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Featured Local Stories
Southwest Florida Spirit Halloween Stores Support Golisano Children’s Hospital Throughout October
This October, Spirit Halloween’s Spirit of Children campaign is helping make hospital stays brighter for young patients at Golisano Children’s...
Rooster’s Produce Pumpkin Patch Reopens October 3rd
Fall is back at Rooster’s Produce on Route 80, and with it comes a favorite community tradition—the Autumn Pumpkin Patch,...
Household Chemical Waste Collection Scheduled for Oct. 11 in Lehigh Acres
Lehigh Acres residents will be able to safely and responsibly dispose of household chemical waste, such as leftover paints, cleaners,...
Smoke Under The Oaks: Rib Fest Returns To LaBelle January 10, 2026
By: Jerika Mungillo | Executive Director, LDRC LaBelle’s favorite tradition is firing up again! The 14th Annual Smoke Under the...
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Lehigh Community Services Wins $10,000 Grant To Power Disaster Relief Efforts
By: Katrina Salokar | East Lee County News Lehigh Community Services, a trusted nonprofit serving Lehigh Acres since 1977, is celebrating a major win that will boost its ability to respond during disasters. Thanks to overwhelming community support, the organization has secured a $10,000 grant from Safeco Insurance and Liberty...
Unite Lehigh: A Community Coming Together
By: Katrina Salokar | East Lee County News Growth is nothing new in Lehigh Acres. We’ve been watching new homes, new storefronts, and new families arrive in waves for years now. But with all that growth has come a simple, pressing question: how do we make sure the people who...
October Brings Community, Food, Music, and Fellowship to Alva
By: Katrina Salokar | East Lee County News Alva is gearing up for a full calendar of fall events this October, with something for everyone—from yard sales and gospel music to family festivals and community gatherings. Mark your calendars and join in the fun. ANNUAL YARD & BAKE SALE –...
A Land Remembered: Florida’s Most Influential Book in 50 Years
By: James Kennedy | East Lee County News When Floridians argue about growth, the environment, or heritage, there’s one book that keeps resurfacing: Patrick Smith’s *A Land Remembered*. Published in 1984, it has quietly become the most influential book about Florida in the last half-century. This isn’t meant as hyperbole...
Pet Wellness at Every Stage of Life
By: Dr. Veja Tillman, DVM | Just 4 Pets Veterinary Wellness Center Pet wellness is a lifelong journey that evolves with age, lifestyle, and health status. Whether you’re caring for a playful puppy, a curious adult cat, or a wise senior dog, understanding the essentials of wellness at every stage...
Vista Surfaces Grand Opening in Fort Myers
By: Katrina Salokar | East Lee County News Vista Surfaces has officially opened its doors at 4455 Cleveland Ave. #2 in Fort Myers, marking the occasion with a grand opening celebration on September 5, 2025. The event drew builders, designers, contractors, and local business leaders together for an evening of...
Tommy Lee Cook and The Buckingham Blues Band Headline Halloween Night, Downtown Fort Myers
By: Katrina Salokar | East Lee County News Get ready for a powerhouse Halloween lineup as Tommy Lee Cook and The Buckingham Blues Band team up with arena-rock revivalists Maiden Cane for the inaugural Fall Fest at 2400 First Street. The celebration kicks off Friday, October 31, with gates opening...
Warren Buffett’s Nearly $1 Billion Bet On Homebuilding: A Warning Sign For Our Communities
By: Katrina Salokar | East Lee County News Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway recently made a massive $800 million investment in Lennar, with a smaller $191.5 million stake in D.R. Horton. Both are giants of the sprawl machine that’s remaking Florida’s landscape one subdivision at a time. Buffett isn’t a stranger...
Editors Choice
On the Ground at Sebring: Racing, Innovation, and Human Spirit
By: Katrina Salokar | East Lee County News On May 16, 2025, I visited Sebring International Raceway on the first day of an exciting weekend-long
June 25, 2025
Frustrated and 50: The Dating Dilemma in Southwest Florida
By: Katrina Salokar | East Lee County News If you’re over 50 (even over 40), single, and living in Southwest Florida, you’re not alone—but you
June 25, 2025
Hung Up on Snags
Submitted by The Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society When The Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society began managing River Oaks
June 25, 2025
Readying Your Pets For Hurricane Season In Florida
By: Dr. Veja Tillman, DVM | Owner of Just 4 Pets Veterinary Wellness Center Hurricane season in Florida runs from June 1 to November 30,
June 25, 2025
Preserving What’s Left: Real Options for Landowners
By: James Kennedy | East Lee County News In the May 2025 edition, I wrote about the importance of growing what matters here in East
June 25, 2025
COMMUNITY CONCERT ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES 2026 SEASON; TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR FIVE CLASSICAL PERFORMANCES
Internationally-acclaimed performers from around the world will headline the five concerts planned for 2026 by the Fort Myers Community Concert Association. Tickets are now on
June 4, 2025
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