Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
The explanation is this: Currently Lee County looks at the entire grounds of the Boca Grande Community Center as a “park.” A park has more restrictions than a school, in the fact that a sex offender can be at a school with proper supervision, and with good reason to be there (and prior approval). A sex offender cannot be at a “park” in Lee County while children are present.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
The tentative opening is scheduled for early March. Lee County Parks & Recreation is overseeing the beach parks restoration, including facilities and amenities.
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in News.
Submitted by the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority Quarterly Board meeting was held on Wednesday February 25, 2023, in the offices of the Authority. Ginger Watkins was re-elected as Chairman of the Board and Drew Tucker was re-elected as Vice Chairman. The GIBA Board unanimously appointed George Milne to fill Advisory […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in News.
The GICIA’s goals for the restoration were to improve water quality, enhance native fish and bird habitat, reduce seawall maintenance costs, and improve site aesthetics. Since the restoration was completed in 2021, water quality has continued to improve. Biologists have planted nearly 17,300 units of seagrass, four acoustic receivers have been installed to monitor tagged fish such as tarpon and smalltooth sawfish and environmental resource surveys are being conducted twice a year.
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Entertainment, News.
We all think it’s Grande that singers that you have enjoyed watching sing solos in Royal Palm Players’ shows like Alice Court and James Martin are singing with you. A few seats away are the people who take part in the annual Christmas tree lighting like Nancy Garraghan, Jeff Lehrian and Oakley Johnson. They are sitting next to people like Ken Anderson (name has been changed to protect to innocent) who you’ve witnessed being glared at by his wife as he sings loudly in the audience when an All That Jazz concert is going on. Everyone is welcome.
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in News.
Submitted by Food for the Poor The challenges in Haiti continue to mount, but Boca Grande Hope For Haitians is standing firm in its drive to provide 40 more homes for vulnerable families living in extreme poverty in Périgny. Led by longtime Food For The Poor donors Ben and Louise Scott, Boca Grande Hope For […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
Andrew Colburn started his new job at the Boca Grande Health center on the Monday of the week Hurricane Ian hit the island. It was quite a welcome. The storm hit on Wednesday and on Thursday Andrew called clinic CEO Mark Driscoll to see what he should do about coming in.
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Community History.
Julie Jean is the manager of Barnichol Hardware, located in the heart of Boca Grande. She is also the daughter of Captain Jimmy and Marjie Robertson and grew up in Boca Grande … and on the water surrounding it. The stories of her life with her beloved family allowed the audience to relive some of their own childhood memories.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community, News, Sports & Outdoors.
When Capt. Sandy Melvin, Bill Klettke and Michael Vaughn founded the Gasparilla Island Kids Classic more than a decade ago, it was with one objective in mind – to create a fast-paced, action-packed fishing tournament for kids, while teaching them about the value of helping others. Kids helping kids. That was what it was all […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Obituaries.
Sandy Bylaska, tournament judge extraordinnaire and such a well-loved woman in our community, has passed away. She is now with the love of her life, husband Jackie. Sandy did not mince words. If she didn’t like you, you knew it, but she rarely got too mad over things that didn’t matter. To her friends and […]