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Turtle Report: Nest numbers up slightly on island; transport to Mote

So many factors in nature Above, the “washback” covered in algae that was transported to Mote As September begins, we near the end of sea turtle nesting season. For several weeks now, there…

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Save the date for the Firehouse 5K and Chamber Chili

September 3, 2026

The Firehouse 5K, put on by the Boca Grande Fire Department, is planned for Saturday, Nov. 7, followed by the Big Mouth Chili Cookoff. The run will begin and end near The Pink Elephant at 491 Bayou…

Labor Day Hours for South Gulf Cove Lock

September 3, 2026

The South Gulf Cove Lock is extending its operating hours to 9 p.m., Friday, Sept. 4, through Monday, Sept. 7 to accommodate increased holiday boating traffic. Normal operational hours will resume f…

Veteran fishing program seeks sponsors, volunteers and captains

September 3, 2026

On Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, Take a Vet Fishing will host its first annual special fishing event dedicated to honoring veterans and providing them with a meaningful day of camaraderie, conne…

Tech market to support local Charlotte Technical students

Charlotte Technical College is starting a new vendor market on its campus. This event hopes to bring in 100 vendors, food trucks, hands-on activities and more. The idea came from numerous student an…

Island School hosts open house for back-to-school as August looms

The Island School will host its Back-to-School Open House and Meet the Teacher Night from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6. The event gives families an opportunity to meet their child’s teacher, v…

Island School rates ‘A’ in yearly state report

The Island School has once again earned an “A” rating from the Florida Department of Education for 2026. In a release, Head of School Christine Oliver said that the achievement “reflects the dedi…

Labor Day Luau at Miller’s

September 3, 2026

Bridgette Winger is shaking things up at Miller’s Dockside! Miller’s will hold a Luau party on Monday, Sep. 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wear your best Hawaiian shirts and stop in before they close t…

Pioneer Days celebrated on Monday

September 3, 2026

The Englewood community has announced that Linda Stevens will be the Grand Marshal of the 2026 Pioneer Days Parade, honoring her decades of dedication to Englewood, local traditions, charitable caus…

Pickin’ and grinnin’

September 3, 2026

Scarpa’s Coastal hosted Myakka River Bluegrass Band this past Saturday. Shown here, the band with spontaneous guest vocalist Dr. Ray James. The house was packed with people enjoying delicious food a…

Police & Fire, Profiles

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Dylan Mitchell

New at the Boca Grande Fire Department A 35-year-old former Marine, Dylan Mitchell is beginning a new chapter with the Boca Grande Fire Department after eight years in Sarasota County’s fire service. Though he was born in Florida, Mitchell has actually spent much of his life on the West Coast of the country. “I was […]

Sports & Outdoors

Health & Wellness

Ask a Doc: Three questions men over 70 should ask

August 13, 2026

BY RAYMOND A.JAMES, D.O. BOCA GRANDE HEALTH CLINIC One of the biggest mistakes men can make as they get older is assuming that a new symptom is simply part of aging. Some changes are expected, bu…

Boil-water notice for Cole Island rescinded

The boil-water notice issued for the Cole Island portion of Gasparilla Island and Boca Grande North Association was rescinded Monday, July 6. “All of the bac-t samples have been cleared by Sander…

Boil Water Notice for Cole Island and Boca Grande North

Editor’s Note: The notice has been rescinded as of July 6. A Precautionary Boil Water Notice has been issued for the Cole Island portion of Gasparilla Island and Boca Grande North…

First patients at new Health Clinic

Kim Newlin (above) was the first patient appointment at the new clinic. Photographed with Dana Pellant, L.P.N. Kimberly Whipple (right) was the first same-day patient at the new clinic. Photogra…

Operation Dry Water supported on weekend by local Coast Guard Auxiliary

September 3, 2026

Operation Dry Water takes place over the Labor Day weekend, September 5-7. During this period, The U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Florida Fish & Wildlife (FWC) and local maritime se…

Save the date for the Firehouse 5K and Chamber Chili

September 3, 2026

The Firehouse 5K, put on by the Boca Grande Fire Department, is planned for Saturday, Nov. 7, followed by the Big Mouth Chili Cookoff. The run will begin and end near The Pink Elephant at 491 Bayou…

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Dylan Mitchell

September 3, 2026

New at the Boca Grande Fire Department A 35-year-old former Marine, Dylan Mitchell is beginning a new chapter with the Boca Grande Fire Department after eight years in Sarasota County’s fire serv…

Emergency group meets to prevent disaster

August 27, 2026

A group of about 30 island community leaders and members met on Tuesday morning, Aug. 25, at the Boca Grande Fire Department to discuss emergency operations and preparedness in the event of a hurric…

News Archives

Claire Bissell 1931-2026

Claire Bissell, age 95, passed away of natural causes on August 27, 2026 at her home in Boca Grande. She was an Active Boca Grande Community volunte…

Diane Kay Johnson 1949-2026

Diane Kay Johnson, 77, of Mission Hills, Kansas, died on August 7, 2026, surrounded by family. She was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa on March 30, 1949, to…

Constance Vauclain Hamilton Wallace

Constance Vauclain Hamilton Wallace, of Boca Grande, Florida, affectionately known as Connie, died peacefully August 13, 2026. She was 98. Born in B…

Arnold Rapoport 1935-2026

Arnold Sayer Rapoport, M.D., passed peacefully on Monday August 3, 2026, at the age of 91, at his home in Cornwall, VT. Born in Philadelphia, PA, he…

Fred Scott 1941-2026

Capt. Frederic ‘Fred’ E. Scott has cast out his last line in Boca Grande waters. He passed away on June 10, 2026 at the age of 85, and joins many of…