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The Gasparilla Island Act: Part II Building in Boca, and a war of words over the island’s future

■ BY SUSAN HANAFEE Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of articles about the forces that have shaped development in Boca Grande and on Gasparilla Island. As the tarpon season is getting underway in 1975, a station wagon backs into a gas pump at Millers Marina, rupturing a 5,000-gallon tank. The resulting […]

Bridge scale lane set to reopen Monday

■ STAFF REPORT – The installation of the Boca Grande swing bridge’s new scale lane is almost complete, and it is scheduled to reopen on Monday, Aug. 28 at 5:45 a.m. The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority originally installed the truck scale in 2000. Removal of the old scale began on Monday, July 31. GIBA Executive Director […]

PROFILE: Karen Kelly

■ BY SUE ERWIN – Known for her smiling face and pleasant manner, Karen Kelley wears many hats at The Island School, where she has been employed since the school started back in 1999. Karen worked in the office that first school year, eventually leading her to other positions as a paraprofessional, creative arts and drama teacher, as […]

‘La Pirate’ has been found

A 2002 26’ Glacier Bay boat reportedly stolen from Marina Bokeelia on July 21 has been recovered. The boat, which belongs to Capt. Jack who operates “Capt. Jack’s Boat Tours” in Bokeelia, was docked along with other tour boats behind Capt. Con’s Fish House on Main Street when the owner noticed it was gone at 5 p.m. […]

Obituary Patricia Heisel

Patricia Ann Heisel, 84, died July 30, 2017, at her home at Walloon Lake, Michigan, surrounded by her husband of 61 years and five children, after a brief and brave fight against acute myeloid leukemia. Pat and her husband, William, split their time between Boca Grande and Walloon Lake. Pat enjoyed volunteer work tutoring migrant […]

Letter to the Editor: Many thanks to Dr. Jeff for all of his turtle work

To the Editor: As his time on our island winds down, the Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association wishes to extend a generous thank you to Dr. Jeff Humbarger for his years of dedicated service to our organization. Dr. Humbarger brought fresh insight along with a tremendous work ethic and enthusiasm to the turtle patrol. Despite […]

The Gasparilla Island Act: Part I The Act takes shape

■ BY SUSAN HANAFEE Editor’s Note: This is the first in a random series of stories about the forces that have shaped and continue to impact development and construction in Boca Grande and on Gasparilla Island. The fight over the fate of Gasparilla Island nearly 40 years ago sounds like a novel Florida writers Carl […]

New boardwalk officially open!

On Thursday, Aug. 17 Gasparilla Island State park officially opened the ADA accessible boardwalk on the south end of the island. Funds for this boardwalk were made possible through the Lee County Tourist Development Council. According to Parks Manager Chad Lach, special thanks goes out to not only the TDC, but also Park Rangers Shannon […]

Local Pearl Harbor survivor passes away just after life-changing trip

■ BY SUE ERWIN Pearl Harbor survivor John Seelie, who attended the 75th anniversary ceremony of the attack on December 7, 2016, has passed away. Seelie, 94, was a resident of Englewood and for years would ride his bike from his home to Boca Grande to have coffee or enjoy lunch on the island with […]