Another Fort Myers Beach staple is back open for business with a full menu and fully stocked bar. Smokin Oyster Brewery on Old San Carlos is now being run by the owners of Wahoo Willie’s and Snug Harbor after being purchased by Ben Freeland at Moss Marina. 

Over 400 people flocked to Fort Myers Beach for the Christmas Eve service at Bowditch Park on the north end of the island. Hurricanes and COVID sidelined the event for several years which is hosted by Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Lee County has announced that LeeTran will provide extended transportation services on Fort Myers Beach to accommodate New Year’s Eve festivities. The free open-air beach trams will extend service until 1 a.m. from Bowditch Point Park to the beach library.

With Christmas and New Years Day on Wednesday we will only be publishing one newsletter this week and next week. They will be delivered on Friday. For any breaking beach news make sure you like us on Facebook. From everyone here at BTR, have a Happy New Year.

There’s been a lot of chatter in the Fort Myers Beach community about what steps will be taken by beach residents who oppose the recently approved Seagate Redevelopment project. Here’s what they are planning…

On Wednesday the Fort Myers Beach Fire District Board approved an $11.9 million not-to-exceed contract with Wright Construction to build the new firehouse at 2545 Estero Boulevard. The district held a groundbreaking for the new building on October 25th. 

On Tuesday, December 31st at 8AM, Beach Talk Radio is partnering once again with DiamondHead Resort for the 2nd annual New Year's Eve 5K on Fort Myers Beach. Register HERE. To guarantee you'll get a t-shirt on race day you must register this week.

In order to turn over as much of the money we collect from registrations and sponsors to the Fort Myers Beach Woman's Club every year we ask for donations for products we need for the runners and walkers who enter our 5K race.

Fort Myers Beach is now a community divided. On one side is a group who fought for incorporation. A fight instigated by tall buildings being dropped on the island by Lee County. On the other side, the beach's elected officials who believe Hurricane Ian changed the playing field.

The Wyndham has not been touched since Hurricane Ian. It’s been a dangerous eyesore on the south end for over 2 years and the town is finally stepping in.

The Fort Myers Beach Town Council has approved a resolution revoking temporary use permits issued following Hurricane Ian. It was determined that this affects 11 property owners. If you are living in a trailer on your property while you rebuild this change does not impact you.

On Monday the Fort Myers Beach Town Council voted 4-1 to approve a new 71-unit resort hotel at 2310 Estero Boulevard. Mayor Dan Allers voted against the new Neptune project because it increases the density of the hotel by 100%.