🌱 Patch AM: How will Fort Myers’ new $50M tech school change local careers?

Hey there, Fort Myers! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How will Fort Myers' new $50M tech school change local careers?
• How a Fort Myers task force helped crack a massive Cape Coral fraud
• How a Collier school storyteller became a Fort Myers golf champion

Also on today's calendar: Career Kickoff SWFL! The area's Best Job Fai and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why are crows so alert and curious? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: An afternoon t-storm or two, with a high of 90 and low of 76 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Monday: A p.m. t-storm in spots, temps: high: 92, low: 76.
• Tuesday: An afternoon t-storm or two, with a high of 91 and low of 75 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• $50M technical school opens in Lee County (businessobserverfl.com) — A new $50 million Heights CareerTech Institute has opened in Fort Myers' Harlem Heights neighborhood, bringing career and technical training for about 500 students. Funded through philanthropy, state support, and tax credits, the 63,500‑square‑foot campus offers industry‑credentialed programs designed with local businesses to feed high‑paying jobs and strengthen the regional economy for Fort Myers residents.
   

• Cape Coral fraud ring busted after 3-year probe: 50 felony charges filed, $120K Seized (winknews.com) — A Fort Myers–based U.S. Marshals fugitive task force helped Cape Coral police dismantle a large fraud ring tied to hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses, many from seniors. After a nearly three‑year probe, officers executed about 60 search warrants, seized $120,000 in cash, drugs, and a cloned Dodge Hellcat, and filed 50 felony charges, with one suspect still arranging surrender.
   

• Collier County school worker wins big on SWFL Amateur Players Tour (winknews.com) — A Collier County school communications specialist who lives for weekend golf has become a standout on the Southwest Florida Amateur Players Tour, competing at courses in the Fort Myers area. After a surprise first win at Eagle Ridge and a second victory this season, he's now earned enough points for a national tournament invite and is already eyeing next year's chance to go.
   

📸 Around Fort Myers

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Fort Myers

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★ Featured events ★

Monday September 21
• Career Kickoff SWFL! The area's Best Job Fai →
  Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers Airport/FGCU, 16410 Corporate Commerce Way, Fort Myers
  10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Sunday September 13
• Crafts After Dark →
  Fort Myers FL
  8:00 pm
Monday September 14
• Singo →
  Mango Rita's, 16440 S Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers
  7:00 pm
Tuesday September 15
• 9/15- Fort Myers, FL- Autumn in Normandy →
  Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant, 13671 Olympic Court, Fort Myers
• Autumn in Normandy →
  Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant, 13671 Olympic Court, Fort Myers
• LeeGOP Phone Banking & Volunteer Training →
  LeeGOP HQ, 12995 S. Cleveland Ave. #239, Fort Myers
  2:00 pm
• Public Art Committee Meeting →
  City Hall, 2200 Second St., Fort Myers
  4:00 pm
• World of Pearl →
  Mango Rita's, 16440 S Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers
  6:00 pm
Thursday September 17
• JWB Wine Experience: A Tour of France →
  JWB Grill, 1170 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach
  6:30 pm
Sunday September 20
• Candlelight: Queen vs. The Beatles →
  Dimension Event Center, 2634 Tamiami Trl E, Naples
  4:00 pm
• Candlelight: Neo-Soul Favorites ft. Songs by Prince, Childish Gambino, & More →
  Dimension Event Center, 2634 Tamiami Trl E, Naples
  6:15 pm
Thursday September 24
• Panera Bread® Grand Opening in Punta Gorda on September 24, 2026 →
  Panera Bread Punta Gorda 26260 Jones Loop Rd, Unit A Punta Gorda, FL 33950
  6:00 am

📣 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 these businesses for making Fort Myers PatchAM possible:

• Ridge Valley Exteriors — (239) 237-3717

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• PSG Global Solutions posted a job opening for Ramp Agent (AM) in Fort Myers. Apply here.
• Coastal Staffing, Inc. posted a job opening for Quality Control Inspector (2nd Shift) in Fort Myers. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Fort Myers here.

🗞 Nearby News

Gateway

• Game balls for SW Florida high school football top Week 4 performers (news-press.com)

North Fort Myers

• Punta Gorda woman dead in North Fort Myers crash (news-press.com)
• Game balls for SW Florida high school football top Week 4 performers (naplesnews.com)

Cape Coral

• 25 years later, Cape Coral firefighters climb to remember 9/11 sacrifice (winknews.com)
• How to Prepare for a Kitchen Remodel in Cape Coral? Expert Tips From Timely Construction LLC (soundcloud.com)
• Enrollment open for Early Explorers program (capecoralbreeze.com)

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: They start each day with a cup of caw-fee. (Thank you Curt K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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