The 7th annual Fort Myers Beach Woman’s Club Tree Festival was a smashing success with just over $40,000 raised for local nonprofit organizations.

This Saturday bikes, scooters, golf carts and other assorted modes of transportation will be decked out in Christmas lights for the annual bike parade on Fort Myers Beach. Several new elements have been added to the event that will help make it bigger than it’s ever been.

St. Peter Lutheran Church will hold their annual Christmas Eve service at 4PM on December 24th. It will be held under the big tent in the parking lot at 3751 Estero Boulevard. Everyone is welcome, including pets. St Peter will not be holding a Christmas Day service.

Westminster Presbyterian is once again hosting its sunset Christmas Eve service at Bowditch Park on Fort Myers Beach. The service has not been held the last two years due to the recent hurricanes. 

On Monday the Fort Myers Beach Town Council will consider dishing out $7,500 per month to a lobbying company to help overcome the issues the town is having with FEMA. The contract would be for a minimum of 6 months for a total of $45,000 taxpayer dollars. 

Fort Myers Beach Town Councilman Scott Safford wants the town to revisit their ordinance (1715) barring the sale of medical marijuana on the island. Safford called it " the economic engine now." The item will be discussed at a future council meeting. Take our online poll HERE.

Linda Miller says her 41 Markets Farmers Market that is now at Santini Plaza on weekends will move to the empty lot across from The S.O.B. on Old San Carlos. The Farmers Market has been at Santini since Hurricane Milton did extensive damage to Times Square. 

The Lee Board of County Commissioners has appointed Chairman Kevin Ruane to Chair the Tourist Development Council. Ruane, who is District 1 Commissioner, was named BoCC Chairman on Nov. 19 replacing Mike Greenwell. He replaces Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass as TDC Chair

The 36th Annual Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade was a truly magical event, drawing crowds for an unforgettable evening of lighted boats and festive cheer. The parade began at Salty Sam’s Marina and cruised through the scenic waters of Estero Bay.

A gathering of the beach kids was held this past Friday on the old Red Coconut beach property now owned by Seagate. The event was organized by The Fort Myers Beach PTO and parents to celebrate the Beach School reopening after it was severely damaged by Hurricane Ian.

Fort Myers Beach Marine Operations Project Manager Chadd Chustz gave residents on the south end of the island an update on their beach renourishment. He also took questions from the crowd that gathered to hear his update. Watch the walkaround HERE.

The Fort Myers Beach Woman’s Club will be hosting the 7th Annual Christmas Tree Festival this Friday and Saturday at Bay Oaks (2701 Oak Street). This two-day event is a fundraiser which supports participating nonprofits in the greater Fort Myers Beach area.