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Hurricane Michael missed the island, but we still felt effects

The Coast Guard had to take two men off this sailboat on the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 9 near Gasparilla Island, as eight-foot swells had the 50-foot sailboat in jeopardy. The unmanned vessel named “OldSkool” crashed into the jetty at the south end of the island by Port Boca Grande Lighthouse on Wednesday afternoon. No […]

Island LEO beat: Carmine Marceno appointed Lee County Sheriff

On Friday, Sept. 21  Governor Rick Scott announced the appointment of Undersheriff Carmine Marceno as Sheriff of Lee County following the retirement of Sheriff Mike Scott. Carmine Marceno has been with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office since 2013, most recently serving as Undersheriff for two years. Prior to his role as Undersheriff, Marceno was a […]

Retired professor studies Cayo Costa, writes ‘Island in the Sun’

■ BY SUE ERWIN – A retired Cornell University professor from the Department of Horticulture applied his knowledge of Cayo Costa’s natural history and plants and turned the information into a book. “Island in the Sun: Reflections on the natural history of Cayo Costa State Park” was written by Ken Mudge in Ithaca, New York. Over […]

Boca Grande native is now successful Navy attorney

■ BY SUE ERWIN Boca Grande native Lt. Cmdr. Kathy (Young) Paradis, a staff judge advocate, is supporting the world’s most advanced ballistic missile submarines as part of Submarine Group Nine JAG (Judge Advocate General) Corp in the United States Navy. Kathy grew up in Boca Grande and was very involved with the drama club […]

Activity slowing down for island nesting turtles and their babes

■ BY SUE ERWIN The final few weeks of sea turtle nesting season are quickly approaching, with the season officially closing on October 31. “We are continuing to have a robust hatching season, and nesting activity appears to be over,” said Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association Board Member Melissa Csank. As of September 28, the […]

Boca Grande Woman’s Club scholarship apps due in February

The Scholarship Committee of the Boca Grande Woman’s Club is now accepting applications for the 2019-2020 school year. In 2018, 52 scholars received financial support from the Boca Grande Woman’s Club. Applicants for the program must meet the following criteria: 1) be applying for admission to a school of higher education (including some technical programs); […]

Climb the historic Gasparilla Island Lighthouse Mondays and Saturdays

■ STAFF REPORT Walk in the very steps of lightkeepers from the past. Reserve your space now for a 20-minute climb tour to the top of the historic Gasparilla Island Lighthouse, as volunteer docents share the fascinating story of this U.S. legacy. All proceeds support the continuing restoration and preservation of this local historical treasure. […]

Proposed Fishery amendment voted in with no contest; plans are to feature replicas of island lighthouses

■ BY SUE ERWIN At a public hearing on Tuesday, September 25, Charlotte County Commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance to adopt a small-scale plan amendment to the development of the Fishery property, located at 13000 Fishery Rd. The “Village & Marina at Boca Grande” project, spearheaded by real estate developer Jay Feinberg, went before commissioners […]

Is West Nile virus a concern in Boca Grande?

■ SUBMITTED BY DR. LAUREN M. HANA MD BOCA GRANDE HEALTH CLINIC The Florida Department of Health has issued a mosquito-borne illness advisory for residents and visitors. The first U.S. cases were reported in New York City in 1999, and the first reported case in Florida was in 2001. All 48 contiguous states have now […]