News
Fust Library “Secret Garden” mural completed
July 19, 2024
Artist Larry Anderson has just finished the last part of a mural for the children’s section in the Johann Fust Library loggia area.
In 2022, Anderson was hired by the Johann Fust Library Fo…
Firm two-hour limit in draft parking docs in Public Records request
July 19, 2024
A “maximum duration of two hours.” That would be the time limit for metered parking in Boca Grande in a draft code change from Lee County, circulated on Monday, May 6, 2024, that would update…
Turtle report: Thought it was false crawl, turned out to be bona fide!
July 18, 2024
BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY
When people learn that I volunteer with BGSTA’s Turtle Patrol, so many of them say how much they would love to do that too, so I figured I would bring you along…
Analysis: Marine heritage, Little Gasparilla access important for Eldred’s
July 18, 2024
The big story on our local waterfront currently is the pending Eldred’s Marina sale. Whether this deal goes through or not, the property will change ownership soon. The next generation has a dozen…
The Grand Old Lady: Remembering the Boca Grande Hotel, 1930-72
July 18, 2024
BY JAMES BLAHA, BOCA GRANDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
On February 10, 1930, the following article appeared in the Fort Myers News-Press: “Plans for a three-story resort hotel at Boca Grande to cost ap…
Truly a ‘wrap up’ of 110th season
July 18, 2024
Wood eaters BEWARE! Thus read the sign on Sunday, July 14, as The Gasparilla Inn was wrapped for termites, in black, by Truly Nolen. The wrap echoed the work of the artist Christo (except for the…
Oliver Carr rebrands development and property companies into CarrAmerica
July 18, 2024
In a move to honor its legacy and mark a new chapter in its storied history, Carr Companies has announced that it is rebranding to CarrAmerica.
“As we transition to CarrAmerica, we are more co…
Sheriff’s Deputy Garber wins cheers for quieting noisy party boat
July 18, 2024
A Lee County Sheriff deputy shut down a noisy party boat anchored off the Gasparilla Island State Park beaches over the Fourth of July weekend. The boat was offshore, but it was so loud it ruined …
Q&A: History professor at UVA on public beach access
July 18, 2024
The issue of parking and beach access in Boca Grande is not unique to Gasparilla Island, or even Southwest Florida. University of Virginia historian Prof. Andrew Kahrl studies the social and envir…
Cane toads hanging by dam streets?
July 18, 2024
Cane toads have been spotted around the island recently. Be sure to differentiate these invasive species from native Florida toads.
George Cera, who was the primary iguana hunter in Boca Grand…