groves, and April Luettich- have been recognized nationally as Top Client Advisors, an honor awarded to the top 2% of advisors across the country. The […]
Why Year-round Volunteer Support Matters for Southwest Florida’s Nonprofits
By: Charlotte Miller, Manager of External Affairs for Fort Myers and Naples, Florida Power & Light Company Every day across southwest Florida, volunteers are powering strong communities. Consistent, hands-on service helps ensure families are supported, essential programs remain strong and local nonprofit organizations can continue serving those who depend on them. Yet many organizations are […]
Lee County District 5 At A Crossroads
By: Butch Swank | Goodlad & Swank You organize, you show up, you support someone who reflects your community, and when the votes are counted, the outcome is decided somewhere else. That is not a one-time occurrence. That is how the system is built. I have seen this firsthand. Through my work as President of […]
The System Behind the Seat
How appointments, primary elections, and a 2026 ballot question could shape the future of Lee County government By Katrina SalokarEast Lee News | The ROAR The appointment of Trish Petrosky to the Lee County Commission’s District 5 seat has renewed discussion about how local offices are filled and how election rules shape representation in Lee […]
The Roar – April 2026 Issue
FSW to Host “State of Our Water” Quarterly Meeting Featuring Leading Research on Algal Toxins and Alzheimer’s Disease
Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW), in partnership with Calusa Waterkeeper, will host the second quarter “State of Our Water” meeting 9:30 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 11, in Building U, Room 102 at the FSW Lee Campus, 8099 College Pkwy., Fort Myers. This free community event will feature keynote speaker Dr. David Davis of the University […]
Lee Health’s First Off-Site Clinic Certified to Support and Care for Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
Highlighting its commitment to inclusive, high-quality care, Lee Health’s first off-site clinic has earned the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). The certification reflects specialized staff training in best practices for supporting autistic and sensory-sensitive children and adolescents, creating a welcoming environment where families can […]
Local Resident Reflects on Nearly Five Decades at FPL
When Alice “Jane” Wolford started as an associate draftsman at Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL) Western Division in August 1980, she drew maps by hand with pencils and rulers. Today, as a senior technical specialist at Toledo Blade Service Center, she manages major commercial projects using cutting-edge digital systems—a transformation that mirrors her remarkable […]
