For NASCAR Driver and Port Charlotte hometown legend Josh Williams, there’s no place like The Daytona Motor Speedway to kick off a new season, which will offer a fresh start.

A store dedicated to roller skating recently opened in Fort Myers. Rotten Hearts is run by Cammi Laboa and Jessica Blair, who met while playing for the Fort Myers Roller Derby League. With the nearest skate shop located in Tampa, the two women decided to open their own store dedicated to skaters of all levels.

When most people think of a disaster situation, the first thought is first responders. However, there are folks who work side-by-side with those who run into situations that others run from.

The results are in from a public survey, and they offer some possibilities about revitalizing McCollum Hall in Fort Myers. The hall in the Dunbar community was the center of African-American during several decades of racial segregation.

One young entrepreneur, Dillon Rosenthal, 22, has come to a solution for the ignored plastic waste issue from pickleball. Rosenthal’s newly started business, BounceBack Pickle, is a recyclable pickleball company that is designing the first fully recycled pickleball.

Emu pursued, lassoed, returned home unharmed

The lottery to compete in the U.S. Open Pickleball Championship in Naples opens January 14.

A search has been suspended off the Gulf shore for 57-year-old Attorney Randall Spivey, and his 33-year-old nephew Brandon Billmaier. The Coast Guard said they were reported missing at about 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19.

Entries are being accepted for the Friends of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve 2026 Photo Contest honoring Carolyn Babb. The deadline is Jan. 31, 2026. The contest is limited to amateur photographers and only digital entries can be submitted. Photos must be of native species and must have been taken at the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, which includes Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve North.

The Sarasota County Fire Department wants the community to have a safe holiday season by sharing safety tips and demonstrating the possible dangers of a dry tree and flammable holiday décor. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage or against the home outside. Decorations should be at least three feet away from heat sources.