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Featured News

Unextreme makeover of ‘this old house’ of Bob Vila approved by board

Other approval is house by famed architect of Mar-a-Lago Two important Gilchrist house renovations, including a house formerly owned by Bob Vila and another house designed by the architect of Mar…

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Community

Methodist Church announces agreement with neighbors on parking

Tuesday’s meeting at Lighthouse United Methodist Church regarding parking started with an announcement that the church had struck an agreement with neighbors in its decades-long fight over parking o…

Englewood Leadership visits the island

Leadership Englewood Class of 2025 celebrated their Tourism and Hospitality Day on Gasparilla Island. Shown here are many who orchestrated the day. The class got to drive around in golf carts, learn…

Commissioners at May 13 parking meeting

Two Lee County Commissioners, Cecil Pendergrass and David Mulicka, are scheduled to be in Boca Grade for a community forum on the issue of parking on Gasparilla Island. The meeting is at 2 p.m. on T…

Education

Educate Boca Scholarships awarded

Lemon Bay High School Boca Grande Chamber “Educate Boca” Scholarship recipients with Cheryl Hopkins are Dylan Smith, Mailee Minitello, Meghan Lutz, Eva Gressley, and Sophia Dickerson. …

School exec assistant

Jennifer Mattu is the new executive assistant at The Island School. Ms. Mattu officially began her new position on March 31, 2025. Ms. Stevenson will be staying with the school in a remote capacity…

2025 Graduate

Logan McGinty is graduating from Lemon Bay High School in a couple of weeks. He will be attending the University of Florida in the fall, majoring in either mechanical or aerospace engineering. Logan…

Entertainment

Art festival begins tarpon season of events on May 13

Excitement is brewing as anglers and artists prepare for the 2025 “World’s Richest” Tarpon Tournament and the Annual Boca Grande Tarpon Festival May 13 to 16 in downtown Boca Grande. The Tarpon…

Boca Bargains Last Chance

Last chance to stock up on bargains at Boca Bargains – ½ off days on Saturday, April 26 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and Wednesday, April 30 (9 a.m. to noon). 240 Banyan St. Photo submitted

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New mystery ‘Coram House’ just out

Bailey Seybolt Author Bailey Seybolt was in Boca Grande with her kids just this past February on vacation; now she is in New York for the release of her debut novel with Simon and Schuster, “Cora…

Profiles, Sports & Outdoors

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Gail Coleman Davis

First tarpon of the season Gasparilla Island native Gail Coleman Davis earned the accolade of the first tarpon of this year’s tournament season at last weekend’s Ladies Day. Gail was raised on island and is now married to Doug Davis. Doug’s sister is Robin Melvin of Gasparilla Outfitters and Special Effects. She has been fishing […]

Sports & Outdoors

Health & Wellness

Groundbreaking on the Clinic of the Future, with one-year timetable

The Boca Grande Health Clinic of the Future hopes to formally begin construction this month, after a ceremonial groundbreaking last Thursday afternoon, May 1. The groundbreaking included staff…

Honoring the staff at the Boca Grande Health Clinic for Nurses Week

Every year from May 6 to May 12, organizations across the country take time to honor the people who are truly at the heart of patient care: our nurses. National Nurses Week recognizes the vital role…

Debbie Frank named as new Boca Grande Health Clinic Foundation executive director

The executive committee of the Boca Grande Health Clinic Foundation has announced the appointment of Debbie Frank as the executive director of the foundation, effective May 5, 2025. Debbie brings…

Advanced water treatment begins on island

The Gasparilla Island Water Association now has its advanced water treatment up and running. “We turned on yesterday,” said GIWA Executive Director Ron Bolton. “We sent the ‘mixed liquor’ over.”…

Police & Fire

Sheriff honored by House Speaker

Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell was cited by House Speaker Mike Johnson for his work with immigration and the Trump Administration. In a list of 100 Americans who helped in the first 100 d…

Small truck fire off 18th Street

Pictured here, local artist Larry Anderson with his truck near the 19th Street beach access last Friday, May 2. The front drivers side near the wheel caught fire while he was driving. The fire was o…

Letter addresses parking passes, expectations

Amid the discussion of possible parking regulations in Boca Grande, Boca Grande Fire Department Chief C.W. Blosser added some insight to a draft of a parking ordinance circulating on the island. He…

Water usage hits record level in April for GIWA

While the rainy season has not fully arrived, the little bit of rain last week helped the situation with water supplies on Gasparilla Island, as irrigation has put the system to the test. “Water…

News Archives

Obituaries

Melissa Landon 1967-2025

Melissa A. Landon, 57, passed away on April 9, 2025. A native of Australia and a long time artist of Boca Grande, Mel had a deep love of the ocean…

Joseph Junkin 1939-2025

Joseph (Joe) Swan Junkin, died peacefully from pulmonary fibrosis on March 29, 2025, with his loving family by his side. Born on June 17, 1939, Joe…

George Robinson 1943-2025

George Cooke Robinson passed away on April 1st, 2025, at age 81, due to complications from a fall. George was an avid traveler, chef, dog lover and…

Frances Sybil Mills 1938-2025

Frances Sybil Joiner Mills was born on Gasparilla Island, Florida on November 26, 1938, and spent her early years growing up in the unique coastal e…

Stanley O. Ikenberry 1935-2025

Stanley Oliver Ikenberry, 90, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2025, at home in Boca Grande surrounded by his family. Born March 3, 1935, in Lamar…