News
Fishing families take the stage, islanders in front of the camera and behind in ‘Mullet and Mangroves’
May 4, 2018
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – On Thursday, May 3 a new documentary on barrier island life had its debut on local television stations, and it featured several familiar faces and places. But don’t worry – if you…
Young pilot visits family in Boca Grande, fishes for tarpon for the first time
May 4, 2018
BY SUE ERWIN – Purdue University graduate student Wesley Major came to visit Boca Grande for the first time in April. His aunt and uncle, Jerry and Carol Rainey, have a home on Tarpon Street. After g…
Youth fishing tournament results
May 4, 2018
First sea turtle nest spotted on April 30: New patrol volunteers welcome
May 4, 2018
BY SUE ERWIN – Nesting season officially began on May 1, and the first two sea turtle nests of the season have been discovered by turtle patrollers on Monday, April 30 between 10th Street and 25th St…
ISLAND LEO BEAT: Looking back on our 2018 tourist season and a warning to stow your tackle
May 4, 2018
The small community of Boca Grande is wrapping up its most busy time of the year: spring 2018! Many who call Boca Grande home during the late fall, winter and spring months are returning to their sum…
Obituary: Dean L. Beckstead
May 4, 2018
Laurier Donald Dean Beckstead, 74, passed away peacefully at his Palm Island home in the early morning hours of Wednesday, April 25, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on July 18, 194…
A pioneering Florida family: The Albrittons
May 3, 2018
BY TIMMY SPAIN
The man in this photo was a true Florida Cracker. Aaron Robert Albritton was his name, but everybody called him Twister. I guess he couldn’t afford a horse, so he trained that stee…
Profile: Josh Freeman
May 3, 2018
BY SUE ERWIN – Josh Freeman was born and raised in Boca Grande. He started working at PJ’s Seagrille as a busboy when he was 14 years old. Since then, he’s learned just about everything there is to k…
In recognition of a job well done: Thank you, David Hayes
May 3, 2018
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – The last quarterly meeting for the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority in April went by very quickly, which is unusual for a GIBA meeting. With the bridges and new tollbooth built…
Recreational and commercial trap fishery workshops scheduled for May; your input needed
May 3, 2018
To the Editor: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) needs your input on the recreational and commercial stone crab and blue crab fisheries and the commercial spiny lobster trap…