Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: The Base got the message. Two-thirds of the seats were vacant at President Trump’s recent Tulsa campaign rally, his first in several months. The virus isn’t coming in waves, it’s a forest fire,” according to virologist Michael Osterholm at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. Rushing to […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
STAFF REPORT- The importance of completing the 2020 Census is especially clear today as the community responds to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participating in the Census now ensures that Lee County receives its share of federal funding, like the $134 million targeted for Lee County COVID-19 relief through the CARES Act. For the […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Profiles.
From friends to football, she cherishes the little things in between… BY OLIVIA CAMERON- Mary Keene has served the community of Boca Grande with patience and dedication over the past 36 years. This Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan scored a touchdown when she found Boca Grande. Mary cherished her childhood in a Giants household in Dix […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Sports & Outdoors.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE- The sharks took more than their fair share of a taste of the action in the 12th annual Ladies Night Out Howl at the Moon Tarpon Tournament on Saturday, June 13, but Mother Nature is a cruel mistress. The toothy ones had it out for the silver kings, who took off to […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Sports & Outdoors.
STAFF REPORT- This Saturday, June 20, the rescheduled Red Gill Tarpon Tournament will be held in the Pass from 5 to 8 p.m. The registration fee is $600 per boat, and each boat receives five t-shirts as part of the entry fee. Call or text William Woodroffe at (813) 310-1609 to make arrangements, or call […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
STAFF REPORT- The Boca Grande Swing Bridge suffered a malfunction at 3 p.m. on Friday June 12, and was closed to boat traffic. Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority staff worked to resolve the problem, and the bridge reopened to boat traffic Sunday, June 14 at 9 a.m. GIBA Executive Director Kathy Banson-Verrico described the situation.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
Note: CenturyLink services were restored to some islanders on Tuesday afternoon, after this article was written. BY OLIVIA CAMERON- Last week, local complaints concerning the lack of internet service in Boca Grande stretched on for over seven days. Those who were hooked up to CenturyLink noticed the shortage but were unsure why the problem remained […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Sports & Outdoors.
BY OLIVIA CAMERON- Reeling in a tarpon is a rite of passage in the town of Boca Grande. As a Florida native, I spent most of my time soaking up the sun and getting saltwater in my eyes. However, I was always lousy at fishing. Even a minnow wouldn’t touch my hook with a ten-foot […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
STAFF REPORT- The red, white and blue will be flying high and proud the morning of Saturday, July 4 as the island’s annual Fourth of July parade will gather at 8:30 a.m. from the parking lot between the Old Theatre Building (where Scarpa’s Coastal) is, and Englewood Bank & Trust, Inc. Show up early for […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Letters to the Editor, News.
BY OLIVIA CAMERON- Approximately 100 locals participated in last Sunday’s Paddle for Peace water excursion to the Boca Grande Sandbar. Glass Bottom Rentals owner and coordinator, Aaron Koher, saw his event as a success. Paddle for Peace was designed to steer locals away from their phones and political frustration to experience a day on the water. […]