Opinion

Many forget that Memorial Day is a day to remember, honor and mourn for all the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in our armed forces, to keep our country safe for all and to protect the freedoms we often take for granted. Since the end of the Revolutionary War, 646,596 troops have died in battle. Sadly, many deaths do not occur on the battlefield. Some 30,177 U,S, servicemen and veterans died by suicide between September 11, 2001 and the end of 2019. Currently 9 million veterans are enrolled in the Veterans Administration’s treatment centers for post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD.

“Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach is excited to once again partner with CCA Florida as a destination sponsor of the STAR fishing competition,” said Tourism Director Sean Doherty of the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau. “Showcasing Charlotte Harbor, the second largest estuary in the state, is a natural fit for this event. In addition, we applaud and embrace the conservation efforts of the Coastal Conservation Association as we rely so heavily on the quality and health of our waters from both a residential and tourism standpoint. We appreciate the opportunity to promote our area to responsible anglers throughout the state who have been educated on sustainable practices through their affiliation with CCA Florida.”

More than 100 ladies  — screams of excitement could be heard from every boat and, we were told, from the beach too. The mighty Silver King made their presence known immediately and throughout the evening dancing in their silver glory all over the Pass to the delight of us all.

As our season comes to a close and summer begins, I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of myself and our BIPS Board to thank all our friends and visitors who utilized our four parks, lighthouses and gift shops and participated in our numerous programs and activities.

In order to not forget the many sacrifices of Boca Grande and Florida residents, the History Center has completed a multivolume collection of many articles pertaining to Florida, Boca Grande and World Wars I and II. The History Center has also compiled a list of over 260 names with relevant data on those who served in the military during WWII and had lived at a specific time in Boca Grande.  

 The water bodies of Sarasota Bay are designated as an Outstanding Florida Waters (OFW’s). This designation is intended to provide additional protection to special waters recognized for their ecological significance, by providing the highest degree of protection under the State of Florida’s permitting policies. An OFW designation requires that water quality must not be degraded below the level that existed at the time of the OFW designation. However, significant degradation of Sarasota Bay has occurred since its original designation, as documented through water quality data, red tide blooms, areas of seagrass die-off and manatee mortalities.

To the Editor: The 2022 summer reading program, “Oceans of Possibilities,” is free and for all ages. Sign up at your favorite branch location, online at leelibrary.readsquared.com or through the READsquared app.  The summer reading program is designed to nurture and grow a lifelong love of reading and learning. The program is divided into four […]

To the Editor: Professional property managers and residential homeowners’ association presidents can take steps now to protect their community in the event of a hurricane or other declared major disaster in Lee County. FEMA regulations require that private or gated communities have a current Right of Entry and Indemnification form on file with Lee County […]

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a necropsy found that the dolphin had been impaled in the head with a spear-like object while alive. The agency suspects that by the shape and size of the wound, the dolphin was likely being fed illegally.