On Tuesday, the Lee Board of County Commissioners voted to award a $2.5 million contract to Johnson Engineering for the design and permitting phase to restore Crescent Park and Bowditch Beach Park on Fort Myers Beach.

EIHS needs our help cleaning up the grounds around their two historic cottages at 161 Bay Road (behind the Beach School). Helene and Milton were not friendly to Ellie and her team. If you can be part of the cleanup squad Saturday from 8-10AM send an e-mail to edryan@beachtalkradio.com.

(By Ed Ryan) The last time I saw Ray Sandelli I was riding my bike on Estero Boulevard shortly after Hurricane Milton. Ray was on his way to the Island’s Pancake House to spend some money at a beach business hammered by way too many hurricanes. 

The big Fort Myers Beach renourishment project will restart in two days after a piece of machinery the contractor was using needed repairs. The project, which started on the north end of the island, is now up to Lynn Hall Park where the beach will be lengthened by over 100 feet.

The Estero Island Historical Society has collected and cleaned many of the hand-painted street signs that the Fort Myers Beach community created in the months after Hurricane Ian. Many are displayed inside the Historic Cottage. Do you have one of those signs?

Sanibel Captiva Community Bank has donated a total of $150,000 to Sanibel, Captiva and Fort Myers Beach nonprofit organizations in support of local Hurricanes Helene and Milton relief efforts.

The Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 34th annual American Sand Sculpting Championship November 21st through 24th at DiamondHead Resort. Volunteers are needed.

The FMB Woman's Club Annual Christmas Tree Festival is back, and that means it's time to get cooking. The wildly popular chili tasting event is back. This year's event is limited to 15 chili entrees, so you'll need to get your application in soon.

Last month, after the LPA approved Estero Island Beach Club’s new building proposal, the Town Council denied the project. The reason given was there was not enough public benefit for the town to approve a 10-story building. The denial was done ‘with prejudice.’

It’s impossible to predict which new development might be approved or rejected by the Fort Myers Beach Town Council. The last two LPA recommendations went by the wayside as council chose to go in the opposite direction. Next up for the LPA is the new Neptune Resort.

The 2024 sea turtle nesting was challenging thanks to a lot of weather events. Of the 109 nests on Fort Myers Beach this season, 28 hatched and 23 drowned. Yesterday was the official end to the 2024 turtle nesting season. 

The final Town Council vote to redevelop the 10-acre Red Coconut property has been pushed back to November 18th. The second public hearing was originally scheduled for this Monday but had to be moved because it was not properly noticed.