Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Who really pays for Fort Myers’ growing network of plate readers?

And on the Fort Myers Patch calendar - Career Kickoff SWFL! The area's Best Job Fai

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Greetings Fort Myers! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Who really pays for Fort Myers' growing network of plate readers?
  • How much are Fort Myers drivers really being tracked on local roads?
  • New bike and golf cart parking coming near Margaritaville Beach Resort

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

Today's riddle: What is the difference between black eyed peas and chick peas? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: A stray afternoon t-storm, with a high of 90 and low of 74 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: An afternoon t-storm or two, temps: high: 90, low: 74.
  • Friday: An afternoon t-storm or two, with a high of 91 and low of 74 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Who is paying for all those license plate readers? Records show taxpayer money, grants and forfeiture funds are all in the mix (winknews.com) — In Fort Myers and nearby communities, police and local governments are spending a mix of tax dollars, grants, forfeiture funds and even private donations on automated license plate readers. The investigation details how much various agencies pay, who controls the data, and why some places like Fort Myers Beach and Cape Coral are rethinking or ending their camera programs, raising privacy and accountability questions for local residents.
   

2. How advanced license plate readers build a '3D fingerprint' of Southwest Florida drivers (winknews.com) — Automated license plate readers are now widely used around Fort Myers, logging detailed information about vehicles across Southwest Florida and feeding it into large searchable databases. Local law enforcement touts the technology's crime-fighting benefits, while civil liberties advocates and residents raise serious concerns about mass surveillance, data retention, and how courts will eventually define privacy rights around this expanding system.
   

3. Commissioners approve new lot for bikes, carts near Margaritaville Beach Resort (fortmyersbeachtalk.com) — Lee County commissioners have approved a $163,200 project to add paid parking for 56 bicycles and 29 golf carts at the former Seafarer's Mall site in front of Margaritaville Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach. The plan also includes a Sheriff's Office outreach center and a drinking fountain, which local leaders say should ease bike congestion near the bridge and Times Square.
   

4. WWE Hall of Famer provides update following hospitalization (wrestleview.com) — A scheduled appearance by WWE Hall of Famer Fred Ottman at the SWFL Super Card Show in Fort Myers was canceled after he was hospitalized, but he's now home and telling fans he's feeling better. In a Facebook video, Ottman thanked supporters for their prayers, said doctors are still investigating his health issues, and described this year as especially difficult while he continues recovering.
   

📸 Around Fort Myers

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Oh my.
    I love my blankies. They are so soft and make the best bed on the bed. I had a hard day being the neighborhood Sentry all day long checking out who… (Nextdoor Mullock Creek Estero Rvr)
  • Good morning Everyone, This beautiful cat has been showing up at my house.
    He acts very hungry so I feed him. He/she comes close but has not let me touch him/her. Is this anyone's cat? (Nextdoor Fiddlesticks)
  • Continental Properties Company, Inc. posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Fort Myers. Apply here.
  • Skechers USA, Inc. posted a job opening for Overnight Stock Associate 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: Black eyed peas can sing us a song but chick peas can only hummus one. (Thank you Bev H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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