News
Friends gears up for season
August 7, 2025
The Friends of Boca Grande team is gearing up for the 2025-26 season. Left to right: Kyle Rich, Judy Prestia, Melissa Richardson, Tammy Rigney, Marta Howell, Martina Long and D.J. Keisling. …
Cruising the Island!
August 7, 2025
The Porsche Club of America was in Boca Grande recently for one of its regular outings. Rob Vigorito, vice president of the Everglades Region of the PCA, organized the outing, which included lun…
EcoWatch: Animal cruelty is all around us. If you see it, report it.
August 7, 2025
“The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
Mahatma Gandhi, Prominent leader in the Indian independence movement, known for his philosophy of nonviolence.
Thi…
Lee County passes island beach parking restrictions
August 5, 2025
Above, Chamber director Gary Cross addresses the board. Photo by Matt
The Gasparilla Island parking ordinance passed unanimously at Tuesday’s Lee County Commissioners meeting with sever…
Address for Aug. 5 Lee County parking meeting; link to watch on YouTube
August 4, 2025
The Public Hearing on Gasparilla Island parking is Tuesday, August 5 at 9:30 a.m. at the Old Lee County Courthouse, where all Lee County Commission meetings are held. The address is:
Old Lee Cou…
Renourishment shortfall with parking rule
July 31, 2025
$4.2 million example
BY MARCY SHORTUSE
A proposed parking plan for Gasparilla Island will affect the island’s future beach renourishment funding and could include a tax for renourishment, acco…
Sea Turtles: Disorented hatchlings can be prevented
July 31, 2025
BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY
Last week, shortly after the start of one of our morning patrols, BGSTA volunteers received an urgent text message stating, “All, Denise has a major disorientation…
Capt. David McCown is new commanding officer of Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater
July 31, 2025
The crew of Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, which supervises rescue operations along the Gulf Coast, held a change of command ceremony on July 24, 2025.
Capt. David McCown relieved Capt. Scot…
Mote Marine tests shark-repellent devices
July 31, 2025
Electromagnetic technology could reduce fishing depredation
Scientists at Mote Marine Laboratory’s research facility in Sarasota are testing devices that send electric pulses intended to repel sh…
Preservation Board meets Aug. 13
July 31, 2025
The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board meeting will be held on August 13, at 10 a.m., at St. Andrew’s Chapter House.
The agenda includes items by the public, two Special Certificate of Appr…