News
Climb the Lighthouse tomorrow!
June 16, 2017
■ STAFF REPORT Climb the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse tomorrow, June 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. With your generous support, the Barrier Island Parks Society, BIPS, has restored our community treasure…
Tracy Lynn wins Kids’ Classic
June 16, 2017
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE The anglers aboard the Tracy Lynn knew they were on a roll when they felt their fifth release of the 2017 Gasparilla Island Kids’ Classic tug on the line at 8:08 p.m. No other te…
Board rejects proposal to move historic cottage
June 16, 2017
■ BY SUE ERWIN At its monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 14, the Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board rejected a proposal to relocate a guest cottage located at 300 Third Street West to Matanzas P…
Want to report red tide? There’s an app for that
June 16, 2017
■ PROVIDED BY MOTE MARINE. Smartphone users can now download a new app to self-report impacts of Florida red tide algae (Karenia brevis), thanks to Mote Marine Laboratory’s project to engage citize…
Build a better world – be a part of the kindness tree
June 16, 2017
■ BY SUE ERWIN Kindness is cool. That’s the message Johann Fust librarian Gladys Varga wants to share with island residents by encouraging them to spread a little joy – just because. She created a “K…
Profile: Paul Wagenseil
June 16, 2017
■ BY SUE ERWIN Capt. Paul Wagenseil is quite familiar with tarpon fishing in Boca Grande Pass. Born and raised in Englewood, Paul started fishing when he was a kid. After receiving a kayak as a birth…
Is there any way to stop the pirate-ization of Boca Grande?
June 16, 2017
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE “Heard an old man by the pier asking where the time’s all gone, it’s been almost 50 years; my, how this place has grown. “Used to come here by ferry before they built that big hot…
5th Street beach access closed due to erosion
June 9, 2017
The Boca Grande 5th Street Beach Access is closed indefinitely due to erosion stemming from recent storms and high tides. The parking lot will remain open. Other Lee County beach accesses on Boca Gr…
Gasparilla Island Kids Classic Tarpon Tournament this weekend
June 9, 2017
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE First it was Ladies Day. Then it was World’s Richest. Now it’s the kids’ turn, as the 2017 Gasparilla Island Kids Classic Tarpon Tournament is scheduled to drop lines in the water…
Lighthouse boardwalk almost complete
June 9, 2017
■ BY SUE ERWIN If you’ve taken a walk near the water at Gasparilla Island State Park over the past year, you’ve most likely noticed that the boardwalks on the beach side were pretty much washed out…