Florida Tourism is Booming
Florida welcomed 36 million total visitors between January and March 2022 according to VISIT FLORIDA estimates. That's a 14 percent increase from Q4 2021, and the third consecutive quarter that overall visitation has surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
FWC Wants Your Input on Shorebird Conservation
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is seeking input on draft species conservation measures and permitting guidelines for four species included in Florida’s Imperiled Species Management Plan: American oystercatchers, snowy plovers, least terns and black skimmers.
Lovers Key State Park Announces June Schedule
Lovers Key State Park will present weekly programs on park history and wildlife throughout the month of June. From a program called Savvy Sea Turtles, to a lesson about the local alligators, Lovers Key has the nature lover covered next month. Here's the full schedule.
Team Blackwater Wins Tarpon Tournament
The 10th annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament was held on May 13th with over $60,000 in cash prizes handed out to the anglers, including $27,000 to the first place team (pictured here) of Team Blackwater.
Congratulations Cindy Johnson
The Fort Myers Beach Town Council has awarded Cindy Johnson the 2022 Mayor John Mulholland Stewardship Award. The award is an annual award which recognizes "individuals, businesses or organizations which promote awareness, education and preservation of our community’s natural resources."
CWA Decision Delay
The trial over who owns the land where the Critical Wildlife Area sits on the south end of Fort Myers Beach has been pushed back until at least October. The trial was originally expected to start next month.
Window Tint Reversal
On Monday the FMB town council will hold a public hearing to consider a one-year moratorium on a 2-year old ordinance requiring new and replacement windows to be 85% tinted. The moratorium was suggested by the Marine Resources Task Force, which has flip flopped on the issue. The picture of these windows is the reason why.
LCSO Tips at Latest Chamber Luncheon
(By Steve Duello) The Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce held its monthly membership luncheon Thursday at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille. Lee County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Practitioner Tiffany Wood (pictured with Chamber President Jacki Liszak) was the guest speaker.
Beach Renourishment…It’s Complicated
Some people on Fort Myers Beach say they do not need any new sand, that their beach has been growing over the years. Others, like residents that live at Leonardo Arms, are in an emergency situation and needed sand months ago.
Beach Theater Closes
The rumor of the theater building selling has been swirling for months. Nick Campo has been operating the theater since 1999. He told Beach Talk Radio News that as of last night, the Beach Theater is officially closed. He said, "it's surreal after all these years."
Tarpon Tourney Kicks Off Today
The 10th annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament begins today. The tournament has been sold out for weeks. 60 teams are registered with 100% of the entry fee money going back into the prizes for the anglers. Each team of four paid $1,000.