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Island Tea … please.

Sharon Cross with her son Will and Dr. Sarah Babcock with her son James Hahn at The Island School Mother’s Day Tea last week. Those big smiles equate to a great time! Photos submitted

The Island Golfer: A ‘Master of Disaster’ performs magic at CCC

■ BY SCOTT COTHERMAN  It is a well-accepted premise among golf course superintendents that continued employment means preserving grounds and greens from the vagaries of weather, infestation, course mismanagement and inflated member expectations. None of these seem to have fazed Erin Stevens, Director of Agronomy at nearby Coral Creek Club. He knows the pressure that […]

Boca Grande Chamber scholarships at Lemon Bay

Recipients for the 2024 Educate Boca Scholarship program of the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce are honored at Lemon Bay High School Senior Scholarship Night on Monday. Recipients were Marlee Carrera, Aaliyah Passeneau, Addison Morey, Haley Hall, Kaitlyn Wells, MacKenzie McDowall, McKenzie Brown, Rose Lowder and Kaden Keir Wells. At center are Kalee Joiner […]

False mayday on sea triggers Coast Guard

Multiple local marine units, including the U.S. Coast Guard, responded to a false mayday call last Saturday, May 4 at 5 p.m. The call was reported from five miles west of Gasparilla Island, described as a “verbal mayday call w/o response.” A male voice called for help, and it was reported as a watercraft in […]

Fighter Harrison wins battle

About four years ago, David Merced, son-in-law of Boca Grande homeowner Marilyn Witt, was driving his family from Chicago down to the island for Christmas break when he noticed a spot in his four-year-old son Harrison’s eye. “The doctor was so surprised we had spotted it so early,” Witt said. “Most parents don’t see it […]

Caution, at least during this tern nesting season

Charlotte County Parks and Natural Resources is continuing to monitor the seabird nesting colony in front of SeaWatch, off Gulf Shores Drive. Last week, they expanded the fenced-off area to create even more of a buffer between nesting birds and beachgoers.  A colony of least terns have nested with eggs, and some have even been […]

Lit driver likely causes Causeway fire

A small fire on the Boca Grande Causeway’s center island was the road’s second land fire in a year. “This is not normally a problem, but the same thing did happen back in October,” said Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority Executive Director Kathy Banson.  The fire was only in a small area by the roadside and […]

Italiano Insurance sells to national firm; leadership stays

Italiano Insurance Services, Inc. has a new owner, Assured Partners.  “They buy good agencies, and keep them intact,” said Nat Italiano, who with his brother Jeff, owns the firm that his father Nelson A. Italiano founded in 1960. He said that his directions from the new owners were to “treat it like you still own […]