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Flamingos! Flamingos everywhere! Even in Boca Grande and  … Ohio?

Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, News.

Hurricanes don’t always bring good things, but the latest hurricane, Idalia, has not only brought the American flamingo back to Florida, but highlighted the potential for the eventual restoration and return of the species to Florida on a permanent basis.

Like so many Floridians, Ashley Scarpa had never seen them in Florida, even as an experienced birder.

“To be honest I went searching for them,” said Scarpa, who has in the past monitored birds for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. “Someone had posted that they had been seen in the area, and I sprinted to where they have been seen.”

GIWA increase to take effect on October 1

Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, News.

Gasparilla Island Water Authority (GIWA) members will have a rate increase of five percent beginning Oct. 1, 2023, and future rate increases would be able to be approved administratively by the county manager of Lee County, rather than having to be approved at full Board of County Commissioners meetings. On Tuesday, Sept 5 the Lee […]

Hearing Examiner to make determination in case as to BGHPB ruling in 161 Gilchrist case 

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.

The proposal submitted by the property owner at 161/181 Gilchrist Ave. to the Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board earlier this year, one that was rejected by the Board, will be heard by the Lee County Hearing Examiner’s Office in September. The reason for the hearing, called for by the property owner, 161 Gilchrist, LLC on May 5, is to challenge the rejection based on the allegations that the Board failed to apply the correct law to the matter and did not provide “competent, substantial evidence” to support the denial. On May 17 the Hearing Examiner accepted the appeal and requested the county attorney to prepare a written submittal to explain why the request was or was not valid.
There were several reasons cited by the property owner’s attorney to argue the local board’s decision, most of which the Hearing Examiner said were irrelevant or outside their authority. However, they did say, “the only remaining issue raised in the Notice of Appeal for which the HEX does have authority is the question of whether there is competent substantial evidence on the record to support the denial, and any hearing on this matter should be limited as such.”

When your brain says to leave but your heart says no – why so many would rather face a disaster at home with their pets than evacuate: Part I

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Health & Wellness.

It brings preparedness to a whole new level to be responsible for the daily needs of a pet that will be in a new environment, quite often around strangers, foreign noises, sights and smells. While you can have all of the supplies your pets’ needs taken care of, the most important part of prepping is to try to understand their mindset in such unfamiliar circumstances.

There are several stories in Lee County, where Fort Myers Beach was almost entirely wiped out, where residents were holding their exhausted pets over their head with water up to their chin. Those pet owners were ready to lay down their lives for their animals – and you either understand it or you don’t.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Shorebird and sea turtle presentation to be held in September at Port Charlotte location

Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.

To the Editor: Charlotte County Environmental Specialist Suzanne Derheimer will host a presentation on Charlotte County beach nesting species from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16 at Harold Avenue Regional Park Recreation Center in Port Charlotte. It is located at 23400 Harold Ave.  The presentation will focus on sea turtles and shorebirds and […]

Advancements at the Dog Park

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.

There have been some changes to the dog park as of late, as a new gazebo on one side of the park has been constructed. Lee County representatives have said that while construction material delays were the cause, they are anticipating a completion date sometime around the end of next month. We shall see. Photo […]

RESTORING CELL COVERAGE … HERE’S THE LATEST

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.

While the Atlantic is kicking up, action at the Bakery Building has slowed down this week. A new demolition crew will begin work on Monday, headed up by Kevin Kelley, and the Lee County Attorney’s Office has spoken with the building’s new owner, Sue Sligar, who is back in town. The building is listed under […]

Feds help island with north end iguanas

Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.

If you’ve been seeing a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) truck out on the Boca Grande Causeway lately, it’s because it’s prime season for iguana hunting.

While the Lee County portion of the island uses trapper George Cera, who has been on the job for about 16 years, the Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) takes care of the iguana issue in the Charlotte County part of the island. They hired the USDA about 10 years ago.

July real estate stats slightly lag behind state, but cash deals dominate

Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community.

As cash deals continue, the Lee and Charlotte County regions slightly lag the rest of the state in July real estate statistics, according to information released this week from the Florida Board of Realtors and local boards.
Statewide, existing single-family houses sales were down 6.4 percent year-over-year, to 22,198, while existing condo-townhouse sales were down 9.4 percent, to 8,463.
For Lee County and the Cape Coral Fort Myers area, closed sales were down 5.3 percent to 1,106, comparing July to July. Closed sales in the county so far for all of 2023 were down 14.6 percent, to 8,431. The median sales price in that metro area was $434,980, down just 1.1 percent for the year so far.