Amanda Whittamore

Valentina Pereira, center, and her daughter Victoria react to seeing Valentina’s newly renovated home on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Fort Myers. Builder’s Care partnered with Lennar Homes on the project. The grandmother of eight was surprised to see that they had done more than just give her a new roof and garage door. Her whole home was redone.

Fort Myers grandmother, with a 'new' home for the holidays, finds out that Builders Care

An annual project, the holiday house brings together building industry associates all over Lee County to surprise a homeowner with a complete remodel.

Tony Esposito, 91, warms up before his baseball game at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025.

Human Interest

Naples man proves there's no aging in baseball - but fun remains

Mike Walcher, Amanda Whittamore

A Naples man sets the record as the oldest player ever in the Roy Hobbs World Series in Southwest Florida. Tony Esposito said he never wants to stop playing the game he loves.

Demonstrators lining the corner of Daniels Parkway and U.S. 41 hold signs at the No Kings demonstration in Fort Myers on Saturday, October 18, 2025.

Government & Politics

Crowd at No Kings rallies likely outpaced previous events; costumes, signs and slogans rule the day

Michael Braun, Eileen Kelley, Cary Barbor, Dayna Harpster, Mike Walcher, Elizabeth Andarge, Amanda Whittamore, Samuel Brucker, Kate Cronin, Tom Hall, Kevin Smith, Jennifer Crawford, Pam James

No Kings rally brought out thousands all over Southwest Florida on Oct. 18.

Giana Montoya works with students in a free yoga class on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at The Shiva Yoga Shala in Fort Myers. The studio celebrated their 10th anniversary with yoga classes, dance demonstrations, aerial yoga demonstrations and a drum circle.

Arts & Culture

Fort Myers yoga studio defies odds to celebrate 10 years in business

Dayna Harpster, Amanda Whittamore

Fort Myers yoga studio marks 10 years in business, staying the course through COVID and hurricanes.

Housing

Officials break ground on huge housing development in Dunbar

Mike Walcher, Amanda Whittamore

Officials broke ground Thursday morning on a huge, new housing development in the Dunbar community in Fort Myers.Legacy Point will have 373 units. It will be built on what used to be Southward Village in Dunbar.

Volunteers with Ann’s Angels help a participant on an adaptive waterski during Adaptive Sports Day at FGCU on Saturday, October 4, 2025.

Uniting through sports: FGCU's Adaptive Sports Day brings together students and athletes

Amanda Whittamore

Adaptive Sports Day at FGCU gives students and those with disabilities a chance to try new sports.

Maihan Saeedi and his wife Neelab play with their son Amir in their home on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, in Fort Myers. The couple met in the United States after fleeing Afghanistan in 2021 with only backpacks. “My source of strength now is my family, my wife, my child, my friends that I have here. All this makes me hopeful,” Maihan Saeedi said.

Culture and Connections

Lutheran office quietly aids refugees in Fort Myers

Elizabeth Andarge, Amanda Whittamore

Refugees turn to Lutheran Services for help starting over.

Promotional photo included on Visitor & Convention Bureau website.

Arts & Culture

Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau promotes area's cultural experiences

Tom Hall, Amanda Whittamore

Visitors demand cultural experiences. The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau has created a place-making initiative to give visitors what they covet.

Models for the Pace Center for Girls Funky Fashion Show walk among the audience on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the Chicos Corporate Campus in Fort Myers.

Culture and Connections

Lots of materials and lots of imagination go into Pace Center for Girls Funky Fashion Show

Elizabeth Andarge, Amanda Whittamore

Ten years strong, and still funky. The Pace Center for Girls, Lee celebrated its annual Funky Fashion Show on Wednesday night with bold looks and bolder materials.

Students from The Crestwell School learn to operate the Da Vinci surgical robot during a field trip to Gulf Coast Medical Center on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in Fort Myers. The students used virtual controls to move the robotic arms and manipulate rubber bands.

Health

Students introduced to surgical robots at Gulf Coast Medical Center

Amanda Whittamore

Local middle school students learned how to operate two surgical robots at Gulf Coast Medical Center during a recent field trip.