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Police & Fire


Islanders need a lift in recent elevator entrapments

February 15, 2024
Last Saturday Feb. 10, there was an elevator entrapment on island. The Boca Grande Fire Department quickly rescued stuck passengers from a third-floor elevator at 5091 Gasparilla Road after a 911 …

Welcoming Lt. Mike Sawicki to Boca Grande

January 11, 2024
Lieutenant Mike Sawicki was not looking to change jobs when Capt. Jeff Corkhill told him about an opening for his position in Boca Grande. Mike (he is cool with being called “Mike” without the for…

Island Auxiliary Communications system goes live

January 5, 2024
Wednesday, the Auxiliary Emergency Radio Communications System, or AUXCOMM system went live. The system was successfully tested by members of the Island EOC Emergency Communications & Interope…

Lt. Michael Sawicki new sheriff in town; saying goodbye to Capt. Jeff Corkhill

January 4, 2024
Boca Grande has a new officer in charge of the island from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Lt. Michael Sawicki. Lt. Sawicki (above, at right) is familiar with Boca Grande, having served as the re…

Letters: Thank you to Capt. Jeff Corkhill

January 4, 2024
Editor’s note: Capt. Jeff Corkhill (pictured above at right) will be moving on from Boca Grande as of Monday, and Lt. Jeff Sawicki, who had been at Captiva Island, will be taking his place. Island…

Residents, marine units help in Little Gasparilla fire 

December 21, 2023
Sheriff’s helicopter from Charlotte County assisted in the fire. Photo courtesy Boca Grande Fire Dept. A beach cottage at 9686 Privateer Road near the south end of Little Gasparilla Island is a…

Charlotte County shuts down gambling operations

December 20, 2023
On December 20, 2023, members of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Gaming Control Commission executed a legal search warrant of two casino-style businesses that were operating …

Brief: Police, fire and EMS news; Island School bomb threat

December 1, 2023
Island School bomb threat: The Island School had a bomb threat on the afternoon of Tues., Nov. 28. An email from Christine Oliver, head of the school, reported that a call was received on the scho…

Golf cart vs. tree results in injuries

November 22, 2023
The Boca Grande Fire Department and the Lee County Sheriff responded to a golf cart accident involving juveniles this past weekend. On Sunday, Nov. 19 at 4:09 p.m. a call came in regarding …

New donations to AUXCOMM fund mean one step closer to the goal of emergency autonomy

November 2, 2023
BY GEORGE HAMRICK Fire Chief C.W. Blosser and the Island EOC Emergency Communications & Interoperability Working Group would like to express their sincere gratitude to the Boca Grande Healt…