News
The burning bush of Boca Grande? Nah …
August 16, 2019
We’ve had an interesting couple of weeks when it comes to natural gas activity in the downtown area. Last week we told you about a potential gas leak in the 4th Street vicinity, which turned out to b…
A follow-up to the fire at the Lee Avenue Inn cottage
August 16, 2019
■ STAFF REPORT The State Fire Marshall couldn’t rule lightning out – or in, for that matter – in the incident that occurred at Gasparilla Inn Cottage 71 on Lee Avenue on Thursday, Aug. 8. At approxim…
ISLAND SHERIFF, FIRE AND EMS NEWS: Rat trap robber on the loose
August 16, 2019
■ STAFF REPORT On Thursday, Aug. 8 Lee County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a residential burglary on the island (exact location redacted due to Marsy’s Law). According to reporting dep…
Obituary: Joseph “J Baldy” Rinaldi
August 16, 2019
Joseph “J Baldy” Rinaldi, 76, passed into the never on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 10, 2019, surrounded by family and friends. He died from complications related to his battle with lung cancer. Baldy was…
Profile: Mike Bower
August 16, 2019
■ BY SUE ERWIN If you’ve visited Hudson’s Grocery recently, you might have noticed a new face helping to run the store. Sporting a bright pink T-shirt, Mike Bower has been working hard at the store…
Pet owners: Use caution when coming in contact with lakes, ponds inland
August 16, 2019
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE Several readers have contacted me regarding the news reports nationwide of pets dying after swimming in water affected by Harmful Algae Blooms, or HABs. Blue-green algae, otherwis…
It’s high tide at midnight: Do you know where your tarpon is?
August 16, 2019
■ BY JOELLEN WILSON, BONEFISH & TARPON TRUST Ten years ago Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) started a tarpon-tagging project in Charlotte Harbor. Back then we used heavy and expensive satellite…
Lightning the cause of two island fires just hours apart
August 9, 2019
■ STAFF REPORT Sporadic and intense lightning storms were named as the culprit in two fire incidents that occurred this week. The first call came in on Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 8:26 p.m. as an outside fi…
UPDATE: Lee County Code Enforcement sweeps island on Friday, closes some complaints
August 9, 2019
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE UPDATED STORY AS OF THE AFTERNOON OF FRIDAY, AUG. 9 … A Code Enforcement officer was on the island Friday morning, and he has already closed out several of the complaints against…
Don’t forget the paving at the bridge
August 9, 2019
■ STAFF REPORT The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority will be having the road paved from Placida Road to the toll booth, beginning sometime around August 12. Be prepared for one-lane traffic and some…