Sports & Outdoors
Storm wave action gives island surfers Atlantic ride
October 15, 2026
The 1st Street area of Gasparilla Island is a formidable surfing spot after storms, whether hurricane or just high winds. On Saturday, there were many out there to catch the remnant waves of Isaias…
Banyan restoration begins; new trees 8,000 lbs.
October 15, 2026
GICIA and Lee County partner to restore historic Banyan Street
BY THE GICIA
In partnership with Lee County, the Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association is moving forward wit…
Lady Mantas continue their winning streak
October 15, 2026
Savannah Pope (center) defended her Charlotte County Championship title on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at St. Andrews South golf course. The Lady Mantas also continued their winning streak nine years in a row…
OPINION & ESSAYS: Finding comfort in familiarity; Everything part of the ritual
October 15, 2026
BY ERNIE VANDERWALT
We all have our routines. Coffee, first thing in the morning. Brush your teeth, last thing at night, glasses off, plug in the phone. And everything in between.
There’s a wa…
EcoWatch: El Nino has spared Southwest Florida so far
October 15, 2026
El Nino can have intense atmospheric and oceanographic effects, such as increased precipitation, flooding, and warmer ocean temperatures, with observable impacts on marine ecosystems for months or e…
Family Treedition and Reid’s Trees working on island
October 8, 2026
Andrew Taylor, Lance Schyck, Travis Joiner and Mike Reid of Family Treedition and Reid’s Trees were seen recently working around the island. They serve the commuity of Gasparilla Island and surround…
Boca Grande Sea Turtle Nesting Season: 10-07-26
October 8, 2026
Weekly turtle reports
State Park Turtle Numbers
Cayo Costa: 531 Loggerhead, 25 Green, 2 Leatherback, 20,879 hatchlings
Gasparilla: 32 Loggerhead, 489 hatchlings
Don Pedro: 233 Loggerhe…
Lee Tourist Tax awards
October 8, 2026
The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to authorize $3.97 million in interlocal agreements for Beach and Shoreline Program projects, part of nearly $13 million in Tourist Development Ta…
TURTLE REPORT: Winding down the season, but a few green turtles caught in pool skimmer
October 8, 2026
Above, four green turtle hatchlings rescued from a pool skimmer. BGSTA photo
BY ARLENE HALL, BOCA GRANDE SEA TURTLE ASSOCIATION
In last month’s article at the beginning of September, I noted t…
Lemon Bay at Educate Boca Scramble
October 8, 2026
At the Educate Boca Golf Scramble, raising money for scholarships, was a team of students from Lemon Bay High School. Shown from left: Connor McCloud, Kayden Slattery, Tye Yovanovich and Ryan White…











