Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What Royal Palm Towers’ closure means for Fort Myers low-income residents

And check out Better Together Community Job Fair on the Fort Myers Patch calendar

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Wednesday January 14th Patch AM
Wednesday January 14th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hi there, Fort Myers! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What Royal Palm Towers’ closure means for Fort Myers low-income residents
  • How WINK’s new high-tech studio could change local storm coverage
  • How a Fort Myers “Second Chance Queen” earned a continental crown

Also on today's calendar: Better Together Community Job Fair and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Fort Myersfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the baby computer say to the mommy computer? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Fort Myersfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Wednesday: Cloudy, with a high of 72 and low of 61 degrees.
  • Thursday: Breezy with morning showers, temps: high: 66, low: 38.
  • Friday: Cold in the morning; sunny, with a high of 64 and low of 42 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Royal Palm Towers' closure in Fort Myers sparks questions on affordable housing (winknews.com) — Royal Palm Towers residents in Fort Myers have been relocated after the city’s housing authority chose to close and sell the aging waterfront building, raising fresh concerns about affordable housing options. A new 80-unit low-income complex, Strayhorn Place, is being built to replace it by spring 2027, but some former tenants say they miss the tight-knit community they lost.
   

2. WINK News unveils high-tech studio, boosting community reach (winknews.com) — WINK News has opened a new, more secure high-tech studio in Lee County’s Gateway area, aiming to better serve Fort Myers and surrounding communities during storms and daily coverage. The 63,000-square-foot facility, packed with robotic cameras and modern broadcast tools, is centrally located to speed crews across the viewing area while reinforcing the station’s long-term commitment to local residents.
   

3. Fort Myers advocate crowned International Ms. North America 2026 (floridaweekly.com) — A Fort Myers community advocate known as the “Second Chance Queen” has been crowned International Ms. North America 2026, spotlighting her work with survivors of domestic abuse and local girls. Her confidence-building S.E.L.F. Method, podcast, and Flutters of Hope Project now have a larger platform to promote healing, body positivity, and leadership across the country.
   

4. After significant insurance rate cuts, Citizens rates to drop even more (news-press.com) — Homeowners in Fort Myers could see lower Citizens insurance rates as statewide multiperil premiums are set to drop an average of 8.7% this spring. State leaders credit legal reforms and a calmer hurricane season, while a Fort Myers-based insurance attorney warns residents that reduced lawsuits and tighter coverage limits may blunt how much savings they actually feel.
   

5. Immigrant Detainee at ‘Alligator Alcatraz' Agrees to Leave US, Asks that Lawsuit Be Dismissed (ground.news) — A federal immigration detainee has asked the Fort Myers federal court to dismiss his lawsuit after agreeing to leave the U.S. and return to Chile. His case had challenged Florida’s authority over the ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention site, while separate litigation continues over protecting detainees’ access to their attorneys.
   

📸 Around Fort Myers

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Fort Myers

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

📣 Fort Myers Shout Outs!

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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Fort Myers PatchAM possible:

  • Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Brand-New Bocce Courts Are a Hit with Players —Elizabeth Fabiano Read on Patch
  • Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
    Daisy was LOST on January 9, 2026 in Iona, FL 33908 near Iona and McGregor Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the… (Nextdoor Iona)
  • Have you been to the UPS store in the Publix plaza ?
    (The one next to the Tag Agency ). If not, you’re missing out…. They are the nicest people there. Very friendly and professional. (Nextdoor Alico Rd/Lee Rd)
  • The Home Depot, Inc. posted a job opening for Warehouse Maintenance Associate in Fort Myers. Apply here.
  • Pilot Flying J posted a job opening for Janitorial Maintenance in Fort Myers. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Fort Myers here.

Ok Fort Myers! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I want my data.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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