WGCU Staff

The Lee Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday received an update on the progress of building the new, larger and more resilient Fort Myers Beach Pier that accelerates the planned completion of the project.The estimated completion date of the pier is now in August 2027, ahead of the previous planned completion in summer 2028.

Lee Commissioners vote on improving county’s transportation network, including projects on Six Mile Cypress Parkway, Three Oaks Parkway and Cape Coral Bridge.

North Port’s City Commission is hosting three Town Halls for residents on referendum questions placed on the ballot for the May 13 Special Election.

SunPass officials say they are aware of a phishing scam involving use of the prepaid toll program's name.The scam uses text messages requesting prompt payment to avoid fees. The messages also contain a link to a fraudulent website in an attempt to collect information. Officials said SunPass does not send these messages.

Lee County's Department of Transportation advises motorists to avoid the Daniels Parkway corridor in South Fort Myers on the afternoons of three specific Spring Training dates this season when both the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins have games.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection issued a critical permit for the Yacht Club Community Park renovation yesterday afternoon, bringing the City of Cape Coral one step closer to breaking ground on the park’s improvements.The environmental resource permit will now be sent to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), with federal approval anticipated in April 2025, barring unforeseen circumstances. Once received, the construction manager at risk will advertise the marine improvement portion of the project for construction bids, marking a significant step forward in the project.

Sanibel's Natural Resources Department has been busy preparing for the final phase of the Lighthouse Beach renourishment project by preparing to plant nearly 30,000 pieces of dune vegetation. Yesterday, a team was out sorting, measuring, and preparing the area for plantings made on Thursday.

The need for food assistance remained vital for many in Southwest Florida in 2024 as evidenced by a more than 10 percent increase in food distribution — more than 4 million pounds — reported by the Harry Chapin Food Bank.Additionally, Chapin reported large upticks in several children-focused food distribution programs.Chapin's distribution of 39.5 million pounds of food through its Feeding Network in 2024 equates to an additional 3 million meals served to neighbors across Southwest Florida.

Monday, Feb. 3, is the deadline for City of Sanibel residents to register for the March 4 election for three council member positions and a Charter Amendment Referendum concerning council member vacancies.To participate in the upcoming election, individuals must be registered Florida voters and reside in the City of Sanibel.