Kate Cronin

The Lee County Courthouse was the home for a legal showdown between The Immigration Detention Center known as Alligator Alcatraz and several former detainees.

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.

Next month, the window will officially be open for a NASA manned flight that will circumnavigate Earth’s closest celestial partner to track potential landing sites for an official moon landing.

Roller Derby brings the thrills, and bruises, to the roller rink. The sport grew in popularity in the 1950s and in recent years has had a surge in fandom.

An unlikely hero is helping empty out garages for Annual Tire Amnesty Day. Lee County Mosquito Control, located off Homestead Road, will collect up to eight tires from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan 17. The effort is a collaboration with Lee County Solid Waste and the Rotary Club of Fort Myers East to clear neighborhoods of discarded tires.

A Fort Myers eleventh grader was awarded first place in the U.S. District Court essay contest. Noah Moon described his experience founding a nonprofit organization that brings youth together through sports. As president of Athletes Activating Champions for Empowerment (AACE), Moon uses his love for sports to mentor those around him and provide a supportive space for kids from all backgrounds.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is boosting safety and convenience along I-75 with upcoming installations. A pre-construction information session covering new interchange construction at I-75 at Toledo Blade Boulevard and Sumter Boulevard in Sarasota County will be held on Tuesday, Jan 6.

More than 60 people gathered outside the Everglades detention facility known as Alligator Alcatraz for their 21st freedom vigil. Organized by The Workers Circle, a Jewish social justice organization, the group prayed for those inside.

More than 300 Harlem Heights families enjoyed a festive meal at The Heights Foundation located off Gladiolus in Lee County to celebrate an early Thanksgiving. The celebration offered a buffet, face painting, games, and even free karate lessons from National Karate Fort Myers. Each family left with a turkey and Publix gift card for their own Thanksgiving dinner.

More than 35 people turned out for a recent free spay and neuter coupons. Lee County Domestic Animal Services partnered with non-profit Fortunate Ferals for the first event teaching about Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR), a process to lower feral cat populations.