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Update on Post Office; mobile not possible

USPS sometimes dispatches mobile units Gasparilla Island continues to wait for the reopening of the Boca Grande Post Office, which has been closed since it was flooded during 2024 hurricanes. A reader suggested to the paper that perhaps the USPS could open a temporary branch of the post office on the island. “The size and […]

Iguana hunter is back to business after winter break

Lee County’s iguana-removal vendor for Boca Grande has resumed service after a three-month winter hiatus. “The break is there because it’s a stipulation of the contract written by Lee County,” said Tom Portuallo, owner and founder of Blue Iguana Pest Control Inc. Brian Ambrose is a technician for Blue Iguana which is the primary vendor […]

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Corporate lawyer, healthcare advocate

Regina S. Rockefeller Regina Rockefeller was 21 when she first came to Boca Grande. She was Regina Strazzulla, a young woman determined to make a difference in the world. She came to vacation with her boyfriend, Andy Rockefeller, and his family. Andy’s mother, Connie Wallace, and Regina formed a bond during that vacation that has […]

MARGATE THANK YOU

Gasparilla Island Water Association thanks Margate city utility crews BY JERRY EDGERTON PRESIDENT, GIWA BOARD We would like to express our deep appreciation and gratitude to the City of Margate and its Department of Environmental and Engineering Services for their invaluable assistance in helping Boca Grande recover from the impact of Hurricane Milton. The team […]

James F. Carlin 1940-2025

James F. Carlin, of Boca Grande, FL, and Newport, RI, passed away on March 2, 2025, in Newport, Rhode Island. Adored and adoring husband of Brenda (Egan) Carlin for over 60 years. Born in Boston, MA, on April 30, 1940, to James F. and Mary T. (Looney) Carlin, Jim grew up in Peabody, MA, and […]

James C. Barany, 1935-2025

James “Jim” Carroll Barany, born December 8, 1935, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2025, in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, with his family surrounding him. He was predeceased by his parents, Julius and Mary, his in-laws, Joseph and Martha Reuter, and his brother, John Barany. Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 62 […]

Music at sunset

Hermitage Fellow James Schlefer performed “Music Mondays: Schlefer on Shakuhachi: Ancient Flute in Modern Times” to a packed beach at the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse – Range Light Photo by Matt

SW Florida Fishing: Time for the snook to show…

BY CAPT. WILL WATERHOUSE Spring is almost here on Boca Grande and the fishing has been very good! We are still experiencing some unsettled weather patterns with high winds out of both the north and south. Once these winds settle I expect the fishing to continue to be very good! Some nice sized snook are […]