On Episode #144 of Beach Talk Radio we interviewed Patrick McKeown who authored the new book Crown Jewel of Fort Myers Beach - The Mound House, you can watch it HERE on YouTube.

Lee County VCB Executive Director Tamara Pigott has reported that $2.167 million dollars in bed tax money was collected in October, that's up from $1.839 million in September and up from $2.105 million in October of 2019. A big part of the increase was attributed to strong vacation rentals in the county.

Lee County Manager Roger Desjarlais will update the Board of County Commissioners on the COVID-19 vaccine at its board meeting today. The report will include the rollout of the vaccine and the county’s role to serve as a support mechanism to the state. The meeting begins at 9:30 and you can watch it HERE.

The next Fort Myers Beach Business After Hours is this Thursday from 5:30 to 7:00 at Mango Rita's in Times Square. The restaurant will provide free appetizers and a cash bar. Entry is free for Chamber members and $15 for non-members.

For the third consecutive year, The Smokin' Oyster Brewery won the chili tasting contest at the Women's Club Christmas event. The S.O.B's Reid Freeman gets to keep the green jacket hanging in his garage after his West Texas Beef Chili received the most votes.

The 3rd annual Women's Club Christmas Tree Auction was a smashing success last weekend. The 17 Christmas trees auctioned off brought in $7,377 which will be distributed to beach non-profit groups. Three large bins of toys were also collected.

Last Saturday and Sunday crews set up shop in Lynn Hall Park and on Monday the new sand started arriving on Fort Myers Beach. 300 trucks of new sand will be delivered from Immokalee, to replace 6000 tons of sand that washed away during Tropical Storm ETA.

(By Ed Ryan) A parade of trucks will begin marching over the Matanzas Pass bridge starting Monday to replace 6000 tons of beach sand that washed away along 600 linear feet in Lynn Hall Park on Fort Myers Beach during Tropical Storm ETA.

Here's our special interview with Lee County Parks and Recreation Director Jesse Lavender about the beach renourishment and bathroom renovations in Lynn Hall Park. You can listen to the interview on the Beach Talk Radio website, iHeart, Apple and Spotify.

Pete McCagg has died at the age of 91. The United States Marine, and Korean War Veteran, moved to Fort Myers Beach in 1954. Mr. McCagg was instrumental in created the Lions Club Shrimp Festival in the 1950's, which raises thousands of dollars for local charities.

Everyone should plan to visit Bailey's General Store on Sanibel this holiday season. There's already a good chance you have an ornament for your Christmas Tree from Bailey's. Pat Kiely, the "ornament lady" designs a new ornament for Bailey's every year.

Fort Myers Beach Town Councilman Jim Atterholt's location suggestion to reconstruct what's left of the arches seems to be gaining steam. The northern most entry point to the beach in Lynn Hall Park has been unanimously approved by the organization that has been behind this movement for years.