Featured News
Watch for manatees when out on the water
June 23, 2017
■ STAFF REPORT The summer season has arrived, and that can mean crowded conditions on Florida’s waterways. Save the Manatee Club encourages the boating community to watch for manatees when out on t…
Profile: Andy Charcut
June 23, 2017
■ BY SUE ERWIN Andy Charcut was living in Illinois in 2013, when his boss Steve Kaplin, offered him a job in Boca Grande. At the time, Steve owned Infotrack, a pre-employment screening company. Ste…
Obituary: John Gallwey Carter
June 23, 2017
John Gallwey Carter, 26, residing briefly in Ann Arbor, Michigan, passed away on June 9, 2017. John was born on July 29, 1990 to John Elliot and Gael Gallwey Carter in Tampa, Florida. John was a gr…
CCSO marine unit joins Operation Dry Water campaign
June 23, 2017
To the Editor: The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office will be participating in Operation Dry Water as part of a nationally coordinated effort to increase knowledge about the dangers of boating under…
Want to report red tide? There’s an app for that
June 16, 2017
■ PROVIDED BY MOTE MARINE. Smartphone users can now download a new app to self-report impacts of Florida red tide algae (Karenia brevis), thanks to Mote Marine Laboratory’s project to engage citi…
Build a better world – be a part of the kindness tree
June 16, 2017
■ BY SUE ERWIN Kindness is cool. That’s the message Johann Fust librarian Gladys Varga wants to share with island residents by encouraging them to spread a little joy – just because. She created a …
Profile: Paul Wagenseil
June 16, 2017
■ BY SUE ERWIN Capt. Paul Wagenseil is quite familiar with tarpon fishing in Boca Grande Pass. Born and raised in Englewood, Paul started fishing when he was a kid. After receiving a kayak as a bir…
Is there any way to stop the pirate-ization of Boca Grande?
June 16, 2017
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE “Heard an old man by the pier asking where the time’s all gone, it’s been almost 50 years; my, how this place has grown. “Used to come here by ferry before they built that big h…
Lighthouse boardwalk almost complete
June 9, 2017
■ BY SUE ERWIN If you’ve taken a walk near the water at Gasparilla Island State Park over the past year, you’ve most likely noticed that the boardwalks on the beach side were pretty much washed out…
Water restrictions in place for Charlotte County – Probable soon in Lee
June 9, 2017
■ SUBMITTED BY GIWA The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (SWFWMD) governing board voted last week to increase water restrictions throughout the region, which affects the Charlotte Coun…