Every week I round up the community, business, and development stories making news across Southwest Florida, from Naples and Marco Island to Bonita Springs, Estero, and Fort Myers. This edition covers the week of October 12-18, 2026: a new freestanding emergency room in South Lee County, Roadhouse Cafe's planned return to Fort Myers, The Goodz rebuilding on Fort Myers Beach, the Marco Island Boat Show, and Bonita Springs' citywide mobility plan. Each story links to the original reporting from a local outlet, and I only include stories I can confirm from the source.
HCA Florida Lehigh opens a freestanding emergency room in South Lee County
HCA Florida Lehigh Hospital opened its new freestanding emergency room at Alico Road and Three Oaks Parkway in South Lee County on October 12. The 24/7 facility has 11 exam rooms, and residents gathered to welcome a new option for emergency care closer to home.
Read the full story at The News-PressRoadhouse Cafe plans a return to Fort Myers as Roadhouse 2.0
Roadhouse Cafe, the south Fort Myers restaurant and jazz spot that closed in 2025, is coming back as Roadhouse 2.0 in a larger space at Miners Plaza. The owners aim to reopen in early November with most of the original team and menu, piano bar included.
Read the full story at The News-PressFort Myers Beach shop The Goodz rebuilds years after Hurricane Ian
More than four years after Hurricane Ian, the Fort Myers Beach shop The Goodz is rebuilding a permanent storefront while it keeps operating from trailers. Owner Graham Belger's project marks another step in the island community's steady recovery from the 2022 storm.
Read the full story at WINK NewsMarco Island Boat Show opens the region's fall season
The Marco Island Boat Show opened Southwest Florida's fall boat-show season October 16-18, highlighting a rebounding marine economy four years after Hurricane Ian. The weekend spotlighted Legacy Harbour Marina's return, a $15 million redevelopment with 131 new slips, back in time for the season's boat shows.
Read the full story at the Naples Daily NewsBonita Springs advances its citywide mobility plan
Bonita Springs is in the final stages of the Connect Bonita Springs citywide mobility plan, a long-range look at how people will get around the growing city. A community open house is set for October 22 at City Hall, where residents can review the draft and share feedback before the plan moves forward.
Read the full story at WGCUHow I put this list together
I keep this roundup to community, business, and development news that I can verify from the outlet's own reporting, and I link to the original article every time. I skip crime stories and anything politically divisive, so this stays a positive, useful snapshot of the week. If a story changes, the linked articles are the best place to check the latest.
A note on fair housing: every home and community in Southwest Florida is open to all qualified buyers and renters, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. If you are exploring a move here, I am glad to help you find the place that fits you, whatever your story.
A note from the author: I'm Catalina Quintero, a bilingual REALTOR with The Miranda Group at Premiere Plus Realty, Co., serving Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers, and Marco Island. I put this roundup together each week from current, published reporting so you can keep a finger on what is happening in Southwest Florida. If you are thinking about a move, email or text me any time.
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Contact Catalina Quintero at (239) 206-6909 or use the contact page to schedule a consultation.