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Native takes first in Ladies day

In the Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament last Saturday, May 10, there were a total of 37 boats. Team Native won first place with two fish caught.  Fishing was from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and there were 10 tarpon caught in total and Gail Coleman Davis from team Native caught two, winning them the $12,950 […]

Letters: Thank you to hotel’s leadership and staff during this long hurricane recovery 

To the Editor: It’s hard to believe that six months ago our restaurants were not open, the town and many homes were underwater, we lost our post office, and the centerpiece of our island, The Gasparilla Inn, was extremely compromised. These have been challenging times. Prized possessions were destroyed, beloved cars and golf carts were […]

Barrier Island Parks reminds of community support function

FROM SHARON MCKENZIE,EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BIPS I recently attended the parking issue meeting at the Boca Grande United Methodist Church and in hindsight, I realized I did not clarify our role. Barrier Island Parks Society (BIPS) is a Citizen Support Organization (CSO) for four local Florida State Parks, Cayo Costa, Don Pedro Island and land base, […]

Charlotte sets week’s upcoming meetings schedule

Charlotte County government meetings for the upcoming week. Monday, May 19, 2 p.m. – Metropolitan Planning Organization Board Meeting, Charlotte County Administration Center, 18500 Murdock Circle, Room 119, Port Charlotte, FL 33948  Tuesday, May 20, 1 p.m. – Board of County Commissioners Quarterly Local Transportation Meeting, Charlotte County Administration Center, 18500 Murdock Circle, Room 119, […]

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 […]

COLUMNS: VAN HUBBARD

Fixing water quality now, still cheaper than reviving dead estuaries How do we tackle water quality? Just like an elephant. One bite at a time. Many things contribute to these problems. It took years of abuse to get there, and it will require billions of dollars, and serious effort, to gain water quality resurrection.  We […]

Toilets. Trash cans. A guest experience from the tollbooth.

It was a good day to have three Lee County commissioners come to Boca Grande on Tuesday for a forum on parking. There were some (not us) who were worried that somehow it would be contentious. Indeed there was much that was not said. What was said, every word of it, was useful.  Who would […]

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.                                              Photo by TK Photography

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 about turtles and hear some history of the island.                             […]

EcoWatch: New trapping proposal flip-flopping at its best

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is proposing to modernize rules to align with the updated methods, technologies and research in the Association of Florida and Wildlife Agencies’ best management practices. Regulated trapping is a valuable species-specific and humane way to manage and conserve Florida wildlife and benefit people. There will be two sides […]