Public Safety Grants, Senior Expo, and Busy Nightlife Top Today’s Fort Myers News

Fort Myers, FL — February 17, 2026 — From new public safety funding to senior services and a packed evening event calendar, it’s a full Tuesday around the River District and beyond.

City approves 2026 grants to target guns and drugs

The Fort Myers City Council has signed off on a new round of public safety grants aimed at curbing gun violence and drug trafficking across the city. The package, approved at the council’s first meeting of the year, taps a mix of state, federal and local dollars to support police technology, traffic enforcement and officer training.

A major share of the funding renews a multi-year contract for a gunshot detection system that covers several square miles of Fort Myers and can pinpoint likely shooting locations within a narrow radius. Police say the system speeds up response times by sending real-time alerts and location data to dispatchers and officers in the field.

Additional grants will support specialized training on crisis response and de‑escalation, along with enforcement efforts on major corridors used for drug trafficking. City officials frame the plan as part of a broader push to pair technology with community‑oriented policing.

Senior Expo brings services and screenings to Lee Campus

Seniors and caregivers have a one‑stop option today at the Fort Myers Senior Expo, running from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Florida SouthWestern State College’s Lee Campus on College Parkway. The free event brings together dozens of local providers focused on aging, health and financial planning.

Attendees can connect with experts on Medicare coverage, assisted living, mobility devices, home care, veterans benefits, audiology and more. Organizers are also offering free basic health screenings, refreshments, prize drawings and informational sessions designed to help families navigate long‑term care and aging‑in‑place decisions.

College softball spotlight: ranked FAU visits FGCU

College softball fans get an early‑season showcase tonight as nationally ranked Florida Atlantic travels to Fort Myers to face Florida Gulf Coast University. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m., with the matchup drawing attention as a non‑conference test for both programs.

FAU enters the game after a challenging tournament slate against several top‑five opponents, while FGCU looks to use home‑field advantage to notch a statement win. The contest also gives local fans a chance to see a nationally ranked squad without leaving town.

Busy Tuesday night on the town

After sunset, Fort Myers leans into its role as a regional entertainment hub. The Ranch Concert Hall hosts a performance by jam band Spafford this evening on Colonial Boulevard. Downtown, Florida Repertory Theatre’s stages are active with productions of “The Play That Goes Wrong” and “Tuesdays with Morrie,” while Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall welcomes the touring production of “Back to the Future: The Musical.”

Together, the shows add up to a rare midweek mix of live music, comedy and theater within a short drive for most Lee County residents.

Sources

• https://englewoodreview.com/fort-myers-city-council-approves-2026-public-safety-grants-to-fight-gun-violence-and-drug-trafficking/
• https://seniorexpousa.com/expos/florida/2026-fort-myers-senior-expo/
• https://fausports.com/news/2026/2/16/softball-no-23-owls-in-fort-myers-to-face-fgcu
• https://welcometolee.com/my-calendar/