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All-time shark week legend: Giant ‘Old Hitler’

July 31, 2025
As a young high school fisherman, I enjoyed fish legends. Big shark stories just enhanced the adventure and thrills. Everyone from Tampa Bay to Boca Grande Pass had huge hammerhead sharks Old Hitler…

Celebration of Life for Capt. Morris Campbell, Aug. 9

July 31, 2025
There will be a celebration of life for Capt. Morris Campbell, who died Monday, July 28.  Born June 27, 1960, he had just retired July 1. Survivors including his son, Capt. Chris Campbell and dau…

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Anne Smith

July 31, 2025
New at The Island School this year Anne Smith may be new to The Island School, but she’s no stranger to the classroom – with 20 years of teaching experience, she’ll begin her first week on island…

EcoWatch: We need Eco warriors to speak up now

July 31, 2025
In a world where so much that is wild and free has been lost to us, we must leave these beautiful animals free to swim as they will and must. They do us no harm and wish us none and we should let th…

Lee County releases parking ordinance draft in advance of Aug. 5 meeting

July 29, 2025
Today, Lee County formally put the new parking ordinance for Boca Grande on the agenda for their August 5, 2025 meeting. It appears in the agenda as “Conduct Public Hearing to Adopt Gasparilla Islan…

Gasparilla Island State Park south area closed for beach renourishment project

July 28, 2025
For safety reasons, Gasparilla Island State Park at the south end of the island will be temporarily closed at the southernmost entrance to the park due to the beach renourishment project, the Barrie…

History: Cacti on paths, and other prickly beach stories 

July 25, 2025
BY MARCY SHORTUSE Since the early 1900s Boca Grande’s beach streets have been openly designated for public use. In 1925, these water access points were clearly marked on plat maps created by the…

A young conservationist’s ideas on keeping nests safe

July 24, 2025
BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY My grandkids from Kansas were visiting for the past couple weeks, and one of the highlights is having them join me for turtle patrol early in the morning. OK, it’s…

Lights on the Causeway

July 24, 2025
Signs were up near Kappy’s on the North End, as the Boca Grande Causeway armoring project began mobilizing and staging materials. Fall hurricanes damaged the road bed; rip rap will help protect the…

Lee EMS wins Heart Association award

July 24, 2025
Lee County Emergency Medical Services has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold achievement award for its commitment to offering rapid and research-based care to peopl…