Good morning, Naples.

The Greater Fort Myers and Sanibel Chamber of Commerce opened a combined office at the Collaboratory in downtown Fort Myers on Aug.

11 and signed a management deal with the Florida Restaurant + Lodging Association for Lee, Charlotte and Collier counties; free tours of the building will start on Tuesday.

The Marco Island Historical Society is raising funds during its Summer of Giving 2026 campaign to permanently display two historic ferry gears at the Marco Island Historical Museum.

The gears — rescued from the river bottom — serve as a tangible link to the island’s past.

Local miniaturist Alberto Chailosky won first place at the Naples National Art Fair for his hand-built mini city models that keep memories of old neighborhoods alive—fans can also visit the Naples Lionel Train Museum to see detailed train layouts built and cared for by local volunteers.

Fourteen schools in Lee County received new principals and assistant principals for the 2026 — 27 school year after board appointments earlier this summer — effective July 1 and confirmed on July 21.

The experienced local educators now lead the district's public schools.

Barnacles filter coastal waters by reducing algae and feeding fish, which benefits local habitats and helps scientists here develop new adhesives and technology.

Their presence can raise boat maintenance costs, adding both benefits and challenges for residents + researchers in our area.

On Saturday, July 18, a group partnering with CREW Land & Water Trust conducted a decades long herp survey at Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed to document how climate change and development pressure impact local reptiles and amphibians — each captured animal was released after documentation.

Mangos, pineapples and bananas are ripening across Southwest Florida as tropical fruit season peaks in local gardens and markets today.

Residents can enjoy the summer bounty and follow expert care tips to nurture their fruit trees (local experts advise).